What if...

Chapter 2 ~ Getting Out

“I am sorry Jessica, I’ll see you tomorrow ok?” I whispered to her as she dropped me off at my house. It was dark out, but not late.

She rolled her eyes, but didn’t answer me, once I was out of the car and shut the door she sped off into the night.

“Bells? Your home early.” Charlie called out from his place on the couch.

“Yea…uh, the movie ended sooner and both of us were tired.” I lied as I passed him to walking to the stairs.

“Are you going to bed?” Charlie asked.

“Yes, goodnight.” I wished him, thinking of how I was going to get him to let me go. I took a shower and got ready for bed then started my ancient computer. After it was booted up and ready to go ten minutes later, I Googled ‘Denali, Alaska’. A map came up first with directions, so I clicked that, but all it was is a National Park. The only town that borders it is Petersville. That I see at least. The only way I could think of to contact Tanya, Kate and Irina was to go there and talk to locals, see if anyone knows where they live. They must be like the Cullen’s like that, known but not known.

I planned to leave by the end of next week, giving me enough time to plant my alibi to Charlie. I felt bad about lying to him, but I knew it was well worth it. I booked plane tickets for Friday, the last of January, and went to climb under my covers.  I sighed, thinking about getting to see my family again as I fell asleep. The night went by quickly as surprising as it was. No nightmares, not one single dream. I was relieved for the first time in months. I quickly got dressed for school and raced to get to my first class, as I was running late. It was scary, hearing everything as though plugs had been pulled from my ears. Everything seemed…real, in a way. I felt like I was floating before, not able to touch down. Now I felt heavy and I was sinking, quick. Everything was to clear and I missed the numbness. I had no balance between the two.

“Hey dad.” I greeted Charlie when he got home that evening. I was sucking up and had his favorite cooked.

“Hi Bells, how was your day?” He seemed genuinely surprised to see me like this, with hope in my eyes.

“It was good, but I need to talk to you about something.” I said the last part quietly.  

“Shoot.” Charlie said as we sat down to eat.

“Well, I wasn’t to graduate early. Go to Alaska and Canada, maybe some other states I’ve never been too…travel before college you know?” I rushed out. Charlie’s fork dropped as he stared at me with shock clearly written on his face. I didn’t know what to say, so I just waited for him to speak, chewing my lip off in the process.

“Why now? Why not summer, you can travel next year and go to college the following—“

“Dad, I can’t. I love it here, but I need to leave, I have to…get a change of scenery.” I said stupidly broken.

Charlie seemed confuse until I uttered the last sentence out, then it all clicked.

He started nodding, “When are you planning on leaving?” he asked sadly. I almost broke and told him never mind, but my heart told me no. I had to do this.

“I am taking my finals this week; I already talked with the Principal. I leave on Friday.” I didn’t want to hurt him, but I knew this was better than just disappearing.

“I’m sorry Dad.” I mumbled.

He gave me a sad smile, “I understand Bells, I’ll miss you, but I’m glad you’re doing this. You’re going all alone?”

“Yeah, I need to go at my own pace.” I had enough money with me to search for quite a while. I would quit officially Wednesday.

“Ok.” Charlie said, before getting up and hugging me. He was never one to show emotions, so it took me a while to respond. He turned and left the room after that, going to watch baseball. I decided it was a good time as any to call Renee and tell her.