I'm really sorry for the delay, i feel really guilty, but hope you all can understand.
Chapter 25
A few days had passed since I had asked my parents about staying with the Cullens. And they hadn't mentioned anything about it, so things weren't looking very bright. I'd been mentally preparing myself for it, and had been spending more and more time with my friends, and I even caught up with some other friends from school that I didn't normally hang out with.
When my dad broke the news about whether or not I could stay with the Cullens I was at my desk, finishing off my homework. "Hi, Bells," My dad greeted me as he stood at my doorway. "Hi," I said, turning away from my homework and looking at him expectantly.
"Do you have a lot of homework?" He asked,
"No, not really, I'm nearly done, "I said dismissively, growing more excited by the minute at what he was going to say. My dad slowly walked to my bed and then sat down, and then he patted the spot next to him.
I joined him. "Bella, your mother and I have been discussing leaving you here with Esme and Carlisle…" he began, "And…" he continued, as I braced myself for what he was going to say next, "We don't think it's a very good idea," he finished, then seeing my shocked expression he continued, "We just don't think we'd feel comfortable being away from you for so long…Bella, you're our only child. This has nothing to do with the Cullens'. We are very aware how capable they are of taking care of you, but honey, you have to see this form our side. We just don't think we could handle not seeing you every day."
Tears began to well up, and soon enough my vision became blurry.
"But dad…" I trailed off, not knowing what to say. My dad wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me to his side,
"I know this seems bad now Bells, but it'll be fine, we'll visit here as often as you like," he assure me, planting a kiss on the top of my head.
I rested my head on his shoulder and drew in a shaky breath, "I-I…I don't want to go," I managed to get out", knowing how little difference my statement would make.
"I know—we know," he corrected himself, "But after a while, when we get all settled, it'll be better. You'll make new friends—now I'm not saying that you forget your old ones, but over time, you'll be more comfortable, sweet heart. Your mother and I both know how hard this will be for you—and it's hard for us too. We aren't very happy about leaving all our friends behind, our lives. But this is an amazing opportunity for your mother and it would be unfair to her if we let it go." My dad said in soothing tones. I nodded and sniffled.
"Okay, well hon, I have to help your mother cook, you know how cranky she gets." He said, I could hear the smile in his voice.
"Yeah, sure," I said, letting go of him and wiping away the tear streaks that ran down my face.
My dad gave me a sympathetic look, "It'll be okay." He repeated, and then with a last smile, he left.
I collapsed on my bed, feeling all the air getting knocked out of me. We were leaving in six days. Not knowing what else to do, I began packing. First I did my desk, placing all my many books, photo frames and ornaments in the dull brown boxes my parents had given me. Then I did my drawers. They were much harder, and as I placed the many memories away into the boxes, and sealed them in their dark, musky prisons, a few tears escaped.
I had nearly finished doing my drawers when my mum called me down for dinner. It was a quiet affair; the only sound was the scraping of spoons against plates and the occasional awkward small talk.
"Honey," My mother finally broke the awkward silence, "I just wanted to let you know, that now that this is all finalized. You can tell your friends. I'm going to call your school tomorrow morning,"
I nodded, keeping my eyes on the plate before me, tracing the light design that outlined the edge of the plate with my eyes. "Yeah, okay," I muttered. And that was it for the leaving subject. My parents tried to coax me into talking about school, but I only offered them closed answers, so eventually they gave up and began talking to each other about other things. Soon enough I excused myself from the table and went to my room. I finished packing away my drawers and then placed all the boxes I had now filled in the corner of my room. I would start packing my clothes over the next few days.
I drew my curtains next and then turned on my small lamp that stood on my bed-side table, its small glow slowly filling the room, giving it a warm look. I decided I was going to tell all of my friends tomorrow that I was leaving, at school.
I couldn't go to sleep that night, to worried and nervous about how I was going to break the news to my friends, who had been trying so hard to make sure I never told them what I was about to.
(-#$-)
"Um, guys?" I hesitantly began, as we all sat down at the cafeteria table for lunch. This was it. I was going to tell them.
Then I noticed Rosalie's sad eyes, "What's wrong?" I asked, hoping it wasn't because she knew what I was going to say.
She sighed, "It's my parents…they've been fighting again," she said softly, and Emmett's arm around her tightened.
"Again?" Alice asked, her eyes wide with sympathy.
Rose nodded, "I just…I don't know..." she sighed.
"Hey, Rose, It'll be fine, all parents have their arguments." I reassured her,
"Yeah, I know. But this was different, you don't think that they'll get a d—"
"No!" Alice, Edward and I shot in.
"No way, Rose, your parents love each other too much to let an argument break up their marriage." I quickly added.
Rose nodded sadly, "Okay. I guess." She agreed.
Alice nodded patting Rose's arm comfortingly, then turned to me, "You were saying something?" she asked. The other guys' eyes met mine as well. Oh. Yeah.
"Um, I just wanted to know, since it's Friday, if you guys wanted to come over for a movie marathon, or something?" I said, chickening out. I didn't want to put so much pressure and worry upon my friends, especially since Rose was having troubles at home. "Oh, sorry, Jazz and I can't, we've got a date tonight…" Alice said, "Sorry,"
"Oh, don't worry!" I laughed it off, "That's okay,"
"But the rest of us can come, right?" Rose asked, looking around the table. Edward and Emmett nodded and smiled.
"Yepp!" Emmett said.
"Awesome." I said. Yeah, totally awesome. Now when and how was I going to tell them about me leaving?
I decided to tell them tomorrow, giving them a 4 solid days to warm up to the fact before I left, but then I was going to have to make sure my parents didn't say anything to their parent before I managed to say anything, like last time.
"Was that really what you were going to say?" Edward asked me during Biology, while the rest of the class took their seats. I frowned and turned my head to face him, twining my fingers nervously. "What?" I asked, but knowing perfectly well what he was talking about.
"Earlier, at lunch. You invited us over tonight? Was that really what you were going to say?" He asked, his gorgeous green eyes boring into mine.
"I―Um...why would you ask that?"
"I know you very well Bella. probably more than you know. What were you actually going to say?" He lay a comforting hand on my wrestles hands, immediately ceasing their movement. Then for that second all my defenses went down, and for that moment of weakness, I gave in.
"Okay. You're right, I wasn't going to say that, what I was meant to say was that it's official. I'm moving." I whispered quickly, my eyes darting around me, making sure no one was eavesdropping. Then seeing the teacher entering the classroom, I straightened up and turned to face the front, but not before seeing the look of disbelief flash across Edward's face.
"What?" He hissed. I shot him a look and motioned to the teacher. Edward frowned and stuck out his jaw stubbornly. I sighed and quickly scribbled down a note.
We'll talk about this later, okay?
Edward glanced curiously down at the piece of paper and then back at me, his expression softening slightly at the look of desperation written across my face. He nodded slowly then turned back to the teacher. I then realized what I had done. Why did I have to tell him? Stupid Edward. And his stupid gorgeous eyes. I couldn't concentrate for the rest of the lesson, because I was very aware of the sad looks Edward kept shooting me, and I began to dread the moment when I would have to explain myself.
When the bell finally rang Edward and I made our way towards the parking lot, but Edward hadn't said a word about the what I had told him yet. Which was weird, because I thought as soon as we left class he would pounce and start firing questions. "Can I ride back with you?" Edward finally spoke. I chewed on my bottom lip, hugging my book closer to my chest,
"Yes, If you want." I said—well, more like squeaked. I unlocked the cab and got in as Edward ran over to Alice and gave her his keys, then he joined me the Chevy.
"You're leaving." Edward whispered as I backed out and joined the main road.
"Yes. But no one else knows yet, and I'd like to keep it that way, for now." I told him, eyes glued to the road.
"Why haven't you told anyone?" He asked, his voice still soft, devoid of any anger.
"Rose is having a tough time at home, this would make I worse. Don't worry, though, I'm telling them tomorrow. " I said, "I'm leaving in five days." I added, quieter.
"What?" His tone made me glance at him, to see hurt plastered over his features, his green eye wide with shock. "No. Five days? But Bella, that's..."
"It's true. Yeah," My voice came out sounded strong, and brave. Not at all like how I felt, I felt like crying every time I thought about it. "But don't worry. I'll visit regularly. It's not that big of a deal." I was rambling now, I knew it, but I didn't want to stop.. Because it stopped me saying what I really wanted to say which was I don't want to leave! I love you! and stuff like that.
"I—Bella…" Edward sighed, "You aren't upset?" He asked suddenly, sounding slightly irritated.
"I am—well, I was. but I've accepted the fact now."
"But I promised that I wouldn't let you go."
"I know. But promises can be broken." I knew it must have been hurting him, the way I was acting, but doing this was easier. It was the uncomplicated way to leave. We had reached my house and we pulled up in my drive way. Edward grabbed his bag that lay at his feet and swung the door open.
Then without thinking, I quickly grabbed his jacket. Edward turned back, an eyebrow raised. I leaned forward and quickly pressed my lips to his soft cheek. Then pulling back slightly, "I'll miss you." I told him. Edward looked slightly shocked by my action, and for a second I thought I saw his cheeks darken slightly.
But then he seemed to get a hold of himself, shooting me his crooked smile, "I know. I'll miss you." then he left.
I sat back in my seat, surprised by my actions. A small smile began to spread across my face. I had enough courage to do that, maybe telling him how I truly felt wasn't going to be as hard as I initially thought.
Luckily, my parents agreed with me having my friends over, and dad even suggested if they went out for dinner, "Dad, it's fine you don't have to leave." I assured him.
"No, it's okay, your mother and I haven't gone out in a while, it'll be nice," He said.
"Well, if that's it, then okay."
Emmett, Rose and Edward arrived ten minutes later, just on time as the microwave announced the popcorn was ready. "We'll see you kids later, have fun!" My dad said.
"Don't burn the house down!" My mum said , winking.
"We won't!" Rose and I chorused.
"So, have any of you guys started the biology project yet?" Rose asked as we all settled down on the couches.
"Na, it's due next week for us." Edward said.
"Oh," Rose said, "Same, but I've started my research I mean—"
"You're such a nerd," Emmett cut in, smiling at his girlfriend. Rose looked taken aback,
"I'm not a nerd," she said, clearly miffed, "I just like to—"
"Nerd." Edward coughed. Rose pouted and crossed her arms, then turned to me,
"What about you Bella, have you started?"
Normally, I would've done some research as well, but since I wasn't going to be at school next week, so I hadn't been stressing about it at all. "Yeah, I've looked over it and stuff…" I lied, glancing at Edward, as he gave me a sad look, but quickly masking it when looked at him.
"Okay, which movie?" Edward asked suddenly.
We ended up watching three movies before the guys had to leave. Edward seemed to have lightened up during it all, and stopped seeming so glum. I quickly bid everyone good bye and then decided to finish off some of my home work that I had due the next day.
It was almost eleven o'clock by the time my parents arrived back home, they must've had an amazing time, because both seemed to be glowing when they stepped into the house.
"Have fun?"I asked them. My parents shared a smile, and my dad kissed my mum on the cheek.
"Yes, we did. Did you?"
"Yeah, it was loads of fun."
My mum nodded, but I could see them making googly eyes at each other, "I'm going to bed," I said. But they didn't hear me. I rolled my eyes and trudged up stairs.
I lay awake the whole night, pondering exactly how I was going to tell my friends about me leaving. But one thing kept replaying in my mind.
The fact that this was it.
I was leaving.
And Edward didn't even know how I felt about him yet.
Hope you liked it!
I'm going to be getting ready for school now, but i promise i'll try as hard as i can to get the nest chapter out as soon a possible.
Thanks to the following for reviewing: ElizabellaLove, Tinkrbell23 vampiregurl, Janxi, emochick920 and angieluvzdecullens
Book: Teen Idol, Meg Cabot. It's funny, it's got some romance—what more do you want?
Anyway! let me know what you think and review! :O)
Lots of love, and again, sorry for taking so long!
Emeraldskye xxxx
