Chapter One
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the wonderful Stephanie Meyer. *sob* Except the plot. That one's all mine.
Author's Note: So, this is my first story. It might suck, it might rock, I don't know. I'm not the best judge of my own work. If it stinks, don't eat me! My norm is poetry, I'm really out of my comfort zone, so have mercy on me I beg you!
Bella's Point of View:
The transition from the plane of dreams to consciousness is almost imperceptible. Then, before you know it, you're awake and late for a job interview.
…
"Mmmmmm."
I was warm. The sun on my face was like a caress. I rolled onto my side and snuggled deeper into the sheets, completely at peace. The perfect morning. Then I opened my eyes.
"Oh shit!"
Screw the perfect morning. This was hell. My own personal, custom made hell.
I jumped out of bed, stubbing my toe on the nightstand, muttering another curse. I looked at my alarm clock again. I swear, it was as if the big red numbers were mocking me.
7:02
I had an interview for an editorial job in 28 minutes.
Downtown.
Downtown Chicago.
I wouldn't make it. I was going to be late on what might possibly be the most important day in my entire career.
If I even have a career after today. I thought.
I showered as fast as humanly possible, and threw together an outfit without really looking at it. I wasn't big on fashion, but I did care what I looked like. Normally. Today I didn't really have time to care.
God, I hope I don't look too ridiculous.
I brushed my teeth and looked at the clock. 7:13. I had 17 minutes before my interview. I am so screwed.
I grabbed my purse and ran out the door.
Crap, shoes.
I ran back to my room and grabbed the first pair I found, which happened to be sensible flats. Alice would kill me. She had laid out a pair of death trap shoes for me to wear yesterday and demanded I wear them. I didn't really have time to care. Besides, knowing me, I'd trip and break every bone in my body, making me even later for my interview.
Well, it'd be a good excuse…
I ran out the door a second time, bumping into the doorframe. Hard.
"Perfect" I muttered. "Just perfect"
This was no time to be a klutz, and the last thing I needed was another bruise.
I ran down the hallway of my apartment building and ran to the elevator that was just closing.
"Hold it! Hold it please! Hey!"
It shut. I pounded on the thick metal door. A few tears ran down my cheek. Could this day get any worse?
I didn't have time to wait for the elevator to come back up, so I ran down the 5 flights of stairs to the lobby, earning a couple more bruises for my efforts. Well, at least I didn't fall and break my ankle. It was a very real possibility. I consider myself lucky.
I nearly ran over some guy walking in the door in my hurry to get out.
"Sorry!" I yelled out behind me.
Oh thank god. At least something was going right. There was a taxi about 25 feet down the block. I head towards it, but just as I got near it, someone else approached it.
Of course. Of course this would happen to me.
I was in tears now. Good thing I didn't apply any make up today, because otherwise it would be running down my face by now. I started walking away when the man turned towards me.
Oh. My. God.
He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. His hair was… I don't know how to describe it. I had never seen that color before. It was like a shiny new penny. The places where the sun hit it shone like gold. It was not of this world. I wanted to reach out and touch it to see if it was real, if it was as soft as it looked. And his eyes! His eyes were like pieces of emerald. They were a deep green that I could get lost in, endless pools that I could spend hours looking at. I struggled to breathe.
I realized I was staring and blushed. He was looking expectantly and I realized he must have said something while I was drooling over him.
"I…I'm sorry?" I stammered.
"I said, you can take the cab."
His voice was like honey. It was hypnotic.
"No. No- that's not necessary. You were here first. I'll take another one."
Why did I just say that? You need the cab god dammit! Most important day of your career, remember? Pull yourself together!
I mentally berated myself.
Say something Bella! Say anything!
I started walking away. I couldn't deal with this. But naturally, being me, I tripped. I put my hands out in front of me and braced myself for the impact, but it never came. Instead I found a pair of arms wrapped around me. And I felt… safe. As if this was the way it should be.
Whoa Bella. It's a total stranger. You shouldn't be feeling this way, even if he is a god.
I reluctantly pulled away, and instantly missed his embrace.
I looked back, and his eyes were twinkling,
"Take the cab. I don't want to have to worry about you walking by yourself. I wouldn't be there to catch you."
I blushed again, nodded, and opened the door.
"28th and North please." I said, climbing in.
I started to close the door, but his hand stopped me.
"You're going to 28th and North?"
I nodded. He climbed into the seat next to me, and shut the door.
"Well, it's a small world then." He said with a crooked smile that made my heart skip a beat.
He nodded at the driver and the car started pulling away from the curb.
I started to realize the full implications of what this meant. I would be stuck in a car with this guy for the next 10 minutes, give or take.
Ah!
I had no idea how I was going to restrain myself around him for 10 whole minutes.
OK, Bella, you can do this, just… think of something else.
Like the job interview. Speaking of which…
I looked at my watch and groaned. I threw my head back in defeat and closed my eyes.
"What is it?"
He sounded concerned. Why!? He didn't even know me!
"Well, I have a job interview that starts in 4 minutes, and this is turning out to be the worst day of my life."
I opened my eyes. He was looking at me very strangely, and I was instantly self conscious.
I hope I remembered to put on a bra this morning, and bottoms… yeah… What is he staring at?
I closed my eyes again and tried to forget those piercing green eyes, and that I was sitting next to an angel. I did not need a guy right now, or ever for that matter.
I couldn't fall for him, I couldn't fall for him, I couldn't fall for him…
I repeated that mantra in my head, occasionally interrupted by stress at the time ticking by and curses at the slow Chicago traffic. Exactly 12 minutes later, although it felt like 12 hours, the taxi stopped at the corner of 28th and North. I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, I could get out of here, away from this Adonis that I would hopefully never see again.
I reached into my purse for a 20, but the gorgeous guy had already paid for me.
"Really sir, that's not necessary. I have money."
"It's fine, I got it."
Anger flared up at that. Who did this guy think he was?! I didn't need charity from some random stranger! I had paid for myself my whole life, and I wasn't going to start relying on others now.
"I can take care of myself. You catch me from doing a face plant and think I need pity, well, I'm sorry but-"
"Don't you have a job interview to go to Miss?" he asked condescendingly.
He interrupted me. In the middle of a rant. I'd be really angry if he wasn't right, which incidentally, just made me angrier.
Damn him.
I gave him my best glare and slammed the door in his face, and stormed over to the doors of the firm. As I got in the elevator, I looked anxiously at my watch again.
I'm 8 minutes late. Shit.
As I reached my floor, I walked out cautiously. I spotted a reception desk where a curvy brunette was filing her nails. I walked over to her and cleared my throat to get her attention.
She looked up.
"Oh, hi!" she said perkily, and gave a fake smile with too many teeth. "Can I help you?"
'Umm, yes, I have an interview for 7:30? Isabella Swan?"
"Of course, go right in. She's expecting you."
She nodded to a door down the hallway that was slightly ajar.
I took a deep breath and walked in.
Author's note: Well, there ya go! I hope it's OK… I really hate writing dialogue and I feel like it's really horrible. If you liked it, I'd love to hear! If you hated it… well…