A.N.) Hey everyone! I wanted to first thank everyone for being so patient with me, things were complicated and are still a little off but slowly getting better. I wanted to make sure I thank tamwhit, actkell, Annie, Guest, Paul'sWolfGirl2016, Guest, Guest, Guest, galwidanatitud, Guest, amorisig, Scribleyellow, Guest, Nellyblue11, Guest, Guest, MarveyTibbsMcGarretWilliams, tysedon, .marie, SamanthaAxxz,jgood27, twilight-et-the-vampire, Guest, Guest, Jinx095, Isabella Poulous, ceci9123, Daddys little crazy bitch, winxgirl1997, Roswellian1984, Shadowhunter-Herondale, 01Katie, litanolastar, o.0 rosa o.0, WildstyleRapBattle, and RHatch89 who reviewed the previous chapter and provided the encouragement to continue on the story after so long. Thank you! Thank you also to everyone that has favorited or followed my story! I hope this chapter is everything you could have hoped for!

Second, I wanted to make sure I addressed the increasing concern about Bella being too submissive. The story, when I had started writing it, was designed to be more of a journey of self-discovery and self-improvement by identifying where she could improve. This chapter should address a little bit of the concern, but basically know that it boils down to familial bonds, sire bonds, and an additional factor that I don't want to spoil quite yet. Bella's personality will have some changes but it is not likely that she will have so many changes that she is no longer herself. I hope this clarifies any concerns.

I apologize in advance for any grammatical errors, I will try to re-read through the chapter to ensure I didn't miss anything. Also, I am not very good with historical information, so if something is not right, let me know and I can correct it! :)

Thank you all again for being so patient with me and for reviewing, favoriting, and/or following this story, it means the world to me!

I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

~UnicornNinja12

PS) This chapter has quite a bit going on with it, let me know if anything was unclear! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight nor the Vampire Diaries because if I did, I wouldn't have killed Kol off. Any of the times.

Chapter 19

Back in the day, society was run a bit differently. Everyone had a predesigned role, a set of standards expected to upheld, and an additional set of standards based on one's socioeconomic status. These roles either came naturally or by parents' design and implementation. In families dependent on their daughter marrying well, the parents would do everything in their power to ensure their daughter was molded into her predetermined role and the daughter encouraged to fit the role out of the love of her family, out of fear of dying an old maid, or out of fear of punishment. In my case, I was raised by dozens of parents whose perspective was governed in large by their standards making being free of the roles difficult. I did very well in school though overtime I expected the good grades. It is hard to tell if I act and think the way I do because of the way I was raised or if I was taught to be this way.

Being raised by people who are not your parents, the tug of familial bonds is often not strong enough to dissuade you from doing something you want to do and often punishment was required. In the Arnold household, punishment was handled in a business-like manner: prompt and following the posted chart. Tracking mud through the house would get a prompt spanking. A foul word would get your mouth washed out with soap. Speaking out of turn would get you spanked seven times and then sent to your room. Giving cheek would give you eight spankings, sent to your room, and then eight more spankings with a stick courtesy of Mr. Arnold. I was nine when I first entered that household and had rarely been chastised before. I learned quickly how to control my behavior to avoid punishments. I actually liked the Arnold's, but they ran a tight ship. The Haroldsworth's were a different story…

The familial bonds I felt binding me to my mother and now my father and uncle tug at my emotions, enforcing love, loyalty, and respect with or without my consent. My mother voices her disdain for me frequently, does not seem to respect me, though I often wonder if she has reason to be this way. What I been doing wrong? I have done everything they've asked, I am kind, I am forgiving, I am courteous, what have I been-

Stop.

Stop, a thousand times, stop.

My family, the givers of my blood, have never been around. Why should I feel this obligation to fulfill this elusive role drilled into my mind since I was a child? How long have I been hurting myself to meet other people's expectations? Why does everything I do have to be 'wrong'? My relationship with Edward should not have gone the way it had, and I should not have allowed myself to be pushed around so much. As I do not want to feel the way I do, I still hurt thinking about him. And my pain thinking about him pains me even more. I can't keep going as I am, it is time that I confronted my pain.

I glanced at the clock, showing I had only been home from my first day of classes half an hour; therefore, have plenty of time to get on some running gear and take a hike through the woods. Before heading out, I quickly text my father that I would be hiking and would be back before dark.

-BOS-

I was well over a mile into the nearest woods and the memories of my time with Edward try to overwhelm me, but I pushed away the memories until I was in an area I was sure no one was around and could hear me. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Opening my eyes slowly, I am confronted by the memories once more, but this time I refuse to give into my previous feelings, to give unnecessary power to the memories. The past was the past and all I could do is learn from it. I refuse to let my past interfere with my life now. When the better memories, our break up comes to mind and puts more of a strain on my emotions.

Phrases taunt, "You're human – your memory is no more than a sieve," and "No, I don't want you," but I do no fall for the bait and despite my previous pain at the sentence, I let out a small laugh. How wrong had he been, how little he actually knew about me. I let out another laugh thinking how incredibly silly I had been. I had known him for such a short period of time, I was ready to change my world for him and his family. In hindsight, I truly loved the family dynamic the Cullens family, a family dynamic I had always dreamed of being a member. Independent yet loyal and compassionate to each other, supporting their family members in their times of need throughout the decades. The decision in the end to leave me in the woods was not really the part that hurt me, the abandonment of me by people I regarded highly had been devastating, but not a reflection of my character rather the Cullens' character. Whatever their reasoning was, I had never provided adequate reasons to deserve such treatment. I deserved better and I have to move on.

For the first time in a long while, I say "Edward," as a name. No pain, no memories. Just another name. "You don't need to come back, I'll make it on my own," I say with a smile. "I'm fine on my own."

I take a moment to observe the trees developing leaves before continuing through the woods.

-BOS-

"Bella! I've been looking for you everywhere, where have you been?"

I turn my attention to see Caroline on the front porch of the Boarding House.

Sending a small smile, I respond, "Just taking a brief hike into the woods. What's up?"

"I was hoping you could do me a small favor." I raise my eyebrows to ask her to go on. "I was wondering if you could take my place volunteering for the Lockwood's charity set up? I want some time to speak with my Mom and I don't think I could handle people right now."

"I could definitely take your place. What time do I need to be there?"

"At 4:30 today." I glance down at my phone and my eyes widen. I was already two minutes late. "Sorry about not telling you sooner, I couldn't find you earlier," Caroline said after noticing my expression.

Blinking a few times, I look up at her. "Right. I will quickly find my father and see if I could borrow his keys-"

Car key were suddenly flying at me. "Here are my keys," my father says after I caught the keys, "Don't scratch the car, don't wreck the car, and if any guy asks for your number, give them mine. You need to socialize more Bella." A trace of worry could be found deep in his eyes, but his usual confidence overrode the rest of his expression.

"So eager to send me away?" I say with a teasing smile. "Fine, I see how it is."

As I get into his car, I turn and say, "I hope a police officer doesn't ask for my number after I crash the car, that would be plain awkward."

"If you're not careful, I won't lend you the car and you'll have to walk your way to the Lockwoods'. Try explaining why you are an hour late."

"Who said I would not be careful? See you later Caroline and Father!" I say quickly getting into the car and driving away before Father could change his mind about lending me the car.

I halfway down the street when I realized that I had never been to Lockwood Manor and I should probably turn back around for directions. Wait, nevermind, I've been to the Lockwood's cellar, prison type thing. Odds are the manor was not too far from the cellar. With a hopeful smile, I continue driving and hope that I could find the house.

-BOS-

"Who really reads Thank You cards?" I wonder out loud. After few judgmental looks from Mrs. Lockwood, Carol as she requested, I was assigned the task of assembling Thank You cards. Not a bad task, but… "Don't people just open it, see what's inside and just," I gesture briefly with my hands, "file them away?"

The girl, I believe Mrs. Lockwood called her Amy, I was working with sent me a small look, but said nothing.

"These are lovely cards though. I do hope people enjoy them." I finish the card I was working on and waited a few moments to see if Amy was going to say anything. I didn't care if she agreed, disagreed, or she wanted me to be silenced, the quietness of the room was overwhelming and only the sounds of the front door would break the silence.

I let out a small sigh and continue going through the large stacks. Did everyone in Mystic Falls get invited to this event?

My thoughts were broken by a knock on the front door and Mrs. Lockwood answering the door.

"Can I help you today sir?" Out of the corner of my eye I could see Mrs. Lockwood by the door.

"I'm selling Girl Scout cookies, would you like to buy some?" a booming voice asked. I doubted the person was a Girl Scout due to the masculine tones similar to Emmett's voice.

There was a brief silence before I heard Mrs. Lockwood say, "Well, I wasn't planning to buy cookies, but I could make an exception if you have some good offers. Come inside, we should discuss this over some water, you look like you are warm."

"Thank you ma'am, I don't think I would mind."

"Right this way," she said gesturing him to follow.

The door was opened further and the gentleman walked in. With his pale skin, burly stature, and curly brown hair, I could easily believe the gentleman was Emmett though I did not get a very good view of his face due to the hat he was wearing. I set aside the letter I had just completed turn toward the stranger.

"Bella!" Emmett's voice booms from the entry way.

"Emmett? Is that really you?" I ask getting up walking toward him. A mixture of emotions whirl through me, though to be honest I quite happy to see him but unsure what to expect. Why would he acknowledge me to just leave?

After a quick apology to Mrs. Lockwood, he asks, "Is that really you? You usually walk or trip into something."

I let out a small laugh and shake my head. "What can I say, I've got better balance these days." Noticing the look on Mrs. Lockwood's face, I decide to quickly wrap up our conversation. "Perhaps this isn't the best time to catch up, could we meet at a different time today? When I finish here?"

"Sure, let me give you my new phone number. Just give me a call when you are done," he said reaching into his pocket and handing me a business card.

"I will, thank you," I said taking the card. "I'll see you soon."

"See you soon Bella!" he said before turning and following Mrs. Lockwood.

Before leaving the room, Mrs. Lockwood turned to me and said, "Once you and Amy finish with the cards, you both are good to head out for the night."

"Thank you, Mrs. Lockwood," I say with a small smile before turning to return to my work.

I returned to my work preparing the Thank You cards.

"Who was that?" Amy asked, speaking for the first time since I arrived.

"My friend Emmett," I said sparing a glance at her. I returned to my work, eager to figure out why Emmett was here.

"Is he from around here?" Amy asked, glancing around for him.

"I don't think so, he went to school with me in Washington," I said finishing another card.

"Is he single?"

"Not very likely. He was in a very committed relationship as of a few months ago," I said looking at her disappointed expression before adding, "though he does have a brother who is single."

Amy smiles. "Does he look like him? Is he good looking?"

I ponder a moment. "Well, in some respects yes he does look similar." I freeze up a bit, unsure what to say about the second question. "They may have a Facebook page and you could see them for yourself. Decide whether he is good looking or not," I finished, knowing it was unlikely they had a Facebook.

Amy made a hum of approval, closing the envelope she was working on. "Hopefully we do not have much more to go, I am out of data for the month and I don't know the Lockwood's wi-fi password."

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Let me know if you have any suggestions or comments! Reviews are always welcome! :)

I hope you all enjoyed!

Until next time!

~UnicornNinja12