Sunset
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight
I'd never given much thought to how I would die. But dying in the place of someone I love seems like a good way to go. So I can't bring myself to regret the decision to leave home.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. My story starts when I was seventeen. My parents divorced when I was kid and I'd been living with my mother. At that moment, I was saying goodbye to my home in Phoenix, Arizona. I was sure about a few things about my decision.
I would miss Phoenix. I'd miss the heat, and above all I would miss my erratic hare-brained mother, and…her new husband. But they want to go on the road, so I'm going to spend some time with my father and this will be a good thing…I think.
In the state of Washington, under a near constant cover of clouds and rain is a small town named Forks. Population: 3, 120 people. This is where I'm moving. My father's Charlie, he's the Chief of Police. And that's a lot to live up to sometimes. Most of my dad's friends expected me to go the Police Academy and become a cop like he did, but I preferred to work in music as it was my main skill and forte.
Charlie wasn't that thrilled, but he supported me once he knew how much it meant to me. He thinks it'll get me into a good college or something. My dad and I don't know each other that well, but surprisingly, we're closer than some might think. I used to spend two weeks with him every summer, but it's been years. It's going to be a major adjustment after so long with my mother.
After arriving at my new home, Charlie and I talked for a while in my room. My room was fine. I didn't need much, just enough for me to do my work. There was no piano, but I could still write my music. I told Charlie I'd make dinner later and watch the game with him; he went back to the station. I think he could see I needed some time on my own. And the best thing about my dad is that he doesn't hover, for which I'm grateful.
When Charlie got home later that day, I heard a car honking. I went out and saw my dad's old friend, Billy Black. He'd been in a wheelchair for years now, but he was still a nice old guy. He was like an uncle to me. Behind him was his daughter, Janessa Black, my old childhood friend.
"Edward, you remember Billy Black," said Charlie.
"Yeah," I said, nodding. "Wow, you look great, Billy."
"Well, I'm still dancing," said Billy, smiling. "I'm glad you're finally here. Charlie here hasn't shut up about it since you told him you were coming."
I shot a look at my dad, who looked embarrassed and annoyed as he said, "All right, keep exaggerating. I'll roll you into the mud."
"After I ram you in the ankles," said Billy, as he playfully tried to fight my dad.
Charlie and Billy started going at each other like a pair of teenagers, which made me laugh as I turned to Janessa.
"Hey, I'm Janessa," she said. "We used to make mud pies when we were little."
"I remember," I said, chuckling. "Are they always like this?" I asked, referring to Charlie and Billy, who were still going at it.
"It's getting worse with old age."
"Good."
When the two men finally stopped, they came over to us and said, "So, what do you think?"
"Of what?" I asked, confused.
Charlie patted the old Chevy truck. "Your homecoming present," he said.
I looked at the truck and realized what he meant. This truck was my homecoming present? It was mine? Man, Charlie sure knew what to get a guy for presents. Or had it been Billy's idea? "This?"
"Yeah, I just bought off of Billy here."
"I totally rebuilt the engine for you," said Janessa. "Do you like it?"
"Seriously?" I said. "This is perfect."
"Come on, I'll show you how it works," she said, smiling.
I got in. I could hear Billy's smug remarks to Charlie who sounded both annoyed and pleased by his words. Janessa showed me how to work the truck. It was a bit old, but it wasn't awful. As long as it ran, I was fine. "So, do you want a ride to school or something tomorrow?" I asked.
"I go to school on the reservation," she said, looking a little regretful.
I was disappointed, but I didn't let it bother me. "Well, that's too bad. It would've been nice to know at least one person. Still want to hang around sometimes?"
"Sure, I'd love to," said Janessa, smiling.
We got out of the car. "This is great guys, thanks."
"Glad you like it," said Billy.
"Come on, it's time for the game," said Charlie.
We all trumped inside and watched the football game after I made a dinner of steak and potatoes. I made a mental note to get some groceries. Charlie's food supply was minimal and if I was going to cook, I needed more than what we had on hand. After the game was over, I e-mail Reneé and went to sleep, wondering about what would happen at school in the morning.
The next day, I headed off. The sight of my truck in the parking lot made it clear I was new and I got a lot of stares from the other students. It didn't help that it was March, the middle of the semester, and that made things a little more awkward. I ignored the stares as I got out of my car.
"Nice ride," said a black guy.
I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not, so I just said, "Thanks," and tried to follow my map and school schedule. I'd just gotten into the building when a skinny girl with black hair and glasses and an Asian-looking boy came to me.
"Hey, my name's Angela and this is Eric," she said. "You must be Edward Swan, the new guy. Chief Swan's son."
"I'm the eyes and ears of this place," said Eric. "Is there anything you need, tour guide, lunch friend or anything?"
"Uh, thanks," I said. "But I'm really more of the suffer-in-silence type."
"Okay, good for your headline," said Angela.
"Headline?" I asked, alarmed.
"We're on the paper and you are news, front page," said Eric.
I gave them a look. "No, I'm not."
"Okay, okay, chillax, no feature," said Angela.
"Cool?" said Eric.
"Thanks," I said, relieved.
Although I'd been popular back in Phoenix, I didn't want that so soon. I just wanted to adjust and get used to my new lifestyle. The rest of the day went by smoothly until I had gym and we played volleyball. I wasn't that bad of a player, but I was a bit of a klutz. But teachers never listen. When the ball headed my way for the tenth time, I wacked it and it hit the back of a blond girl's head hard enough to knock her down.
I went over to her and helped her up. "Are you alright? I'm so sorry. I told them not to let me play."
"No, no, no, it's okay," she said. She was looking at me like I'd dropped down from the heavens. Great, she thinks I'm handsome. I didn't need another girl fawning over me. Back in Phoenix, I'd always been told I looked like a Greek god with my bronze hair and strong features. "You're Edward, right?"
"Yeah," I said, nodding.
"Yeah, hey, I'm Jessica."
"Nice to meet you," I said, as I shook her hand.
"Hey!" said a blond boy. He seemed to be almost jealous, which was just perfect—not. "He's got a great spike, huh? I'm Mike Newton. Hey, you're from Arizona, right? Aren't people from Arizona supposed be, like, really tan?"
"Yeah, that's why they kicked me out," I said, making them laugh.
Nothing really happened after that until lunch period rolled around. Because I was raised to be a gentleman, I helped Angela and Jessica into their seats before I sat down with my lunch. This seemed to be pleasing to the girls and annoying to the guys.
"Oh, good grief, it's like first grade all over again," said Mike. "You're the shiny new toy everyone's after."
I chuckled.
"Hey, Edward, do you have any ideas about what to do for the paper now? Since the story about you has been killed, I'm out of ideas," said Angela.
"Uh," I paused for a moment. "What about the cars people take to school or the band's upcoming performance? I could give you some tips if you need anything." While I was into writing and playing music, the school's music band was small and there was no position for a pianist, so I didn't bother joining.
"That's great," said Eric. "You a music man, Eddie?"
"Yes and don't call me Eddie."
"That's awesome," said Jessica. "What do you play?"
"I play the piano." I stopped listening as a group of people caught my eye. The guys were all handsome and the girls were stunningly gorgeous. They all had slender figures, pale skin and flawless features, and they were wearing designer clothes. What kind of people looked like that? "Hey, who're they?" I asked, pointing to them.
"Ah, that would be the Cullens," said Mike. "They're Dr. and Mrs. Cullens' foster kids. They moved down here from Alaska, like, a few years ago. They kind of keep to themselves a lot."
"Yeah, that's because they're all together," said Jessica. "Like, together, together. The blond girl, that's Rosalie. And the big dark-haired thing, that's Emmet. They're like a thing. I'm not even sure that's legal."
"Jess, they're not actually related," Angela pointed out.
"I know, but they live together. It's weird, you know?" said Jessica. "And, okay, the little dark-haired girl's Alice, she's really weird. And she's with the Jasper, the blond one who looks like he's in pain. Dr. Cullen's like this foster dad/matchmaker."
"Maybe he'll adopt me," said Angela.
I continued watching the Cullens. Then one girl who seemed to be alone, with flowing mahogany hair caught my eye. "Who's she?"
"That's Isabella Cullen," said Eric. "She prefers to be called Bella, though. She's totally gorgeous, obviously, but apparently no one here's good enough for her. Everyone's who's ever asked her out has been turned down. Seriously, though, don't waste your time."
"I wasn't planning on it." I kept watching Bella until my stomach called for my attention. I couldn't explain it, but something about Bella was mesmerizing and I was finding myself drawn to her.
My last class was Biology. I wasn't particularly fond of that class and I almost dreaded going, but the sooner I went in, the sooner it'd be over and I could head back home. The teacher, Mr. Molina, knew who I was and since all the other seats and partners were taken, he had me sit beside Bella.
I smiled at her and for a moment, she smiled back, but then as I walked by the fan, she looked as if she was going to kill something or vomit. She had her hand over her mouth and barely looked at me throughout the lesson. The minute the bell rang, she just bolted out of the classroom.
Wondering if I'd done anything wrong, I followed her to the secretary's desk, where she asked to be in another class, but was told all classes were full. She muttered something about having to just endure it before leaving. I didn't even get to talk with her before she and her family left the school and I didn't know what to think about that. What a first day.
After school, Charlie and I had dinner at the diner. I ordered a vegetable burger and berry cobbler. Everyone kept complimenting me on how much I'd grown and looked now. They asked me if I still did my music and asked if I wouldn't mind performing sometime. I answered their questions as best I could and neither agreed nor refused to perform. When dinner was over, I went to my room to do my homework.
I got a few calls from the guys. Apparently they were worried all the girls were going to ask me to prom and wanted my advice on how to get the girls to ask them as it was girls' choice for the prom. Although I wasn't dating anyone, I had experience with girls. I gave the guys some dating tips before my mom called and we ended talking as I worked.
"Hey, sweetie. So, listen if the spring training goes well, we could be moving to Florida," she said. Then I heard a voice say, "Please insert $1.25 for an additional three minutes." She was at a pay phone.
"Mom, where's your cell?" I asked.
"Okay, don't laugh. I didn't lose my power cord, it ran away screaming. I literally repel technology now," she said.
I chuckled. "I miss you."
"Oh, I miss you too, baby. But tell me more about your school. Now, what're the kids like? Are their any pretty girls? Are they being nice to you?"
"Yeah, there's some beautiful girls here. The kids are all very nice and welcoming."
"Uh-oh, tell me all about it."
"It doesn't even matter," I said, wishing I hadn't said anything.
"Yes, it does, honey."
I really didn't want to tell her about Bella Cullen's reaction to me in Biology or my small infatuation with her. The last thing I needed was another of my mother's long fussing periods. "Listen, I've got a lot of homework. I'll talk to you later."
"Okay, I love you."
"I love you too."
I hung up the phone and sighed as I ran my fingers through my hair as I finished up my homework, wrote some more music and then got ready for bed. I couldn't stop thinking about Bella Cullen. I wanted answers and if I was lucky, I would get them within the next 24 hours or so.
I'd planned to confront her and demand to know what her problem with me was, but she never showed. And the next day was another no-show. It was getting disappointing to expect to see her and then have her not be there. More days passed and things were getting a little strange.
It was a week or so after I'd arrived in Forks. It'd rained the previous night and the water had frozen. The current shower of water was cold, not what I was used to in Phoenix, but I didn't mind. Until I slipped on a patch of ice as Charlie drove into the driveway with my old truck. I winced as Charlie helped me stand up.
"Jeez, Edward, are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Ice doesn't really help the uncoordinated." I winced as I stretched my legs. Just perfect, I was going be sore for a week at least.
"Yeah," Charlie agreed. "That's why I had some new tires put on the truck. The old ones were getting pretty bald. Well, I'll probably be late for dinner. I got to head down to Mason County. Security guard at Grisham Mill got killed by some kind of animal."
"An animal?" I repeated.
"You're in Phoenix anymore, Edward," said Charlie. "Anyway, I figured I'd lend a hand."
"Be careful," I warned.
"Always am."
"And thanks for the tires."
He nodded and then drove off.