London Calling

Landing in Heathrow Airport with nothing but my backpack, purse and meagre savings was daunting I'm not sure what made me decide London, England was the best place to run to. I'm not even sure if it was a fully conscious decision, my knowledge of England was minimal at best.

I just knew that I could no longer stay in Phoenix and England was certainly a huge contrast to my old home. I liked to think this was the beginning of my fresh start away from the horrors of my past, but in reality I was just running away.

Walking out into the cool London air I took a deep breath. For the first time in what felt like years I could breathe again. Quickly swiping under my eyes to stop any tears from falling I jumped into an idling cab. With my basic knowledge of London I told the driver to take me to Soho; this being one of the few areas of London I knew the name of. Finally arriving in what I assumed to be Soho I paid the fair further diminishing my minimal funds and jumped out.

I knew looking for a job or a place to stay was my top priority. I began walking around looking for possibilities. I was lucky enough to find a help wanted sign in a bar window. The bar was called Twilight and my luck furthered when I saw the door was open.

Steeling myself, hoping to make a good first impression, I marched through the door. Not 5 steps in my luck ran out as I smacked straight into a very solid chest. Stumbling backwards, I looked up into a pair of gorgeous green eyes. I stood in awe, unabashedly ogling the Adonis of a man standing before me. After a moment I realised he was speaking to me. I snapped out of my daze, hearing a velvet smooth voice accompanied by the most gorgeous English accent I'd ever heard. It was music to my ears.

"I'm sorry but we're not actually open right now. I forgot to close the doors when the delivery guys left." I noticed the way his eyes moved up and down my body as he spoke. He was checking me out.

Blushing furiously, I said, "I'm sorry I didn't realize. I just saw the help wanted sign and saw the door open. I'm new to the area and really need a job so I was hoping the manager or owner was in so I could get an application. Sorry for bothering you, I'll be going now." I turned to leave, silently cursing myself for my rambling and stupidity.

Before I could turn all the way towards the door, he grabbed my arm. I flinched away from the contact.

He smiled sheepishly and dropped my arm. "Sorry. But I'm actually the one you need to speak to if you're looking for work. I can talk now if you're still interested."

I quickly thanked him and followed him to the bar. We each took a seat and he turned so he was facing me.

"First things first, what's your name?"

"Isabella. But I usually go by Bella."

"Right. Well, Bella, I'm Edward, Do you have any experience working in a bar?"

For the first time in a very long time, I silently thanked my Mother.

"My mom's partner owned a bar back home. My sister and I would often work there and it was only a small place, but I know how to mix a good drink and pour beer."

"Where is 'back home'?"

This question surprised me. I wasn't interested in talking about my past. As far as I was concerned, Phoenix was my past and I intended for it to stay that way.

"Ahh well . . . America?" I stumbled over my answer like it was a question in itself.

His eyes lit up as he began to chuckle, "I gathered you were American from the accent, but where in America?"

"Phoenix," My quick reply surprised me. I hadn't intended to answer honestly.

"London's weather must be quite the shock for you then. How long do you intend to stay in London?"

"Indefinitely."

"Okay. How old are you?"

"Twenty. You?"

"Twenty-four."

As the quick fire questions continued, I found myself relaxing in his presence. I barely knew the man, but I felt safe for the first time in a long time. The conversation became more relaxed. To an outsider it probably looked like we were long lost friends catching up.

I learned that the bar often held live performances and when he had the time he would often perform himself. He told me he was great with piano and guitar but his singing left something to be desired. At this I giggled, letting it slip that his voice sounded great to me. As soon as the words made it past my lips, my blush was quick to make an appearance. I told him I could play a little guitar myself but my strength was definitely singing. I decided to leave out the fact that I had been accepted to Julliard for singing. Just another thing that I had been forced to leave behind.

All was going well until a stunning strawberry blonde came storming into the bar.

"EDDIE! Why are you still here?! We were supposed to meet at twelve. It's now two. I've been calling you and you weren't picking up!" She paused for a beat, taking in the scene before her. The rage that flashed in her eyes immediately intimidated me. "Who is this SLUT? Did you blow me off to spend time with her?!"

Edward was in a relationship. I felt like all the air had been sucked out of me, as well as a little stunned that I had already taken a liking to him.

Edward looked like he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Annoyance then took over his features.

"Tanya, my office, now!" growled Edward. As he stood to leave for his office, I felt like I was intruding and immediately wanted to crawl and hide.

"Actually Edward I should probably leave, thank you."

He seemed to panic for a second before putting up a calm facade.

"Bella, can you come back tonight at 8pm? I'd like to show you the ropes so you can start. It'd help to ease you into it before we get hit with the hectic weekend crowd tomorrow night."

This took me off guard. I assumed he'd want to appease his girlfriend and hiring me would surely anger her further. But securing a job on my first day in London would make life a whole lot easier. I quickly accepted, leaving the bar and the seething gaze of Tanya.

Back on the street, I needed to find a place to stay. After walking a few blocks, I found a hostel that offered single rooms. It wasn't the nicest place, but it would fit my budget. Once I'd worked a few shifts and ensured the job was definitely mine, I would be able to look for a more permanent place.

Once inside my new room, I emptied my bag. It contained my laptop, phone, makeup bag, a photo album, my journal and one of my Dad's old shirts that I wore to bed every night. This is all I'd come to London with. I decided I should grab something to eat and go shopping for a few clothes before I had to be back at Twilight.

A couple of hours shopping and a few pairs of shoes and lingerie (an indulgence I couldn't avoid. I always felt that wearing sexy under garments boosted my confidence) later, I went to a local supermarket. I picked up a few needed toiletries; pleased when I found the same shampoo I used back home. Stopping at a little deli on my way back to the room, I finally made it home at about six.

I was pleased at the day's events. I now had a suitable wardrobe for the London winter, I was employed and I had a cheap place to stay for awhile. Things were looking good for me.

I ate the sub I had bought and began unpacking my other purchases. I got dressed for work in a pair of tight black jeans, black high heeled ankle boots and my favourite purchase, a Black Keys band shirt, knotting it at the waist. I fixed my make-up, threw my long, wavy, brown hair up into a pony tail and bundled up against the cold London air with a scarf and the new khaki hooded jacket I had bought. Grabbing my purse, I headed out the door already feeling exhausted; it had been a long day and I was definitely suffering jet lag. On my way to Twilight, I bought a large cup of hot coffee, hoping it would get me through the night.

Need to thank my Beta Emmyscool10 big help with keeping the flow of the story and definitely will prove to be helpful in the future with keeping Bella American, seeing as I am a New Zealander. All Feed back is welcome, I hope you enjoy the story.