We were outside my house. It looked exactly the same, although it shouldn't really look any different since I had only been gone a short time. After I got out of the hospital, I told Charlie that I was going away for a short vacation before I went to college. Since my transformation was temporarily postponed, due to the transfusions I needed from my injuries, I had just enough time to tell him about it, and then leave to spend the painful process at Edward's house.
The cruiser was in the driveway. I was glad of that. I knew I had to see him as soon as possible. Edward led me to the window to peek in. "Where is he? Can you find out where he is in the house?"
Edward held out a hand to quiet me. I watched as he listened to Charlie's mind. "He's in the kitchen."
I was gone in a flash.
I knew I would really get it later, but I couldn't take it anymore. I was sick of hiding from my loved ones, and I missed Charlie very much. I could smell the burnt mac and cheese on the stove. I wanted to come back so much, to at least have something familiar in my life besides the Cullens, as much as I adored them.
I was in the kitchen entrance watching Charlie try to dispose of his ruined lunch. He had his back to me, and he didn't notice that I was there. I just stood silently, watching, for barely a second before Edward grabbed me in a tight grip and flew with me upstairs to my room.
I shook myself form Edward's grasp and slowly made my way to my bed. I sat down on the edge and just stared at the wall in silence. Edward was behind me, standing at the foot of the bed. I could feel his eyes on me.
"Bella, that wasn't a very wise thing to do." His voice was stern and cold. It startled me for a moment.
I lowered my head into my hands, turning my stare into the floor instead. "I know, Edward."
"What would I do if he turned around and saw you? How could I possibly explain- "
"I know, Edward. I'm sorry." I didn't move. My voice was wary, and I didn't have the courage to look at him.
He was next to me then, putting his hand under my chin to lift my head. I closed my eyes and bit my lip.
"Bella," he breathed. "Look at me."
I couldn't resist his voice and his sweet breath. I opened my eyes and found his face barely an inch away form mine. I gazed into his golden eyes and then I wasn't so scared anymore.
"Edward…I just. I can't stay away from him. Please there must be a way for things to work out. Maybe he won't notice."
"Oh Bella," he spoke in an apologetic tone. "Bella, I'm so sorry, but it can't be that way. Please understand how hard it is for me to see you like this." He pulled me into a hug.
"Are you sure that Charlie wouldn't be able to understand? I'm his daughter! He loves me no matter what! Isn't that enough?" I buried my face in his shoulder.
"Bella, it would be dangerous for him. I'm not sure it would be a good idea-"
I could hear Charlie coming up the stairs. We both froze. "He's coming in here, Bella," he whispered in my ear. Within a second, we were both in my closet, looking through the cracks in the doors.
Charlie came into my room with a laundry basket. That seemed odd for Charlie. It took me by surprise to see him emptying the contents of my dresser onto my bed. They were probably shrunk or discolored by now. As he started to fold my clothes and put them into the drawers of my dresser, Edward and I were very still in the closet, watching.
Charlie seemed to be taking gentle care of my clothes, patting them down into the drawer. What was wrong with him? Was he sick? He was acting…different.
When he was done he took a piece of printer paper from my desk and a pencil from my desk drawer, sat down, and started writing a letter. I didn't know what he was writing, but I could hear little bits from when he spoke as he wrote.
"Bella—fun time—I miss you—see you when you get home." I almost cried, but then I soon realized that I couldn't cry anymore.
Edward wrapped his arms around me, probably knowing that I would sink down to the floor at any time. Charlie left after that, and we were immediately out the window and on our way back to my new home.