The Whispering Woods
Chapter Ten
It only took a day or two before all of Forks was aware of Esme's return. By the time Edward went out the next day, everyone seemed to know who he was. He stopped by the general store to buy some basic school supplies—the cashier, a blue-eyed mama's boy named Mike, asked him if he played sports.
"Not if I can help it." I used to though, was damn good at it, too.
Mike lost interest quickly; likely, he'd been sizing up the competition. The school jersey, cap, and shorts he wore were a clear indication of what group he socialized with at school.
Edward was used to large schools, where it was easy to get lost in among the masses. He was surprised to find there were cliques in a small-town high school. During a drive through the main street of town, he managed to spot four groups of students, all in packs of at least five. He had yet to find Bella, but something told him, she avoided fitting any of the social norms, unless that counted as one.
He parked in front of a café, once again surprised to find one in such a small town. A shit-colored police SUV sat next to his, but he hadn't realized then that Forks only had one vehicle on the force, or he would've known who was nearby.
The menu catered to fancy drinks city-folks swallowed daily to more old-school cups of joe. They even had several choices of pastries from the local bakery.
"How can I help you, Edward?" A familiar voice brought his attention to the barista. Bella didn't smile, but she seemed to be silently communicating with someone else behind him.
"Edward?" The gruff voice nearly had the hairs behind his neck jumping ship. "You wouldn't happen to be Esme's son?"
Bella gave Edward an apologetic look and a shrug. "Yes, he's that Edward, Dad." She rolled her eyes. "Can you please let him order before you interrogate him?"
Edward turned to face the Chief of Police, Bella's father, and the man who his mother claimed to have killed her sister. His eyes didn't match his daughter's enchanting lavender color, but there was a much more haunted look within them.
"Hello, sir, I'm Edward Masen-Cullen." Edward held out his hand and waited. For what, he wasn't sure, but he knew it was imperative that they meet. The moment they shook hands, he nearly collapsed as a lifetime replayed in his mind.
Only, it wasn't his lifetime, but Charlie's; the one he shared with his wife and Bella.
Edward's voice seemed locked up, but he managed to mumble, "She…not belong…home." Darkness infringed from every direction, pulling him under its spell.
AN: Thanks to MC, see you all on Tuesday.