So now the back story begins!

Quick Note: Leah and Seth are adopted in this story.

Author's Note: Alright Friends, that M rating I talked about, well that's officially starting now. There are some really disturbing elements in this story. To be honest, it's necessary to the plot and character development. There won't be anything too overboard, but disturbing material will be discussed. So there's an official trigger warning in place. Abuse is real, and it doesn't just happen in books and movies. It's also hard to talk about, because the victim usually either believes they deserved it, that it wasn't that bad, or they're ashamed. So if any of you need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to message me.

Phew, OK, depressing Author's Note over. I know, super quick update. (I did say this would be updated frequently!)

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

xxx

June 2007: Bella and Leah's Bedroom

Leah sits on her bed, clutching a pillow to her side, crying. She's so tiny. The room is dark and her cries echo through our wooden, non insulated walls. I turn over, my back towards her and try to sleep. But her hiccups keep me awake. This entire day was a complete nightmare. Finally I sit up and face her.

"Why did you do it?" I whisper.

Leah hiccups again and whispers, "I don't know."

She seems so fragile. How much can a kid go through?

"Look Leah," I start before pausing. I really want to make sure I word this right. "You can tell me, I'm not mom. I just want to know what made you think that was a good idea," I finish.

She sniffles and then sits up. Her black hair falls into her face, her cheeks are puffy and red.

"I don't know why I did it," she whispers then looks down. "I don't why I am the way I am, it's not like I like it. I just wanted to feel special."

My heart breaks. Special. She just wanted to feel special. And my stepfather called her a whore. I get up and tip toe to her bed before sitting down and grab her hands.

"You are special, I know mom and dad said some really mean things to you, but you are special and beautiful," I say and she starts crying harder. "But Leah, what you did was dangerous. Getting in those chat rooms, talking to men you don't know, what if something really bad happened to you?"

She cries even harder. "I know, and I don't want to be like this. I don't want to be like my mom," she says.

"You're not, Leah," I say squeezing her hands then hug her. She melts into my arms. "Dad never should have said that to you, you're not a whore and you're not like your mom."

She tightens her hold on me. "But I am. I know I am. I told that guy I wanted to fuck him."

Jesus. She's only ten.

"It's not your fault," I whisper to her shaking form. "Your birth mother let some really bad things happen to you Leah," I say leaning back and look at her. "Let's make a deal, why don't you tell me the next time you want to do something like that again. OK?"

I smile at her. She smiles back at me, but it's a sad smile.

"OK," she says nodding to me. "I wish you didn't have to go to your dad's," she says looking down. "Mom's always more mean when you're gone."

My body tenses. I'm looking forward to finally getting away from this shit show of a family, but part of me feels guilty, guilty because Leah needs me and Seth can barely get his clothes on right, and certainly not without some shitty comment from my parents.

"I know, but it's only two weeks, then I'll be back," I say.

She finally lets me go and scoots back towards her headboard, leaning back.

"At least you get to go to Colorado. I'm so jealous," she says with a huff.

I laugh a little.

"Skiing and my coordination are not a good mix. Watch me come back with a head injury," I say with a snort.

She giggles. "Yeah, I guess. You did fall down the stairs last Summer."

How could I forget? I literally tripped over nothing and fell down the stairs in front of everyone at church camp last year. When a cute boy helped me up I literally wanted to melt into the floor from embarrassment.

"Well, at least I got out of off season basketball practice," I say with a laugh. "Ugh, I can't wait to graduate," I say falling back on the bed. "I swear, after our last basketball game ever I'm going to stick that ball on a spike and light it on fire," I grumble.

"And your jersey," she quips.

Yes. All of it. If only I could just quit. Seriously, just because I'm tall doesn't mean I'm gifted athletically.

"We should go to sleep, my flight is super early so I got to get up in a few hours," I say while getting off the bed.

She groans and pulls the covers over herself as I climb into my own bed.

"Goodnight Sissy," she says with a yawn.

"Night," I whisper back.

I wait till I hear her snoring lightly and then open my nightstand and pull out a bottle of cough syrup. I just need to sleep. I take a gulp and fall back. It's been over a month and I'm only getting 2-3 hours a night. I'm starting to feel like I'm going out of my mind from sleep deprivation. Stupid nightmares. I don't know why I have them. I just do and the anxiety keeps me up.

I close my eyes and feel the codeine slowly spread through my body. Thank God I'm getting the hell out of here tomorrow.

Poor Leah. So I know there's no Edward in this chapter, but worry not my Friends! Starting next chapter there will be heavy Edward! I'll probably update in the morning. So as always, thanks for reading!