Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Stephanie Myer's characters or ideas.
Isabella M. Swan,
Congratulations! You have been accepted into Volterra Academy of the Arts & Sciences! (To be expected September 1st)
We reviewed your application and we are happy to let you know that you met all our requirements. Below is some information that you will need to know upon arriving on our campus.
Course(s) of study selected:
-Journalism
-Literature Study
-Film
In addition to your selected courses of specific study here at V.A., here is your schedule of required classes for the semester.
1st hour- *Journalism (Arts building, room 101)
2nd hour- Advanced Algebra (Sciences building, room 241)
3rd period- * Literature Study (Sciences building, room 361)
4th- Advanced Physics (Sciences building, room 143)
5th- Italian Language #1 (Arts building, room 222)
6th- Film* (Arts building, room 105)
You will be residing in Rafael hall. Your room number is 112 and your roommates are Jahzara Jelani, Orabella Bianchi, and Temira Blum.
*A map of the campus is enclosed in this envelope
Designated counselor: Dr. Monica Minerva
We are so pleased that you will be with us this semester. Upon arriving on campus, please report straight to the main office of the main building for additional information. Thank you for your application. We look forward to seeing you soon!
I couldn't believe my eyes. I had really been accepted to Volterra Academy. I flew into the living room with the letter in my hands. "Dad," I exclaimed, "I did it!" Charlie jumped from his armchair.
"What? What happened?" he cried worriedly. I smiled sheepishly. My dad had been in the middle of a nap when I burst into the room.
"I got accepted, Dad! Volterra Academy in Italy accepted me!" I beamed. I was excited beyond words. My dad ran a hand down his face and plopped back down in his chair.
"That's great, Bells. I'm sure you'll have a great college experience there." He said. I frowned, puzzled.
"It's not a college, Dad. I'm going there for senior year."
Charlie jumped to his feet. "What?" I took a hesitant step back.
"Yes Dad. I got accepted to attend the fall semester on scholarship. If I make good grades and perform well in my courses of study, I'll probably be able to do second semester for free, too." I explained carefully. Charlie's big black brows knitted together.
"Bella, are you sure this is something you want to do? Italy is awful far from Forks."
"Yes Dad. I'm actually really excited. I applied at the beginning of the summer. My classes start in a week. I have a lot to do!" I smiled, unable to contain my enthusiasm.
"A week," Charlie repeated. I internally sighed. He was not taking this well. "Sure is gonna be lonely around here." He finished, shuffling into the kitchen. I frowned at his retreating back. That didn't go the way I expected.
I followed Charlie into the kitchen and found him on the phone. I pretended to go up the stairs a little ways and then sat down quietly to listen. I suspected this random phone call concerned me.
"Yes, and she's saying she's leaving in a week." He complained. I rolled my eyes. He was probably on the phone with Renee. He mumbled something unintelligible. "Yeah, well, she's going on scholarship so at least there's no money involved. The question is; is she going? What do you think?" I balked. I hadn't thought about the possibility of my parents deciding not to let me go. They rarely ever denied me permission to do anything. I made good grades, stayed out of trouble, and helped out at home. I was never really told, "No" unless it was completely unreasonable.
"You sure? It's awful far. She'll rarely be home I'd bet….. Yeah I guess. Well I'll call you back if anything changes or comes up. Sure… yeah take care Renee. 'Bye." I heard him hang up and inched my way up the stairs to avoid being caught snooping.
Once I was back in my room, I read the letter again. I couldn't stop smiling as I showered and got ready for bed. I got accepted to Volterra Academy I thought over and over once I was under the covers. I drifted off to sleep with that phrase repeating in my head.
The next morning was Saturday. I planned to go out early to shop for new clothes with the money I had saved up from babysitting over the years. I got dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and my raincoat just in case, and after grabbing my bag, made my way downstairs and into the kitchen.
To my relief, Charlie was already gone for work at the police station. I ate a quick bowl of cereal and downed a glass of orange juice. I scrawled a quick note and left it next to the telephone where my dad would easily see it.
Dad,
Going shopping. Might go up to Port Angeles. I'll be back before you get home most likely. Love you.
Bella
I climbed in my 1953 Chevy truck and attempted to crank the engine. After three more unsuccessful attempts I huffed in frustration and got out my cell phone. I stared at it as I weighed my options. I could postpone my shopping trip and let Charlie look at the truck this afternoon. Or I could call my best friend Jacob Black and hope that he was awake and willing to either come fix my truck, which I knew he was capable of doing in a reasonable amount of time, or I could simply ask him to give me a ride in his car. I decided to call him and see what he was willing to do.
"Hello?" Jacob's husky voice was thick with sleep.
"Good morning Jake. Sorry to wake you." I apologized.
"Bella," Jake said, his voice brightening, "Morning! What's up?"
"My truck won't start and I was about to go shopping in Port Angeles." I said sheepishly, sure Jacob wouldn't want to get out of bed this early to come help me.
"Try it again." Jacob instructed. I twisted the key in the ignition. It sputtered in response but didn't start.
"Nothing." I replied with a sigh.
"I'll be over in twenty." Jacob said. I smiled in relief. I really didn't want to sit in the house all day. Plus I needed to talk to Jake about Volterra Academy.
"Thanks so much, Jake. You're the best." I enthused. Jake laughed.
"No problem, Bells." I hung up the phone and after a short wait, Jacob's 1986 Volkswagen Rabbit pulled into the drive behind my truck. I opened the truck door and jumped out. Before I could take a step, Jacob had gotten out of the car and swept me up in a familiar bear hug.
"Hello to you too, Jake." I laughed into his chest. He let me go and I looked up into his face. He smiled at me with open adoration in his dark, deep set eyes.
"What are you doing trying to go shopping this early in the morning? You don't even like shopping." He grinned.
I rolled my eyes playfully but sobered up quickly. "I'm glad you're here, Jake. There's something I want to talk to you about." Jake raised his thick dark eyebrows in question. I was suddenly nervous. "Why don't you take a look at the truck first and we'll talk later." Jacob studied my face briefly and then shrugged.
"Sure thing."
I followed him over to the truck where he lifted the heavy hood easily and peered into it. "You got any tools lying around?" he asked, looking over his shoulder at me. I nodded quickly and jogged around back to retrieve Charlie's tool box from the garage. When I got back, Jacob had pulled his shirt off. I cleared my throat and he turned and grabbed the tool box. I sat on a lawn chair and watched him work.
"Why'd you take your shirt off? It's unusually warm and dry today for Forks, I'll admit. But not that warm."
Jacob chuckled deep in his chest. "It gets hot pretty quick when you're doing this kind of work."
"Need anything?" I asked. He said no.
I couldn't help but ogle Jacob as he worked. He was pro basketball player tall with a muscular physique, tawny russet colored skin and long, glossy black hair that he wore down or in a low ponytail most of the time. He was Native American and it showed in his somewhat exotic, tribal features.
After about a half hour, Jacob turned, slammed the hood down, dusted off his hands dramatically and gave me a grin, his straight white teeth gleaming. "Fire this baby up."
I smiled and trotted over and into the truck, quickly twisting the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life. Jacob gave a whoop and I grinned in relief and appreciation for my friend's exceptional mechanical skills. Jake came over and leaned into the car, a cocky grin on his full lips. "Thanks, Jake. Do you want to come with me? I still want to talk to you." He seemed to think second and then nodded.
"Sure." He walked back to his Rabbit where I assumed he was moving it out of the way so that I could back out and locking his doors. A moment later he slid in the passenger side of the car, his black t-shirt back on. "So," he started, shooting me a grin as I backed out of the driveway," Shopping." I laughed.
"Yes, Jacob. I need new clothes. Fall clothes."
"Since when do you care about shopping for the new season?" Jacob laughed, turning the radio to a contemporary music station.
"Since I got accepted to Volterra Academy in Italy." I answered quietly, my eyes straight ahead on the road. A beat of silence ensued and then Jacob reached out and turned the radio down.
"Come again?"
"I got accepted to Volterra Academy of the Arts and Sciences in Italy. That's where I'll be going to school for the first semester of my senior year, and hopefully the second semester too, if I can keep my grades up." I explained carefully. I knew this wasn't going to be easy. Jacob and I had been best friends since I had moved to Forks from Arizona over a year ago. We spent most weekends together, and as many days as we could in between. Over the summer we'd been almost inseparable.
Jacob was quiet. I took this as a bad sign because Jacob was almost never quiet.
"Aren't you going to say something?" I looked over and Jake turned his face slowly towards mine. His cheeks were darkened under his tan skin and his gaze was hot as it met mine.
"What is there to say? This is something you want to do, right?" he asked in a monotone voice.
I nodded slowly, eyes back on the road. It started to lightly drizzle. I turned the windshield wipers on. "It's a big deal, Jake. Volterra Academy is one of the best schools in Europe. My tuition and board are completely paid for. It's only this school year. I'll be back for college and hopefully I can make it back for Christmas and Easter. Maybe Thanksgiving."
"I don't want you to go, Bella." Jacob said in a sad voice. I looked over. He was staring out the window. I felt a pang of sadness grip my heart. I knew I wasn't Jacob's only good friend. He was friends with most of the guys his age on the Quileute reservation where he lived. But Jake and I were best friends. As in, spend every available moment goofing off together. Telling each other everything; our hopes, fears, regrets, and more. Even our fathers were best friends. I knew he was going to miss me a lot. I was going to miss him too.
"We'll keep in contact, of course. We can text, call, and Skype every day. I'll be just like me going to school here, except I won't be physically present most of the time.
"I know. That's what makes all the difference. I can't hang out with you over Skype, Bella. It's not the same. At all." Jake replied his voice still tight and controlled with hurt.
I sighed softly. "I know, Jake. I'm sorry. It's just an opportunity I can't pass up."
"What does Charlie think about this?"
I smiled ruefully. "You and him are on the same page, I'd say." I answered. Jake snorted.
We were quiet for the rest of the drive into Port Angeles. I started to wish I had waited to tell him until were on our way back. At least then we could have had a good time together without tension or wandering minds. I sighed internally. We drove into downtown and I parked in front of one of my favorite stores. Jake huffed and looked over at me. "Ready to shop till we drop?" he grinned, trying to be happy for me. He couldn't hide the lingering sadness in his eyes but I smiled back at him appreciatively. He was such a good friend.
We shopped for about an hour. I bought several shirts, all with Jacob's approval of course. "Nothing with too much cleavage." He said. "I don't want any Italian scumbags trying to catch a peek at your goods." I laughed uproariously at that one. I wore a B-cup and had a small, slender frame. I really didn't have much "goods".
I bought two new pairs of jeans, a coat, a windbreaker, and two dresses in case the situation ever called for one. I also invested in a new pair of Chucks and a pair of athletic shoes. Jacob refused to go into Victoria's Secret with me but insisted on looking over my purchases in case I had bought anything "too sexy". He blushed furiously as he pawed through the colorful boy shorts, thongs, and bras I had bought. When he finished and handed the bag back to me, his gaze was smoldering. It made me kind of uncomfortable and we walked down the street to the drugstore in silence.
I knew that Jacob liked me in a different way that I liked him. Yes, the foundation of our relationship was built on friendship and companionship, but I knew in my heart it was something slightly more for Jacob. I definitely considered Jake attractive. I wasn't blind. He was also extremely considerate and caring. He was playful, funny, talented and smart. He was everything a best friend should be; honest, loyal, caring, and fun to be around. But I really didn't see myself ever liking him as more than a very good friend.
Jake opted to wait outside and play games on his phone while I went into the drugstore. I bought several packages of pads, a few sticks of deodorant, new shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and several bottles of my favorite body wash. Then I bought a few new makeup items including lip gloss, mascara, and blush. I wasn't really a makeup person but it wouldn't hurt to be prepared in case all natural wasn't the big trend in Italy when I got there. I brought my items up to the counter and waited as the cashier scanned them.
She was pretty, with clear brown skin and short shiny hair. She peered outside as she rung up my purchases. "That Indian boy here out there, he with you?" she asked, looking at me with impish light brown eyes. I looked out to where I could see Jacob sitting on a bench, back facing the window.
"Yeah. That's my best friend Jacob." I replied, blushing. What the heck are you blushing for? I asked myself.
"He's a cutie. Been looking over his shoulder in here a few times. You know how impatient men can be." She chuckled. I laughed with her.
"If I were you, I'd be all over him like white on rice." The girl grinned. Her name tag read, "Ruby".
I shook my head ruefully. "He's just a friend. Well, he's more than just a friend. But we don't like each other like that." I explained.
"Speak for yourself." Ruby smirked, looking out to where Jacob was shooting worried glances over his broad shoulder.
"I better get going." I replied feeling embarrassed. "How much?" Ruby gave me my total and I paid. She handed me my bags with a knowing look in her eyes.
"Have a great day. Tell Jacob I said, 'Don't let her get away'".
I smiled at her and hurried outside. No way was I telling Jacob what she said!