Will you listen to me?

23.

I'm a little kid, frankly, what can I do? How can I change my situation? Like Dad always used to joke, 'I don't need to sleep.' But right now, I begged that by some miracle both my parents were fast asleep in their bedroom. I knew it was an unrealistic hope. I needed to sneak out. Yeah, I was having a moment of insanity. How do you run away from vampires who don't make a sound when they walk...gliding as Dad says. How do you outrun them if they happen to chase you?

"You can do it," I whispered. Shut up, Dad can hear thoughts even if you are whispering them, I scolded myself. I shook my head and went downstairs, the kitchen was pitch black. I had speed but I couldn't see in the dark. I tiptoed in the corridor and froze as I reached the living.

"Where are you going?" Dad was leaning against the door frame of the kitchen with his arms crossed over his chest. I straightened up and glared at him. My heart was racing in my ears.

"Y-you scared me," I smiled nervously. "I-I was going to the kitchen...I'm hungry," he narrowed his eyes at me, and I went on. "Unlike you, I need to eat food," I walked passed him. I could feel his eyes poking holes into my back. I was certain he saw through my lies.

"I used to be a teenager too, you know. I used to give my parents... and later give Carlisle a hard time. I'm no fool," his voice was detached with a hint of something else. Something I couldn't put my finger on. I ignored him and reached for the fridge. I took out the bottle of milk and peeked out at the old pizza box. My stomach groaned. I was really hungry after all.

"Renesme," he sighed. I looked up and found him closer with a hand on his hip.

"What? I'm really hungry," I pulled the box out and went to the cupboard to grab a mug. It was the truth. He just gave me the look. Lips pursed, eyebrows low. I quickly averted my gaze.

"You can shield your thoughts from me but I can still read your face," I shoved the dry-looking pizza slices in the microwave and pressed the button on the side. I turned around and faced him.

"And what does my face say?" he went to lean against the kitchen counter.

"That you are about to do a very stupid thing," I crossed my arms over my chest. I poured some milk into the mug...Pizza and milk were a bad combo. Dad eyed me as I sip my milk.

"Are you going to stop me?" he sighed.

"Sometimes, I'm confused about your whole attitude. I guess it's that notion of your fast growth. Know that it is hard to wrap your head around...you," he tilted his head to the side as his body remain very still.

"Coming from a vampire...I take it as a compliment," he blinked, that was the only movement in his statue-like stillness.

"See what I mean. Sometimes, I feel like I'm talking to an adult," he added.

"I am," the microwave beeped.

"You only have the appearance of an adult. However, you don't act like one. And I won't treat you as one as long as you do stupid things. You are putting yourself in danger as well as Jacob," he grimaced as he said his name. "You will worry your mother and your family," he watched my every move like a predator watching its prey.

"So," I bite in a hot piece of pizza. Panting then swallowed. "You're saying I should shut up and be a good girl," he kept silent. I chewed on a second mouthful.

"I'm your father."

"Yeah..." I kept chewing loudly staring at him.