Leaving Forks turned out to be a harder task than I thought. Especially since the Cullens kept trying to visit my house every morning and afternoon.
Not that they could do much— besides honk their cars, or stand outside of my house calling my name— since I had rescinded their very presence from coming anywhere near our property. Even then the shield wouldn't allow them anywhere near me or the house, so even if they did get onto the property, they still couldn't get near me without getting hurt.
After a week of this happening again and again, I decided it would be best for me to leave — before things could get out of hand.
So, I waited for my dad to arrive back from work to explain to him the decision I had made.
When he got home, we quietly sat down to eat the small meal of chicken enchiladas, served alongside some Spanish rice and Mexican coleslaw — both recipes I looked up online a week prior. Once we had eaten, I proceeded to explain to him that I had gotten in contact with my mom and decided it would be best for me to go live with her sooner than we thought.
My dad readily agreed, and told me that it was time for me to leave, but made me call him as often as possible, even if just to say hi. To which, I wholeheartedly agreed to do so, even promising to try to come back just before the holidays.
So, I used the next few days to pack up a few of my belongings. Along with the photos thatmy dad had made copies of for me.
The most difficult task for me to do was the day I had to load most of my belongings into my car. Knowing that they were still out there.
I could feel their presence even if they were physically hiding within the greenery around the house.
Even so, I ignored whoever's presence was hiding there and began to slowly load my things into my car. I started with my clothing first, packing everything that my dad, mom, and that I had bought on my own, before shoving everything that Alice had bought me into a box before labeling it Donate, except a pair of black leather chelsea platform boots that I loved and treasured, along with a black leather jacket.
I had just begun to bring out a box of books, Jacob and Billy arrived.
"Hey, guys, to what do I own the visit?". I grunted as I slid the box into the back of the car.
Jacob inclined his head towards the house before looking towards Billy.
"Go on, I'll wait here," Billy said from the confines of the car.
"We'll be back, as soon as possible," Jacob called back, as he led me into the house quickly.
I followed him across the yard before we climbed up the steps into the house. When we reached the living room he turned toward me, exasperated.
"Alright, out with it, Jacob. I don't have all day." I urged as I picked up an afghan we had for the couch and began folding it.
"How would you feel if you had an escort as you drove out of State?" He asked.
I looked up at him in confusion, feeling my brow furrow at his statement.
Come Again?
"Who? Sam is busy with his imprint Emily, so are the others. You and Leah are too. Who is else left?" I asked, doubtfully.
"Leah and I, of course." He stated, calmly.
I rolled my eyes, of course, Leah and Jacob are imprinted, if danger was near, either would be unable to be apart from the other, meaning they would accompany me, together.
"What's going on? And why do I need an escort, now?" I wondered out loud as I turned and went up the stairs.
"We found a campsite, full of bloody handprints and footprints the other night. There's a rogue vampire attacking campers and lone travelers." He stated, following me.
Interesting. I briefly wondered if it is one of the Cullens or simply one of their many acquaintances.
"They're not welcome here," I stated, lifting another box and heading downstairs.
"Those leeches won't care. They'll attack you the moment they see that you are traveling alone." He argued, lifting another box and following me.
"If it makes you more comfortable, then you can follow me out. I don't mind." I finally conceded, looking back at them.
He simply nodded before helping load the rest of my boxes into the back of my car.
After two trips and a whole lot of me reorganizing the boxes and moving the seats out of the way, we made one last trip to check if anything was forgotten up to my room.
As we entered my room, Jacob looked down at the box, labeled 'donate', wrinkling his nose.
"What is in that box?" He asked slightly revolted expression.
"That is all of the clothes that they bought and filled my closet with. I am donating them to the local shelter." I explained, with a careless shrug.
He made a sound of disgust before turning to look at me. " Why would you do that? You should be burning those, and anything else those leeches came into contact with. Why hoist them on someone else if they stink like those leeches?" He asked, wrinkling his nose.
He had a point. The clothes could be considered tainted. Even after washing them, well, some of them.
"You got a point there, Jake," I said nodding in agreement. "Get rid of them." I responded before we headed back down to close the car and bring Billy into the house.
Since it took the better part of the day to load and organize everything in the back seat, I appreciated his help and decided to feed them as a thank you.
I had placed a whole chicken to marinate in the refrigerator earlier. So, I simply placed that in the oven and began making the sides for the meal.
My dad arrived home just as I was setting the table, and serving Jacob a second plate.
"Hello, boys." My dad greeted us before walking to where I was and gave me a hug, before giving the air an appreciative sniff. "Mmm.Smells good in here." He commented, plopping down on the chair.
I nodded, placing the food in the middle of the table, before sitting next to him.
The feeling of farewell suddenly crashed heavily onto us as we silently ate.
No one dared verbalize the sudden feeling, even when we all locked eyes for what seemed like the final time.
"Tomorrow morning?" Jacob asked me, after he gave me a hug, and stepped back.
"Tomorrow morning," I said in agreement.
I watched him haul Billy into his car before they slowly drove away in the direction of La Push.
I knew I would miss them, but in all honesty, I needed to get out of here. I no longer felt safe here, and that meant it was time to move on.
My mom had already helped me arrange everything, even going as far as to help me get my own place, it was a small apartment above their garage but it was one step towards independence, so I'll take it.
After I finished cleaning the kitchen and making sure my dad had enough frozen meals, and reheatable leftovers to last a month, my dad and I went to sit in the living room, contemplating what the future would bring, we finally went to bed.
Hugging tightly, for a few moments, wordlessly pouring our feeling into the hug. My dad didn't say anything besides goodnight, before kissing my forehead and heading up to his room.
The silent 'I love you', was more than enough to make my eyes tear up.
The next morning I woke up in my bed for the final time, I showered and changed quietly, before I hauled the last of my things into my car.
My dad was already up, eating his usual breakfast of eggs, and bacon, with a side of dark coffee. He was in his fishing gear. Which meant he would be leaving the house too.
"Morning Bells." He greeted, as his eyes flicked through the newspaper.
"Morning dad," I replied as I served myself some coffee in a travel mug, and grabbed a donut from the pink box that suspiciously wasn't here the night before.
"Are ya gonna start headin' out?" He asked me.
"Yeah, in a few minutes," I replied, looking down at my wrist to check the time.
"Now, you be safe now. Make sure to call your mother and me along the way, and stop if you get too tired." He said, lifting a brow at me.
"Yes, I know, Dad," I muttered, smiling at his insistence.
I grabbed my bag, and the travel mug, along with a small doggy bag I prepared for myself.
Sometime later, I finally made my way out of the Swan Residence in Forks for the last time, and towards my car. I set down everything, before fixing my mirrors before I buckled myself in.
My dad smiled at me, throwing an envelope onto the passenger seat wordlessly. "Be safe, Bells." He said, before backing up.
I nodded and threw the car in reverse, and began driving away.
A wolf howl was heard as I drove past the Fork welcoming sign.
Show Time.