CHAPTER 1 – A beginning to remember
Today was the first step towards the biggest and most amazing few weeks of my life. This was something that my big brother Emmett and I were always going to remember and had been working up to for a long time. We both played minor league baseball for the state of Washington, and this year we were finally going to be able to compete in the National Baseball tournament. This was something that we and our father Charlie had dreamed about since we started baseball – Emmett at age 9 and I just before my 7th birthday.
Our parents, Renee and Charlie, had both passed away shortly after I turned 13, and Emmett and I thought that we should continue to play baseball in honour of Charlie's memory. Although Emmett always thought it would be a good idea to talk about their death with someone, neither of us had ever taken the plunge forward. I wasn't really into the whole 'tell some random all about how you hate yourself and your life' business, so instead I took to bottling it all up until night when I would curl up in my bed and cry myself to sleep. More often than not I would end up sleeping in Emmett's bed with him. His large, bear like cuddle was so comforting that usually I would forget about my worries and drift to sleep in his arms.
Thank god Emmett didn't mind. Well, he didn't say he minded. He was such a good brother – we were best friends, and seeing as we lived by ourselves, we were constantly around each other. He even thought about me more than being in relationships with girls. I always felt guilty and selfish about this, but whenever I told him to go out and enjoy himself, he'd always change his mind at the last minute and end up staying at home watching a movie with me on the couch, accompanied with a massive bowl – or two – of popcorn.
We were in the large, spacious lobby of the airport in Washington, my home state, waiting to board our flights to California. Emmett and I were walking around the various gift shops and merchandise stores eagerly awaiting the arrival or our fellow team mates who were supposed to be here over half an hour ago! That's probably why our coach organised to meet two hours before the plane actually left! Typical slackers...
I felt a gentle arm wrap around my shoulders just as I saw some creepy guy walking my way. Always the protective brother! Emmett thought it was brilliant being so massive and covered in muscles. Whenever he saw someone that looked slightly interested in me he would always take a protective stance around me to ward people off – even totally geeky looking guys. He took these things to the extreme and sometimes it got a bit annoying (especially when the guy was totally cute!)... but I guess that's what big brothers like Emmett are for. No one would dare to confront him because he was so intimidating. In cases such as this I was glad he was over protective...
I looked up at Emmett with a look of "thank yet again" on my face.
"How are you holding up, squirt? Excited yet?" Emmett asked as soon as the guy was far enough away for his liking.
When we were first told that we were selected for the two Washington teams, I was ecstatic, but then things went back to normal and we were training nearly every night and I had started to get a bit sick of the idea of playing nationally. Emmett had been trying to get me to at least act like I wanted to be doing this – and of course I was, but I just didn't have the energy to show it.
"I'm great Em, just looking for a magazine to take on the plane with me... and for the last time! I. AM. EXCITED!" That was probably a bit louder than I would have liked, as I had caught a few people's attention, although it looked like I found the team. I felt the blush spreading to my cheeks. I rolled my eyes as I saw the two entire teams trying to squeeze themselves into the tiny newspaper shop.
"Ok, ok I get it," Emmett said in a mocking voice while he grinned at me before he leaned down to my level, "Just don't get anything that has any references to sex, drugs or...Rock n' roll..." He laughed to himself over his lame joke. I sighed heavily as I started towards the cash register with my monthly sports magazine and saw Mike rushing forward to no doubt do me the great honour of paying for it. Great, this is just what I need... There wasn't any point in being nasty, so I just went for the quick option of making things short and to the point.
"Hey Bells, I'll take care of that" Ugh, what'd I tell you?
"Oh, thanks Mike, that's really nice of you." I gritted my teeth and shivered at the boy who was obviously out to make my life hell. I swear he'd had a crush on me ever since we were 10 – everyone knew, but he thought he was being overly sneaky about things. Sigh. He had his blonde hair gelled into neat little spikes all over his head – something I'd never understand. He baby like face always had a disgusting smile on his face, which I assume was him trying to be sexy. It wasn't working for him.
"No problem. So, what seat do you have? I've got row 32, seat A" This couldn't be good. I would NOT sit next to him for the next how many hours it was until I got fresh air. I rummaged around in my bag until I found my wallet that I had put the ticket in. I slowly pulled out the ticket hoping against everything that I wouldn't have to sit next to him while looking at his overly hopeful face that made me want to puke.
Oh... thank... god.
"Oh dam, I'm in row 40, seat D." I tried to hide my happiness with a tiny pout and sad eyes. I think it worked because Mike suddenly looked excited and suggested that he could swap seats with someone so that we could sit next to each other which I quickly declined and told him we probably shouldn't disrupt the order they had us in. Luckily Mike agreed to that and slunk of to join the rest of his friends, including the ever so charming Jessica who had been glaring at me the whole time because I must have looked like I was enjoying Mikes company... Well, she can have him!
I picked up my magazine after thanking the shop assistant and made my way over to where Emmett was talking animatedly with our friends Angela and Ben. Angela and I had been best friends since we started baseball together, almost 12 years ago. Angela and Ben had been going out for a while now. I was so happy for her! I knew it was only a matter of time before they both told each other how they felt. They were so perfect for each other. I have to admit, I was slightly jealous, but as Angela said, I will meet Mr. Perfect one day... sigh... I hope.
"Bella! It's so great to see you, I can't believe we're really doing this, can you?"She was so nice. I couldn't help but feel completely relaxed whenever I was around her. And I couldn't. I really couldn't believe we were about to do this – I never thought the day would come. Especially after my parents died I felt like I was going to die, like there wasn't going to be a tomorrow. When Em and I decided that we would keep up with baseball, my life seemed to take a new start, and everything about myself seemed to change. I still wasn't the same carefree, overly happy person I was before everything in my life seemed to splutter to a halt, but I was definitely better with the help from our family and friends.
I couldn't even respond to her, I just took her in my arms and hugged her fiercely. My day also seemed to get even better as we slumped into our seats on the plane, exhausted from laughing with each other at Emmett's latest lame joke, I quote "Why are pirates pirates? Because they aaaarghhhhh!" Don't even ask me to explain that one to you...
I couldn't have asked for a better trip with Angela and Ben to my left and Emmett on my right. We joked and relaxed the whole way there. Emmett had fought his way with his large hands into a tiny packet where he insisted that there was a tiny coffee spoon. After five minutes of trying to get into it, he found it, and continued to drink his coffee with a spoon that was tinier than a teaspoon! I decided to just have a coke so as to avoid another coffee spoon explosion from Em and proceeded to fumble with the can that landed on the poor man's head in the row in front of us... Of course that would happen to me! Everyone was laughing hysterically at me, and after a while even I had to join in.
"Wow! I've gotta say, I don't think I could have lasted another minute on that plane without exploding, I'm glad it's over." Angela, Emmett and I had to agree with Ben on that. It had been so much fun, but way too exhausting.
"Couldn't agree more," Emmett bellowed, "squirt, stay with the team, I'm just gonna go see where coach wants us to head to." I was so proud of Em – he was the captain of the guys team and had been asked to assist coach Jameson around the trip. I could see them talking seriously to each other, and then nods of their heads and Emmett's smile meaning that a decision had been made. He came over to us as coach Jameson started directing us to the luggage collector, then off to the taxi cab rank.
So. This was California. I'd never been out of Washington. I didn't think it would be so different. I didn't know what it was, but there was something very unfamiliar about the new city and my surroundings.
Emmett dragged a few of us over to the rank and started ushering people into the cabs and giving the drivers directions. Gee, I never knew he could be so organised!
Emmett, Coach Jameson, Angela, Ben and I were the last ones to take a cab together to the hotel.
"Guys? You'd better love me after this, because it's a five star hotel!"
Oh my god. I love Coach Jameson! Could he seriously get any cooler?
Angela and I both squealed at the same time, while the guys covered their ears and looked pretty impressed at the large building in front of them.
"ohmygodohmygodohmygod!" I'd never been out of Washington, let alone been in a hotel with more than two stars! Emmett was obviously thinking the same thing as me, as he gave me a quick hug around the middle as we got out of the taxi and collected our luggage.
"Ok girls, I know this is exciting, but pleaaaaase try not to scream?" The coach said it in a joking manor, but I could hear the plead in his voice which made me laugh and get an irritated look back from him which immediately set me off in more giggles.
We eventually made it up the steps with our luggage. I thought it wasn't going to be a problem with having a big suitcase because I thought I would have Emmett, but obviously Emmett had his own plans right now.
Ang and I fell to our knees when we got up the steps into the hotel and glared at Em who gave us a smirk that went something along the lines of "Girls..."
"Come on Ang, let's go find our rooms." Em handed us our key and we squealed in delight yet again as we noticed we had a room together. Just as we were stepping out of the elevator into the lobby of floor 27, we noticed Jessica and Lauren coming out of their room. Ang gave me a knowing look, and we tried to ignore them as we walked over to our door that was a little way down from theirs, room 634.
"Well, look what the cat brought in." Lauren said with a smirk. I wasn't in the mood for her, but I couldn't help myself.
"Actually Mallory, we brought the luggage in." I could see Lauren trying to think of a better come back, but seeing as her brain only seemed to work when she was playing baseball or trying to dress like a slut, she turned around with a huff, Jessica hurrying after her like a loyal hound. She was such a bitch. I hadn't done anything to her, yet she'd decided she hated me the day we met. I knew I never liked her, and she wasn't getting any better (or less slutty might I add!) as the years went by.
"Good job Bells, I knew I loved you for a reason" Ang giggled as we unlocked our door and headed over to the two king size beds in the middle of the room.
"I. Love. Jameson." Both of us started to laugh hysterically as we had said it at the exact same time. The room was elegant and large with ornate designs around the walls and window frames. Everything was a different shade of gold and cream. I felt like royalty. I got up and slowly walked around the room, opening the various doors that lead off into two walk in wardrobes and an unsuit bathroom with a massive spa bath and two shower cubicles. This is the life. I thought to myself.
"Hey Bella, come look at his!" I walked around to see what Angela was looking at, which seemed to be a small book on the bedside table. I quickly realised that it was a hotel order in breakfast. Wow. The amount of food on the menu was unbelievable.
"Chocolate cake with strawberries and whipped cream!" I moaned.
"Crème Brule, "Angela sighed.
Of course we both looked at the desert menu straight away, I mean, who wouldn't? I stood up again and walked over to the door as I heard a couple of knocks on the door.
"It must be Emmett," I said, as I opened it, and sure enough, there he was.
"Hey girls, are you having fun? Wow, your room is bigger than the one Ben and I have. That's so not fair!" He whinged.
"Oh get over it Em." I said as I playfully pushed him in the arm. "So what did you come here for? To drool over our room and view or was there something more important?"
"VIEW? What about your view," Emmett pushed past me and went straight for the window. "Naw! That is just SO not fair! You have the best view ever! You can see the whole city from here," He turned to us as he pouted, "We've got a view of the pool, and there are old weirdo's in tiny bathers making out!" He squirmed at the last sentence as Ang and I laughed at him and told him to tell us why he really came.
"Oh that! Right, well, Coach said we're going to dinner, so be ready at 7.30 sharp in the Lobby. The other teams from the other states are going to be with us, so try to dress nicely!" With that he turned around and headed for the door, looking back at us once again with a cute pout, obviously annoyed that we had a better view. That was such an Emmett thing to mope about, but I'd known him for too long though, that pout was not going to work with me!
This was going to be great. Angela and I had quickly showered and changed into fresh, casual clothes. We decided that it would be better not to dress too formally, so I ended up wearing a nice pair of jeans and my favourite dark blue, fitted shirt. I had pressed Angela into wearing a lovely short sleaved dress in baby pink which I knew would impress Ben.
We made our way down to the second floor where the rest of the team were filing in. Emmett came over from where he had been talking to Tyler, Ben and Coach Jameson. As I predicted, Ben looked as though he was in awe of the beautiful woman standing in front of him. Emmett must have noticed the look I was giving him, because he quickly slapped Ben in the back, snapping him out of his daydream. Emmett and Angela were both trying hard not to laugh, while I felt quite good of myself for doing such a good job with Angela's dress that we had picked out the week before, especially for the trip.
"Angela... you look beautiful." Ben and Angela exchanged quick comments and a sweet kiss. Their love for each other was so strong that I felt the urge to look away even though they were just staring in to each other's eyes. I turned quickly to Coach Jameson to change the subject before Emmett unintentionally made things awkward for everyone standing within a ten meter radius.
"So do you know when the other teams are going to be arriving Coach?"
"I don't think they should be too long. Speak of the devil, here come the teams from Los Angeles and Detroit. These are the two best teams, so watch out for them. I know the Detroit coach, Billy Black. He works his boys into the ground, but they're supposedly the nicest group of guys you'll ever meet and look up to him as a father." He said that last sentence as though it was a hint for us to start treating him more of a superior rather than a fellow team mate. Of course we respected Coach Jameson, but he was just too funny to be serious around.
"But I do hear that the people from Los Angeles aren't that... agreeable. Bunch of stuck up know it all's. They're all talk, probably nothing to worry about."
"Yes but coach, they look like they're in it to win it. They could be some hefty competition." Emmett commented with his eyebrows raised. And that was true. They didn't look like the type of team to come and have fun.
"All the same, don't be scarred of them. We're good, very good. We can beat all the teams here. I have a good feeling about this tournament."
By this time the rest of our team had huddled around Coach Jameson, listening intently to his little pep talk. We all turned around to stare at the two teams who had now entered the large restaurant that had been reserved for the entire baseball tournament.
The two teams were very different. The team from LA seemed to be just how Coach Jameson described them. Rich stuck up snobs. This is going to be interesting. My eyes drifted over the team and immediately rested upon a pair of piercing emerald green eyes. The boy looked at me as though I was a piece of dirt on the bottom of his shoe, and turned away quickly – his eyes holding nothing of interest - before I even had the chance to see what his face looked like. I felt the blush creep up to my cheeks as I had just been discovered for staring.
I took an instant dislike to the team and didn't want to know anything about them, but I couldn't stop myself from looking at this rude boy. In the short few seconds that I saw his face, I evaluated that he was about my age, or a little older. He had the most amazing bronze coloured hair that was slightly messy and glinted in the light from chandeliers above us. He was tall and slightly muscular, but nowhere near the size of Emmett, and he was wearing jet black jeans and a black button up shirt with the first two buttons undone and the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. God he looks like an arrogant prick. I could see he was now talking to a short, pixie like girl standing next to him. She didn't even come up to his shoulder. She had short, spiky, black hair that seemed to be bouncing up and down, until I realised that it was actually the girl jumping up in what I assumed to be excitement.
It was obvious that they had been talking about me, as the small girls bounces slowed down and she stole a quick glance in my direction. I just stood there with a blank expression on my face as if to say I really couldn't care less what you thought of me. Try me. I thought the girl was going to be hostile just like the boy next to her, but instead she beamed at me, her eyes glistening in wonder and delight, but it still wasn't enough to make me think they weren't all so nasty. I saw her say something else to the boy, and I thought I saw him sigh dramatically, but maybe it was just my imagination.
I turned away quickly; sick of the crazy attention the unusual girl was giving me. What had I done to deserve this? I was sick of the LA team already, and I hadn't even met any of them. Quite frankly, I didn't want to meet any of them.
Emmett came up behind me and squeezed me around the waste and put his head on my shoulder. I think he must have seen Mr. Bronze hair giving me evil stares because he was starting to act a wee bit like a boyfriend. I turned around in his arms and gave him a big hug back, hoping to give Mr. Bronze hair the idea that I had a massive boyfriend and that he shouldn't mess with me. Ever! I loved Emmett, but hugging was all it was going to get to, so I turned slightly out of his arms but kept one arm around his waist like the loving sister that I was.
The rest of the teams filed into the restaurant as our team along with the LA and Detroit teams began to take our seats around the 5 massive tables. Each team of 30 had a table to themselves, and ours was on the very end of the grand room. Unlike the aeroplane, the seating wasn't so great. We all sat down at our designated seats. I looked over to see who was on my right – Lauren Mallory. I groaned and honestly didn't think things could get any worse until I looked over to my left and read that the place card said "Mike Newton". Ugh.
I was just leaning back up to straighten up my top when I noticed someone sitting in the seat to my right. I thought it was going to be Lauren, but when I turned around fully, I noticed it was the overly excited pixie girl that had been standing next to Mr. Bronze hair. I jumped slightly, and it was obvious that my expression showed the surprise I felt, as the girl started laughing hysterically, earning a few curious glares from people around our team table as they noticed I was sitting next to "the enemy".
I just sat there staring at this unusual pixie girl in front of me. What else was I supposed to do? Start a friendly conversation about the weather? I think not. This girl was on the evil, snobby team, so instead I attempted to fix my shirt and not look so flustered. I could see her leaning eagerly around the table – probably thinking I was a moron for not noticing her or something. She stopped when she caught my eyes and a massive smile broke across her face.
"Hi Bella, I'm Alice Cullen it's very nice to meet you. I play for the LA team, the ass you saw before is my idiotic, prick of a brother Edward, just ignore him, and I'm sure we're going to become the best of friends!" She squealed loudly and almost shook with excitement before stopping as she read the expression on my face. I'm fairly sure I didn't catch a word of that, and did she just call me Bella?
She looked up at me then down to my dinner plate which had my name tag on it, then up to my face again. I quickly understood how she knew my name. I'm an idiot...
She didn't seem as bad as her brother – in fact, she seemed genuinely pleasant. I thought about ignoring her for a moment, but came to the conclusion that she wasn't as bad as I had thought she was going to be.
"Hey, yeah it's nice to meet you too Alice." I grinned and held out my hand for her to shake, but instead she leapt up onto my lap and gave me a great big hug. Ouch, she's surprisingly strong for someone so tiny! Note to self, don't mess with the pixie!
That's when I saw it. Lauren was strutting her way to her seat, which the cute little Alice was occupying with her tiny tush. She had a glint of murder in her eyes as she assessed the situation in front of her – oh my god, the enemy in her seat?! How dare she! (Note the sarcasm). I rolled my eyes and rolled my eyes. I shifted slightly forwards in my seat to tell Alice to walk away quickly back to her table before the great Lauren Mallory came and destroyed her, but as if she knew exactly what was going to happen, she put her fingers up to her lips and shushed me. I looked shocked, but did what she said as Lauren stopped just in front of Alice and leaned down to her level.
"Get out of my seat, bitch." Alice looked surprisingly calm while she stood up. The top of her head came to the bottom of Lauren's chin, but she looked surprisingly fierce and it was clear that she was about to put Lauren in her place.
"Ohhiyoumustbelaurenimaliceijustcameovertotalktomybestfriendbellabutifyoullexcusemeihavetogetbacktomytable...bitch" Did I just catch all that? Maybe not... Lauren looked stunned at what Alice had just said. I think she was speechless at the speed at which it was said too, so Alice took the opportunity to smile sweetly but mockingly at Lauren and bounced off back to sit next to her brother. Edward.
Lauren quickly composed herself and sat down in her chair. I could tell this was going to be a very, very long night.
"So you're friends with that girl now are you? Great way to start the tournament, getting involved with the other teams so they can trick you into being friends and then smash us in the finals! I really don't think you should be messing around with them unless you want to answer to me." I hardly knew this Alice girl, I'd only spoken to her once, but I had this strange urge to defend her but before I could get a word in, someone to my left (groan) decided to stick their nose into our business and defend me.
"Bella can be friends with whoever she wants. It's not like you're her friend anyway." Mike snapped.
"Well it's not like Bella likes you as more than a friend, so why don't you stop walking around like her loyal dog." Lauren retorted quickly.
That must have really hurt Mike, as he suddenly got up from the table, excusing himself saying he felt sick and was going to bed. Great. I think he finally got the point though, and for that I was grateful. It was probably the nicest thing Lauren had ever done (and she didn't even mean to!) For all I know, she probably thought I liked him. Yuck...
I was left sitting by myself which I was sort of thankful for. I took this time to go over the past few hours and what an amazing time I'd had already, despite the "unfortunate" events involving Mike. Something I did want to think about though was the short moments I had been with Alice. What an unusual girl – hyperactive and petite to the extreme. I guessed she was about my age, and she had an excellent taste in clothes. I swear that shirt she was wearing had the LV logo on it... Then there was her brother Edward. I don't even want to talk about him. Alice even said he was a ass and a prick. Thanks for stating the obvious Alice. The guy didn't even know me! He had no right to treat me like he did.
I know it's weird, but I have a feeling that Alice and I could get to become really good friends.
I was pulled out of my daydream as my eyes focused on Alice. From this angle I could see everyone in the room. I watched her as she joked around with Edward and was amazed to see that he too was having fun with her, but they were in their own little world, and no one else around them seemed to matter. That is, apart from an older couple who looked as if they were the coach's. Wow. That man was hot. Wait, no, I can't say that. Stop thinking like that Bella, he could be your father! Pretty damn hot father... STOP IT!
Alice, Edward and the two adults seemed to fit perfectly together. I couldn't explain it, but there was something about them that seemed to pull them all together. I leaned over to Jameson to see if he knew who the two beautiful coaches were.
"They're Carlisle and Esme Cullen, coaches of the LA team and parents to the two players sitting next to them." He looked a little confused as to why I had asked about them, but brushed it off and went back to trying to stop Emmett from punching him in the arm.
I looked back over to where the Cullen's sat, taking in every detail about them. They were all beautiful, that's for sure. Esme and Alice were nattering away to each other as the two men looked deep in conversation until Carlisle started laughing at something funny while Edward leaned back and looked pleased with himself. At that moment, I was caught yet again for staring. My eyes locked with the brilliant emeralds. I gave him a nasty look as to say "don't even think about messing with me, I'm a black belt in Karate and I've got a baseball bat in my room." I felt really cool for a second, until I realised that being here for the baseball tournament would probably mean that he had a baseball bat somewhere too. Damn.
He looked back at me with the same expression, but it had a slight essence of confusion in it as though he was saying "But how can you hate me? I'm extremely good looking..." The ass.
I looked away and made myself notice the other teams that had arrived just after us. There were three other teams, the team from Chicago, Detroit and the other from Georgia. Everyone on the team from Detroit had beautiful russet colour skin and long hair. One boy in particular stood out from the team. He had his hear pulled back at the nape of his neck, his smile carefree and jolly. The other two teams looked like they had your average people, but who knows – Edward didn't look like the hostile type, but I had been wrong there.
I was so frustrated. I didn't want to feel this way towards someone I hadn't even met, but it was his fault! I was getting really annoyed right now. Lauren was bitching about the latest fiasco involving Mike, and Jessica was in tears because Lauren told her she thought I liked him. I was going to say something, but thought the better of it as I saw Emmett over my right shoulder accompanied by Ben and Angela. Thank god dinner was finally over – Angela and I had some serious discussing to do.
"You ready to go upstairs and get ready for bed? Oh there are so many things we need to talk about!" I couldn't have agreed more with Angela right now. I also had the strange urge to talk to Alice again, but I guess that would have to wait until the tournament started up. We had five days to get to know the city and the other teams, but I was pretty sure no one was going to do that – apart from Alice and myself. Lauren and Jessica looked like they were ready to murder Alice when she came and sat at our table, I couldn't wait to see what they'd do if she provoked them again, but I had a sneaky feeling that Alice would be able to hold her own.