Next update! Thank you for those of you that have commented already - best motivation. I have more ready but I'll see how you guys take this one : )
I was nervous about seeing my dad, our relationship had been tested. I knew it was honesty Charlie deserved but I would never give it to him. Selfishly I don't think I could bear it. When I left two years ago I hurt him - but not nearly as much as it would hurt him knowing why.
Charlie was awkward with affection, and my homecoming would likely be no exception.
"Glad your back Bells" He grumbled in his usual way, I wondered at how glad he could be.
Patting my shoulder and then dutifully bringing it in for a hug, he smiled – a small, awkward and stern gesture but yet it was enough to erase nearly every fear I had about coming back to Forks.
In perfect time Alice bounced happily around us humming loudly and prancing about, ending our little moment before it lasted too long. She looked perfectly mischievous with a ridiculous grin plastered across her face. For the most part she looked the same, no taller than when I left but she did look distinctly older. She'd always been beautiful but the two years had treated her kindly and only enhanced the fact.
"Prepare yourself; I've planned a night to remember – happy homecoming" she whispered while swaying past my ear playfully, I took a quick peak over at Charlie. He was nearly out the door already with one of my bags in hand. I swear clever Alice has a sixth sense about parents being just out of ear shot.
Alice was the only other girl I'd ever met that came with no judgement- freely did whatever she liked and allowed for mistakes, often making them for herself. She was the sort of person that if I wasn't her best friend I would probably be pitifully jealous of her.
After Charlie dropped us of at home he left for his night shift, giving my shoulder a slight squeeze on the way out reaffirming that all is well between us.
"Right Jasper will be here in forty five minutes so what'll it be?" Alice interrupts; I swivel round' to find her clinging two glasses together to a beat I'm sure she hears perfectly well in her head. "I've got hot 100, which we know from Sasquatch fest isn't necessarily a great idea to start with… or end with or at all with OR I've got Port? from the parents cupboard." She half sings,
"I've got a better idea"
"This tastes like shit Bells! Or fire… definitely fire" She choked out after her first proper swig.
"Trust me after a few more it won't even matter what it tastes like" I laughed grabbing the bottle to take my turn, Jose Cuervo – old friend.
While she did my make-up Alice filled me in on some of the local gossip, it seemed Fork's hadn't changed at all. The people lived, breathed hockey and the Cullen boys were still at the centre of it. Besides my mom, Alice was the only other person who knew the truth about why I left and so she was always careful when she talked about him.
"Before we go, I should warn you he'll probably be there tonight." She said cautiously while effortlessly smudging a bit of brown smoky eye shadow across my eye lid, dramatically upgrading my look –
I sort of figured he would be - the last big party of the summer always brought everyone out. I did worry how I would react when I saw him again; ideally I would come off callous and cool but what if I came off like I was trying too hard? The sad truth was he still felt fresh to me and despite having my fair share of other's in between. It wasn't like I slept around but I wasn't some virgin mary either – I liked sex. I wasn't careless or unsafe and I wasn't scared of it, all things considered I'm proud of the fact.
"I do care, but I don't want to care. He's a dick and I think I'll just focus on that." I chuckled dismissively but Alice wasn't going to let it go so easily. She eyed me suspiciously- what the hell she'll eventually get it from me- might as well get it over with, " I really do think he's a dick, but I think…I think he was my first love. It was just so innocent in the beginning you know? For me at least and I can't deny that. It might sound twisted but I'm glad it happened, I like the person I am now more than who I was."
"Woah, listen to you…I like this new Ms. Positive attitude"
"I know … wise beyond my years. But I still hate the fucker" I sighed, causing Alice to burst out into a fit of giggles. "Right- shut up, more drinking for you" I ordered, she mock saluted before following the order with a hearty swig that I could tell she instantly regretted,
"IT'S FIRE" She cried dramatically.