Ride by Cary Brothers

"You saw all my pieces broken

This darkness that I could never show."

XIII. Flatscreen

Abby remembered her mother waking up at the crack of dawn every Thanksgiving so she decided to pay homage to her mother and do the same. She hated it. She woke up so early her body wanted to shut down and pass out, her eyes were very reluctant to open but she had her mother's pecan pie to master. Sue, Leah's mother, was going to make two turkeys for today's festivities and many of the side dishes. Abby was in charge of the dessert and her mother's famous macaroni and cheese.

The young girl trudged her way down the stairs into the kitchen to start for the day, because the pecan pie and the peach cobbler were two difficult recipes. She wondered what the Cullen's did for Thanksgiving, if they did anything. She was sure they had to have some sort of family tradition under their belt considering the decades worth of Thanksgiving's they've had.

This wasn't the first time her thoughts had wandered over to the Cullen's.

It had been a few weeks since the last time she had spoken to Edward. She'd be lying if she said it had gotten any easier to accept that Edward was no longer a part of her life.

It wasn't.

She was in constant torment - pain that whenever she breathed it felt like she was inhaling shards of glass. Abby didn't know love had hurt this much but every time, every single time, she had looked at him in the various spots of her ridiculously tiny high school it felt like a torturous punch to the stomach. It was vastly difficult to not hyperventilate whenever she missed his eyes on her, or his hold on her, or the way he made sure to keep her safe in every way possible. He had saved her, in more ways than one. Edward Cullen had saved her from swallowing her own self whole. And now she had chosen to continue to experience this miserable life without him.

Everyday she regrets it. Everyday she wanted to run into his arms and never let him go ever again. She had no clue why she was trying so hard to keep him away when all she sincerely craved for was him. Abby had her reasons and they made sense and they were logical, but god her heart, her painfully breaking heart kept telling her to choose beyond reason.

What even was reason anymore? Edward was a vampire: a thing of myths, bedtime stories, movie premises. Reason had completely failed him. And she didn't care. He was a vampire, so? He was still Edward. She fell for him in every way that encompassed Edward Cullen between his cold skin, his beautiful eyes, and complete ability to get lost in all of his music. And no matter what, she couldn't unfall for him. The weeks continued to move on without him, and the ache refused to dull even in the slightest. She couldn't put it into words; she couldn't understand it herself.

Each day that passed without him by her side felt like she was losing a part of her. Her parents had always told her they were two halves of a whole heart, and even when they were teenage sweethearts they couldn't picture a life without each other.

Why did it feel the same, if not more, whenever she thought of Edward? How could that even be possible? He came into her life when she didn't even want to find an incredible being like him, and he just fell into her lap. And now, every thought she ever had as of late somehow had him intertwined in it as well. She felt like she was going crazy.

But Abby knew, she knew how madly and vehemently in love with him she was, and it killed her everyday she was apart from him.

Time had passed throughout the day without her fathoming it. She had been in the kitchen most of the morning and eventually heard Jay come down to unplug the flatscreen from out of its sockets on the wall. Her pecan pie and mac and cheese were in the oven, with the peach cobbler on the cooling rack. It had taken her all morning as she had suspected it would've. Abby could now truly sympathize with her mother, and every other mother in the world, when it came to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner - they were ruthless.

"Abs, come on, we gotta' start going if we want to catch the kickoff." Jay stated while fixing the wires of the television so that he could hold onto them easier.

"But my foods still in the oven," Abby pouted. She needed about an hour before she could take out the pecan pie. And who on earth cared about the 'kickoff'?

"Can't you use Sue's oven when we get there?" Jay wondered exasperated and placed his hands on his hips.

"I mean, for warming them sure," Abby shrugged, "but they need to be cooked Jay!"

He groaned, tossing his head back and whined out, "Woman."

"And because of that you get no Mac and cheese," Abby scolded her older brother. She rolled her eyes when his head snapped towards her threat and he gave her a drastically pitiful look. "You are so dramatic, JD!"

"Ugh, whatever, now I can't even watch TV to kill time for your food to be ready." The grown man actually pushed out his lower lip to emphasize his pout.

Abby rolled her eyes, "Why don't you just go ahead and I'll use my car to meet you there?"

"No," Jar drawled out in a whine and Abby expected him to stomp his foot but surprisingly, he refrained, "the flatscreen's heavy. What if I die trying to put it in the car? My wrist's still sore." The pout somehow deepened.

"Oh, my god, you are such a baby." Abby pinched the bridge of her nose. "Then ask Charlie to help you!" The faster she pushed the man out of the house the better she'd be feeling about her food; Jay was annoyingly impatient, and she refused to rush her meals.

"Hm," Jay rubbed his chin in thought, "I think his cruiser has more room in the back, too. Alright, I'll call him."

"Great idea," Abby sarcastically congratulated him. He glared at his younger sibling as he shoved past her to reach for the phone that was on the kitchen counter to give their loving neighbor a call.

Charlie was enthusiastic about helping Jay with the flatscreen but it was mostly because he referred to the flatscreen as the love of his life. Of course, Bella's mother being the second love of his life - there was a part of him that didn't fully let go of Bella's mother. But, on the bright side, he hadn't stopped speaking about Bella to Jay and Abby whenever he had come over for dinners or Abby brought dinners to him. It was clear as day on the older man's face that he was extremely excited and overwhelmed with Bella coming to live in Forks. He had even dragged Abby to Bella's old room to make sure everything was perfect for a teenage girls room. She had recommended to get the girl a computer for her school work, and he did as told the next day. Bella sure was lucky to have Charlie Swan as a father.

Within ten minutes, the two men were out of the door carrying the flatscreen and boy, did they struggle. Clearly Jay going to the gym three times a week did nothing for his upper body strength. But she was glad she was not apart of the television shifting - she was sure she'd offer no help whatsoever.

The timer rang announcing that the mac and cheese was ready to take out of the oven. The noodles and cheese needed minimal time in the oven since she was going to use Sue's oven to really melt the cheese properly when she got there. She carefully pulled out the tray of piping off macaroni and cheese before deciding that she'd quickly shower and get ready before the pie was completely done.

Abby ran upstairs and chose a comfy beige oversized turtleneck sweater along with a pair of comfy blue skinny jeans. She figured she'd wear her black ankle boots with the outfit. Quickly showering and running a hairbrush through her hair, she did her minimal makeup and ran downstairs in the record time to grab the pecan pie out of the oven.

Heaving out a deep breath when she took the pie out and placed it on a cooling rack, she glanced at the picture of her parents in the living room.

"I miss you guys," Abby whispered, staring at the picture of the newlyweds. God, they looked so entirely happy. Abby could only hope they were happy wherever they were now too.

"Jeez, did you get enough mac and cheese to fill the stomachs of an army?" Sam grunted, lifting the rather large container out of the back of Abby's car.

"Hey, Leah told me you were eating enough for an army," Abby accused the man, stabbing a finger at his well built chest. When did Sam get so big? He was huge. Sam was always tall and bulky more so than most on the Reservation but this Sam was taller and bulkier. He towered over her like a skyscraper. And he had cut his once long beautiful hair short to his scalp. Leah said she liked the short hair on him, Abby couldn't help but to disagree.

Sam and Leah had apparently been rocky since he's been sick. Leah had told Abby that he's been extremely secretive as of late and she hadn't gotten to the bottom of it yet. Abby had told her to be patient; it wasn't hardly like Sam to be secretive, and he was probably going through something that he couldn't explain yet. Leah did not have a patient bone in her body but Abby was her voice of reason.

"So, you're feeling better?" Abby asked as she carried out the two desserts from the front seat. Sam closed the passenger and back door of her car using his hip and motioned the girl to walk into the house first.

"Yeah, better," Sam mumbled, almost incoherently. Huh, that was rather...unresponsive, Abby thought. The sickness he had was something he clearly didn't want to discuss so Abby chose not to push him on the subject.

"So, do you know what to get Leah for a Christmas present this year?" Abby wondered as the walked up the steps to Clearwater's front porch. Sam had always given Leah amazing handcrafted gifts; he had always carved out special bracelets or necklaces using a specific kind of wood that could only be found in the woods of La Push. She had always envied his craftsmanship.

"Nope," he replied, popping the 'p' and knocking on the door. "I've still got time; I'll figure it out."

"She did mention how empty her snow globe collection was getting a little old since someone stopped giving them to her." She winked at Sam, sending him an obvious hint.

He laughed and said, "Thanks, Abby, I'll be sure to add that to the pile."

"Good," Abby said, giving him a small smile, "you've always been good at the gifts. I hope you're taking care of her, too."

"You know I'd never let anything happen to her, Abby," he stated with fierce significance.

The girl couldn't have said more because the door swung open and there was Leah, with a bright smile on her face upon seeing her two favorite people. She gave Sam a quick peck on the lips and shooed him away to the kitchen before grabbing a tray of dessert off of Abby's arms. The two followed Sam into the kitchen, Abby quickly saying hi to all the males in the living room who quickly shushed her because apparently there was an 'unfair foul' being played.

"Hey Jakey!" Abby yelped happily, seeing the younger boy lean into the fridge to grab a soda. She startled him, and laughed when he jumped and hit his head on freezer above him. He pulled himself out of the refrigerator, rubbing the crown of his head and turned to glare at Abby.

"You're still the worst, Abs," Jake groaned, still rubbing the back of his head.

Jacob Black with his beautiful russet skin, blinding smile, and long black hair was a human ray of sunshine. He was Billy's youngest child and only son. His two twin daughters - Rachel and Rebecca - grew up and flew the coop as fast as they could, leaving young Jacob to take care of his old man. Abby had always loved and respected Jake like a little brother. Their friendship had wavered over the years because she became closer to Leah, but she loved the young boy all the same.

"Oh come here and give lil ole' Abby a squeeze," she held her arms out in front of her and motioned the younger teen to come to her with the tips of her fingers. He rolled his eyes and begrudgingly came over to her, wrapping his arms around her back and squeezing tightly. "Ah see," Abby dramatically sighed in his chest, "isn't this nice?"

"I hate you," Jacob whispered into her ear before pulling away. Abby threw him a cheesy smile and he couldn't help but smile back at her. He threw Sam a single nod before joining his friend, Quil, with the rest of the boys and men in the living room. Sam gave Leah a kiss on her temple before calling out Jay's name asking him for a drink.

Leah rolled her eyes at her boyfriend before stepping beside Abby, and asking, "Now that you're here, I can interrogate you correctly."

"I'm sorry - huh?" Abby was dumbfounded. Why was she getting interrogated?

"Hm, you may play coy Abigail Lucia Davis but you are upset and I'd like to know why." Leah eyes hardened in an accusatory way. Abby hadn't implicitly explained to Leah who Edward was and of course, she wasn't going to. All Abby had told her was that she might've found a guy, and he was amazing but it just wouldn't have worked out.

"It's nothing, Leah." Abby shrugged a single shoulder, opening up the Clearwater's spice cabinet to grab the cinnamon from the racks of spices. "Where's your mom? Where's Seth?"

"Showering and he's getting some more soda's at the grocery, now stop avoiding the question," Leah scowled at her best friend.

"It really is nothing, Leah," Abby sighed, sprinkling some cinnamon on top of the peach cobbler. "I just miss my parents."

"That's not nothing Abby," she softly said, placing a hand on Abby's shoulder and stroked it comfortingly. "You know, given your circumstances I think you're doing a phenomenal job."

"You think so?" Abby wondered. She met Leah's dark gaze at her and watched the beautiful dark haired woman nod. "Good because I feel like I'm dying." She scoffed, shaking her head slightly when she felt the tears form at the back of her eyes and thanked whoever was listening that all the men were too busy on the game to focus on her conversation with Leah. "And missing him isn't making this any easier, either."

"Hey, you left him." Leah stated, "You can easily have him back."

Could she? She wondered. Could she have him back again? Was there still a possibility of having a life full of love with Edward? Or did she ruin one of the best things that could've happened to her?

"I'm sorry, I just don't wanna' talk about my parents or him right now." Abby whispered. She bit her bottom lip and gulped harshly, "It's Thanksgiving; I'm supposed to be thankful of the people and things I have in my life. And I am. Thank you for never giving up on me, Leah."

"Hey," Leah grinned, wrapped an arm around the shorter girl's shoulders and pulling her head toward her own, "you're stuck with me Davis."

A/N: If you don't know by now, I love Leah Clearwater so much I'd marry her in a heartbeat.

Also, guest reviewer: notakaren - thank you for making me laugh with your review AND your guest name. I love it haha!

Honestly, I was wondering whether to address concerns or not from other guest reviewers buttttt... I'm not gonna' do it. I don't think I have to explain my character because I want you guys to see her progress. But if that's not your cup of tea, that's fine too! I have a certain vision. I have a certain way to play things out, and it depends on you guys if you want to continue reading or not. I'm still going to continue writing it the way I see fit because everybody really is a critic, and I happen to love Abby *shrugs*.

Just like this chapter, the regret on Abby is tenfold. As notakaren suggested: character development. God forbid there's growth haha. I do hope you guys stay for the ride because it'll sure be a fun one! Though I do thank you for the reviews! It's always nice to read your thoughts even if they're not confident in Abby.

Anyways, review my darlings and favorite/follow *kisses*!