ew

"So if Godzilla and Kong fought who'd win?" Ren asked Edward delirious from a lack of sleep. Edward sat in the familiar red beanbag next to her speaker, it played a sort of indie-rock Edward seemed to like.

"Godzilla I suppose, but it is kind of silly isn't it?" Edward's question rummaging through her collection of books, caressing the spines with careful ease. "You have Hegel?"

Ren nodded rolled over, she was buddled under cover's eyes squinted and hair messily drawn like a curtain over her face, "Yup, but Godzilla?

Edward stretched out, Ren noted even at school with his sisters he didn't stretch and relax. Unlike Jasper who seemed to be in a perpetual state of absolute agony, Edward could, in fact, show a range of expression.

"Mmhm?" Edward stood up and looked out her curtains the moon made his skin procure an iridescent quality, "Do you want to sleep? I don't want to keep it from you?"

Ren laid there and gave a small inclination of her round head, "I don't mind dude, just get me an energy drink and I'll be okay."

"Your birthday is in a few months right?" Edward asked closing the book watching her intently. His eye was warm. He was wearing a familiar grey-colored shirt.

Ren muttered back softly, "September 2nd. Yours?"

"June."

"Whatever.."

"You asked," Ren rolled her eyes giggling. She brushed her hair out of her eyes.

"You are insufferable. I'm telling Bella."

"Leave my girlfriend out of this," Edward said raising a brow. The room was filled with warm light the fairy lights attached to the wall glittered.

Then, everything turned to swirl in a nauseous black. Edward's face was silent and horror-stricken.

The bedroom turned, it was in a red tone. Edward biting her. Ren's heart sped. Blood.

Darkness.

She screamed.

Waking, sweat rolled uncomfortably down her back, the room was cold and uninviting. Ren crossed her arms drawing herself inward in an attempt to gather warmth.

"Shit," Ren shuddered gripping the soft but worn blue sleeping bag haphazardly thrown over her. She took in another long breath calming her heart rate, her pams were sweaty and trembling violently, "fucking, supernatural."

Ren laid back down promptly and rubbed her eyes tiredly, her mascara smudged making her dark under eyes even darker. Knowing sleep was futile, she got off the beige couch and pattered over to the small bathroom in the corner of the beige apartment. She'd get some type of energy drink and she'd be fine she reasoned.

Looking long in the mirror, she gripped the edges of the sink. Her eyes were dull, her face seemed thinner but she wasn't sure. She frowned touching her hair, discussing. It was all worth it to be away from Forks. She wasn't strong-looking, maybe missing volleyball practice was bad. She stood up straighter fixing her hair into a bun.

She'd defend Forks, as being 'not as boring if she was around.' But she was beginning to realize her presence in the town of 3000 wasn't necessary. Why go back to a place where they don't appreciate you, and, of course, vampires. The ostracisation by her peers through her recent behavior and behavior that she'd not done. The rumors and judging stares were something she was not open to going back to.

What was she to do? She pulled on a hoodie that rested on the counter and lazily made her way to the fridge picking out a cold piece of pizza. She closed her eyes, the last time she'd enjoyed pizza this much was at Jacobs.

Traffic yelled out around her in the bustling city streets.

"Hey, Jess!" Ren said into her phone a few hours later, "I'm loving Seattle so far, it's really different than Forks, a lot of people and all I guess," Ren looked over at Evan who was watching her actions like a cobra, she tapped her fingers on her lap muttering, "I'm going to be a few more days. Love ya."

Ren finished the call, Evan smiled largely and pat her back, she smiled thinly, "Good job. Nothing in Forks, really."

"Really," Ren said staring back at Evan, from the bench she'd sat, " Ok, I guess, What are we going to do now?"

Evan gave her a dazzling smile, Ren grinned back. He gave her his hand. "We're going where ever we want."

Ren rolled her eye still grinning, "Okay, but like, where I want to tell Jessica-"

"She doesn't need to know where you're going, Ren."

Ren's smiled dimmed slightly, she wanted to tell Jess so that could regale her adventure to her, and Jessica worried as much as the next friend.

"Uhm," Ren tried, "I just want her to know?"

Evan sighed tutting lightly, light music from a restaurant could be heard, Evan leaned in capturing Ren's waist, "You're safe with me."

"Alright, can we go get some coffee though? Honestly, I'm craving it."

"Bad sleep?"

"You know it," Ren groaned.

Evan pried, "Has your mom called?"

Ren batted her hand, "Nah, she hasn't."

"Do you think she will?"

Ren thought not, but anything could happen. She'd left before, she knew her mom thought she'd always come back to Forks because everyone does. Though Ren realized one call would bring her home. Any care at all for her well-being. She shrugged her shoulder playfully getting herself out of her mood of melancholy, "doubt it, coffee?"

She did miss Forks when the nights grew late.

It was almost midnight, drizzly, with a mild fog. Ren had a habit of reminiscing, about everything for long nights. The summer, Edward, Bella, the Swan house. The mild warm laughter they shared in Bella's old truck. Edward's laugh and love for music. The way Bella tilted her head narrowed her eyes when she was confused. Edward's trance when he listened to music on the beanbag in her room and she dozed off.

She had even started to miss Tyler, despite their relationship going south. It was naive.

Ren looked down at the concrete of the sidewalk. She had a habit of staring down at the ground when Evan guided her. It was inconvenient but she couldn't seem to help it, sometimes seeing was simply less easy than lifting her head to meet the eyes of whomever or wherever Evan had taken her to.

She looked up slightly to just reaching the eyes of Evan, he gave her a smug smile grabbing her waist in a dominant embrace. Her foot tapping idly on the ground.

Bella hadn't called, Ren had been disappointed, she had thought maybe she would've to ask least inquired why she'd left town. When Jessica called she had said Edward and Bella seemed to be going strong. Trucking along in deep love, their prom night gloriously romantic. Ren could vomit.

Jessica after a week had told her sternly without an ounce of hesitation that she'd have to come back to Forks. Ren had promised that she'd return. Summer had been enlightening but she had to graduate to go back to Seattle.

Seattle itself was lovely, dirty, grimy, a bit smog-filled but charming despite. Ren wanted to visit Vancouver next after she applied for a passport. Then she'd never go back to Forks.

"It's a bit rainy for August, fucking sucks."

"Hm," Ren responded hardly listening, Evan had been negative recently. "It's alright, a bit cold though."

Evan nodded, he took a cigarette and lighter from his pocket, and with a flicker of warming light he let out a breath. Ren's nose scrunched under the stench. She didn't like smoking, but she really couldn't seem to stop. It calmed her. She pulled her jacket inward and shook lightly.

"Ren," Evan said, "do you really want to go back to Forks." Ren kept her eyes trained on the ground, "Look at me."

Ren didn't move, a mix of lethargy and dullness overcame her. She decided she didn't need to look right? It wasn't a big deal. She knew she had to go back to Forks. Had to. Despite the trip and her openness to it, she was half scared Evan wasn't going to bring her home. And, she had to pack her things and find a place to move into in Forks so that when she turned eight-teen there was somewhere she could go. She had to get a job and buy and a new car...

She mulled over the process that she'd have to overcome with hesitation. She looked up enough to look down the dark street. "I got to go."

Evan mumbled back trading through another sticky puddle, "You could just stay here, I got a buddy Marv, you could stay up on his couch, I could find a job and you could to until we could pay for an apartment," Evan said it nervously like he already knew her answer.

Ren gaped and shook her head, "Evan-"

"Ren come on, what'd you got in Forks? Your mom's practically kicked you to the curb, your friends all hate you, and you've learned enough from school, why go?"

Ren shrugged maybe he was right. Her friends hated her. Certainly, Mike and Tyler thought she was a lying asshole. But it wasn't like what she said wasn't the truth. She crossed her arms over her body. Tyler had taken Mike's side. She deserved it. She grimaced playing with her wrists nervously. Evan took her wrists and tilted her head up roughly in quick succession.

She looked into his eyes, she noted they were not the inviting charming brown she was used to. Normally she wouldn't stand for it, but she was isolated, out alone with him. What was she supposed to do, run away? She didn't need to, she convinced Evan had her interests at heart.

"I donno, I think I should though."

Evan shook his head, "Ren, you need to understand," he tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear, "I have your best interests at heart, above my own even. I want the best for you."

Ren knew she needed to go home. "I think-"

"You need to stay in Seattle with me," he handed her his cigarette. Ren gave it back. She wasn't in the mood.

"I need to go to Forks," Ren said with finality, she wasn't going to stand for it. Evan backed off with a frown.

"Alright." Ren knew there would be more to that conversation. Alway was more to it with Evan. Ren rubbed her eyes tiredly.

"Hey, can we go to sleep soon? Dude, I'm so super ready to go to bed."

Evan shrugged, "Sure, Marv's working the plant around here, something in the welding part of the factory. Not really sure, but he said he'd be meeting us."

Ren sighed, "I don't see him," she pursed her lips thinly, "Can't we just stay where we were before?"

"Nah, Matt said we couldn't; he has a life, he can't house us forever. His landlord would get angry. Marv's place is nice enough anyway, he's got a pull-out couch," Evan explained. Ren groaned, fucking great.

Ren leaned against the cold concrete wall. Closing her eyes.

Her birthday was September second, she needed to get back to Forks. Her phone buzzed silently, she took it out. It was Edward after weeks, she rolled her eyes. Why would he text, now, after ignoring her?

'Hello, it's Edward Cullen you should come back to Forks, '

Ren responded quickly, the Cullen clan was ridiculous. 'so u not gonna comment on u and ur family being vampires?'

Her heart sped as Edward responded, 'Impatient, I'm doing well, thank you for asking.'

'didn't ask'

'Are you scared of me?'

Ren looked up and down the dark street and to Evan who was also checking his phone.

Terrified.

'no ofc not asshole'

'Alright then; when are you returning?'

Ren groaned rubbing her temples, Edward was such a mother hen. Jessica too.

'when I chose to,' was her particularly dogmatic answer.

Ren shook, it was a surprising wet cold. It was so damp it made her hair wet and her cheeks rosy. Edward didn't respond for a number of minutes. She checked every minute or so. "Evan?"

"Hm?"

"Can I wait in the truck?"

Evan tossed his keys, she smiled. "Don't burn the battery."

Ren nodded and stalked over and opening the door to the musty interior. She and Evan had slept inside the truck the first night, it had made her back hurt. Skittles were scattered over the cloth back seat. She closed the doors locking them, and without much hesitation gave a tired sigh of relief. Her phone lit up, quickly she checked it. It was Edward calling instead of texting her hands shook. A real vampire.

"Hello?" She said shakily to a familiar person. Would vampires be considered people?

"Ren," Edward breathed out quietly, Ren reasoned he was probably in Bella's room. Ren curled into a small ball wrapped an arm around her knees. She grinned.

"Hey, Edweirdo."

"Hey," Edward paused for a few moments, his voice was soft, "How is Seattle?"

"It's . . Cold?"

"Dull. Did you get the Kit Kat?"

Ren mumbled back a confirmation. She had enjoyed it although it came from an undead corpse of a seventeen-year-old. "Yeah."

"Are you living life to the fullest?"

Ren difianly, did not repond.

"Is that it?" Edward said annoyed, "Do you want me to come to pick you up? Rosalie wants to see you. My family is worried for you." Ren snorted it was like Edward to deflect worry. Ren looked out the truck window, Evan was still situated outside talking on the phone.

"I don't want to see you," Ren whispered, would Evan be mad?

"Ren I need to explain, a few things," Edwar said apprehensively, "Bella and I are sorry for ignoring you."

Ren ran a hand through her damaged hair, a built friendship based on a lie, "So you were ignoring me? All summer?"

"We didn't want you involved after James. And then the crash-" Edward sighed peace shattered, "I'll come to get you it'll be easier and you need to start your senior year anyway, it's important."

Ren hung up the phone. Her breath shuttered.

A few days later the sun shone through the clouds, the trees of the park were still perfect lush summer green. Ren hummed to herself, an energy drink in hand. She was better rested, clearer in mind, maybe things were looking up.

Evan's plan didn't seem too bad, stay out and figure life from Seattle. Why go back to Forks? A smile stretched onto her face. She took a sip of her sugary drink. From the corner of her eye, she watched a tall blonde go past. Ren stood straighter.

Strange.

She looked around her, taking in the city around her. Everyone went about their individual lives. Ren held her breath, there.

Across the street, a blond hair poked out among the crowd. Ren narrowed her eyes, the drink in her had crumbled lightly from her grip. Ren sprinted toward the blonde, crossing the street and weaving through crowds of people with their heads down.

It couldn't be. She thought the Cullen's wouldn't come out three hours to Seattle. Then she saw a brunette man with soft eyes. Ren shook her head and gaped.

"Charlie?" She said shocked, he tilted his head in confirmation. He came over to her, he surveyed the city around him with curiosity.

"Hey Ren," Charlie said inclining his head, " Let's talk?"

Ren hesitated to look around for Evan who had gone to pick up coffee, she shrugged putting her hands deep in her dark blue hoodie. "Alrighty."

Charlie had lead her to a shop not too far away, when they stepped inside it smelt of roasting coffee. The grinder blared to life as the baristas made consecutive coffee after coffee calling out orders. Charlie had let her buy whatever she wanted but didn't say much as to why he was there. He bought himself a donut with a long black coffee.

Classic like Charlie Swan was.

Ren, finally getting her coffee in a mug rubbed the ceramic nervously. Wasn't like Charlie to leave town, he was police chief after all.

"You wondering why I've shown?" Charlie said gruffly taking a low sip her his coffee. Ren paused, Charlie, watch her intently.

"Yeah," Ren whispered looking down at the table. "It's not like you to leave town."

"Ain't like you either," Charlie drawled back, Ren frowned heart aching, "We're worried for you. Bella seems heartbroken, hasn't talked much about it. Your Cullens have been worried sick. Esme seems to come in every day now askin' if you'd called me or the station."

Ren looked down in shame, she didn't really think anybody would care much at all. "I'm fine," Ren said back in monotone, "We've been okay out here."

"Ren, I heard you're mom had kicked you out," He said with a look of compassion, "And I'm sorry, I've never felt more helpless."

Ren shrugged helplessly her heart hurt and her throat felt tight, "Yeah it's fine, it's whatever."

Charlie sighed collecting his thoughts, they sat for a few minutes in complete silence, Charlie then reminisced about the past, "you have always been an independent kid real cheeky."

"Yeah I was pretty good," Ren said with a shy smile, "I got my first job at eleven, I mowed lawns got lots of pocket money."

"I remember you, and that Mike kid doing donuts in the parking lot after school," Charlie snorted, "that was pretty funny."

"Mm."

Charlie scratched his head running a hand through his brown curls, "I'm on your side Ren," Ren rolled her eyes, adults always said that before telling her something contradictory, "That's why the Cullen's are here." He nodded out the window, and, as soon as he did, Rosalie, Esme, Carlisle, Emmett, and Edward walked through the glass door, it chimed as it opened.

They wore couture. Of course.

Ren swore under her breath. Her heart sped up, and her mind screamed danger to her.

These creatures were dangerous. Edward's eyes softened, they were, like the rest of the Cullens a brilliant bright gold. Ren stood up, Esme's eyes met hers her smile was motherly and inviting. Esme stepped toward her and enveloped her in a hug. Ren's muscles first seized up, she didn't know how to handle it. Edward stared at her for behind his 'mother'. For just a moment they stared at one another without illusion or dissonance.

Charlie continued shyly: "Esme and Carlise are known to foster carers, and I know you'll be eighteen soon, but I don't want you doing it alone-"

Ren grew angry and screamed to Charlie, shuffling away from Esme's grasp, "No way! I am staying here with Evan."

"Sweetie," Esme whispered, Ren, whipped her head back around. Esme was the oldest in the appearance of the Cullens, despite them all looking young. Esme passed as maybe being a mother. The passion of which she spoke was like warm honey. It enveloped Ren in warmth and protectiveness. Filtering through her angry exterior. "We're here to help you."

Ren apprehensively looked for an exit. She wasn't her normal confident grinning self. She didn't deserve the help the Cullen's offered. She was a terrible daughter, a terrible friend, and a terrible human. It was with great difficulty that she turned on her heel and fled the now quiet coffee shop.

"Ren!"

"Come back, dear!"

"Ren please think about this."

They were fleeting as Ren re-entered the street and sprinted away.