Author's Note:
Hello! I'm updating a story that I had written for another site. I'm editing it and kind of rewriting it. Let me know what you think!
-Lisa
Chapter One
Bella Swan marched into the office with her paper in hand and looked at the girl sitting behind the desk. She spoke confidently to the secretary. More than likely it wasn't a secretary but a work study student. "Yes, I would like to speak to Professor Platt."
"I'm sorry but Dr. Platt isn't seeing students right now. Is there a message that I could give her?"
Shaking her head, Bella was angry. "I would like to talk to her about the grade I received on my paper."
"Well Dr. Platt doesn't read or grade the papers. That's her TA's job."
"The teacher's assistant is in charge of my grade?" Bella asked as she vaguely remembered the man who sat in front of the room while Dr. Platt lectured. He never said anything or interacted with the other students. He took notes furiously as the professor spoke. He always stayed late and never left or arrived with the other students in the class.
"Yes he is. He is a graduate student in his last year here. He is the one you need to talk with about a grade."
"Great," Bella murmured. "How do I get in touch with him? His name and contact information weren't on the syllabus."
"I can't give out student information, however, stop and talk to him after class."
Bella looked down at her watch. She was going to be late. She looked at the secretary and sarcastically thanked her as she ran off to work.
As Bella ran to catch the "T" she thought about how life wasn't necessarily kind to her. Growing up in the small town of Forks Washington was anything but eventful. When she was five her father who was a police officer was shot and killed during a bank robbery gone wrong. She barely remembered him, but had vivid memories of some time that they did share together. Her mother Renee had a difficult time accepting her husband's death.
After months of being a deep a depression, Renee finally decided that she would enroll both she and Bella into therapy services. From seeking help of a professional, Renee then began attending group sessions for those who had lost a spouse. There she met Billy Black. He was a little older than Renee and they got along immediately. Before Bella knew it she was having play dates with Billy's son, Jacob, who was just a few years older than her. Renee and Billy married about a year later. Two years after that Seth was born. The family was tight knit and truly cared and loved each other. Bella immediately began to call Billy "dad" or "daddy." Jacob had taken to calling Renee "mom."
When Bella was in her junior year of college, a lot had changed. For one, Jacob moved to New York City to pursue a career in book editing and publishing. He was making a good name for himself. Seth had begun to look at colleges and was getting ready to graduate the following year. Renee and Billy were the happiest they had ever been. Then came the news that shocked them all, Billy was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. He was never a smoker and this news shocked his family. Renee was devastated and tried to put on a happy face, but it wasn't working. Bella knew when she was visiting home during her school break, she was going to remain home and help her family. College could wait. Between the misfortune of her family and her own personal issues, Bella needed the break.
At twenty one, Bella put her art degree on hold and dealt with her own turmoil as well dealing with her family. Renee stayed by Billy's bed side for the duration of his illness. She held his hand and spoke to him about anything and everything. They watched movies together and sat on the porch when the sun decided to shine. When he no longer could see, Renee read to him. The treatments were supposed to help him feel better, but they didn't. Even with treatment, soon the cancer spread to his brain. It was only going to be a matter of time before he could no longer speak and then eventually pass away.
While Renee kept vigil at her husband's bedside, Bella took it upon herself to do the household chores. She grocery shopped, cooked and cleaned and took Seth on his visits to colleges he might be interested in. She filled Jacob in on what was going on with his father. Jacob came back at least once a month, sometimes more to visit his father in his last days.
The night before Billy passed, Renee was sleeping in the chair at his bedside. The once burly man who used swing Bella up on his shoulders was nothing but a shell of a person. He was frail and pasty white. His once definite dark eyes were sunken into his head. His final days were spent sleeping and doped upon morphine. Bella walked over to him before she went to bed, as she normally did. She bent down and kissed his cheek and whispered, "I love you dad."
Billy responded by opening his eyes and squeezing her hand gently. Unable to speak he had tears in his eye. Bella gave him one more kiss before going to bed for the night. She knew that was the end of his battle.
The days after Billy's passing were a blur. Renee almost fell back into a deep depression. If it wasn't for Molly, she would have found that dark place again. Instead of going to school in California like he originally hoped, Seth wanted to stay closer to his mom.
When the time came and Seth graduated from high school, Renee dropped a bombshell on all of her children. The night after the graduation party, she had announced that she was going to travel the world. She was leaving in a week and didn't know when she would be back. Bella had no idea how she was going to do that financially. When Charlie died he left a sizeable amount of money for both his wife and daughter. Bella's share went into an account to accrue interest for college. Renee was to use hers for everyday purchases. When Billy died, he was able to leave something to all of his children and wife. Bella knew the life insurance policy he had been paying into prior to his diagnosis was a lot, but didn't know how much it really was. Again, Bella's share went into the bank.
Before Renee left, she encouraged Bella to go back to Boston and to finish her degree. Renee told her daughter she was a smart girl and needed to build her own life. She needed to stop playing the caretaker and to start living.
So, at twenty five she had gone back to Boston University to finish her last year of her undergraduate program in art. School had just begun the fall semester and felt out of place. She was older than the rest of her classmates. It was only by a few years, but she still felt like she didn't belong.
At least she had people in Boston she could rely on and felt lucky for that. Emmett was Jacob's best friend throughout their entire lives. Emmett acted as Bella's protector and brother. He always had since the day he had met her. Rose was his wife. It seemed like they were together for as long as Bella knew them. They had just been married in the late summer. Emmett spent his time scoping out an apartment for Bella. He found her a two bedroom apartment in Back Bay.
Bella flew off the "T" stop and ran towards her place of employment. It was true that she didn't need to the job, however, she liked working. Even if she was only making coffee and drinks at a Starbucks like shop, she liked it.
She barreled through the door in a hurry and fell into a man before knocking him over.
"I am so sorry sir," she said with regret in her voice. She stood up and then offered to help the man up.
He smiled as he took her hand. "It's not a problem at all. These things do happen." He paused and looked at her again. "I know you, you work here. You always make my coffee perfect." He said offering a polite smile.
"Yes I do work here and I am glad I get your order right. I am late. Listen, why don't I make you whatever you want and there will be no charge due to me almost injuring you." She smiled back.
He nodded as he looked at his watch. "I think I have the time."
"Great, let me just put my stuff down and then I'll get started on your drink." Bella promised as they entered the shop. She hurried to the back and grabbed her apron and came back out.
"We have been totally dead today. I won't tell that you were seven minutes late," Angela, her boss smiled at her. While Angela wasn't just a friend, she was someone who knew about Bella and felt for what she was struggling with. "I also saw you almost knocking over one of our favorite customers. He's a cutie. What happened to you today?"
"It's been a bad day. Can I tell you after I make him a drink? I promised him one since I knocked him down."
"Great customer service Bella. Go for it, I'm not going anywhere," Angel smiled. "Just remember in the future not to kill our only customer, please!"
Bella walked over to the counter where the man was standing. She offered him a smile. She thought he was handsome. She tried to gauge his age but was unsuccessful. In the light he looked older, like mid to late forties. At another glance he didn't seem that much older than she was. He was dressed professionally. Bella brought herself back from her thoughts as she began to speak to him. "So, what will it be?"
"Just a large iced vanilla with cream and no sugar, please." He replied with a smile. He then stopped as she turned. "By the way, what is your name?"
Slowly Bella turned around and looked at him bashfully. She didn't know why such a simple question made her feel like a school girl. "I'm-I'm Bella. Why do you want to know my name?"
He laughed. "So next time when I see you running for your life I'll know to shout out at you." He extended his hand to her. "I'm Carlisle. I work over at the children's hospital. I also teach at a few classes at Harvard Medical School. I was just stopping to get coffee from my favorite little shop before I left for work." Carlisle paused. "Besides working here at this glamorous coffee shop, what is it you do Bella?"
"Well," she was caught off guard. He didn't seem like he was flirting, but she couldn't figure out why he was being so friendly. "I am finishing up my bachelor's degree in art. I don't know what I want to do with it yet, but I will figure that out."
Carlisle visibly swallowed and his eyes had widened. "Art is a beautiful thing."
An awkward moment of silence filled the air. Bella saw Angela staring at them from the corner of her eye. Bella straightened up and smiled. "I'll get you that coffee now."
She turned on her heals and looked at Angel and gave her a confused look with a smile. Quickly Bella had prepared the drink before turning around and handing it to Carlisle. "Here you go. I'm sorry I introduced you to the floor."
"Stop apologizing. It's fine." He paused as he sipped his coffee. "This is perfect. Thank you Bella."
"Thank you for being so understanding. Could I interest you in a sandwich or pastry?" She asked.
"It's tempting, but I have to get going. Maybe next time. Have a good day Bella," he smiled as he walked out the door.
Angela walked from the counter she leaned against. "Wow. Could he be any more obvious?"
"What are you talking about?" Bella asked as she wiped the counter.
"I think he was flirting with you."
Bella laughed. "How many coffees have you had before I got here? He was just being nice, he wasn't flirting."
"That's not what I saw. You should go for it."
"Angela-"
"I'm serious Bella. So you got screwed over once by a guy when you were twenty one. Are you never going to date again?"
"Angela, I think it was a little more than screwed over. I don't have time to date."
"Well whatever, are you going to live under a rock forever? Are you never going to date? God, you must be so lonely. Have you ever been to that sex shop down on Newberry Street?"
"Angela!" Bella scolded her as she felt herself blush.
"What? It's just a question. I think you might benefit from a visit there. We'll go one day after work."
"I can't have that stuff in my house. There would be questions and-"
"You keep them in a drawer. Have you, you know, had anyone since James?" Angela inquired. Bella shook her head. James was on failed date that Bella had been on since returning to Boston. It was a disaster. Angela continued. "Have you played around, I mean with yourself since-"
"Angela! This conversation is all kinds of disturbing. I'm done."
"My god Bella, you are a born again! You are a born again virgin! I must help you."
"Listen Ang, I appreciate the help, but I really don't have time for that now. I have an obligation with work and school and you know."
"Quit hiding behind those things as an excuse! You're young and beautiful Bella and deserve to have fun. You should go out with one of Ben's friends. Oh, he has this one who-"
Bella interrupted her friend and shook her head. "I just can't so please just drop it! Drop this whole stupid conversation, or have it one sided because I'm done."
"Remember your next paper is due by next class and don't forget to include photos of your pictures. Points will be deducted from your grade if they aren't included and in color. Class dismissed," Professor Platt stated as she hurried out of the room. Bella walked slowly the man sitting at the desk in front. He was gathering papers. Bella stood in front of his desk watching him. When he finally noticed she was standing in front of him he looked at her.
"Can I help you?" He asked in a monotone voice.
"Yes, I'm Bella Swan and I wanted to discuss the grade I was given on my paper. I don't think I deserved the grade I was given." Bella stated as she held the paper in her hand.
"Let's see," he said as he took the paper from Bella's hand. "Miss Swan, yes, here is your grade. A B- isn't a terrible grade, just try harder next time and you'll be able to boost that grade up to a B or a B+."
"But I didn't deserve the grade given. I worked hard on this paper and would appreciate it if it was rescored."
Smugly laughing, the man looked at her. "I'm sorry, what?"
"I would like you to rescore the paper."
"It's not happening, now if you excuse me I have to get to my next class." He politely said as he handed Bella her paper back.
"Why won't you even listen to me?" Bella asked as she began to speak louder.
"Why are you raising your voice to me?" The teacher's assistant asked as his face got closer to Bella's.
"Because you won't even listen to me and you are infuriating. I don't deserve this grade." She spoke confidently.
The man back up and sat in the chair. He took the paper out of Bella's hand again. "Fine, I will look it over again, but if I find nothing to be wrong with it, you will lose points for being rude and disrespectful to me, understand?"
"Fine," Bella huffed. She turned to walk out the door as she heard her name.
"Miss Swan?"
"Yes?" She said as she turned to look at the man.
"For what it is worth I am sorry I was rude and, 'infuriated' you. I hope we can start over again." He stood up and walked towards her. He extended his hand and smiled. "I'm Edward Cullen."
