Chapter 1

As I carefully ran my finger underneath the white envelopes seal, I held my breath, a nervous habit that I had had since I was a child. Calming my nerves, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath through my nose, breathing out as I tried to force the tension from my shoulders. It didn't help. I was still shaking as I pulled the crisp paper from its holder and opened it out, being careful not to crease any of it as I began to read.

Dear Miss Swan,

After carefully reviewing all the applications we have come to a decision. We are very pleased to be able to offer you a place at Oxford University, year beginning September 2014.

I couldn't believe it. I had actually gotten in to one of the UK's best Universities. My jaw dropped as I stared at the letter in shock. I had been accepted by countless Universities in the States - there were so many that I only expected to get accepted by a few but Oxford! One of the most prestigious educations someone could get from what I had heard. It had been dubbed by my advisor as the Harvard of Britain. He had been very shocked – which had more than offended me – that I was going to even bother applying there. Ha.

"So, what does the letter say?" As the post man had shoved the letters through the too small box, Renee had rushed to be the first to the door even though we had previously agreed that I would be the one to open it. She had been gutted but conceded when I had threatened to decline my place. Although she knew that I would never, she took the warning and backed off, opting to instead bounce impatiently from Phil's lap. Under normal circumstances that would have totally bugged me – the constant movement out of the corner of my eyes – but I was so focused that I barely noticed, even when she tried to leap up because I had 'taken too long'.

"I'm in, Mom. I'm going to Oxford!" She squealed in excitement, launching herself at me across the room. I threw my arms around her neck and held her tight against me, jumping up and down together in time. Phil tapped me on the shoulder and pulled me in as I turned around.

"Bells, I'm so proud of you, Sweetie!"

"Thanks, Phil." I muttered, "That means more than you'll ever realise." He smiled and patted my back.

I knew that this letter was the key to pastures green. I had had a good life up to now. I had lived in quaint Forks up until I was eight in a good size, pale yellow house with my mom, Renee and my dad, Charlie. Charlie had been the Police chief – a well-respected man who was very much valued in the close-knit community I had been brought in to and Renee, the stay-at-home mom who dabbled with a little bit of everything: horse riding, pottery, yoga, vegetarianism – everything that you could possibly think of, Renee had tried.

When he passed away, though, we moved up to the sunny state of Phoenix to be with Grandma Swan. The money that we got from selling the house was put in to a bank account and we had moved straight in, slotting ourselves in to her tiny home.

Then Phil came along. Phillip Dwyer, minor league baseball player, divorcee and owner of Dwyer & Co., the company that dealt with your problems. I hated him from the moment that I first laid eyes on him.

It took until I was fifteen and had grown up a hell of a lot before I would even give Phil a chance. It took time – a lot of it – but eventually, after three years I'd grown up majorly and become a driven teenager who adored Phil simply because he was what my mother wanted. There were no more selfish hate rages. I studied hard to get the grades I would need to head over to England, and now that the days were finally here, I was happy as hell. This moment was the turning point in my life – a chance to do well - and boy was I looking forward to it.

Closing my bedroom door behind me, I flopped down on to the bed and closed my eyes. This would be the beginning of a new era; new chances, new friends and new hope. This was it.

Authors note: This is the first Chapter that has been re-mastered. I have taken part of the chapter off and made a new chapter 2, breaking the chapters up to more manageable sizes so please, please do not read on unless Chapter 2 says 'Re-mastered' or the story will not make sense.

Disclaimer: All characters used belong to Stephanie Meyer. Any traits of characters aren't meant to resemble any real life people that I may know or have met. Any places used are subject to copyright. No copyright in fragment intended.