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FOUR; THE GREATEST BETRAYAL

     AMELIE STARED DOWN at her hands, littered with purple bruises because of her inability to do anything right. How did she let the situation get this far? How could she allow Jasmine to harbor this secret for so long? The questions running through her mind was making her insane.

     It wasn't helpful that she failed to say anything to Chief Swan since she arrived at the police station. She knew he had already called the Clearwater house to inform her sister of what was occurring. Amelie begged for him not to call Madeline, who would probably stop Amelie from making her next decision.

     "Can you tell me anything, Amelie?"

     "I'd like to wait for my sister," the girl timidly responded. "If that's okay with you."

     Charlie nodded, his gaze drifting despite his lingering stare. Amelie knew exactly what he was looking at — she failed to do something tonight that had been a recurring routine for her, which was putting on makeup. From Charlie's view, he could see all of the scars and bruises that Eli had done to her.

     Eli. The simple name caused Amelie to second guess her decision, but she remembered what her sister always told her. She couldn't use love as an excuse for the kind of abuse she was receiving.

     The door to the police station swung wide open, a frantic and panting Jasmine rushing in. Her eyes were wide as she stared at Amelie, sitting in front of Charlie.

     The man stood up to greet her. "Hi, Jasmine. Amelie insisted that we wait for you before beginning questioning."

     Jasmine released a sigh of relief. "Good." She stood over Amelie and looked at her with worry. "Are you okay?"

     It made Amelie's heart hurt. Her sister was such a kind and gentle soul, but lately, Madeline had reduced her personality until she became a shell of her former self. However, she still worried about Amelie despite her cold shoulder towards Jasmine. Amelie could never repay her sister back.

     "I'm fine, Jas."

     "Look me in the eyes and say it again and I'll believe you."

     "Why don't we start with the questions?" Charlie asked awkwardly. Jasmine took her seat next to her sister.

     "Are you ready for this?" She whispered softly to Amelie.

     The younger girl nodded. "Yes. It needs to be done."

     "Alright," Charlie cleared his throat. "How about we start from the beginning, Amelie?"

     She shifted in her seat, unsure of where to begin. "It was a few nights after our dad died," she murmured, eyes staring at her lap. "I was prone to being ill-tempered back then, and I wanted nothing but to hear my father's voice again. I began lashing out at Eli, telling him that the love he gave me could never substitute the love my father had given me. Eli — he used to be a calm guy. He was shy when we first met, leaving roses in my locker or letters in my backpack because he failed to formulate coherent sentences when he was actually in my presence. I really can't say what set him off that night. He was becoming so angry by my words and I knew I should've stopped-"

     "Don't blame yourself," Jasmine interrupted, laying a hand on top of Amelie's shoulder. "None of this is your fault."

     "She's right, Amelie. This was his own decision," Charlie nodded.

     Amelie took a deep breath before continuing. "He started to hit me. When it first happened, I don't remember most of it. My whole body was numb and when I woke up the next day, I wouldn't have believed Eli did that to me until I saw the scars on my face. I had been with him long enough to understand him and the Eli I knew would never even think about doing such a thing. At first, I gave him the benefit of the doubt."

     Jasmine heard her sister's voice tremble as she tried to calm herself down. Jasmine closed her eyes, wondering how their lives had come to this.

     "But then it started happening again and again. Each time, Eli would apologize with the same timid voice I remember. Each time, I would accept him back."

     "Have you ever told anyone else?" Charlie questioned.

     "My mom," Amelie whispered. "She was the first person I told. I thought she would help me — tell me how to leave him, but instead, she told me to stay with him. She told me Eli loved me, and I would be selfish to give up that type of love when she just lost hers."

     Charlie shook his head in disbelief. "I'm so incredibly sorry, Amelie. I can't even imagine the constant pain you've been through. Tell me if I'm stepping over the line here, but what exactly told you to finally come confess today?"

     "Jasmine's going to be gone soon," she stated. Jasmine's head swiveled to face her, head tilting in confusion. "I knew she wouldn't seriously leave for college without knowing I was okay. I want to make sure she leaves this place with no remorse."

     Jasmine placed a hand over Amelie's. She grinned. "I would've taken you with me. All the way."

     Charlie continued to jot down notes on his pad. "Well, now that we have your confession, I assume you'll want to press charges against Eli, Amelie?"

     "Can I do that?"

     "Yes, of course," he nodded. "However, I have to let you know, Amelie, with the amount of information you have provided, it can be concluded that Madeline is not a fit mother for the both of you. This will most likely result in you two being taken away from her and placed under a legal guardian."

     Amelie paused and she could also see Jasmine hesitate from the corner of her eye. It wasn't like they had any emotional attachment to their mother, but the two girls didn't know any other home than theirs in La Push. To think that they would have to move with one of their aunts or uncles in a different state was going to be a difficult change.

     "I'm already eighteen years old. Can't I adopt Amelie?" Jasmine asked.

     Charlie sighed. "It would be a very difficult process, Jasmine. You would have to prove that you can earn enough money to support both you and Amelie. Do you think that's possible?"

     "I'm sure I could make amends."

     Amelie gripped Jasmine's wrist. "I can't let you do this, Jas. You have to go to college and live your life the way it's meant to be. I won't let you be stuck here."

     The older girl gently laid her hand over the younger's. "I want you to have a successful life, Amelie. If that means staying here to protect you from Eli or mom, I'm willing to do it."

     "Jasmine, I won't let you-"

     Jasmine plastered on one of her signature smiles and turned back to face Charlie. "So, where do we begin?"

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     Jasmine tried to burrow herself deeper into Leah's blanket as she drowned out the yelling echoing from downstairs. Amelie was sleeping soundly on the floor, clearly exhausted from the long day.

     Madeline had discovered Amelie's confession a hour after the two left the police station. She proceeded to go on a rampage, shouting loudly throughout the streets of La Push how her daughters had betrayed her in the most embarrassing fashion.

     Jasmine and Amelie sought comfort in the Clearwater home, where Sue and Harry accepted them with open arms. Madeline found out their whereabouts and tried to barge through the front door, but Sue was quick to block her. She called Charlie and now, Madeline was currently causing a ruckus on the patio outside, screaming at the top of her lungs.

     Jasmine's futile attempts at blocking out the sound were failing as she tried to drown out any noise by wrapping a pillow around her ears. Madeline was still as loud as ever, and she didn't understand how Amelie could sleep through it.

     The door to Leah's bedroom cracked open. Seth's small smile was the first thing that Jasmine saw, and it caused a grin to spread over her face.

     "Hey, brought you something," Seth mumbled, holding a cup of hot chocolate in his hands.

     She laughed quietly and sat up, taking the cup from his hands as he sat down next to her. She could now hear Leah's voice from downstairs as her best friend started to become involved in the conversation. Jasmine winced and drank the warm liquid, trying to push all of the bad thoughts out of her mind.

     "I'm sorry that you have to deal with this," Seth apologized.

     She shook her head. "It's not your fault, Seth."

     They sat in silence for a few moments, attempting to ignore the shouting from downstairs. Seth finally brought up what he had been trying to say. "Do you have a plan?"

     "Sue said that she knows a house in La Push that sells really cheap. I was going to spend my college fund into the house, and then see where we can go from there," she spoke, staring down at her cup.

      "So you're really not going to Washington State?"

      "Sometimes," she paused, sighing. "Sometimes, other things are just more important."

      Jasmine's gaze drifted to Amelie, who was still sleeping soundly. At the current moment, Jasmine would do anything to ensure that Amelie got the life that she deserved. She wasn't going to let Madeline or Eli take that away from her.

     "You're brave," he spoke, staring at her. "I know I never would've had the guts."

     She giggled softly. "Well, you're still young, Seth."

     "I'm not that much younger than you, Jasmine."

     The door creaked open and Leah stepped inside. Her face was heated with rage and Seth took it as his cue to leave. He bid goodbye to Jasmine before closing the door behind him.

     "Your mother," Leah spat angrily, attempting to keep her voice at a minimal tone for Amelie's sleeping sake. "Is absolutely infuriating."

     Jasmine shook her head. "You shouldn't let her get to you, Leah. She's a vile human being."

     "Let's just get some sleep," Leah sighed, rubbing her temples with exhaustion. "I think we both need it."

     Jasmine nodded in agreement, finishing the remains of her drink before setting it down and burrowing herself deeper into the covers. Leah mumbled a goodnight to her before she was off in her own world, dreaming about something happier.

     However, when Jasmine closed her eyes, all she could see was the disappointing gaze of her father.

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     "Sue, what's going on?"

     "Sit, Jasmine. I wanted to talk to the both of you girls," Sue responded, motioning to the couch in front of her. Harry was seated to her left, and Amelie was shifting uncomfortably on the couch.

     "Aren't we supposed to go check out the house today?" Jasmine asked, taking her seat.

     Sue and Harry exchanged a glance before Sue spoke up. "Harry and I have talked about your guys' situation, and we think that we can contribute an offer that will please both parties."

     Jasmine immediately shook her head. "No, you guys have done enough. Please, I can take it from here."

     "Hear us out," Harry voiced. "You never know, our idea could intrigue you."

     "We want to adopt Amelie," Sue stated bluntly. She continued to speak before Jasmine could protest. "We have the funds to do so, considering that Leah and Seth don't really ask for much. We believe Amelie will be a wonderful addition to this family and this way, you can go to college like you've always dreamed of, Jasmine."

     "Sue, Harry, I can't allow this," Amelie disagreed. "I caused my own mess and I won't let you clean it up for me."

     "That's what family does, Amelie," Harry explained. "We're your family, blood or not."

     "We've also discussed another option, in case the first one wasn't particularly in your favor. We've talked with many people around this reservation — Billy Black, Sam Uley, Tiffany Call, Joy Ateara — and they are all willing to take you in, Amelie, as a legal guardian. We would understand if you wouldn't want to be adopted considering the expression your sister is currently wearing, but we want you to consider these options," Sue said.

     Jasmine was stunned, and also, slightly infuriated. She was angry because the Clearwaters were so forgiving and generous when Madeline has been nothing but evil and careless. She couldn't believe that the Clearwater family had to clean up the mess she made.

     Amelie was in a state of shock, thoroughly surprised that so many people on the reservation were willing to help her. If she was placed in a similar position, she didn't think she could be so heartfelt.

     "It's not charity, okay?" Harry clarified. "We want the best for you girls, whatever or wherever that is. Promise you'll think hard about your next decision."

     Amelie and Jasmine glanced at one another. "We promise."

     Sue and Harry grinned before exiting the living room, giving the two sisters proper time to think over what they were planning to do next.

     "What are we going to do?" Jasmine whispered in wonder.

     Amelie shrugged. "We're going to figure out what's the best way to get you to Washington State."

amelie and jasmine are so cute!! and amelie finally confessed, so we don't have to deal with douchebag eli anymore