Chapter 1: A night in town.

It's fifteen 'till 2:00PM. My bags are already packed, but I'm still waiting for Renee. She takes too much of a time getting ready to drop me off to an airport. I mean, she's not even going to get off. So why dress up? Besides, if she doesn't hurry up, I'll be late.

-"Mom, let's go! I'm going to be late!"

-"I'm going, Bella. Just a minute now honey."

After a minute, she finally got out of the room, called Dan, grabbed the keys from the table, and we were off. Today I finally get to leave. Who am I kidding? Why am I saying "finally"? I know I will die once I get to Forks, the sunless city. Not even a city; just a town. But I'm doing this for Charlie, so at least I have some motivation. Maybe I'll like it there. Maybe…

We cruise through the city to get to our destination. Our house is a bit far from the airport, I may say. But I liked not listening to the loud annoying noise airplanes make when landing. I like being in peace, with only one company: the sun.

I wave goodbye to the sun as I see that we're getting nearer to the airport. It'll be a long time since I see the sun. Poor Forks! How can they manage their days without you, sun?

When we get to the airport, we look for the terminal C where the airline is supposed to be located; it's where my mom's supposed to drop me off. Once we find it, it's good-bye time.

-"Well, this is it honey. Say Hi to Charlie for me, and please take care, Bella. Don't get into trouble and call or write as soon as you get there, okay?"

-"Okay, mom, I'll call or write. Although…I don't know if Charlie fixed the internet."

-"Don't worry, honey, he did. I called him a month ago to remind him that you were going to live there now, so he should fix it."

-"Okay. Thanks, mom."

I kissed her on the cheek and she pulled me in to give me a squeeze that lasted too long. I smiled, tenderly, to let her know that I knew she would miss me, and that I was going to miss her as well.

-"Well…Bye, mom. I guess we'll talk later?"

-"Yes we will, honey. I love you."

-"I love you too, mom. Bye!"

As I said this, I got out of the car and opened the trunk to get my luggage out. I wasn't carrying much, for I didn't own much. I guess that's the advantage of having a daughter like me.

As I went inside the sliding doors, I could already feel the cold of Forks. I was already missing the sun, and my mom. I knew it would be tough for her being without me, being that I was practically her mom. But I knew she was going to be able to manage it now with Dan at home.

After going through customs, and through the whole checking, I was left to go to the gate to wait until we were to board. I looked at my watch, and it was 3:36PM. My flight was at 4:50PM, and boarding began at 4:30PM, so I had time to go buy some coffee or some magazines to fill my mind into.

As I was walking down to the coffee store, I spotted a gorgeous guy, standing across from where I was walking, looking into his boarding pass. He looked up, and spotted me. I froze. An icy feeling came into me, sliding down my spine, stabilizing me. It wasn't possible; was I dreaming? I rapidly pinched myself, but it hurt, signs that I wasn't indeed dreaming. How could all that beauty inhabit in one body? His bronze hair shone, even though the sun wasn't hitting any inch of him; his eyes were a honey color, so sweet and tender; his face and skin, terribly pale. His face was wrinkle-free; even when he smiled at me and started to walk towards me did I notice any.

Oh lord! He's walking towards me!

-"Hi, I'm sorry to interrupt your deep thoughts, but may I ask a question?"

-"Ummmm…Oh! Sure."

-"By any chance, are you flying to Forks, Washington?"

-"Coincidentally, I am. Why?"

-"Great! Can you please, please tell me where the gate to board is? I've been looking for it for fifteen minutes now, and I can't find it."

-"Sure, I'll take you."

I smiled, for too long, wondering about his beauty, and then I took him to the gate. On our way there, his icy hands make me flinch, and I stop.

-"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. It's just that I forgot you had somewhere to go, since before you stopped you were walking towards somewhere. If you please, you could just tell me where the gate's located, or, if you're interested, I could buy you a cup of coffee for being so polite?"

-"I'd love that."

I smiled some more, but this time it wasn't a lingering smile, but a warm, welcoming one. We walked together towards the coffee shop, right beside each other, with just a little space between our shoulders. At times our shoulders slightly touched, and I shivered. Felt really safe while by his side, but I didn't know where the sidden feeling came from.

We didn't share words on our route, but once we got there, they started springing up.

-"I'm sorry for not introducing myself earlier, but my name is Edward Cullen."

-"No problem. I don't usually get asked out by a total stranger for coffee; and certainly not this polite."

-"Thanks for the compliment."

He smiled a curvy-smile, and I smiled back. My eyes just lingered on him in amazement. At times I forgot it was a total stranger I was staring deeply at. I even forgot to introduce myself.

-"Oh god! I'm so sorry! I'm Isabella Swan, but please call me Bella."

-"Bella…"

A shiver went down my spine as he said my name, and as it lingered in his lips. Gosh! What was wrong with me? I have to snap out of this! Right there, the lady behind the cashier attended us.

-"Hello, and welcome to Starbucks. What will I be serving you today?"

She mostly stared at Edward, but I don't blame her.

-"Bella, what would you like to have?"

-"Oh, I would like a cappuccino please, to go."

-"Okay. And you sir?"

-"I would like the same thing please."

-"Sure, I'll be right back with your orders."

When she left, he turned back to me. He looked hesitant, as if he wanted to ask a question, but was afraid to do so. I gave him a good look in the eye to assure him he could ask, as long as it wasn't too personal.

-"May I ask a question?"

-"I thought you wouldn't ask."

-"I'm sorry, but I don't know whether my question is too personal to answer."

-"Ask, and I'll judge."

-"Okay. What are you doing going to a place like Forks, when you live in such a beautiful sunny city?"

-"I guess it's not a very personal question. I'll choose to answer."

Right there, the lady comes back with our two cappuccinos. I'm about to take my wallet out, when I see he's already handing the bills out to the cashier.

-"What are you doing?"

-"I'm paying for our cappuccinos. Why? Am I not supposed to?"

-"Well…I guess you can. But next time we meet, I'm paying."

-"No problem."

He smiled his curvy-smile once again, and I was already starting to fall in love with his smile. He took both coffees and some napkins and we were off to the gate once again.

-"May I please have my answer now?"

-"Of course you may. The reason why I'm leaving the sun to bare the rain is Charlie, my dad."

-"Charlie? As in Charlie Swan, the chief?"

-"Yeah, do you know him?"

-"Of course I do. He's a very good friend of my dad."

-"That's pretty coincidental."

-"I guess; but why is your dad the reason? I'm truly lost."

-"Don't be ashamed. I've been in that world a couple of times, and it's not so bad. The thing is my parents got divorced when I was a toddler. My mom took me under her wing, but now she's married to this minor-league baseball player, and I think it's my time to move out and go live with Charlie. He's been alone for the longest now, and I bet he could use some company."

We drank the cappuccinos in the little silence we had. Then he spoke once more.

-"I bet he could too; use some company I mean. That's really thoughtful of you though, to leave this city to go to sunless Forks for your dad."

-"Yeah, well, the chief's really something."

He laughed at my "joke", and I smiled back. I couldn't believe I was doing that sarcasm-joke thing. And this time it actually came out right. Right there, the speakers came to live, announcing that all the passengers boarding to Washington should walk up to the gate to start boarding. Both of us stood up, and went to where the line had started.

I let him stand in front of me. I didn't want to think he was staring at me; it would be too awkward. While in line all I could think about was him. How could I have grown such confidence from a total stranger? He could know Charlie, but knowing Charlie isn't really knowing me; at all. He didn't look back, nor did he try to make small-talk while we were on the line. He was really concentrating on something, but I just didn't know what it was. After they took our boarding pass, we both walked together to the airplane. He looked pretty stiff, and I already knew something was wrong. But how could it be, when they had barely met?

When we got inside the airplane, one of the flight attendants located our seats for us. We were seated right beside each other, next to a married couple. We waited a whole lot before the whole plane was full and seated. They had told us in the traveling agency that it would be a full flight. I took out my CD player, and inserted my favorite CD in. While the Captain of the plane announced the climate, our destination, the miles, etc. I plugged in my earphones and listened to some great music.

Time passed by, and Edward was there, in his seat, with his head tilted back, resting, but at the same time having a fight with his inner self, or as so it seemed with his facial expressions. I had to laugh. The way his forehead was curving itself, trying to seem like a wrinkle, and the way he seemed so concentrated; it was very funny.

As I cracked up, he looked at me, astounded.

-"Is something wrong? Why are you laughing?"

-"I'm so sorry! But I truly think your facial expression is a bit funny."

-"Oh, I'm sorry."

-"No! You shouldn't be. I should be sorry for laughing. And I truly am, but just out of curiosity, is something wrong?"

-"Ummm…No! Why would you think such a thing?"

-"Well, from your facial expression, it looks like your having a fight with your inner-self. You seem too stressed out as well."

-"No, it's nothing. Don't worry, really. Besides, didn't your parents ever teach you not to trust strangers?"

-"They did, but…forget it."

The rest of the flight I thought about what I was going to tell him, but I didn't. They did, but you're too interesting, and this confidence I've grown towards you is unexplainable. How could this be? How could this interest in knowing every little thing about this complete stranger come so quickly? This is just absurd!

I closed my eyes, and tried to fall asleep, and I successfully did. In my dream, I was alone, walking towards something in a very illuminant forest. I was wearing a white silky dress that glided with the wind that blew on her body. My hair danced with the rhythm of the wind as well. Everything went by in slow motion: the leaves with the wind, the branches, and the path I was walking towards. I ran, out of patience, but I didn't know where exactly I was running to; the only thing I could feel was the anxiety to get there. While running, I figured I was running in circles. I gave up, and was about to sit down on a rock near from where I stood, when I felt this strong presence. I looked around, but nothing. Everything started to fade away, and I saw his face like a flash of light, and I was awake.

When I woke up, Edward was holding my head and a circle of people was around me, staring deep into my face.

-"What happened? Why are all they staring at me?"

I whispered to him. I didn't want them to think I was impolite. However, they should get some etiquette classes. You just don't stare into someone so deeply as if they were dying right before you.

-"Well, you were screaming quite sharply while dreaming. They all got scared, and so did I. Did something happen in your dream?"

As he said these words, I remembered how I ran full of anxiety to an unknown place. I remembered seeing his face in a flash. My eyes lingered on his for a while, and I was gone.

My mind was floating. It felt completely light for what seemed five full minutes. I woke up once more with cotton full of alcohol almost pushed down my nose. My eyes widened as my eyesight got less hazy and I saw all the people that roamed around me. People! Sit down! We're on a plane, for God's sake!

I stood up, but an icy hand was keeping me from doing so. Then I remembered why I had drowned in lightness; him. I tried to avoid eyesight with him, but he was continuously looking at my face, trying to see what was wrong.

-"Are you alright? You still look a bit pale."

-"I'm okay. You don't have to worry. I'll take the cotton, thank you."
I took the cotton from the flight attendant as fast as I could, for she was planning on giving it to Edward so he could put his god-like hands against my cheek and his fingers close to my nose. I shivered at the thought. He observed me, and then took his hand away from me, letting me sit up.

I observed every single face that was now staring more deeply into my eyes. Was I the new messiah or something?

I kept on staring at the flight attendant, and she actually got the message, because right there she made the announcement of a lifetime.

-"Passengers, please return to your seats. Miss Swan is alright now. Please, there's nothing more to do or see here."

At her command, everyone stopped staring and returned to their doings. I noticed Edwards face tilted straight away from me, and now his face reflected guilt. I didn't want to ask what was wrong, but I knew my conscious would kill me if I didn't. It was like he knew I was going to ask, because right before my lips moved, he was already speaking.

-"I'm sorry."

-"What?"

-"I'm sorry."

This time he looked into my eyes, but I rapidly took mine away from his sight.

-"What are you apologizing for?"

-"Just please accept my apology."

-"Well…okay. I will, even though I don't know what you're saying sorry for."

-"Thanks."

-"You're welcome."

Those were the last words we exchanged before getting to Washington. It was a four hour flight, and now we were going to have to take another one-hour flight towards Forks. I took my bag and went out the airplane to get my luggage for another flight. As I was getting my luggage, I remembered about Edward. I hadn't seen him since I came out of the shuttle. After I got my luggage, an officer from the airport announced the fatal through the speaker-phones.

-"The flight #102 towards Forks has been cancelled due to a storm in Forks. The passengers will be staying at a hotel near this airport. Transportation is waiting for all of you out the door. The reservations are done with your names, and the fee will be paid by the airline responsible for your trip. Thank you."

My body froze. My face felt numb, as well as all the muscles in my body. I dropped my luggage and my bag. It couldn't be happening. Was this my unlucky day? The ice melted down my spine, and I grabbed my bag and luggage and left towards the door. As I walked out, loads of people waited for their loved ones, and a line of taxi drivers waited for us, Forkers. I searched for one with my names, when I got to the one that said Edward Cullen and below it "Isabella Swan". Instead of going into shock, I just accepted it. I guess I'm getting accustomed to this shock thing. Edward was right next to the taxi driver, searching for me, when his eyes went directly to me and he waved to come over.

I did, with my eyesight to the floor. Once I got to where they were the taxi driver leaded us to his car and took us to the hotel two corners away. I could've walked, I thought. The whole ride was full of traffic and silence. Not a word was said, not until we got to the hotel, and it wasn't even one of us who said it.

-"We're here. Do you want me to help you with the luggage?"

-"No, thank you. I'll do it. Thanks a lot."

Edward answered his question and tipped the guy twenty bucks. It was obvious he was loaded. He opened the door next to him and I opened the one next to me and we were out of the taxi. He politely took both our luggage and was about to take them both inside the hotel when I stopped him.

-"I can take my own luggage."

I sounded a bit cold. I really didn't mean to, but I didn't want to sound at all full of confidence. It just wasn't me feeling trust and safety around someone so soon. He did look like a total god, but it didn't mean we were going to fall in love and live happily ever after, or did it?

I took my luggage without a word and I rapidly went inside the door into the check-in area. The lady behind the counter looked at us both and smiled.

-"You must be Isabella Swan and Edward Cullen. Welcome to the Marriot Country. We've been waiting for you both. The rest of the passengers from the Forks flight have all registered in. You two are the only ones missing."

-"Oh, thank you. Do we have to sign something? Or you just give us our keys?"

-"No, Miss Swan. You each have to sign this paper, and then I'll just type you in the computer and give you your keys."

-"Okay."

She gave us a paper where we both had to sign, even though we were being sent to different rooms. Right there she took out the keys and gave each of us one and started explaining.

"The keys I have just given you are the keys to your room. You both will be sharing a room on the 7th floor, room 704. As you know, we weren't prepared for such thing, so we had to pair passengers up. The room is totally loaded; a TV, two separate beds, one bathroom, etc. Everything else is detailed on the folders in your room. I hope you enjoy your stay. If anything, just call us down here and we'll attend you with anything you may need."

After she said "share a room", everything else went blank. This time I really couldn't detain the shock, and once more, I gave in to the lightness of my head.