Awakened | R. Hale

002

CHAPTER TWO
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-February 3, 2007-
-Aislinn-

Aislinn had fallen asleep soon after Charlie left her room and woke up at the crack of dawn the next morning, stiff and confused, but managed to grab a shower and change her clothes. A pair of jeans, a plain pale pink shirt, and Converse sneakers was the extent of her outfit. Unsurprisingly, Charlie was up soon after, and together they managed to wrangle together a breakfast of toast, fruit, and coffee. Aislinn didn't cook breakfast often, but maybe she would make cinnamon rolls when she got home for the next morning.

"How far is the walk?" she wondered as she packed up her bag and pulled a jacket on. She no longer had her own car and didn't have the money for a new one, not after the funerals and plane ticket. She assumed Forks didn't have buses, or at least not many of them, and figured they lived closed enough that she could huff it.

Charlie gave her a look that told her she was very wrong. "Don't be stupid. Come with me."

Aislinn gave him a quizzical look, but did as he said. Outside she was surprised to see another car had appeared overnight; an old -- probably 50s or 60s -- orangish-red Chevy truck.

"I had bought it for Bella when she moved back. She has a new car now, so it's all yours." Charlie looked very pleased with himself.

Aislinn's eyes went wide and she scurried over to the beautiful thing. Charlie's chuckle told her that reaction was what he was expecting; it was no secret that Benny had loved cars almost as much as his family and his cello.

"You're serious?" she asked excitedly. For the first time in three weeks, her mind was clear and she raced around the truck in quick circle to take in the beauty.

"As a heart attack," Charlie said. "Jacob Black rebuilt the engine just a couple years ago. It's not amazing, but it'll get you around."

Aislinn was done with her inspection and rushed over to hug Charlie, who awkwardly patted her back. He pulled back and leaned against the hood as he smiled at her. She opened the driver's side door and hopped in, looking around at the bench seat and classic interior. Benny would've gone nuts for it and Aislinn decided that the thought made her sad enough that she had to focus on the truck itself and not all the feelings that went along with it.

"This is perfect, Uncle Charlie, thank you!" She wanted to hug him again, but didn't want to make him feel awkward again so she gave him a friendly punch on the arm, making him chuckle.

"You're welcome," he said with a small grin. "Go on, get out of here."

Aislinn smiled at him and bid him goodbye before she grabbed the keys and climbed in. It was definitely loud and clunky, but it started and that's what mattered. It looked like it had been through hell and back and still survived, so Aislinn loved it. More than anything, she wished she could show her dad, but the thought of his happiness brought a smile to her face as she drove towards Forks High School. Even though she had no business smiling about him, she couldn't help it, she missed her dad.

The school was a collection of small, brick buildings that looked more like large houses than school buildings. The fact that it wasn't in one didn't impress her; she wasn't looking forward the bundling up just to move between classes. But luckily spring wasn't too far off so she hoped it wouldn't be too bad before then, though she knew there would be more snowstorms before it got better.

The truck was parked at the back of the lot so Aislinn didn't attract too much attention to herself. In New York, she had been one of the girls that everyone either wanted or wanted to be. Or hated out of jealousy because they didn't have what she did. She was a cheerleader, popular with her pretty looks and kind attitude, and the president of the student council as well as on her way to valedictorian.