hiraeth

chapter 1

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~arrival~

"Here to see Isabella Swan." I rested my elbows on the counter, twisting my old silver rings as the nurse at the desk typed into the computer.                                                                                                                        Saying her name felt weird. Not just because it was her full name and not her nickname Bella, but because I hadn't said her name in what felt like an eternity. Guilt pulled at my heart. My little sister's name shouldn't sound unfamiliar to me. 

"Yes, you're the sister, Dr. Cullen mentioned?" She asked, her eyebrow raised as she waited for me to say my name.                                                                                                                                                                      "Eleanor Swan, yes." I was tapping my rings gently against the counter now. Maybe I should go. 

I mean, I had up and left one night when Bella was fourteen. What if she didn't even remember me?  Getting pulled out of my thoughts, the nurse spoke with a smile. "Okay, down the hall to left, room 201." She was back to the computer, seemingly forgetting my existence.                                     

I moved the slipping strap of my backpack up higher on my shoulder as I turned to the hallway. I had already taken a flight here from New York. It wasn't like I had any more opportunity to back out now. No one ever talks about how hard it is to come back home after leaving. If I had known, maybe I would've thought twice before running. I swallowed my nerves and walked slowly and hesitantly down the hall. 

As I got to the end of the hallway and to the left turn the nurse had mentioned, I could see two people standing at the door. I tapped my fingers nervously against the side of my leg. I hadn't told my parents I was coming, I didn't even have a phone to do so, and I couldn't call on a payphone because I didn't know their numbers. How messed up is that? Two loving parents, and I didn't even care to remember their numbers.

I wish I had listened to my dad when he tried to get me to remember his off by heart. God knows I could've used it a few times. I exhaled shakily, but as I got closer, I realized the man and woman were not my parents. They were a young looking pair. One was in a doctor's coat and was tall and slender, with light blonde hair. 

His badge said,'DR. Cullen'. He was the man who had called me. How he had gotten a hold of me I don't know, but I was somewhat thankful, I don't think I'd forgive myself if Bella had been in the hospital and I hadn't at least seen her. The other was a young woman who looked just as young as the doctor. She had hair, the colour of caramel, and gorgeous eyes, the same honey colour as Dr. Cullen, she was a few inches shorter than the man. When I stopped in front of them, the first thing that felt off about them was, one: they were both far too gorgeous, and two: they were both extremely pale. 

The doctor smiled. Jesus, it was  so perfect it was practically blinding. I gripped my bag strap tighter.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  "Eleanor. I am so glad you came." He spoke with genuine happiness in his voice. The woman next to him smiling another too perfect smile.                                                                                                                                         He held out a pale hand, I looked down at it. "My sister?" I asked, tucking a strand of my dark brown hair behind my ear.