Chapter Four.

Forks.

I have been here one week and I do what I do everyday. I hang out with Milo and we visit St. Vincent's to see if they have anything new and good. Then we try to apply at some local stores but they kick us out as soon as we walk in.

Milo finally confessed that he's been here about two weeks now and that tonight is his last night. He doesn't know that I plan on leaving with him in the morning. How could I not? It's the least I can do for someone who has done so much for me in return.

I have to leave tomorrow anyway since its Charlie's funeral. Yesterday after being out in the cold all day, Mr. Greene told me Officer Haynes stopped in to say the funeral was in a couple days which is now tomorrow.

How could I face everyone who wouldn't help me in my time of need? I thought I had better friends than that. But tomorrow isn't about them; it's about my loving father who I deeply miss.

The next cold morning, I get up early before the guards can wake anyone up. The big burly guy who reminds me of Emmett raises an eyebrow at me and I just shrug. I make my way into the locker room and grab my stuff. I've developed a pile since I've been here and it makes me so happy that I can own my own things again.

I wait for Milo in the dining hall and take a seat. We have to have breakfast before we go. We have to stay full as much as possible.

Milo finally arrives and looks at all my stuff and frowns. I ignore his stare and continue to eat my soggy eggs.

"You're not coming" he growls.

"Oh please. You need me just as much as I need you."

"You will be fine without me, Bella."

"No" I say stubbornly. "End of discussion."

After breakfast, Milo grabs his things and we hop in my truck much to his protest but I just laugh. I rev my engine and I see Mr. Greene running up to us. I roll down my window for him and laugh at his fearful expression.

"Bella, you still have another week. Why are you leaving?"

"Milo's time is up, Mr. Greene. I can't leave him."

He spots Milo next to me and nods his head sadly. "You two are some good kids, you know. I wish you would stay but I understand. You two take care."

I drive off with Milo beside me and head back to where it all started; Forks.

After we park my truck at the cemetery, we both hop out and I see all the familiar faces. It seems like the whole town is here.

I walk up with Milo and everyone stares at us like we're bugs waiting to be stepped on. I focus on the preacher and as he begins I stare at my father's coffin. There was no money so they couldn't afford a nice one. The tombstone only said Charlie Swan and his date of birth and date of death. That's all the town could afford for him; for a man who did everything in his power to protect them.

After the speech, I touch my hand to the coffin and whisper, 'I love you, daddy" and follow everyone to Officer Haynes house for the reception. He was nice enough to have one for him. I know my dad would have appreciated it greatly. I know I do.

The only person who came up to me and Milo was Officer Haynes and his wife. They asked how I was doing and all I replied with was 'fine'. How else am I supposed to respond to that?

I figured since I was Charlie's daughter, people would come up to me to give their respects but instead, everyone avoided me. I never felt so alone in my life.

Milo grabbed us both a plate of food and we sat down in the far corner of the room pretending to be invisible to them as they wanted me to be.

"I'm so sorry, Bella." Milo says as he wraps an arm around my shoulder.

"Don't worry about it." I swallow my food and continue to ignore the chatter around me... that is until Billy Black comes up to me with Jacob pushing his wheel chair from behind.

"Bella." Billy says to get my attention.

"What?" I snap.

"I'm sorry. I am sorry that he left when I should have just offered him one of my fishing poles to use instead. I shouldn't have let him leave and I'm sorry I didn't take you in like the best friend I should have been. You just remind me so much of him" he sobs. "I know this is hard for you. I truly am sorry. I just..."

"Yeah. You're all sorry, yet none of you helped me when I needed you!" I yell as I stand up. "I thought you were my friends!"

I look around the room wildly while Milo puts a hand on my shoulder to calm me down.

"You people disgust me. You can't even come up to me!" I stomp out of the house and make my way back to my truck with Milo hot on my heels.

I drive aimlessly with Milo, who keeps me sane, for a few minutes before I make my way down the familiar opening in the trees. I pull into the long driveway at the Cullen house and stare blankly at it.

"Are you okay?" Milo asks me.

"No" I say hitting my head on the steering wheel. I look over at him and laugh. He's eating potato salad. "You brought the plate with you?"

"Heck yeah! This shit is good and who knows when the next time I'm gonna eat is?"

I laugh some more and hop out of the truck. Milo gets out after leaving his plate on my seat and I shake my hand at him.

"This place is fucking nice, Bella. Who lives here?"

"My ex." I say simply.

"Your ex? Is he inside?"

"No. He and his family left." I say sadly.

"Where'd they go?"

I shrug and walk up to the front door. "Do you know how to pick a lock?"

"Of course I do" he grins. I watch as he pulls something out of his pocket and works his magic. I hear a click and open the door.

Stepping inside was surreal to me. Everything looked so different yet exactly the same as the last time I had seen it. The living room was empty except for some birthday ribbons that still hung on the ceiling and Edward's grand piano. I instantly turn away from it and walk up stairs to the hall closets.

I was determined to find anything they left behind that we could use.

I open one closet and find a few blankets and pillows. I hand them to Milo and keep walking looking for more stuff.

"You sure they ain't coming back?"

"Positive. They have no business here" I say in a disgusted tone as I continue to make my way room to room now.

"He hurt you, didn't he?" he asks softly.

I turn to look at him and give him a small to prove I'm fine. "I'm over it." Yeah, right.

"No, you're not."

"Milo, please..." I stop when I reach Carlisle and Esme's room. It almost seems wrong to take from them but I have to. They have lots of money anyway and I know they won't miss it. "None of this crap will do us any good."

"Now, hold up, Bella. That TV we can pawn off somewhere and that game system, too."

"You're right." Why would Esme and Carlisle have a game system in their room?

"How come we can't just stay here? It's a free house."

"Hell no." I glare at him and walk down the stairs with the game system in my arms. Emmett will kill me but he would understand, right? "Let's put this stuff in my truck and then we can grab the TV. After that, we can leave."

After rummaging some more, I found some batteries and a flashlight in the kitchen drawers. The best part of it all was finding some of Esme's clothes in her closet. She was a little bigger than me but her stuff would keep me warm on the cold nights. Carlisle even had a few sweaters and sweatpants that we took for Milo. Surprisingly, coming here was a good idea after all.

I wanted to see Edward's room but I know it would kill me so I just left without looking.

I closed the door after Milo walked out and said a silent goodbye as a tear ran down my cheek.

It will be as if I never existed.