"You sure you're going to be ok?" Charlie asked me for what felt like the hundredth time.
"I swear uncle Charlie, I'm fine," I smiled at my uncle after checking my bags in at the airport.
"You know the drill. You call me when you land and when you get back to your house?"
"How could I forget," I laughed. "Now go to work before you're late."
"We'll stay with her until her flight's boarded," Bella promised him.
"I'll see you next year kiddo," he said, pulling me in for an awkward hug before departing.
I turned my attention over to half the Cullen family. I had no idea why they all felt the need to come with me to the airport. I'd only seen the Cullen's three times in the 3 whole weeks I'd been in Forks.
"You don't have to stay with me, I'll be fine," I declared sulkily before I turned around and walked towards the food court to get a snack. I'd only walked two steps forward when Alice had pulled my hand into the crook of her elbow and skipped along with me.
"Nonsense, we're waiting," she smiled.
"Whatever," I grumbled. I turned my head to look behind me to see Bella, Edward and Emmett following us. Emmett was standing all alert as he surveyed the area. He looked like a bodyguard.
I watched Edward nudge Emmett, silently telling him to relax a bit. Rolling my eyes, I stepped forward in the line to grab a sandwich and a hot chocolate.
After grabbing my order, I retreated to the lounge seats and sat down, pulling out a book. I was determined to ignore the Cullen's, just as they'd ignored me for most of my trip.
"So…" Alice spoke up, taking a seat next to her. "Seth told us you talked to someone in the book shop the other day."
I tensed up immediately as I remembered the boy's face in my mind and I watched Edward nod at Alice out of the corner of my eye.
"What about it?" I retorted stiffly.
"Can you guys give us a moment?" Bella asked of the Cullen's. All three of them tensed up in response to this. "It'll be fine," Bella said quietly. "Alice would've seen something."
Edward nodded and gestured to his siblings and they left to give us cousins a minute to chat.
I kept her head buried in my book. I may have been being melodramatic, but this had been a wasted trip. I may as well have stayed in London and been ignored by my dad, but at least I would've had some school friends to pass the time with.
Bella sighed and got up to take Alice's now vacant seat. "I'm sorry we didn't really get to catch up this trip."
"It's fine. I get it. You've got a new family now."
Bella snorted. "You're still my family Willa. There was just a lot going on this time around."
"I know. You've got Renesmee now."
Bella laughed. "Don't be jealous." I immediately looked up with a glare. "Sorry," Bella muttered. "There's something I have to give you."
"Have to give me?" I scoffed, looking up from her book. "How generous, thank you," I quipped sarcastically.
"Willa," Bella chastised irritably. She took a deep breath before pulling a necklace out of her jean pocket.
"Oh," I muttered. "It's uh… real nice," I lied as I took the necklace.
Bella smiled. "I'm glad you hate it."
"So, why are you giving me an ugly necklace that you want me to hate?" I finally smiled at Bella. It was an antique bronze necklace that held up a large 'V'. Above and below the V were two bright red rubies and a crest was situated in the middle.
"An… acquaintance gave it to me. I need you to promise me you'll wear it. I'm not joking Willa. All the time. You need to wear it under your shirt, never take it off."
"Wha… but… it's ugly," I protested.
"I know," Bella nodded. "But it might save your life. If something happens, you need to pull it out and show it. If you do they should leave you alone."
"Bella, what's going to happen?" I asked nervously.
"Nothing," she answered quickly. "Nothing. You'll be fine. It's just a precaution."
"You're not making any sense."
"Your plane is boarding," Edward spoke up from behind me, making me jump in shock.
"Right. Sure, thanks," I said, standing up and gathering my stuff before making my way to the boarding line.
"Willa," Bella called out before running after me and pulling me in for a tight hug. "You're going to be ok. I promise," she whispered before walking away.
I fiddled with the necklace whilst I sat on the plane. Whilst I may have found it ugly, there was something about it that captivated me. The two rubies couldn't help but remind me of those red eyes I thought I'd seen in the alley by the book shop. I'd all but convinced myself that I'd imagined it.
But looking at these rubies now brought those eyes to the forefront of my mind. Shaking my head at my own thoughts, I reached behind my neck and clasped the necklace closed. As much as I may have found the necklace ugly, I had a desire to wear it.
As the plane landed, I hurried out, eager to get home and have a nap. I looked around the arrivals gate but couldn't spot my dad anywhere.
Pulling out my phone, I dialled her dad's phone.
"This is Roger," his voice called through the phone.
"Dad?"
"Oh hey, Willa, sweetie, how are you? How's my brother?"
"Dad… I'm at Heathrow. Where are you?" I asked.
"Oh no. Oh no. Willa, I'm so sorry honey. I forgot you were coming home today. I'm at work."
"You forgot about me?" my voice cracked. What should I have expected? My parents based their entire worlds around their work.
"I'm so sorry. I've just been working. I didn't even realise it was today…" he got out before I hung up the phone on him in anger.
Glumly I made her way over to the luggage carousel and whilst I waited for my suitcase to appear, I found myself subconsciously holding onto the necklace Bella had given me for comfort.
I pulled my phone back out and called my uncle, leaving a quick voicemail to let him know I landed ok.
I then dialled my mum's number.
"Hey, mum!"
"I'm really sorry Wilhelmina, but I'm really busy right now, can I call you back later?"
"But mum, I'm in the airport by myself. Dad didn't show to pick me up."
"I'm working in Paris right now, Wilhelmina. So I can't come and get you. Just jump in a taxi or something. Sorry, but I really have to go."
"Yeah, sure. Bye," I mumbled, hanging up the phone.
Home sweet home.