...

I'm pretty sure I was aware in some part of my mind that I was having a nightmare, because I wasn't acting like myself, but I had no control over it. These days it's hard to tell if I'm dreaming or not. A lot of the time, my dreams feel like reality.

"You can't be serious," I told my mother. "Sharing a dorm that small with three other people? I'm not usually one to complain, but—,"

"But we just can't afford an apartment for you right now," she cut me off. "You can't stay here while you're off at college, it's much too far away. Money is tight at the moment, and I don't see any other option, Isabella."

I held back a slight grimace. She only used my full first name when she wasn't happy. I knew I should be grateful for even getting to go to college, what with it being so expensive. But this couldn't be right. I wasn't a people person, I didn't even have that many friends. Having a roommate would be fine, but three?

In the midst of the argument, I woke up. I looked out my window, and the sun was in the middle of the sky. Noon, perfect, I thought to myself. I hated waking up this late, even during the summer.

I crawled out of bed and walked slowly walked downstairs to find my mother painting in the living room. Today the picture was abstract, different gorgeous shades of purples and blues. Ever since my mom moved to Forks during my senior year, she seemed to pick up random hobbies for a few days, and then move on. Last week she tried out yoga. She'd just started on painting this week. Maybe she was trying to preoccupy herself from the weather.

I stumbled over into the kitchen, and looked through the different boxes of cereal in the cabinet, suddenly aware of how hungry I was. I quickly chose one, and started pouring it into a bowl.

"Good news, Bella. Charlie helping pay for your first few apartment payments." She said distractedly, when she noticed I had come down. My eyes widened in shock. This was odd, especially after the nightmare I just had.

"Really? I, um… wow," I said between bites. I had no idea what to say. "He didn't have to do that, all I really want is a decent dorm, you know." I hated people buying me things, I felt awkward.

"You know he doesn't mind. When you were born, he put up that savings account for a reason. There's plenty of money in it, and he just wants to help. I'm not even sure if he'd take no for an answer," she said with a tinge of sarcasm. "Remember when you first moved to Forks, and he bought you that red truck? He didn't ask you then, either," She asked, looking back at me. I was almost sure I had a guilty expression on my face.

I sighed. Great, now I'd spend the next year or so trying to make up for this. I always felt the need to repay people when they bought me things. I had spent my entire junior year doing things trying to feel like I was earning the truck, even though Charlie swore it didn't cost much, since it came from Billy.

"Oh, you have a message by the phone. Jacob called."

My face instantly brightened up. I hadn't seen Jacob in a few days, I really missed him. I picked up the phone, dialed his number and waited for him to pick up, tapping my foot impatiently.

After a few rings, he answered. "It's about time," he said. I rolled my eyes.

"So, what's up? Any plans today?" I asked. I was itching to get out of the house. Ever since I had graduated high school, it seemed like I was always busy. And now that I wasn't, I just wanted to relax and have some fun before I had to leave home and start college. Knowing me I'd probably use all my time for reading and studying. I despised parties.

"Nope," he said with a smile in his voice. Honestly, he probably wanted to hang out as much as I did. "We haven't been down to the beach in a while, and the weather's actually nice today," he hinted.

And he was right, the fact that I could see sun outside my window when I woke up was amazing in itself. I

considered it. It was still wet from the light drizzle last night, so I'd probably slip at least once, but it was worth it. I loved La Push, everything was so peaceful there.

"Meet you there?" I asked, smiling. Then, I looked down at my pajamas and quickly added, "I'll be there in an hour."

I spent three hours on the reservation with Jacob and his friends, not doing anything in particular, just hanging out and talking, it was nice. It was like old times again, when I would come here nearly every day after school.

But once I noticed it getting dark, I reluctantly told Jake goodbye and that I'd call him soon, and started on my way home. I still needed to stop by the store and grab a few things to make dinner, since I was almost positive my mom was sick of getting take-out.

When I finally got home, it was starting to get dark and cloudy. I grabbed the grocery bag and walked up the driveway very carefully. I wasn't really in the mood for an emergency room visit tonight.

I quickly unlocked the door and walked inside at almost the exact same time it started sprinkling. Nice timing, I thought as my eyebrows wrinkled in surprise. My luck was usually horrible.

"Mom?" I called as I set my keys down on the table and flicked on the light switch.

"In here," Renee called from the kitchen.

I could smell fried rice wafting its way throughout the house. When I didn't cook, she usually just picked some up at a restraunt. My mom couldn't cook to save her life, so I wasn't really surprised to walk in and see her eating Chinese. She probably got hungry waiting for me to get home. At least I wouldn't have to cook tonight. I put the groceries in the cabinet, and grabbed a plate out of the cabinets and began shoveling fried rice on my plate.

"I told Charlie about how you felt about him helping out, by the way. I told you he wouldn't take no for an answer." She said, a bit smugly.

I shook my head. I knew she'd be right, but I could always hope. "Okay.. and?" I prompted her. Not in a rude way, I could just tell she was going somewhere with this.

"Well, He kind of already rented you a place," she said, shaking her head. "He said it's not big, and it really wasn't an inconvenience." She added the last sentence innocently.

I narrowed my eyes a little, then sighed and sat down into an empty chair at the table. First the truck, now the apartment. He knew me too well, that I wouldn't let him if he'd asked me, so he got it before I ever found out what he had planned. No point in arguing, when it was already a lost battle.

"He said he's been really busy at the station, for a change, but he gave me the address and the keys. You and Jake can drive down there tomorrow, and check it out," she said with a soft smile. "It's about a three hour drive, but I'm sure you and Jake can pass the time easily. I think you'll like the place."

I got a scholarship to the University of Oregon. Usually, I would have picked Arizona or California. Sunny places. Oregon was very nearly as rainy as Forks, the only difference is Oregon is famous for its indecisive weather. Rain, sun, and snow all in the same day sometimes. But Jacob got a scholarship there, too, and we always planned on going to the same college. And on the bright side, the scenery was gorgeous.

I considered giving in and looking at the place. Might as well get it over with, right? No point in disappointing anyone. My mouth tilted downward slightly. This would be… interesting.

AN: This chapter is really, really short, and it's probably not very good. I just needed to start the story off and give it background. Constructive criticism, anyone?