Twilight Reversed Rebirth

Chapter 1:

The main reason I moved back with my mother to Forks, Washington was because my hometown of Chicago reminded her too much of my father. Although it's been well over three years since I've last seen it, I was still quite looking forward to being back in Forks, where mother and I would spend so many summers together with grandfather. Grandfather, god bless his soul, called and asked us if we wanted to live with him. I could tell mother really wished to do so, so I agreed to leave Chicago with her. I am still rather sad to leave the city I spent my childhood in, but I'd rather stay with mother than with memories.

Mother, her name is Elizabeth Masen...Ever since father died, she has lost a lot of her energy and spirit. I know it's a bit selfish of me to be glad she hasn't even considered dating anyone, but I still can't help but feel sorry for her, knowing she is lonely without father. I feel even worse, knowing that if I leave for college, she'll be all alone, living with grandfather. Grandfather is a nice man, granted, but I don't know if I feel OK with leaving mom. I know for a fact that I don't feel OK with the idea of her dating someone else, either. But I know she has the right to be happy again, and yet I don't want her replacing father...

Look at me. The famous Edward Anthony Masen, master of putting himself in dilemmas such as this. Really, why do I do it? I need to learn to relax, I'm far too uptight for my own good.

"Edward honey, aren't you tired?" Mother smiles at me as she offers me one of those airline pillows, the ones that have been reported as being washed weekly. I wouldn't have much of a problem with that, if not for the fact that those pillows see more than one user per day. I mean, what if someone had head lice? Or a disease? Or they drooled in their sleep? God, just thinking that makes me sick to my stomach, and I shouldn't get sick on this flight because there's still a good three hours before we arrive at Port Angeles, and I certainly don't want to spend four hours smelling of vomit. Oh, God I REALLY need to learn to relax...

"No thank you, mother." The way I speak is unusual for a teenager, I admit it. Father raised me like this. He was a lawyer, a powerful one who was friends with even the Governor of Illinois. He always sent me to the best schools, the best workshops, the best summer internships... I hated it, I admit it.

"Honey, I'm sorry we're moving out. I know you'll miss Chicago..." I nod my head, knowing why mother insisted on giving me this speech. It wasn't for me, it was for her, she was convincing herself she was doing the right thing. I keep telling her I like Forks, that I'll fit in like a fish in the water.

But that's not the truth. Tomorrow I'll start my first semester in a public school. A public school...no uniforms, no private tutoring, ill equipped libraries, crowded classrooms, school lunches of questionable flavor... God, I need to learn to relax.

"Honey, I talked to grandpa...oh this is so exciting! I can't wait till you see what we have planned for you!" Now I'm scared.

"Uh, mother? I hope it's not something I might look back on and have a chuckle." Really, I don't speak like a teenager should.

"No no! It's nothing bad, sweetie." Mother giggles. Really, she can be such a schoolgirl at times. But, I'd rather her like this than how she's been since father died...

Had I any sense, I'd have purchased a paper back book at the shop back at the airport. Really, this is a horrible flight. No in flight movie, the food is god awful, and really, this magazine does a poor job in stimulating my intellect.

I think I complain too much...

Finally, we arrive. The time is now 14:24 Chicago Time, or 2:24 PM for those of you who don't use Military time. Let's see, that means it's... 12:24 PM Forks time. We should arrive there by 1 PM. I readjust my watch, so that I may not get confused, although I doubt that would happen.

There's grandfather, coming to pick us up. Mother's face just lights up upon seeing him.

"Daddy!" She rushes towards him and gives him a great big hug. I can't help but smile at this scene, it's always good to see her so authentically happy. It's heartwarming, really...

"Look at you, sweetie. Ya starting to look more like your mother everyday!" Grandfather, Derek Dwyer, is a septuagenarian former police officer. A widower for over ten years now, grandfather has never lost his fierce independent and youthful spirit. Why, the other day mother told me of how grandfather often flirts with the local college girls, something that I found rather perturbing yet amusing. What would grandmother say if she saw such a scene? "Now where is that grandson of mine? Where's the little tyke, eh? Is he behind this big, strong man?"

"It is rather nice to see you again, grandfather."

"What? Grandfather? The heck boy we been through this!" Grandfather playfully tickles my stomach. "It's grandpa! Grandpa!"

We spend the whole hour just laughing and joking as we drove back to Forks. This is what we needed back on the plane ride, something to make us happy and joyful. Grandfather is that person. I have a good feeling about my new life in Forks...

"OK kiddo, did your mom tell ya about our surprise?" Grandfather smiles deviously. I have a feeling... "Well, look over...oh..."

He had pointed at the garage, but there was nothing there. However, I can deduce that grandfather had purchased me an automobile, something which exited me quite a bit. I could only hope it was something cool...

"Billy! Where the hell have you been? You're late, boy!" Grandfather was yelling at Mr. Black. Ah! Mr. Black! It had been ages since I've last seen him! Does that mean that...

"Yo Edward! It's been ages man!" Jacob practically leaps out of the old 1963 red Chevy pickup truck. He rushes towards me, and embraces me in what is commonly termed a 'man hug'. It has been ages since I've last seen my good friend Jacob. "Dude, you're all beefed up now!"

I chuckle. Though it is true that my school had a strict exercise routine, my frame could hardly be considered muscular. I would call it 'toned' if anything. "Well, what about you, and your long hair?"

"Hah! Long hair is manly!" Jacob thumps his chest as if he had anything to be proud of. "Among our nations, long hair is considered a sign of tough manliness!"

I guess that explains why Native American men typically have long hair. I have to admit, it DOES look good on Jacob. It at least makes him look somewhat distinguished. "Where are Quil and Embry?"

"Oh, they couldn't come today. Quil has to help his grandpa with something and Embry has to go shopping with his mother." Quil, Embry and Jacob. My three best friends in the whole world, and when I really think about it, the only three people my age that like me despite my flaws. It's so good to be here.

"Hey, Edward! Come over here!" Mr. Black smiles at me as he tosses me the...hey, since when does Mr. Black need a wheelchair? I look at Jacob, who suddenly looks downtrodden.

"I know what you're thinking. I got diabetes, Edward. It's cost me the use of my legs and, well, long story short, no more driving for me. So, you can have my old truck."

"I'm very sorry to hear about your condition."

"Oh, come on Eddie! I mean, it's not like I'm dying or anything! Heck, I brought this on myself with all the crap I eat!" Mr Black chuckles as he says this, but it does not unnerve me at all. I still can't help but feel sympathy for the man who once took us fishing in our youth...

Of course the Blacks stayed over for dinner. Having my best friend here with me, a new car, my grandfather's jokes, mother's happiness... These are the things that have made that hellish plane ride more than worth it.

My grandfather's house is so cozy, so welcoming, as grandmother had decorated it. I excuse myself for one second as I make my way to the bathroom. I try my best not to think of the fact that mother will have to share a toilet, shower and sink with two men, but I must accept the fact that it is inevitable in this situation.

In the hallway are pictures. There's one of when grandfather was in the force. There's one of mother from when she was a schoolgirl. There's one of grandmother. And there's one of uncle Phil. And one of me, from when I was younger. And...mother and father's wedding portrait.

Father...

Tomorrow is a new day. I begin my first semester in a public school.

I am exited.