Stephenie Meyer owns all things twilight.

The attic was just a small room. The boxes with her belongings took most of the space making the room look suffocating.

Almost immediately she started unpacking, trying to put everything in order. That was what she was trying to accomplish by coming here. To put her life in order. After all that heartbreak, the pain, the loss, it was finally time to move on. That was why she moved to New York and to this small attic.

Of course, given the price of her salary at the new school she worked, she could have afforded something better. An apartment, or even a big house. But she liked this place. After all, she was alone. Why bother with an apartment?

She spent most of her day unpacking and tidying. It was after midnight that she finally finished and decided to go to sleep.

~L~

The first days where spent either decorating the attic or going out to explore the New York. The first day at work went better than she expected. The teachers were welcoming and friendly, some of them more than the others. In mo time she managed to make friends, or to be more accurate to make one friend and know plenty of people that were willing to go out for a drink after work.

Her friend was Tanya. She was a French teacher, with beautiful strawberry blonde hair, and talked non-stop. Bella liked her. She looked always happy and radiant, and always wanted to make Bella feel relaxed and have a good time. They started going out more and more frequently and after two months they ended up spending everyday together.

Tanya tried to find Bella a date. Bella refused. She didn't fell ready to start dating again. However, sometimes Tanya arranged dinner dates with other colleagues and some single of her single friends. Bella hadn't tried to explain to her 'why' she didn't feel like dating. It was too soon and her story was too complicated to be explained to a friend she knew only for two months. Tanya only knew that she was divorced. Nothing more. But that was enough for now.

More months passed. The Christmas break was approaching and everyone was making vacation plans. Everyone but her. Tanya had already booked a cabin at a ski resort for her and a few friends and told Bella to join them. She refused. But in true Tanya style, she kept trying to persuade her. And that was what she was currently trying while sitting at the coffee shop opposite from school.

"Come on Bella! I can't let you spent your time wallowing. It's Christmas! Come with us. Please?"

She made a puppy face that made her look twenty years younger. Bella let a small giggle and then sighed.

"I'm not staying here to wallow. I just want to spend some alone. And I won't be staying in all day. I want to go out. Shopping. Keep in mind that we live in New York. I'm sure that I'll find something interesting to do. And I have those classes, too…"

Last week she decided to start tango classes and a dance school, two blocks away from home. Tanya wanted to go too, but only because a teacher there was 'way too hot to be ignored' as she said. When she found out that he was married, she gave up the whole dance thing.

"You're so stubborn all the time!" Tanya exclaimed. "Fine! Stay here! You're the one who will miss all the fun!"

"Don't worry. I'll be fine. You go and have fun. And be careful not to break a leg during skiing!" Bella said laughing.

Tanya slapped her arm playfully.

"Oh! I almost forgot! Someone called you earlier. Some girl named Rosalie Hale. She asked you, but were at the principal for the school dance arrangements. She gave me your number and said that you should call her as soon as you can."

Bella froze in her seat. Rosalie? Why would Rosalie contact Bella? After all, they hadn't talked since she left the school she worked at in Seattle.

"Bella. Bella! Wake up!"

Suddenly Bella jumped as Tanya waved her hands in front of her.

"What is it? You went pale when I mentioned that girl. Scared me for a second…"

"Oh! Sorry." Bella said quickly. "I was just… taken aback. I didn't expect to hear news from her. Do you have her number?"

"Yeah." Tanya said and took a tiny piece of paper from her bag and handed it to Bella. "There you go. I gotta go now Bells. I must start packing mu stuff for tomorrow. I'll call soon and… if you change your mind call me. Kay?"

Bella stood and hugged her and kissed her cheeks. " Bye, Tanya. Have fun and Merry Christmas!"

" Merry Christmas!" Tanya said and then left.

Bella paid for the coffee and then started walking home. She didn't want to take a cub. She preferred to walk, especially now, because she had a lot to think about.

She hadn't thought of Rosalie for a while, now. Actually, she hadn't thought of anyone at all, since she left Seattle. It was something she avoided as much as she could.

Rosalie was one of the few people that supported her during the divorce procedure. Bella had stayed for a few weeks at her house, after she was booted out of her house from him. Rosalie, was the one who helped find her job here and took her to the airport. Bella felt immense gratitude towards her even though they hadn't seen each other for such a long time.

When she arrived home, she took her cell out and dialed the number Tanya gave her, all the while feeling extremely nervous.

"Hello?" that familiar voice said.

"Rosalie? It's Bella." She replied hesitantly.

"Bella! Oh, honey! How are you? I've been looking for you for days now. We haven't spoken since toy left! Are you alright?"

" I'm great, Rosalie. I'm sorry I didn't call. What with the move and the new work… I've been busy lately."

" Yeah, I figured. That's why I'm calling you. Well, I've got news for you. I'm coming to New York to visit you!"

"What?" Bella said startled. "Really? Oh, Rosalie! I'm so happy! When? "

"I'm leaving in two days. I'll be staying at some friend's house. I'll call as soon as I get there to give you the address .Alright?"

" Yes, Rose. Oh, I can't wait to see you again!" Bella said smiling.

"Well, I have to go now, but I'll see you in two days. Alright, gorgeous?"

" Yes, Rosalie. See you then."

Bella hang up and then collapsed on her bed, thinking of all the things that have happened since she came to New York. Her life was quiet. Controlled. And that's how she planned to keep it. But sometimes some things cannot be planned. And nothing could have prepared her for the events that would follow Rosalie's visit. In two days except for Rosalie, Bella would also meet the man that would change her life forever.