Hi everyone! Just a quick author's note before we start off. First, I'm not Stephenie, nor am I making any sort of profit from this story other than my own obsessive delight with the characters. You'll quickly realise that this is an AH story, with a very out of character Bella. Don't worry, I will be including some of the traits we know and love about her and our other Twilight loves. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this first chapter, and I'd love to hear your thoughts about it, so please R&R.
We Change, We Wait
It had been nearly two years since I had stepped foot in Seattle. One of the things I love about this city is that it constantly changes, but the things you love, the parts that irrevocably make it your home are always here, waiting for you to stumble upon them. And stumble I did; but for once it was only into the doorway of my sister's apartment in my haste to avoid the starting rain. I managed to catch myself on the frame, letting go of my luggage and settling the spare key in the palm of my hand rather than in between my teeth. I paused for a moment, finally taking in my surroundings. The apartment was dark; no lights or sounds other than the light rain on the glass windows and my shallow breathing. I sighed loudly and grabbed my suitcase – this was the problem with my attempting a surprise for Rose, I tried to surprise her with my arrival on a Friday night. Most people socialised on Fridays, and while I had come out of my shell over the last few years, I still sometimes forget these details about everyone else.
Maybe I should have gone to Jasper's? No, that wouldn't have worked out any better.
I knew there was a spare room up the hall so I took my two suitcases to where I would be staying and dumped them easily. It had been depressing, leaving New York and knowing I could fit everything of value into two suitcases, but my desire to leave the city and come home had been too great so I hadn't had the chance to think on it much. Not wanting to ruin my night, I refused to let those thoughts plague me just yet, and I went into the kitchen, looking for some juice. Rosalie's kitchen was something I knew was hardly ever used, considering I was the cook out of our trio. Rosalie and Jasper Hale moved to Forks during my sophomore year of high school. They made everything about my move from Phoenix bearable, and we became fast friends. I can remember exactly the moment they each became my best friend in their own right, and the moment I considered them to be my family, the siblings I never had. We always referred to each other as such, and it still brought a smile to my face, knowing I could count on both of them to always be there.
Shaking myself out of my musings, I poured my juice and was about to return the carton to the fridge when I saw the bright pamphlet on the counter. It was for the opening of a new club downtown, which happened to be tonight. This was definitely something Rosalie would go to, and before I even had the chance to think about it, I was heading back to my room, already internally sorting through the few clothes I had as to what I could wear. After searching for another five minutes, I found the black dress I knew would be perfect. It was my favourite dress, and I tried to save it for occasions I would really need it. I was already stepping out of my damp clothes and finding appropriate underwear as I thought about how good this move was proving already. Two years ago I would have never done anything like this; spontaneously chased the possibility that my sister was out at some club and thought it was the perfect night out. I wouldn't have been thinking about what I should do to touch up my makeup for the night or which suitcase my hairdryer was in.
But these were the thoughts racing through my head as I zipped up the back of the dress, the soft material falling onto my curves softly, like ink flowing over my snow white skin. The straps were flat and thin along my shoulders, emphasising my collarbone. The front of the dress crossed over, showing ample amounts of cleavage, but still leaving something to the imagination. The dress tucked tightly underneath my breasts with the skirt flowing outwards, not too much and not too little, enough to look slim rather than puffy, but still spin in a circle like a little girl. I love this dress because I felt fantastic in it, like it was my own skin. It reminded me of my newfound confidence; courageous and carefree. Feeling really good about the evening, I quickly turned to my hair and makeup, settling for my curls to hang down my back and my makeup to be a bit darker, giving the outfit the appropriate edge. I smiled at the picture I made; Bella Swan, about to go out into the world on her own for the first time doing exactly what she wanted, was actually going to enjoy herself on a Friday night in her hometown. What had the world come to?
I couldn't find an appropriate pair of shoes. My Manolo's should have been in the suitcase, but I was devastated to realise I couldn't find them. Realising I would have to mourn the loss of my shoes later, I ran to Rose's room to find a pair that would match my outfit. I found some gorgeous black patent leather peep toes that were perfect and I sighed as I slipped them onto my feet. I grabbed my clutch purse, throwing ID, cash and lip gloss inside, noting I wouldn't need anything else. I had my phone in my hand and was dialling the number for a cab, picking up the pamphlet with the address on it as I left, stepping outside into the cool Seattle night air.
It didn't take long for a cab to arrive, and luckily the rain from earlier had passed. It was late September and soon the rain of Washington, which was generally a year-round occurrence, would be settling in for good soon, heading into the snow of winter. I knew it would be cold out, but I didn't feel like carrying a jacket around a nightclub, so I figured I could get away without one at least for tonight. Dancing in a crowded club and cocktails would certainly fix up any problems I was having with the temperature. I smiled a little at the thought, letting my head fall back onto the seat as I stared out the window into the night. It truly seemed like a lifetime since I had been here, and in so many ways it had been. I was a different person to the shy and socially inept girl who left to work in New York two years earlier. I was offered a job for a newspaper writing editorials and features, mainly about anything that fell into the realm of entertainment, but occasionally my minor of political science and love of modern history were put to good use and I would write about the Middle East or Barack Obama. I loved everything about my job. I loved living in the Village and the fact that I could be awake at obscure hours of the day, usually researching a piece, and find that the city was still full of life. No, my job had been one of the greatest experiences of my life, one I wouldn't change for anything. Not even to avoid the reason I had left.
I realised tears were starting to form in my eyes and I blinked them away rapidly, trying to avoid ruining my makeup. I didn't want to think about why I left, not yet. Focus on the positive, I told myself quietly, and I took a deep breath, trying to do just that. When I realised I had to leave, I knew now was the best time to start work on something I had been planning for a while now. I wanted to have my own magazine, and for so long the dream had seemed impossible, until one of my boss' agreed that I would be wasting my potential if I didn't go through with the plan. So I started investigating; searching for details such as location in regards to the content I would want to include. Seattle increasingly seemed like the perfect choice. Somewhere that had its own scene, different from many other major cities, but close enough to places like L.A. and Vancouver so I was in the perfect position to travel for any major events in the entertainment industry. Plus it had the benefit of Jasper and Rose, so it was a win-win.
The cab pulled up out the front of Mirage and I sighed quietly. Who would have thought my life would be starting again in the one place I never thought I would come back to? I glanced quickly at meter and paid, before I stood out onto the sidewalk. The lines to get in were huge, and it seemed that only a few standout beauties, people nearly as beautiful as Rosalie, were being allowed in. Knowing that while I would never fit into that category, I still had a secret weapon to avoid waiting in line. I usually took this purse out while on assignment, and as such kept a spare press pass from the paper in it, just in case. Knowing that who I was, a significant name in the press for this industry, would get me in I smiled easily, swearing to myself that one day I would be able to do this based on the success of my own magazine. The bouncer took one look at my pass and a glimmer of recognition flitted across his face. Looking directly at me he grinned easily and let me through the red rope.
"I don't know whether you recognise me, but I'm actually an actor – you reviewed a movie I was in a few months back, 'Everything Stands Still', I was –" I cut him off quickly, having realised exactly who he was.
"Yes I remember, you were Finn! It was an amazing piece, and your acting was incredible, especially for your first feature film. Are you based here in Seattle?" His voice was softer than most bouncers I had encountered, and I knew that if I hadn't of picked him for an actor straight away, the moment he started talking I would have realised.
"Yeah, I have a friend in L.A. that I stay with while I'm filming, but I live in the city so in between shoots I usually pick up work like this cause it's pretty easy. Hopefully I'll see you on my next project Miss Swan; have a good night." I smiled and wished him the same before I entered Mirage. Taking in my surroundings I noted the long bar with plenty of staff, working both quickly and skilfully. The dance floor was packed, having a stage large enough for not only a DJ but a band. There were numerous podiums filled with laughing friends and affectionate couples, and a large glass window overlooking the lights shining across the bay. Upstairs had booths and tables, far enough away from the volume the people were able to have conversations and actually hear each other, and I was suitably impressed. Not sure where I would find Rose, I figured I would order myself a drink before I started my search.
The staff were clearly efficient, and I didn't have to wait long to be served. I was resting my forearms on the counter a face I hadn't seen since University met my own in surprise.
"Bella?" Kate's voice was exactly as I remembered it, and I grinned easily at her, each of us leaning over the counter to hug as best we could manage.
"How are you Kate?"
"I'm absolutely great Bella! Are you visiting your Jasper and Rose? Neither of them said anything."
"I'm actually moving back here, and I've come to just surprise them with it. Do you know where I would find them in this?" I gestured at the expanse of the club and Kate grinned easily and gestured upstairs to a private booth. Figures Rose would expect the best, having an inside connection through Kate and all. It was only then I realised what my friend had been doing while we were chatting.
"You're making me a mojito." It was a statement, because we both knew there was never really any question.
"Just reminding you of one of the many reasons you will have to stay put this time. No one makes you a mojito as well as I ever have." I went to get out my cash, but she waved her hand in a no comment like gesture.
"Your money is no good tonight, we're celebrating. Go find Rose and Jas, and I'll be up when my shift is over."
I gave her a quick thanks and turned away from the bar, suddenly desperate to see the two people I loved most in this world. In my hurry I bumped into someone, and almost momentarily had a return of my usual clumsiness, had said person not grabbed my waist to steady me. I looked up to see the most startling green eyes looking at me in concern, amusement and lust? His eyes had raked over my face, and once determining from my expression that I was fine strayed automatically down, looking at every inch of me. If anyone else had done something like this I would have been disgusted, but oh God this guy was attractive. Messy bronze hair and the most gorgeous smile I had ever laid eyes on, I couldn't help but examine him as well, my eyes dropping to the black buttoned dress shirt and mossimo jeans he was wearing. All this time and his hands still held my waist, sending sparks of electricity through my veins, and making me tingle all over. His hands were warm and strong, his grip on me tightening as he realised I was looking at him the way he had been me. I realised suddenly that I wouldn't want to leave this spot, had it been any other day. But it wasn't any other day, and I needed to find my family. Smiling softly, I let my free right hand rest on his left one briefly before extricating myself from his grip.
"Thankyou for catching me, sometimes my clumsiness just catches up with me."
"Anytime, the pleasure was all mine. Maybe I'll see you later?" He seemed nervous, wringing his hands a bit in anticipation of my answer. It was possibly one of the most endearing things I had ever seen.
"I'm on my way upstairs now to meet with some friends, but I'm hoping you will." I could hear both the playful flirting and seriousness of my voice, both scaring me a bit. Until he spoke in that musical voice of his again, that is.
"Until later, then."
He raised my hand to his lips and kissed the back of my palm. I felt my eyes close involuntarily and my toes curling appreciatively. I opened my eyes to find him staring at me, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. Knowing I needed the upper hand again, all I did was turn and walk away, even though every fibre of my being was screaming at me to stay, because that fire from his hands on my skin was incredible. But for once I trusted my instincts; they had led me back here to Seattle when my world had fallen apart in New York. When I had seen the pamphlet in Rosalie's apartment I just had a feeling about tonight, about being here, that it would all turn out well in the end. It was only the beginning but I already knew that I wouldn't be leaving home anytime soon.