Pairing: Paul/Bella
Genre: Hurt
Rated: T
Prompt: both
Word Count: 500 (hand counted) 495
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: This was a plot bunny eating at my core for months! Thanks to the proper people for the prompts!
You are now leaving La Push
The table was adorned with a King's feast. All his favorite foods laid out buffet-style. The counters littered with his favorite desserts.
His clothes washed, folded neatly and placed in the proper drawers. His favorite 'going-out' shirts pressed and hung on hangers.
She scrubbed the house from top to bottom, no stone unturned. Fresh towels on the towel rack. A new roll of toilet paper on the holder. Full body wash, shampoo, and conditioner bottles replaced their half empty counterparts. Unopened tooth paste, deodorant, shaving cream -complete with razors- stocked neatly in the bathroom cabinet.
Floors glistened from the broom and mop. The vacuumed carpets gave off fresh aromas. Furniture gleamed from the recent polishing.
Nonperishables neatly arranged in the cupboards and pantry. The fridge held fresh ingredients, milk, and his favorite case of beer even though shape shifters couldn't get drunk. The freezer full of frozen pizza and microwaveable dinners. The deep-freezer, in the laundry room, stocked full of meats and pre-made dinners, with strict heating instructions, she prepared over the week.
She felt better knowing everything was in order.
She sat at the table, in the shirt he liked best on her, waiting for him to come through the front door. She shed her last tear earlier during the day after he went to work, without so much as a kiss goodbye.
Everyone said she'd regret the day she moved in with him, but she thought them all full of nonsense. They were in love; or, so she thought. A year ago today she made that mistake.
Subtly things changed. First, he flirted with other females. When caught he reassured her that she was the only woman that he truly wanted. Then, he slipped up. Jake ratted him out. He begged for forgiveness, which she readily gave. She loved him.
Accidents turned into habits; happiness turned into misery; they both turned into lifeless shells of their form selves.
She checked the time on her phone, 6:30 P.M. No new messages or missed calls alerting her of his tardiness. Another empty promise to be home on time. Hope, a cruel luxury.
She found a piece of paper and a pen and wrote:
Paul-
I hope one day you are as happy as you are pretending to be.
Love
BELLA
She left the note on his clean dinner plate before shutting off all the lights except one. She locked the door behind her.
The small amount of belongs and clothes she owned packed neatly in the trunk. Gas tank full, fresh oil change complete with a new oil filter, tires rotated, and new breaks ready for the open road.
The last thing she saw out of her review mirror was the 'Welcome to La Push' sign listing local activities.
She was ready to do a little bit of soul searching. Start college and earn her degree. Her destination, unknown. She'd know when she got there. She popped in her favorite CD and sped away.
E/N: I write under a different pen name on Tricky Raven. Thank you!