𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

The drive from the Cullen's house to the treaty line was long and quiet. Emmett didn't even have music playing in the background as he usually did. I wasn't complaining though, I needed the quiet, my mind and body still in shock after all that happened.

Before we left the house, I of course made sure Bella was okay, she was unfazed and stated this was just one more reason for Edward to turn her. I also made sure to check in on Jasper, even though he'd scared me, I knew it wasn't his fault.

Jasper was hunting but Alice assured me that she'd let Jasper know I was thinking about him. I do hope he doesn't take it too personally. Their thirst for blood is in their DNA, they can't help it. And with Jasper being so new to the Cullen diet... well, it wasn't his fault.

Still, I'll probably be keeping some distance between me and the blonde for now.

I also made sure to change from my dress before leaving, not wanting whoever picked me up to see Emmett's claim on my skin. I'd changed into some sweats and a t-shirt, both of which belonged to Emmett. Of course they were both way too big on me and I had to roll the waistband of the pants about a hundred times. I looked ridiculous.

"Thanks for driving me," I whispered, breaking the silence.

Emmett's eyes met mine for a second and I could see so much worry residing in his golden iris'. He feared for mine and Bella's lives tonight, I can't imagine how much that pains him. "Do you want to be turned," Emmett asked, his eyes turning back to the road. "Bella can't wait for Edward to make up his mind about it. But I've never asked you if this would be something you'd want. This life isn't for everyone."

My heart stilled in my chest as I thought it over. I really wasn't ready for this conversation. Becoming a vampire wasn't something to be taken lightly. That decision would alter the course of my entire life. I'd have to give up my family, my friends... Paul wouldn't be able to be around me without wanting to kill me, that was a major problem.

I wouldn't be allowed to see my dad or brother anymore... I'd have to give it all up. I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet. But I love Emmett. I can't imagine not spending forever with him.

"Some day," I decided, my eyes scanning his side profile. I gently reached across the jeep, grabbing his hand in mine. "But, there's no rush for me. I'm not ready to say good-bye to my family, not yet. Is that okay?"

Emmett turned to me with a small smile, nodding, "yeah, that's okay."

I let out a small breath of relief as we pulled up to the treaty line, Emmett pulled the Jeep off to the side of the road and put the car in park. Paul's car was already there, waiting for me. He was the only one I was able to get a hold of this late, and thankfully he didn't have patrol and was able to meet Emmett and I.

Emmett quickly exited the driver's side and came around to open my door, helping me out of the jeep. I heard Paul's door open and shut and I tensed slightly, already knowing this was going to be an awkward encounter.

Emmett and I moved around the jeep to where Paul was standing waiting, his brows were furrowed as he looked me over. I didn't even get a chance to introduce them before Paul was tensing angrily.

"She reeks of fear and blood," he spat, "what did you blood suckers do to her?" Paul's eyes were set in a hard glare as he stepped toward Emmett.

Emmett furrowed his brows and I watched as he took a step toward me, "nothing happened to her."

"Paul, please," I pleaded tiredly, "I'm exhausted and I'll explain it all in the car. Can we not fight right now?"

Paul eyed me for a moment, his eyes scanning me from head to toe, much like I'd done to him earlier in the day. Finally, once he'd confirmed I wasn't injured in any way, he nodded. "Fine."

I let out a breath, turning to Emmett. "Thanks again for the ride, I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked hopefully.

Emmett hesitated a moment before nodding, "yeah, I'll see you tomorrow."

I gave him a small smile before popping up on my toes and placing a quick kiss to his lips. Not wanting to show some PDA in front of Paul, I made it quick. If Emmett noticed, he didn't show any signs, smiling softly at me as I walked over to Paul's car.

The shifter opened my door for me, allowing me to climb in before rounding the car and getting in the driver's side. I watched silently as Emmett got in the Jeep and drove away into the night.

My eyes fell closed and I let out a breath, my body sinking into the passenger seat in exhaustion. Paul quickly started the car and started driving in the direction of home.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" He asked after a moment, his voice gruff and clearly irritable.

I rolled my lip between my teeth anxiously. I didn't want to give Paul any more reason to hate my boyfriend's family. But I also wasn't about to lie to his face either. After a moment of silence I took a breath.

"There was an accident," I admitted quietly. "Bella got a paper cut and one of the Cullen's, Jasper, he's fairly new to the vegetarian diet... basically he tried to attack her and all hell broke loose. Bella got thrown into some glass, causing even more blood, and Emmett had to man handle Jasper to get him out of the house.

"I probably reek of fear, as you so eloquently put, because I freaked out after seeing the blood," I had to take a calming breath at the reminder of it, of the panic it brought, "I had a bit of a episode after seeing it."

Paul was quiet for a moment, probably trying to reign in his anger at the Cullen's. I let him take his time, appreciating the fact that he was trying so hard to remain calm. Paul has always been a hot head, always jumping to conclusions and getting way more upset than necessary.

"What kind of episode?" He asked after a moment, his voice now soft and worried.

My eyes dropped down to the skirt of my dress, where my hands were playing with the fabric. I eyed the scar that ran along my forearm, my fingers of the opposite hand tracing the jagged line. "I had a flashback of when Bella and I were attacked. It was like it was happening again," I whispered, my voice void of any emotion. I felt numb, exhaustion clinging to every cell in my body. "Carlisle said it was probably some episode of post traumatic stress, which is totally normal given what I've been through."

Paul's hand reached over and rested over my scarred arm, the heat of his skin soothing the cold ache I felt. My eyes fell closed as I allowed him to sooth me. He brushed his thumb along the raised scar, his touch gentle and warm.

"I wish I was there to protect you," Paul admitted softly, "That day, I mean."

I put my free hand on top of his, giving his fingers a squeeze. "You didn't know."

He only nodded, his hand moving from mine back to the wheel. We fell into a comfortable silence then, and I wasn't complaining. It was like earlier with Emmett, the silence with Paul brought me nothing but comfort after all the stress and anxiety from earlier.

Somewhere along the way home my eyes drooped closed and without warning I fell asleep, my head resting against the cool glass of the window.

It had been two days since Bella's party and Emmett had been very short with me since. He didn't end up seeing me the next day like he promised, his texts were one words responses, and he was dodging my phone calls.

Apparently Bella was getting similar treatment from Edward.

It didn't make sense. I had no idea what I did to upset Emmett to the point of him ignoring me but it left a sinking feeling in my gut. I'd spent the last two days in a haze of confusion and anxiety, which was something Jake and my dad definitely picked up on.

Jake tried asking me what was going on last night, to which I told him I was worried about Emmett. Of course the conversation ended there because Jacob was unable to help himself and immediately started bashing the Cullen's.

I hadn't seen Paul since that night either, but that was to be expected. He had patrol shifts the last two nights and he'll be patrolling again today as well. 

My stomach was twisting with anxiety as I tried to come up with some sort of explanation as to why my soulmate would ice me out like this. It didn't make sense, not one bit. Before I could spin my self into another panic attack my phone rang, Emmett's name flashing across the screen.

I let out a breath of relief, my anxiety dissipating slightly. Maybe he had just been busy. "Em," I answered, my voice breathless, "I've been trying to call you."

There was no noise on the line, only silence. I pulled the phone back, my brows furrowed in confusion. The call was connected. I put the phone back and tried again, "hello? Emmett?"

"I'm here," his voice was like a soothing balm to my anxious heart. "Can you meet me at the treaty line?"

I sat up on the couch excitedly, a smile pulling at my lips. "Of course I can, I'll be there in ten."

"Okay," he breathed out before the line went dead.

I pulled the phone away with a frown. That was odd. I decided to shake of the absurdity of the phone call and immediately got up from the couch to grab my keys.

My excitement to see him was enough to curb any anxiety or confusion about how Emmett ended the call. My smile was wide on my lips as was nearly bouncing in my seat the whole way to the treaty line. The drive never felt so long and I knew it was because I wanted to see him so badly. It's funny how time works like that. The things you dread always come up so quickly while the things you can't wait for take forever.

By the time I pulled up Emmett was already standing there in our usual pull off, but his Jeep was no where in sight. I felt my stomach twist slightly, urging me to pay attention to the sinking feeling that was developing but I pushed it aside and jumped out of my car.

My cheeks were aching from how wide I was smiling as I bounded up to the vampire, throwing my arms around his neck as I brought him into a hug. "I missed you so much!" I buried my face in his shirt, breathing in his scent.

I felt Emmett's cool hands come to my hips, resting their for a moment before he pushed me away, peeling me off of him. I furrowed my brows in confusion as he stepped back from me, breaking all contact. 

Then I noticed it. Emmett's body was tense, every muscle working to keep him on edge, his posture much too straight. And his face, it was set in a hard look, like a wall was put up between me and the soul I knew was residing behind those golden eyes.

"Em," I asked hesitantly, "what's wrong?"

The silence that stretched between us was charged and heavy in the air. The twisting of my stomach was too much to ignore now, demanding attention as it pulled at my gut until I felt physically ill. Like I was going to throw up.

"Em, say something," I pleaded nervously. He wouldn't even meet my eyes. I felt my panic mounting in my chest, fear for whatever was going on.

Emmett was silence for a moment longer before he finally spoke, "We, uh," He hesitated for a moment, meeting my eyes as the next words left his lips, "we need to break up."

It felt like a punch in the gut, the wind instantly knocked out of my lungs as I tried to process his words. Everything around us fell into the background as I stared into his amber eyes. It didn't make sense. This had to be a joke... right?

"W-" I had to force air back into my lungs, force myself to ignore the vice that suddenly wrapped its way around my heart. And ache was spreading through my chest at an alarming rate. "What? W-where is this coming from?"

My mind was reeling. The last time I saw him we'd hooked up in a garage and he'd asked me if I wanted to be like him. We were discussing our future together, our forever. What happened to make him change his mind like this? To make him want to leave me?

"I don't love you," the words sounded like they were underwater, too far away for me to make sense of them.

I shook my head, blinking back the burn I suddenly felt in my eyes. "No, what?" This made no sense. "I'm you're mate, Emmett, what do you mean you don't love me?"

The pain in my chest was worsening, it felt my soul was being torn away, leaving an empty darkness in its wake. And it hurt so badly I could hardly breathe. My hand went up to my chest as if I could rub the ache away.

"I was wrong," his voice was void of any emotion and I found myself wanting to scream. Why was he lying? "You're not my mate. You were just... a pass time."

I couldn't respond, my entire body only able to focus on the physical blow those words took. In a moment the man I loved so desperately found the very words required to rip my heart to shreds. 

"It'd be best if you just forgot all about me," Emmett suggested, his eyes unable to meet my own. As he turned to walk away, I panicked, my brain burning as I tried to fight through this pain in order to say something to get him to stop.

My stomach had dropped through the floor and my chest was empty a hallow sort of burning pain left in its wake. I felt like I was dying. I might as well be.

"Kill me," I whispered, my voice barely audible but loud enough for the vampire to hear. Tears I'd been fighting to hold back finally poured over, dripping down my cheeks. I watched with blurred eyes as Emmett came to a stop, pausing for a moment before rushing in front of me using his speed.

My face was in his hands and he was glaring down at me with more emotion than he'd shown in the last five minutes. "I don't believe you," I whispered, "if you really don't love me then kill me, you're doing it anyway by leaving me, at least save me the suffering of having to endure this heartache."

Emmett shook his head, dropping his hands from my face and taking a step back. The loss of contact was oddly the most painful of this whole thing, my skin burning where he was no longer touching.

"You'll be okay, Olivia," Emmett assured but it didn't sound like he even believed his own words.

I shook my head, "no I won't." More tears spilled down my cheeks and I had to clutch my chest to try and ease the pain that was blooming there, worsening by the second. "How do you not feel it? Are you so dead that you can't even feel this pain?"

He didn't say anything and that angered me. Emmett Cullen was my soulmate, I knew it the same way I knew I needed air to breathe. So why was he doing this? Why was he hurting me like this?

"Don't leave me," I whimpered, pleading with him.

Emmett's fists clenched at his side before he turned away, "we're leaving Forks. You won't see us again." 

And then he was gone.