The characters belong to Stephanie Meyer's

Chapter 5

Bella had to admit Charlie was right, knowing a few kids her own age definitely helped with her transition into her new school life. She could see how being a freshman in a new town and not knowing anyone would be too overwhelming for even the most social person, nevermind someone like her.

She ended up hanging out with Mike and his group of friends a few more times before school started, happy to see Jessica somewhat accepting her presence now, Bella began to relax. The boys acted as if she was always part of their group and Lauren tended to ignore Bellas existence, which was fine with her.

Angela was still painfully shy but seemed to come out of her shell when they were alone. They even had a few sleepovers. The latest one being on Bella's birthday. She told her father she preferred one friend staying the night rather than a whole party. He happily complied.

Angela had a comforting presence and was now officially Bella's very first real friend, or as she would say to her mother, a friend her own age.

It has been two and a half weeks since school started and things seemed to be flowing smoother than she thought possible. It was Friday and she had plans to go over Angela's house after school. This also was becoming routine.

Everyday Bella would take the bus to school then Angela's mother would come to pick them up and bring them back to their house before going to pick up her sons. They would do their homework and hang out for a bit. Then around six, Charlie would come to pick her up and they would go get something to eat before going home. Today Charlie was picking her up around eight, so tonight she was eating with the Webers

They were sitting at the kitchen table doing some homework when Angela's six-year-old brothers came home. They bounced through the kitchen being as loud as possible. Mrs. Weber tried shooing them out of the room but every time she got one out the other would bounce back in. It was obvious, she wanted them out of the kitchen so she could cook dinner.

Angela turned to Bella, "What do you say we take a break from our homework and go play with the Twin terrors?" Bella smiled at her and closed her book.

Angela smiled widely. "Isaac, Joshua, did you hear that?" They stopped and looked at their big sister in confusion. "Oh, there it is again."

"We don't hear anything." They said in unison.

"Well, you have to be quiet to hear it." She told them.

They looked at each other then opened their mouths to say something. "Oh, there it is again," Angela said before they could make a sound. "And I know what it is."

"What?" they asked in amazement.

"It's the tickle monster," Angela shouted dramatically.

Her brother's eyes opened wide then they took off running into the living room. Angela followed behind with her best tickle monster impersonation. She was really good with them and no matter what she said, there was no doubt how much she loved them.

They played with the twins until the boys were sent to go get their father from his office and the girls set the table for dinner. Bella enjoyed the family scene. As much as she loved her parents she wished her family was more like this.

In the middle of eating the phone rang. Pastor Weber got up to answer it. When he came back all his happiness seemed to be gone. His complexion was now paller and his expression drawn.

"I have to go out for a bit." He spoke more to the room then to any particular person.

Mrs. Weber looked concerned but didn't ask any questions. She quickly got up and walked her husband to the door. She came back to the table and made a show of eating, her appetite obviously gone. The once cheerful environment was now gloomy and foreboding.

Everyone's mood became somber. Even the boys that never seem to be still or quiet were dragging themselves through the motion of eating the rest of their dinner.

Bella and Angela finished their homework and were now watching some random television show neither one of them were really paying attention to.

Bella was expecting her father to arrive at any moment. When Angela's father got home Bella looked at the time. Seven thirty eight. She still had more than 20 minutes to go. Time seemed to be dragging. It's not that she was in a hurry to get away from her friend, she just had an anxious feeling in her stomach.

Pastor Weber walked straight to his wife and pulled her up the stairs into the first door. Bella looked over at Angela. The confused look on her friend's face told her this was not normal. About fifteen minutes later they came out of the room.

Pastor Weber came back down the stairs and walked over to the girls. "Bella, your father had a case come up that needs all his attention, so you're going to be staying with us for a few days."

She blinked, that uneasiness in her stomach twisting. "Is he okay?" She heard herself ask.

"Oh, Sweetheart. Yes, he's fine. It's just this case." He seemed to hesitate. "It's better if you stay with us for a while."

Bella wasn't sure she believed him. "How long?" Her voice was robotic.

He smiled kindly at her but she could see it was forced. "Let's start with the weekend. We'll see on monday how much longer then that."

Everything around her was starting to blur. "I don't have any clothes here."

"It's okay. I'm going to bring you home so you can pack a bag."

"Can Angie come too?" She asked.

"Of course she can. You just tell me when you're ready and we'll go. okay?"

The pastor was talking to her like she was a scared child. This realization only worried her more.

"I want to talk to my dad."

He smiled at her playcatingly. "You can't tonight, but I'll make sure you get to talk to him tomorrow. Okay?"

Bella wrapped her arms around herself. It's not like she had a choice. "Okay. Can we go now?"

They got in the car, Bella and Angela both sitting in the backseat. Bella's mind was too muddled to notice anything, Angela on the other hand started asking questions bringing Bella out of her befuddlement.

"Dad, where are you going? Bella's house is that way?"

"I know. I'm just not taking the main avenu." He responded calmly.

"Why? The mane road is faster." Angela protested.

"It's not today." He answered.

"Was there an accident?" She asked.

It took him a minute to answer. "Something like that." He finally said.

He looked and sounded so sad It made Angela stop asking questions.

The Pastor waited in the hall while the girls went to pack Bella a bag. They packed four days worth of clothes, her hygiene products and two empty notebooks.

Bella was not in any mood to write, but just in case, she told herself. Sometimes writing even if it wasn't a story helped her cope with whatever was happening in her life and right now she wasn't sure what that was.

Thank you for reading