Thank you for all the reviews. Sorry about any errors. I'm sure i missed a few. I have no clue when the next update will be, as I will be getting back edits for my next book release.

Chapter 7

I sat in the office chair, feeling more suffocated than ever before. The words my dad was tossing my way went in one year and out the other. He didn't care that his words cut me deep, deeper than a lot of things he'd thrown me into.

Mom sat close my, keeping her mouth shut, but I could tell that she wanted to tell Dad off as I blanked out. I stared at my lap, hoping that Dad would just shut up already.

His voice was getting on my nerves. The words he said wasn't doing anything but making me want to go even sooner.

I had to get out of here. I needed away, from not just this town, but my parents. Weren't parents soppose to let their children grown and explore the world before them? Were children that were out of high school to make mistakes and learn from them to become a better person?

"I can't believe that lady? She isn't a woman of God, and she wants to take away the next person in this town that can do right by us all," Dad went on. "I haven't raised you to just run off like this. You aren't going. If you want to babysit, do so around here. That town she lives in is full of sin, and so is her entire family."

"That's enough now, Charlie," Mom said, finally having enough. "You know the Whitlock's are good souls in this town. And you of all people know better than to talk about others like that!"

"I'm going, and you won't stop me. I need to learn how to live without both of you up my neck. If you want me to come back, then I'd watch what you say next," I said, having enough. I was over being told what I could and couldn't do. I was tired of being held hostage in my own town because Dad refused to let his girl grow up.

"Bella, you can't mean that," Mom said. "We'll let you go. But there will be rules."

"I'm going to go pack," I said, not wanting to hear what she had to say.

Rules. Rules were stupid. Yes, rules were important, and I would follow the laws. I wasn't that crazy to forget that there were consequences for my actions. I wasn't going to go out and drink, or do one night stands. I still hold my morals that I believed in tightly in my chest. Nothing would change that.

I just had to get away from this town, and these two people that created me.

I don't know if it was because Peter was back in town that gave me the strength to stand up to my parents, or if it was that woman who gave me hope of a way out of here. Whatever it was, I was ready to leave this town behind. And I wasn't sure I'd be willing to come back any time soon, either. Not if my parents were going to be so demanding about their wants.

"Wait," Dad said harshly as I left.

I paused for a moment, debating on what to do. I so wanted to just tell him to shove it. Instead, I looked over my shoulder. "I can't figure out what my purpose is if you keep holding me back. Either let me live my life, or you will lose me forever. The choice is yours. I am leaving tomorrow, and you won't stop me."

With that, I made my way out of the church and back out into the heat of Spring. What I hadn't counted on was Peter sitting on the hood of his car, waiting. His jean clad legs kicked back and forth like an antsy toddler.

"Peter," I greeted. I hated that he was seeing me out of sorts. Again.

He certainly had horrible timing.

"What was all that about?" he asked, no doubt hearing some of it. I bet he had been waiting inside for me.

"Don't ask," I huffed.

"Alright," he said, letting the subject drop. "Now where you headed?"

"Home," I answered. "To pack. I got a job." A huge smile filled my face. Me. I had a job and couldn't wait to start.

"Awesome. Out of this town, I take it?"

"Yep," I said, popping the p.

"Need a ride?" he asked after a moment.

"Nah. I need to call Alice to let her know. She's so not gonna be happy."

"She'll be amazed you are getting some footing. So am I, Bella. Will you be back?"

"Kinda have to be," I said. "But not as often as some people. But my parents will want to see me. Plus Alice will have my head if I don't at least back to see her. Not that I'm going all that far. Only less than an hour, but still."

Why the heck was I rambling? Crap.

"Cool," Peter said, giving me his famous smile that made me have a crush on him all those years ago. "Well, keep in touch, alright."

"I'll try," I said, knowing I wouldn't be. It was better to cut ties with this man I tried hard to not have a crush on.

"Bella," he said, his voice deepening.

Crap.

"Fine. I'll keep in touch," I said. "So unfair."

"I'll be seeing you around, B," he smiled, pushing himself off the car. "You can always call me if you need help. With anything. It's what friends do."

"Sure," I said, knowing it would have to be a life or death issue for me to call him. That was even if I had his phone number.

"Alright. Well, I'll see you later, sweets."

With that, he left me where I stood in a daze.

Could my day get any stranger? Okay, it was just that man that made my thoughts swim and feel out of sorts.

Yeah, getting out of this place was the best choice without a doubt.