CHAPTER 26:

Today was the last day the boys were going to be in town. A whole week had gone by since the New Year’s Eve party. I met Mr. and Mrs. Jonas a couple days after and they were very sweet to me. Frankie was adorable and he was quite the smooth talker. Mrs. Jonas was very supportive of the whole situation with the death of Lucas. Apparently the boys told her what happened. She gave me great advice and she insisted I talk to her if I needed any help. She was really sweet and she hated when I called her Mrs. Jonas, she felt old so she made me call her Denise, which was kind of awkward at first. When I wasn’t working I was with the Jonas family. I barely spent anytime at home except when I had to sleep. Joe and I never spoke about the kiss we shared on New Year. None of us dared to speak about it. It was kind of awkward being around him after that so I spent time mostly with Kevin. I didn’t know where that kiss left us. Were we friends or more than friends? Today the Jonas’ were having a picnic at the Amelia Earhart Park. I was getting ready to leave when Edward knocked on the door to my room.

“Come in” I yelled from the bottom of the stairs.
“Are you busy?” he asked as he walked down the steps.
“I was just leaving” I replied.
“Oh I just wanted to talk to you about something but it can wait” he said as he began to turn around and head back up the stairs.
“No I got time what’s up?” I sat on my bed and motioned for him to sit as well.
“Well I’m thinking about leaving” he began as he took a seat across from me on my computer seat.
“What do you mean leaving?” I asked kind of confused. Did he mean like moving away?
“Moving out away from this hell hole” he replied.
“Oh so you’re leaving me” I said sadly.
“Isabella” he began.
“No it’s okay I understand you have to do what you have to do” I cut him off. “I’ll be fine don’t worry about me” I added as I got up and walked towards the stairs.
“That’s not what I meant” he walked up behind me.
“Hope you have a nice life” I replied as I grabbed my keys and started going up the stairs.
“I want you to go with me” he yelled and I stopped dead in my tracks.
“What?” I turned around and looked at him.
“That’s what I meant. I’m thinking about leaving and I want you to go with me please” he explained.
“I don’t know” I began to step down.
“Look this place isn’t doing you any good. You don’t feel safe and that’s just not the home you should be living in. I’ve been saving money since I started working for my mother and I have more than enough to leave and to take you with me” he advised.
“Edward I” I started.
“I promised I would look after you and that’s just what I’m going to do but it takes two. I’m not going to force you to leave but I’m giving you the option of going with me. We can share an apartment or something but if you choose to stay then I’ll have no choice but to respect your decision. Whatever you decide I’m with you 100% but I just can’t take it here anymore. All the abuse, the disrespect I’m done with it Is and you should be too” he explained.
“Give me time to think about it” I replied.
“I went searching for an apartment yesterday and I found this really nice one near downtown Miami and it’s running really cheap. It has two bedrooms and two bathrooms it’s really nice and it has a lot of space. I have a week to decide if I’m going to take it so let me know please” he answered. “Please think about it really well” he begged.
“I will and thanks” I hugged him.
“Well I’ll see you later” he headed up the stairs.
“Bye” I said as he disappeared out the door.

Wow! He practically just gave me my ticket to freedom. He was very smart. He was saving money the same way I did. We could move out together and then maybe I could go to UCLA like I always dreamed of going. But then what if I lose my job? How will I get the rest of the money to pay for school? It’s a lot to think of. I can’t leave this home it’s all I have left of my parents. This house and the store were the only things left. I headed up the stairs and got into my car. The Jonas’ were waiting for me.

I arrived at the park fifteen minutes later. Paul already had the grill going and Denise was setting the table under the little hut. Nick was on the bridge with Peyton throwing rocks into the pond. Joe and Kevin were playing catch with Frankie on the grass.

“Hi Mrs. Jo- I mean Denise” I smiled as I leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek.
“Hey Isabella” she greeted back. “Boys Isabella’s here” she yelled.
“Isabella” Frankie yelled as he ran up to hug me.
“Hey Frankie” I hugged him back.
“What’s up Bells?” Joe said to me.
“Hey Is” Kevin greeted.
“I thought this was supposed to be a picnic” I motioned towards their dad on the grill. They looked at me confused. “Well you know picnic baskets, blanket, and sandwiches” I added.
“Oh well we’ve decided to go modern” Kevin laughed.
“You mean barbecue” I playfully punched him in the arm.
“You want to play catch” Frankie asked as he pulled my hand.
“Sure why not?” I replied as I ran along with him onto the grass.

Lunch was ready not long after we began to play and we all sat together and ate. For once I felt like family and I felt loved. After we ate Joe, Kevin and I sat on the grass and spoke. I explained to them about Edward wanting to move out and they both agreed that I should do it. They both thought that it was what was best for me. I needed to get out of that house. Even I knew that.

“Can we talk?” Joe asked.
“Uh sure” I said as I got up and followed him.
“So you’re leaving. That’s great maybe you can finally go to study writing or become the rockstar you’ve always wanted to be” he said.
“Shh Joe no one knows about that. I’ve long forgotten that dream alright it’s not going to happen” I whispered.
“Why won’t you ever sing for me?” he asked.
“Because I sound horrible” I replied.
“I bet you’re just saying that so I leave you alone cause believe me you do not sound horrible” he smiled.
“And how would you know that?” I asked.
“Well ever since you know” he meant Lucas’ death. “You haven’t been very smart. Whenever we speak on video chat there are times you forget to turn of your camera. I’ve seen you sing in your room and you’re not bad Bells” he smiled.
“Not bad?” I felt offended.
“I’ve seen better,” he laughed.
“Gee thanks”
“Just kidding Belle you’re great and you can’t keep talent like that away from the world”
“Okay I’ll keep that in mind” I replied.
“What I really wanted to talk about was the New Year’s Eve party. Do you like regret what happened cause I don’t. I’ve been thinking a lot about it” he said as we walked towards the bridge.
“I’ve thought about it too and I don’t really regret it either it’s just that I don’t know what to say” I replied and he kissed me again just like the other night. It was nice and soft. “So where does this leave us Joe?” I asked once he pulled away.
“I want to be with you Bells. Ever since I first started talking to you I thought you were amazing and I still do. I want for you to be my girlfriend but if you don’t want to I understand totally I-” I kissed him. Maybe that would make him stop babbling “Is that a yes?” he asked. I kissed him again. I nodded then I smiled and when I looked behind him Kevin was staring straight at us with hurt and pain in his eyes.