''First Light''
Ch. 1 The Familiar & Unknown
In the forest and rain I stood, as I stared at a figure of a man through the trees. Though the stranger seemed familiar, I failed to find a match of him in my memory. Almost as though I should know his face, but until this moment I had not realized it's absence.
The rain begins to fall more densely, as I begin to make my way towards the figure. It is only when I quicken my stride, that I realize I am no closer to the man now than I was before. I become discouraged, when my effort to break into a jog, doesn't even make a marginal difference. Unsettled, I decide to turn back, so as to not get lost, by chasing something that might not be there. As I begin to run back towards home, it is only when I look up do I realize that I am still running towards the figure of a man. Startled, I stop to re-focus and run in the opposite direction, to find he is ahead of me again. Standing there and staring at me. Never moving closer, nor further away from me.
I close my eyes and decide to break into a full on sprint. What began as a longing to investigate a lost memory, was now driving me into a state of panic. It hits me that I can never reach, nor escape this phantom. I will always be lost in this forest. Haunted, by this familiar absence in my existence…..
Knock, knock, knock.
''Mike! Sweetie your gonna be late for your first day of school!'' My mom yelled through my bedroom door.
''Ok Mother!'' I reply with false contempt in my voice.
Despite feeling like I've been hit by a truck, I manage to pry myself out of bed and begin to get ready for school. I turn on my morning mix cd and start my routine. After hopping out of the shower, I grab some hair gel and carefully begin to spike my pale blonde hair.
''Sweetie your breakfast is getting cold'' she calls again.
''Coming!'' I sing back to her.
After pulling on my skinny jeans, I slip into my favorite black knitted sweater with skulls on it. Then I grab my bag and coat, before taking one last look in the mirror and running downstairs.
''Don't forget sweetie, I am gonna be working at the store late tonight, so you'll have to get yourself dinner.'' Mom says while washing her dish.
'' Are you sure you don't need me to come by the store after school.'' I reply, hoping she declines my offer.
'' Nope I got it covered. Thanks though.'' She says closing the matter.
I am just about finished eating my eggs when I hear a car horn from outside.
''That'll be Jessica.'' I say, laying my plate in the sink.
''Don't forget your art folder.'' Mom says, handing it to me and kissing my cheek.
''M-o-m.'' I complain struggling to get away, as I put on my navy blue sailor coat.
''Have a good day at School.'' she calls after me.
I yelled goodbye, as I ran through the rain, from my porch to Jessica's white mercury. Like most of my friends in Forks, I have known Jessica Stanley most of my life. We all went to kindergarten together, went to our first high school party together and since most people in town don't have a lot of money, that means we will be competing for college scholarships against each other.
'' So you ready to begin our academic hell as sophemores?'' Jessica greeted me.
'' If by academic hell, you mean watching you get straight A's, while I struggle to get Bs, then yes.'' I reply dryly
Jessica with her long brown hair and athletic body also has that classic type A personality. She has a 4.00 G.P.A., is the class president, and captain of the volleyball team. On our way to school, we pick up Angela Weber and Jessica tells us all about her trip to california and brags about the guys who asked her out.
Angela and I exchange glances and smile at Jessica's awkward attempt at making me jealous. Poor girl. Though I had never made any admissions about my personnel preferences, most people in town have observed, that I am not interested in dating girls. Despite all that, Jessica remains oblivious to my ambiguity.
''Wow. Who does that belong to?'' Jessica says, referring to a brand new red convertible in the parking lot.
''I am not sure.'' I reply
''Oh! That probably belongs to one of Cullens. My dad said they just moved here from Alaska.'' Angela informs us, as we get out of the car.
'' Did he say what Mr. Cullen does for a living?'' I inquire making my way around a rain puddle.
''He's a Doctor.'' Angela replies.
''It's about time we had some fresh meat around here. Hopefully they will shake things up a bit.'' Jessica snickers as we make our way up the steps into administration building.
As annoyed as I am at Jessica's attitude towards the new comers, I can't deny my own curiosity. Why would a rich doctor uproot his family and move to a sleepy town like Forks. Seems a bit over the top to drive such an outrageous car to the first day of school. Especially in a town like Forks. It makes me wonder what types of kids The Cullens are.