I couldn't help but feel nervous as the car carried me closer to my destination. A small, firm hand grabbed mine and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"This will be great Bella, trust me." The pixie said with a smile that was far too contageous.
"I know Alice, I'm really excited." Which was true - a new city, my first year of university, I was thrilled.
Alice smiled, shifting her gaze to Jasper. I could see him drop his head in the slightest of nods. For some reason having him confirm my excitement made me feel better, because on top of the excitement were so many other feelings.
Jasper picked up on my change of focus, looking at me through the rear view mirror. "It's alright to be nervous, but trust me Bella, if anyone can do this, you can."
"Thanks Jasper, that means a lot." and it did, coming from him especially. "Having all of you around will make it much easier, I don't know what I'd do without you."
Alice laughed beside me. "We're family Bella! We would never send you out to do something like this on your own. Besides, it's about time we all got some higher education."
Watching the trees whiz by out the window, I let my mind wander. Never in my life would I have imagined I'd be heading off to college now. In high school I never really hand the ambition. I did well in school, I just never gave my future any thought. Looking back now, it almost made me wonder if I somehow knew a future wasn't in the cards for me.
I was filled with gratitude for the life I have - for my family, how they had saved me, taken me in, for everything they've taught me. Without them, I wouldn't be here at all. Even if I had survived, I wouldn't be the same, and going to school would never have been an option. Without them I never would have believed I could do this, that I could be something outside of what James had done to me, outside of what he had made me.
I was pulled out of my thoughts by Alice beside me, her small frame practically vibrating with excitement. "Look Bella!" she exclaimed, pointing out the front window. Ahead of us I could see the city coming into view, and my excitement grew.
"Chicago, her we come!"
