AN: Okay, so this is my first story. I thought I would take a crack at it and see if maybe I had some talent.
Let me know what you think, all criticism, or praise is welcome. I am also looking for a beta, anyone willing to help let me know. : )
Thanks
A Reason to Believe Again.
I took a deep breath in and close my eyes as I walked hand in hand with my new husband on a beautiful beach in New Port. We had gotten married today, the only way to describe the whole affair was to simply say that it was magical.
I couldn't be happier; I was surrounded by the five most important people in my life on the most important day of my life.
I was a massive fan of the TV show FRIENDS but I was always very cynical about six people being the best of friends navigating their way through their 20s and 30s coming out closer and stronger than ever before. Truthfully, 7 years ago I wasn't even sure there was one person out there who would stand by me forever. That was until I met these five beautiful people, and I suddenly became the luckiest girl in the world.
"Here Izzy, want some more champagne?" Emmett chuckled passing me the bottle which I took obligingly .
Emmett was 6"2' and all muscle, my first impression of Emmett was he must be such a jerk, but that wasn't the case. He was kind, caring, and the happiest person I knew, probably also the most immature person I knew as well, but that's why I loved him.
Emmett balanced out his wife, and 'baby momma', Rosalie, out perfectly.
"Thanks Em," I replied while taking a sip, the bubbly drink hit the back of my throat which made me hiccup. Champagne wasn't always high on my list of favourite alcoholic beverages.
"I really cannot believe we are here tonight," Alice chimed in as she came up behind me hugging me in to her side. "Do you remember what I was like 7 years ago, oh my gosh, Jasper I don't even know why you pursued me,"
Alice and Jasper were soul mates, and I knew right from the get go that they were going to be together happily for the rest of their lives. They are the reason I believe in love.
"We've all definitely come a long way since our freshman year," Rosalie agreed with her as she stole a sip of champagne.
Freshman year. Now that was a memory.
...
College.
College in Seattle.
College in Seattle, far far far away from home.
I pulled into the parking lot in front of the registration building, I had no idea where I was going or what I was meant to do, I was just hoping that this would be the best place to start.
I took a deep breath and slowly got out of my car. This was my new life. The life I had chosen for myself.
Ever since I could remember I wanted to escape the confines of my Beverly Hills Bubble that my parents had created for me. See my daddy was a well respected Judge and to say we lived comfortably was an understatement, we were so comfortable that my mother never had to work, I was guaranteed 2 million dollars on my 21st Birthday. My parents put me through the best school in Beverly Hills, to ensure I had the best grades possible.
However, come senior year when it was time to start sending out my College Applications, that was when the fine print of my privileged life began to show. My parents wanted me to stay in LA, go to Berkley like my daddy, or at the very least attend UCLA. I however needed to breathe a different kind of air, and after a lot of persuasion, begging, and bargaining I was finally allowed to apply to different Colleges throughout the West Coast only. And the rest as they say is history. Although now when I turn 21 I only get 1.5 million, but big deal. I was determined from now on to do everything on my own... Well to an extent.
So here I was, standing in from of the Registration building. I pulled my handbag up onto my shoulder and started towards the door, my Jimmy Choo wedges making a horrid clicking noise on the ground earning me a few stares from people walking by. Yep the heels definitely had to go.
I made my way towards a desk with a young man sitting behind it, he was definitely heavy built, with short dark curly hair. The man looked up at me and smiled, all dimples.
"Caaaaan I help?" He dragged.
"Errr... I'm Isabella. Isabella Swan," I replied quickly, maybe a little too quickly.
"Swan, Swan, Swan," He chanted as he looked down his list, looking up at me, and then checking his list again.
"Heeeeeere we are, Swan, Isabella. Well Izzy you are in East 205," He said pointing to a map to indicate where my dorm was, before picking up a large legal document envelope. "You're sharing I believe. Here is you key, inside the envelope you will find a campus map, your timetable, campus events, book lists, annnnd numerous forms you should fill out before the end of week one for your student card, catering, and any room or subject changes you would like to make etc etc." He finished handing me everything I needed.
Holy hell, I didn't really expect this much!
"Thanks," was all I could say in reply.
"So'kay Izzy. Oh and PS you have a dorm meeting tomorrow afternoon at 4.00 in your common area. Have fun, and we here are The University of Washington hope you enjoy your stay." He said in a serious tone before laughing.
I couldn't help by reciprocate. He just gave off an infectious vibe.
I made my way back to my car and pulled out the campus map trying to locate again where my dorm was.
This was going to be difficult.
After driving around what felt like the whole campus and walking into the wrong building, I finally found the East Dorm. It was a very old building that looking like it had many stories to tell, and so many more to write.
I unpacked a few things from my car, I didn't bring much with me to start with, just the necessities; clothes, toiletries, hair straightener. Just the things I needed to get by until I went shopping.
Walking into the foyer loaded up with two duffle bags and a wheelie suitcase, there were a lot more people moving today than I had expected. They all seemed to fit here as well, like this was their purpose. I suddenly felt like the ugly duckling.
I kept my head low and began my ascend up the numerous stairs that lead to my room. When I finally reached my floor I took in my surroundings, there were what looked like 10 rooms all leading off a main lounge area that accommodated a two couches; several bean bags and a flat screen TV.
Slowly I made my way over to room 205. My Room. The door was slightly ajar so I pushed it all the way open. It seemed that my roommate had already been and delivered a load... But why then would she leave the door open?
No sooner had I asked myself that question that a small girl popped up behind me.
"Ahh, hi. Who are you and why are you in my room?" She questioned quietly.
I looked at her, she was at least a head shorter than me, and she had dark brown almost black hair pulled into a messy bun on top of her head, Ray Ban reading glasses sliding a little down her nose. She had very pointed, but fine features. Past the messy attire of old jeans and a black t-shirt, she looked gorgeous. For the second time today I was feeling very self conscious, this time instead of feeling like I was sticking out like a sore thumb, I felt bland in comparison.
"Hi, Isabella. I guess I am your roommate. And you are?" I replied holding out my free hand.
She looked at me, uncertain for a few moments before shaking my hand.
"Alice." She said in a small voice, turning towards her bed dumping a couple of bags on her bed.
I followed her lead and did the same thing. Throwing my bags down quickly then heading off towards the door to retrieve the last of my belongings.
I didn't take long the second time around, I had unpacked my entire car in two loads. I knew though I had to go shopping this afternoon for everything else. I returned to my room to find Alice unpacking her belongings. She was humming quietly to herself and didn't even turn around when I walked in the room.
Sitting down on my new bed I took in my surroundings. Our room was quite large, two King Single beds with bedside tables and matching closets, two desks and a small bathroom to share. The furniture wasn't anything to write home about, but I was trying to look at the bright side of things, it had a lot of potential.
I really couldn't be bothered unpacking at the moment, so I decided there was no time like the present to shop. I grabbed my hand bag and headed towards the door before quickly turning on my heel and facing Alice.
"Hey, Alice. Did you want to come to the store with me? I still have a few things I need to buy." I asked.
She looked up from whatever it was she was unpacking. She looked at me with a quizzical look on her face.
"Why?" She questioned, accusingly.
"Well I left just about everything back home and..."
She cut me off.
"No, why do you want to go with me?"
"Oh well, I thought I would be good to get to know each other. I mean we'll be spending the next 12 months living together, it would probably be a good thing for us to get along, right?" I replied. It was true. I wanted to get to know Alice, like our room, I thought she had potential.
"Oh... I guess that would be okay then." She said, standing up.
We made our way down the stairs and towards my car. Walking in silence until we reached the parking lot and Alice saw my car.
"Wow, you have a Mustang? You strike me more as someone who would have a BMW. Not a vintage Mustang," She commented.
I couldn't help but laugh in response.
"Yeah, actually would you believe that my dad wanted to buy me a BMW but I flat out said no? I wanted this baby though, it's faster and more durable," I replied as I unlocked my car and climbed in.
We set of for the store; Alice was admiring the inside of my car commenting here and there about something that caught her eye.
After a 15 minute drive we pulled up to the department store. I clutched my list as we walked through the door; I was determined not to forget anything. It took us almost an hour to find everything; we also found a few nick knacks for decorating our room. Alice and I had gotten to know each other a little better while we were walking around.
I learnt that Alice was from a small town called Forks, her parents weren't around a lot when she was in High School, she wanted be a designer once she finished college, and she used to be head cheerleader. I asked her a few questions here and there the usual 'whys' but she simply told me she doesn't do 'why' so I left it at that. I knew she would tell me the rest of her story in due time.
She also had a lesson on my life. I was an only child, over protective yet somehow absent parents, I was still undecided of my future, and like her I was a cheerleader in High School. I thought that maybe we could bond over that but I had a second thought about it. My cheerleading days were behind me. That was a Bella I didn't want to be anymore.
When we arrived back at our dorm Alice helped me cart all of my belongings into our room, before she set off unpacking again. I thought that maybe I should attempt the 'unpacking' thing, save it from just sitting there.
...
That night Alice and I had both finished unpacking, gotten a quick dinner, and had lounged around our room well into the night. It was about 11.30, we were both tucked into bed trying to drift into an easy sleep when I heard Alice whisper something to me.
"Bella, just so you know, I'm not that preppy little cheerleader anymore," she told me.
"I know Alice, neither am I," I relied. People changed, I knew that.