Here lies Renessmee Cullen.
Beloved daughter. Granddaughter. Niece. Friend. Imprint.
Cause of death: Embarrassment
Okay, that is anticlimactic, given the way I had come into this world, but I think the situation warrants it. And that's coming from someone who had faced a series of monsters. Only this monster had an unfamiliar name: High School. I know what you're thinking. If Bella Swan could survive high school, then it would be a piece of cake for me. The butterflies in my stomach begged to differ.
I don't know why I was nervous. This was what I wanted, what I needed, but that didn't make me any less anxious. One normal year before I stopped aging forever, permanently frozen in time like the rest of my family. To me, that included high school. Until now, I had only been home schooled. Lived in a bubble of my family's doing. My parents were afraid of what questions that were brought up in a normal school setting. Although, as I got older, it became more of a choice.
I learned mechanics from Jake and my Aunt Rose. History from my uncle Jasper. Even medicine from my grandfather and dad. I was alone in my studies and I was happy that way. It wasn't until recently that I felt like something was missing. I love my family, Jake included, but I know I would never fully realize who I was until I was on my own. Until I had seen what was out there. My family had those experiences, not it was my turn.
That's where the deal came from. One year in Forks with Charlie to have the 'normal teenage experience', that's what my parents could promise me. One year until I stopped aging forever. One year without overprotective parents.
Don't think they left me completely defenseless. There one condition was that Jake came with me. As far as stipulations go, that was a pretty good one. Instead of overprotective parents, I had an overprotective imprint.
Jake said it was for me, but I knew there was a part of him that missed La Push more than let in. He had missed many moments, traveling with my family, always trying to protect me. I had told him over the years I knew his heart belonged to that place and that I was ok without him, but the look on his face led me to believe it wasn't that easy.
Speaking of looks, Jake's face seemed to go from alert to relief as we got closer and closer to Forks and La Push. Protecting me had come at a cost and to Jake it was his family, his home, and his pack. His dad was getting older, and he had a niece he had never even laid eyes on. Even his best friends were trying to move on with their life with no vampires and only the casual patrol.
"Whatcha thinkin' over there?" He gave me a sidelong glance when he noticed how silent I was being. With the same eyes, I used to think I would eventually fall in love with, but never did. He felt like an overprotective brother and we both knew it.
"Nothing." I answered too quickly.
"Sure, sure." he turned his attention from me, back to the road in front of us.
"This is a terrible idea"
"It was your idea."
"I know. And now I'm having a different one… turn the car around." I snapped, but Jake's face remained calm as ever. It was getting on my nerves. Here I was in the mist of internal chaos and he had the nerve to be smirking at me.
"I am not turning this car around."
"Jake." I warned.
"Nessie." He mocked. "Why don't you tell me what's really going on?"
"What if no one likes me? What if they think I'm just this weird homeschooled freak?" All my insecurities came flooding out. Everything I had been nervous about for the past three months had come out as word vomit. Luckily for me, Jake was more than used to it. I actually think he kinda likes it. My inability to control my emotions. It was the complete opposite of my mother.
"Hey, you're my weird, homeschooled freak." he joked.
"Jake, I'm serious." I mustered up the most serious tone I could. The one I knew would change his attitude immediately.
"So am I." He looked at me as he turned down the road I remembered Charlie's house would be at the end of. "Ness, you are beautiful, smart, funny. What's not to love?"
"You really think so?" I hated how weak and pathetic my voice sounded, but Jake's confirmation was what I needed. It's what I always needed, even when I didn't want to admit it.
"Ness, you're my imprint, would I lie to you?"
"To protect my feelings?" I pretended to think about it, "Absolutely."
"Relax, you are going to be fine." He laid his hand on one of mine and the action immediately comforted me. The way it would when I was little and nightmares felt too real. "Easy for you to say. Pray tell, what do you plan on doing while your precious imprint is away at school all day."
"That is to be determined. I think I might help Em and Quil out at the shop. Hell, come by and maybe you can teach them a thing or two." he chuckled. The car came to a stop, looked at the house we were at and said, "Looks like it's here."
"We are, but who else? Charlie doesn't exactly seem like the social type." i tried to joke to hide how nervous I was. I love Charlie, but I hadn't seem him in what felt like another lifetime ago. In some ways it was.
"I guess we should go find out." Jake was out the door and I had no choice but to follow. He led the way as we were walking through the front door of Charlie's.
"Well, well, if it isn't Renesmee Cullen." a voice said as soon as I walked through the front door. The woman in front of me had annoyance in tone, but one look at her face told me she was anything but.
"Clearwater," Jake growled protectively from beside me. Leah took it in stride and just rolled her eyes at Jake's protectiveness. She was used to it. In some ways she knew Jake in a way that I never could, even with the imprint.
"Relax Jake, we all know she loves me." I winked at him before I launched myself towards Leah. She caught me easily and in one swift movement her arms were around me. "Where is everyone?" I asked when we finally released the other.
"Mom's in the kitchen with Brian." she told me while looking at Jake nervously. I wonder what that is about, but before I can question it, another question comes out instead. "The surfer?" I asked for clarification.
"The photographer, actually." Leah avoided looking in Jake's direction.
"You know Ness, I think I am going to go get the stuff from the car." Jake mumbled before rushing out the door.
"Okay." I tried to give him smile, but he was out the door before I could. I turned my attention back to the she-wolf instead.
"Anyway… Charlie left to go pick up a...surprise...for you." Leah sang as she looped her arm through mine
"He didn't have to get me anything." I told her guiltily. The last thing I wanted was to uproot Charlie and Sue's life anymore than I already was.
"Trust me, this one was free." She winked. Ugh, she was acting so weird today, first acting weird around Jake, and now she looks like she knows some big secret she is dying to spill.
"Okay..." I mumbled and tried to think of a way to desperately change the conversation from about me to about her
"So, Brian?" I asked as she rolled her eyes at my lack of subtlety.
