Jacob's POV:
Pain shot through my body as my heart shattered like glass; the shards pierced the inside of my chest as the realization hit me: she chose the blood sucker. After everything I did for her, Bella chose the blood sucker over me. She slipped through my fingers like sand. I was so close. But now she's forgiven him as if nothing ever happened.
She was never mine, she always belonged to him. She will always belong to him. I tried so hard to make myself believe I had a chance. I don't know how I could have been so idiotic.
"I'd love to hear your life story but I have better things to do," an annoyed voice sounded through my head. I had forgotten I wasn't alone.
"Butt out, Leah," I snarled back. She wasn't helping the anger that was pulsing through my veins.
I did my best to ignore her and instead concentrated on my claws digging into the damp forest floor, propelling myself forward. I had to get away, I had to escape. The pain is too much for me to handle, I can't be around the rez or Forks right now. I could go to Canada or something. Everyone is nice in Canada, right? I laughed bitterly to myself.
"I'll let Billy know you won't be back tonight," Sam's voice was low and husky. I could sense his disappointment with what I'm doing, but I don't care.
"Thanks," I replied without much emotion. I don't want to think about what I'm putting Billy through by doing this; I had run away once and it crushed him. This time he didn't even have any warning.
"Emily should have dinner ready, everyone head back to the house," Sam ordered.
No one argued, they knew it was best to leave me alone for now. Leah mentally winced at the word 'guys' but quickly phased into her human form without saying a word. She always got away the moment she had a chance. Paul and Sam phased soon after which then left me and Embry.
"Hey man, I'm sorry," he said sympathetically.
"Yeah, me too," I replied, I wasn't in the mood for sympathies. I was a big boy. I could handle myself. He understood the message behind the words and phased, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Running was my only escape now.
**********
Paige's POV
"Dad! Dad!" I squealed, "Stop!"
He laughed and dumped the rest of the water over my head, drenching what little of me wasn't already wet.
"You're so dead," I growl through clenched teeth. The hose was lying at my feet; I grabbed it, aiming the stream of water at his head. He dodged behind the end of the car, peeking through the windows. He eyed me teasingly as I stalked closer, crouching down. I jumped around the corner, only able to catch his sleeve as he slipped around another corner. I tried to pursue him but the hose stopped short. I groaned, giving one more, halfhearted tug.
"Not fair. I ran out of hose."
"Admit I won then," He called back
"Never!" I laughed
"Okay, we'll just be here all night then," I glared at him as he grinned at me through the windows.
"Fine, you won, your majesty."
"And?"
"And...you're the king of water fights."
"Good," He smiled, pleased, "Now drop the hose and step away." I did as he said and watched him walk around the car. He came closer with an evil glint in his eyes. It took me a second to realize what he was planning, but he grabbed me before I could move and scooped up the hose in one graceful movement. Ice cold water showered down on my head, making me even wetter if it was possible. He finally released me and started to spray the car.
I loved how the smallest things could turn into huge battles with us. What started as washing the car turned into a full-blown water fight, with me losing miserably. My dad knew how to make any day better, even if it was at his own expense.
"Evil king," I mumble while attempting to get some of the water off.
With his back turned to me it was the perfect opportunity. I tiptoed forward until I was right behind him. "I just love you so much!" I wrapped my arms around his torso, getting his back wet.
"Hey! Oh, that's great," He said, attempting to push me off. It worked after a minute and he glared at me. I laughed and watched as he sprayed the last of the soap off the jeep. The red paint was now glistening in the sun.
"Want to just order pizza tonight? Unless you want to cook?"
"No!" I replied quickly. I had made dinner every night this week, "Pizza sounds good."
"I'll order, you go take a shower," He said, laughing at my enthusiasm.
I nodded in response, "Sounds good."
The pizza arrived by the time I finished a nice, long shower and my dad was seated at the kitchen table when I returned downstairs. He had three slices on his plate and his attention turned towards the evening news playing from the TV in the living room. After getting two slices for myself I joined him. We sat in silence as the reporter told the forecast and then traffic. Once she finished my dad cleared his throat and turned towards me.
"You ready for the big move?"
I sighed, we're going to have this conversation again.
"I guess," I shrugged. I had no choice in the matter. He's the adult and I'm the minor. I think he's hoping I've warmed up to the idea by now since it's only a day away.
"It'll be good for you to, y'know, get some...distance."
I winced as a flood of emotions hit me, "I would be perfectly fine staying here, Dad..." I said, trailing off. I don't want to get into it with him about this again.
He studied my face for a moment then replied, "Think whatever you want to think, but we have to go. There are a couple of old friends that live close to the house. They have kids around your age. You can make new friends; get away from all this crap here."
I nodded, silent. I didn't want to move, but he knew that. We've had this same conversation many times. This is the house I grew up in, the only house I have ever called home. There are a lot of memories here, both good and bad, that I don't want to leave behind. He might be right, it might be good to get away from here, but this is one of the last pieces I have of her. Leaving would mean she is never coming back.
"Paige, I know it's hard saying goodbye but sometimes you have to let go of the thing that's slowly killing you. It isn't easy for me either," He added, his voice more gentle.
I looked up and met his eyes. We shared the same look of sadness and hurt. In that one moment, like many others before, we understood each other's pain. We were both abandoned by the same person. But he would never understand anything else I've been through.
"What if I don't want new friends? I like the ones I have here," I said as a lame cover-up. I hated showing weakness in front of him. He was always so strong; I want to be the same way.
He snorted, "Paige you need friends. And right now I don't see you with many of them."
"Because they're all jackasses," I mumble.
"Language, young lady."
"Sorry. But it's true. They spread rumors after those guys..."
"I know sweetheart. Things will be better in Forks. I promise."
"What if it's not? What if something else happens? What if more people hurt me?" I practically yell at him. Anger started to rise out of me. I had been holding it in for too long.
"You can't live your life on 'what ifs' Paige! Take a chance! Be a teenager again! I don't like seeing you this way."
"I'm going to go to bed. I'll be up before the movers get here." I didn't wait for a reply because I didn't want to take any more of my anger out on him or say something I would regret. I know it's not his fault for all the things I've been through.
I quickly rinsed my dishes in the sink before heading upstairs. Once in the security of my room, I sat in the center of my bed, pulling my comforter and knees up to my chest. I struggled with a mixture of emotions. My dad might be right, Washington might be better. He might be wrong, though. It might be the same crap, different place. I would like to say I could trust people enough to make new friends, but I'm not sure I can. I've been through too much and I'm too cautious now.
Who knows, maybe this is the universe's way of giving me another chance. A chance to have a normal life.
My mind went back and forth with my emotions until my eyes became too heavy to hold open and I fell asleep. The next thing I knew, I woke up drenched in sweat, my entire body stiff with fear.
I wouldn't wish these nightmares on anyone.
I glanced at the clock; it's about five AM, probably not worth it to go back to sleep. I stretched my neck side to side, trying to loosen the stiff muscles and release the tension that had gathered at the base of my skull.
After a couple deep breathes and a few more stretches, I forced myself out of the warm comfort of my bed. The cool air in my room rushed against my skin, waking me completely. I stepped out into the hallway, trying to stay as quiet as possible so I wouldn't wake my dad sleeping across the hall. In the kitchen, I started a cup of coffee with the Keurig and in no time the kitchen filled with the slight aroma of coffee. I wrapped my fingers around the cup, letting the warmth flow up my hands.
I made my way to the back porch so I could watch the sunrise. Outside, a cool breeze rustled the leaves in the trees and there was a slight dampness in the air from the morning dew. Everything was silent except for the slight hum of traffic that came off of the highway. The sky was gradually turning a flaming orange color, causing the sky to look more like a painting rather than real life. Everything is so serene and peaceful in this moment. This is the last time I will be seeing a Colorado sunrise.
A knot formed in the pit of my stomach and a lump in my throat. I quickly swallowed it back. It wasn't the end of the world. We're just moving to a place where it rains almost all the time and gets hardly any sun. There probably won't be many sun rises to see. No big deal.
I could move back to Denver when I turn eighteen if things don't work out or I really don't like it in Washington. I'd legally be an adult so my dad couldn't stop me. That wouldn't be too hard, a year in Forks and then I'm back with my old friends.
I could hear my dad making his way down the stairs inside the house and decided to go back in. I had to weave my way around the stacks of boxes, careful to not knock any over. Most of our furniture and belongings are now packed and ready to be loaded on the moving truck as soon as it arrives. Some of the larger furniture still needs to get wrapped, but a lot of it is being left here, luckily. Dad says the new house is going to be partially furnished when we arrive, which I'm grateful for. Packing was a nightmare and I'm sure unpacking will be as unpleasant.
Once in the kitchen, I made a piece of toast and sat down at the table.
"Morning kiddo."
"Morning dad," I replied, "I hope I didn't wake you up. I tried to be quiet."
"No, you didn't. Sleep well?"
"Sure."
"The movers should be here around seven. Hopefully, we can be all packed by ten or eleven and at least make it to Twin Falls by tonight."
"Sounds great," I said, looking down and fighting back tears. This day is really here. In a few short hours, we will be driving away for good.
I finished my toast in silence before getting up to clean the few items left scattered on the counter. I then mentally prepared myself before heading up to my room to pack the rest of my belongings.
Before I reached the steps my dad grabbed me from behind and pulled me into a bear hug.
"Dad!" I laughed
"Cheer up, kiddo. Forks is a great place," He laughed too, "Don't worry. Be happy," He sang in a bad reggae impression.
I couldn't help but chuckle at his lame imitation of Bob Marley and pushed him off.
"Okay. Great to know," I rolled my eyes, trying to show I was annoyed, but couldn't help but smile at the same time.
As I jogged up the stairs he called up to me, "Bring down the boxes in your room!"
I closed my bedroom door and slumped onto the bed. Today is going to be a long day.