~{Chapter six}~ [The wedding]

I shot out of bed the following morning, my alarm read 10:52 which meant I had 8 minutes to get ready and be downstairs to leave for the service. Fuck. I didn't bother with a shower. I washed under my arms and sprayed, I washed my hands and face and over my over where dry blood had layered it. It stung when I put soap on but I needed it clean. It's a good thing our bridesmaid dresses have matching cardigans otherwise I'd be very odd turning up with my hoodie on over my dress though I doubt anyone would say anything.

Charlie and Sue had come home late last night, they didn't check on me though Charlie was going to before Sue reminded him I was a woman and entitled to my own space. They ended up talking about what happened, I tried to hear the bits about the Cullen's but it was almost like they purposely started listening in case I could hear.

I turned the hair strengtheners on in the bathroom and rushed to get my dress on. It was beautiful. It was a strapless with a sweat heart bust, white at the top and blue from the waist down. The white had diamantes on it and hugged my chest nicely, the blue was a comfortable fabric that went down to the floor. I zipped it up at the side and slid my arms into the matching blue long sleeved cardigan.

Back in the bathroom, I quickly ran that strengtheners through my hair and pulled it in front of my shoulders. I turned them off and applied my mascara and thin eyeliner. 2 minutes to spare, thank God. I know I'm not happy with Charlie but I wouldn't want to be late or cause anyone else to be late, not today of all days. I just need to forget yesterday ever happened, right now it was Charlie and Sue's time.

I went downstairs to find Leah sitting on the sofa, wearing the same dress and cardigan as me. She looks really pretty, her hair was curled and she actually wore make-up. I know I haven't known her long but I assumed she was a very strict tomboy.

"Charlie's at the church, my mom's just finishing off getting ready upstairs." She sighed, sitting back on the sofa and folding her arms. I relaxed a little and took to the sofa next to her, relieved that I hadn't caused any hiccup in today's plans. At least I won't have to have an awkward exchange with Charlie this morning, no doubt he'd have mentioned something. "There's food in the kitchen if you're hungry." Leah added after a few minutes of what I thought was a rather comfortable silence, I guess she didn't share my comfort.

"I'm not hungry." I murmured, I don't eat in the mornings. I always wake up feeling sick after nightmares of Edward and abandonment that eating was never an option. I guess I should be thankful for my fatigue when I finally fell asleep; I didn't dream. She didn't respond.

"Bella, I wanted to talk to you about yesterday." Leah eventually said, I had realised she'd been waiting to say something. She's a lot better at being composed than I am, perhaps I should ask for some lessons. Yesterday. She wanted to know something, or maybe she knew something.

"What's there to talk about?" I asked wearily, looking over at her and watching as she rolled her eyes and sat up. She put her arms down my her side and turned to face me.

"Let's cut the crap, Bella. I know the Cullen's are bloodsuckers." She told me coldly. "I've known for a long time now, a lot of us have." They do? Is this a trick? What if she doesn't and just suspects? I don't want to be the one to confirm it, it's not my secret. Then again, she does want to cut the crap. She sounds so sure of herself, I doubt someone like Leah bothers to take that much interest in anyone else. Plus, it'd make sense why the Cullen's were at the beach yesterday, sort of.

"I thought the Cullen's couldn't go to La Push." I prompted, not confirming or disagreeing with her statement.

"It's a recent thing, a deal I think is ludicrous. They 'mended' the treaty." She sneered, "Personally I think it's stupid. They're leeches, nothing but leeches. Nobody else sees them like that though, not anymore. Even Billy is softening, I can see it in the exchanges."

"How did they mend the treaty?" I asked curiously.

"A few months after you left, two leeches took one of our own. Jared. I doubt you remember him well." She murmured, almost sadly. "They were fast, cunning...clearly they had thought of every move, every route...it was impossible for them to keep up. To catch them. Every time they were within reach, something would happen or their route would change. They danced along the treaty line." She scowled. "Eventually we had enough, the treaty was mended temporarily so that we could go onto Leech land and they could come onto ours. We took them out pretty easily after that."

"How could you mend the treaty with the Cullen's? They left Forks." I frowned, edging closer.

"Most of them did. You little boyfriend took off," I winced at that. "Blondie and her lap dog left shortly afterwards. The doc and his wife stayed around for a few months with midget and fangs." She sighed heavily. I wanted to defend Jasper and protest at the nickname but that wasn't important. They stayed? Carlisle, Esme, Jasper and Alice were still in Forks when I left. They stayed in Forks for months. Why?

"I don't understand." I frowned, rubbing my temples.

"Look, I'll explain it all later after the reception. There are things you need to know, Bella." Leah stressed.

"Why can't you tell me now? Why did they stay in Forks?" I asked frantically, not wanting the conversation to end right now.

"Oh great, I'm glad you're both ready." Sue smiled, coming down the stairs. Leah and I stood up immediately, evidentially Leah knew this conversation was over till later.

"Sue...you look incredible." I breathed, smiling genuinely. She was wearing a pearl white satin dress that had Grecian styled straps that sat on her shoulders. It felt elegant to the floor and had a dark beige ribbon around the middle that tied to the left in a bow. She had curled her hair also and pinned it back with a peal white hair pin.

"Thank you, Bella. You both look visionary, I love those dresses." Sue smiled brightly. I wasn't sure what else to say after that. We took a lot of pictures, Sue took hell of a lot of ones with Leah and I together. I figured it was because this would be the first documented time Leah's ever worn a dress.

The car ride was quiet, Seth and Sue had a few small conversations about people and family members I didn't know about. All I could think about was what Leah had said. She said they knew, a lot of them did...about the Cullen's. Why would the Cullen's tell Billy? Why would the Cullen's tell any of them? It's clear Leah doesn't like them what with her nicknames for them and the use of the term 'leeches'. But the treaty was mended, why would they change the treaty? It was put there by their ancestors. It's so confusing, I don't understand any of it.

The service was held at the town church, there was only around 20 people that came. I managed to make it down the aisle without tripping which was a very big achievement, though I did blush when I realised everyone was watching me as I stood next to Leah. What was so interesting about me? Maybe I'm just being paranoid, they're probably all looking at Leah considering she looks so utterly beautiful.

Charlie was so awkward saying his vows but luckily I wasn't the only one smirking and sniggering at his blushes and awkward attempts at speaking his feelings. Sue took it all very emotionally and burst into tears half way through her own, I noticed it had a few other people in the room crying. It was all very sniffles and tissues by the end, I was thankful when we got to go outside. I desperately needed air. I kept thinking to myself how I'd never get to do this, have my own wedding. Wear a beautiful dress and marry the person I love. He doesn't love me back after all. Why should he?

I wasn't ready for the amount of pictures taken afterwards. Everyone wanted pictures of me with Sue and Leah, with Leah and Seth, with just Charlie with everyone together and most of all, singly. My jaw hurt from all the fake smiling, so much that I'm sure the last few pictures were of me looking very pained. I walked to the reception near the back of the group, it was at the town hall. I knew there was going to be a lot of people there, the entire town had been waiting for today and so they should have. I've never seen Charlie look so happy.

I hovered outside the town hall for a few minutes, smoking half a tab and stubbing it. I then braced myself for the rest of the day. Yeah right, like I could brace myself for so much hugging.

It was around 5 when I ducked outside, hiding from Jacob. He was very keen at dancing with me and though I didn't love that he was still acting like himself, it still made me uncomfortable. I had seen Leah leave and figured now was as good as a time as any to ask her to continue our conversation from earlier. She seemed to agree seeing as she started walking as soon as I got outside. I caught up with her and we walked in silent for a few long minutes. I had no idea what she was waiting for but I daren't speak first, plus; she kept shooting me glares. I was a little frightened to speak up.

We could see the beach from where we were when she finally decided to talk to me. "Bella, I'm going to get in a lot of trouble for this so I need to know that you'll do what I ask of you when I've finished."

"Tell me what you want me to do first." I fronted.

"No. You don't know everything, you can't make the decision yet. This is the compromise. I will tell you anything and everything that's been kept from you. Promise me you'll comply with my demand later." She scowled.

"I don't want to agree to anything I can't promise." I told her, irritably. She stopped and turned to look at me, I could almost see the anger rising in her eyes as she gave me the meanest scowl she could.

"Do you want to know or not, Bella? Don't worry, it's got nothing to do with the leeches." She spat, someone has a very serious grudge. I wonder what they ever did to her. What do I do? I want to know whatever she has to tell me, it's obviously important but there has to be a pretty strong motive behind telling me. Whatever she wants is important. Important enough to get into a lot of trouble over.

"Okay."

She relaxed. "Good. So, do you remember anything about the Quileute stories that Jake used to talk about?" She asked, how could I forget them? Without those stories, I'd never have figured out about Edward or the Cullen's. I nodded. "Well, they're true Bella. All of them." I already know that, why is she telling me this?

"I know."

"You know?" She asked, incredulously.

"Yeah, the Cullen's made a treaty with your ancestors to say off their grounds and in return, their secret wouldn't be revealed to the humans."

"Yes, yes...very good memory, Bella. Do you understand what I'm saying though?" Did I? I'm not positive I did, I looked at her unsurely. She heaved a sigh irritably. "The stories are true, not just the Cullen's are real. They made a treaty with..." Oh.

"Werewolves."

"Not precisely but shape shifters that phase into wolves." She muttered as we continued walking towards the beach. "The majority of the people at the beach yesterday besides a few humans and the leeches are shape shifters. We're a pack." Most? Does Charlie know? What about Sue? I feel so stupid. I bet they all knew yesterday, everyone at that party; all listening in and judging me! "We protect the people of Forks from vampires, the Cullen's are the exception obviously though I think it's ridiculous allowing them to be around mortals; they're unpredictable and dangerous."

"You said there were things I needed to know." I stated, ignoring her dig at the Cullen's.

"Nobody was going to tell you, Bella but I know if I was you, I'd want to know." Leah grimaced. I suddenly felt my stomach clench, please don't say it. Oh God, don't. I know, I know exactly what they weren't going to tell me. "Bella...Edward-"

"Don't." I pleaded, vile rising to the back of my throat.

"Moved on. Shortly after he left." She finished anyway, I closed my eyes and tried to breathe steadily. "I'm sorry, Bella." I can't believe it, I've been waiting for him; moping, longing, yearning for him and he moved on short after I left?! That asshole! I am never going to forgive him, I hope he feels damned to hell for eternity for being such a malicious bastard. "There's more but I want my condition now, the promise." I didn't asked what it was, I simply opened my eyes and stared at her. "I need you to stay away from Jake."

What?

I know I haven't posted in ages! I'm just really snowed under with college and prep from university! I'll do my best, I'm glad you's are still reading and waiting though. Let me know what you think? And I'm having a hard time with my ideas so if you have anything you'd like to happen, let me know! :) - CFL