Okay, WOW. My last update has been…what? Like 2 years ago? Almost. Here is chapter 9 FINALLY, and im really seriously sorry for the massive wait, if you guys are still with me, then AWESOME! Again, I am sooooo sorry…

I don't really have an excuse, but lets just say, I forgot about this story for a long time…

forgive me?

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Except my ideas.

Enjoy :D

New beginning

I kept my promise to myself and came home. It took awhile to find, but eventually I came across the road leading to the police station, coincidently enough. I looked down at my attire; filthy clothes, torn shoes. I lifted a hand to try smooth my muddled hair, and frowned at the number of cuts and bruises covering my arms. I probably looked like a homeless wreck. Which, for the past 4 days I was. I reached the police station and walked in, my head down and shoulders hunched. I heard a gasp of shock coming from the front desk.
Walking up to the lady behind the desk, I forced myself to look up. Mistake.
Charlie was standing there talking to 'Sharon' as her name tag read, but froze solid when I walked in. His mouth moved to formulate some sort of sentence, but no sound came out.
"B-Bella?" Eventually, he stuttered my name, as if he couldn't believe it was really me.
"Yeah, dad…"
"Oh Bella! Thank god you're safe!" He ran around the desk to hug me tight. Charlie is very rarely an emotional person so to say I was shocked with his embrace would be an understatement.
"Do you know what you've put me through these past days? I thought you were dead!" He cryed. Guilt washed over me as I saw the tears fall down my fathers face, and I cast my eyes down, staring at the scratched linoleum floor. Wait, he thought I was dead?
"I-I'm sorry…I just…I know what I did what inexcusable, but it came to be too much, I had to get away?" My plead came out as a question as I watched his face change emotions- anger, relief, sorrow, joy, rage, suspicion, then like a light bulb went off in his eyes, disappointment,
I felt horrible, I have to be the worst daughter in the entire universe. I'm so selfish that I left everything to go wallow in my own pity, and I never stopped to think what would happen to the few people left I truly care about. Guilt succumbed me and I fought back the tears verging to fall. Charlie must have saw my little realisation because he pulled me into another tight hug, and this time instead of resisting, I clung to his shirt.
"I'm so sorry! I'm sorry. I'm the worlds worst daughter…p-please, forgive me!" I cried, sobbing into his chest.
"Shh…It's okay. You're here now, that's the only thing that matters. My baby's home safe, that's all I'm concerned about." He comforted me, rubbing my back in soothing circles, like I was a little girl all over again.
"Sharon, tell Frank I've gone home for the day. I need to take care of some things, I have the papers regarding…" I tuned out of his conversation with Sharron. She must be new…
I felt someone tugging my shirt and looked up forcefully.
Uh-oh…
"Isabella Marie Swan! How could you leave me like that!"
"I'm sorry Alice…I-I just…I'm sorry." I cowered under the power of her glare, once again the disappointment in her eyes made the guilt storm through me, suddenly I was feeling very exhausted.
"What are you doing at the police station anyway?" I queried, confused.
"The idiot of a brother I'm stuck with got in a fight. Since mum and dad are working, I'm the poor one that has to come in and get him…stupid fool…" as she muttered to herself I looked around, trying so hard not to look for him, but I couldn't help it. I saw his slightly bruised face by the drink fountains, glaring daggers into the back of Alice's head. Rage overtook me and I held back more tears. Tears of anger this time.
Alice saw my small breakdown and looked behind her, searching until she met Edwards eyes and turned back around. I saw Charlie head over to us and look suggestively towards the door.
"C'mon, you need to get rest. You should go home…" She smiled at me politely, but I could see the hesitation behind the words.
"Call me later, kay?" She waved as I walked with Charlie out of the station, and into the pouring rain. The drive home was awkwardly silent as I watched the rain pelt against the window. We got home after 10 minutes and I headed into the kitchen to go make dinner.
"Uh, here, let me take care of dinner tonight. You go, have a bath or something. Don't worry about school tomorrow, I think maybe we should take a day off, both of us. Sit down and talk you know?" Charlie patted me on the shoulder. I could see he was uncomfortable, this wasn't really the best situation for him. I was grateful though, he was handling this a lot gently than I expected. I went up and ran a bath, looking in the mirror. I was a mess. There were dirty tracks down my face from my tears, I had scratches all over me and dirt everywhere. I put my hand through my hair and pulled out a twig. I was depressing myself even more by looking in the mirror, so I quickly undressed and stepped into the steaming bath water.

The clean, hot water felt good on my cut up skin and I sunk under the soapy water until I was fully submerged. I scrubbed all the dirt off my skin, washed my hair until it was silky smooth again, and then just lay, relaxing in the bath. I heard Charlie knock on the door as he spoke in, worry etched in his voice.
"Hey Bells, you okay in there?"
"I'm fine Dad, just soaking."
"Uh, ok, well, dinner is ready…"
I stepped out of the bath, pulled the plug and wrapped a towel around me, drying my hair quickly. I gathered up my clothes and trod across the cool wooden floors to my bedroom. I threw on some sweats and went down stairs to help Charlie set the table. He was just pulling EasyMac out of the microwave and set it on the table, fanning it to cool it. We ate in silence and afterwards I helped him with the washing up, and went up to bed. I layed down and kicked off my blankets. I slept restlessly, waking up, turning in my bed, and then I'd drift back into a slumber.

I woke up with a start, cold and with a headache. Something felt off though. I looked around my room and was surprised when I saw lights lined all over the roof and a road beneath my bed. Then I realised, this wasn't my bedroom. I looked next to me and Sarah was there. Sitting, laughing, singing. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to wake up. I couldn't stand re-living this moment again. Just as I expected, Paramore blasted out of the radio, as my bed transformed into my car. I kept my eyes shut but the images still blared in my head. Opening my eyes I saw Sarah staring at me, but not with wide, frightened eyes as headlights closed in on her.

"It's okay! Stop blaming yourself, I'm happy."
Her light, feathery voice sounded like a thunderclap in the now silent vision. I could feel the ghost of the pain I felt that night, as I rolled once, twice, three times and stopped. I looked over to Sarah, but she was gone. I saw a man dragging her out of the car, cursing how horrible she looked. I screamed out to her, but a pair of hands grabbed me around the waist and pulled me in the opposite direction, police sirens in the background. Just before I closed my eyes I saw a figure with tousled bronze hair, and piercing green eyes staring at the mess behind a car.

I woke up panting, shaking. I was terrified, sad, and confused about my dream. There was more to it then the constant nightmares I used to experience. I looked over at my bedside table and saw the time 4.59am.

After about 30 minutes I couldn't get to sleep so I decided to call Alice. She would be getting up for school any minute now. I dialled the number she put into my phone and waited.
"Ring…Ring…Ring…Ring…Hello?"
"Alice, hey I—"
"Hah, I got ya. Sorry I can't answer the phone right now. I'm either shopping, sleeping or partying. Leave a message after the beep! Beep"
"Oh, uh Alice, it's Bella. I-uh, call me back when you get this."
I clicked my phone shut and lay on my bed, my arm draped across my eyes. After about 30 seconds I felt my phone vibrating on my leg. I reached for it and pulled it to my ear, answering. I already knew who it was.

"Bella! I'm sorry I missed your call, I was in my closet and well, couldn't hear my phone! Are you okay? How are you feeling? Is Charlie okay? Are you alright? Bella? BELLA?"
"Alice, slow down! It's fine, I'm fine. I couldn't sleep so I thought I would call. I feel fine. Well the same, I guess. Charlie is fine, he's sleeping right now."
"Oh, ok. Well are you going to school today? Wait, what a stupid question, of course you're not. Do you want me to take the day off? I can come round. Oh my god Bella, I was so worried about you! Charlie had search parties out and everything! Don't worry, I'm coming over today."
"Alice, you should really breathe between monologues… I don't want you missing anything because of me. I know, I'm so sorry…I acted out of spite and selfishness…I'm stupid."
"Oh, Bella no! It's all my stupid brothers fault I tell you! Anyway, don't worry about me, I will come over after breakfast. I have to go now, but I promise, I'll see you soon."
"Ok Alice. Bye" I smiled into the phone. I didn't want Alice skipping school for me, but something told me to just let her be.
"Seeya' Bella."
I put my phone on my table and hopped out of bed, looking in the mirror. I looked terrible. I had big bags under my eyes, and a nasty bruise beginning to show on my chin. I put my hair up, and went downstairs, trying to figure out what my dream meant.

After an hour or so of sitting downstairs, I heard Charlie coming down the stairs. He jumped when he saw me, obviously expecting me to be in bed still.
"I, er, I was going to make you breakfast…"
"Oh, no it's fine I couldn't sleep so I came down. Uh Alice is coming over later…"
"Who?"
"Alice Cullen? She's kinda a friend I guess. She's been supporting me at school. She wants to come over."
"Ok."
It was silent then. I was staring down at my nails, picking out the dirt and muck underneath.
"Why'd you do it Bells? I know you were having a hard time, and I'm not usually the most comfortable person to be around, but I tried Bells. I'm your Dad,"
I could hear the desperation in his voice, and I felt bad once again.
I couldn't stand seeing Charlie being so distressed, and I know that after what happened, I owed him an explanation.

So I told him. I told him all about Rose and Alice. I told him about the new kid at school Jacob, and the photo I found. I told him about Edward Cullen and how I just wanted to run. I told him everything, except my dreams. As I spoke, I could see the panic and sadness contort his face, as he struggled to keep it under control. He was being strong. For me. I didn't want to cause him more pain then I already did, so instead I tried to start a happier subject.

"Work is okay, there have been some bear sightings reported by hikers camping near Wentworth Lake, but otherwise things have been slow- as usual." Charlie filled me in after I asked him about the towns police station.

He realised I didn't want to talk anymore, so went upstairs to shower and dress.

Shortly after I heard a frantic knock on the door, and my mobile screen light up.

'Ali Calling'

I opened the door, and pressed the ignore button at the same time. Alice strode into the house like she'd been there for years, and took a seat in the kitchen.

"Do you have any granola bars? I'm starving… I left straight after you called. Gee, you should see the roads today, I passed literally 119 cars! I counted. But how are you Bella? Are you okay? You seemed panic-y on the phone this morning. Are you sick at all? Can I do anything for you? Just say the word and I'll─ "
"Alice, breathe. I'm okay. Trust me, I'm fine. Really? Over one hundred?" I reassured her as I fished for the box of snacks in the cupboards. Pulling a bar out, I threw it to Alice and took a seat across from her.

Charlie came downstairs with a grin on his face, whistling. I looked at him, brow raised, but he just winked in return.
Alice bounded up from her seat where she was barely keeping her eyes open, skipped over to my dad and extended a hand in front of him.

"Mr Swan, Hi, I'm Alice Cullen. It's so nice to meet you" She flashed him with a smile, and he grinned back at her.

"Alice, call me Charles. You're Carlisles daughter, aren't you?" He took her hand and I laughed.

"Charles? Since when is your name Charles, Dad?" I asked him with a smile playing on my face.
"Fine, Charlie. It's nice to meet you Alice."
Alice laughed and shook his hand enthusiastically, then grabbed me by the arm.

"I hope you don't mind Charlie that I'm taking Bella out today,"
"Oh no not at all, uh, where are you two going?"
"Yes Alice, where are we going?" I asked her, suspicious.

"Bella didn't tell you we are going shopping? Oh, how forgetful of her…" She flashed me a smile, and tugged harder on my arm.

I groaned quietly, as Charlie laughed with Alice as he gave us his best wishes on our newly informed shopping spree as Alice pulled me upstairs to change, and Charlie left for work.

Alice went to work straight away, pulling out dresses, shirts and jeans from my wardrobe and making a pile on my bed. I just sat in the old rocking chair in the corner of my room, watching her work.

She pulled together an outfit, something casual, and ordered me to change into it as she went into my bathroom to scourge around. I put on a pair of denim wash jeans, and a pale blue tee, and met her in the bathroom.

She pushed me onto the side of the tub, and without a word began straightening my hair.

After 30 minutes of silence I was deemed ready, and she escorted me outside to her shining car. I slipped as I climbed into the seat and Alice laughed, pulling out of the driveway. She turned on the stereo and loud soprano music blasted through the speakers. I looked at her as she started to blush and fumbled around with the buttons.

"Damn, Mum has been playing with my car again..hehe…"

She switched off the music, and put on a different CD, as she kept her eyes on the road, the blush slowly creeping down her neck, and sang quietly to her self.

The morning sun shone through my window onto my face and I leaned back and closed my eyes. I felt…Happy. And now I knew Alice's secret fascination with Opera music, I was content to sit back the whole drive.