Choices Chapter 1: Hitchhiker, a twilight fanfic

Disclaimer: While the attempt has been made to be medically accurate, some artistic license has been taken, and statements made by Carlisle are not to be regarded as authoritative.

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Chapter One: Hitchhiker

Spring 2040

Winnie twenty, college sophomore

Winnie

I should have looked at the weather report before starting out.

It was a beautiful sunny day in early spring, so I decided to walk the two miles from my dorm to the grocery store to pick up the things I needed.

I didn't hurry through my shopping, but paused to browse through the magazines and carefully choose the items I wanted to buy. It was nearly an hour later that I checked out, fitting everything into my backpack with practiced ease so that nothing would be squashed.

I pulled the backpack on as I headed for the door, and then stopped short in surprise. Heavy clouds now covered the sky, and a cold wind blew snow flurries through the air.

Well, I had no choice; squaring my shoulders I stepped out the door and started the walk home.

I had worn only a thin cotton blouse; within ten minutes I was shivering, my teeth chattering. Why did vampire genes give me acute senses but not immunity to temperature extremes? I crossed my arms tightly across my chest and hurried my steps.

Suddenly I looked up as I heard a car pull to a stop beside me. The driver's window slid down, and a young man leaned his head toward the opening. "Need a ride?"

I hesitated only an instant. Dad had warned me about taking rides with strangers, but honestly, I was one-fourth vampire; I was strong enough to defend myself against any one attacker, anyway. And I was freezing… "Y-yes, pl-pl-please," I chattered.

He pushed the passenger door open from the inside as I walked around the car toward it. I swung my backpack off and tucked it at my feet as I got in. "Th-thanks."

He looked at me for a second, then pulled off his hooded sweatshirt. "Here," he offered.

I tugged it quickly over my head, relishing the warm softness. "Thank you," I said again, managing to keep my teeth from chattering this time.

He merely nodded and reached to turn the heat up before taking the brake off. "Where are you headed?"

"The college dormitory, building D." I huddled further into his sweatshirt, shivering as I slowly warmed up.

A few minutes later, he pulled into a parking space in front of a small café. "Why are we stopping here?" I asked in surprise.

"Because you need to get some warm liquids into you," he answered. He got out and came around to open my door for me. "Come on."

I accepted his hand to get out, and he rubbed my cold fingers briefly before releasing me. I found myself blushing and looked at the floor as I followed him into the building.

There was no one in line ahead of us, and he walked straight to the counter. "Two large coffees, please." He turned toward me. "What do you want with it?"

"A…cheese Danish," I decided.

He nodded and turned back to the salesgirl. "One cheese Danish, and a raspberry strudel. For here."

He took the tray she handed him and led me to a table for two beside the window. Taking one of the coffee cups off the tray, he set it in front of me. "Drink that," he ordered.

I stirred in a packet of sugar, then wrapped my hands around the warm cup and drank deeply of the steaming liquid.

I set the cup down and pushed back the hood of the sweatshirt, then pulled my long braid free to hang down my back. "Thank you."

He smiled as he set the plate with the Danish in front of me. "You know, I don't believe we've been introduced; I'm Justin Morrello."

"Edwina Black…but my friends call me Winnie." The minute I said it, I wondered why I'd introduced myself that way; usually I only gave my full name if someone asked what Winnie was short for.

We stayed in the café even after we had finished our coffee and pastries, just talking. Justin was a law student, a few years older than I was.

Finally he pushed back his chair to stand up. "Well, I guess I'd better be getting you back."

He drove me back to the dormitory and carried my backpack to my room for me. I knew I was probably stronger than he was, but still…I appreciated the gesture.

"Wait here," I told him as I pushed the door open and took my backpack. I slipped out of his sight before pulling his sweatshirt over my head. I folded it quickly and returned to the open doorway. "Thanks for letting me borrow it."

He grinned. "Anytime. Winnie…are you busy Saturday afternoon?"

"Not particularly."

"Then…would you like to come to the baseball game with me, maybe get a bite to eat afterward?"

I smiled shyly. "I'd love to."

"Great! Pick you up at two?"

I nodded. "That will be fine."

"All right; see you then."

Next chapter coming next week!

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