The next day, I didn't feel any different, aside from being more exhausted. My brain was insistent on demanding answers to everything that had happened in my life. It was like digging into a pit and finding nothing but dirt—a black void of frustration. It was tiring.
I couldn't keep up anymore.
But then something finally seemed to go right this morning—the sun. It gleamed across the entire lot, basking everything in golden rays, making the whole world seem just a little less suffocating. I couldn't help but feel a bit warmer inside.
When I headed downstairs, Kimi was nowhere to be found. She was probably off to some early shift. Or avoiding me. Who could blame her?
Charlie, however, was in the kitchen, of all places, cooking eggs. And bacon. The sweet, crispy scent of bacon filled the air. I honestly didn't know what to be more surprised about—Charlie actually cooking, or the fact that I was considering eating his food.
"Nice day out," Charlie commented casually, glancing up at me with a smile that didn't quite reach his tired eyes. For someone investigating a murder spree, he was shockingly pleasant.
"Yeah, actually. It is," I muttered, wandering into the kitchen, but I didn't sit down. That would mean forced conversation, and I wasn't in the mood.
Charlie just nodded, probably expecting some snarky remark. Instead, his smile widened slightly, like he was happy to have me around, even if it was just for a minute. His brown eyes crinkled at the corners, and for a moment, I couldn't help but notice how much he reminded me of my dad. Funny how quickly you forget what someone looks like until something like this hits you.
I shook it off before I could linger.
"So," Charlie began again, his voice shifting awkwardly, "How you liking school so far? Forks growing on you yet?"
And there it was. My escape from the quiet bliss of the kitchen was officially over.
I plastered on a smile, though I'm pretty sure it melted off before it even registered. "It's... fine. Made some friends."
"Yeah? I heard you met up with Billy's kid—Jacob Black, down at La Push? He's a good kid." He glanced at me, seemingly trying to get something out of me.
