Bella's Point of View.
I woke up to the sun shining brightly in my eyes. Reluctantly, I sat up and looked at my room for what would soon be the last time. I'd lived there in Phoenix, Arizona for what seemed like my whole life and the thought about leaving still scared me a little, though I would never tell my mom. The light purple wall paper was peeling off the walls and my white carpet had many stains. When I was seven I insisted that I had to have white carpet. Even back then, my mom was still much more of a child that I was. I told her I would be extra careful not to spill anything. It hadn't taken much convincing than that before a huge van pulled into our driveway and in about three hours, my walls were purple and my carpet was white.
Looking at the carpet now, I can't even imagine what my mother was thinking when she agreed to that. I'd had the carpet about a week before spilling fruit punch all over it. My mother and I scrubbed at it for what seemed like hours but you could still see the faint pink splotches. After that, the spills became more frequent. I threw up a few nights later and I spilled the chicken noodle soup my mom brought to me in bed that afternoon. The spills kept coming and each time my mother and I kept scrubbing. Some stains are hard to easy to get out, yet some aren't so simple. Then there are some that will remain there forever. Pretty soon, my mom gave up trying to scrub it out as well. I think that was around the time she realized that buying white carpet for an unusually clumsy seven year old was one of the senseless things she could have done.
A car door slamming pulled me back to reality. I jumped out of bed and looked out the window and saw Phil's emerald green Ford Contour in the drive way. I couldn't help but feel bad that he was missing out on an interview to take me to the airport. If Renee had her license, she could drive my car there. But I certainly couldn't drive myself and leave my car at the airport. I heard the front door slam and my mother greet Phil as I jumped in the shower and turned the water on. I probably stood there under the hot water for about ten minutes before I realized I was probably a little short on time. I quickly washed my hair with my favorite strawberry shampoo and washed the rest of my body before grabbing a towel and stepping out of the shower.
The bathroom was pretty much full of steam from the hot water. I made my way to the mirror and wiped my hand against it so I could see myself. Most girls here in phoenix were really athletic, and you could tell. They also had bleach blonde hair and were pretty tan. I however, was the complete opposite. I was skinny, but not athletically built. I couldn't play a sport to save my life. Renee had insisted on signing me up for soccer when I first moved here, but my lack of coordination I ended up quitting. Although I did end up meeting my best friend Sierra on that team, I still don't believe it was necessary. I picked up my silver round headed brush and my blue Conair blow dryer and attempted to dry my long brown hair. That was another thing that was different about me. And in addition to that, I was totally pale. I used to go to the beach with Sierra and she'd even talked me into going to the tanning bed once, but all I got out of those trips were really bad sunburns. After the trip to the tanning bed and receiving the worst sunburn of my life, my mother decided to tell me that she was part albino. Sierra took that much harder than I did. It was no surprise that I didn't fit in with the other kids here in Phoenix. I mean, sure I got invites to the coolest parties, but they were by default. I was Sierra Adams best friend, so they felt obligated. Though I got about 4 invites a week, I don't remember ever going to one. I wasn't one for parties, especially one's that pertained to alcohol and drugs. I'm more of the kind of girl who'd rather sit at home and read a good book.
"Bella!" I heard my mother call from downstairs. "Honey, you need to be ready soon. You don't want to miss your flight."
It was then I decided my hair was as dry as it was going to get. I tightened the towel around me and headed back to my bedroom. It was 11:56. My flight didn't leave until 1:40, but who knew how long it would take to get through airport security. I had laid out my favorite sweat pants, a white t shirt and a gray zip up hoodie the night before and I quickly put them on. I ran my fingers through my hair and opened my closet to make sure I had everything I needed. I opened all the drawers in my dresser but stopped at the bottom one. "Bella honey!" My mom called again. I couldn't decide whether I should take the pajamas Renee had bought me for my last birthday. They were from Victoria's Secret, so of course they were pink. They still had the tags on them. Well, if I hadn't needed them the past year, I sure wouldn't need them in Forks, I told myself. I slammed the door shut and raced down the stairs. I should have learned to be more cautious. I missed the last step and tripped. I held my arms out and closed my eyes, waiting for the impact. I caught myself and swiftly stood up. "Bella sweetheart, you really should be more careful. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"I'm fine Mom. I'll just have a bruise." I said truthfully.
"Isabella Marie, you know you don't have to leave." She said moving closer. She brushed the hair out of my eyes and tucked it behind my ear before continuing. "I can stay here with you. You really don't have to go live with your father. I know how much you hate it there."
"I don't hate it Mom. Really, this will be alright. I'm sure Dad misses me. Just don't spend all your money. I don't even have enough money for a car yet, not to mention pull you out of bankruptcy." I joked.
"Oh Bella," she laughed as she wrapped her arms around me for a tight hug. "I love you sweetheart."
"I love you too Mom. Now let's get going. Don't want to miss my flight." I smiled. She nodded and we piled in Phil's car.
"Are you sure you have everything Bella?" He asked.
"Absolutely." I replied. We pulled out of the long driveway and pretty soon we were on the high way. I wasn't really paying attention as we passed the many places in the town I used to call my hometown. It passed swiftly with a blur. I was honestly shocked when we pulled into the parking lot of the airport. I looked up at the huge sign that read, "Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport." I smiled as Renee took my hand, guiding me inside. Phil followed close behind with my 2 bags in hand.
The airport was crowded, big surprise. I had never even set foot inside an airport before and as far as I knew, nether had my mother. Phil noticed the confused looks on our faces and stepped ahead of us, leading us down what seemed like the yellow brick road. We went through two security gates before making our way to the check-in line. Of course, Phil did all the talking. My mother wasn't exactly good with people, and I didn't have a very good clue as to what I was doing. After about 20 minutes I had my ticket in hand and my 2 suitcases were being loaded on to the plane, leaving me with my small black back pack. Renee, Phil and I ate at Burger King until they started boarding my flight. My mom took my hands in hers looked straight into my eyes. "Bella honey, I'm gonna miss you so much!" She flailed her arms around me but quickly released, trying not to look weak, but she wasn't fooling anyone.
"I'll miss you too Mom." I said. I wasn't going to cry. I promised myself that the minute I decided to go stay with Charlie. This was for the best. Renee needed to be with Phil, and I couldn't just travel all over the United States with them. Phil put his arm around my shoulder. "It'll be okay Bella. We're sure gonna miss you." He said.
"I'll miss you guys too," I mumbled as I hugged him. I picked my bag up off of the ground and walked to the ticket counter. I handed the lady my ticket but before I started walking down the long hallway I yelled, "I love you guys!" They smiled and I could see the tears rolling down my mothers cheeks. I turned around quickly and followed the bald man in front of me.
A flight attendant named Shay helped me find my seat and offered me a drink or snack before take off. I politely declined and stared out the window. Before I knew it we were rolling down the runway. The sun was shining brightly in my eyes but I couldn't bring myself to shut it. This would be one of the last times I actually saw the sun, and felt its warmth through a thick glassed window. "Goodbye Sun," I whispered once we were airborne. "Goodbye Happiness."