"Got your passport?" Phil asked. I nodded and held it up to show him. He nodded and looked down.
"Sorry you couldn't stay, bud, but Charlie has custody. Atleast for six more months he does. You know i'd keep you if i could, right?"
I gave him a reassuring smile. "I know. Don't worry about it. As soon as my birthday comes around, i'll probably be back."
"Now boarding plane 717 to Washington"
"Thats my invitation, i guess. I'll call as soon as i land, okay?" I gave Phil a quick hug
"Be safe and i'll see ya when i see ya" He said
I walked towards the terminal and gave the lady standing there my ticket. "Enjoy your flight" she said. I waved one last time at Phil before i walked to board the plane. I choose an empty row by the window and glanced out at the beautiful sunny day, viewing the last of Phoenix i'd see for a while. A blonde girl looking a bit flustered came up to me.
"Mind if i sit here?" she asked.
I shook my head "Go ahead"
"Thanks. I hate flying so if i start crying, just ignore me"
I looked over at her and she was smiling. She stuck out her hand. "Rosalie"
"Uh, Bella" I said taking her hand hesitantly.
"So why are you going to the sunny little Forks, Washington?" She asked sarcastically.
"Oh, im going to, uh, live with my...dad. You?" I said just to be polite. Normally i'd just totally ignore whoever sat next to me. But what the hell, doesnt hurt to make friends, right?
"Going to my grandmothers funeral" She said sadly.
"Oh, im sorry" i said sympathetically.
"Don't be, i barely knew her. Last time i saw her, i was still in grade school." She shrugged. " It just sucks when you realize you should have spent more time with a person after they're gone."
"Yeah, I know that all to well" She gave me a curious look, and i knew i had to explain."Uh, my mother died...not too long ago. Thats why im going to live with my father, they were divorced, but he has automatic custody and since im not yet 18, atleast not for another six months, im forced to go to itty bitty Forks."
"Oh im terribly sorry, my mother died before i got a chance to know her, so i wouldn't know that kind of loss" She offered up a sympathetic smile.
"Please buckle your seatbelts, we'll be taking off shortly"
Rosalie and I buckled up our seatbelts and were prepared to fly away from the place thats held me for more than eleven years.
"Maybe we should talk about a less depressing subject" I suggested. Rosalie nodded in agreement. "How long do you plan to stay in Forks?"
"Not sure. I don't plan to leave too soon. My grandfather is terribly heartbroken and we're not sure how long hes bound to last, so i want to stay with him as long as i can. Do what i can for him."She shrugged. "Im guessing you plan to get the hell out as soon as the official day comes around?"
I shrugged. "Probably, but you never know. Im meeting up with one of my old bestfriends from when i was about ten. We cried like little babies when my mom announced that my dad kicked her out and she was taking me with her to Pheonix. Im excited to see her again it feels like its been forever."
"Aww how cute. I love reunions" Rosalie giggled.
Our plane began to move and Rosalie let out a little squeal.
"Please remain seated and secure your seat belts. We're taking off"
"You were just joking about the crying thing...right?" I asked Rosalie a little worried.
She looked over at me with a worried expression and held onto her armrest for dear life. She let out a nervous laugh. As soon as the plane lifted off the ground she began to hyperventilate a little.
"You alright?" I touched her arm for support.
"Yeah...oh my god!..just have a little...phobia...of...shit...flying...haha.." She smiled at me but still had the worried look in her eyes.
"Just dont think about it, pretend your on a rollar coaster ride" I said reassuringly.
"I hate rollar coasters!" She said a little harshly.
I was a bit scared now. "The..uh..teacups?" I offered warily.
"Yeah...yeah im sitting in a teacup, spinning around and around with a little four year old puking her guts out next to me" She closed her eyes tight.
Weird method of trying to relax yourself, but whatever helps. The plane steadied out, already in the air, and was just flying straight. Rosalie slowly opened her eyes. She smiled at me. "Wow, that actually worked, thanks."
"I was just hoping you wouldn't break down in tears or start screaming. Im not good at dealing with those type of things" I said nervously.
"Don't worry, as of yet, I haven't reached the crying stage. Just hyperventilating and cursing." She giggled.
"Glad to hear it. Cursing i can handle. Tears i cant" I sighed.
"Yeah, I think i'd be totally embaressed if it came to tears. So..what was it we were talking about, before i freaked?"
"Uh...reunions?"
"Oh yeah! Love 'em! Except when its a really awkward one, like when one of the two being reunited isnt as cheerful as the other. Harshness." She rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, but i doubt me and Alice will be like that. When i told her over the phone, she just screamed for about a full minute and a half." I smiled at the memory. I had called Alice after my mother's funeral, she gave me her regards and went on a speech about how great of a mother she really as. Even to her. We cried a bit from feeling nostalgic. After she was done trying to soothe me, i told her i was forced to move back to Forks. She screamed until she was gasping for air and I heard her mother walk in and ask if Alice was alright, only to be shushed by her excited yells to her about me moving back. I had hung up with her only a short while later because she had to spread the news to everyone in town. Not that my father hadn't already.
Rosalie and I talked for a few more minutes until she decided to take a nap, she had been so nervous about this trip that she hadn't slept a wink last night. I took out my ipod and listened to limited slow songs i had. Two being my favorite Coldplay and Chiodos songs. I stared out the window and looked out towards the sunset while whispering the lyrics to Boats And Birds.
If you'll be my star,
i'll be your sky,
you can hide underneath me and come out at night.
When i turn jet black and you show off your light,
I live to let you shine. I live to let you shine.
But you can skyrocket away from me,
and never come back if you find another galaxy
far from here, with more room to fly,
just leave me your star dust to remember you by...
I didnt remember falling asleep, but apparently, i did. I felt something tickling my nose. I went to swat it away, but i couldnt move my arm. I tried harder; something released my arm and i smacked my nose. Harder than i would have to get something off my face.
"Oww.."I sat up and looked around. I saw Rosalie cracking up next to me. I glared at her.
"Sorry, couldn't resist but...hey there sleepy" She smiled innocently. I rolled my eyes. I noticed the plane wasn't moving anymore.
"Where are we?" I looked out the window.
"Washington. Where else?" Rosalie laughed. "The plane just landed. Lucky us, huh?"
I nodded and stretched. Rosalie stood up and pulled me with her. We followed the line of people getting off the plane. As soon as my feet touched the ground, I heard my name.
"Hey Bells!"
I looked up and regreted it. Charlie was standing there waving at me. Not alone. The perky and clearly as excited as i am to be here, twenty something year old looking chick was wrapped around him and waving at me. Without enthusiasm. Ew. Rosalie twined my arm in hers.
"Who's the eye candy?" She asked. Clearly meaning the way-too-young-to-be-with-my-father girl standing there.
"Not entirely sure. But im about to find out, huh?" I put a bright and totally fake smile on my face.
"Hey dad!"I said letting go of Rosalie to give my father the most awkward hug of existence.
"Wow, bells, you've really grown!" He released me from the hug to look me up and down.
"Its only been..what? Twelve years?" I shrugged. He laughed like I was making a joke and not trying to hurt his feelings at all.
The eye candy cleared her throat. "Oh sorry, im being rude. Bells, this is Ellie. Ellie, my wonderful little daughter." Charlie gushed.
"I wouldnt say little" Ellie said. Not politley either.
"No older than you, probably." I stared her down.
"Play nice girls. Oh and whos this?" Charlie asked, refering to Rosalie who i clearly forgot was there; looking out of place.
"Oh, this is Rosalie, I met her on the flight and helped her not cry" I said proudly as we both laughed.
"Nice to meet you" She said, shaking hands of both Charlie and little miss priss.
"Uh, me and Rosie are gonna go get our luggage" I started walking away before he could reply.
"She seems nice" Rosalie snorted as soon as we were out of earshot.
"Oh totally. Love the rudeness and the fact that shes the size of a hamster" I rolled my eyes
"Well, its a good thing. You can take her down easily" She laughed.
"Its not about size, its about favoritism and whos got more power over Charlie. And so far...she's winning"
"I-I wasnt serious about the taking down thing. Your taking this too seriously. So what if shes kinda young? Your dads a player! Nobody's supposed to like the stepmom, its like an unspoken rule." She shrugged
"Shes not my stepmom, nor will she be. Ew. She could be my sister. And she seems like a bitch!" I said a little louder than neccesary, i few people glancing my way.
"Alright, alright. Relax. Lets find our bags"
We stood and waited for a full ten minutes until we finally spotted our bags. Stupid unreliable airports. As soon as I had my bag, I searched for my cell phone. I had three texts from Alice and a call from Phil. I sighed and called Phil.
"Hey, you landed!"
"What'd you expect? I'd stay airborne forever?" I laughed
"Maybe. So how is it there?"
"Not entirely sure yet, but from what i can see...dark."
"Dark?" He asked.
"Yeah, like raincloud dark"
"Oh, yeah well, you can expect alot of that" He snorted.
"Yeah, better get used to it, right?"
"Right" He laughed
"Well, Charlie's waiting, gotta go"
"Tell him I say 'Hi' and i'll talk to you later?"
"Sure. Bye."
I hung up and sighed. I hate this place. I want to go home. Stupid birthday was a month too late. I was about to put my phone in my pocket when Rosalie snatched my phone. I was about to yell at her, when she held up her hand. About thirty seconds later, she handed it back to me. I looked down and saw her name and number.
"So we can stay in touch" She smiled.
"Oh. Cool. Gimme yours" She handed me her phone and I quickly dialed in my number and saved it. She smiled again when i gave it back to her.
"So when you leaving the airport?" I wondered
"When my cousin Lewis figures out hes supposed to be here." She rolled her eyes. She took out her phone and called her cousin. She yelled alot and got irritated. After the twenty second curse fest, she hung up and grunted. "He'll be here in fifteen minutes. Ten if he know whats good for him" She crossed her arms and pouted as I laughed.
"Well, while you wait, you can watch my doom, come one." I groaned pulling her back out to where Charlie stood with his little bitch.