College.
One, big, scary word. The end of living with your parents, having everything handed to you. The start having to actually WORK for money and grades. I mean, I wasn't a spoiled child: I went to a hard school, my family was…well…not as rich as my "friends", and if I wanted something, I really had to work for it. My parents wanted to make sure that I would be prepared as possible for moving out.
My name is Bella (Isabella) Swan. I am now 18 years old, and my best friend is Alice Brandon. We couldn't be more different, although she is my best friend. While she is scatterbrained, energetic, and whimsical, not to mention beautiful, I am blunt and stubborn. She has beautiful, spiky black hair sticking stylishly in all directions on her head, with wide, icy-blue doe eyes, her lips always seem to be turning up in a pleasant, almost curious smile. I have boring brown hair, dull muddy brown eyes, and an easy blush. However, as two opposites, we completed each other in a way that is hard for others to comprehend. I love her random phrases, out-of-the-blue singing, and gentle laughter. My life wouldn't be complete without her company.
We had been going to a private high school for the past four years. It was a boarding school, and you needed a LOT of money to get in. Luckily for my parents, I knew the headmaster, and got a scholarship. Mind you, it wasn't just handed to me. I've been working for grades my whole life, and I would have never gotten in if I didn't have outstanding test scores. Alice had no trouble getting in, because her parents are loaded, and she is quite smart. Our friends were limited at that school, due to our special circumstances. Sure we were acquaintances with everyone, what with Luna being so charismatic and pretty, but due to my lack of money, I was never viewed as socially approachable, and Alice stuck by me.
Now back to that big word. College. As always, Alice and I decided to stick together. Because we were both feeling confined in our hometown of Portland, Oregon, we decided to make a big step: We decided to go to college in California. Our parents weren't too happy about our decision, but they gave us the whole "If you're happy, we're happy" speech, and so here we are, sitting on an airplane, escaping our past and bad weather. We both got into Santa Clara University: not a great school, but small and comfortable looking, with a beautiful campus (according to the soliciting brochures).
I'm excited about going. I'm stoked about getting away from the cold courtesy of my old classmates, and having a fresh start. But there is always that insecurity: Will anyone like me? Will I be in the shadow of Alice? Will everyone treat us the same as they did in high school? These thoughts bounced around my brain like kids in a jump house, making me jittery. Alice, listening to her iPod, glanced over at me, probably wondering why her seat was moving.
"Bella, I love you, but you really need to calm down," she stated airily. Her eyes were gently closed as she listened to her classical music. I harrumphed testily, and pulled out my iPod, deciding to listen to some of my music.
Two albums of Paramore later, the pilot announced that we were beginning our descent into the San Jose International Airport. Because I had to put my iPod away, I began to figit, nervously contemplating my arrival. Again, Alice intervened.
"Bella, just pull out your journal. In such a state, I'm sure you'll be able to write down something," she chuckled softly.
"I'm sorry, dearest," I said with sarcasm, and then I realized that I had no reason to snap at her.
I made my biggest puppy-dog eyes at her. "I'm sorry, Alice, you know I didn't mean it. I'm just a little hyped up right now is all." I hoped she would forgive me and we could move on.
She giggled. "Of course. You're fine. But you better get that book out before you kill both of us!" She smiled.
What many people (including my parents) didn't know was that I kept a journal. I guess one could call it a diary of sorts. It was nothing fancy: It had a black leather-bound cover, with recycled paper pages. Writing in it gave me release, which was good for a person like me. After having been kind of suppressed in my high school years, my thoughtful and curious side--the part of me that made me Bella--began to fade a bit. By the middle of my sophomore year, I decided that I had had enough, and rather than yelling and screaming at everyone, I took up writing in this journal. At one point, I ran out of pages, so I ripped the pages I had off of the binding, and rubber-cemented 300 more pages into it. The cover doesn't quite fit anymore, which always makes Alice laugh when she sees it. "Looks like your book has outgrowth its clothes" she always says, laughing.
I began to write slowly, then the words began to pour out onto the paper:
Dear Diary,
Well, we are finally leaving. Starting new. I don't really know where to begin. I am nervous about the new school. I hope the people there are nice. Most of all I hope I can find a group of friends. Not too many people, just five or six. And not all girls :P. Too much estrogen. I hope that we can meet some cool guys. All the guys at the Academy were pricks. Here is to starting fresh *fake cheers*. I'll write in here as soon as I've met our roomie.
Bella
I sighed heavily. We got off the plane, found our luggage quickly getting off the carousel, and then ran to catch the shuttle that went back and forth between Santa Clara and the airport. A few irritating guys whistled as we got on the bus, but Alice shot them looks of "Touch me and you die" and they quieted.
The bus ride was uneventful. Alice and I both pulled out our iPods again, and sat in a comfortable silence. We finally arrived at Santa Clara, took our bags off the bus, and started to walk over to one of the big buildings. The campus didn't look huge, but it looked like we were going to have to do a lot of walking to find the Dean's office. All the buildings looked the same!
"Is it just me, or do you think we're walking in circles?" Alice panted after about an hour of scoping the campus. "Tell me again why you are so averse to asking for directions?"
"Because then we look like stupid little freshmen!" I huffed.
"But…we are stupid little freshmen. Come on, if you won't do it, then I will. My bags are starting to make permanent dents in my shoulders," she groaned. I refrained from mentioning that she could have brought a little less with her. She marched over to a man sitting on some steps, and asked politely, "Excuse me sir, but could you direct us to the Dean's office? We are looking for our dorm assignments…."
He looked up, and I saw a kind face, with a few lines, but other than that he did not seem to be very old. He had smile lines, which added to his gentle demeanor, and his blue eyes were soft, framed by a mop of brown hair. I thought that he must be a teacher.
"Hello my dear. Yes, the Dean's office is right past this hall here. May I ask what your name is?"
"I'm Alice, and the brunette over there is my friend Bella. We just came from Oregon, so we're a little lost around here," she grinned ruefully.
"Ah, charming. I myself am Robert Mell, although it is Professor or Doctor to you," He stated in a mock-serious tone, chuckling softly. "Are you young ones, by chance, taking any creative writing classes this year?"
I finally spoke up. "I am sir. Do you teach it?"
"Aha, yes I do. I very much look forward to seeing you in my class."
"Thank you. I love writing, and I want to actually be a college English teacher, you know, making a difference with students, enrolling them in the love of literature, that sort of thing.
"Teaching literature? Not the highest paying job around, it it?" he looked at me, eyes twinkling, mouth stern.
"Psh, I don't really care all that much about the money. A life involved in immersing others in beautiful writing is enough for me." I smiled, realizing that I really liked this Professor Mell.
"That's the spirit! Now, if you young ladies don't mind, I need to work on my syllabus. I hope to see you later!" he said with a smile, and with a flowing grace he was off, strolling down the palm tree lined sidewalk.
"Okay, lets go to the Dean's office! If I have to carry my bags for much longer I might just dump them in a trash can!" I stated with heat. Alice gave me a small smile, and we went around the hall. On the building that we saw, there was a huge sign saying "Dean's Office: Freshman Dorm Assignments!" I sighed. "How on EARTH did we miss that!?" Panting, we hauled our stuff inside and plopped down in the chairs that lined the office. The woman in the middle of the office was elderly, although she seemed sharp. She had a high bun, strict features, and when she spoke, her voice was brisk.
"Hello students. Names please?" she barked, although not unkindly.
"Swan, Bella and Brandon, Alice," I said, peering nervously at her harsh features.
She smiled, breaking her severe façade. "Ah, the two girls from Oregon. I hope the California sun does you some good. You will be in Dorm building C, room 112."
"We get to share?!" Alice asked excitedly.
"Yes you do, and you will have a room mate that is also a freshman. Good luck!" After giving us so necessary forms, she went back to her work without preamble. We left her office, and marched over to Building C, which happened to be one of the buildings we circled four times. Must have been a sign I thought wearily.
When we entered our room, we saw three beds, and on one of the beds sat a HUGE pile of bags, almost as big as Alice's load. A voice drifted over from behind the mountain. Here goes nothing. Time to meet the roommate… I though wearily.
CRASHI caught a glimpse of an angelic face framed by blonde hair before I felt an impact on my head, and then I only saw blackness.