I laid on my back staring up at the blank ceiling hoping it would swallow me if I stared long enough, my clock on the dresser ticked away every second closer to death but sometimes I thought it wasn't moving fast enough. Heels beat the floor boards as my mother ran back and forth inside the house, preparing for something I suppose. I could care less. I stared at the bright golden ray of light that had peaked through my blinds like a fog of yellow smoke watching the dust motes dance with each other, the dances had just begun when my mother appeared at my door, cigarette in hand and her golden brown waves cascading down to her sides.
"Bella." She said sternly her eyes seeming darker than the beautiful light brown that usually sparkled in her eyes. Something was wrong and even worse it looked as if somehow it was my fault. She held her arms up on the door frame taking in a deep breath before continuing.
"Where are my cigarettes?" She tilted her head the slightest and took a step further into my room.
"Why would I know that?" I pushed myself off my back, leaning on my elbow.
"Don't play with me girl!" She stomped her heavy heals and practically killed a crying bird in the floor boards, her sudden rage made me jump in my skin. My heart beat was frantic, and sweat began to pool in my palms.
"I don't have them…" I swallowed never blinking; she bit back a sarcastic laugh as she took two more steps into my room. She closed her eyes tightly then opened them again, I saw the evil in them. I saw the blood red light flash in them, I sworn I could have heard lighting strike somewhere far in the distance, though it was day and the sun was making a lovely appearance today.
"Okay Bella…" She sighed stepping back two steps, and I exhaled in relief.
"But if things of yours go missing, I'm not sure I know where they are." With that she dramatically left my rooms mumbling under her breathe.
I stared at the door as if she was still there being crazy, I watched the door way like she was still invading my privacy and threatening me. I heard the front door slam, and assumed she left. Typical.
The day was dull as each other day seemed, I watched the sun fall from the sky and I watched the moon take over the sky and I stayed quiet and boring in my room. The Cullen's house seemed empty and lonesome today, the mahogany doors were shut tightly all day, no one seemed to come in or out and I frowned at the fact I missed Alice. I didn't have much friends here, actually close to no friends at all, everyone just stared at you and assumed different things because of your parents life style that you are forced to follow. People are always staring and always talking. I'm almost afraid sometimes to leave the house.
I peaked at the Cullen house for the billionth time today wishing someone even maybe Alice's husband would be out there doing something. But nothing happened and I touched the soft skin on my elbow, soothing myself. The moon had given the dark sky light and the street lights had flickered on. My mother was nowhere to be found still. Not that I had been looking.
After debating for 20 minutes, I slipped on my flats and decided to check for myself if the Cullen house was just that lonely tonight.
"Alice!" I called knocking on the door several times before it came swinging open, my heart jumped with excitement and a smile spread on my face… Thank god she was home. My heart fell when her husband answered the door and I stepped back blushing scarlet with embarrassment. His green eyes were curious, looking me up and down, but somehow in the most polite way. His hair was a mess again, and his green eyes must have gotten brighter, or my memory had forgotten how beautiful they really were.
"Bella." He smiled a small smile.
"Oh, I' m so sorry." I frowned running my hand through my hair loosening the tangles, my nerves getting the best of me.
"Oh no problem, anything you need? Want to come in?" He stepped aside offering me in and the offer almost made my heart stop completely.
"I-I was just looking for Alice, Mr. Cullen." I stuttered nervously biting on my lower lip.
"It's Edward." He smirked. "She's not in today; she headed out this morning to visit her mother up in Oregon. I'm surprised she didn't tell you, she must have forgotten."
"Oh, when will she be back?" I could almost feel the need to cry, my hands trembled slightly and I gripped my dress gently.
"Not for a week" Edward frowned for me, putting a hand through his messy bronze hair. I looked down at my white flats, letting the hair fall into my eyes. Disappointment flooded me.
"Hey, don't be bummed, you can come in and talk to me if you want?" Edward's voice was sympathetic and I wanted to spit on his shoes, I needed no one's pity, I already gave myself a handful of my own. It was unnecessary for him to care one bit about me being sad. He was just my neighbor.
"T-that's okay Mr. Cullen—Edward. I'll just go back home now. My mother should be coming back anytime." I lied playing with my hands behind my back.
Edward looked at me, then glanced at my dark house with no cars parked in the front, then back at me. His eyes made it clear he was conflicted with something; he shifted his weight and held the door open wider looking at me with strong eyes. I couldn't help but wondered if maybe I wasn't hiding the hideous home I live in with that hideous woman, maybe I had been just a bit to open to Alice. Whatever I had said must have worried her enough to tell her husband. That was usually a bad sign. Perhaps they didn't want my company anymore.
"I insist you come in Bella." There was kindness in his voice but I couldn't read his eyes so I looked away instead.
"Yes sir." I murmured and followed him in to the grand house. Nothing had changed, the floors still squeaked and I was still nervous as ever when entering this house. What in god's name could I possibly have to talk about with Mr. Cullen an adult, I don't usually talk to adults, I find them quite stupid and terrible at times. Mr. Cullen led me to the same dining room Alice had, and took a seat right in her place, that serious expression never leaving his eyes. I sat in the same seat I had sat in the first day.
"Would you like something to drink?" He offered giving me a grin; I ducked my head and played with my hand in my lap. Trying to calm myself.
"No thank you sir." I nodded to myself.
"You have quite the manners, not like usually teenage girls today." He chuckled; I could feel his eyes watching me.
"I'm not like many teenage girls sir."
"Did you grow up here?" He tapped the table with his fingers lightly and I lifted my head just to glance at him slightly.
"Yes I did." I stated shortly but unlike I had predicted he didn't ask another question. He stayed quiet and still watching me. Waiting for me to go on I suppose but I would not speak anymore on that particular subject especially with him. He didn't say anything after that just fiddling with his hands on the table and tapping his coffee cup while I waited for him to kick me out. I was a boring person he shouldn't have to be put through this.
"I'm sorry Mr. Cullen, this is weird and its totally unlike me to be so open and rude about these things but I can no longer watch you sit there while I bore you. I can just go back home and see Alice next week." My courage left me speechless and I blushed a deep red before ducking my head.
"It's Edward." He chuckled. "It's obvious you don't like home very much. Or so Alice says and it's not very safe for a lady to be home alone especially at this hour. You don't have to tell me anything or talk about anything; I just insist you stay just until your mother comes home."
I held back the urge to roll my eyes, suddenly I found the charming Mr. Cullen very annoying. At least now I knew I had told Alice too much, enough to make her blab to her husband. When in reality there was nothing to worry about. I had been living this life for a very long time, I had gotten use to it and I now have to live with it. He was no one to say where I should be, or what I should do. He was neighbor that I had spoken to only once. His eyes bore into mine and I didn't argue for some reason I felt as if he knew something I wasn't aware of.
I bit my lip and squeezed my hand looking away from him and down at his coffee cup then back at him.
"Fine." I whispered stubbornly.
"Thank you." His smile was so smug, I wanted to slap it off his face. ..
Neighbors always talking, always watching. When I grew old enough I'd live in the middle of nowhere. No neighbors and no nosy men like Mr. Cullen.
A/N: THANK YOU SO MUCH. To all of you reviewing it makes me extremely happy :] Please keep reviewing and telling me what you think.