Runaway Girl {A Twilight Love Story}

Bring it Round

I fake my life like I've lived

Too much, I take whatever you're given

Not enough

I tossed and turned that night in a flurry of dreams. It was flashes of bronze hair and dark eyes. I dreamt that I was in my room in Forks.

The blankets were twisted around me as I tossed and turned restlessly. A dark figure stood at the foot of the bed and watched me. He sauntered over to me and traced the line of my jaw and whispered my name. I could feel the biting graze of his hand and I shivered in pleasure at the contact. He hummed a sweet lullaby and I fell deeper into my dreams. The walls around me fell away. The sun shone in the crystal sky and I held my face up to breathe in the salt air. The trees around me hung heavy with moss. I saw the dark figure retreat into the woods and I followed mutely. I tripped over the roots repeatedly but never fell. The dark figure stopped ahead of me and I stood behind him gazing at the burnished locks. His shoulders tensed as he slowly turned to me. I gazed into his deep tawny eyes. I brought my hand up to his chest and cooled from the touch. He gave me a diabolical smile. I licked my lips expectantly. He leaned down and brushed his nose across my jaw. His cool and sweet lips enveloped mine. I felt my body become malleable against his chest. I breathed in the sunshine and honey on his skin. He broke away. Looking down I whispered "I knew you'd come back to me. I knew you'd come home."

My alarm went off jarring me awake. I sat up in bed and ran my fingers over my lips. It was as if I could taste the honey on my lips. I lay back down savoring the memory of my dream. I knew that I would have to get up and make Ryland his breakfast soon. I had only a few winsome moments to replay my thoughts. Most of the time after I dreamt of Edward I would try to clear my mind of him. I knew that I would never have a man like that. I would never be that woman. Especially now. I had enough o worry about with Ryland without having fantasies about a perfect man I barely knew. Especially one who had been almost cruel to me when he wasn't saving my life.

He didn't save you from everything. He didn't save you from yourself.

I pushed the thought out of my mind. I couldn't dwell on the past and the mistakes I made. I was trying to make amends the only way I knew how. Every day I woke up and made my life look like I knew what I was doing. Of course I had no clue. I questioned every choice I made. The guilt I felt was immense. I was failing Ryland every day. I had failed him before he was even born. He deserved better then the life I could offer him.

I rolled out of bed and began to make the pancakes for Ryland. It was our tradition on the weekends. I would make him his favorite breakfast treat and then we would spend the day together doing fun things. Today I woke up extra early because we would be picking up a friend at the airport. I wanted Ryland to have some Mommy and me time Before Jacob arrived. I was finishing the giraffe pancake my Grandpa Swan had taught me and gazing out the kitchen window when I heard Ryland pad in behind me. I dished him up and made myself a bowl of low fat yogurt. I needed to watch my figure for work. When I wasn't dreaming of Edward I would dream of cake and greasy pizza. It was laughable the things that I fantasized about. I once spent an hour ogling an éclair at Johni's Bakery. It was practically a crime. We got ready quickly and set off for the park. I sat on the bench and watched Ryland on the slide. He was the splitting image of his father. The dirty blond hair, the lanky body and full smile. He had my eyes and Charlie's curls. I wish he looked more like my mom but I saw her in his personality. He was so charming and personable. I was constantly having people telling me he was precocious. I knew it was true, he had Renee's fun loving demeanor. When he would smile at my with that wicked glint in his eyes I could see her. It almost scared me at times. I knew I was far too serious at times. He made me take chances. My little special. Smiling wistfully I looked around and saw a silver Volvo parked under a tree across the way. I felt my chest flip for a moment. I steadied my breath and narrowed my eyes at the car. Ever since high school all I could think was stupid shiny Volvo owner. I was distracted by the car and didn't hear the rustling of someone sitting next to me until he spoke up.

"Are things really that bad?"

I looked at him shocked. He had blond shaggy hair and straight white teeth. His skin was tan from the hot Phoenix sun and his green eyes sparkled at his joke. I regained my composure and I looked down blushing. "No, I was distracted for a moment. Thought I recognized something."

"What brings you to my park on this beautiful morning?"

"I didn't realize public parks were private property. Seems a little unlikely don't you think?" I retorted.

"Ah, you are a quick one aren't you?" he asked, his eyes traced down my body like I was a steak. "Now you have a little hellion?"

"No, I have a son and my child is wonderful."

"Every parent says that," he said.

"Yes well for me it's true."

He stuck his hand out to me. "I'm James and that little ragamuffin in the purple dress is my niece Jillian."

I shook his hand firmly. "Bella and my son is the cutie in the red shirt, Ryland."

"I know I saw you two come in."

I shot him a smirk. He was cute. Perhaps a little too forward but he seemed nice enough. "Did you now? You know some women might be put off by stalking."

"Wow, you don't pull any punches do you?" he said, throwing his head back to laugh.

"It weeds out the pansies I suppose," I confirmed.

He smiled wickedly at me. "Well Bella, I assure you that I am not a pansy. I am simply a twenty something man who when I see something I like I have to try to get it. I noticed you right away and felt I needed to tell you that I noticed you" -he paused to lower his voice- "even with that sour grapes look you had on your face."

I checked my watch and got up, putting my hand out. "Yeah, I guess I need to watch that."

"I really don't mean for this to sound like a come on. But did you go to Crescent High? You look familiar."

"Nope," I said, my eyes still on Ryland. "I lived here when I was younger, but I went to high school in Washington State. Small town called Forks, if you can believe the name." I laughed. "Now, I'm sorry, but we have to pick up someone at the airport. It was nice meeting you James, urm...."

"Richardson. James Richardson. And you are?"

"Bella Swan," I responded.

"Well it was great meeting you Bella and Ryland Swan. I'm sure we'll see each other again."

I smiled uncertainly as I yelled for Ryland. He came running and held his hand as we walked away from James. Pulling out of the parking lot I caught him following my little car with his eyes. As cute as he was, I got an odd vibe from him. I considered switching parks before I dismissed the idea. It was his niece not his daughter. How often could a man come to the park with his niece? I glanced in the rear view mirror smiled at Ryland.

"You excited to see Uncle Jacob?"

"You bet Mommy! Do you think he'll bring me some huckleberries like last time?" he asked.

"I don't know Rye; I guess we'll just see."

We rushed to find a parking spot and I carried Ryland on my hip as we hustled through the throngs of people at the baggage claim. As we found the carousal I set him down and laid my purse down to fish for my cell. When I found it I raised my head up to see a shock of bronze hair and a short dark haired woman watching me through the crowd. I stared at them for a moment. My phone rang and I glanced down to check it. When I looked back up they were gone. I leaned down to pick up Ryland and clutch him warm. We stood there trying to shake the feeling of disconcertion.

Sneaker Pimps-Six Underground