ACHILLES HEEL • TWILIGHT •

🐺 CHAPTER THREE 🐺

    Mack had been spending every day after school on the res. The Cullen had been MIA, and Mackenzie had taken that as a sign. She was hurt, but she wasn't going to let this ruin her.

This particular day, Mackenzie had tutoring which kept her mind off of everything. From Matt to the Cullens, even to Paul, Mack's mind was always racing. Tutoring lately had been busy, and she was happy about the turn out.

It was half way through the session, when Matt stood by the door. He was going to be in so much trouble from Sam, but Mackenzie needed to know. Spotting him, Mack excused herself from Seth before making her way to him. The pair of best friends hadn't seen each other since the run in with Sienna and Matt's new friends.

"Can I help you?" Mack asked, unsure what he wanted.

"I can't stay, but Mack.. Bella's missing." Matt said, worried about his friend.

"No she's not. She's at home." Mack said, Bella swore she was just going home after school.

"Charlie's calling everyone, said he can't reach you but knew you had tutoring today. We don't know much. A couple of us are going to help look." Matt said as he watched his friend hold back tears.

"I have to go. Session's cancelled!" Mackenzie shouted, grabbing her stuff by the door and rushed out.

It took longer than Mackenzie wanted to get home. She knew no one would pull her over for speeding, and she was never more thankful than she was during this drive home. As soon as she parked, she ran straight into Charlie's arm. The older man was thankful one of his girls was safe. Now he just needed Bella to be okay.

"What happened?" Mack asked, as she looked around at everyone who came to help.

"We don't know for sure, but we know the Cullens left town." Charlie said, trying to see his niece's reaction.

"They left? All of them?" Mack asked, her voice portrayed the hurt she was feeling. They didn't even tell her goodbye.

"Good riddance." Harry Clearwater said, he heard how the Cullens had become close to the two girls.

"Charlie!" Jacob called, causing Mack to turn around.

Mackenzie ran after Charlie, Bella was back. Charlie took Bella from Sam and took her inside after Mack promised to help be in charge of getting everyone to go home.

"Thank you, Sam."  Mack said stopping the male from leaving before she said her thanks.

It didn't take long for everyone to disperse from the home.  They understood the family wanted their alone time. That night, Mack slept holding a sobbing Bella.

***

Days turned to months, and Bella had changed. Every night was a sleepless one due to her night terrors, Mack stayed with her most nights so Charlie could rest for work. The red haired girl was worried for her cousin's health. Bella barely ate, she didn't interact with anyone, not even her or Charlie.

Charlie began noticing the toll it was taking on Mackenzie as well. She also lost weight due to her constant worry over her cousin. That was the final straw for him.

"I'm sending Bella to Renee." Charlie said, as he made his morning coffee.

"What?" Mack said, stopping the blender. She had began making protein shakes, to help Bella gain some weight, and it seemed to be the one thing she actually ate.

"Her staying her, isn't healthy. He's not coming back, she needs to know that." Charlie said.

"I get that, Uncle C, I do, but I think that's a mistake. It would just make Bella resent you, and make her depression worst cause its one place he would never go." Mack said, knowing her cousin pretty well. "She's coming around a bit. She's taking to these shakes pretty well. She's no longer just sitting at her bedroom window. I'll try to see if the girls and I can plan something with her. But if you still think it's best, ask her. Make it so she thinks she has a choice."

Mack gave Charlie a few minutes to talk with Bella, before she headed outside to ride with Bella. The girls rode in silence for few, before Bella ranted to her cousin about the move.

"I told him I made plans with Jess. Please come  with us." Bella begged, knowing her cousin couldn't always handle Jess.

"Fine but I'm bringing Sienna, and taking my own car." Mack said as the arrived at school. She grabbed Bella's hand before she exited the car. "Thank you for trying, Bellie. You gave us quite the scare. Just know I'm always here for you. Bellie and Mack versus the world."

***

Sienna and Mack walked behind Bella and Jess. Mackenzie had noticed how off Sienna was, and knew why immediately. Her birthday was coming up, and it would be the first without Matt, since before Mack was in the picture.

"Si.." Mack began, knowing Sienna wasn't big on talking about her emotions.

"I'm fine, Mack. I swear." She said, trying to convince herself.

"Si, it's me. Come on."

"I don' t get him! Like you're willing to throw away a lifelong friendship cause the leader of the hall monitors on steroids showed interest in you? If that's who Matthew is than I guess I never knew him at all." Sienna said, her anger bubbling out of her.

"Hey, come on. He let me know about Bella. He didn't have to, but he did."

"And have you heard from him since?" Sienna waited, before giving her best friend the 'I told you so look.'

"Well you know what, his loss. We will have the best damn birthday celebration ever." Mack said, throwing her arm around Sienna's shoulder. "Shit, Si. You're burning up. Are you okay?"

"I feel fine." Sienna said, confused. She didn't feel like she had a fever.

"Hey Bellie! I'm taking Sienna home, she's not feeling the best." Mack said, not wanting to chance it. Matt was sick before he changed, was the thought that lingered in the back of her mind.

That night, Mackenzie didn't realize would be the last she saw of Sienna for a while, and how much she depended on her friendship to help her cope. She also didn't expect a voicemail from Jessica explaining how Bella was now a psycho and got on a random person's motorcycle.