𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 , 𝘦𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯

022. 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ DEATH  OF  A  FRIEND
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AS NELLIE WALKED INTO HER CHILDHOOD HOME THAT NIGHT, SHE COULD HEAR THE QUIET SOBS OF HER FATHER.

Concern trickled through Nellie's whole body as she walked into her house to find her father sitting at the dining table, phone in hand and his head in his arms. Sobs were wracking his shoulders and his hair was a mess.

"Dad?" Nellie called out to the man as her body heated up with worry. He looked up to his daughter, his eyes red and puffy, "Hey, dad, what's wrong?"

Ricky sniffled before wiping at his eyes. Nellie took a seat next to him as she grabbed his hand and put all her attention to the man in front of her. Ricky looked down at their conjoined hands, that being the only thing to calm him, "Waylon was found dead."

A gasp left Nellie's throat as she looked to the man in front of her. Waylon had become a family friend when Nellie was just a baby. He was best friends with her mom in high school and since then, Ricky and the man had kept her honor by remaining close.

Nellie grew up knowing the man like he was family. He was always kind; his boat being one of Nell's favorite places to be when they went over to his house. Tears built up in Nellie's eyes as she looked to her dad.

"Oh, dad. Oh, my God. I'm so sorry," she said as she gave him a tight hug. The man and his daughter cried it out together, their tears mixing with something bitter in the air. Waylon was the last living connection either had to Nellie's mom and him dying just seemed to make it all so much more real for Ricky, "It's gonna be okay, okay?"

Ricky held onto his daughter as if she'd be next if he didn't. Sobs left his throat as he choked on his words, "I know, Penny. I know."

That night was a rough one in the Donovan household. Nellie was up until midnight, making sure her father got himself washed up and fell asleep comfortably before work the next day. The girl tried to convince him to stay home but he mumbled something about a distraction before drifting off to sleep.

Nellie kissed his forehead, her tears long died up since then and walked off to her room. As she made her way, she passed the families photo wall. There lied pictures of her mom and Waylon as kids. Even photos trickled in of Ricky joining them. But the ones that hurt the most were of her and Waylon.

There were photos of him holding her upside down, his smile wide as the two played. There were pictures with the Chief in it and ones with Billy. Waylon touched so many people's hearts and Nellie couldn't imagine how hard they were having it at the moment.

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The next day of school was a difficult one for Nellie. Her father had slept past his alarm but she thought best to let him sleep. His work had most likely heard of the death and would let him off the hook for the day. Plus, Ricky Donovan just needed some damn sleep.

As she clambered into the truck that morning, Nellie couldn't even find motivation in the music. Her uncle had just died and she didn't even know how. Not really. Ricky had mentioned something about an animal attack but the more Nellie thought on it, that just didn't make any sense.

Yeah, it was Washington so bigger animals were more common but not in town. Not in Forks over by Waylon's house. She couldn't recall ever seeing an animal big enough to do what it did to Waylon in her entire life.

She sighed as she pulled into the parking lot, her eyes sore and puffy from crying and the lack of sleep. Emmett crawled into the truck as soon as she arrived and it didn't take him long to clock her features.

"Hey, Nell, what's wrong." He asked, his voice frail and his eyes swimming with concern.

She stifled a sigh as she looked to her boyfriend, "Waylon died last night. People are saying it's an animal attack, but Emmett, that just...I don't—,"

"I know," he said as he grabbed onto her and held her tight. His hand laid in her hair, drawing soothing circles as he thought over his next words, "me and my family tracked some nomads recently."

She moved from his grasp and looked at him with furrowed brows, "You don't think it was an animal attack, either, do you?"

Emmett shook his head at the girl as they finally made their way out of the truck. As they finally rejoined, he answered, "Not at all. I'm so sorry we couldn't find them fast enough to save Waylon."

Nellie shook her head as she grabbed onto Emmett's hands, "No, no. Don't do that. It's not your guys' fault. It's the stupid nomads that did it to him."

He nodded. "I'm still so sorry, Nell. Nobody deserves what happened to Waylon."

She agreed with him but couldn't find it on her tongue to talk about it anymore. Waylon was family. He didn't have much of one of his own and no matter what he said, he was family. Nellie saw him as her uncle and Ricky would always see him as a brother.

Her eyes moved up from their conjoined hands just in time to see Edward walking out towards the woods. Nellie furrowed her brows as she looked to Emmett. "The hell is he doing?"

Emmett shrugged, "No idea. My family doesn't either."

As she continued to watch him, from her peripheral she happened to spot Bella Swan from all people following after him. As she watched the two disappear into the woods, Nellie knew exactly what was happening.

"Oh, my God."

Emmett shook his head, "No, way."

"He's gonna tell her." Nellie said as she looked to Emmett with wide eyes.

Emmett looked to her. "We've got some mixed opinions from the crowd across the lot."

Nellie looked over to the Cullen's and suddenly her heart ached. Alice seemed happy, as did Thomas. They seemed to be delighted that their brother was finally getting the word out. On the other hand, Rosalie looked absolutely fucking pissed. Jasper looked to be a mix of both as he watched the twos retreating figures.

The ravenette turned to Emmett, "What do you think about it?"

Emmett shrugged his shoulders, "I mean, I'm not really excited about it but I can't really say anything. I told you, didn't I?" He said with a charming smile as he looked to her.

She smiled and rolled her eyes as she attempted to shove his face away. Emmett turned to her, "What do you think about him telling her?"

She looked to him with furrowed brows. "I don't think my opinion in the situation really matters. But if you were asking me on Bella's behalf? I'd say it's about damn time."

—— LUCILLE SPEAKS!

angsty chap for nell and ricky + edward and bella being the weirdos that they are. if you ask me, an average day in forks!!

thanks for reading!!!!!