CHAPTER ONE
THE GREAT ESCAPE
"Bella, are you sure about this honey?" My mom asked worriedly as she and I stood in the airport. "I'm not sure myself if I should let you go off on your own."
"Renée, I'll be fine. I'm a big girl, you don't have to worry. Just stay and take care of Charlie, he needs it," I said, grinning at my Dad.
"Very funny, Bells." He said sourly.
Charlie was the Chief of Police in the small town of Forks Washington. But although he was excellent at catching criminals, not that there were much in Forks, he was horrible at taking care of himself. Thank God that Charlie had Renée to take care of him. If my mother wasn't there, I don't know if I would be able to leave Charlie on his own.
"But Bella," Renée said, a note of hysteria in her voice, "what if something happened to you? We won't be there to take care of it."
I rolled my useless eyes at her. "Jeez, mom. How many times do I have to tell you, I'll be all right. After all, I'm used to my blindness and it doesn't matter anymore. So, I'll get a little bruise and there, but that's not a big deal."
Seriously, Renée's constant fretting was getting really annoying. It's not like I just became diagnosed with the disability yesterday. I was blind since I was only five months old. She should be used to it by now.
But, I guess, Renée would never get used to a daughter who was blind. My mother and father had gotten married right out of high school. When she got pregnant, she was so happy and positive that her baby girl would be perfect.
But I wasn't the perfect daughter. When the doctors had told Renée that I had RP, a disease of the retinas, she was devastated. I didn't know it then, but she would used to cry at night over my crib, asking God why he would do this to her little baby.
I had asked Renée many times before if she regretted having me and getting married so early, but she would always deny it. She always said that Charlie and I was the only thing she needed in the world. But sometimes, I would find her sitting alone, looking out into space, daydreaming about the places that she would never get to go. I know this because she would always mumble to herself about Hawaii or France or such.
Sometimes, when I found her like that, I would feel guilty afterward. I felt like I was dragging her down with my constant need of help and support. I knew that if I wasn't in the picture, she and Charlie wouldn't stay in Forks.
Charlie loved the little town, but Renée was always a city girl who loves shopping and the bustling city life. And I knew that, Charlie would follow Renée anywhere, just so he could stay with her. That's how much my father loved my mom.
And that was one of the reasons that I was taking myself out of the picture, for just a little while.
"Oh Sweetheart," Renée said tearfully now. "I don't know what we would do without you around, constantly crashing into things. And telling me where I left my purse or things."
I laughed halfheartedly, "Mom, you'll be fine. And anyway, at least, you don't have to take me to the hospital every couple of days." I tried a joke.
Charlie laughed with me. "We'll miss you, Bella," he said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Be good OK?"
"Of course Dad," I said, punching him softly on the arm, "I would never dream of misbehaving."
He laughed too. And then he suddenly pulled me to him in a fierce hug. "I'll miss you, honey."
"Me too," I said, feeling the tears start to form in my eyes.
Then, Renée pushed Charlie out of the way to give me a hug herself. "Oh, Bella." Should said, sobbing while she gave me a bone crushing squeeze. "Please, don't let anything happen to you and be good and try to learn as much as you can. You'll be famous someday."
"I know, Mom." I said, patting her on the back. "You be good too, OK?"
"OK," she sniffled, and gave me another squeeze.
"I have to go now," I said, as a voice called out my flight number over the speakers.
My parents gave me a last hug, before they passed me on to one of the flight attendants.
As I walked down the long ramp to get to the plane, I felt a strange feeling of excitement wash over me. It was strange because I had felt nothing but sadness, for leaving my parents, and nervousness, that I wouldn't fit in.
But now, I felt my heart speed up, pounding painfully in my chest. I couldn't wait to get to the school and see what was in store for me there. So, what if the kids there are snobbish or mean, I wasn't going there for fun, anyway.
But I was still jittery and nervous and excited at the same time, when I got to my seat and buckled myself in.
God, I loved flying! It was so exhilarating. The feel of the plane beneath you rumbling and taxiing down the runway and then, the inevitable gut wrenching sensation of moving, flying upward.
The liftoff did wonders to my nerves, though it did not burn away my anticipation. I think it helped add more to the excitement.
I finally figured out why the feeling was so strong. Because, I was living out my dream now. Of no parents, a new start, and a great opportunity to show the world who I really am. Finally, I am escaping from the cage around me. And God, did it feel good to know that I, Isabella Swan, was going to get my shot of independence, at last!
Author's Note: Hey guys! Thanks for stopping by and reading my fanfic. Actually, this is the first one that I haven't written, so please leave a review telling me how you liked it. I know the chapter was pretty short, but I'm just setting up the scene for the story. Please be nice, I just want CC and your opinion on the story. Thanks lots!
SEPTEMBER TWILIGHT
