Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight. This disclaimer will apply for the entire story.
First of all, I am already on the site, registered as elliot. and .jd.4eva1. However, I feel unhappy with some of my stories there. So I decided to create a new account. This is the first story that I will post here. I hope that you enjoy.
Not Quite As It Seems.
Summary:
Bella Swan is living a boring and predictable life in dull and dreary Forks. She can't wait to get out. However, one day the arrival of the mysterious Edward Cullen changes all this. Nothing will ever be the same again. Bella will learn that not everything is quite as it seems.
Prologue.
Yet another ridiculously boring day in Forks. Although, honestly, days in Forks were never anything but. Adjective such as dull, tedious and monotonous described the place perfectly. Nothing ever happened here. It was a dreadfully predictable place. All the people knew each others' business, not that there was ever anything interesting to know. I was simply biding my time until I could leave for college. Then I would never look back. Ever.
The sound of someone clearing their throat roused me from my musings. I sighed internally and plastered a completely artificial smile onto my face. ''Hello,'' I said cheerfully. ''Welcome to Newton's Outfitters. How may I help you?'' I looked up and barely suppressed a gasp. I was staring at a god. Truly. My gaze travelled from his haphazard, luscious, amber locks, down his perfectly sculpted body, all the way to his designer shoe clad feet. This particular male specimen was not from Forks. If he was, I would remember him. Hell, I would probably currently own a disturbing shrine to him.
He cleared his throat once again, looking extremely uncomfortable. I realised that I was staring at him, and my mouth was open, and a small amount of drool had escaped it. Wow, could I be any more of a moron? ''I was simply wondering if perhaps you could point me in the direction of the hiking boots.'' He said hesitantly. His voice, oh god, his voice. It was like velvet. It seemed to caress my ears. It made my knees weak and I suddenly felt uncomfortably warm. I was certain that my cheeks were on fire.
''Of course.'' I said. I silently congratulated myself for not stammering. ''Right this way, please.'' I moved from my station behind the desk and gestured for him to follow me. Newton's was surprisingly large for such a small town. Evidently, camping was important to Forks. Just this fact spoke volumes about the town. I wondered for the millionth time why I had to be trapped here. I guess it could be worse, but not much.
I found that my mind became less muddled when I wasn't gazing directly upon his perfection. However, this also had its drawbacks. The freshly available brain space began to obsess about my appearance in my ugly, unflattering work uniform. I inwardly scoffed. As if he would ever be interested in me. I was the epitome of plain. Whilst he was the antithesis. We reached the footwear section of the store and I turned to face him once more. Just looking at him caused a pleasant feeling to spread throughout my entire body. I had never had such a physical reaction to someone before. It was somewhat frightening. I castigated myself and cleared my throat. ''Well,'' I said. ''This is our selection of hiking boots.'' Thank you, Captain Obvious. ''Take a look, see what you like and then let me know so I can get your size.'' And if you see anything other than boots that interest you, don't hesitate to say so. Bad thoughts, bad thoughts. Be good, Bella.
''Thank you.'' He said with a dazzling smile. Oh, Jesus. Good thing there was a small couch located conveniently behind me. I half sat, half fell onto it. It was for customers to try on the shoes, make sure they fit properly, etc, etc. Thankfully he didn't see my embarrassing stunt as he was too busy choosing a pair of boots. It also gave me a prime opportunity to study the way in which the muscles of his back contracted and relaxed against his t-shirt. Oh, god. Here comes the drool again. At least he wouldn't see it this time. I quickly wiped it away and resumed my shameless ogling of his body. His jeans were also snug and fit his form nicely.
My fantasies were interrupted by a voice calling my name. ''Bella! Hey, Bella! It's great to see you!'' Oh, no. Michael Newton. The overly eager son of the owners'. His gangly form was currently running toward me, his face lit up like a Christmas tree. You would swear that we didn't see each other every day. When he reached me he flipped his greasy blonde hair back in a way I assume he thought was cool and shoved his hands into his pockets. ''Hey, Bella.'' He said once more, in a vain attempt to be nonchalant. ''Are you busy tonight?'' I sighed, aloud this time. Would he never get the picture? I was completely uninterested. It wasn't that he was a bad guy, or anything. I just didn't see him that way. I never would. He was my friend. Nothing more. He actually somewhat reminded me of a puppy. Friendly, loyal, but not someone I would ever want to date.
''Mike, I'm sorry, but I don't feel that way towards you. We're friends, but that's it. I've told you before. I'm sorry, but that's how I feel.'' My smile was sympathetic. ''Oh, okay.'' He looked dejected for a moment, but then brightened. ''Don't worry, you'll come around.'' Then he headed towards the counter. I shook my head. He had such a thick skull. Oh, well, tomorrow he'll ask again. And I'll reject him again. The cycle would continue. Over and over again. How very tedious.
I sighed once again and looked up to see him staring at me, a look of interest on his face. ''Quite hard to discourage, isn't he?'' He questioned with a chuckle. For some unfathomable reason, my cheeks coloured. ''Yes,'' I said tentatively. ''Yes, he is.'' He shook his head in amusement and I noticed the fact that he had a boot in his hand. ''Oh,'' I said. ''You've picked one, sorry. Allow me to get it for you. What's your size?'' I asked as I held out my hand for the shoe. I noticed that it was one of the better and most expensive in the store. He obviously had money. It didn't seem fair somehow. To have ridiculously good looks and money. It seemed greedy, in a way.
''Thirteen.'' He answered and my mouth fell open. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks. Big shoes, big feet, big-... I cut that particular thought short. Bad Bella, bad! I gulped. ''Well,'' I said, my voice sounding strained. ''I'll just go get that for you.'' Then I made my way to the storeroom. While there I took a moment to calm myself. ''Breathe Bella. Breathe.'' Then I grabbed the appropriate box and hurried back to the god. ''Here you are.'' I said. ''Thank you, Bella.'' He smiled. His use of my name made my heart skip a beat. ''That's a beautiful name, by the way. '' Oh, god. Knees, jelly, loss of control of limbs. Would it be wrong to jump into his arms and kiss him senseless? And if so, on a scale of one to ten, how bad?
When I surfaced from my reverie I saw that he had already put on the boots. ''These feel good,'' He said. ''I'll take them.'' I felt an unreasonable sadness at this. I was paid on commission after all. But I didn't want our time together to end. I wanted to be able to spend the rest of eternity with him. ''Right over here. '' I smiled nevertheless. Mike was at the cash register already. I walked behind the counter and he moved out of the way. The nameless god handed me the box and I scanned the barcode. Wow, they were by no means cheap. ''Three hundred dollars, please.'' I said calmly. He didn't even blink an eyelid. He wordlessly handed me a black credit card, put in his pin and took his bag. As I gave him his receipt he leaned in close and said, ''Thank you, Bella. My name is Edward, by the way.'' Then he walked away, leaving me stunned and speechless. His scent was intoxicating. My brain felt foggy and unfocused. Wow. That was all I could think. Wow.
Mike cleared his throat. ''You don't, you know, like him or anything? Do you, Bella?'' I looked at him. He resembled a puppy that had just been kicked. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I did indeed like Edward. That I was inebriated by his mere presence. ''No, of course not.'' I scoffed. ''He was just a customer.'' Mike seemed placated and wandered off somewhere, whistling. I sighed and looked out the window, where I could still see Edward. Just as he was getting into his car, a silver Volvo, he looked right at me and smiled. The smile seemed to convey that he had heard me and knew full well that I was lying through my teeth. Then, he was gone.
Well, one thing was for sure. Forks had just got a lot more interesting.
Please bear in mind that this is just the prologue. Future chapters will occur prior to this event, to give more background into Bella's life. I hope that you enjoyed it and come back for Chapter Two.
Thank you for reading,
Kate.
