Wait a second I see words that you promised me.
Seeking diligently, bring the rain, bring the rain.
I will wait, wait, I will wait for you.
This is a refuge, this is hope.
This is a refuge, this is love.

- This is a Refuge
The Rocket Summer

disclaimer, i own nothing besides a very out of character bella and her very out of character friends. thanks for the set up though, s meyer.

I stepped into the familiar house, one that I would never consider home again. Memories hit me like a gust of wind, and I shuddered away from them. The decision to come here was instantly regretted. How stupid was I? Returning to Phoenix had to be the worst decision possible, if my previous decisions were, stupid, than this was down right retarded. Edward followed behind, dropping the first load of my bags into the doorway.

I sighed, and dragged the large suitcases over to the elevator. When the doors finally opened, I stepped inside, and made the journey to my childhood room. I stopped outside the doorway, mentally preparing myself. This is stupid, Bella, I thought to myself. It's a room, nothing more nothing less.

My hand slowly pushed itself forward, grabbing hold of the handle. It turned slowly, and as the door opened, it made a loud creak. Obviously, the room had not been used in a long time. As I stepped into the room, I immediately noticed I was not alone.

"Good morning, Miss Bella," said Kristen, Charlie's housekeeper. A forced smile sat on her face, and I could tell that the staff hadn't been looking forward to my visit.

Well, if they were expecting a challenge, I might as well give them one.

"I don't remember giving your permission to be in here, Kristen. Now that I am living here again, I expect to be contacted 48 hours in advance when you, or any of the help would like to enter my areas of the home. That includes my room, the guest room Edward will be staying in, my recreational room, and the basement," I spat it her. "Now, go and tell your little friends that if you don't comply, I will do all that I can to make sure that your already low wages be lowered a great deal. Run along," waving her towards the door. I smirked, and she walked out. The forced smile already disappeared.

For the first time, I noticed Edward behind me, giving Kristen an apologetic look. I would have to reprimand him for that later.

When Kristen was out of ear shot, Edward began his lecture. I tuned him out, only catching certain phrases like, "incredibly rude" and, "raised by wolves".

"Slutevz, Edward," I said, with a little more acid than intended, "you have so much respect for the help, you can spend your day with them. Make sure they get all of this unpacked, and inform them I'd like this room completely redone. It reminds me too much of shitty childhoods and big titted secretaries."

I stepped back out into the hallway, slamming the door. I clicked the button for the elevator, wishing it would come faster, or at least more angrily. This was really putting a damper in my dramatic exit. Finally, the elevator arrived, and I was descending to the first floor. When the door opened, the last thing I hoped to see was Charlie standing right there. But, with my luck, that's what I got.

"Oh, Bella, I can't believe you're really here. I'm sad its under these circumstances but.." He began.

I quickly cut him off, "Yeah, Chuck. Rah Rah. Give me an H and all that. I'm going out, don't wait up."

With that, I walked up to the large white doors, opened them up and grabbed the first pair of car keys I saw hanging on the wall. Walking into the driveway, I continued to click the unlock button, but none of the cars were beeping. Frustrated, I walked into the garage. No cars there beeped either.

"UGH!" I sighed, rather loudly. I did not want to go back into that house to access the car elevator. Sighing in defeat, I pulled out my cellphone. While Renee had disabled outgoing calls to Ange, Mike, Ben, and Tyler, I could still had options.

Scrolling down to the J's, I quickly found Jacobs number. I clicked his name, and then clicked "text".

J, back in town and hating it! Come save me?

xo B

I clicked send, and knew I would only be waiting ten minutes before Jake came to my rescue. In the mean time, I figured I'd go soak my feet in the pool.

I went around to the back yard, pushed the code into the stone fence, and waited for the door to swing open. As soon as it did, the smell of chlorine took over all of my senses. I walked over to the pool, took off my gladiator sandals, and stuck my feet in slowly - adjusting to the cool temperature of the water.

Once in, I threw my head back and closed my eyes, letting the sun take me over. It wasn't long before I heard footsteps come behind me, delighted that Jake had showed up so quickly, I grabbed my sandals, and rose as fast as I could. While standing, my left foot didn't agree with my right, and I soon tripped over, luckily landing on the green grass rather than on the cement, or worse, into the pool.

I heard a low chuckle, and internally groaned. I had just fallen for nothing, the footsteps didn't belong to my childhood friend, rather my neighbourhood.. well, I didn't really know what Edward was yet. He was just, Edward.

"Even in a different state, you're a klutz," he joked, his slanted smirk gracing his face. When I didn't laugh, he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Look," he began, "I'm sorry for that.. lecture.. I gave you back in your room. I guess I didn't anticipate just how difficult this whole thing must be for you. It's all been a big change, and I shouldn't expect any difference just yet, I mean.. we only just got -"

Edward was cut off by a loud honk, signaling that Jake was waiting out front.

"Look, Eddie. I'd love to finish this, but I have a new life to start. I suggest you go get cozy with Kristen, you're going to have to find some way to entertain yourself this summer. See you!" I gave him a quick wave of my fingers, then I was off to find the real fun in Phoenix.

A/N

ugh, i know, i'm awful. worst fanfiction author ever.

but i've been busy as hell, and i felt like i wasn't going anywhere with this story - or any of my stories. i had major writers block, but now i'm back in the swing of things.

so if anyone is still with me, then enjoy this chapter! i promise to have another one up by tonight.

much love! jacey.