I do not own anything relating to the Twilight Saga. Everything goes credited to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer
There's always been a common saying like daddy's girl or momma's boy, but I can honestly call myself a mommy's girl. I never really got a chance to meet my father when I was young. Charlie wasn't prepared for that 'sort of responsibility'. I don't really blame him…with a high paying career and product designs taking off; I don't think I would've wanted a child to stop me from succeeding. But, giving him the benefit of the doubt, I did receive the occasional birthday and major holiday cards…with his secretary's handwriting, and some unnecessary money stuck inside. If there is one thing my mother has taught me growing up is, they're two sides to every story and the stone cannot be cast before you even know if there is water to sink it. Rene always had her own personal sayings. There was always good in everyone she met. She was my hero.
It was seven thirty in the morning…I should've marked it on my calendar as the beginning of where my life goes down hill from when I woke up that day. I usually have a routine for this. I hear that annoying alarm in the morning ringing and ringing as if that sound is trying to drill its way into my skull. It's the only time I wish I was deaf. I slam my hand onto the snooze button, even though I know it's only a matter of minutes before the skull drilling begins again. The smell of something burning always fumes the air, which was a sign my mother has been trying to cook again. Even though a lot will disagree with me, her burnt bacon has always been my favorite. I squint my eyes, and throw my arms out to the side with clenched fists, enjoying the tightness of my tendons pull apart. After that I run to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face, trying to hurry up before she burns the bacon beyond edibleness. But there was something different invading this routine. Instead of the usually banging of pots and pans, the sound of popping grease, and the solo voice of my mother using her least favorite swear word…was accompanied by second voice; a man's voice, a familiar, lame voice. Her boyfriend Phil must be in town again from his amateur baseball tour. He wasn't a bad guy, but I couldn't help but feel uneasy around him. But…as long as he treated my mother right, which he did, I couldn't complain.
I trailed slowly downstairs, hoping by some miracle Phil would've walked out already. "Good morning sleeping beauty!" said my mom. Did I honestly look as if I had been in a coma, minus the hot prince waking me up? Oh wait, the prince would have to be my alarm clock. I'll make a note to name him Prince Head-Driller.
"Hey Bella, nice to see you again," said Phil. I smiled blankly at him as I sat down and grabbed a bagel since there was no bacon to be seen anywhere. "I was telling your mom here how our team may be moving towards Florida this season. We have a good chance at maybe going pro this season." Was I supposed to be proud of him for that? I hated sports anyways. "That's great." I forced a smile on my face, stuffing my face with bread before he could talk to me again. "I would also like to take you two lovely ladies out for dinner tonight in celebration." Mom held her napkin to her mouth as to not have any food particles fly out. She swallowed and said, "That would be wonderful!" Oh God!
I wonder if sunsets normally come faster in Arizona. Evening came more quickly then I would've liked it to. Before I knew it, I was already tripping down the stairs trying to put on my left shoe. Phil didn't tell mom where he was taking us. I assumed it would've been some place semi-formal. I really didn't have anything formal or nice so I put on a stripped halter dress with leggings, and my favorite converse. It wasn't the most girly thing to wear, but it's not like I was going out by choice or free will. Mom was already by the door adjusting her earring. "Come on Bella-rina. I don't want to be late." I hated it when she called me that. I used to take ballet when I was younger…if I was klutzy then, I was even worse now. As Phil knocked on the door, I twisted my ankle tying my shoelace and rolled down the remaining stairs.
We finally arrived at a restaurant called The Cache. Great. A five star restaurant and I look like crap. Mom had a look on her face that suggested she was feeling the same exact thing too.
Phil already had reservations so we didn't have to wait long. As we sat at the table, I started eating the fancy French salad and bread sticks they had laid out. I wasn't about to eat any cow brains or snails. Phil ordered for all of us. He assured me that it was only chicken and shrimp. I sat in silence as Phil and mom talked the whole night. Nothing important just about how Phil was taking his baseball career more seriously and how mom should start painting again. Towards the end of the dinner, Phil ordered us a small custard dessert and said he would like to ask my mother something. I hated custard, and I hated being here at the restaurant where everyone was looking at our table.
"Rene there's something that I would like to discuss with you." He set his champagne glass down. I guess to prove what he had to say was serious. "My team is leaving for Florida next month and as I said before, I am starting to take things a little more serious now. I am tired of being alone and with out you. These past 9 months have been the happiest I've been in a while, and I would like to ask you something." He reached in his pocket, and pulled out a very small black box. Rene's eyes started to widen as he mouth parted. "Will you marry me Rene Elizabeth Gibson?" Everyone in the restaurant was definitely eyeing our table now. "Oh my goodness," was all Rene could seem to say. I looked at that ring as if it had just killed a new born baby. "Phil…Oh my goodness…I-I…I'm speechless. I don't- I mean I- ugh…wow…this is a surprise." She looked very confused, and uneasy. Did I want her to say no? Did I want her to say yes? "Say yes Rene," Phil looked deep into her eyes, a look of hope and worry spread on his face. Rene looked at me. I should've erased my expression, but I honestly didn't know what I was feeling. "Phil, this is the most romantic gesture anyone has ever done for me in a long time..." she smiled. Was she going to say yes? I suddenly felt furious, and angry. I wanted to grab that box and throw it at across the room.
"Rene I want to be with you for the rest of my life…you only find one soul mate in this lifetime. You're the most amazing woman I have ever met. Please make me the happiest man, and please say yes."
My anger and rage finally took over. I jumped up from my chair so quickly I think my water glass tipped over and my chair fell backwards. I slammed my napkin on the table and ran…literally ran…towards the door.
"Bella! Bella…wait!" I heard my mom shout. "ISABELLA SWAN!"
Where was I going? I didn't care. I just wanted to be away from them. I wanted to be away from Phil. I ran towards a sand covered field. I just wanted to be away from everyone. I didn't even know I had run so far. My mind set was run…run far away.
Finally I ran out of breath and I could feel the hot tears running down my face now. I was so angry. I didn't even know who to be angry at. If mom decides to marry Phil that means we will have to move to Florida and there is no way I am leaving Arizona.
I decided to walk back after about 30 minutes. Phil's car wasn't at the restaurant anymore. They probably went looking for me. At least I hope they would have. I guess I should start walking home then. Good thing I was wearing converse and not heels, or else this would've been hell.
After about another 30 minutes passed by I was finally back in my home town again. An ambulance siren was heard blaring in the distance followed by a fire truck. It was probably another drill or someone's A/C unit exploding again. As I walked down a neighborhood not to much farther from my house, I noticed someone walking towards me in the distance. It was a very tall figure. I started to feel a little nervous. It was coming more quickly. I tried to cross over and walk on the opposite side of the sidewalk but the figure followed me. The distant shadow started becoming less threatening as I got a clearer picture. It was a very attractive boy-or man-with jet black hair. I was still nervous, even though he seemed to have an innocent look to him. We finally came face to face. I tried not to stare. "Are you alright?" He asked kindly. My mascara must've been running from crying a couple of minutes ago. I forgot to wipe it off since I never wore makeup in the first place. He had a worried look. His face was so familiar…like I've known him all my life. Police sirens were starting to be heard in the distance. "Umm yeah, my car broke down a few miles back and I'm just walking home." I lied. "You looked like you were in some sort of trouble, so I came over to see if you were okay. Sorry if I scared you or made you feel uneasy. I live in that corner house on Mayberry and Forest." He pointed to a house near by where he was walking from.
"Oh okay…I've never seen you around before. Did you just move in?" I was curious. "Well…not exactly. I'm from a town called Forks up in Washington. I came down with my father to visit my grandmother." He replied. "Forks huh? My dad lives over there. I'm sorry may I ask your name?" He kept this warm smile on his face that made me feel safe.
"Black…Jacob Black." He said with his hand held out and a sly grin on his face. "Bella Swan" I shook his hand, and his facial expression turned into something like he just got an epiphany. "Wait…is your dad…" He pointed at me with one eye half closed as if he was debating with himself. "Charlie Swan?" How the heck does he know that? Everyone who knew my dad always said I resembled him a great deal. It was hard to say thanks when I had no recollection of what he looked like. "Um…yeah. How do you know that?" I asked curiously. "You look exactly like him. Well except without the mustache of course." He stilled held that same bright smile that I couldn't help but stare at. Another fire truck siren bellowed. What the heck was going on my neighborhood? "Well…thank you. I wish I could agree but I've never met him." I didn't know what else to say. His smile became less bright but he still kept it on. "Well I'm sorry for being rude. He has pictures in his house of you though." I really didn't want to talk about my dad anymore. "Well that's good to know. I have to be going now. It's already getting late. It was really nice to meet you." I tried walking away. "Well hey Bella, let me help you out. I sort of consider myself a mechanic, and I would be more than happy to help you with your car troubles." Umm…no thanks…really. I'll be fine. I'll just have it towed tomorrow." He didn't stop there. "Honestly, it's no trouble at all. It'll save you some money anyways." He started walking after me. "Jacob I really appreciate what you're trying to do but honestly, it won't be necessary." "What sort of car are you driving? I'll bet you 100 dollars I can fix it." "A Land Rover…but seriously Jacob…I don't need any help." I just said Phil's car because it was the only car I knew of. I didn't know what else to say. "Well at least let me walk you home…" Why did he care so much? Did he think he owed Charlie something? "Well if you really want to..." I'm pretty sure Phil would've left in his car by now. I couldn't say no to those beautiful brown eyes anymore, or see disappointment in them.
As we got closer to my street, the sirens of all the different emergency vehicles were heard. Good grief, something really bad must have happened.
Jacob and I were chatting about funny stories that he and his friends had done back in Forks, and it made me forget about what happened at the restaurant. It felt good to be paid attention to since the kids at my high school never seemed to mind me. I couldn't say I had friend in my home town. My mom was all I really needed. He mentioned stories about his tribe since he was a Native American. A Quileute to be exact. One particular story he had mentioned was that of blood drinkers, a family of vampires if you will. I was always interested in monsters and ghosts.
Paranormal stuff…it helped me cope with the idea that I wasn't the only outcast like those monsters they depict in movies and books.
We finally turned to my street and to my horror…those sirens I was hearing all along…was coming from my very own house. Flames were scorching higher and higher, despite the large amount of water converging from the hose the firemen were holding. I ran harder then every before towards the flaming house. All my neighbors were looking at my house with their hands covering their mouths.
I scurried around, trying to find my mother, or hell even Phil. I needed to know she was okay. A police officer grabbed me hard by my arm and pulled me back with the crowd of neighbors. "You have to stay here. It's not safe for you to step any further." He said. My arm felt bruised. "NO! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! THAT'S MY HOUSE!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "Ma'am we're doing everything we can right now. Please let us do our job without having to worry about pedestrians." He sounded annoyed. "PLEASE! PLEASE WHERE IS MY MOM??" I wasn't even sure if he could understand me with my crying and my nose getting stuffy. "Ma'am please remain calm. We will find you're mom. But until then I need to you to remain calm or we will arrest you for trespassing!" "Excuse me sir, but you do not need to be talking to her with that tone in her paranoid state and certainly, not grasping her arm as firmly as you are. She is a fairly small girl." Jacob was next to me. "This young women resides in this house with her mother and taking into consideration that her mother is no where to be found and her house is on fire, maybe you should do your job of confiding her instead of threatening her."
"Jacob my mom, I can't find her!" he put his arms around me and embraced me with care. I needed someone who could calm me before I went crazy. I buried my face in his chest even though I already couldn't breathe. The rude officer let out a snuff and walked away. I felt Jacob's body stiffen all of a sudden. "Bella, were you really driving on your way back home?" he seemed concern. Why is he interrogating me now? Of all the times... "Why do you ask?" I wondered, still fighting back tears. "…because there is a Land Rover parked in your drive way." My head snapped back to see the exact Land Rover Phil had came to pick me and Rene up in earlier this evening. They both had to be here somewhere. Jacob, being extremely taller than almost everyone there was peering his head around. I didn't know what he was looking at or looking for. I couldn't see Rene or Phil anywhere. For the remainder of the night, I stayed behind the yellow tape in Jacob's arms crying and praying that my mother was alright, peering up as often as I could.
After what seemed like eternity, the same rude officer came walking towards me and Jacob, this time with a look on his face different from the annoyance he was repelling before. "Young lady, what is your name?" was the first thing he asked me. "I am Isabella Swan, my mother is Rene Gibson." His mouth closed and he looked down to his feet. "Miss Swan…I don't know how to say this…but your mother perished in the fire." My stomach shrank to the size of a pea. My heart was in my throat. My mind…went blank.
"Are you certain?" Jacob asked. "We have identified the remains we found in the house that of Rene Elizabeth Gibson. Her body was found in the master bedroom holding a picture frame of you." I wasn't looking at him anymore, but I can feel his eyes looking at me. My mother was dead. Rene was gone. I would never see her again. I no longer had my mother. I had no one.
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