Chapter 14

"I don't really think a dinner is all that necessary." I crossed my arms and huffed in the back seat of the car. Emi was sitting in the front, listening to her headphones, and mom was on the phone. "He didn't really save my life or anything…"

"Hush up_ Yes, I just wanted to confirm the reservations. Kirkland, party of six." Mom was gripping the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles looked like they would rip through her skin. Her back was pin straight, and her lips were tight. I huffed again, nearly throwing myself against the seat of the car.

I had been grounded for weeks. No phone, no T.V., no afterschool activities, no friends, and absolutely no swimming. Mom was land-locking me, assuring herself that I would stay out of any trouble that way.

She was furious with me, but more than that, she was hurt and scared. She was right… what she said in the car that night about me putting Emi and myself in danger; she was human and we were not. I understood why she was upset, but it didn't mean I enjoyed her (in my opinion) too harsh punishment.

"Yes, thank you. See you soon." Mom tossed her phone in the front seat cup holder and sighed.

"Elaine, I don't know what I can say or do to get this ingrained into your mind… You better be on your very best behavior or so help me GOD_" She slammed down on the horn as a car cut her off. "Elaine Kiara Kirkland, I just don't know what I will do. You put us in the position to have this dinner by jumping off a goddamn cliff! Now I gotta play grateful mother to the boy who saved you. I gotta meet his parents, gotta deal with the judgement that comes with your child jumping off a cliff_"

"I'm sure it's going to be fine mom. I don't think they're gonna think you're a bad mother_" Emi removed one of her headphones and tried to reassure her.

"Oh believe me baby, they're gonna think something. I am a single black woman raising two girls on my own in the middle of nowhere Forks. I work a lot, and my youngest snuck off to a teenage party where she dramatically flung herself off of a cliff after slashing a tire… with her teeth_" She gasped "Speaking of which, why the hell would you put your mouth on a dirty tire, Elaine?"

"Because we forgot the knife."

"Ah, committing misdemeanors, then attempting suicide. I don't think I'm gonna win any awards with these people." We pulled up to the front of a large restaurant. It was a steakhouse, and probably the fanciest place in the whole of Fork. In truth, it was a little bit outside of Forks, but it was the only place mom deemed suitable for a 'thank you' dinner.

"I think you're reading too much into it mom. I don't think Gabe went into details about that night…" I glared at Emi. So it was Gabe now? Ever since that night, she had been giving me the cold shoulder and spending more time with the pack of kids on the reservation… Gabriel included.

"Well better safe then sorry." Mom reached into her purse and pulled out her inhaler, taking a few short breaths. "Come on, let's get inside before it rains."

Slipping out of the car, I felt a few droplets of rain hit my skin. Emi was shivering as she dashed inside of the restaurant, but I lingered back. I held my palm out, savoring the feeling of water on my skin… If only for a moment.

"Elaine_"

"Coming…" Mom held out her hand for me to take, and I reluctantly grabbed it. She pulled me close to her body and led me inside the dimly lit steakhouse. I huffed, turning my nose up at the smell. Steak was certainly not on my top ten for foods that I enjoyed eating.

"Kirkland, party of six." Mom smiled at the hostess, as charming as ever. She towered over her, her black heels clicking against the floor as we made our way to a round top table in the back. I slid into black leather booth and stared at the ornate hanging lamp above my head.

"Now, remember girls, best behavior." Mom squeezed my thigh, and I huffed.

"Yes ma'am."

"Oh my god_" Emi's mouth dropped and I followed her gaze to the entrance of the restaurant. Standing there was probably one of the most attractive couples I had ever seen. It was like they were plucked straight out of Hollywood and relocated to Forks.

The woman was small and delicate, with alabaster skin and the prettiest copper colored curls. Her hair was so perfect and beautiful, it made me touch the ends of my own hair. Beside her, towering over her was a man that could be nobody other than Gabriel's father. Gabriel looked like his father, with his dark hair, tan skin, and intimidating height.

"That must be the Black's." My mother mused, pressing her thumb and forefinger to the bridge of her nose. The woman, Gabriel's mom, looked over to where we were sitting and mom raised her hand to call them over.

"Hello_" Her voice was like little bells. Soft and her words rang in my ears. Mom slid out of the booth and held out her hand.

"Hi there, you must be Renesmee and Jacob. I'm Ariel." Gabriel's mom smiled, wide and genuine. She grabbed my mom's hand up enthusiastically, looking back and forth between her husband and my mom.

"Nice to meet you Ariel." Gabriel's dad smiled as well and I swore I saw my mom blush.

"Hey Emi, hey Ellie." Behind his father was Gabriel. He had his hands in the pockets of his jeans, and he looked nervous.

"Hey Gabe."

"Gabriel." I tried to keep the bitterness from my voice, but it slipped. Emi jabbed her elbow into my side, and I yelped, earning a look from Gabriel and his parents.

"Yes, these are my girls. Emilia and Elaine."

"Hello, it's nice to meet you two." Gabriel's mom reached out her arm, offering her hand to me. I hesitated before reaching back and accepting her offer. Her hand was cold and warm at the same time, and I shuddered, pulling away. However, that didn't seem to bother her and she offered her hand to Emi as well.

"Pleasure is mine Mrs. Black."

Gabriel slid into the booth next to Emi, and his parents followed suit. We were all sitting around each other, each person waiting to say something, but all of us not really knowing what to say.

"So, have you all been in Forks long?" Gabriel's dad started, and there was a sigh of relief.

"We moved here in late August. Right before the girls had to start school."

"You're from New York right? Which part?" Gabriel's mom leaned in close to the table, her chocolate colored eyes sparkling under the yellow light above.

"Manhattan."

"So you lived in the city. What made you want to move all the way out here?" Gabriel's dad grunted, and I snorted.

"Ellie." Mom warned and I sighed.

"I got a new job, and not everyone was too pleased about the move." It was more than that, but I'm sure mom didn't want our whole life story regurgitated to people we didn't even know.

"Where do you_"

"Hello there, my name is Vera and I'll be your server tonight. Can I interest you in a glass of our house chardonnay?" Her question was cut off by the waitress. We hadn't even had a chance to look over the menu before she came over. Gabriel's mom smiled at the waitress, wide and pure, and asked for a few more minutes to look over the menu.

"I work with a marketing firm. They are centered in Manhattan and have main branches in Tampa, Richmond, Chicago, Houston, and Seattle."

"Seattle is a little far from here. Seems like a helluva commute." Gabriel's dad smiled and mom nodded her head

"Well I don't actually work at the Seattle office. I work at a sub firm that bleeds into the Seattle Branch. Since I worked at the Manhattan branch, they thought it would be a good idea for me to manage out here."

"Wow, seems interesting_"

"It really isn't." I huffed and mom scowled.

"Elaine_" My mom was cut off by Renesmee's light giggle. She was looking at me with stars in her eyes, smiling and laughing like I was the funniest thing in the world.

"I was that way too as a kid. My aunt and uncle tried to teach me about stocks and stuff and I couldn't care less_"

"Yeah, you were too busy taking pictures of bugs." Gabriel's dad rolled his eyes, but smiled at her. I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. They kind of reminded me of my parents… before we moved out here.

"Bugs, flowers, anything in nature really, but I've moved onto weddings and modeling." I slid down deeper into the leather seats of the booth, zoning out as my mom and Gabriel's parents began to talk back and forth. I guess the two of them were charming in personality as well as their looks, because mom was warming up to them, and Emi was having a grand ole' time with Gabriel. The two of them were chatting about school, and some dance that was coming up.

"I'm guessing you're not going with Candace." The sound of Candace's name made my ears perk. Zoning in on their conversation, I fiddled with the wood of the table absentmindedly.

"No, but I was thinking of inviting Avery. I'm sure she'd have a great time." Emi stiffened, and her face began to turn bright red.

"Oh… You think?"

"Yeah, I mean, unless you'd rather invite her…" He trailed off and Emi cleared her throat. I held back my laughter, and relaxed in the booth once again. Everything was going smoothly, and honestly, it felt like nothing could mess it up. That was, until my mom's face went completely pale.

She was laughing and chatting with Gabriel's parents, drinking a glass of wine and snacking on the appetizer they had ordered when her phone went off. It was quick, and she glanced down only for a moment before her whole expression changed.

She grinded her teeth together, and pressed her lips together in a firm line.

"I am so sorry, I have to take this. Behave Ellie." Mom slid out of the booth and made her way to the front of the restaurant.

"Hm. Is everything okay" Renesmee's voice was concerned and her face seemed genuine. I guess she could see the anxiety forming between me and Emi. Emi was picking at her nails, and I was shifting around in the seat. There was only one person who could get mom that upset… that quickly.

"Uh… Yeah. I'm gonna go check on my mom real quick. Ellie…"

"I know, behave. What's the worst that can happen, I'm sitting with two adults and a boy scout." I huffed, and Gabriel's dad laughed.

Emi rolled her eyes and dashed to where my mom was outside of the restaurant, leaving me alone with Gabriel and his parents.

"So… tell me about yourself, Ellie." I scratched at a snag that was on the knee of my stockings, and bit at my lower lip.

"Um… there really isn't anything to say about me." I muttered and Gabriel snickered.

"Oh really. Say's the girl who jumped off a cliff into the ocean at night." I glared at him and grit my teeth.

"I was fine, I totally had the situation handled." I snapped and Mr. Black lifted one of his perfect eyebrows. He crossed his arms and grunted.

"And what was the situation?" I didn't know why, but his inquisitive stare was making me nervous.

"I-um-well… It was… Complicated?" It was said more as a question than an answer." Mrs. Black laughed, and soon her husband followed.

"Well, it must have been really complicated for you to do something so crazy." Gabriel grunted.

"Yeah… crazy." My brows furrowed and I looked over at Gabriel. He seemed… off. Normally he would banter back and forth with me, or tease me, or even talk to me a little. Tonight however, he seemed to be giving me the cold shoulder.

I felt a wave of guilt wash over me, and I had no idea where it was coming from and why. I didn't do anything to him, and he had no reason to be upset with me. He got me in trouble, pulled me from my safe space, and got deemed a hero for it… It was a win-win for him, and a huge loss for me… However, it didn't feel that way.

I opened my mouth to say something to him, but I caught something in the corner of my eye. Emi was waving to me from the outside, beckoning me. Sliding away from the table, I smiled at the three of them.

"Sorry, I gotta go check on my sister." Nearly running, I burst out of the restaurant like a bat out of hell. Mom was nowhere in sight, but Emi was as pale as a sheet.

"What's wrong?" Tears built up in Emi's eyes, before falling down her cheeks.

"Mom and dad are getting a divorce… and he's fighting her for custody."

It was at that moment… I felt my world shatter.

*Hey ya'll. Sorry for the delay. I sprained my wrist at work, then I was in the process of finding a new job. It left me with very little time to write, but I got the chapter done! I hope ya'll like it! And thank you to everyone who replied and all the positive feedback. It feels amazing and helps me write, truly. So thank you and enjoy!* XOXO Randomkay