Disclaimer: Twilight and the characters do not belong to me no matter how much as I want them to. This story, however, is all mine!
Also, I don't have a beta so please excuse grammatical errors and mistakes. I try to catch all that I can. If you see anything, pointing it out respectfully is VERY much appreciated.
See you at the bottom!
BPOV
Three weeks.
If you were wondering that's how long I stayed in Forks. I avoided Seattle like the plague. When Charlie and Kate returned to see me home it was hard to avoid explaining it but somehow I didn't have to. I helped Jace move but there seemed to be a collective effort that kept Emmett and I from being around one another. Every single person was on eggshells. I could tell they wanted to ask and I knew I didn't want to talk to them. I wanted Emmett.
Why did I run? The answer is simple he was right. I loved him I knew I did but I didn't trust him like I should've. I didn't give him a chance to prove himself like he deserves. Why was I hiding? The answer is also simple I am a coward sometimes. I knew he was right and I wasn't ready to admit I was wrong and that I deserved to treat him better. He deserved better but I wasn't going to let him go find someone, I was going to be better for my boyfriend.
August
I was back, school was starting on Monday and it was currently Saturday. I knew Rosalie and Alice were mad at me. I had only really talked to Annalise, Jessica, Jace, and Edward. The others had reached out or some didn't care like Jane but for the most part it was just Rose and Alice who were mad at me. I grabbed my things from the car and headed up to our apartment. Only Edward knew I was coming back today. I walked in to everyone there playing board games, everyone but Emmett. It was game night after all. All eyes were on me.
"Bells, I'm so glad you're back." Edward said in my ear after pulling me into a hug.
One by one everyone got up and hugged me. Rose and Alice stayed seated. I felt my body numb and went to my room. I didn't want confrontation tonight. I laid on my bed face down, I wanted to scream but I refrained. I sat in complete silence. I heard a knock on my door. I stood to unlock and open the door. There stood Rosalie and Alice. They were about to rip me a new one. We stared at each other and Alice eventually broke the silence and pulled me into a hug.
"I missed you." She said and I hugged her back tightly
"I missed you too Ally." I said
"I guess I don't get off so easy?" I asked looking at Rose and she huffed.
They came into my room and found a seat. I sat at my desk and played with my fingernails.
"I am sorry I just up and left without saying anything. It didn't feel good to run from my problems but it helped. That isn't any form of justification but I owe my two best friends, my sisters and apology for leaving without a word." I said and Rose softened for just a second
"You broke a promise Bella, a big one." Rose said coldly and I knew what she was talking about
"What promise?" Alice asked looking between the two of us
"If we ever needed to get away, we go together because we can't handle our problems on our own." I repeated and felt guilty. I left behind more than just Emmett but the person who has never left my side, ever. This was a promise we made to one another when it seemed everyone we trusted left us except for her mom and my dad.
"You left Bella." Rose said sadly and I felt the burn in my eyes
"Rose I can explain." I said and she shook her head
"Please, me first. You left without saying a word, you were just gone. You didn't even send a simple little text. Then of all people to go to you went to Edward, my boyfriend with your problems. I have always been here for you Bella and you completely disregarded it for whatever reason. It hurt me. It couldn't hurt as much as it hurt Emmett but it fucking hurt." She said and I quickly wiped at the tear streaming down my cheek
"Alice can Rose and I have a moment?" I asked and Alice nodded getting up to leave.
I moved over to the bed right beside Rose. I reached out and grabbed her hand and just held it.
"For the first time in forever me trying to be my own savior back fired. I essentially broke up with my boyfriend and left my best friends behind. I ran away and hid. I was irrational well straight up stupid. But while alone I learned a lot about myself. I need all of you, I can't figure out myself on my own. I have to let go of the past and let Emmett in. I have to trust someone else other than you, mom, dad, and Alice. I have to do something new something like this doesn't happen again. I can't tell you how sorry I am and how much I hate myself for making you feel like crap. I will make this up to you as much as I can. I love you Rosalie Hale, you're my sister." I said and she rested her head on mine
"I will kill you if you ever scare us like that again." She said and I knew she had forgiven me
"I will try my hardest to never be that dumb again." I said and she let out a small laugh
Things could move forward from here
September
Ask yourselves am I back with Emmett? Honestly no we aren't we haven't talked much. We see one another in passing or if the guys stop by on their way out. It was painful really. I don't think either of us wanted to admit to anything. I think Emmett was waiting on me to make my move, I was the one who ran. I have to start the conversation. Our one-year anniversary would be in November. That was in two months. I had to do something.
School was in full swing so I buried myself in my work. I would focus my attention on school and keep my mind off of my boyfriend doing who knows what with his life. Well I couldn't really say I didn't know because Edward and the girls were keeping me up to date on things. He was doing what I was doing, throwing himself into schoolwork and the gym. Edward said a few girls had tried to get to him but he had always responded politely and said he had a girlfriend. That made me happy. I sat back in my chair, it was Friday night and I was writing a paper due a few weeks from now. What have I become?
"Oh sweet Bella!" I heard Alice sing and I saved my paper
I turned in my chair, I knew she would bust in here at any moment. Like clockwork she came in holding a dress and some shoes. Here we go.
"Go shower, shave those legs, and we are going out." Alice squealed and I started to protest
"Ah no no Isabella, you've been cooped up for weeks you need to go out." Annalise said from the door and I frowned
"But I don't want to go out." I said
"Unless you've been creating some master plan in this room there is no way in hell you're getting your boyfriend back by hiding in here." Alice said with her hands on her hips
"Fine." I grumbled
I managed to shower and shave without cutting myself. I put on lotion. I battled with what to wear under the outfit Alice chose. Usually I put on some lace because Emmett would be taking it off me. I had no one to go out impress. I didn't want to do this.
"Bella, put on a strapless bra and no underwear I be damned if you have a panty line in that dress." Rose said sitting on my bed. Glad I still had my towel on.
I did as instructed and sat in some short and the bra while Rose did my makeup and hair.
"Why do I look so sultry?" I asked and Rose giggled
"Alice didn't tell you huh?" Rose asked
"Tell me wat?" I asked looking at her in the mirror
"Emmett is coming with us." She stated and I froze.
"But"
"No buts you're going and you're going to woo that man understood?" she asked
"Rosalie." I groaned and she fixed her glare on me
"You don't get to keep hiding from him. You messed up and you need to fix this." She said and I nodded my head
She was finally done and I pulled on the skin tight deep blue dress and slipped on the killer heels. I flipped my hair over my shoulder and it fell long down my back. I looked good, sexy really. I turned towards Rose and she approved. We made our way to the living room where Annalise and Alice were standing.
"Bella I would so do you." Annalise said and we laughed
"The guys are probably ready." Alice said and we made our way outside.
I stood towards the back when they guys came out of their door. I smiled at them and backed further into the wall when I saw him. He seemed taller, very lean the gym had been paying off. His dark jeans and white button down was insanely sexy and I can't even explain it. Then Edward stepped in front of me.
"Bella can I speak to you." He was adverting my attention from Emmett
"What?" I asked trying to see over his shoulder but the damn heels didn't make me tall enough
"Inside." He said and I turned and unlocked our door.
"Look, there is a girl. She is only friends with Emmett and she was around when I told him about the party tonight. They were working on a project for a class. I asked as a formality and she just happened to say yes. Emmett wasn't that happy about it but I need you to keep your cool. Don't be intimidated or jealous. Just let tonight be. Show him you trust him to have fun and let this thing work out. Please." Edward said and my blood was boiling.
"Why should I?" I asked
"Don't be stubborn not when you could lose him. Just do it." Edward said and I conceded
We walk back out and the focus turned to Edward and I. I smiled and fixed my focus on the girl. Edward didn't tell me her name. She was pretty, dressed more modest than us but all the same pretty.
"Um Bells this is Hannah, Hannah this is Bella." Edward said and I smiled
"It is nice to meet you Hannah." I said sincerely and she smiled. Emmett smirked.
He probably saw right through that. I finally looked at him fully and he gave a soft smile. His eyes traveled down and back up my body. He was giving me that look. He didn't want me out in that but it turned him on. I arched my brow at him and he smirked again. Jace broke out moment by pulling me into a hug.
"Bella you've been hiding from your brother." Jace said and I laughed
"No on purpose." I said and he squeezed before letting me go
"We ready?" Edward asked
We headed out. We took multiple cars and I wasn't in one with Emmett which calmed me and irked me a bit seeing as Hannah is with him.
"You handled that better than I was expecting." Jasper said and I smiled
"The night is still young." I said and he laughed
"We didn't know she was going to be there." Alice said and I shrugged
"What can you do?" I asked
"You're oddly calm about it." Rose said and I agreed
"Thank your boyfriend for that. He talked to me before I met Hannah." I said
"Hm but you don't like her." Alice stated
"Something in her eyes challenged me. She wants him." I said
"That's a battle she is about to lose." Jasper said
"You're very right." Rose said
The rest of the ride was fairly relaxed. The music played and we chatted. We were going to a frat party Jane invited us to. They apparently rented out a club for the night. We found parking not too far from the place and walked. I watched Emmett and Hannah like a hawk. He kept his hands in his pocket and she kept her hands on him. Even when he stepped away from her she was on him.
"If I could I would trip her." Alice mumbled and we giggled. Heads turned towards us and we giggled even as she looked at me.
Rose had sent Jane a text so she was waiting for us by the bouncer.
"Who is she?" Jane asked giving Hannah the stink eye
"She is with us." Edward said
"You didn't tell me that Rose." Jane said looking at Hannah
"I don't want any trouble we can just go." Hannah said innocently
"Who is we?" Jane asked
"Emmett and I?" She questioned rather than stated. Emmett looked uncomfortable.
"He isn't yours to decide that sweetie." Jane was being sickly sweet
"Jane can you just let her in this one time, please?" I asked and she gave me a questioning look and I nodded my head. She looked at Hannah once more.
"Alright come with me. Dylan they are with me." Jane said to the bouncer and he nodded
Once in we found our way to a table. It was crowed and loud but the energy felt wired. It would be a good night. I felt a familiar arm wrap around me and my heart raced.
"Thank you." Emmett said in my ear and I nodded.
I looked up from the table to see Hannah glancing at us as she talked to Edward and Rose. I smirked, she wanted to play and I was in a playing mood.
"There is nothing going on between the two of us." He said.
I was focused on the hand on my waist. I missed his touch. I turned towards him and smiled.
"I believe you." I said and he smiled
"Bella!" I heard my name and saw Victoria making her way over to me
"Hey Vicky!" I said and pulled her into a hug
"You look hot!" she yelled
"Me…You're the one who is gorgeous!" I replied and she laughed
"Oh God who invited her?" Victoria asked and I followed her eyes to Hannah
"She is Emmett's friends." I said coldly
"She is trying isn't she?"
"You bet your ass she is but she won't get what she wants." I said watching Hannah stand awfully close to Emmett
"She can't handle you Bella don't scare her too much." She said and I smirked
"I'll do my best." I said and she gave me a hug before leaving again
I turned to find Emmett staring at me. I smiled and beckoned him over with my finger. He moved around Hannah and was in front of me.
"Want to dance?" I asked and he smiled
We moved out to the dance floor and he pulled but flush against him. My arms were around his neck, his around my waist. We moved to the beat, the bass rocked us to our core.
"I am sorry." I yelled and he frowned
"Not right now. Let's just enjoy the night and talk tomorrow okay?" he asked and I nodded
And we did enjoy the night. We had a little bit to drink we joked and laughed and were just us. From time to time Hannah would butt in but not much attention was given. When Emmett went to grab some water she turned towards me.
"You know, I can take him if I wanted to." She said and I laughed
"Good luck with that." I said and looked at Rose who smirked at Hannah
"I am not afraid to get down and dirty. I will have him and when I am done you can pick up my seconds." She huffed and again I laughed
"You sweetheart would be picking up my seconds and then returning the product back to its owner. Please don't start something you can't finish. I promise you I am not the one." I said stepping closer to her
"Try me." I whispered and she stepped back. I flipped my hair hoping I slapped her in the face.
Emmett had returned and was frowning at us. I looked up at him and he caressed my face. I smiled, Hannah didn't have a chance.
We enjoyed the rest of the night and for the first time in a long time I felt truly happy.
They will be okay because they have to be.