A/N: Hey Guys! I'm so so so so sorry about the late update! I know i told you i would be posting it last Wednesday, but my silly Beta doesn't seem to know what a deadline is! :P But it's not all her fault, her stupid computer had a virus on it and wouldn't let her send me the chapter. But luckily for us, her mamma had a look at it today and i recieved the chapter tonight! So yay, i can finally post it! Below are photos of the apartment Bella ends up staying at. I'm not spoiling who the character in which she ends up crashing with is, though! So you'll just have to read and find out!
Living Room & Balcony: http : / i52 . tinypic . com / 29e0tvt . jpg
Dining Room: http : / i55 . tinypic . com / 29gok68 . jpg
Kitchen: http: / i51 . tinypic . com / 2rngc37 . jpg
Main Bathroom: http : / i51 . tinypic . com / 2akhc3t . jpg
Bella's Bedroom: http : / i54 . tinypic . com / 21oa8vs . jpg
Bella's Bathroom: http : / i55 . tinypic . com / 3wbgk1 . jpg
Don't forget to take out the spaces!
Chapter Twenty Two – (Run Away & New Friends)
BPOV
As I drive away to wherever it is I'm going – anywhere away from forks - all I can see in my mind is Edwards face. I never thought we would end up this way, I never thought for a second that all my fears would come flooding back into my mind, causing me to run away from the best thing that ever happened to me. It nearly killed me when I saw how crushed he was. It hurt so much to walk away from him after all the time we've spent together, after how close I've become with not only him, but his family; especially Alice, who's become my best friend. It took every ounce of strength that I had not to turn around and run back to them. I honestly don't know what I'm going to do, or how I'm going to survive without them. Especially Edward – He made me feel so safe and like I could finally be myself again. But as soon as he said those three words to me in a similar way my mother did before she left, all my insecurities and negative self-worth came crashing back down on me.
I drive for miles, not knowing where I'm going or what I'm going to do once I get there. I slow down as I grab my phone to take a quick glance at the clock on it. Oh, the joys of having a prehistoric vehicle. I shake my head at myself. I wouldn't trade in my truck for anything so I shouldn't be complaining about it. My phone says it's after 4:00 AM in the morning. I left just before midnight so that means I've been driving for nearly four and a half hours. A yawn escapes my lips as I come to this realization and I lean forward in my seat so I can see the road signs easier. I remember passing a sign not long ago that said 'Welcome to Portland, Oregon'
"Huh," I muse to myself. Looks like I'm in Oregon.
I pull onto the side of the road and pick up my phone. I open my GPS browser and search motels that are close to me that I could stay at for the night. Well, morning is more like it. Thankfully for me, there's one that's only a few minutes away. I park my truck and lock it before walking over to the head office. It's a pretty run down place, but I don't want to waste the money I have on an over priced hotel. I only need a shower and a bed. I place my hands over the glass and look into the room, trying to see if it's still open. A boy about my age walks out of a store room and flicks on the light, causing me to almost have a heart attack. I stumble backwards but steady myself so I don't fall over and make a complete fool of myself. He's tall and lean with short, frosted brown hair. His skin has an olive complexion with a chalky pallor to it. He gives me a quizzical look before smiling softly at me and walking over to the door and opening it.
"Hi, sorry I frightened you. Can I help you?"
I return his smile before walking over to him. I notice that his eyes are a bright Blue.
"Uh, yeah. I was just hoping to get a room?" I phrase the sentence as a question. He laughs lightly before gesturing for me to come in.
"That'll be no problem. Rough night?" he asks. I give him a confused look before I notice my reflection in the mirror on the wall behind him. My eyes widen at the sight before me. My hair is a mess and my eyeliner and mascara has become smudged with wet patch stains on my cheeks from my tears.
"You could say that," I confirm, embarrassment clear in my voice. He gives me a sympathetic look before smirking at me.
"Okay, let's start over." He turns his face away, and then looks back to me.
"One room won't be a problem… So what are you doing out this late? Or should I say early?" He asks with a serious expression on his face. Determined to act like the conversation before this didn't happen.
I laugh quietly to myself before biting my bottom lip and resting my arms on the front desk. "Just needed a change of scenery." I say quietly.
"Right, well how long do you want to stay?"
"Oh, just tonight thanks,"
"Continuing your journey in the morning?" he asks through a chuckle before holding his hand out and adding "I'm Demetri, by the way,"
"Bella." I say, taking his hand in mine and shaking it. "And yeah, I don't know where I'm off to yet," I add.
"You'll know when you find the right place," he winks at me before walking back into the store room and returning with something in his hand. He hands it out to me. It's my room key.
"This is your key. You're in room 14A,"
"Thanks," I give him a smile as I take the key from him.
"Nice to meet you!" he calls out as I walk away. I turn around and give him a polite smile.
I walk back to my truck and pull out the duffel bag with my clothes and toiletries in it and then walk back along the pathway to my room. Thank god he didn't put me in a room upstairs, because I honestly don't think I have the energy for that. I didn't realize how exhausted I am. I take in the room as I walk inside. It's not as run down like the outside of the building. I lock the door before going into the bathroom and having a shower. I feel my eyes sting before the tears begin to flow down my face again. I wash them away, along with my smudged make-up. Once I feel clean enough, I climb out of the shower and wrap the towel around me. I walk out into the room and get dressed into my pajamas, grabbing my phone charger out of my bag before placing the bag next to my bed. I have over 30 missed calls and 20 text messages. A sigh escapes me as I turn off the phone so I don't get any calls or texts through the rest of the night.
I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
I'm woken up by a loud knock on the door. I rub my eyes before rolling over and looking at the radio clock on the bedside table. Jesus Christ, it's after 12 PM. I drag myself out of bed, running my hand through my hair as I open the door. Demetri is on the other side with a silver room service tray and I feel my expression turn into confusion.
"I thought I'd come to see if you were still alive," he says through a laugh. I meet his eyes to see he's looking at me expectantly. I step aside and smile at him softly as he makes his way inside.
"This is on the house too, just so you know," he adds.
"Oh, Thanks. You really didn't have to do that,"
"It's no problem at all, really."
He turns around and faces me. That smile still plastered on his face. I sigh before walking over to my bed, crossing my legs in front of me and leaning against the pillows and headboard. He sits down at the end of the bed, placing the tray between us and lifting off the lid. It's pancakes and bacon and eggs. My stomach makes a horrendous noise at the sight of it. I look up at Demetri to see an amused expression on his face and I feel the blush rush into my cheeks. I look away from him and grab the silverware to start eating.
"So how did you sleep?" he asks as I put a fork full of food in my mouth. He notices this and this time can't stop himself from laughing aloud. I narrow my eyes at him before swallowing and wiping my mouth.
"It was fine,"
"Just fine?" He asks, mock hurt in his voice.
"Do you own this place yourself? How old are you?" I ask, changing the subject.
"Nah, my parents do, I just help out. And I'm nineteen, what about you?"
"I'm seventeen." I say before eating another mouth full of food.
"Cool. So when are you heading off?" he asks.
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" I ask with mock shock in my voice.
"Of course not! I actually didn't want to miss saying goodbye," He says through a rushed voice before realizing that I was only joking. "Oh, that was so uncool." He adds.
I can't help the laugh that escapes me. What is it about strangers that ease out all the troubles in your life? Maybe it's the fact that they don't really know you, and they can never get close enough to you to hurt you. Well, that's unless they're a psycho serial killer. In that case, you're screwed.
"I'm going to head off soon, actually."
"Oh, okay." He says quietly. "Well, if you're ever around this way again, don't be afraid to call in and say hi." He adds before snatching a piece of bacon off of the tray and popping it in his mouth as he stands up. I climb off of the bed and hold my hand out to him. He rolls his eyes at the gesture before closing the distance between us and hugging me. I stand there in shock as he laughs quietly.
"You know, usually people hug someone back," he whispers. A small smile forms on my lips. I place my arms under his and return the embrace. "That wasn't so hard now, was it?" he adds.
"It was nice to meet you." I tell him.
"You too, sweetheart. Just leave the room key with the tray. I'll come pick it up later." He winks at me before walking out of the room.
I eat the rest of my breakfast before getting changed. I leave the room key with the tray on the table and lock the door before walking back to my truck. I chuck my bag on the passenger seat before putting the key in the ignition. I see Demetri in the office window and give him a wave as I drive away.
I drive for another 274 Miles, stopping at gas stations to have a quick toilet break or to grab a bottle of water. It's nearly 5PM by the time I reach Medford, Oregon. I pull into the parking lot of a small take away shop. I lock up my truck before walking over to the shop and having a look inside. Thankfully they don't close until 6:30PM. I browse the menu on the wall before the lady comes out from the back.
"Hey honey, how can I help you?"
"Can I please just get the child's chicken burger meal with hot chips and a small coke." I ask politely.
"Sure thing," She says as she scribbles down the order. "Feel free to take a seat while you wait, hon." She adds before smiling at me and walking out the back.
She's back within five minutes.
"Here you go sweetheart. That comes to six dollars and ninety five cents."
"Thanks." I reply quietly before handing her the cash and walking and sitting at one of the tables that is outside of the shop. Once I'm finished I chuck my rubbish in the bin and walk around the corner to use the bathroom quickly before taking off.
It's not until another five hours of travelling and 308 miles later that I begin to feel tired again. I pass the sign that says "Welcome to Sacramento, California" and decide to stay in the city for the night. I drive around the town, looking for somewhere to pull in for the night. I find Motel6 somewhere downtown.
I pull into the parking lot and lock up my truck before heading over to the front office. This time there's a woman in her late fifties filling out a stack of paperwork at the desk. At least I won't almost fall on my face again. I knock on the door lightly and she looks up, smiling at me before gesturing with her hand for me to come inside. I return her smile and walk up to the desk.
"Hi, dear. How can I help you?" she asks kindly.
"Are there any single rooms available for the night?"
"Of course there is, honey. We don't get many people staying here nowadays," she says through a sad sigh. She looks up at me and I give her a sympathetic smile. She starts to tap on the computer before opening one of her draws and handing me the key to my room.
"Have a nice night," she says as I walk away. I turn around and give her another smile.
"You too. Don't work too hard, it's getting late."
That gets a laugh out of her.
I go through the same routine I did the night before. Shower. Pajamas. Putting my phone on charge then turning it off. The only difference is I can't stop myself from crying myself to sleep.
It's 8:30AM when I wake up the next morning. Far out, a ten hour sleep. No wonder I feel so rested. I stretch my muscles before climbing out of bed and getting changed. I walk down into the mini buffet area and grab a bowl of cheerio's and make myself a cup of coffee. I sit at one of the small tables. I take a quick glance around and notice there are only a few people here.
One pair is an elderly couple, probably in their eighties. Another is a couple that look like they're in their fourties with a young teenage boy who looks bored out of his mind. They all eye me suspiciously. I guess it would look odd for a girl like me who looks so young to be in a run down hotel like this by herself.
I finish the rest of my breakfast a lot quicker then I intended to. I go back to my room and pack up my things before going back down to the front office and handing in my key before paying for the room and going back to my truck. It's nearly 9:00AM by the time I leave.
I don't feel like doing a million pit stop s today, so I decide to drive three and a half hours straight before stopping at Hanford, California. From what I've seen of California so far, it's a pretty nice state. The coastlines are pretty and the people are all really friendly. Demetri said I'd know it when I found the place I'm looking for. I wouldn't say it's this specific place in California, but it has to be around here somewhere.
I pull up to a park somewhere that is across the road from a series of take away shops. I grab my wallet before locking up my truck and crossing the road. And yes, I look both ways before crossing. I decide to have a cheese and bacon pie with a small carton of iced coffee. I pay the young boy at the counter before walking back to the park where I parked my truck.
I sit on one of the picnic tables. I watch all the old couples walking along the path, hand in hand; the tight nit families flying kites together; then the young couple feeding the ducks in the river, kissing each other and exchanging a personal whispered conversation. I can't stop the emotions that overwhelm me at this moment.
I wish there was a way I could let Edward know that this wasn't easy for me, that I didn't leave because I didn't care about him. I hate to admit it, but I find myself stuck in that whole cliché 'it's not you, it's me' scenario. I wish I could find a way to let him know that I'm sorry. I know that if I really wanted to I could just pick up the phone and talk to him when he calls me, or reply to the millions of texts he's sent me. But I know if I do that I'll just break down and it will make everything ten times worse.
We may love each other, but I can't let myself fall into that trap again. I can't let myself become that vulnerable again. My mother said she loved me and that she would never leave me, but then she just disappeared and never even said goodbye...
Sometimes I think I wouldn't be so broken if she at least had the decency to say goodbye to me. I can't decide what scenario is worse though. Her leaving without saying goodbye, or her coming to me and telling me she's leaving, never coming back and there's nothing I can do to change her mind. I think the latter would have been worse.
I scrunch up my wrapping papers and chuck them in the bin as I make my way back to my truck. It's 1:00PM by the time I leave Hanford. I continue to travel south. Stopping every two hours to have a quick toilet break or to fill up the gas tank.
While I'm at a gas station, I notice a map hanging up on the wall inside. There's a picture of a place called Hermosa Beach. It's at least another two hours away, but I don't seem to care. I feel a smile form on my lips.
It looks like I've found the place I was looking for.
It's 7:30PM by the time I reach Hermosa Beach. The picture didn't do it any justice. It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen. It reminds me of paradise. I drive around town trying to find somewhere to grab something to eat and I head further into town away from the beach. I notice a small diner that looks crossed between a bar as well. I park my truck and grab my small bag, chucking my wallet and phone inside of it. I look at my Miles count and notice I've travelled 1022 Miles from Forks. Talk about looking for a change of scenery. I lock up my truck before making my way across the road quickly. I stand out the front of the diner slash bar for a few seconds before walking inside and taking a seat in one of the booths. Someone yells out "floor!" and before I know it there's a tall slender woman with gorgeous long blonde hair standing in front of me. She kind of reminds me of Rosalie.
"Hey, I'm Tanya. I'll be your waitress tonight," she says with a polite smile.
"Hi, I'm Bella." I put out my hand to her. She returns my smile before placing her hand in mine and asking, "What can I get you, gorgeous?"
"What's good to eat?" I ask politely.
"Our veggie burgers and chips or salad on the side are pretty good."
"I'll take that then," I tell her, my smile still on my lips as I watch her write down my order. She looks back to me with a smile on her face.
"Well, aren't you a sweetheart. I'll be back in a jiffy," she says through a soft laugh before winking at me. She puts her pen back into her hair before walking away. Wow, she's really nice. Usually it's guys talking to me like that. I wonder if she talks to everyone like that? I think to myself, before the behavior on why she's acting that way finally sinks into my head.
Oh. So she swings that way. Ha. That's awesome.
When Tanya comes back with my meal, she takes off her apron and sits down across from me.
"So how old are you, honey?" she asks just before I go to pop a chip into my mouth.
"Seventeen... You?"
"Seventeen?" she asks, emphasizing the word. "What's a girl so young doing out so late? Don't you have school?" she asks me before adding. "Oh, and I'm nineteen."
"Uh, well. I'm not from here, so I kind of dropped out?" I tell her. Phrasing the last sentence as a question. She shakes her head before placing her elbow on the table and resting her chin in her palm.
"Where are you from?"
"Forks, Washington."
"Holy shit, you're more than "not from around here" She says through a laugh, making quotation marks with her fingers. "Well what made you come here?" she asks.
"Uhhh, it's a looooong story," I tell her, emphasizing 'long.'
"I have plenty of time," she says with a grin on her face.
"Don't you have to work?"
"Pfft, I'm on my break, and I'm not their slave, they can do it themselves for a bit. I'm needed right here, I can feel it in my bones,"
A laugh escapes me. I shake my head at her as I continue to eat the rest of my dinner. I get half way through the burger before I begin to tell her what's happened in my life so far.
"So when he told me he loved me, I kind of just lost it and freaked out. But I can't let myself get hurt again. I know I should have told him but I just needed to get out of that place. So here I am, in California. Over 1000 miles from home, pretty much homeless."
Tanya reaches across the table and takes my hand in hers. She reaches her other hand across the table as well and wipes my cheek. I didn't notice the tears falling down my face. I pull my hand out of hers and wipe at my eyes.
"Ergh, look at me. I'm a mess," I say through a sigh.
"Hey, it's alright. Never be ashamed of the feelings you have." She says quietly.
"Tanya?" she looks up at me. "Um, I don't know how to say this, but uh, I know you like girls, and I want you to know I have no problem with that at all." I give her a smile. She returns the action.
"You're a sweet girl, Bella."
"I don't feel like it right now," I say quietly.
"Do you love him?" she asks abruptly.
"Who, Edward?" She nods her head. "Yeah, I do. But my head, emotions and insecurities are just all overlapping and they've become a huge bunched up mess,"
She takes my hand in hers again. She waits for me to meet her gaze before she speaks again.
"Okay, look. I've been looking for a flat mate. I live not even a fifteen minute walk from here, and I'm sure Garrett can hook you up with a job here."
My eyes go wide at her generosity.
"Wow, that would be really great. But are you sure? Why would you offer all that to a stranger?" I ask quietly.
"Because I can tell that you need this time to get away from your shit, I can be a fresh personality for you. A new friend that you so desperately need. And it gets lonely living by yourself, trust me. And in all honesty, it's about time Garrett employed someone else, because I'm busting my ass off around here!" She says through a laugh. She releases my hand before standing up and wrapping her apron back around her torso.
"I have to get back to work, but I'll go talk to Garrett now. Can you wait around for a few more hours and then we can head off back to my place?" she asks before adding "Well our place now."
"No, that's fine. Thank you so much, Tanya. Really."
"Don't mention it. It'll be like having the little sister I never had!" she exclaims excitedly before turning around and heading back out to the kitchen.
She returns by my side after 9:30PM with a huge smile on her face.
"Garrett said he'd love to put you on. But he wants to know if you can bar tend as well, for like, Friday and Saturday nights when the pub side of the diner opens."
"Oh, yeah. That's no problem at all."
"Great!" she says excitedly before turning to the side and yelling out "She can do it, Gazza!"
A not so old guy comes out from around the back with a huge grin on his face.
"Can't wait to work with you, Bella!" he says while he waves to me.
"You too," I say through a chuckle.
"Alright, alright. Let's get home."
"I have my truck, so I can drive." I tell her as she weaves her arm through mine and leads us out of the front door.
"Thank god, because my feet are killing me," she says through a groan.
"Have you seen much of the town?" she asks as she climbs into the passenger seat.
"Yeah, I was driving around before I came to your diner. The beach is amazing."
"Yeah, it is pretty amazeballs."
We both laugh hysterically at her comment. She directs me to her – our, apartment. I park my truck on the curb and grab one of my duffel bags. Tanya grabs the other one and leads me up to the front door. We're on the second floor.
The inside is like what they would show in the movies. Everything looks beautiful and all the surfaces are shining. The living room is absolutely gorgeous; there's a TV that's connected to the wall and a dark brown cabinet underneath, a bowl of fake fruit placed on top of it. There is a corner lounge that is the color of Plum, with a small brown oval-shaped coffee table in front of it, a vase of flowers placed on top. Underneath the table lays a retro circle-patterned rug that covers half of the floor. Straight ahead are glass doors that are framed by cream colored curtains. The doors lead to a balcony that holds a blue and green lounge with a pot plant sitting beside it. There is a barbeque and dining table off to the left of the balcony.
I follow Tanya back inside and she leads me to the kitchen. There is an island bench in the middle of the room with built-in cupboards on it. The top of the bench is glass stone with a built-in sink. To the left of the bench there's a stainless steel double door fridge with a microwave sitting beside it, and an array of jars for tea, sugar and coffee that sit in the corner. There are cupboards with glass doors above the kitchen bench that hold glasses, mugs, and other various appliances. The wall of the kitchen is also stainless steel with built-in down lights running along the top of it. There is an oven and stove installed in the middle of the bench with a range hood positioned above the stove. To the far right there's a tall and lean pantry cupboard - and let me just say this kitchen is fricken' huge and amazing and absolutely stunning. Esme would be in heaven.
Tanya walks me out to the living room. It's nothing huge or special, just a medium sized dining table that seats eight people with cream and maroon striped chairs. A vase of flowers sat on top of the table.
We walk down a hallway and she opens the door.
"This is the main bathroom," she says before stepping aside and letting me walk inside. I'm absolutely blown away.
It's the biggest bathroom I have ever seen in my life. There is a long stone marble bench with two thick white square sinks built on top of it and a half-length mirror in front of each sink. The floors are black wooden floorboards which turn into white marble where the bathtub and shower are situated. The shower has clear glass windows and is around three meters long and just over one meter wide.
"Alrighty, let me show you your room," Tanya says before grabbing my arm and leading me down the rest of the hallway. "This is your room and there's a bathroom in there too." She points to the far corner. "Well, I'll leave you to it. See you in the morning, Bella!" she shouts as she walks back down the way we came and towards her own room.
I stare in awe at my bedroom. It is, by far, one of the coolest bedrooms I have ever seen. It has a modern retro feel about it, and a blue, black and white color theme to go with it. Situated right in the middle of the room is a bed that is rather oddly made; it has black sheets that cover the entire mattress and a single white pillow placed in the middle. Running across the floor on each side of the bed is a type of bench that almost makes the bed look like its floating. Protruding out from underneath the corner of the bed is a black and blue rug that sits on top of some really nice shiny black floorboards. On the wall behind the bed sits a little four-part painting and a large rectangular window that gives me a great view of the town and the beach. Up against the far wall, to the right of the bed, is a white set of drawers and a mirror connected to the wall. Next to them is a hallway that no doubt leads to the bathroom. I venture across the bedroom and down the hallway.
The bathroom is beautiful. It's light and open, the colors giving it an air of old-fashioned, but the design giving it a twist of modern. To the left of the bathroom and underneath the window is an oval bathtub that has a brown marble edge around it – the bathtub looks deep, but that is the best way to have a bath these days, anyway. To my right is a rectangle shower that has walls that only consist of glass, giving the bathroom its "open" look. On the back wall are a towel rack and a vanity that has a floor-length mirror and the same bench-top design as the bathtub's edges.
I head back into my room and begin to unpack my stuff, placing my clothes into the cupboards. I pick up my bag of toiletries and carry them into the bathroom, along with my pajamas. I place the contents in their rightful draws before laying my pajamas on top of the counter. I hop into the shower, letting the hot water relax my muscles. It feels weird showering with all see through glass doors. Maybe I should have locked the door? Surely Tanya wouldn't come in here if she heard the shower going. Oh, god. But what if she does? Jesus Christ, now i sound like a homophobic creep or something. It's not that I have anything against her being into girls or anything, it's just that I hardly even know her yet and if she sees me naked this early on in our friendship, I will be completely mortified!I quickly scrub myself down with the soap and rinse myself off quickly. Not wanting the scenarios in my head to come true at all. Once i dry myself and tye up my hair, I put on my pajamas and hang up my towel before going back into the room.
I'm completely exhausted, so I head out of my room and down towards Tanya's room to say goodnight. When I peak my head around her door I see that she's fallen asleep on top of her sheets. A smile forms on my lips at how peaceful she looks when she's sleeping. I tip toe quietly into her room and lift up her legs and torso, placing her underneath the sheets. I pull the sheets over her before tip toeing back out of her room and closing her door.
I poor myself a small glass of water before going back to my room. I pull out my phone charger, plug it into the power point and connect it to my phone. I turn my phone off though, just incase Edward or Alice are still trying to ring me. I know it's horrible what I've done, but I'm just not ready to face their messages yet. I crawl under the sheets and turn off the lamp before lying down and gazing up at the ceiling.
A few yawns escape me and before I know it, exhaustion overtakes me and sleep invades my mind.
Well, I pretty much said everything up in the A/N... So if you didn't read it, scroll back up and read it! Again, I'm sorry for the late update. Follow me on twitter, twitter . com / natalee_x [Obviously take out the spaces] so you can find out if i'll be posting a chapter late again or something. If you do follow me, TWEET TO ME AND LET ME KNOW, say hi to me and tell me you read my fic. I want to talk to my readers :)
Natalee-x