Yahoo! You guys are so awesome! You did get my five reviews (and beyond!) Yay! I'd like to say thanks to one reader- Mastaspammip. They were the first reviewer, and they reviewed like… five minutes after I updated.
And I am soo sorry for the wait. I had something planned, really I did, but then when I started writing it, it sounded weird. And then I was trying so hard to figure our how to write this. So here it is!
And just incase you're wondering, I skipped Phoenix. I decided that would be way too angsty, and trust me, you do not want that. Haha. So enjoy!
Standing on the front lawn of our house, it was like I'd never left. I grabbed the money from my wallet and tossed it to the cab driver who winked at me (ew) before driving away. I picked up my tattered bags and began my march toward the door. Nerves grabbed me, twisting my stomach into knots that I wasn't sure would ever untie. Sure everything looked the same, but I knew that something had to be different.
What was I most worried about? Charlie. A.) How has he fed himself the past two years??? B.) Would he take me in? and C.) Did he run off and get remarried just like Renee? Okay, A and B are both stupid, but c'mon, C is totally plausible.
Shoving worries to the back of my head is something I've become quite good at, so I stashed these in the back of my mind with all of the other unwelcome thoughts.
As I neared the door, I started hyperventilating for God knows what reason. Maybe Charlie wouldn't be home, and I'd just face him later when I've had more time to prepare. I was enough of a coward to hope that this would happen, but I couldn't help but notice how dark it was getting. If the cab driver whistled at me… let's just say I don't wanna sleep at a motel tonight.
Each stair step seemed to take a lifetime to climb up-
Step…
Step…
Step…
The door loomed in front of me, and I bit my lip nervously. This was it. Timidly, I stuck out my small had and curled my fingers into a fist. It hung a couple of inches in front of the door until I remembered how to move. Knock, knock. My arm dropped like a dead snake at my side as I waited.
Finally, the door was thrown open. "Bout time you got here!" someone bellowed.
I yelped in fear, and leapt backwards, landing on my butt. And get this- I totally jumped off the deck. I was on the little gravel sidewalk, and I could see the stairs in front of me. "Ow," I mumbled, tears stinging my eyes.
"Bella?" the voice asked incredulously. I looked up to see a very concerned and VERY tall, Jacob.
"Hey, Jake," I winced.
"Ouch. That looked like it hurt," he murmured sympathetically as he helped me up. He wiped off my butt (awkward…) to get away all the gravel.
"How's that?" he asked.
"Ugh. I don't think I'll ever be able to sit down again! Gravel is probably permanently impaled on my butt," I groaned, rubbing it where it hurt.
"Jacob! Are you making out with the pizza person?" I heard someone call from inside.
"Yeah. We heard a big thump. Hope you two weren't getting too dirty…" someone else said, trailing off suggestively. My mouth dropped open in an o and I was having a hard time breathing. Gosh, this was soo embarrassing.
Jacob looked just as mortified, but I could see that he was a little happy about what the mystery people had said. Should I be flattered…?
"Well… Don't let us interrupt," one of the mystery voices sighed.
"Yup. Be as dirty as you like Jakie," the other voice called.
Jake waggled his eyebrows suggestively. Ugh. That perv!
I slapped him across the face, and I felt my hand crack.
"OUCH!" I shouted, jumping away from him as if I'd been tasered. Cradling my hand awkwardly against my chest, I stormed into the family room where Billy and Charlie were watching the Seahawks…. Or maybe it was the Seagulls… Whatever.
"Bells?" Charlie gasped in shock. He stood up, looking horrified, as Billy laughed. "W-what're ya doin here, baby?" he asked, giving me a one armed hug.
"I came home," I said simply, shrugging. A burst of pain shot through my hand. Ouch. Not smart. "Now can you please drive me to the E.R.? I think I broke my hand."
"Lemme see," Charlie said.
Gingerly holding out my hand, I was appalled by what I saw. My hand was bent at a strange angle, one that looked so wrong, it made you wanna puke.
"Ugh, you're right," Charlie groaned.
"Way to make and entrance, Bells," Billy chuckled.
"What exactly did you do, Bella?" Charlie asked.
"I slapped Jacob," I snapped as I marched to the cruiser. Guffaws broke out inside, and I blushed a furious red. Great impression, Bella, really, I thought to myself as I slid into the car.
When we arrived at the E.R, I wasn't even thinking of who I would run into. So there I sat, in the uncomfortable blue chair, cradling my arm and scowling at the ground like an angry toddler, when in walks my second father.
I didn't even notice him, until he was talking to Charlie. "Hello, Charlie," his musical voice sang. "Wonderful to see you. What exactly are you doing here though? Are you hurt?" He went from life long friend to doctor mode in less than a heartbeat.
"Not me today, Carlisle," Charlie smiled. "It's actually Bella."
My head snapped up just as Carlisle's head whipped around to look at me. We both stared at each other for a long moment, until I forced out an awkward, "Hi."
He grinned, and came over to give me a hug. He hit my hand, and I had to bite my tongue to hold back my shriek of pain. "I dearly hope that you're not just visiting," he whispered in my ear. As he stepped away, I was shocked at how little justice my memories had done. Carlisle looked just like Zeus's younger, better looking brother. In fact, it almost seemed as if he was glowing.
"So, what's troubling you today, Bells?" he asked.
I held up my hand, and he gasped, bending over to take a better look at it.
"Well, you don't need me to tell you that it's broken, now do you?" he asked in a hollow voice; he was still in shock.
I shook my head. "And because I know you're going to ask, I slapped Jacob on the face. Look's like he's got a thicker skull than I thought," I joked.
Carlisle chuckled as he gingerly held my hand, feeling along the break to see how bad it was. "Well, I'm almost positive it's a clean break, but let's get an x-ray just to make sure that there aren't any splinters. I'll get a wheelchair-"
Oh-no. That was so not happening. I grabbed his shoulder with my good hand, turning him around to face me. "Uhm… I didn't hurt my leg Carlisle," I hinted. He got it immediately, and rolled his eyes.
"Same old Bella," he muttered. "Well, looks like we're fresh out of wheelchairs, so you'll just have to walk." He winked at me (in a non-creepy way) and led me to the x-ray room.
Turns out it was a clean break. Carlisle was absolutely right. And there wasn't a splinter to its name. I got a green cast to match the trees that I had missed so much, and I had to keep it on for eight weeks. That meant wearing it to my first day of high school. Ew.
It was nearly midnight when we finally got home, and I collapsed eagerly into my bed. A cloud of dust puffed up, and I sneezed. Looks like no one's been in here since I left. I wouldn't be surprised. Too many sad memories. Charlie brought up my bags, and I eagerly grabbed a pair of too-small pj's. That's the thing about all of my clothes- they were too small. Renee and… him got their own big house which meant less money for important stuff like clothes and food. I was practically a stick, but it looked sickly, not good.
That night, I had nightmare after nightmare about Renee and how mad she was at me for splitting without telling her. One of the dreams was so vivid that I almost screamed aloud when I woke up. I managed not to by biting my pillow with such force that a small hole formed.
I know what I would've done two years ago- I would've run right over to the Cullen's. A lot has changed since then, though, and I don't think that's an option right now. Maybe in another year or two it will be, but not right now.
I fell into an uneasy sleep, not waking again until morning.
Stumbling down the stairs, I looked through the cabinets, trying to find something that would fill the breakfast criteria. I found a box of Count Chocula, my favorite. That's weird. I checked the expiration date wearily, and was ecstatic when I discovered that it didn't expire for a while. I poured myself a heaping bowl, only to be disappointed when I realized we had no milk. Ugh.
So I ate it dry. I didn't want to wake Charlie, and besides, I have something important to do today, like apologizing to some very special friends.
I called Carlisle on his cell, hoping that he wasn't at work. Luck was with me (as it often never is) and he answered on the second ring. "Hey Carlisle, it's Bella," I greeted.
"Hello, Bella. What can I do for you today? How's your hand?" he asked.
"The hand's good, but listen, I was wondering if you could possibly get the whole gang over to your house today… around noon? I wanna say hello to everyone, and I want it to be a surprise."
He laughed. "If we can magically wake everyone up by then, than sure. No one in this house or the Hale's house wakes up before one on break. But I'm sure we can convince them."
"Thanks, Carlisle!" I practically screamed. "See ya at noon!" I said in a quieter voice.
I heard him chuckle before I hung up the phone. Phase One of Mission: Impossible completed. Now it's time for Phase Two- Dress Up.
I raced up to my room and began rifling through my bag, looking for something that I could wear that was maybe halfway decent. I finally found what I was looking for, my holey jeans and a v-neck dark blue sweater. Even though it was warm to all Forkians, right now to an Arizonian, it was FREEZING. But I didn't want to look like a total freak bundled up in a hat and gloves. So I opted for my sweater.
Phase Two- completay!
Now I just have to shower and make myself presentable. It shouldn't be too hard right? Wrong.
I don't know why, but I really want to look nice, like I've grown up or something while I was away. I can't run around flaunting a tan, which is depressing by the way, but I can show everyone how sophisticated I've become. As I thought this, I tripped over the rug in the bathroom, and smashed into the wall. Luckily, no hole formed, but now my head was pounding. Great.
Taking a long, soothing, warm shower was definitely important, and I was in there for nearly an hour, just letting the water wash over me and loosen my muscles. Ah. So nice.
When I got out, I pulled on my clothes, and slipped on the wet floor, landing on my already bruised butt. "Shit," I muttered, picking myself up and frowning at my wet butt. Then I had a genius idea. I raced to my room and grabbed my hairdryer and started blowing it on my bottom in a desperate attempt to dry it.
Miraculously, it worked, and I was all dry in five minutes. Sadly, I couldn't say the same about my hair. It was absolutely insane, forming a grizzly mane around my head. "Aw man!" I groaned. Trying to brush through it, I got my brush stuck in my hair. Looking at myself in the mirror, I realized that I looked like someone from the sixties or seventies with an afro and a comb stuck in it.
With strength I didn't know I had, I pulled the brush out and started over, brushing more carefully.
It only took half an hour.
I didn't bother to put on makeup, for I was almost positive that I would cry sometime today. Since I have no waterproof anything, I decided to just go without. Besides, I hate wearing that crap anyway, so who cares. I don't want my friends to think that I've become Super Slut while I was away, because, if anything, I've gotten more invisible. It kinda sucks, but at the same time it's pretty nice. Much to most people's disgust, I enjoy being a wall flower. It's my job.
When I left the bathroom, it was nearly eleven-thirty and Charlie still wasn't awake. I tiptoed into his room, and nudged his shoulder gently. "Dad? You need to wake up. I need a ride to the Cullen's soon," I whispered gently.
He rolled over and grumbled, "Drive yourself."
I had to hold back a laugh. "Well, Police Chief, if you don't mind underage driving, then sure. Where's the keys?" I asked in my most serious voice.
His eyes shot open. "I'm up, I'm up. Wait five minutes," he commanded.
I saluted him and marched downstairs. I sat on the couch and turned on some random TV show. It was Everybody Loves Raymond. I've watched it zillions of times with Renee, but it was still hilarious. Good ole Ray. It was the Thanksgiving episode, and when Charlie came down to take me to the Cullen's I was just about to pee my pants.
I turned the TV off and wiped a tear from my cheek. "That was really funny," I sighed, as I settled into the front seat of the car. Charlie was looking at me like I was crazy, but I don't care.
After a minute in the car, my happiness was replaced with sheer nervousness. What if they didn't accept me? I knew that Alice would, but what about Rose? Jasper? Emmett? What about the one person who refused to talk to me the whole time I was away? What about Edward?
I don't know how I'll live if he ignores me. I've tried to talk to him, but he never answers his cell, and he's always "busy" whenever I ask Alice if he can talk. Maybe he'll forgive me when he sees that I came back.
As I approached the door, my hands started to shake. I rang the doorbell, and I could hear it through the whole house. I could also hear some grumblings from inside.
"Emmett, door," someone moaned.
"I'm so not getting up. You get it Jazz," Emmett grumbled.
"I'm oldest. Edward, you get it!" Jasper mumbled.
"I'm so not-"
"Edward! Get the door!" two shrill voices screeched at the same time.
Someone stood up, and shuffled to the door, taking their time.
Finally, the lock clicked, and there, standing right in front of me, was my Edward. My eyes raked over him, and I could feel his eyes on me as well. Wow was he tall. Not nearly as tall as Jacob, but I think he's probably around 5'8" or 5'9", making me feel like a dwarf at my respectable 5'2" height.
My eyes met his, and I knew that I was forgiven. "Bella?" he gasped. And then I did something very un-Bella-ey- I jumped into his arms for a hug. He held me tight, and I breathed in his unique scent, marveling at how well we fit together, almost like two puzzle pieces.
"BELLA!" the shrill voices squealed. I was pulled away from Edward, and enveloped in a giant group hug with my two best girlfriends. I looked over Alice's head and mouthed, "Sorry," to Edward. He just grinned as shrugged as if to say, you can't stop a force of nature.
"Ow, watch the cast you guys!" I mumbled.
They rolled their eyes. "What did you do now?" Alice asked in the patronizing tone a parent often uses when they know their kid did something bad.
"I slapped Jacob Black."
Emmett and Jasper found this hilarious, and began to crack up. Rose and Alice started lecturing me on how unladylike it was to hit a guy, especially when he was hitting on you. I looked over to Edward and he was pinching his nose. I could practically hear him grinding his teeth from across the patio.
Suddenly, I found myself off the ground. I screamed in terror, then laughed when I saw Emmett's goofy grin. He'd scooped me up so that he could get a hug away from the girls. "Way to punch the jock, Bells!" he cheered. Jock? What? Before I could ask, I was passed to Jasper, and then passed right back to Edward, who I held onto a lot tighter this time. I didn't want to get torn away from him again. He laughed and ran his fingers through my hair, bad mood forgotten. I looked up at his perfect face and smiled, and he shot me my crooked grin right back.
"I missed you," he whispered quietly.
"I missed you more," I mumbled, trying not to cry. Eventually, the dam in my eyes broke, and I started to sob.
"Bella?" Edward's agonized voice broke through my depression. "What's wrong baby?" he asked. "Are you… are you mad at me?" he asked in a quiet voice.
I shook my head, at a loss for words. All of my friends just stood in shock, except for Edward who was still holding me tight.
"U-u-upstairs?" I managed to stutter out.
He scooped me up in his strong arms, and walked upstairs to his bedroom, trying to comfort me along the way. "Shh, Bella," he murmured as he set me down on his bed. I laid down on my back, and he laid right next to me. I curled myself into his side, sobbing renewed sobs.
"I… I miss my m-m-mom!" I exclaimed. And then I proceeded to tell him everything, from Renee and Phil, to the heartless kids at school. From our lack of money, to my lack of attention.
He held me closer, and sat us both up. "I'm so sorry, Bella, for everything that I did to you… It was foolish and stupid and…"
In a moment of pure idiocy, I shoved my lips against his. At first, he was unwilling, just shocked, but soon our lips were moving in a sort of frenzy against one another. Kissing Edward, even if I really shouldn't be kissing him right now, is amazing. It's… it's… wow. And then, when I was reaching around his head to grab his soft hair, my cast smacked him on the head, totally ruining the moment.
We broke apart, and just stared into each others eyes, shock clear in both of our expressions. The only difference was that my face was covered in red blush.
"Now that's a first kiss!" Edward exclaimed after our breathing slowed. I giggled, relieved. That was such a bonehead move to just throw myself at Edward like that. And here I was trying not to seem slutty by not wearing make up. It's a good thing that he didn't mind. And from the way he said, "Now that's a first kiss," I can only imagine that he enjoyed that as much as I did.
Everything is perfect now. I have Edward back, but right now I'm not really sure if he's a friend or something more. We've always had something special, but is it really love, or is it just some… I don't know something normal like brotherly love?
It doesn't matter right now, a little voice in my head said. Everything's perfect. Don't mess with it! And that little voice was right in one way.
Everything is perfect.
So there it is. Chapter Seven. Like it or not, I still really want a review. I just want five simple reviews again, and I swear if I get five reviews by the Sunday immediately after Thanksgiving, I will update a week later, maybe even sooner. I will update within a couple of weeks even if I don't get my five reviews though, I'm just not sure when.
And omigosh I loved the Twilight movie! Minus Robert Pattison (sorry Robert fangirls!) I thought it was really cute, and totally hilarious. I've already seen it three times, and I still love it. So if you wanna talk movie, PM me or talk about it when you review (cuz I know you will)
Anonymous reviews are enabled, so don't you go around thinking you can't review. Muahaha.
Oh, and since I always forget to put it, I do not own Twilight. That should count for the whole story right there. Yup. Cool.
REVIEW PLEASE!