A/N
The pacing of these chapters is ALL over the place, don't worry I know. Some of the chapters are strange, but, don't worry I'll tie things together! In... another 20 or so chapters? Maybe?
Oh well, if you don't like it, don't read. I write this for fun and nothing else lol
Ren wrinkled her nose to the smell of new paint as she set her duffle bag on a small single bed in her new room. It had a low ceiling but a nice window that overlooked the evergreens. Charlie came up behind her carrying another bag.
He hauled a box of clothes up and set it on the bed and clapped his hands together awkwardly, "Sorry about the smell," he walked over to the window cracking it open, "I - uh - got carried away."
"No worries," Ren muttered. "this is great Charlie thank you."
"Ah well don't thank me yet, Bella does most of the cooking around here, I'm pretty miserable, but if you want a grilled cheese I could whip one up?" Ren hadn't eaten a grilled cheese since she was a kid so, feeling nostalgic shrugged and nodded. It pleased Charlie as he curtly nodded and d smiled as he headed back downstairs.
"Sorry Charlie is a bit-" Bella started to say as she came up to stairs cringing watching her dad walk down the stairs before Ren cut her off. She leaned on the wall crossing her arms.
"No, he's awesome, don't worry about it Bells, come help me hang stuff up okay?" Bella shrugged and started to hang up miscellaneous clothing in the small closet and drawers jammed in the far corner of the room. It had little paintings of lemons and grapes. Bella sat on the bed looking at the little drawings fondly.
"How's your mom?" Ren asked turning to Bella who had been reminiscing quietly for a couple of minutes, while Ren had moments where she was envious of Bellas adaptability, she was still the skinny girl's friend and she could see she really did miss Renee and no one else would probably talk to her about it.
Bella frowned, "I think she's in Florida?" she scratched her head biting her chapped lip, "I don't know she doesn't really call as much as she use to when I first moved," Bella sat in silence before rejecting the notion, "But she's been really busy moving around with Phil she's not obligated to call."
Ren reached overlooking the cactus on the window sill, "She'll call I promise."
Bella looked down, "I donno."
Ren scoffed rolling her eyes, "You two were like glue when you were living with her, she's probably writing notes on what to say when she finds a phone." Ren knew Renee was the forgetful type. Bella seemed to take the suggestion and perked up to her moderate attitude once again. Like a bad movie, Bella turned again to Ren.
"What's your mom like?" Bella probed.
Rent took a moment to think. She was never close with her mom, her mom never let her be very close. They lived in separate worlds, Ren was her roommate, not her daughter. But Ren had thought that her mom loved her, despite everything, raising her by herself, being ridiculed by Forks. "Complicated. My Mom was never super touchy-feely. She worked a lot, actually all the time. "
"To take care of you?"
"I think mostly, but after a while, I don't think it was about that anymore." Ren scrunched her nose, "I wasn't planned over anything, I kind of ruined all her plans being born."
"Oh," Bella said awkwardly.
"Yep," Ren said clasping her hands falling backward onto the bed. In hindsight, she could've been nicer to her Mom, she'd always been pretty moody.
"We're going to have a great year, I promise you."
"Really? You sure Bells?"
"Of course," Bella smiled weakly, Ren knew she was just trying to cheer her up, Bella Swan had never been the adventurous type in the slight but she appreciated that she'd tried to make Ren feel welcomed. "We could go out? Go down to La Push, visit Jacob. I haven't done that in a while honestly... It would break up the routine a bit before you get back to school."
Ren nodded at the offer stretching her arms above her head, she hadn't really been out since coming back. It would be nice to see the ocean, she missed the sounds and sights. Bella took the nod as a 'yes' and got up promising Ren that they would go after she made lunch. Bella had given her a hard stare as if to say that lunch was mandatory. Ren rolled her eyes back at her, Bella mocked her by rolling her eyes dramatically back.
"Girls, I got . . . Somethin' to eat down here," Charlie called, Bella smiled weakly tilting her head toward the stairs.
"Come on let's go, oh, by the way, there's only one bathroom but I've made space on the shelf."
Ren smiled, she didn't care how many bathrooms there were. The Swans were kind that was what mattered. When they walked downstairs Charlie had grilled cheese steaming on the stovetop. Bella looked a bit embarrassed but offered Ren a seat grabbing the ketchup from the fridge. No matter how much Bella ranted about the awkwardness it was leagues better than silence. Charlie really tried his best, taking in first his daughter and then Ren
"There," Charlie muttered putting the sandwich on the plate "we go."
"Thanks," Bella said absentmindedly, she was somewhere with her thoughts. Ren thought it was strange that Bella deliberated her whole existence in her head rather than acting.
The girl was quiet.
Despite everything that had occurred, the old brick high school stood with nostalgic familiarity.
Ren took a deep breath. The chill of the early September air filled her lungs.
The warning bell rang as they pulled up, Alice jumped out first, her hair freshly spiked with gell and minty-smelling product. Ren dissimilar to Alice meekly opened the door stepping out only when she felt she wouldn't be noticed.
Emmett who had driven the jeep and was closest to her offered an arm like a gentleman.
The step down was large, Ren guessed it would be unfortunate to the whole town if she accidentally fell climbing out of a jeep subsequently causing a mass blood frenzy.
Or, perhaps he was being nice. She took his arm and stepped out into brisk Washington first semester of her senior year. Somehow she thought it would go differently.
There had been the first frost that morning giving warning to a cold winter. Slumping her bag over her shoulder she paused just a moment to look at her expression in the glass. She wore a cashmere white jumper and a pair of Calvin Klein jeans. The more she watched her self the more she realized she has now dressed as part of the Cullens little clan.
It was no accident Alice coordinated all of their outfits for most occasions. Edward, Ren had noticed was the laziest to glamorized or remember to find clothes to wear. Emmett at least had the guiding hand of perfect Rosalie. Although Ren loved Bella, she was no Cullen. So when Ren looked closer at her human skin and saw the redness, the acne, and deep purple bags under her eyes she was reminded that she was no Cullen either.
"I'll pick you up later kid," Emmet said ducking back into his car and revving the engine, Ren held her bag tightly begging with her eyes for Emmett not to leave her in such a dreaded place. But, instead, he gave her what she would call an 'Emmett Smile,' the weird dopey one - and left. While she was staying at the Swans the Cullens promised to drive her around as she still hadn't raked in enough cash to buy a car.
Ren blew out a puff of air, her anxieties building creating a wall that couldn't be climbed.
Edward took a step toward her in a mopey mood due to the nature of the day, he had his school bag dragged over his shoulder. She was sure if she was human he would've had major dark eye bags. "You ready?"
"Not really," Ren made a face like she'd eaten a particular sour grape.
"Ren!" Ren whipped her head around, Jessica called from their normal spot. She had a smile drawn on her face, Bella leaned beside her giving Ren a wave. Ren smiled back, sure it wasn't a large grin or anything but she felt a warmth inside watching them.
"Hey," Ren said back, she took a deep breath. Edward who she had seldom noticed came from behind her like a guardian.
"It'll be fine," Bella said quietly, she reached her hand awkwardly patting her shoulder. Ren appreciated the comfort but it was awkward coming from Swan. She coughed to hide her change in conversation, "Hi Edward."
Edward gave the brunette a smile. He had an insatiable cheeky smile drawn on his face.
Jessica flounced up already with pink and purple matching binders in hand. Ren had just riffled through the supply drawer the Cullens had. It was more of a box, some binders she found if she dug deep were from the 70s. She just chose the plainest she could find, didn't want people talking about her choice in school supplies. You may laugh, but it happened before, high schoolers are strange.
Jessica hooked arms with her in a sense of solidarity. Ren had appreciated it, she looked back to see Edward give Bella a kiss on the cheek.
Aw. Love.
Icky.
Edward looked at her in a warning. She smiled back nodding to the couple before picking up her pace and walking with Jessica who had begun to tell her the gossip that had developed over the summer.
"Lovely day?"
Jessica gave her a meaningful look. "Ren."
"Yay, school," Ren tried to say again more enthusiastically than before, which obviously wasn't very enthusiastic. Jessica, instead of ranting the importance of a positive attitude decided to focus on something more important.
Gossip.
"Okay, so. You missed quite a lot over the summer. Angela and Eric, I think maybe together or Ben and Angela? I don't know, oh you know that Emma chick? Well, she's going out with Will. Oh, wait," Jessica stopped, "You don't know your own rumors yet," Jessica riffled through her memory, "Okay so like, I think Lauren spread it-"
Ren groaned, "Just tell me so I'm prepared, it's not like I don't know this place."
"So like - Everyone thinks you've been in rehab for the past couple weeks after you broke up with your 25-year-old boyfriend-"
"Oh my god, he was 22-" Ren exclaimed rolling her eyes.
"Anyway," Jessica sent Ren a look telling her that she'd have to tell her more about that, "probably now, by your outfit they'll either think your dating a Cullen or adopted by them," Jessica ran her eyes up and down Rens outfit, "Yeah, probably adopted."
"Well that's fucked," Ren rolled her eyes.
"Welcome back," Jessica said with a smile. She plucked a stray leaf that had fallen atop Ren's head.
"Gee thanks," Ren kicked at the gravel, "Any idea if this will pass?"
Jessica tried to take apologetically but moved on with the gossip, "And - Obviously, Edward and Bella are still together," She tucked a hair behind her hair haughtily looking back at the couple, "No one thought they'd last."
Ren raised a brow, "Jess are you -"
"I'm not jealous!" Jessica tried to defend herself, "Just - Like, no one expected, Isabella and. . ."
"The Hair to get together?" Ren offered.
"Exactly," Jessica crossed her arms, "Thoughts Renna, seemingly you spent half your summer with the Cullens and you have NOTHING to tell?"
Ren chewed on her lip. She wished she could get back to saying whatever without consequence, but she felt telling her best friend that The Hair was actually a vampire was a little too far for high school gossip.
"Back to the most interesting place in the world it seems," Edward said catching up interrupting the conversation, his voice laced with bitterness. Ren glared, she was just starting to feel normal until he interrupted.
"Har. Har."
"Well we can't all move to Seattle," Jessica quipped back seemingly over her infatuation with Edward and back to her slightly judgemental but loving advice. Ren looked to the ground.
"Back to Forks."
"Oh my god you are so obnoxious," Ren rolled her eyes and started to walk faster, she stuck up an offending finger and turned back, "see you at the end of the day loser."
Edward called from the parking lot amusement lacing his tone, "We take bio together! Inevitably I'll see you soon!"
Nodding her head along with Mr. Mikelson's opening speech, Ren stared at Angela. Who unfortunately still hadn't gotten the nerve to talk with her. Ren instead wrote a note:
'Missed you :('
She slid it over urging her delicate friend to pick it up and read it. Surly years of friends couldn't be ruined in the summer. Angela paused reading the message over, her eyes flickered over. She wrote back in haughty cursive.
'not friends'
Over the summer they had both got further apart, Angela's parents didn't like the new 'look' she gave off and started to despise her. It escalated to a screaming match between the two which left them both in tears. Ren knew how much Angela hated screaming.
When she got out of class Jessica was there to ambush her.
"Hey, Jess - You think Ang-" Ren tried to base but it seemed Jessica had her own spinning agenda.
"I'm sure coach will let you back on the team," Jessica said as they made their way to the cafeteria, "I mean I would say yes because I'm Captain, but like the girls would totally protest because you didn't go to any of the summer practices or games-"
Ren shrugged and struggled to keep her expression to a ''I don't give a shit,' look that Rosalie always sported, "I don't want to play anyway."
Jessica looked shocked she grabbed Rens cold hand, "Of course you want to play!" Ren didn't want to break it to Jess that she had no idea if she'd ever want to play again. She kept her head down and didn't say it. "You want to play right?"
"No Jess I don't."
"Ren," Jessica gave her a heated glare. They'd always done volleyball together, since seventh grade. Ren would even call it 'their thing' if she had to call anything that.
At the lunch table were more people than she expected, Jessica must've made connections over the summer. They didn't seem to like her as they gave her scathing glares. Lauren sat with her perfect blonde hair on one side of the table. Her eyes were clearer and glacial, and Ren almost thought she could see the pits of hell in them.
She then put on a smile and stood up, Ren stopped in her tracks as Lauren opened her arms.
Lauren scoffed tilting her head, "Come on Ren don't keep me waiting," Ren closed around Lauren. The blonde held her tightly, as they broke away Lauren whispered, "How was Seattle?"
Ren straightened her back, she looked around the group. None of them had heard Lauren but her. Ren slid her brown eyes over to Edward who was hand in hand with Bella, they were talking whisper to one another. Edward looked up and stared at Lauren in anger.
Did you hear what she just said to me?
Ren didn't retaliate but tried to smile. Whatever she could deal with it, "Lauren, hey." She took Lauren by the arms and moved her slightly to the side. Eric smiled at her, he always smiled so it was expected.
Then from behind was a part of the back and a grin from the blonde, Mike Newton. "Welcome back to Forks," he sat beside her, sliding over on the plastic bench until their bodies touched each other. It made Ren uncomfortable, but she grit and bear. She wanted to seem like Mike had no effect on her, that she'd forever be the girl who gave no shits about what others said; It wasn't the truth though. Mike looked over to the Cullen table, she turned around to see the group of them. Alice leaned atop Jasper like a blanket, Bella on Edwards lap, "So, how'd you get an 'in' with the Cullens?"
Ren started to protest holding up her hands, "I don't really-"
Mike grinned again knowingly hitting a weak point, "Come on the school can see it, Ren," the then reiterated his point talking in a loud voice that could be heard tables over teasing, "you sleep with all of them?"
Jessica stopped drinking her strawberry milk pushing it aside, she could see Ren was frozen, unusual for her friend, "Mike! What the hell."
"What?" Mike said in an arrogant tone, she had rejected him this summer, and when guys like Mike were rejected it brought a storm of hate. "Come on, you saw her this summer-"
"Mike-"
"It's not a stretch to assume that she," he raised his brows suggestively, "y'know. Don't worry Ren we won't tell your Mom."
Ren smiled wryly crunching her napkin, it wasn't time to pick a fight. So instead of retaliation, she stood, taking her tray still full of food, and walked out of the quiet cafeteria. It was a wonder how one guy could exonerate problems. She threw the food away and stacked her tray quietly.
The high school had a school field that during the winter was too wet and snowy to play on, but during the summer the school held field hockey and soccer practices. The metal bleachers used to watch the games were still up through winter and sometimes, especially in the fall they were completely empty. It was a great place to be alone.
Now, she didn't cry or some bullshit like that. She held that in, way back. But as she sat alone she thought maybe Forks wasn't where she needed to be. The ugly town.
"Hey," Edward said climbing up the top step of the bleacher from the other side, with little effort. She was sure he could just jump. Show off. She lazily lifted her hand from her side in a mock wave.
"Hey," Ren said back slumping down.
"It pretty cold out here," Edward urged, "why don't we go back inside? You could catch a cold."
"Oh no my yucky human germs," Ren rolled her eyes blowing her fringe out of her eyes and kicking back her legs, "I'll be fine."
Edward shrugged as if to say, 'I tried,' before taking off his own large coat and handing it to her, "Here champ."
Ren chuckled, "You sound like a soccer dad or something," She mocked his tone laughing, "I'm not cold."
"Just put on the coat," Edward nodded and puffed up his chest, "I don't really need it."
"Oh good for you Champ," Ren remarked drolly but put the warm garment on and settled back into the seat. "Did you hear?"
Edward nodded, angrily. "Yeah."
Ren took time to stuck in a tired breath, "I wonder if I would be better to do school online."
"No, you need a high school experience, it's what every human does," he nodded to his jacket pocket, "Now eat, I got you an apple."
Ren smiled lightly at Edward taking a deep red apple out of one of his deep pockets. She looked out to the looming forest with her deep chocolate brown eyes and took a small bite. She chewed for a moment and made a face. "I wished I could just get on with graduating though. So much easier than this shit. You know I actually do kind of look like you guys, clothes-wise anyway. I've never owned clothes like these."
They were way too expensive for small-town Washington she nervously felt her soft sweater. Edward had paused for a moment to think, "We only want to share what we have. Sit with Bella and I, your friends are not being super inviting."
That was an understatement.
"Yeah still makes us look a bit stuck up though," Ren said with a grin, "Don't think high school will be the same. Lauren and I have kind of been at each other for the past two years, it's like we have a competition but there's no end - Just humiliation. Now, she's got something to hook and she'd trying to rip me apart."
Edward tilted his head looking up at the sky for a moment before he stood and outstretch his hand. "Maybe it's for the better that you hang with Bella and me then." Ren took his cold hand and stood back up apple in her other hand.
"I don't know," she smiled. The school bell rang signaling the start of biology. "We should get inside I'm cold."
Ren knew she wasn't as 'fun' as she used to be and it was obvious to the others that she wasn't going to go out in the middle of the night on adventures. But she hoped that despite her change her friends would still cherish her existence. But, as she sat at the Cullen table with Edward Bella and Jessica watching Lauren and Angela with her boyfriend Ben she knew things had changed.
And it had scared her, nothing in Forks changed. She grew up with all of them, she knew their embarrassing moments and had made friendship bracelets with all of them at some point. It was weird.
It sucked to be an outcast in a small school because everyone knew that you weren't in their group. Ren just floated, she was friends with Jess and Bella but it just wasn't the same as last year where she'd talk with anyone.
Biology was boring, Mr. Banner still hadn't got her name correct which wasn't a big deal but still irked her. Edward made her laugh, he started to stack pencils atop one another he'd stack maybe eight before the tower would crash. Ren tried to hold in her snickers as he silently grinned back. Bella leaned forward and told them it's better to get educated than stack towers. Ren could tell Edward could teach the senior biology course in his sleep. Of course, he didn't sleep but that was beside the point.
Mike sat near the front and she had to admit he'd grown over the summer, his hair was swooped to the side instead of his signature gell spikes. It was reminiscent of Edward, but it was a faulty copy of the original material. He flicked paper at Tyler who sat beside him, it was childish. Tyler looked back to feel her eyes on his back. He smiled lightly, she smiled back.
He'd always been nice, she wished she hadn't messed things up so bad with him because she was an idiot all summer because the supernatural existed and in her eyes 'if Edward can killdeers, he could kill me. Supernatural creatures are real, there is no point in living where nothing makes sense.' She'd always been a worshipper of the ideal for humanity, mortality.
Immortality put a spanner in the mix.
How could she be normal after that? Edward gave her a look as if to tell her to calm her thoughts.
"What?" Ren said whispering, they were still lab partners. She flicked a small annoying wad of paper toward him. The first time he stayed still eyes on the board. Buy the third time he caught it out of the air without looking. She looked forward again.
"You're notoriously impossible to deal with Ren," Edward leaned to whisper, Ren made a face.
"You're notoriously impossible to deal with Edward," she shot back.
"Stop it," Bella murmured from behind writing notes in her book, "Edward please."
"Apologies, Bella," Edward withdrew. Ren mocked a silent laugh. Edward sighed largely, he tried his best to stay calm and collected.
After the day finished Bella drove them home in her grumbling old truck. Ren was leaned against the cold window. Bella had her eyes on the road, Edward was to meet them at the house after he'd dropped his car at the Cullens. Bella talked about how perfect the summer was between them, it was romantic, perfect every day. Edward Cullen was the perfect vampire boyfriend. Ren didn't interject her own opinion into the matter because it wasn't going to help.
"We eating porridge for dinner?" Ren said plainly.
"Steak and potatoes, Charlie likes it," Bella answered.
"Why don't you just call him your Dad?"
"It's," Bella paused trying to think, then stuttered, "well it's strange, I don't know, I've just called him Charlie, like my mom."
Ren took a small breath keeping her eyes on the road, she hoped a deer would come out so she wouldn't have to bring up the conversation. She felt that it was her job as Bellas friend to ask. She rested her knees on the dash as she slumped down in the seat belt creasing uncomfortably at her neck.
"Don't you feel like-" Ren trailed off.
Bella looked over quietly, "Like what?"
"Like, I - what if Edward, I mean," Ren stumbled over her words, "He's immortal Bells, you'll be eighty and he'll still be seventeen."
I'll become like him," Bella said with a shrug like it was an easy Tuesday morning tea question. Ren wouldn't; Couldn't do the whole immortal thing. I'd kill her not to have a limit or goal. Immortality brought indifference. Ren crossed her arms, Bella looked over and asked, "What?"
"Nothing-"
"I want to be like him, Ren. Forever."
"Does Edward agree?" Rens's eyes widened, if Edward thought it was a good idea, she would know how to think. Was everyone going mad in this town?
"Well not yet," Bella explained, Ren let out a breath.
Thank God.
"Oh well. Maybe it's-"
"No," Bella said with finality, "I'll convince him ."
How about everyone else? Ren thought.
"Oh. Okay."
Ren had a bitter taste in her mouth, "Right. Is Charlie home tonight?"
"No, nightshift, why?"
Ren shrugged, she was bored, she could at least play UNO with Charlie. The guy was pretty nice when she'd got to know him; Quiet and steady. The overall aim of her friendship with Bella was to keep things interesting. They weren't alike, not really, and sometimes they didn't really have the same opinions on basic things like mortality. It was natural to think immortality was something to strive toward, but actual immortality?
No thanks.
She took a cigarette out of her pocket giving Bella a pointed look before opening the window. "Nothing," she lit cylinder with her lighter. She'd been hiding it for ages for the perfect time when Charlie and Edward wouldn't catch her. She let the smoke billow into her lungs, she exhaled, relaxed. It was shameful, but, she'd stolen the cigarette from Charlie's room. He'd didn't smoke much but still had a pack hidden in his bedside drawers. She felt bad about stealing but she was stressed and really needed it. Bella gave her a shame-filled look as she blew another cloud out the side of the truck. "What? Stop staring!"
Ren shook her head continuing as the truck grew silent, Ren knew Bella didn't have the guts to do anything about their secret. "I can't believe you still smoke."
"Habit," Ren said, "hard to break."
Bella sighed keeping her eyes on the road and started to chastise her, "You know it's pretty bad for you."
"Bells can you can it." Ren relaxed in the torn-up fabric seat, "You just told me you want to become immortal, I think I deserve a break."
"This has nothing to do with me," Bella said quietly. Ren's haughty temper grew she struggled to keep calm.
"Just . . . Don't tell okay?" Ren said she tilted her head trying to lighten the mood, "I promise I'm trying not to."
The truck was silent for another few minutes as they pulled into the street where the Swan house was situated. "Okay," Bella said quietly, Ren's mood brightened she finished her cigarette and stepped out of the truck stamping the burning out, "don't even try and mention immortality to Edward though."
"What are you and Edward getting up to. .." Ren said wiggling her eyebrows, Bellas face heated up and she began to stutter, "Come on tell the group-"
"We have just kissed," Bella said rolling her eyes. She turned watching Rens expression, "What? It's true!"
"Sure, Isabella Marie. Sure it is."
"Oh my god-" Bella moaned Ren rushed up to Bella wrapping an arm around the brunette. "Stop - Ren."
Bella started to laugh quietly as they opened the door to the quiet house. They proceeded to turn on a few lights, Ren jumped to the sofa reaching for the remote turning on the tv. Bella laid beside her fumbling something under her breath. Ren smirked hugging a throw pillow. "So you and Eddie haven't done the -"
Bella threw a pillow at Ren's face.
"Come on Bella tell me!"
Morning came and Ren started it with plain porridge that drooped off the spoon in a soppy mess. Ren made a face, Bella sat next to her munching in scrambled eggs.
"What'd the porridge do to you?" Bella smiled, resting her head in her hands. Ren looked over tiredly. It was the morning, she was not a morning person. She put down the spoon leaning back in the dining room chair.
"It's gross," Ren said, "who decided porridge was the goal?"
"Someone hungry?" Bella suggested.
Ren mumbled something incoherent shoving another spoonful in her mouth. Because of the fun, she had yesterday Bella wouldn't make breakfast. She may have deserved it. She checked her phone for the morning.
Zero new texts. Bella looked over, "Jessica hasn't texted yet?"
"Not yet," Ren quickly put the phone away, "but I'm sure she'll be hounding me about volleyball."
"Maybe you should rejoin?" Bella suggested, "you loved it."
Ren closed her eyes thinking about it, she sighed, "Nah. I can't, it's just not me?" She started volleyball so long ago she could even remember why she started. "You could join though?"
Bella scoffed, "Cope makes me sit out when we play, I'm a danger to others apparently."
Ren got up putting the rest of her food in the trash shrugging, "I'm sure you're not that bad?" It was more of a question than anything. She'd seen Swan in any icy parking lot, she was a hazard. "Also, thanks for asking to borrow my shirt I really appreciate it Bells."
The sarcasm was apparent as Bella looked down at the black and white shirt sheepishly, "Sorry."
"It's fine, wear it - actually take it, it's the Cullens anyways," Bella grinned, "thank Edward. But you have to drive me to school. No car still."
"Are you saving?"
"Yeah," Ren said picking up her backpack, "Job offers aren't going strong at the moment."
"Mikes parents shop-"
"Yeah no." If she had to work with Mike she might have to off herself.
"The diner?" Forks had an old tiled diner on the street corner, the employees were always fair and Ren had gone in with her volleyball team a few times in the past. They served the bare minimum: Eggs, bacon, and french toast with black coffee.
"I asked, they're overstaffed at the moment, they're going into winter. Not a lot of business just a couple of truckers. And - I guess your dad and a few of the deputies."
"Oh well," Bella said pessimistically opening the front door, Ren caught her as she almost stumbled face-first into the concrete. Clumsy, Ren shook her head opening the truck door. In comparison, Bella was an unusually good driver for her lack of overall hand-eye coordination so Ren felt moderately safe. But, she still texted Edward a warning message that Bella was especially clumsy this morning and to watch out for blood spill. "Just stay positive, okay?"
"Right, thanks, Miss. Positivity." Bella tried to respond but Ren had a smile on her face, "Just get in the car and drive," Ren giggled, "God you are clumsy it's almost comical."
Bella wasn't embarrassed, it was normal for the girl so she just shrugged and continued with routine. She turned on the radio to one of the morning music shows where they would almost play whatever they wanted. Some days it was blues, others it was Samba. Added a bit of spice to the morning. Ren scanned the bright green forest line, taking in the dark rich green of the pine and the vibrance of the soft moss.
"Billy is coming over this afternoon," Bella said as they pulled into the small parking lot. They were late so it was full, but they managed to squeeze the truck in. "He's watching something with Charlie I think."
"Cool."
"Are you okay? You seem happier, which is good but-"
"I'm just trying to get back into the swing, y'know?" Ren said lightly, "Can't be crazy forever."
"That's..." Bella tried to say something but paused, "That's really good. I'm happy for you."
Ren's phone bussed a text from Jessica, "Cool, listen I need to run off . . . Jessica"
"Go for it, I'll wait for Edward."
"You can come if you want?"
"No thanks," Bella said popping in her headphones and grabbing her book. Right, an introvert.
Lauren and a few others were leaning against their cars laughing. Tyler was sat inside his open van his laugh was the loudest booming across the car park. While her friends never bullied her directly, it was times like these where she felt the yearn to reconnect and knew that it would never be the same. It hurt.
Edward walked up uniting with Bella with a short kiss and a caress of the cheek. Ren adjusted her bag awkwardly walking away. Third-wheeling was not on the agenda that morning.
Jessica looked up and gave her a grin, "Hi Renna."
"Jessica," Ren swung around with a battering grin. Jessica looked surprised for a moment before smiling.
"Your looking better, less pale."
"Jess we're all pale, but I mean I guess I feel a bit better today. Maybe we could go surfing later, I know the water is gonna be freezing but it'll be the last time we'll be able to go before winter."
Jessica thought for a moment, "I mean maybe - I got student council meeting after school but I could skip."
Ren clapped her hands together praying, "Please?"
Jessica rolled her eyes, "Fine, for you."