Hiding
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters, they belong to Stephanie Meyer.
Chapter One: New starts.
Bella started running when she realized that her bus was about to leave without her in. It was already 18.15 and she was supposed to be starting her shift at 18.45 so loosing it was not an option she could easily take.
The fact that she owned only 2 dollars and 45 cents had already put taking a cab instead from the bus a forbidden thought, so when her body awkwardly passed through the semi closed automatic double door of the overcrowded vehicle, she felt relieved. At least for this time, her clumsiness did her a favor and was not found with her butt on the wet pavement like a week ago. Yes she was probably the most clumsy human in northern America and a sure candidate for the world champion title if this contest ever existed.
She smiled internally thinking that at least that would be a prize she could win without a doubt by anyone since Bella knew by hand that real life prizes had to many pursuers "better" than her .
Lost in her thoughts about morning jobs, scholarships and demanding landlords, Bella almost forgot that she was supposed to catch the next stop. In a state of panic she pushed through the small crowd of people standing next to the exit door whispering "sorry" apologetically.
The time she put her feet on the pavement she heard something like "another anxious late bitch" coming from inside the bus. Bella did not turned to see who made the comment because it was all true except from the "bitch" part. But Bella internally had wished she could be worthy of the characterization thinking of what she would possible gain: a little respect, a better job, maybe a little better life...
Luckily the restaurant she was working for the last 2 weeks was just a block away. At exactly 18.42, she passed through the staff entrance at the back off the building. In a minute she had changed in her working clothes and put on a pair of rubber gloves. She headed towards her working station and put on her ancient headphones. At 18.45 her head was filled with music and her hands with scales. Bella was responsible for preparing tons of smelly fish for frying.
Someone could easily assume that she hated her job but that was not the case at all. In fact Bella always liked the fact that she could do her tasks undisturbed. She liked the quiet of the room since everyone was rather bothered by the smell and did not entered there often. In that small, smelly room, the young lady used to listen to music, think and make dreams. After all she could pay her bills and this kind of independency was vital for Bella.
At 11.30 she had finished cleaning her station. She washed her hands and face thoroughly and changed to her previous outfit. Although she earned her living, she could not afford going shopping. All her clothing and shoes where old and warned, almost old fashioned. She just tried to keep them clean and ironed. Anyway, someday things would change.
Half an hour later she was in her small apartment with a weeks payment and a mars bar. It was a small and old apartment but she owned it and kept it clean. After showering, she put on a pair of old blue pajamas, grabbed her books and started finishing reading some paperwork. She drifted to sleep in just five minutes.
It was 6.57 in the morning and the clock on Bella's nightstand was about to start hitting when the girl open her eyes. She hated the sound off it. She looked in the bathroom mirror and gasped. Her rich long brown hair where so messed she would need an iron brush to comb them. After dressing and a hard attempt to form her thick locks of hair in some way, she just put them in a messy bun, low behind her neck, grabbed her messenger bag and left.
At about 8.15 she was standing at the entrance of her new school. She was a freshman in the University of Washington. Bella had not bothered dressing up, she had nothing special anyway. Her jeans where old but well fitted and her shirt had a blue navy color. She had no idea how she looked. Between high school and work she never had time to clearly see the changes that had happened to her appearance and nobody had even mentioned anything about it before.
After all, she barely had family, close friends or friendly colleagues. She was a lonely self sufficient girl , she was only 16, and she was hiding.
On the other side of the country a very angry Edward was entering his father's office. Carlisle Cullen glared at him and closed the door behind them.
"How the hell did you do this to me?" Edward shouted. Carlisle gave him a very serious nod to sit down. Edward smashed his fist on his fathers mahagony desk and sat nervously looking his father directly in the eyes.
"Edward, your mother and I have made a decision. Your school informed us that you barely attend your courses. "
"You know I.." Edward tried to speak, but his father interupted him in a harsh tone.
"We know that you passed your tests with good grades but being a doctor demands full attendance and commitment. You may be smart, or even genius as professor Volturi put it, but the thing is: you got a scholarship without even trying hard and you do not attend regularly. So we decided that you should learn to appreciate what you always take for granted. Your scholarship has been off for this semester. You are also have to find a new place to stay since you have to leave your dorm room. Finally you will have to support yourself for a while, that's why your credit cards are blocked. That is all son."
"You are not serious dad." Edward could produce fumes from his ears.
"Dad, please stop the bluff, I will..."
"This is not a bluff. And if you are wondering where your scholarship money for this semester will go, I am informing you, although I should not bother, that Harvard will find someone who deserve it more than you. Love you son, I have to go, have a nice day".
Edward left his father's office without a word. When he reached his dorm floor he found a formal note from the student accommodation office letting him know that he should evacuate his room immediately.
Opening his cell phone he called his no 4 in speed dial.
"Jasper I'm fucked, need a room to stay."
After a few seconds off silence a voice from the other end off the line answered in a calm tone.
"Then you will have to come to Seattle, Washington Edward."
