Chapter 9. Escape
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Bella's POV
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People rarely captured her attention. For her formative years it had always been music and books. She always got lost in the reality she created for herself. She had a therapist later on who called it a survival tactic. People always disappointed her, made her feel small and insignificant. Music and books never did that, instead they told a story. The most important part was that it was never her story, always someone else's. She didn't need to be Bella Swan all the time, in fact if she had any saying; she never would have been in the first place.
Her mother used to complain about Bella never paying attention to her, and even at one point tried to take away her music collection and books. Luckily Bella had been quick enough to find the stash and hide it herself before Renée could sell it or give it away. She made a point to look as if she was listening after that, although most of the time she zoned out. Her mother never understood, or even tried to understand, why she tried so hard to escape reality. Bella reckoned she was incapable of it, she was too busy with her own life.
It happened gradually and not overnight, most likely started when she moved to Phoenix with her mother. Her parents' divorce was not a quiet affair. Her mother had practically ripped her out of bed one night and carried her out kicking and screaming into the car. Bella remembered crying out for her father, but Charlie just stood uselessly in the background, never once making an attempt to stop Renée from leaving with his daughter. She could still picture his heartbroken face as she banged her little fist on the backseat window while her mother sped away from her childhood home. Bella didn't know who she resented more in that moment; her mother for taking her away or her father for not protesting.
Renée started their new life in Phoenix and then proceeded to forget all about their old one, acted as if nothing was wrong. Bella was enrolled in a new school and Renée expected her to make new friends right away to replace the old ones. Her mother got a job at an art gallery and made new friends of her own. Bella grew accustomed meeting new boyfriends every few weeks or so, although Renée insisted they were 'just friends'. Even an eight-year-old Bella was not naïve enough to think adults had that many sleepovers.
Renée's attitude was brand new in the big city, it was as if she could finally breathe after being underwater for too long. Bella knew one of the reasons she left Forks was because the quiet town was too boring for her liking, and so in Phoenix she flourished.
Bella did not have the same experience. She was too like her father, respected the quiet air and nature, so the city life was too fast and buzzing for her taste. Renée grew frustrated with her daughter with time and tried every trick in the book to convince Bella that their new life was in fact better. It worked for a little while. Renée showed her different museums, music stores, malls, various art exhibitions and even took her to a few libraries. Bella slowly grew fascinated with the possibilities the city life offered. Sadly Renée's tours grew fewer with time until one day they stopped entirely.
Today Bella understood her mother was dealing with something far greater than simply the need to flee the boring quiet town life, but back then she was too young to comprehend the whiplash of emotions Renée gave her. Renée's depression was confusing and her behavior unpredictable, so Bella never knew what to expect when she came home when school ended. Sometimes Renée was happy and fun, inventing creative games for them to play, or encouraging Bella to skip homework so they could binge eat cookies and watch Disney movies. Those was Bella's favorite days, albeit rarer. Most of the time, she was still in bed and had short temper and yelled constantly or she was completely silent and seemed far away. Bella was ceaselessly tiptoeing around her mother and filled with anxiety whenever her day at school ended. This affected her ability to maintain any lasting friendships, since she was too concerned with getting home, or as the years went by, to stay away from home. Too many questions were asked if she stayed with friends so that was never an option.
The library and the music stores became her sanctuaries. The books never yelled, and the music drowned out the noises or filled the silence.
Bella still remembered the day as clearly as if it had happened only yesterday. She had woken up, got dressed for school and trotted to the kitchen to get breakfast per usual. Renée was already up, which was unusual. Bella hadn't thought much of it then, but for a long time it was the only thing she could think of. Her mother had been uncharacteristically happy that day, biding her good morning with a kiss and a prepared breakfast. Bella had only nodded or made agreeing sounds when Renée had talked about Bella's future plans but had not put much stock in it; after all Renée was continuously making different future plans, either for herself or Bella. It was as if she was always restless and periodically needed to come up with something new and exciting. As soon as Bella finished eating, she was out of the house. School itself was boring, since she already knew the material and spent most of the day with her head buried in one of her novels. When the last bell rang, she lingered in the parking lot, talking to a few of her classmates. Bella often wondered how different things would have been if she had gone straight home.
Only a horror show greeted her when she finally did. There was no note, only a lot of blood and a wide-eyed stare that felt accusing in that moment.
Charlie had been distraught when Bella stepped out of the airplane. Bella didn't remember much of the first few weeks, only him fussing a lot and her staring off into space. She loved her father dearly, but he was a stranger to her then. Renée had done her best to keep the father and daughter separated, never letting Bella visit and rarely letting Bella talk to Charlie when he called. After a few years the visiting offers and the calls stopped, apart from the obligating phone calls on birthdays and at Christmas. So when Bella moved back to Forks, Charlie was her father only in name. It wasn't until much later that she found out that Charlie never did stop calling, only that Renée got better at lying. Bella would never know for sure why, but she imagined Renée had been terrified of the prospect of Bella choosing her father over her, so she did her best to take that option off the table.
Bella was fifteen when she moved back to Forks, filled with anger and loss and her poor father had no idea how to deal with the teen. Much less when Bella started rebelling and took up drinking and smoking. Charlie harboured much guilt for his absent years and turned a blind eye to many things, especially for someone who was the Chief of police. His daughter had gone from his life as a relatively happy child and returned as a rebellious, grief-stricken teenager.
It wasn't until six months later that Charlie had put his foot down and tried to deescalate the situation. That was the first time Bella saw a psychologist. She didn't care for it much in the beginning but slowly started opening up, if only because of the sheer stubbornness the psychologist, Claire, displayed. It didn't matter how much shit Bella threw at her, Claire took it with calmness and never once stopped reminding her that Bella wasn't a hopeless case. Her father often joked that Claire was their saviour, which Bella readily agreed with him then. With time Bella slowed down her drinking and sought out the company of her father and made friends with people at school. She finally got the relationship with her father she had always craved for and the two grew close. It would always make her feel guilty whenever she thought of it, but that period was the best one in Bella's life.
Everything changed again when Bella got the phone call from the Police Station. It had been a robbery gone wrong and Charlie was caught in the crossfire. Once again, her world crumpled. Her last conversation with her father had not been a happy one, in fact Charlie had left for work in an angry state. Bella didn't remember exactly what their argument had been about, but she remembered his disappointed expression. It was unbearable to think he might have been distracted that day because of her.
Books and music weren't enough to escape from reality. Forks was too small, and she knew too many faces, so Seattle became her new sanctuary. The library and the music stores were replaced with clubs and random house parties. For the first time it became dangerous for Bella to escape reality, the further she sank, the worse it got.
Reality slapped her in the face when she woke one morning with her friends standing over her, their expression grim and worried. Bella had no idea how they found her in the first place, since she was not in her own bed or even in Forks. In fact, it had been too dangerous for them to be in that neighbourhood.
Jessica wasted no time and immediately kicked the naked girl next to Bella out of bed, while Angela made a heartwarming speech for Bella to get her shit together. Maybe it was because she was too hungover and deeply ashamed about her state or maybe she was simply touched by their concern over her wellbeing, whatever it was; Bella listened and promised to get better. Above all, Bella was simply tired. Tired of living in this endless loop of self-destruction with nothing but hazy memory from the day before.
True to her word, Bella stopped partying and tried her best to get her life back on track. She even started seeing Claire again. It was extremely hard at first, but she stayed sober for almost six months without any mishap. Alcohol and other substances were replaced with books and music and she made time for her friends and schoolwork as well. Bella tried her hardest to appear normal and it worked for a time. Then the first time-travel happened and any resemblance to a normal life flew out the window.
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People rarely captured her attention, but the Cullen's had.
Something that felt a lot like betrayal squeezed her chest. Despite everything she had gone through, Bella had never considered herself a victim before, not truly. She's always seen the injustice of her circumstances, anything less was impossible, but she was only ever a survivor in her own story. The thought of the Cullen's viewing her as someone to pity, akin to a charity case, was more painful than she cared to admit.
Bella was a guarded person, which was a learned behavior and not instinctual, and she rarely, if ever, let people in. The Cullen's, and Rosalie especially, were one of those rare cases. If Bella should be perfectly honest with herself, it was somewhat of a miracle how easy it was to let them in. That never happened with her. Of course, she hadn't told them the whole story but it was easier being herself around them and maybe with time, she would have let them know everything. But now she knew why they were conversing with her in the first place, that idea vanished into thin air.
While it hurt, a part of Bella was relieved. She had been second guessing herself ever since she started hanging out with them, second guessing her plan. She had even felt a sliver of hope, a feeling she had given up on a long time ago.
Maybe it was better this way. It would have hurt even more to discover their true intent later on, at least this way it wouldn't hurt as much.
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The sound of the doorbell ringing felt so unexpected that Bella jumped up from her seat, clutching her chest in fright. She had been too lost in her thoughts and mentally berated herself for being so twitchy. The doorbell rang again and when she realised she couldn't simply ignored it when it rang for the third time, she got up and reluctantly went to answer.
"I'm not in the mood," she said as soon as she opened the door. Then she closed it right away, a petty part of her taking satisfaction in seeing Emmett's crestfallen expression.
"Wait!" he called out and she paused in her steps but did not open the door again. She knew Emmett would know she was listening. "Will you please listen to me?"
Bella was glad the wood acted as a buffer since she was sure Emmett was sporting his infamous puppy eyes.
"You have 30 seconds," Bella deadpanned.
"30 seconds?" Emmett sounded appalled. "That's not nearly enough –"
"29, 28…" Bella interrupted.
"Jeez, fine okay," he paused. "Rosalie told me what happened. I think there's been a huge misunderstanding,"
Bella opened the door and raised one eyebrow.
"So I misunderstood that you guys didn't start talking to me until you found out I was going to kill myself?" she asked dryly, ignoring the way he flinched at her phrasing.
"Well…" Emmett hesitated, and his guilty expression answered for him. Bella let out a humourless laughter and closed the door again.
"Bella please!" he sounded desperate. Bella exhaled sharply and opened the door again.
"You only recently just started to get to know me so let me tell you something about myself," she began icily. "Despite how it may appear, I respect myself enough to not take any bullshit," Emmett opened his mouth but Bella shut him up with a warning glare. "I understand you guys live for an eternity and you get bored, so taking on a pet project isn't a farfetched concept, however I want no part in it,"
"You're not – "
"I refuse to act as some stray dog you take home to nurse to health. I will not accept pity or some 12-step program you have in your arsenal. Find someone else. Please respect my boundaries and stop contacting me,"
"We just want your friendship! I'm not offering any pity or – "
"Friendship," Bella deadpanned.
"Yes," Emmett eagerly nodded. "I just want my best friend back," Bella studied his earnest expression.
"Our friendship is based on false intention," she said after a long moment of silence.
"What?" Emmett looked horrified.
"It is my understanding that Edward read my thoughts, which resulted into Rosalie talking to me for the first time. I've been going over our past conversations in my head today and I remembered she was very focused on my plans after school, although she hid it well under the guise of hanging out or something of similar nature. When her plans failed, it was you who showed up at my door and insisted I'd hang out with you," Bella's eyes bore into his. "Do you deny our friendship wasn't based on you trying to distract me from my plans?"
"I wanted to hang out with you before that," Emmett insisted, although there was guilt in his eyes.
"You're saying it's a mere coincidence you chose that day?" Bella pressed on.
"No," he sighed. "But I really enjoy your company, despite my intentions in the beginning. You really are my best friend," the sincerity in his tone almost swayed Bella.
"I believe you," Bella sighed, almost laughing despite herself when he perked up with a joyful expression. "I still feel betrayed though," his smile slipped off.
"I know your intentions are good, but now I'm second guessing our every interaction. I am hurt and I'm confused Emmett. I never let people in, and I let you in. The trust issues I have are there for a reason. People often think they know what's best for me, which is always something they decide for me," Bella closed her eyes, feeling almost too vulnerable sharing the next piece. "The only one I've ever come to rely on in life, is myself. Everyone else have left me, in one way or another. They try their best until they realise it's not enough," I'm not enough, was left unsaid but Bella reckoned Emmett understood her true meaning, with the way his eyes widened.
"Bella…" he trailed off, unsure how to proceed.
"So I realise it might seem like I'm over reacting or sounding dramatic but my personal experience is a bit bitter. I'm only trying to take care of myself. I might be a lot of things but I'm also just a person, not a charity case for you to take interest in until you discover it's too much. I cannot afford to be given false hope or lied to, despite how well intended it may be,"
"I'm sorry I made you feel this way," Emmett's tone was unusually subdued.
"So am I," Bella replied honestly.
"Is there anything I can do to fix this?" he pleaded. "Some way we can get our friendship back?"
"Just…" Bella sighed. "Give me some time to mull things over,"
"Take all the time you need," Emmett said with a sad smile. "You know where to find us,"
Bella nodded and watched him walk back to his truck. She needed to make a decision. Either she would forgive or let go.
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Bella parked the car in front of the Cullen residence and shut off the engine. She had done nothing but thinking since yesterday afternoon, when Emmett showed up, and had finally reached a decision.
She waited for a few moments before finally finding the courage she needed and got out of the car. The area was silent, but Bella knew the Cullen's knew she was there. It was a bit surprising no one had greeted her already, but she reckoned they were waiting for her to make a move.
"I'll be on the porch," she cleared her throat. No one answered but it didn't bother her, instead she calmly sat down on one of the designer lawn chairs on the porch and looked up at the night sky. It was quiet for all but one minute, until the door opened and closed softly. Bella knew right away who it was.
"I'm sorry," Rosalie offered hesitantly, regret written all over her beautiful features.
Bella exhaled shakily. She couldn't act petty or defensive this time, she was better than that and despite everything, Rosalie deserved better.
"So am I," Bella murmured in return. Her gaze returned to the sky, although she was hyper aware of how Rosalie was watching her profile intently.
"I spoke to Emmett," the blonde confessed after a beat of silence. Bella closed her eyes momentarily in defeat. Of course, Emmett told her their conversation. Nothing was ever private in that household.
"Well, more like I forced him to speak," Rosalie amended, and a brief smile touched Bella's lips without her consent. She had no trouble believing that. While the blonde was almost always sweet around her, Bella knew Rosalie's siblings had a healthy amount of wariness when it came to the blonde. It was not as if Bella wasn't aware of the fierceness Rosalie possessed, that had always been clear. It did however make her think why she was the one Rosalie chose to allow to see this different side of her. A food for thought.
"I see," was the only thing Bella could come up with.
"If you have the time and are willing to listen, I would very much like to explain a few things," Rosalie proceeded. Bella turned to face her, quietly studying the sincerity in the vampire's eyes.
Rosalie was giving her an opportunity to leave if she wanted to. She was letting Bella make the decision for herself. It was a small thing, but it softened Bella's resolve.
"Very well," Bella decided after a moment. "I can't promise I'll behave accordingly, I have tendencies to lash out when confronted," she posed it as a joke, although there was a hidden apology in there. A small smile graced Rosalie's lips, an acknowledgement.
"A trait we share," Rosalie's smiled apologetically.
"Indeed,"
"I've noticed you as soon as we arrived at Forks," Rosalie began hesitantly. "As you've undoubtably realised, I have issues with being a vampire," a bitter smile twisted her lips. "I am envious of humans," Bella said nothing, as she already knew that.
"I didn't want you in my life initially," the brunette grimaced, something that did not escape Rosalie, for she hurriedly added. "Not because of who you are, but because who I am, what I am. I didn't want to complicate your life by dragging you into the supernatural world. I didn't want to be selfish," that appeased Bella to a degree, but she still remained quiet. "Emmett often complained about that. He wanted to be your friend right away," this time Bella had to smile, which emboldened Rosalie. "But I am stubborn," the brunette chuckled.
"You are," Bella couldn't help but to tease, watching with fascination as Rosalie's shoulders relaxed.
"I've always felt drawn to you," the confession itself did not surprise Bella as much as the tone it was said in. It was an odd combination of sincerity and bitterness. "To be completely honest, I doubt I would have been able to stay away forever," Rosalie laughed lightly and looked down, oblivious to Bella's rapt attention.
"So when Edward announced one day at lunch that you had made a decision to leave…permanently," Rosalie fumbled for the right word, which made Bella wonder if she was trying to sound sensitive or if she couldn't bear to phrase it any differently. "A feeling of terror seized me," the raw honesty shook Bella to the core. She doubted she would have been able to speak then, even if she wanted to.
"When I reached out to you, it wasn't fuelled by pity, but because I couldn't bear the thought of you leaving this earth. I felt like I was missing my opportunity to get to know you. Like I already had," the last part was almost whispered. "In the beginning I had no means to tell you that I knew of your plans, after all I couldn't reveal Edward's powers," Rosalie finally looked up and met Bella's eyes. Bella was blown away by the array of emotions.
"I have no excuse for not telling you after you discovered our secret. Maybe it would have been an awkward conversation starter, but I should have told you. I never meant to make you feel like you are a charity case or that our… friendship is conditional," Rosalie stuttered over the word 'friendship', as if unsure how to classify their connection. Bella understood, there had always been more between them than just friendship.
"You mean more to me than you know Bella Swan and I want to make one thing explicitly clear so there is no room for any misunderstanding," Rosalie's eyes were so intense that Bella had to force herself to not avert her eyes. "I want you in my life because of who you are as a person. I've not been spending time with you because I'm bored, and I most certainly don't pity you, nor do I want to control you. I know only you can make the decision whether you want to stay alive or not. But I want you to know that I would love nothing more if you choose to stay," the desperation in one word was enough to make Bella look away. "I most certainly don't want to fix you. I've never seen you as something broken. However, if I can help you in any way, I'm at your disposal. Truthfully, I'd be only paying you back for all the times you've already helped me," Rosalie chuckled.
Bella tried to recall a single moment she had helped Rosalie but came up short.
"Rose…" Bella trailed off.
"I also want to apologise for my behavior when you said nothing could happen between us," Rosalie continued, which made Bella sharply look up. "I stand by my words that night," the blonde elaborated calmly. "I like you Bella, and I do want to pursue a relationship with you, that hasn't changed," Bella swallowed thickly. "But I respect your wishes and I will back off if you are not interested. To be completely honest, I just want to be part of your story, in whatever capacity you'll allow me. If you only want friendship? Then I'll be your friend," Rosalie took in a shaky breath, as if mentally preparing herself. "If you don't want me in your life at all, I'll respect that too," panic rose in Bella's chest at the thought of Rosalie disappearing from her life entirely. "This is entirely up to you,"
"I don't want you out of my life Rose," Bella finally found her voice, although it was a lot weaker than she intended. Rosalie's heartfelt confession had kickstarted a storm of emotions within Bella, which she had no idea how to approach. It felt overwhelming. Luckily the blonde waited patiently as Bella searched for the right words.
"I accept your apology, and I want to apologise too," she started, which Rosalie seemed confused at. Bella almost frowned. Did Rosalie only think she was the guilty party here? "I should have not reacted in that way that night,"
"Your reactions were entirely understandable," Rosalie protested.
"Not excusable though," Bella corrected gently, to which the vampire had no response to. "I might have been drunk and emotional, but I was an asshole to you. I was goading you on during the end. You didn't deserve my behavior. So, I'm sorry.
"Apology accepted," Rosalie said easily, still a bit surprised.
"I've been doing a lot of thinking," Bella absently started drumming her fingers on her knee, a nervous tick. "I have no idea why on earth you like me," she stated honestly. "Since I'm pretty sure vampires can't suffer from head traumas,"
"Bella," Rosalie said sternly with a small frown.
"Sorry," Bella apologised. Self-deprecating humour was probably not the way to go. "What I mean to say that I don't understand why you want to be involved with me, romantically, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I don't want you too," she shifted uneasily under Rosalie's intense gaze. "Like we've established, I have a lot of issues with myself and most of the time I think I'm undeserving of any happiness. Of course, I don't want to feel that way, and if I could, I wouldn't. What I do know with every fibre of my being, is that you deserve it. I have made an argument for why I'm an awful choice for your pursuit, which you seem to be intent on ignoring. I mean you're amazing and I'm just…Bella," she chuckled awkwardly. "I'm not even sure we'll make sense together. I'm kind of a lot, I mean I travel through time and I don't know if I'll be home for dinner. Not that you eat food, but I do and if – "
"Bella," Rosalie interrupted gently, a small amused smile marring her features. "You're rambling,"
"I know," Bella exhaled shakily. "I'm nervous,"
"There's no need to be," Rosalie shifted closer, hesitantly reaching over to place one hand on top of Bella's, stilling her movement. Miraculously, the small action calmed Bella.
"What I'm trying to say that my life is unpredictable, and I cannot give you any promises,"
"I know that," the vampire nodded.
"I have a lot of things I need to work through, a huge load of baggage I need to sort out. Most of the time I don't know who I am and I'm uncertain about almost everything," Bella bit her lip. "What I am certain of, is that I like you and I enjoy your company," Rosalie's expression flickered between hope and apprehension. "So I'd like to…try,"
"Really?" Rosalie's expression was pleased, laced with surprise.
"We'll have to take it slow. I don't hold the best track record with open communication and I often conceal my feelings and thoughts, which I'll try to work on. I have abandonment issues and I tend to push people away when I feel overwhelmed. I am also a master of self-doubt, so you might get a whiplash somedays about – "
"Bella, darling," Rosalie squeezed her hand gently. "Breathe. I'm not perfect either. You just listed up things I also struggle with. If you want to work on those things, maybe I can too, and it can be a learning process for us both. Like I stated earlier, I don't want to change you or fix you. Simply put, I just want to be around you," Bella broke into a smile, which Rosalie returned with one of her own.
"Okay," Bella nodded slowly. "We'll take it slow though?"
"Slow," Rosalie agreed, topaz eyes twinkling with joy.
"So we'll do this right, like adults," the time traveler stated seriously, inwardly cooing at Rosalie's confused expression, which frankly was absurdly adorable.
"We talk to one another if something is bothering us, or if we're unsure about something. I'd rather you tell me if I'm crossing some boundaries, and vice versa," Rosalie nodded with a smile. "No more concealed truths," Bella added, pausing when Rosalie's smile turned slightly forced. "I'm not asking you to reveal your every secret or private thought. I understand not everything can be said, especially right away, " Bella clarified, relieved when Rosalie's expression faded. It gave the impression that Rosalie wasn't telling her something but would eventually. Bella was fine with that. "Just please don't lie to me,"
"I won't," Rosalie vowed. "I expect the same from you," Bella nodded.
"Of course,"
"So we're in agreement?"
"I can draw up a contract if you'd like," Rosalie teased, trying to lighten the mood.
"I think a verbal one will do for now," Bella smirked. "We'll revisit the idea when we decide to take the next step,"
"Next step?" Rosalie feigned an outraged expression. "I thought we would take things slow,"
"This is how lesbian relationships work," Bella barely managed to keep a straight face. "I'll probably show up with a U-Haul tomorrow,"
"I'm having second thoughts," Rosalie deadpanned, although the mirth in her eyes gave her away.
"Not an option I'm afraid," Bella clasped their hands together and narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Such dreadful fate," Rosalie laughed.
"This is what you wanted darling," Bella reminded her with a wink.
"It is," Rosalie squeezed her hand, her smile softer than ever. Bella's stomach fluttered at the sight of it. No one would have faulted her for staring.
"Have you two knuckleheads worked it out?" Emmett's voice broke their eye contact, and moment for that matter. They both turned to see Emmett standing in the doorway, his expression hopeful.
"You couldn't have waited?"
"Yes,"
Rosalie and Bella spoke at the same time, the former with an irritated glare and the latter with an eye-roll.
"Great!" Emmett looked entirely unconcerned if he had accidentally interrupted something. "So… can we play now?" he directed his words to Bella, who was shaking her head fondly.
"Why not?" the big man pouted. "We haven't played in ages!"
"Emmett, you ruined a moment for them!" Alice appeared out of nowhere, glaring daggers at him.
"They weren't doing anything," Emmett insisted.
"Alice is right," Edward materialised beside the pixie. "You definitely ruined a moment,"
"Oh my god," Rosalie facepalmed, which only made Bella laugh.
"They weren't saying anything or doing anything," Emmett threw his hands up in defeat.
"Maybe they were about to kiss," Alice argued.
"Rosalie was thinking about it," Edward backed his sister up, unknowingly making the other one embarrassed.
"Edward, I swear to god…" Rosalie hissed and avoided Bella's eyes. The time traveler couldn't hide her smile, since she was about 99% sure that if Rosalie was human, she would have been blushing hardcore.
"You're embarrassing Rosalie," Alice informed the bronze haired boy accusingly.
"You're all embarrassing me!" Rosalie growled. She appeared so genuinely exasperated that Bella's smile only widened and she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
"Don't worry babe, I knew what I was signing up for," Bella said teasingly.
"Babe?" Emmett perked up with a shit eating grin. "We've evolved to pet names, have we?"
It had honestly slipped out, more as a joke if anything and Bella knew better than to seem affected by her best friend's teasing remarks, but her body betrayed her and a light blush coated her cheeks.
"Aw," Emmett cooed. "Look how adorable she is," he reached out to touch her heated face but Bella quickly batted his hands away.
"Rosalie's right," she complained. "You're embarrassing,"
"I thought you already knew that?" the big man sassed. Bella sighed and looked at Rosalie, who was staring at her fondly.
"I was thinking about saying yes to playing with you, but I now changed my mind," Bella told him, almost bursting into laughter when his face fell.
"What? No!" Emmett whined and turned to Rosalie. "Tell your new girlfriend to play with me," Bella's heart skipped a beat at the word 'girlfriend', a fact that did not escape the vampires, whose all eyes comically zeroed in on her chest. Bella gulped at Rosalie's sexy smirk. She looked entirely too pleased with herself. Bella arched one eyebrow. The blonde would have to work for that title, they only had one conversation, and nothing had been established yet. Bella refused to seem that easy.
"I'm leaving," Bella regretfully let go of Rosalie's hand and jumped to her feet.
"What? Where?" Rosalie's smirk was replaced with a pout.
"I'm going to hang out with Jasper," Bella informed them casually, adopting a smirk of her own when every vampire in attendance frowned.
"Why Jasper?" Emmett looked deeply offended at her choice.
"Because he's not intrusive," he glanced at Alice and Edward. "Embarrassing," she nodded at Emmett. "Or smug," Rosalie rolled her eyes when Bella pointed at her.
"You can't be serious?" the blonde raised one eyebrow.
"He's out hunting!" Emmett rushed out.
"He's not," Edward offered, not bothered in the least when Emmett glared at him.
"Jasper is boring and only wants to play chess,"
"That's not the only thing I do," Jasper stepped outside.
"Are you busy Jasper?" Bella asked politely. Jasper shook his head with a small smile, most definitely feeling her playful mood. "You want to play video games?" she asked innocently. Emmett's jaw dropped do dramatically that Bella had to bite her lips to not howl with laughter.
"Absolutely," Jasper agreed and gestured towards the door. "After you," Bella pointedly ignored everyone and walked inside the house.
"No!" Emmett cried after them in outrage. "That's so unfair! I'm sorry Bella! I didn't mean to be embarrassing! Play with me instead!"
Bella walked into the living room and shared a grin with Jasper, who seemed pleased to be in on the joke. The usually solemn man winked at her when he handed her the controller.
The night had gone better than she ever dreamed of and a small voice at the back of her mind, gently whispered that maybe this is where she belonged. Bella had always gone out of her way to avoid and flee when things got too serious or uncomfortable. That was what Renée taught her after all, and she had taken the lesson to heart. She had the same feeling now like she had that time when she listened to Angela's speech while she was half-naked and hungover in an unfamiliar bed. She was tired of finding ways to escape reality. Maybe this time she could stop running.
Feeling as if she was being watched, Bella looked up and noticed Rosalie standing in the doorway, observing her with a soft smile.
Maybe this time she really could.
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...To be continued.
Okay so a lot to unpack here. We needed a bit of context for Bella's history of trust issues and behavioural pattern. I know I haven't mentioned much about the time travels yet, but patience. I need to build up Bella's character so you'll fully understand the impart of the travels themselves. There are sprinkles of history, some of which I'll revisit in time.
Also, how many of you are hyped that Rosalie and Bella are finally on the same page? Well... not entirely but they're getting there. Baby steps.
I decided it would make the most sense to have this entire chapter in Bella's POV, so you'll get Rosalie's in the next.
By the way, for you observant ones - yes I aged Bella slightly up. I know her canon self is technically 17 but I added a year, because 18 is a more acceptable age in my mind for her being in a relationship with Rosalie. Plus, her time traveling powers play a part, so she's even a bit older but I won't say how much right now. Just know that her physical body is 18 at the moment.
I'm a bit busy these days but I'll do my best to update as soon as I can. I admit comments are definitely a fuel to keep me writing, it would be nice to know if I'm doing something right and/or if the story is interesting.
Stay safe and importantly, try to stay sane in all of this madness.