"Hello?" I answered. I watched Sam, just waiting for him to stomp over and crush the phone I held in my hands.
"Bella?" Chad said. "Honey…why did you leave?! You were getting so good! What happened to the internship? All that hard work and you ran away?"
I heard Sam growl and saw that the guys were holding him back. 'Thank you' I mouthed.
I turned my attention back to Chad. "Yea, well I had to leave…umm… I don't think I was going to accept the internship anyways." I looked back at Sam trying to meet his eyes and tell him to chill. Of course, he was still trying to fight off the guys and growling.
"But Bella, honey, your admission slip came in today. You got in!" he congratulated.
"Wait…what? Huh? I got in?!" I said excitedly. I then looked at everyone and saw the panic on their faces.
I cleared my throat. "I mean…that's good to know. Look Chad, thank you for everything. I learned so much and had a great time. That place was like my second home. But im now back at my real home. The place that I haven't gotten to call home in a long time."
"But what should I do with your acceptance letter?" he asked hopefully. I took in a deep breath.
"I…umm…" I looked at everyone and let it out with a sigh. "Throw it away; I won't be needing it anyways."
"Oh, ok." Chad said with disappointment. I felt a wave of guilt wash through me. It was like I was letting him down.
"I-I…Im sorry Chad." I said biting my lip.
"It's fine. But Bella…why did you leave? Was it something I did? Did I work you too hard? I knew something was going on the other day when I called you, but I didn't think anything of it…."
I looked over at Sam to see him a little less tense, watching me, waiting for an answer. I was about to say something, but I got cut off by Chad again.
"Maybe I crossed the line…" he mumbled. I winced at his choice of words and looked at Sam. He was furious. He was growling and it took practically all of the guys to restrain him. I saw Jake giving me a look like 'reply, and it better not be what it sounds like'. I shook my head at Jake telling him it just sounded bad. I turned my attention back to Chad, ready to set him in line.
"Look Chad." I put. "I left because I missed my boyfriend" I stressed.
"And I missed my friends. They are practically like my family. I weighed my outcomes and decided that they were more important. I missed them too much to let them go. When you called about the studio that day, I just…was trying to think, sort out all of the drama and thoughts going through my head. It had nothing to do with the studio. I-…it's hard. I mean, leaving the studio. I miss it a lot. It was like one place I could get away. But my family and friends mean more to me. My Boy friend means more to me." I stressed again at the end.
I looked up at Sam to see him relaxed and a small smile on his face.
"So I didn't cross the line?" he asked. I rolled my eyes and looked at Sam. I could tell he was becoming tense again. I shot him a look like 'calm down.'
"No. you didn't cross the line. Im glad you care about me, but if you really want to help me…" I was about to continue when I heard Sam growl. I rolled my eyes at him and shot him another look. He backed down a little but with Jake's help.
"…then…" I continued. "Be a good mentor. Be the kind of teacher you are with me. When I was shadowing you, I noticed how you got tense with the kids. Relax, and maybe even put on some music like you did with me. The CD mix is still there. Just grab it and put it on."
I could hear him let out a breath. "That's it?" he asked. He almost sounded hurt. Like he was expecting me to fall for him. (Yea, like I would dump Sam.)
I thought about it for a second. "No. Actually, its not." I said surprisingly.
"Could you explain it to the students…that I left to go back home to my family and friends. I don't want them to think I just abandoned them. Oh! And could you have Sarah call me so I can tell to do the same with my kids?" I asked.
"I want to know if they found another replacement. I know it's probably hard to find one in Mon-…" I quickly stopped myself and looked around. Everyone looked very interested in my conversation. "Hard to find one in a place like that" I concluded. I could hear the guys grumble and sigh about me not telling them where I went. I smirked a little and went back talking to Chad.
"Yea, sure Bella." He grumbled.
"Thanks Chad. Hey, I got to go, my boyfriend is…"
"Yea, fine. See you Bella. Come and visit ok?"
"That I will do! See you Chad and thanks again!"
I quickly hung up the phone and breathed a breath of relief. The guys backed away from Sam and I ran up to him. He opened his arms and I jumped, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. He kissed me hard and sweet. I broke the kiss and looked at him. "You seriously need to take a chill pill and relax." I said jokingly,
"Right." He said rolling his eyes. "Last time I heard you talking to the guy, he was practically drooling on the phone over you. I would seriously like to go kick that kid's ass right now."
I stifled a giggle. "Sam, I think he might just beat you up."
Sam raised an eyebrow at me and everyone turned to look at me with the same expression. "What?" I asked innocently.
"Uhh Bells, he is a werewolf, I seriously think he beats all odds of 'Chad' winning." Paul said, with air quotations around Chad's name.
I laughed a little. "Oh come on. The guy is a martial arts specialist."
"And Sam is a werewolf." Leah said, looking at me like I was crazy. I rolled my eyes at her. She stuck out her tongue and I stuck mine out back. We looked like little 5 years olds.
Sam rolled his eyes at us, and looked at me. "Im hurt you think this guy could beat your boyfriend." He was faking hurt.
I rolled my eyes at him again. "Ok, This Chad guy is my friend."
"Who hits on you." Seth pointed out.
"whatever." I said brushing off the comment. I turned back to Sam.
"I just think, with all of his martial arts experiences, that it would be harder for you to catch him or pack a punch. I learned not only knowledge about martial arts but flexibility and agility." I pointed out. Sam rolled his eyes.
I huffed. "Fine. I will prove it to you. Try and hit me." I said getting in my stance and quickly stretching.
"Bella. Im not going to fight you, and im defiantly not going to hit you." He said not moving an inch.
"Oh come on Sam! I will be fine. I am a big girl you know. Plus there are no hard feelings."
"No Bella."
"Please Sam. I really want to prove my point, and finally get to use my martial art skills. I don't want them to rust you know." I begged and pointed out. I heard some of the guys laugh in the background and I smiled. I batted my eyes and he groaned and put a hand to his face.
"Fine, I will have Jake face me….Jake?" I asked.
"…Sorry Bells but I don't think that's a good idea."
"Oh Come on Jake!" I said getting fed up.
"Will someone please just let me put my skills to use and prove a point?!" I yelled.
"You proved your point Bella!" Sam said.
"No I haven't! You guys don't understand! I learned things. I actually learned a lot of things while I was gone. I have changed. Im…strong and in control. Those two things didn't click together when I was here before. I finally found skills that im not afraid to use! Im not little Bella. Im not broken and I sure as hell don't need saving. I need you all to treat me like part of the pack, like a wolf. Im not going to die with a tap on the shoulder or a big hug!" I yelled. I needed to calm down but I just couldn't. I hated feeling useless and like a delicate little girl.
"Bella…" Jake started but I cut him off.
"Im tired of you all treating me like im going to break. I see the glances you give me when you think im not looking. Im not going to run and im not going to break. So stop treating me like im helpless."
"Bella. Stop. We get it, now calm down."
I glared at Sam. "Do you? Or are you just saying that for me to stop?" I waited. I could tell Sam didn't want to answer that question. He knew if he lied I would be overly pissed.
"That's what I thought. You guys don't get it. You don't get what it feels like to not be in control and to know you can practically kill everyone you love with a wave of your hand…or an emotion out of line. When I was gone, I got to learn. I learned how to be strong. I learned how to control my emotions and powers. I LEARNED THINGS and I loved it! I didn't just run for me, I ran to get away from you. I ran away to save your lives!" I finished. I looked at Sam and saw him shaking.
"Well then if you learned so much and love it like it sounds like you do, then go back to wherever you were! Go back to Chad! I could care less anymore!" Sam yelled. I stood there shocked. I felt the wind being knocked out of me. I could tell as soon as he said that, he regretted it. "Wait, Bella, I didn't mean that…I was just so mad…" he started walking towards me but I quickly stepped back out of his reach. Tears filled my eyes and I saw Emily and Leah coming towards me. Everyone was staring at me, and I felt as if everything was coming in on me. My breath was coming out in short small gasps and I couldn't contain the hurt that ran though me, no matter how many lessons I took to control my emotions. His words echoed through my mind. What did he just say?
"I-I….excuse me." Was all I could think of what to say and then I ran from the backyard.
I didn't know where to go or what to do. It was like my mind shut down and only Sam's words were playing.
I ran out of his house and out the front door. I looked for my keys only to realize we took Jakes car. I groaned. I could hear everyone start to call my name. I decided to run home. I cut into the forest just across the road and climbed up a tree. I jumped and swung from branch to branch, not over thinking, but not letting myself think at all. It was like I put myself on auto pilot. When I got close to my home, I jumped down the tree and ran inside. I quickly shut the front door and slid down it. I sat there, tears running down my cheeks in silence. I suddenly heard a loud bang from upstairs. I quickly stood up. I thought of what I learned back in Montana. I closed my eyes and used my senses. I immediately recognized the scent. Sam. My mind raced and I heard his footsteps come closer to the stairs. I quickly teleported to the side of the house. His smell seemed to be all over me. I started to sob and put an arm out on the side of the house to brace myself. I took my hand that was at my waist and put it over my mouth to muffle the sobs that were overcoming me.
"Bella?" I heard a familiar voice say.
I turned around and I saw Jake, Seth and Leah coming towards me.
"Bella." He said more calmly. I shook my head and started to back away. "Don't Jake." I said, holding a hand out to stop him from coming closer. I didn't necessarily use my powers. I didn't want to risk using them when I was emotionally unstable. I saw Jake turn his head. I turned to see what he was looking at and I found Sam.
"Bella." He said pleading. He started to come closer and I found myself backing away even more. My back hit the side of the house and I looked at all of them. I slowly maneuvered my way towards the end side of the house. It was a big wide empty space.
"Bella, please, just wait. Let me explain." Sam said putting an arm out to me like I was supposed to grab on to it. (Yea right.)
I shook my head and backed away from Sam, Jake, and the rest of them. Sam kept coming closer. His eyes were searching mine. I couldn't take the guilt and look in his eyes, so I looked down at the grass. I could feel him take big steps forwards, and I kept going back. I knew I was going to run out of space sooner or later.
"Don't." I whispered.
"Bella." He said painfully. I could hear the shame, but at that moment, I didn't care. I felt so broken and empty inside, I couldn't deal with it.
"J-Jus…Just go." I said shakily. I saw him shake his head no. so I said it sterner.
"I mean it Sam. I mean it to the rest of you too. Please, just go." I looked at each of them. They had hesitance written all over their faces. Then, it clicked. They were here because they thought I was going to leave again. I bit my lip angrily.
"Im not going to leave if that's what you're worried about. I made promises, and I tend to keep them. So you all can leave!" I shouted.
"Bella, please…talk to us." Jake pleaded. I shook my head. The tears started to cascade down my cheeks like waterfalls.
"Go away. Please. I don't want you guys here right now. I want to be alone…I need to be alone, so just…leave me alone." I said pitifully. They just stood there looking at me. A few seconds later, I heard a car pull up and someone get out. I looked around outside and guessed it was late. I knew it had to have been Charlie, so I wiped my tears, the best I could; took a deep breath, and started to walk. Sam immediately blocked my path and I could see Jake, Seth, and Leah run up closer to me, almost circling me.
"Move" I growled to Sam. I could tell he was about to say my name, so I cut him off before he could say anything. "Move before I make you move." I said in the most menacing tone I could bring up at that time. He stood there stunned for a second and then stepped aside. I swiftly walked past him, accidentally bumping my shoulder into his, which caused him to wake up out of shock and chase after me. "Bella!" Sam called after me.
"Bells?" Charlie said surprised. He was walking up to the front porch, with a bunch of files and things from work in hand.
"Hey dad!" I said with fake cheeriness.
"Hey Boys!" my dad shouted and waved happily. "You all coming in?" he asked. Before anyone could answer I spoke up." No dad, they aren't. Night." I said to them in a short tone. With that, I walked inside, not daring to look over my shoulder before Charlie closed the door.