Chapter six here... I don't really have much to say about it. Hope you like it...and that's about it. lol
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that is twilight.
Jolene POV
No one brought up my breakdown from earlier or my past for the rest of the time I was here. Not even Seth, even though he would give my arm a worried look. After getting used to the Cullen's odd presence I was actually fine here. Alice was always peppy, but not in an annoying way, and she seemed determined to become friends with me. Jasper always hovered close to her, but unlike her he seemed tense and pained all the time. He was the only one who made me nervous. But oddly I would calm after several moments of nervousness. Emmett was a joker and seemed to find the simplest things funny. His giant muscles and massive form didn't make me nervous anymore, he was too much like a giant teddy bear. Rosalie was quiet, but she seemed to silently approve of me here. She would give me that odd look from earlier, one that made me feel like she was trying to decide something about me. Edward was silent, but he seemed to take everything in. Even after his harshness earlier that day I still took a liking to him. I respected him, he helped more than he knew. His girlfriend Bella was kind, with soft eyes and long brown hair. She was a bit shy, but she warmed up to me and seemed to like me enough. Esme was the "mother" of the group, she would tut and try to keep all of us under control. She seemed to scold Emmett more than anyone because of his rambunctious behavior. She was so kind to me, giving small smiles or touching my shoulder gently. I hadn't met her husband Carlisle Cullen yet, he had a long shift at the hospital where he worked.
All in all, I liked this family almost better than mine. They all seemed to mesh together and fit together perfectly, so oppisite to mine. But I had to leave eventually, my aunt called and said she needed me back home. I found I wanted to go home a bit, just to see Alisa and make sure she was okay. I wondered if Alisa had asked about my fight with my mother, and what kind of lies my mother had fed her.
So I said goodbye to the Cullens, being sent home by Esme with a steak and some mashed potatoes. She smiled, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. "You can come here any time sweetheart. Your welcome anytime." She smiled. Her face was so filled with love and caring that it caught me off guard slightly. She was so kind and motherly toward me, it made me ache slightly. Why couldn't my mother look and care about me like this, when a complete stranger could.
She wrapped me in a cold embrace, rubbing my back gently. I felt tears pop up at her soft hug. I blinked them back, giving her a smile and thanking her.
Alice moved forward a huge smile on her face and wrapped her arms around me to. Her hug made me smile, she was so peppy and it was hard to not catch it. She leaned back and smiled at me, her grin so huge on her tiny features. "Come back soon." She chimed, dancing back to Jasper's side.
"Yeah," I laughed. "Thanks for everthing earlier." I blushed slightly, thinking back to the freak out. Emmett gave his booming laugh as my cheeks reddened.
"Yeah come back, your fun." He declared, smiling his dimpled smile. I gave him a playful glare for making me blush worse. Seth took my hand waving goodbye, as we made our way out to his truck. He held my hand as he drove. His hand was warm and calloused and mine seemed to fit perfectly, like it was made to fit in his. We sat in silence, but it wasn't awkward or odd. It was... nice. It was so weird that before I freaked out I was so tense and angry, and now I was... not happy, but somewhere close to it. It was like it had built up until all the anger and pain had over flowed and flooded out. All that was left was... a weird peace.
"We're here." Seth said gently, his thumb making small circles on my hand. I glanced toward my house, feeling torn. I didn't want to go back and be around my mother, I just wanted to stay near this almost happiness with Seth. Why couldn't I go back and live with Esme. I doubt she would mind. "Jojo," Seth whispered, making me look over at him. He lifted my bandaged arm, making me sigh. "You can't do that again. Please." He begged, pulling my sleeve forward. I felt tears prick up as he ran his fingers over it again, and gently kissed the bandage. I felt my face burn red, as he looked back up at me. He leaned forward, his face so close to mine our noses almost touched. "You have to promise me."
"I-I don't know if I can." I breathed, my hand shaking slightly. He laid my arm back down, staring at me with pained eyes.
"Jolene... It hurts me too. I don't want you to have anymore scars." He said gently.
"I'll always have scars." I pointed out, wanting to see if he would back away. Most people did when they saw my blatant pain. They didn't want to deal with my pain as well as theirs. The social workers didn't even seem to understand and it was their job. But he didn't, he just squeezed my hand.
"But I don't want you to have anymore, I want you to heal." He whispered. I blinked back tears again. I was sick of crying. But it was hard this time. Seth always seemed to say the right things.
"Thank you." I whispered, a tear slipping despite my trying. He ran his thumb softly over my cheek, wiping the tear away. He kissed my cheek where he had wiped the tear away, leaning back.
"Anytime." He sighed. I gave a shaky breath. He straightened out, looking down at me again. "Promise me."
"I promise." I whispered, wondering if I really could promise. But for some reason I didn't want to disappoint Seth. He was kind and cared for me for no reason. He deserved a better person than me, but I would try.
As soon as I entered my house I wished I could go back to Esme, her caring eyes and soft hugs. Or Seth, with his kind eyes and gentle kisses. But I was stuck here with my blind mother, my confused aunt, and my sweet, but ignorant little sister.
Alisa greeted me at the door, wrapping her arms around my waist and hugging me tightly. I laid my face in her hair, holding her close. She was innocent, whole and unbroken and I would make sure she stayed like this. She would never be like me. "Hey 'Lisa." I smiled, grabbing her up and wrapping my arms around her. I kissed her cheek, making her lean her head into my neck.
"Me and Boppy missed you. Aunt Tylee can't french braid." Alisa smiled, making me laugh.
"I see." I smiled, as Aunt Tylee moved into the room. She gave Alisa a mock glare, tickling her sides making her squeal.
"I tried best I could." Tylee smiled.
"Boppy has knots in her hair." Alisa giggled, making Tylee blush slightly. I laughed.
"It took a while for me to figure it out too." I assured her, setting Alisa down. My mother came in, and I felt myself suddenly nervous. Would she notice my difference. Would she see that I was somewhere close to being happy, that I wasn't a half person anymore? I half hoped she would, to prove me wrong and show me she cared. But her eyes looked me over, before looking at my face and wrinkling her nose.
"Go clean up please Jolene, it's 4 in the afternoon and you looked like you just got out of bed." She sighed, giving me a frustrated look. I felt my heart sink a bit. She didn't notice anything. She never did.
"Yeah, sure." I mumbled, running a hand over Alisa's curls again. Tylee gave my mother an annoyed look. Get used to it. My mom glanced at me, shaking her head slightly. I knew she was still mad over our fight before and was being vicious on purpose. I wanted Seth back, with his adoring gazes and warm hands. He never once looked at me with disgust or like I was something ugly.
"So who was this friend?" Tylee put in, changing the subject. My mother glanced up, looking curious like she was almost shocked I could make friends. People liked me better than her.
"Um, Alice Cullen." I said, running a finger through my hair. Tylee looked shocked.
"Dr. Cullen's kid?" She asked. I nodded, glancing at her. "Oh, wow I thought they were gone by now." she mumbled.
"Why?" I asked curiously. I hadn't had much time to ask many questions about any of the Cullen kids, and I was curious.
"Well the youngest graduated three years ago." She said, shrugging. "Maybe their visiting."
I nodded, taking the little information I knew about the Cullens in. So Alice was like 3 years older than me. That was odd, she looked like she was only 16 or 17. Oh well, it didn't change the fact that she was one of the nicest people I had met here, next to Seth.
"I'm gonna go take a shower." I said, smiling. I glanced over at my mother one last time before going into the bathroom. She didn't give me a big second glance.
Big surprise.
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The next day I got a call from Alice. It surprised me a bit. I mean I knew she liked me, but I didn't expect her to call me right away. She asked me to go shopping, and had told me to even bring Alisa. I didn't remember mentioning Alisa to her, but I'm sure Seth did. I told her I would go, and Alisa came with me.
Alice picked me up in an extremely nice volvo. I wasn't really surprised. With her Gucci and brand names I knew she had money. I was surprised when I saw Rosalie in the front seat, glancing out the windshield at me. She looked beautiful as usual, with her blue blouse, and fitting skinny jeans. I got in the car, Alisa sitting on my lap with Boppy hugged to her chest. Alice turned in her seat, grinning at her widely.
"Hi." She chimed, waving at Alisa. Alisa blushed, but gave a shy smile back. "I'm Alice and this is Rosalie." she smiled, gesturing at Rosalie. Rose looked back too, her eyes softening as she smiled gently at Alisa.
"Say hi Alisa." I smiled, running a hand through her curls. Alisa gave a wave, burring her face in my neck. Alice smiled back before turning and pulling out of the driveway. "Have you talked to Seth since yesterday?" Alice asked, looking at me through the mirror. I shook my head, blushing slightly. Rosalie glanced at me through the rear view mirror, her face confused. I still didn't quite understand her.
We drove to the mall, making small talk as we did. Rosalie didn't talk much, just would glance at me every once in a while. I still felt slightly uneasy about her. I wasn't sure what she thought of me, she wasn't out right happy with me like Alice was.
We went to the mall, and almost as soon as we entered Alice was off dragging me toward a store. Alisa giggled, following after us. Rose followed to, looking slightly amused at Alice. We spent the day trying on clothes after clothes that Alice would pick out. Alisa warmed up to her almost immediately after she saw how entertaining Alice was, and ran after her, trying to pick out pretty clothes for Alice. Alice would try out anything Alisa picked out, telling her she had such good taste, and picking her out clothes to try on too. Alisa loved playing dress up, and enjoyed dressing a life sized barbie doll too.
We eventually had to eat, Alisa's tiny tummy grumbled hungrily. Alice immediately walked away from the sale, taking us to the food court and told Alisa to pick whatever she wanted to eat. She toted her off toward McDonalds, leaving me and Rosalie alone together. I felt slightly awkward as we both went to Arby's, silently getting our food. We set down together, as I picked at my food. I glanced up at Rosalie, who wasn't eating at all.
"So...um..." I started, making Rosalie's eyes turn toward me. "Is she always this excited?" I asked casually. Rosalie gave a tinkling laugh, nodding.
"If shopping was a sport Alice would be a gold metal finalist in the Olympics." Rosalie smiled, her full lips curved upward.
"So this is how she always is?"
"Yes, she usually drags me all over." Rosalie said, rolling her eyes as she glanced toward Alice.
"I-I was kinda surprised when you were in the car." I commented, glancing up to see her reaction. She raised her eyebrows at me, looking curious. At least she wasn't angry.
"Why?" She prompted.
"I didn't think you liked me all that much." I confessed. She gave a soft smile, glancing down at her hands on the table.
"I don't have a problem with you, even if your with the mu-" She cut herself off, shaking her head. I didn't push her, but waited for her to move on. "You... remind me of... myself." She said simply, looking up at me sadly. That wasn't what I expected. She seemed together, happy with her Emmett. "I went though a similar situation. It wasn't my... father. It was my boyfriend." She said, her fist clenching slightly.
I was shocked. That wasn't what I expected. She had been raped? "Um... the guy before Emmett?"
She nodded, looking up at me sadly. "We were going to get married. Him and his friends were drunk one night and they... passed me around." She sighed, giving a sarcastic laugh. I flinched, giving her a sad look.
"I'm sorry." It was all I could say. People had said it over and over again, but it was a way of switching the subject. But I really meant it, I knew how much it hurt. How much pain I had. "You have Emmett though." I said, giving her a smile. She smiled widely at that, giving a nod.
"He's more than I could ask for. He's such a good person. Better than myself." She sighed, twirling around the ring on her finger. I assumed Emmett had given it to her. Rosalie was lucky, she got a happy ending. She had a loving family.
"At least Esme cares about what happened.... how much it hurt you." I mumbled, glaring at my own hands. Rosalie gave a curious look.
"What does you're mother say about it? She can't possibly not... care." Rosalie asked, her eyes worried. I gave a laugh shaking my head.
"My mom thinks my father was framed. She says that all the children who came forward were lying. Which includes me." I sighed, glancing down at the bandage that was wrapped around my arm. Rosalie followed my gaze, her eyes softening.
"There were more than you?" She asked, looking shocked.
"Yep, my dad was a real monster." I sighed, biting my lip.
"Alisa...?" She asked, her eyes suddenly panicked. I shook my head furiously.
"No, no. She was only a year old when he went away. He didn't... go after kids that small. It sick that they have a catagory for bastards like him." I shook my head, glaring down at my hands. Rosalie looked torn suddenly as she reached out her hand out, grabbing mine gently. I fought back a shiver at her cold touch, but for some reason felt my eyes fill with tears. I blinked them back, biting my lip.
"I'm sorry." She repeated my words from earlier, and I could tell she was one of the few that meant it.
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Alisa and Alice were the best of friends by the end of the day. Alice, despite my protests, bought me and Alisa several outfits. She had at least 4 credit cards from what I could see, and I wondered just how much money the Cullen really had. I thanked her over and over again, and each time she waved me off and just smiled. Rosalie and me came to a comfortable friendship, brought together by our sick broken pasts.
"You and Alisa can come over for a while. Seth is probably at our house. Esme will love to see you again, and she'd love Alisa." Alice smiled, grinning through the mirror at Alisa. Alisa was immediately begging to go with Alice. I sighed, nodding.
"Fine." I smiled. Truth was... I sort of wanted to go to Seth. I wanted him to see my arm and how I hadn't done anything. I wanted to have him proud of me. I wanted that warm feeling when he was there. Alisa bounced in her seat, smiling at the back of Alice's head.
We pulled into the Cullen's house several minutes later. Alisa gaped at the huge glass house, clinging to Alice as we made our way in the house. The first thing I heard was a giant whoop and a loud groan.
"Beat that Nessie." Emmett's booming voice echoed through the house. Rosalie smiled, taking a step toward the sound of Emmett. He was there suddenly, smiling over at her. "Hey Rosie." He grinned, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her gently. Lucky Rosalie.
Jasper came into the room too, his eyes only for Alice. Jeez this house was full of love birds. "Look Jazzy, I got a little midget." She giggled, bouncing Alisa on her hip. Jasper smiled, but it was tense as he stared down at Alisa. Alisa giggled at Alice, burying her face in her neck. Jasper gave a odd look, but smiled still. "Alisa, this is Jasper."
Alisa looked up, her face going red again as she waved her little hand. Jasper gave a hello, his deep voice tense. I wondered what he didn't like about us. Alice seemed fine.
"Jolene!" Another booming voice called, making me turn. Seth was there, smiling widely at me. To my surprise he wrapped his arms around me in a bone crushing hug.
"Seth...breath." I gasped. He immediately let me go, giving me a worried look.
"Sorry, sorry." He gasped, his eyes wide. He looked over me, but I just giggled.
"I'm fine. Just a little lighter next time." I sighed, smiling up at him lightly. He grinned, nodding.
"I missed you." He commented. I felt Alisa looking at us, her gaze curious at the tall stranger. I felt myself blush at his comment.
"I was just with you yesterday." I commented, as he shrugged.
"It's good to see you again Jolene." Esme called, coming up and hugging me too, gentler than Seth's hug. I savored the feeling in her arms, before she pulled back and smiled at me. "Did you have a good time with Alice. I hope she didn't push you everywhere." Esme smiled, glancing over at Alice.
"No it was fun." I smiled.
"Alice bought us pretty clothes." Alisa put in, wrapping her arms around me. I picked her up, squeezing her close. Esme smiled at her gently.
"Are you Alisa? You're adorable." Esme smiled, her eyes filled with kindness. I marveled at how loving she was. So unlike what I was used to. Alisa seemed to like her instantly. It might have had to do with the adorable.
"Hi," Alisa smiled.
"This is Esme." I told her.
"You're pretty Esme." Alisa smiled. Esme grinned to.
"Not as pretty as you." Esme assured her.
Alisa was taken into the Cullen family like they had me by the end of the night. She played with Emmett, who would grab her up and tickle her. She played dress up with Alice, showing off her new clothes for the family. She helped Esme when she cooked for us. And she let Rosalie braid her hair, sitting patiently as Rose ran her finger through her hair.
Why was it we fit in with this family better than ours?
This chapter was a bit happier. I thought I had a little too much emoness so I made it a happy one. Rose and Jolene get a little closer. I love Rosalie and she's gonna be in this quite a bit.
Hope you enjoy loves!