superficial | twilight

10 - Step Back

Kingsley neatly makes the bed as the sun begins to rise over the trees; its early, about 6:30, and she feels like she's intruded enough on the Cullens. Well, Esme and Carlisle. She doesn't know where the others are.

There's a gentle knock on the door and King goes to answer it, smiling gently when she sees Esme. "Hi."

"Hey, I heard you up. I bought you these, thought a nice clean pair of clothes will help." She says, holding up some black leggings and mint green jumper.

"Oh you didn't have to, thank you." She smiles and takes them. "What did Charlie say last night?"

"He said he's glad you're safe, and maybe it would be good for you to get a night away from them all. He said to call when you're up, but I'm sure he thought you'd sleep in a lot longer."

King blushes. "I'm sorry, I never wake this early. I didn't wake you, did I?"

"Absolutely not, don't be silly. I get up about 5:30 when Carlisle goes to work." She smiles. "Do you want to stay for breakfast?"

King hesitates, but nods. She doesn't want to go back yet. "Please."

"You change and I'll make some pancakes." Esme smiles, closing the door as she leaves.

King sits on the edge of the bed for a moment and smiles a little; Esme reminds her a little of her mom and its nice to feel like she's here. God, her heart aches for her mom right now...

She shakes the thought and quickly changes, placing her clothes on the dresser ready to grab when she leaves. She heads downstairs and finds her phone charging on the counter. "Oh shoot, I thought I left it in the car." She says as she scrolls through the messages - 124 from Jake, 34 from Embry, a few from unknown numbers and one from her dad, simply telling her to be safe. She loves that he isn't overbearing.

"It must've fell out your pocket last night, I found it on the stairs." Esme says as she plates the pancakes. "Here honey, eat up."

King sits at the breakfast bar. "Damn these look good..." She mutters and digs in.

Esme smiles and wipes the counter down. "What are you gonna do today, head home?"

King sinks a little into her seat. "Um..." She mumbles around a mouthful. She really doesn't want to go, not yet. "I dunno, maybe a drive?" She says as she sips her water.

"Why don't you... Maybe, spend the day here? I'll call your dad, then maybe we can bake?" Esme smiles.

"I haven't baked in so long... Is that okay?" She smiles, hopeful.

"Of course. I feel lost with an empty home, Carlisle is on a late, Bella and Edward don't live here. And the other four have headed on some ski trip or something." Esme smiles; of course it isn't a ski trip, more like a hunting trip. But either way, she doesnt like being alone and King doesn't want to be at home, so maybe they can keep each other company.

"Let me call my dad and Charlie, then I'll be ready." King says as she sets her plate by the sink. She takes her phone and heads into the living room, leaning by the window as she dials her dad's number. He'll definitely be up.

He answers after only 2 rings. "Hi honey... You okay?"

She smiles small and watches the river run between the trees. "I'm okay, dad, promise. I was thinking of maybe spending the day with Esme? If that's okay."

"Um... Sure. If that's okay with Esme." He says, nervous. His daughter spending a day with a vampire? Couldn't be any worse than an evening with a pack of wolves, to be fair. "Do you need anything?"