Chapter 4

Bella

I lay on my bed listening to Charlie get ready for his day. Its only six am but he has to be at work in half an hour and for some reason the sounds of him moving around calms me. I've been awake most of the night.

I couldn't fall asleep after my conversation with him last night. It also didn't help that I couldn't stop thinking about Edward or the fact that I could hear the muffled laughs that echoed from next well after I had that conversation with Charlie. A conversation that felt like it lasted forever.

"Why did you stick around for so long Bella? Why didn't you run?" Charlie had asked looking pained when were both sitting at the kitchen table last night.

"The money was good for a while. Not a lot of options for employment for a teenager with no experience. It wasn't all bad, I mean, apart from getting the shit kicked out of me and the end it was fun in the beginning. Aro knew how to keep me intrigued until it was too late."

I tried to explain to Charlie the complexity of my situation but I don't think he truly grasped my logic. I understand that to an outsider it would seem like the simple answer was to run away, but Aro has connections and I don't know how deep those connections run, he might be able to find me anywhere. I voiced my worry to Charlie but he didn't seem fazed making me think he knows something I don't. Which made me nervous.

Am I truly safe here?

Aro is so fucking dangerous. He is a cunning motherfucker. He gives you the most amazing experience makes you believe in yourself, makes you believe in him, in how he can change your life. That is until you owe him your life. A shark playing with his next meal.

I didn't voice this to Charlie but for a while before it all went to shit I almost saw Aro as a father figure. Until I saw him for who he really was.

A fucking monster.

Charlie asked about my injures I told him what happened the day before I was arrested. I explained how I lost the fight with Vicky. She had somehow managed to pad her mma gloves with some kind metal making me lose the fight by knockout. His face was stoic but his breathing heavy when I told him about what happened in that locker room and how that cop tackled me to the ground like it was a rugby match and I was the guy going into the try line.

What nerved me the most was his reaction to Renee kicking me out. I told him the gist of the shit she put me through. I didn't really want to talk about it so I skipped through that not even bothering to show him those permanent scars. By the end Charlie was beyond pissed, his hands balled into fists, the deep hatred in his eyes made me stop talking for a minute to let him gather himself. My own emotions bubbled inside me but mostly I was overwhelmed by how much I wanted him to hug me.

I didn't give into the feeling though, I remained straight faced planted in the wooden chair with my hands grasping the seat to keep my hands from reaching out.

Then he proceeded to tell me what happened between them. He had meet Renee in Seattle where he was training to become Chief of Police. They dated, if you can even call it that, for two weeks before she spilt. He didn't hear from her again. He went on with his life thinking she did too. He probably didn't even know about Renee's tendencies then again they knew each other for only two fucking weeks. I'm surprised Renee didn't rob him before leaving,

"I need you to know that I had no idea Renee was pregnant." he had said holding my hand, my whole body stiffening at the contact but I didn't pull my hand out from his "I hardly knew her but Bella if I did I would have brought you home with me. I would have done anything to be close to you. This is going to be hard, for both of us, but i promise I will be here for you. I'm your family Bella. It's me and you kid."

The hug in the end had shocked me. He had gathered me up and planted a small kiss in my hair. A hug that was so much more than just a hug. It felt like a promise. I didn't know how to respond so I stood still with my hands on my sides until he released me.

He gave me one last longing look and opened like he wanted to say something else but held his tongue so I took that as my chance to leave. I was drained. He didn't even have a chance to comment on the cigarette smell on me which I was grateful.

I had found my eyes wet as I took the steps back to my room. I spent most of the night quietly crying. Crying for Charlie and mourning the life I could have had with him here. What kind of life would I have had here? Would I have been happy? In college?

I didn't know why sudden flash of Edward and me popped in my head. Would I have meet him earlier in my other life? Would he had liked the lanky teenager I once was?

Then I became angry at Renee. This is all her fault, if she didn't want me why did she keep me? Why not call Charlie and let him take me? If she restented me so much why didn't she leave me at his doorstep and let him take me?

Charlie's footsteps at my door bring me back. Charlie's hesitates before opening the door. I quickly close my eyes and pretend to sleep. I hear him place something on the table before leaving. I don't move until I hear the beep of the house alarm being activated, Charlie wrote down the code for me last night before he went to bed.

I get out from the warm bed and pick up the piece of paper and the forty bucks from the desk.

I'll be home before six. There isn't much in the pantry. There are a set of keys to the red truck if you'd like to use it to go get some food. Dont go outside of town. I'm trusting you Bella, call to check in later.

He left his cell number and directions to the grocery store.

Does he not know I don't have a license? I know how to drive I just never got around to going to the DMV I was too afraid they would call the state or child protective services.

I look out the window and sigh, It's still pitch black. Charlie really just left me here. Alone. A flash of annoyance runs through me.

I will just take a long shower then I'll figure out what I will do. I grab my bag and start to dig through it. I pick up jeans and a sweater along with my bathroom stuff and head for my door only to stop. The dark shadow outside of the window in the backyard catches my attention. A darker mass of a body doing jumping jacks before crouching into a pushup position. Completely ignoring the fact that's it's lightly raining and almost pitch black outside.

My breath hitches when I step closer to the window and realized its Edward. I swallow hard allowing myself to stare at him and be a total creep for a few seconds, but before I can pull away he bounces up from his push up and looks straight at me giving me a smirk.

Fuck!

I step away from the window, scrambling away like a scared kitten and almost drop my clothes. I clear my throat and shake my head before lifting my head to look out again, but he is no longer standing there.

Smooth Bella now he thinks you are a creep.

I groan and wobble my way to the bathroom. This day is already starting on the wrong end.

When I get out of the shower it's light out. Well I should say grey out. The sky is ominous and sad setting the mood for my day I guess.

Perfect

I stand over the sink to brush my teeth and wince when I catch my reflection. I look better than I did nine days ago but I still look like how I feel, beat up and broken keeping it all together by a string. My skin looks washed out in this pale grey light streaming through the bathroom window looking nothing like the golden tanned skin I had back in California. The dark circles under my eyes not helping one bit.

I lost a bit of weight too my shirt fitting a bit lose. I curse under my breath. I'm losing muscle. Training my body was the only thing that I had control over I am not going to lose that.

My lips which I never really liked were the only part of me that had color. I bite them constantly so they will always look pink. My brown eyes look dull and empty to me. I am staring at myself yet I'm looking at nothing. Just nothing.

I don't let my mind go there. I step away leaving the bathroom without another glace. I pick up the keys and money from the desk in my room before dashing for the front door.

I slip on my hoodie as I sprint for the red truck, looking old and battered as shit. I paused for a second.

Will this fucking thing even get me down the street?

Once I am in the cabbie of the truck I start it up. Well try to start the truck but the damn thing sputters and I let go not wanting to flood the engine. I do that twice.

Fuck me!

Another roll of annoyance hits. Why would Charlie let me drive this fucking thing if it doesn't even start? Why did he not take the day off today? A normal person who just found out they had a daughter would stay home at a time like this, right?

Even though we had that moment last night I still cant help but to be upset. I punch the steering wheel in frustration not once but twice making it honk before I lean my head back on the seat and take a deep breath. Counting to ten.

One.. two… three… fo-

The sudden knock of the passenger side window makes my eyes snap open and I twist my neck to look. The blonde from last night is standing there in her pajamas and a thick sweater. Moving from foot to foot holding her hood of her sweater over her head. She looks like she has had better mornings herself. She signals for me to open the door. I hesitate for a quick second not knowing what the fuck she could possibly want.

I clear my throat then dive across the plush seats to swing the heavy door open.

"Oh my god it's freezing out here." she says grumly as she scoots into the cabbie. Her scent hitting me, she smells like she drank a bar. I realize her off look is simply a hangover. I blink in surprise.

Er...what the fuck?

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you. I'm Rose from next door. I heard Charlie's truck start I had to come out here and see since I helped him fix this thing up. You have to double pump the clutch before you turn it on. It's an old thing." She explains so fast I barely register it.

"Um...okay... thanks." I sutter slowly looking at her with a frown. She ignores my stare and laughs.

"You must be thinking what the fuck, right? Sorry, we are really friendly here. Forks is such a small town and you have Charlie's eyes, so I am guessing you are related?" She asks with a cute tilt of her head reminding me of a puppy.

"Yeah, Charlie is my dad. I'm Bella." I stick my out for her to shake. My mind coming back to me. She takes my hand shakes it and gives me a smile. Her eyes are bright now with questions, I'm guessing, but she doesn't voice them instead she gives my face a once over and I can see a even more questions behind her eyes.

"C'mon double pump and start the car" she says instead pointing a chin at the pump. I do what she instructs and smile back at her when the engine roars to life.

"Thanks, Charlie didn't leave this bit of info in his note this morning." I can't help but to snip a bite.

"Not a problem, Bella. How long are you in town for?" she has one hand on the door ready to head out.

"Not sure just got here" I don't bother to explain more.

"Well if you aren't doing anything tonight my boyfriend and his siblings are having a bonfire in the back yard around seven. His parents were supposed to come home tonight but aren't, so we taking advantage of it. It's not suppose to rain so feel free to stop by." her eyes are twinkling now.

"Thanks but I'm not sure."

Girl, if only you knew that I was checking out your boyfriend this morning. You would not be inviting me.

"Oh please come? If you are going to be staying you are gonna come to find that our group is the only one in this town in your own age range. Trust me." she gives me a smile and a what looks like puppy eyes. In spite of myself and better judgement I find myself shrugging.

"No promises I'll be able to but I'll try."

"Great! See you at seven!" she says quickly before dashing out of the truck.

What? Wait….

I stare at her retreating figure dumbly. What the fuck just happened? I didn't agree though.

A/N I know it's been a couple of months since my last update. I'm sorry. Your girl has been working all summer. I have two jobs and a needy cat! I will have the next chapter up soon though hopefully nxt weekend! Tell me what yall think! Love reading your reviews! Much love -GBA