BPOV
The familiar sound of my boots splashing in the puddles along the sidewalks of Forks became the only sound I focused on as I hurried to the car shop. The brakes in my car had started failing, so I had to take it in, but thanks to my stepmother, I didn't have a ride to go pick it up. Luckily, the shop is fairly close to my home, so I only had to walk about half a mile.
A flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. Even though Forks, Washington is under a constant cloud rain, we only get thunderstorms about twice a month – and I was lucky enough to be walking in the middle of one.
Finally, the red neon sign dimly shined through the heavy rain. I picked up my pace to almost a sprint, but being the clumsy girl that I am I tripped ten feet away from the door.
Getting over the blow the ground gave me, I caught my reflection in the puddle I landed in. I stared at my boring brown eyes and my too- pale complexion, wishing I was somewhat pretty. My best friend, Alice- who is beyond gorgeous- says that I don't work with my "unique and beautiful features" and that I have "untapped potential". Yeah right. I'm just Plain Jane Isabella Swan.
Another ground-shaking clap of thunder boomed, reminding me that I was laying in a puddle on the side of the road. I got up and brushed off my boring black rain coat while walking to the shop.
A bell rang as I opened the door to the cold lobby of the car repair shop, I and went up to the desk. I was the only female in the shop, and it was a bit uncomfortable with three or four middle aged truckers giving me weird looks.
"Umm hi, I'm here to pick up my car?" I shyly spoke the statement like a question to the person sitting with his nose in a newspaper.
"Oh of course," a teenaged boy's voice with a hint of a southern accent replied. He neatly folded the newspaper and smiled at me. "Your name?" I don't know why, but the second he smiled, I felt insanely calm.
"Bella Swan," I smiled back, a slight blush coloring my cheeks.
"Jasper Whitlock, now, let me see what we have for you Miss Swan," he said as he typed into his computer. He really was a good looking boy. He has shaggy, light blonde hair and ice blue eyes. I couldn't lie, I was slightly attracted to him, but something about him just feels like he could only be a friend. "Okay, you are good to go. Just follow me and we will get your car."
He stood up and walked around the desk to me. I actually had to look up to him! He was a good five foot nine to six feet. Although he was quite tall, he was very lanky, but still had a large amount of muscle.
"So, how long have you lived in Forks?" he asked as we started walking toward the end of the garage.
"My whole life really, and since I've lived here so long I know mostly everyone, so I'm assuming you're either really good at hiding, or you just moved." It was so easy to be myself with him. He had a very warm and comfortable vibe to him.
"Yes, my family just moved here a few days ago from Chicago," he laughed. "Actually, my mom, dad and I moved here with our closest family friends, the Cullens."
"At least you moved here with friends. Not like it's going to be hard getting to know people, considering there are only about three-thousand people here."
"Yeah, Esme Cullen is my mother's best friend, and Edward Cullen is mine. So I know two people my age!" he said with somewhat false enthusiasm.
I giggled, "Are you going to be attending Forks High School?"
"Yes ma'am." He said, shyly grinning. "I'm a junior."
"As am I," I answered as we stopped at my car. The thought about how he and Alice would get along popped into my mind, and I smiled. Oh Alice would love him! "You know, I bet you would get along wonderfully with my best friend Alice. Can I introduce you?" I asked eagerly.
"Of course you may." He reached into his pocket and handed me a card with his name, phone number and job on it.
"You have a business card?" I giggled.
"Guilty," he joked while putting his hands up as if saying 'I surrender'. I laughed along with him when suddenly my cell phone began vibrating in my back pocket.
I held up my index finger signaling 'one second' as I answered.
"Hello," I answered, before checking the Caller ID.
"Isabella! Where in God's name are you? There are chores that are needed to be done around the house and you're off doing who knows what!" My stepmother, Renee angrily yelled.
Sighing I replied, "I was picking up my car; it was a long walk, and I'm just about to pay and leave." I looked up apologetically to Jasper and got out my wallet.
"Would it kill you to call to let me know about your lateness?! You need to have all your chores done by eight o'clock in order to eat." I glanced at my watch and saw that it was six thirty. Knowing Renee, the work I'm going to have to do will be impossible to finish in just an hour and a half.
"Yes ma'am," I sighed, defeated. She hung up the phone, laughing. "How much?" I asked Jasper.
"For new brakes, the total comes to $325 dollars."
Whoa. That was way less than I was expecting. Unfortunately, I had to pay with my college money, since Renee won't spend a dime on me. I also have to pay my own insurance, phone bill and for her groceries. God living with her is horrible.
I handed Jasper the money and he gave me the keys.
"I'll call you later, and thanks," I yelled out the window of my red 1953 Chevy pickup.
"No, thank you," he yelled back, waving.
I noisily pulled out of the garage and into the stormy streets again. Remembering Renee's words, I tried to push the speed of my truck. The engine groaned in protest, but I had to get my work done.
It all started when my dad, Charlie met Renee. My father and I were living together, alone. My mother died while giving birth to me, leaving Charlie all alone to take care of me. Subconsciously, I gripped the heart-shaped locket my mom bought me before I was born. I have never gotten it open, and Charlie has no idea what is in it. It's a shame too; it's the only thing that connects me to her.
Charlie and I were a lot alike, and we always had fun together, but when I was ten, he met Renee. At first I thought nothing of it, but a year later I saw a ring on her finger.
She seemed nice enough, and she had two really pretty twin girls my age, Rosalie and Tanya. I didn't really know them that well, but they looked nice enough- boy was I wrong.
Around Charlie they acted like perfect angels, but when we were alone they were the meanest kids I ever knew! Actually, it's not that much different now, but there's no Daddy to protect me.
Charlie was the chief of police, and in Forks there's not much crime. But one day, a gang formed between Forks and Port Angeles and their initiation took place September 12, 2003. Charlie was in his uniform in Port Angeles as he was shopping for my twelfth birthday present. The gang saw his uniform as a challenge, and picked his as their first victim. He was walking toward his cruiser when he was suddenly shot in the back multiple times. Tears started falling down my cheeks rapidly as I remember receiving the news of my father's death, the day before my birthday. He was my best friend, and he was gone.
A few months after his death, Renee started showing her true colors. She made me move to the attic and forced me to do all the household chores. Rosalie and Tanya just laugh at me, and frame me for everything. And worst of all, they gave me the nickname Cinderbella, and they use it while making my life miserable.
I've learned to live with them, but a not a single day passes without me wishing that Charlie was somewhere else that day.
I pulled up along the street of my home; apparently my car ruins the "curb appeal" of the house. The rain was pouring even harder now, making the house almost invisible. Running as fast as I could, I made it to the house completely soaked.
"God Cinderbella, watch where you're going! If you get water on my new Coach purse, I will make sure you have nothing to live for," Tanya threatened as I almost ran into her. I hate to admit it, but she is extremely beautiful, but she's not exactly the smartest person alive. She is the perfect skin tone- not too pale, but not too tan- and she has long strawberry blonde hair. She's at least three inches taller than me, and she has a slim, yet athletic figure.
"Oh and what a beautiful purse it is," I falsely admired, making her look at it in awe. "Where did you get it? Knockoff's R US?" and on that note, I left, hurrying to the kitchen to check my list of chores.
Chores:
Wax the floor
Do the dishes
Vacuum all carpeted rooms
Vacuum all non-carpeted rooms
Water plants
After I read the first five chores, I ripped the list off the fridge and took it with me to my cleaning closet. There were about fifteen other jobs on the list- most of them useless- so I knew I wouldn't be eating tonight. Reluctantly, I began my work.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
The clock read 10:51 pm at the time I finished. Exhausted, I grabbed my toiletries and headed to the bathroom.
As I expected, all the hot water was used up. I can't even remember the last time I had a hot shower. I had to settle for lukewarm or even cold water. Trying to relax, I focused on the pattern of the water hitting my back and shoulders. The aroma of my favorite strawberry shampoo and conditioner calmed me intensely.
After brushing my teeth and hair and changing into my favorite pair of sweats, I slipped into bed and checked my phone. I had three messages from Alice.
Bella! How's my favorite Albino?! ;)
Sorry for the Albino joke! Not really! LOL
ISABELLA MARIE SWAN IT WAS A JOKE!
Alice always has a way of making me laugh- even when it's unintentionally. Giggling, I hit the speed dial as a picture of Alice in a Tinkerbell costume filled the screen.
Alice and I have been through everything together. She is the best friend I have ever had, and I couldn't ask for anyone else. She is very short and slim, and has black hair that is styled into perfect spikes that make her look like a pixie. She is gorgeous and has a huge heart. Sometimes she's insanely hyper and silly, but that's what makes her unique. She has the best sense of style in all of Forks, mostly because she dreams of becoming a fashion designer in New York. I think people are afraid to be her friend because she is so outgoing and quirky. But I love her to death.
"Bella!" she squealed into the phone.
"Alice!" I whisper-yelled back.
"Oh my God did you see Mike Newton's outfit today?!" Alice asked in joking horror.
It was always the same routine. I would call her once I finished Renee's work and we would talk and giggle until one of us fell asleep.
The conversation didn't last long tonight, considering all the extra chores Renee had me do for being late wore me out. Praying she would let me sleep in just this one Saturday, I fell into a deep slumber.