Hey guys here is the next chapter of Starlight!!! My goal was to get this one up by Christmas (and as yall can probably tell- I failed) and I hope to get the next one up fairly soon to. I was on my computer and found a lot of incomplete chapters so I'm putting finishing touches and uploading them!!! So I hope you like this next chapter!!!
Chapter 28: Leaving Ridgeway
Bella awoke the next morning still thinking about what Chris had said to her the previous night. How could he let himself be in love with her when he knew she loved Edward? Bella couldn't tell whether she was more angry or confused. She hated how Chris had decided to proclaim his love for her, and then just walked away wishing her luck in life, and the whole time she had just stood on the steps staring at him like an idiot trying to find the right words. Bella sighed and twirled a strand of hair around. Her heart ached dully as she thought about walking out of Ridgeway, the only home she'd ever known, and leaving all her friends behind. She didn't want to be on her own and had no idea how in the world Edward would ever find her if she was in foster care. However it comforted her a little to know that her and Edward would at least be on the same side of the country. Bella sat up and glanced at the clock beside her. The red numbers read 3:59. She had to be downstairs in about forty five minutes. Thankful that she had packed the night before, Bella padded across the dark room to the bathroom. She tried to be soothed by the shower, but the more she woke up the more she panicked about her situation. Freeman could be anywhere. What if he somehow stopped her from leaving? Or even worse what if he hurt someone from Ridgeway because Miss Tanner had let her go? The pounding in her head increased. Taking deep breaths in vain attempts to calm her Bella carefully got ready to go down to the foyer to meet with the Cooks. The room was pitching black. Bella stumbled over her suitcase as she made her way to the light and flicked it on. The clock read 4:15. Part of her wished the time would hurry up so she could leave before she had a panic attack, but the other half wished that time would freeze so she could sit on her bed for the rest of her life and never have to feel scared or hurt and never have to worry about Freeman coming after her ever again.
Get a grip Bella. Do something to take up time. she thought fiercely. Then decided on using the spare time to make sure she had everything packed. She ruffled through her luggage checking off all her clothes, books, and with a jolt Edward's last letter to her along with his old spy kit that had saved all their lives. Bella stood up and wandered to the side table and pulled the drawer out to make sure she left nothing behind. There within the drawer was the drawing of Vampire Edward, where she'd left it the night before. Smiling sadly Bella stroked the drawings' face.
"Have you forgotten me?" she sighed. A dark mark appeared beneath Edward's eye. For one unreal moment Bella thought her drawing was crying, then she realized it was her tears falling onto the parchment.
Red numbers flashed on the clock.
4:38.
Bella grabbed her bag and with one last fleeting look around her room she began down the stairs to meet her foster family.
Miss Tanner was standing in the lobby accompanied by a friendly looking couple who appeared in their mid twenties.
"Good morning Bella." Miss Tanner whispered.
Bella nodded and pulled her trunk over to the couple.
"You lot had better leave." Miss Tanner sighed. "Goodbye Bella. I hope you have a good life."
Bella looked up into Miss Tanner's face with a great intensity. "Promise me," she began, "promise me you won't let anything happen to any of the kids here."
"I promise." Miss Tanner's eyes glazed over.
"And t-tell Chris goodbye for me."
Miss Tanner smiled sadly. "I will."
Then Bella allowed herself to be steered out by her new family. Memories of Edward's departure haunted her as she remembered that last kiss, he looks in his eyes, the feeling as though her heart was breaking, not in half, but into thousands of painful shards that pierced her chest every time she thought of him. Bella was only vaguely aware of the man taking her luggage and of herself climbing into the backseat. It was the slamming doors that brought her back to reality.
"Hi." The woman said kindly turned around in the passenger seat to face her. "I'm Eloise Cook. You can call me Eloise."
"And I'm Eric." The man in the driver's seat interjected.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Bella Swan." Bella looked down at her lap and muttered, "Thanks for doing this."
"Oh sweetheart it's no problem." Eloise chortled.
They drove in an awkward silence for a while until the airport came into view.
Eric got out first and held the door open for Bella in a gentlemanly fashion. She attempted to smile at him, but it was forced and insincere.
The airport was crowded and it took them an unreasonably long time to get their bags checked and onto a flight. Bella, who had never been on a plane before, felt a brief spasm of fright as she boarded along with her fellow passengers. Eloise squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.
The flight seemed to last years. Bella held herself upright. Not daring to look out the window, in fear of throwing up. Finally the pilot came over the intercom announcing they were landing in Los Angeles.
Bella's feet were unbearably shaky as she stepped off the plane. She battled the nausea that was threatening to overcome her.
"Are you okay?" Eloise looked nervous. "You look so pale."
"I'm always pale." Bella croaked.
Eric looked worried. "You're not gonna get sick?" His brow furrowed as he asked.
Steadying herself Bella shook her head. "I-I'm okay sir."
He patted her on the back and he and Eloise led the way to their car, a sleek little convertible. They drove along the busy streets passing huge buildings, stores, apartments, clubs, and too many palm trees to count. The city sped by and the car wound around into a little neighborhood; turning into the driveway of a gorgeous little Californian home, surrounded by palm trees.
Eloise headed up to unlock the door, while Eric hauled the trunks out of the backseat. Bella took hers as Eloise motioned for her to come inside. The houses interior was beautifully decorated with deep green walls, plants in every corner, a large flat screen hanging on a wall, complete with all leather furniture.
"Wow. You have a lovely home." The words were honest, but Bella noticed her voice sounded dead. Eloise chortled and tapped Bella's head.
"Wanna see your room?"
Bella nodded and followed Eloise down a long hallway to a room at the back.
She was shocked to find, not a quaint little guest room, but a large master bedroom with every furnishing imaginable. Bella's favorite part though was the far wall, which wasn't a wall at all, but a large sliding glass window that looked out over the pool.
"This is my room?"
"Of course."
Bella set down her things, glad that the view of the beautiful pool had distracted her momentarily from her miseries.
"So while you're here, just make yourself at home. What's ours is yours." Eloise said as she straightened a picture of the beach that hung on the back wall. "I'll just leave you to unpack then? Good."
Bella flopped on the bed and lost herself in thought. Wondering what Chris was doing right then. Wondered if Edward would know that she was gone. Would Chris call him? Should she try to find him?
Groaning Bella buried her face in the thick comforter. She hadn't realized before how tired she was. Sleep came easily. Washing over her. And she welcomed the darkness that took over. She welcomed the escape from her nightmarish realities.
