We got a real Christmas tree! I'm so excited! It's been a long time since I've gone out and picked a real tree! I'm usually really awful at decorating the tree, but this year I'm going to watch some videos so hopefully this one won't look like Christmas vomited all over it!

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

xxx

September 2007: Renee's House

"You have a problem with submission."

The statement hangs in the air. My fists curl and my chest tightens. SUBMISSION. I hate that word. My cheeks heat up, and I feel hot. Clenching my teeth, I close my eyes and breathe.

In and out. In and out. In and out.

The tightness in my chest eases slightly, my fists stay curled but I no longer feel like I'm going to implode.

"I haven't even said anything Mom," I say. Opening my eyes I look straight at her. Her lips are snarled, nostrils flaring and she's looking right at me, her blue eyes cold and unfeeling. "So I don't really-

"No. You're just looking at me defiantly," she says. "That look," she continues pointing in my face. "That look is disrespectful. I won't tolerate it."

My chest tightens again. Why is she so mad right now? Did I miss something? My chest tightens again and my hands start to shake.

"And you know what you did, so stop stalling and just spit it out." She says.

So it's one of those days. It's like a broken record with her. What could I have possibly done today to piss her off? This morning seemed fine, she didn't really speak to me, but she didn't seem irritated. School was fine too, nothing out of the ordinary happened. So what did I do?

What did I do? I really don't remember. Not that this matters. I want to take the chair and throw it across the room. My breathing is fast, and I'm hot. I want to run. I want to throw things at her.

"Then why don't you tell me since you seem to know and I have no clue what you're talking about," I say.

Her eyes narrow. Shit. I shouldn't have said that. Her hand raises and I close my eyes. I don't have time to move. She backhands me. My eyes well up. I will not cry. I will not cry in front of her. Stop being so weak. So pathetic. You will not cry in front of her.

"You're grounded," she says. Her chest heaves, and her eyes seem wild. "And you will stay grounded until you tell me what you did."

I turn from her, walk to my room, throwing open the door and slam it shut. God, what am I even supposed to say to her? I haven't done anything! But if I lie, she'll just ground me even longer for being dishonest. Breathe, just Breathe. Suddenly the door flies open and a hand is on my arm yanking me hard and shoving me onto the bed.

"You will not slam the door," she screams. "What have I told you about that!"

"You're accusing me of something I haven't even done, you won't listen!" I yell back.

"I am your mother and you will not talk to me like that!" She yells getting in my face. "Do you understand me!"

I clench my comforter. My hands start shaking again, my whole body flushes. I want to scream, hit her, throw the closest thing in reach. My teeth clench. I can't take much more of this. Just leave! God I want her to just leave!

"You ungrateful, spoiled, entitled little girl!" She yells and grabs my forearm. My skin burns with her grip.

"I'm so sick of this, of you treating me like this! You're so disrespectful!"

Leah starts sobbing. Crap. I didn't even realize she was in here.

"Stop crying!" She yells at my sister.

She cries harder.

Screw it. I'm done. I don't have energy for this and Leah is sobbing on her bed. This isn't fair to her. God, this entire situation is anything but fair.

"I sorry,' I finally yell. "Okay! I'm sorry," I say, my tone more soft now.

She releases my arm, but her eyes are anything but placated. Her lip curls up. She's not satisfied, not really. She never is.

"You're still grounded," she says before leaving and of course, she slams the door. Because you're allowed to do that, right, because you're the parent which means you can do whatever you want.

"Sissy," my sister cries out.

I crawl across my bed and onto hers, her bed facing mine and only an inch apart. She begins to sob, heaving violently in my arms arms. I don't know what to say. I just continue to hold her. It seems like hours pass and Leah's sobs die down and she hiccups quietly.

The front door opens and closes. It's not Charlie, he's working late today. So mom decided to run off. Shocker. My door opens and my brother steps inside.

"Mom's gone," he whispers. His eyes are wide, and his hand is tapping against his side.

"She'll be back. You know how she is," I say.

He just nods and shifts his feet.

"Why was she so mad Sissy," Leah asks.

Why indeed? It's not as if I know. She's always doing stuff like this.

"She's just-" my voice breaks. Crap. "I don't know, mad at me, don't worry about it okay?"

Leah buries her head in my chest.

"Look, dad will be home soon and he'll calm her down," I say.

But she just wraps her arms around me tighter. She's afraid. I don't blame you. I wonder how long she'll be gone this time.

"Hey, have you guys finished your homework yet?" I ask.

Leah nods her head against my chest.

"Yeah," Seth says.

I carefully unwrap Leah's around me and try to smile.

"Good. I recorded Teen Titans, so why don't watch it and I'll pop us some popcorn," I say.

"Oh yes!" Leah squeals and jumps off the bed. That's quick. But I smile.

Maybe I should call my dad. Yeah, cause that worked out so well the last time. Moving to the kitchen, I grab the popcorn and toss it in the microwave. I'll just talk to Charlie, he knows how crazy she gets.

Getting the popcorn from the microwave I plop down on the couch with Leah curled up to my side. Seth sits literally two inches from in front of the TV.

"Seth, move back some, you're going to give yourself a headache," I say.

He grumbles but obeys. His eyesight is getting worse. As Seth watches the show, pumping his fist to the air, I feel a tinge of sadness. He turns around and looks at me, pushing up his glasses.

"If mom doesn't come back, are you going to be our mom?" he asks.

A tightness forms in my chest. Aren't I already? My fury rises again just thinking about our mother. She'll come back, she always does. Even if she shouldn't.

"Please," Leah whispers into my side, snuggling against me more.

I hate her.

But I don't say that, I don't say I hate our mother.

Smiling a little, I toss a piece of popcorn at Seth's face.

"Bella," he whines.

"Obviously," I say before shifting in my seat some. "But she'll come back."

Seth turns back to the show and we fall into silence.

"I wish she wouldn't," Leah whispers.

Me too.

Get ready for a bumpy ride you guys, this is only the tip of the ice burg. Like always, I hoped you guys enjoyed this chapter and please let me know what you think! Till tomorrow!