Chapter One - The Bobst Diving Team

"Ma'am? Ma'am?" An unfamiliar voice accompanied the gentle pressure on my shoulder.

I opened my eyes to see one of the flight attendants, her hand on my shoulder, standing over me with a warm smile on her face. She removed her hand when I opened my eyes.

"We've landed ma'am." She said.

A blush began to creep across my features. I looked to my right to see the elderly woman that had been sitting beside me. I felt relieved when I saw that she was looking out the window and not glaring at me for falling asleep and keeping her from exiting the plane. The blood slowly drained from my face.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and got to my feet. My legs were stiff from having been seated for so long. My knees nearly gave in but, having been dealing with my magnetic attraction to accidents and catastrophes of all shapes and sizes, I was quick to catch myself on my armrest.

While I stood there, waiting for others around me to collect their luggage from the overhead compartments, I bent my knees several times to get the blood flowing through my legs again. When I realized how stupid I must have looked, bouncing up and down in place, the blush that had faded began to return.

I removed one hand from the armrest and began to bite my nails. It had been a horrible habit that I had had most of my life. My mom had tried everything to get me to stop from putting gloves on me as a baby to rubbing hot sauce into my cuticles and fingertips as a kid. When I got a little older, she tried to take me for manicures every other month. She quickly learned that I wasn't interested and gave up her mission to break my habit.

When I thought about my mom I felt an ache in my chest. I removed my fingers from my mouth and held it over the bulge in my pants pocket where my cell phone was. I had promised to call both my parents when the plane landed. I decided to wait until I had gotten to the apartment. The last thing I needed to do was trip over myself while juggling my luggage and a cell phone.

The plane had started to clear out. I reached up to the compartment and tried the latch. When it wouldn't open, I removed my other hand from the armrest and used both to try the latch. It was stuck.

"Ma'am-"

Before the flight attendant could help me, I had used all my strength and the compartment flew open and all of the bags that had been in it came tumbling out. A backpack hit me in the head and I stumbled back into a seat.

"Are you alright ma'am?" The flight attendant that had woken me rushed to help me stand up straight, leaving the other people that were still on the plane, multiple suitcases and bags blocking their escape, looking annoyed behind her.

"I'm so sorry." I apologized quickly, my face burning. I got down on my knees and started collecting pieces of luggage. The flight attendant helped me.

"It's quite alright ma'am. The latches on these compartments stick all the time." She assured me with another sweet smile.

Once we had put all of the luggage into open seat for the owners to collect, I grabbed my backpack and made my way towards the exit. I moved quickly, but also cautiously so as not to cause another scene.

I managed to make it to the gate without tripping or running into anyone. When I got there, I couldn't help but look around at all of the people that had been on the plane. There was a woman that embraced an older man, while a reunited couple kissed chastely before breaking apart and smiling at one another.

I swallowed the lump that was beginning to form in my throat and decided to go to the bathroom to freshen up somewhat while I waited for the bags to show up at baggage claim. I looked up at the signs and found my way to the bathroom easily. There was a short line that I had to wait in before I got my turn.

When I got into the bathroom, I went to the mirror and turned on the faucet. I ran my hands underneath the cold water and splashed it on my face and neck. As I reached over for a paper towel, I caught sight of myself in the mirror and frowned.

Before I had left, my mom had insisted that I do something different with my appearance. She suggested a new hair color, or a new hairstyle. I decided to let her have her last laugh before I went off to college, and had gotten layers to frame my face. I had to admit that it looked nice - when it was done. But I hadn't taken the time to style my hair, and I had spent a little over nine hours on a plane. I looked like a mess.

At baggage claim, I saw that the bags were already circulating on the conveyor belt. I waited, looking for my suitcase. I had packed enough clothes to last me until Charlie brought the moving truck with all my things from Forks in about two to four days. I had to admit that I was looking forward to seeing him already.

I spotted my yellow suitcase and managed to squeeze through the crowd to get to it. I grabbed it up off the conveyor belt, stumbling slightly as I turned to weave my way through the crowd again.

My new roommate, Sylvia, was going to be picking me up from the airport. During orientation at NYU, she and I had been in the same group. We had gotten to talking and it turned out that she was looking for someone to share her apartment with and I was looking for an apartment to share with someone.

It was strange that she and I had clicked. We weren't very much alike at all. She was fiery in every sense of the word. Her flaming red hair matched her personality. She was wild and spontaneous, but also very sweet. She had offered on the very same day as orientation to not only share her apartment with me, but to pick me up from the airport when I returned.

At first I had been wary to accept her offer. But it was as if she had seen the hesitation on my face because she had smiled and said, "Don't worry. I never bring my business home with me if you know what I mean. I leave the party at the door. I won't get in the way of your studying."

After she had said that I had gratefully agreed, to which she responded, "But that doesn't mean we can't have any fun."

Outside it was raining and I couldn't help but think of Forks. I would have bet my life that it was raining there too. When I closed my eyes, I could almost hear the sound of the rain hitting my windows while I laid in my little bed.

"Swan!"

I opened my eyes to see Sylvia stepping out of a taxi. Her red, wavy hair bounced around her face as she bounded towards me. She enveloped me in a hug, but pulled away so quickly that I hadn't had time to return her embrace.

"Come on, lesson number one - taxi drivers are not patient people." She flashed a smile at me before taking the suitcase from my hand.

Sylvia went to the open car door and asked the driver to pop the trunk. She went to the rear of the car and put my suitcase into the trunk. She slammed it shut and waited for me to climb into the taxi before sliding in next to me and shutting the door.

"Back to where we started from chief." She told the driver. She turned to me and gave me another hug, this time it was longer. "How was your flight?"

"Long." I leaned back against the seat when she released me.

"I wouldn't be able to stand sitting still for that long. God knows how I get through my classes without getting up and wandering around." She shook her head before glancing back at me to smile. "Well don't worry, once we get back to the apartment, you can take a nice, hot shower and get some sleep."

"That sounds like the most amazing thing in the world." I sighed.

"Oh Bella, we'll have a lot of lessons to cover while you're here." She leaned back against the seat too. "But only on the weekends when you aren't busy studying."

"Sylvia I hope I'm not…raining on your parade or anything."

"Of course not. You're the smart and sensible one. I should be taking lessons from you. Not the other way around." Sylvia laughed. "I just can't help myself. I was raised on a farm. My relatives all made their own moonshine and passed it around during our weekly bonfires."

"My dad is the police chief in Forks. If any of that went on, I wasn't a part of it." I smiled and rubbed a hand down my face.

"You'll have to come out with me some time when you're free. Speaking of which, did you ever hear back from Bobst?"

"The library? Yeah. Suzanne wants me to come in for one last interview, but she told me that I pretty much had the job."

"Well that's good. I bet that won't even be like work for you." Sylvia shook her head with a playful smile. "I can't even imagine how many of those boxes will be filled with books."

"I think I have more books than clothing to be perfectly honest." I admitted sheepishly.

"You're something Swan."

NYU was located on 50 W 4th Street. The apartment complex was about five minutes away from there. And the library that I was most likely going to be working at, Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, was an even shorter distance from the apartment. Everything seemed very convenient and easy.

I tried to pay the cab fare, but Sylvia wouldn't hear it. I talked her into letting me cover half of it. Then she led the way up to Apartment 4F. I had only been inside it once before.

"Home sweet home." Sylvia sighed as she held the door open for me. As soon as I had passed through the doorway, she closed the door behind her and locked it up. "That's probably more of an important lesson than the one you already learned to day - always lock the door."

I nodded.

"Well, you can't really get lost so I'll leave you to get settled. If you need anything at all, I'll be in my room. I promised my mom I'd call her and it's already almost ten."

"Oh shoot! I have to call my mom too." I dragged my suitcase to my room and shut the door behind me.

Until Charlie came with my bed and other pieces of furniture, Sylvia had pulled out an air mattress and covered it in all sorts of sheets, blankets, and pillows. I flopped down onto them after discarding my backpack and suitcase.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed my mom's number.

"Oh Bella honey I was starting to worry when you didn't call. Is everything okay? Did you find Sylvia at the airport?" My mom's questions and concerns all came flooding out of her the second she picked up the phone on the first ring.

"Mom calm down. Everything is fine. I waited until Sylvia and I got back to the apartment to call." Hearing her voice made me miss her even more. "Did anything interesting happen to you today?"

"Not really honey. I stuck around the hotel today."

"Did you remember that your flight leaves at eight tomorrow morning?"

"Yes I did. I have my alarm set and Charlie offered to take me to the airport."

"And do you have your ticket?"

"Yes I…oh shoot hang on…"

I rolled my eyes but laughed quietly as I listened to my mom fumbling around and muttering to herself.

"Check your coat pocket." I suggested.

"I just had it out and…oh! Bella you know me all too well. What am I going to do without you?"

There was a deeper meaning to her words. I could feel the tears coming before she had the chance to say another word. I knew that if she cried, I was going to cry.

"Mom don't get worked up again. You'll see me again before you know it. Thanksgiving isn't as far away as it seems." I said comfortingly.

"I know honey."

"Well I promised Charlie that I would call him too. I'll be sure to give you a call soon, and I'll try to email you whenever I can."

"Just take care of yourself honey. Don't hesitate to pick up the phone if you need money or-"

"I know mom. I love you."

"I love you too Bella."

After I hung up I tossed my phone into the abyss of blankets and pillows. I had to give myself a few minutes before I called Charlie. I knew it would be easier to talk to him knowing that I'd be seeing him in a few days, but if he heard me sounding the slightest bit sad, it would upset him.

I decided to get up and take a quick shower. I fished into my suitcase for my shampoo and toothbrush. I then went to Sylvia's door and knocked.

"Sylvia? Is it okay if I use your toothpaste and towels until my dad brings my stuff?" I asked from the door.

"Bella don't be ridiculous. Of course you can." Sylvia said loud enough for me to hear. I heard her murmuring and knew that she was talking to her mom.

I went into the bathroom and turned on the hot water. I took my time undressing myself and brushing my teeth. When I knew the shower would be hot enough, I got in and stepped into the water. The gentle pressure of the warm water made me feel even more sleepy. I could feel my eyelids becoming heavier and heavier.

I managed to wash and rinse my hair in my drowsy state. I was forced to turn the water off and get out before I fell asleep standing up and ended up breaking my back from falling over. It sounded farfetched, but then again, knowing my history with accidents, it wasn't unlikely.

I used one of Sylvia's towels to dry myself off before wringing out my hair. I wrapped it around myself to go back into my room.

I fished out my usual pajamas, a ratty T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, and pulled both. The familiarity of my pajamas and the soothing shower were slowly lulling me into sleep as I stumbled to the light switch.

I was able to fall onto the air mattress and cover myself with one of the many blankets before my exhaustion took over.

The next morning my first thought was that I had forgotten to call Charlie before I had fallen asleep. I quickly felt around in the blankets for my cell phone and felt slightly relieved when I saw that he hadn't tried to call me. I still felt guilty for having not called him, so I quickly pulled up his work cell and clicked send.

I wasn't surprised when Charlie didn't pick up. He was probably on the road headed for New York City and he never answered his phone while he was driving.

When I hung up I saw that it was close to nine. I had to be at the Bobst Library in an hour for my final interview. I got up and headed into the bathroom with my curling iron and the outfit that I had selected for that day.

The first thing I did was take out my contacts and throw them away. I had other packages of them in my suitcase.

After brushing my teeth, I went about the difficult task of brushing through all of my long hair. It was tangled and messy after having slept on it wet. I managed to pull through all of it by the time my curling iron had heated up.

It was odd putting so much effort into getting ready. I had worked at Newton Outfitters, my friend Mike's dad's store, part-time during my senior year back in Forks. I had always donned jeans and T-shirts to work, even to my interview. And outside of work I had been just as casual.

But for the first two interviews for the position at Bobst Library, I had worn much nicer clothes that I hadn't worn since picture day at Forks High School. And, along with my haircut, my mom had taken me out shopping for several new outfits that I would be able to wear to my last interview and, hopefully, on the job.

I curled my hair, mostly just my layers, and then unplugged and put away my curling iron into one of the empty drawers. After my hair was done, I stripped out of my pajamas and stepped into a pair of black dress pants. Over those I wore a long sleeved, white button up shirt. I rolled the sleeves to my elbows and smoothed out the few wrinkles I saw.

I decided to ditch my contacts for the day since I had forgotten to take them out the night before, and went into my room to fish my glasses case out of my backpack. I cleaned off the lenses quickly before sliding the glasses onto my face.

After I put on my black flats and grabbed my cell phone, I quietly moved through the apartment to the kitchen/dining area. I looked in the fridge and saw that I would have to go grocery shopping. The fridge was mostly empty, but the freezer was crammed full of frozen pizzas and TV dinners.

I decided to skip breakfast and instead wrote a message on the notepad that was magnetized to the freezer. I explained that I had gone to my interview and was then going to the nearest grocery store.

I made it to the library in barely two minutes. When I reached it, I stopped to look. It was a huge and square shaped with many slits of windows in rectangular patterns running up and down the burnt red building. None of the buildings back in Forks, or even in Port Angeles, were that big. I was definitely out of my element after having spent the past two years in Washington.

After a moment I went up to the doors and stepped inside. The inside architecture was even more different than the outside. There were six levels of the library, with multiple slanting staircases leading from level to level. Any way you turned you were met with walls and rows of books. That was the only comforting part.

I approached the front desk, not knowing where else to go. My first two interviews had taken place behind the front desk. Suzanne was nowhere in sight.

"Bella! Is that you down there?!"

I looked all around, searching for her. I finally saw her coming down one of the staircases carrying a stack of books.

"Hi Suzanne. I know I'm early-"

"You'll have to speak up dear! Or you could join me!" She glided through the different rows, replacing books to shelves and moving others around.

I climbed the stairs to the level that she was on.

"I said that I know I'm early but-"

"Oh I don't mind. I can understand why you'd be early. This place is a book lover's paradise." Suzanne was already moving to another row.

"It sure is." I agreed, following quickly after her but also looking around at all of the different books. I had never seen so many in one place before.

"Yes. Bella, do you think that you could tell me some of the rules I explained to you during your last interview?"

"Sure. Only NYU faculty, students, and full-time staff with an NYU ID can be allowed into the library-"

"Speaking of which." Suzanne muttered, going to the plastic barrier that ran along each of the different levels. "Barney! Hey Barney!"

"What?!"

Barney was the security guard at the library. He was in charge of checking IDs and making sure that the people in the library were there to read or to study and not to sit around and socialize.

He appeared suddenly on the lowest level.

"How is it that Bella was able to make it into the building without having her ID checked?!" Suzanne motioned to me.

"I know who she is!" Barney shouted in an aggravated tone. He then turned more towards me and waved. "Hey there Bella!"

"Hi Barney!" I called back, waving back quickly.

"That old man has been here too long." Suzanne grumbled. She returned to gliding through aisles and making sure that all of the books were in their proper places. "Go on Bella."

"Um…in order to check out a book you have to have both your picture ID and your library card. If you're a student checking out a book, you can only take them out if you're taking classes that semester."

"Mhmm. Mhmm." Suzanne nodded as she put one of the books in her arms on a shelf. "Go on."

"Non-degree students can only have twenty five books out at a time."

"And how many can someone who is not a non-degree student have?"

"Two hundred."

I had remembered thinking that I couldn't imagine someone walking out of here with two hundred books in their arms. I knew that those who had close to that many books out had probably accumulated over time, but it was still a funny image.

"Excellent." Suzanne turned with a smile on her face. She didn't have anymore books in hand. "I think that I'm ready to say this: congratulations, you're hired."

"Oh thank you so much." I smiled and breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

"Can you start tomorrow?"

"Of course." I nodded, still smiling.

"Great. Let's go downstairs so I can print out your work schedule."

Suzanne led the way down to the lowest level. As we did, I looked around at all of the plastic barriers. I hadn't really noticed them since it had been the first time being on any of the upper levels.

"Suzanne, what are the plastic barriers for?"

"Oh." She stopped on the stairs. She slowly turned in a circle, looking around the library with a suddenly morose look on her face. "We had to put those up after…after two students jumped from the highest level."

"Oh my god."

"Yes. Both incidents happened in 2003. After the second suicide occurred, we put up plastic paneling to prevent it from happening again." Suzanne resumed climbing down the stairs. "For awhile, the students around here used to call this library The Bobst Diving Team."

"That's terrible." I said, following Suzanne to the front desk.

"I demanded that the dean do something about it. He threatened the student population with suspension if he heard them using that morbid nickname. It stopped being thrown around quite quickly."

"I would imagine so."

I watched while Suzanne worked the computer. She had guided me through the different programs on my second interview. I felt confident that I would be able to perform my job well. I had paid close attention to the rules and the way that the library operated.

"Alright, here's your schedule. I have you working most days, and the occasional weekend. But don't worry, you won't be working until closing everyday that you work here." Suzanne explained as she handed me the piece of paper.

"Thank you." I said, quickly glancing at my schedule.

"Well if that's everything-"

"Actually…I was wondering if you could tell me where the nearest grocery store is."

"Oh sure. If I were you I would go to Morton Williams Supermarket. They have reasonable prices and it's not even five minutes from here."

"That's perfect. Thanks again."

I shopped carefully because I could only carry so much from the store to the apartment. I carried my two brown bags up to the apartment and juggled them as I reached into my pants pocket for my key.

"Hey Bella."

Sylvia was sitting on the couch when I opened the door. When she saw me carrying groceries she jumped up and held the door.

"Thanks." I walked past her and set the bags on the countertop.

"I'm sorry about all the frozen food. I'm not a very good cook and it's easier to microwave something." Sylvia pulled out one of the two chairs at the table and sat down while I started to unload groceries.

"It's fine Sylvia." I told her as I put a carton of eggs into the fridge. "I can cook for us. When I lived with Charlie I did all of the cooking."

"So don't keep me waiting. Did you get the job?"

"Yeah. I start tomorrow." I held out my schedule to her before opening one of the drawers and tossing in a head of lettuce and a bag of tomatoes.

"That's awesome Bella." Sylvia looked over my schedule and then smiled up at me.

"Well I'll be able to pay my half of the rent and utilities."

"You'll be a like a duck in water I'm sure." Sylvia set my schedule on the countertop. "Well listen, I was thinking of going out tonight. Do you want to come?"

"Hmm…not tonight Sylvia. I'm still getting adjusted to the time change and I want to be up and ready for my first day. But you go on ahead and have a good time."

"Are you sure? If you'd rather I stay here we could watch a movie or something."

"Go out. Have a good time." I insisted with a smile. "I'll even make us dinner before you leave."

"We're going to get along just fine Swan." Sylvia said with a smile.

After I put all of the groceries away, I tossed the empty bags and headed to my room. I unpacked my nice clothes and started putting them on hangers when my phone started to ring. The screen displayed Charlie's name.

"Hey dad." I said, balancing the phone between my neck and shoulder as I hung things up in the closet.

"Hey Bells. I'm sorry I missed your call. I just stopped to get gas."

"That's okay. I figured you were driving and would give me a call at a rest stop or something. So how's the drive?"

"I haven't had any trouble so far. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. I just got back from my interview and the grocery store."

"Oh! How'd your interview go?"

"Great. I start tomorrow." I closed the closet after all of my nicer outfits were on hangers. I grabbed all of my toiletries and went into the bathroom to put them away.

"Well that's great honey. It sounds like things are going okay."

"They are."

"Well I have to get going if I'm going to make good time. I'll see you in a few days Bells. Stay safe. I love you."

"I love you too dad. Bye."