Faded [RENESMEE CULLEN]

𝟑. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧

"JACOB MET A GIRL TODAY," is the first thing I hear when I get home. If I can call this place "a home". I don't even know how the Cullens still want me here. Oh, wait - Esme and Bella do. If it wasn't for them, I would be homeless. I am grateful for their existence.

Bella's eyes shine. "Really? Who is she?"

I don't want to talk about it, but I have no choice. I have to act like the adult I actually am, so I motion to her to sit on the sofa with me. Edward sits too, holding Bella close like she is going to fall apart if he doesn't do so.

"There's a new girl in town," I begin. "Her name is Kayla Armstrong and she is in Senior High, like me."

Bella looks like she wants to be happy for me. But I can see that in her eyes there's hidden pain. She misses Renesmee and wishes for her to be here. She really wanted us to get together, mainly because she wanted me to have a happy ending. For her, Renesmee was not just a perfect angel. She was also the next best thing for me.

Edward raises his eyebrows, "And... ?" He knows everything. He can read minds. But Bella can't. So obviously he wants me to tell her everything - from the locket, to how this girl reminds me of Nessie. He wants her to know as well. And then, everyone will discuss this in the living room at night, while I sleep. Like always.

I spoke too soon. The whole family gathers on the sofas in a matter of seconds.

Esme looks at me, "Did you just say, Armstrong?"

I nod my head, confused. Does she know any of them?

Esme adds that she is their adoptive son's French tutor. She explains to me that the Armstrong family consists of two women, who are married and are raising adopted children. Kayla happens to be one of them. Her adoptive brother is planning to study abroad in the future and that is why Esme is his tutor.

That makes sense.

But what about the locket?

I decided to explain to everyone what happened today and to come up with a decision together.

While I am telling the story, I can see Bella and Edward looking at each other. Especially when I mention the locket.

Bella gasps. "Could it be?"

I hope so. I miss Renesmee. Everyone does.

That night, Esme comes up with a plan. She doesn't know that I was already one step ahead of her. Her plan includes me to get to know Kayla and to learn as much as I possibly can. Well, I already know that she was adopted.

All I need to learn now is the background story of the locket and why does it look so much like Nessie's.