The Turning of Cecily Stewart

Breakthrough

"Cecily? Cess?"

Cecily snapped her head over at Renesmee, who was wearing an expectant look on her face.

"You've been reading the article for the last 20 minutes. It doesn't normally take you that long," the teen replied, starting to smile slightly. "You're thinking about Demetri again, aren't you?"

"Don't know what you're talking about," Cecily mumbled, turning her attention back to the paper.

She had told Renesmee to write a 1,000-word profile on someone she found inspirational. She ended up interviewing Esme, which wasn't a huge surprise. Picking up a red pen, Cecily furrowed her brow, determined not to get distracted again. She wasn't about to admit that she had been thinking about Demetri. Especially not to the nosy teen.

She started marking up the paper, flatly ignoring the smug grin on Renesmee's face. She may have gone a bit harder on her editing because of it, but Cecily told herself it was for Nessie's own good.

However, Cecily couldn't help that she was constantly thinking about Demetri. He had been gone three days now and she hadn't received any word from him. With each passing day, she became more anxious and unable to focus on the investigation or even her lessons with Renesmee.

It was becoming even more apparent to her that she had grown attached to him. So attached that it was physically difficult for her to be away from him. She felt as though her chest was constantly tight and she was always looking towards the woods, searching for him.

But again - she wasn't about to say that out loud.

"It's not bad. But still needs work," Cecily finally said, sliding the paper back over to Renesmee. She wasn't sure if the teen had a future in journalism, but she wasn't half bad. Maybe if she got into a good school she could turn into something great. Already she had some decent instincts. "I'm off."

Cecily pushed up from the chair and started towards the front door.

"What? No homework?" Renesmee called out.

"Not today, kiddo," Cecily called back.

"Still not a kiddo!"

"Yes, you are!"

Cecily chuckled to herself as she heard Renesmee huff, though she knew she wouldn't be mad for long. The former reporter had become quite the taskmaster, dropping a large amount of homework and assignments on the teen, but today she couldn't think of anything to make her do. All she wanted was to get out in the forest.

As soon as she stepped out of the cottage, Cecily sprinted off, reveling in the wind against her face. It helped clear her thoughts and for a moment, she forgot about Demetri and the investigation. She was just another creature out in the woods.

But all too soon it came to an end as she arrived at the Cullens' house. She stared up at it, wondering what the others were up to. Surely there would be something inside to distract her further.

"Cess! Need your help!" Emmett called out from the living room as soon as she walked in.

Cecily went to the living room, seeing a ton of university pamphlets set out. She frowned slightly, not sure what he was doing.

"Rose and I are trying to decide where to go next... Thinking about taking some classes."

Cecily hopped over the couch and settled next to him, picking up the first one for Notre Dame.

"Looking to play football?" she asked, an eyebrow lifted as she waved it at him. Emmett chuckled.

"Probably end up killing someone accidentally if I did that," he replied. "But I'd like to get a student discount on tickets to games." Cecily nodded as she opened it and started reading through. "You thought about where you'll settle? I know you're planning to travel, but it's always good to have a home base somewhere."