Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter One

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Bella?" Charlie asked for what felt like the thousandth time as he watched her pack. Bella rolled her eyes before she answered.

"It's just spring break dad," she told him. "I'll be back in a week."

Charlie watched his daughter with a frown. She had changed into someone who he hardly recognized after the Cullen's left. Gone was his sweet Isabella. First she had been so depressed she had frightened Charlie. When the doctors had started throwing around words like catatonic he almost had her admitted. Then she had suddenly snapped out of it.

He had thought then that it would all get better but it didn't. Bella withdrew into herself emotionally, she completely shut everyone out until she befriended Jess again. She didn't tell her everything about the Cullen's at first because she thought Jess would assume she was insane. When Bella had finally felt so guilty for keeping the truth from her best friend she had cracked and told. Jess had been shocked obviously but it explained so much about the way they used to behave.

Charlie had seen how close the two girls were getting and had hoped again that this was a turning point. He had been horrified when she had come home one day with all her lovely hair gone. Charlie had not mentioned her hair, he had put it down to a teenage girls reaction to a break up. It got a harder and harder to ignore her behavior every day. He knew she had started smoking no matter how hard she tried to hide it and little did Charlie know she wasn't even trying. He had been watching a game with Billy when Bella had come down in her pajamas for a drink. Charlie had easily been able to see the tattoo peeking out from the waistband of her pants on her left hip. With each new discovery it got harder and harder to ignore the truth. Bella was never going to be his little girl again. His hatred for the Cullen's deepened. They had stolen his daughters innocence when they left.

Charlie shook his head to clear these thoughts. "I know but after everything with the Cullen's…." Charlie trailed off with a sigh. "I just worry about you."

Bella stopped packing and turned to face her dad. "I know you do, but I won't check out on you like that again," Bella promised. "One week dad, that's all I'll be gone."

Charlie forced a smile and left the room reluctantly as Bella carried on packing.

Bella was sat downstairs with her dad when a car horn sounded outside. Bella jumped up instantly with a grin. "That will be Jess and her dad."

Charlie carried Bella's bag to the car and loaded it into the boot while Bella climbed in the back with Jess and Angela. The three girls laughed excitedly. "Can you believe we are going to California for spring break?" Jess asked.

Charlie appeared at the window then and Bella opened the door turning to face him. "Call me when you land please?" Charlie requested. "I want to know you get there safe."

"Sure, dad," Bella said. Charlie hugged Bella and then stepped back shutting the door. Bella turned and waved at him as they turned the corner vanishing out of sight.

Bella, Angela and Jessica met Lauren, Mike, Eric and Ben at the airport. Lauren and Mike were a couple now so it had made things between Bella and Lauren more strained. Lauren never really let go of the fact that Mike had once had a crush on Bella when she first moved to town. Bella and Lauren stayed away from each other as they checked their bags in and boarded the plane.

Bella slept through most of the flight and was woken by Jess as they were coming into land. The two girls grabbed each others hands and squealed quietly in excitement. The group could not get through the airport and to their hotel fast enough. Bella and Jess were sharing a room. Lauren was with Mike, Ben and Angela were sharing a room with Eric. "Let's change into our swim suits and head straight for the beach?" Jess suggested. Lauren and Mike immediately refused and Mike led Lauren away to the elevator. Everyone shared knowing smirked. Ben and Eric declared that they were going to catch up on some sleep.

"Just us then," Angela said. "I'll meet you back here in twenty?"

Bella and Jess agreed so the girls separated going to changed. Bella and Jess didn't bother unpacking, they just hunted for what they wanted and changed. Bella made her promised phone call to her dad before they left.

The three girls headed for the beach and laid down enjoying the sun.

They had been there about an hour when Angela decided to head up onto the boardwalk in search of ice tea. "You guys want anything?" she asked.

"Yeah, can you grab us a couple of cokes?" Bella requested and Angela nodded before walking away.

"Can you believe we're actually in California?" Jess asked, leaning up on her arms to look around.

"I know, it's amazing," Bella said sounding relaxed. "What's this town called anyway?"

"Santa Carla," Jess told her. Jess was looking around when she spotted two guys playing volley ball not fair away. One of them saw Jess looking and winked at her. "Two hotties at two o'clock." Bella opened her eyes following were Jess was looking and smirked. The one who had winked at Jess said something to his blonde friend who turned in their direction and smiled.

Jess let out an excited giggle when they both approached. "Hey," the blonde said smiling at Bella. "I'm Jack, this is my friend Scott."

"I'm Bella. This is Jess."

"So you girls in Santa Carla for spring break?" Scott asked.

"Yeah," Jess answered.

"We're having a bonfire with a few friends down by the pier tonight," Jack said. "You should come."

Bella and Jess shared a smile before Jess nodded. "Sure, sounds fun," Jess told them.

"Great, we'll see you girls tonight then," Jack said and winked at Bella before both guys walked away. Jess and Bella squealed excitedly as Angela returned.

"What's got you two so excited?" she asked, handing them their drinks. Bella and Jess descended into girlish laughter and Angela watched them with a raised eyebrow.

A/N: Posted on 14/10/2015. All outfits are on my profile. Violet x.