Author's note: Disclaimer – I think you know… but if you don't, I do not claim anything from the Twilight saga as my own. The only thing I can claim is Addie.

This story is rolling along! I don't hold back on publishing once I have a chapter done, so please don't hold back your feedback! Review review review, please. :)

Chapter 5: Spare Time

This was ridiculous, I thought as I did another push up. I was getting pretty desperate for a gym, having to resort to body weight exercises to keep up my strength. I knew that these routines were just a temporary solution.

If there was one thing I had learned over the past year and a half of weight training, you "use it or lose it." The longer I was without heavy weights, the more my muscles would weaken and atrophy. I had to figure something out… and soon.

I got up, forcing each leg under me and willing them to stabilize as I prepped for one-leg squats. I thought back to my gym in Colorado and let out a huff. My mind went to the racks of weights, barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells… I had been one of the youngest people training at the gym, but I was also one of the few who made fast gains.

My goal wasn't to become a body builder or anything. There were definitely people at the gym with the express goal to bulk out. I just wanted to feel strong, capable, and firm. The discipline of weight training several times a week gave me a satisfaction that running never had.

I switched legs, feeling the weakness in my left hip. I would need to work on strengthening it over the next few weeks.

Once I finished, I started my cool down. I felt the moistness of the air mingle with the sweat on my body. The wet, coolness was helping me cool down faster than I expected. I started my stretching routine, focusing on the pulling sensation in my legs.

Nothing particularly interesting had happened after my first two days. I had already set into a groove of a brief, polite chat with the spritely in the mornings, followed by listening to gossip at the lunch table, ending with history class with Jasper. I couldn't help but marvel at their unnatural beauty whenever I was near them.

I didn't get to see Emmett up close again, but I felt my thoughts wander to him anytime I entered the parking lot or cafeteria. It was like my consciousness felt the gravitational pull of his being. My eyes scanned each room for his presence. I tried to hide the glances I made in his direction during lunch, only allowing myself to catalog small details about him at a time.

There were a few conclusions after one week of observation. First, he was inhumanely beautiful. The curl of his dark hair, the width of his shoulders, and thickness of his corded muscles were undeniably attractive.

Second, he was likable. Even though his brothers' faces held standardly moody and uninterested expressions, they laughed and smiled when Emmett talked with them. His mannerisms were big and playful, and he often slapped them on the shoulders in jest.

Third, I was a goner.

I headed inside and walked into the kitchen. My first move was to fill a glass with water. I started to guzzle it down, realizing how thirsty I had become. Next, I turned on the stove top burner, listening to the clicks of before the flame ignited. I grabbed a black non-stick pan and began scrambling eggs. Then, I grabbed a piece of wheat toast and threw it in the toaster.

My plan for the day was to exercise, fuel up, and get ready to talk with my family around 10:00 AM which was around 5:00 PM for them. My mom had texted me several times throughout the week to remind me, including a text from the middle of the night (their morning) today to confirm the time. Did she really have so little faith in my memory?

No, I knew she didn't doubt me. She was just anxious to hear about my week. I was looking forward to hearing her and Dad's voices. Also, finding out how the "sibs," as I liked to call them, were doing in their new international school.

I cleared the plate and made quick to clean the dishes. The pan was a little hot still, so I had to rinse it in cool water before giving it a scrub. Once the dishes were done, I bounded up the stairs to my room before hitting the shower. I felt the weak tremble of my tired muscles and felt a sense of satisfaction roll over me.

I was ready to go and laying on my bed when the call came through.

"Hello," I answered, drawing out the last syllable for a long time.

"Well hello to you too, girlie," my mom's voice streamed out the speaker.

"Yes – Hello, kiddo," my dad added. I missed his voice too - I missed them both.

"I miss you guys," giving voice to my thoughts.

"We miss you too! Tell us about your first week! What was it like? Are people nice?" Mom asked.

I told them the highlights of the week, leaving the Cullens completely out of it. I knew that the second I mentioned a boy the teasing would start. I'd never really dated before and I wasn't in the mood to have our time together turn into that kind of conversation. I shared with them how small the school was, my thoughts about the classes, and how nice it was to be around Aunt Amy.

"How is Amy doing with sharing a house with you? I hope you are being a good guest." Mom insisted to bring this up every time we had talked about me staying with my aunt. She was hellbent to make sure I was a good guest. It was annoying!

"Aunt Amy is amazing. She had to work this weekend… but she told me to tell you that I am an 'ah-mazing, helpful, courteous guest,'" I said with a mocking tone at the end.

"I'm sure you are, Ad…" Dad said.

"Come on, I really am!" I insisted. "I mean I'm 18 years old… I know how to clean up after myself. You guys give me zero credit!"

"We are messing with you, it's okay!" Mom soothed, even though I knew her anxiety about me staying here was real. "Do you want to say hi to everyone else?!" Mom asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Definitely!" I said with a small smile. The first to get on the phone was Rose, my 13-year-old sister. Her bubbly voice spilled out the phone as she asked me question after question. Rose was such a girlie girl. A lot of her questions were about my clothes. She even asked about the cute boys, which I immediately shut down.

After that, Elliot got on the phone. His 10-year-old voice was sweet and quiet. He was kind of shy and didn't want to talk long, as I expected. I missed him. We used to sit and read together in our Colorado home in the loft which had a window overlooking the dense forest behind our house.

Last to the phone was Charlie, who was 7 years-old and mischievous. His giggles rang out when my parents called him out for the chocolate on the side of his mouth. It sounded like he had been sneaking sweets before dinner, which he adamantly denied.

Once we were done, my mom came back on the phone. It was just the two of us.

"I hope you are feeling good about the decision to stay behind. I miss you." I heard the emotional quiver in her words. I knew I needed to reassure her.

"Mom, I am doing well. I like it here and I'm glad we did this. I really do think it was the best choice. You know I love and miss you guys… but I'm old enough to handle this."

She seemed satisfied with that and let it drop. "We'll talk next week…? Text or call me if you need anything, even if it's a weird time in the day!" I smiled at that. No matter how old I get, she would probably always try to baby me.

"Ok, Mom. I love you! Talk to you soon." I said, then rolled over to lay the cellphone down on the bedside table. I laid down staring at the ceiling for a while, noticing the way that the soft light filled the room.

What should I do today? I asked myself. There wasn't a lot to do… I had already finished most of my homework. Maybe I would drive around… That could at least get me out of the house.

I went on a nice ride through town, taking time to note the few retail locations. I spotted Newton's Olympic Outfitters, a diner called the Lodge, and a supermarket. I had to admit, there wasn't a lot there. Maybe I should find the library to find something to do in my spare time. I circled town again but did not see it. I didn't feel like asking for directions, so I headed back home.

Aunt Amy's car was in the driveway when I got back. I was really grateful for the company and we spent the night talking about her day before we retired to the sofa to watch TV reruns. It was a nice, quaint Saturday.

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