I don't own Twilight. No copyright infringement intended. These characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. The plot is mine.

This is un-beta'd! All mistakes are mine.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4:

"Home-style french vanilla," the waitress smiled down at me as she lowered the cup containing my coffee onto the table. "Is there anything else I can get you, darlin'?" My stomach growled loudly in answer to her question.

"Yes please," I kept the menu in front of my face, avoiding eye contact with the stranger. I knew my eye color was the exact same shade of brown as my fathers and I didn't want to alert the town on my arrival, especially since I was currently deciding on whether I should just leave already. "Chocolate chip waffles with a side of bacon and hash browns would be nice." I watched through my peripheral as she scribbled my order on a sheet of legal sized paper. She attempts to get my attention before her departure, but she didn't have any luck. With a slight huff, she went to the back of the diner to turn in my order.

I really hope she's above spitting in my food.

Not long after she left, I heard the bell above the door ding as a way to notify the room of a new customer. I stayed still in my seat, resisting the urge to turn around and see if I recognized the person who had just arrived. Everyone in Forks knew I had moved away. Some were aware of all the details of the fallout between Charlie and I, although others remained oblivious. I couldn't risk looking into the eyes of someone who knew everything I had done, and see the disappointment that was sure to be on their faces.

I guess you can imagine my surprise when the new customer slid into my booth, sitting across from me.

His eyes held mine for several moments before I could will myself to look away. They were so inviting; a lovely shade of green that makes you want to melt. I shook off those thoughts as he raised his eyebrow at me in question.

"I think you and I should talk."

I mumbled my disagreement into my coffee as I stirred in sugar. For several minutes, the only noise between us what the occasional clack of my spoon coming in contact with the side of the cup.

"Who the hell are you?" I blurted out before I could filter myself. I didn't mean to sound so blunt, but I didn't want to apologize either.

"My name is Edward," he laughed. When he didn't offer any more information, I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Care to elaborate, Edward?" I spit back at him. "What were you doing in my fathers house?"

"Alice cooks for Charlie," he explained as he crossed his arms and leaned back in the small confines of the booth. I felt the his boot gently caress my foot and I shivered. As I met his knowing eyes, he smirked again. I was really tempted to cut off his mouth to stop him from doing that, It was really going to cause me to lose my mind. "Anyways, he gets lonely sometimes. He had a daughter who abandoned him and broke his heart, a wife who cheated on him and then left him for a more exciting life, and a dead beat job as police chief in a town were crime rates are lower than the average toddlers shoe size. Really, if It weren't for Alice moving in next door to keep him company, he may have already gone crazy with loneliness by now. Anyways, Alice and I are good um, friends. I come to keep Charlie occupied while Alice cooks him dinner, being as how the poor old brute can't even make toast without the entire house burning down." He laughed again, though I didn't find any humor in this situation. Who was this guy, really?

"How long have you been in Forks?" I ask.

"Eighteen months as of next Thursday."

"Why are you here?"

"You know, Isabella, shouldn't I be asking you that? Alice looked like she was about to have an aneurysm when you walked into the kitchen this morning. The look on her face, you would have thought she'd seen a ghost."

"It's Bella," I growled through gritted teeth. At the mention of my full name, I was brought back to my most recent argument with Jake. I was done having this conversation with him. "Please Edward, I'm hungry. Just leave." I didn't look him in the eyes as I asked him this; I couldn't look him in the eyes as I asked him this. "Please."

His delay was short. He didn't speak, just slowly slid out of the bench across from me and disappeared. I heard the ding of the door and I knew he was gone.

"Well, he's quite the looker," the waitress sighed as she set the food I had previously ordered in front of me. Using my fork, I played silently with the plate of waffles, realizing I just wasn't that hungry anymore...

I knew I couldn't leave town yet, there was still so much I had to make up for. Especially with Charlie, though I'd really like to see Alice and I back on the right foot again. Edward confused me, though I didn't want to think about the meaning behind this realization. Not yet. The divorce papers were just signed a couple days ago, I couldn't go looking for a new man. Not now, probably not ever.

I used the spare key to get into the house, both surprised and saddened to see that it still remained in the floor pot by the door for all of these years.

The house was empty when I arrived, but I wasn't surprised. Charlie was the chief of police and he usually works the night shift. I wish I had been there to say goodbye and wish him good luck as work. It's something I haven't been able to do in far too long.

I took the opportunity to shower, hoping that the hot water would make me feel like a normal person again. It didn't work the way I had hoped it would but at least it helped relax my achy muscles. After deciding I was clean enough, I exited the shower, throwing on an oversized jersey and a pair of sleep shorts. Despite the many hours I slept away when I first arrived, I was still exhausted.

I climbed into bed with wet hair, hoping it wouldn't be tangled too bad when I woke up. I fell asleep immediately.

A/N:

So, what do you think?

Like it? Hate it? Let me know, please(:

Also, if you're looking for something else to read, try my other story A Wicked Game. It's a mystery/suspense. I've just posted the eighth chapter today & i'll have it updated by Friday. Swing by over there when you have the time & let me know what you think.

Until next time,

xxx Stephanie