Chapter 1
BPOV
Here I was New Year's Eve 2011 staring at the ground while my heart and soul were buried. Just 6 days ago, I was happy. I was getting Christmas ready, I just graduated with my teaching degree and I was waiting for the doorbell to ring at noon. It rang at 2pm On Christmas Day, the other side were 2 police officers, hat in hand, tears flowing. I collapse. I woke up in the hospital to my family wailing. So here I stand unable to feel, cry, or think. I was officially alone and knew I could never go back home again. I called Victoria to sell off everything and deposit the money when it was all done. I picked up a map, dart and tape. I hung up the map in the bathroom stall of a McDonalds and threw the dart; I told Victoria that I will call when I get settled into Forks, Washington. I didn't make the wake and I never went back home. I left Jacksonville that day and never looked back.
Many would say it was heartless for me to leave my extended family in their hour of need, but many have never been through what I have and if they had they would understand. I didn't want to move forward or stand still. I was lost. January 3rd I pulled into a diner and little did I realize at that time I also pulled into my life. The diner was alive with laughter, then silence as soon as all eyes were on me. What was I thinking, I wasn't this strong. I was a coward, only cowards run. I took a deep breath and seated myself in the corner by the window. It was snowing; everything was white. The waitress walked up to me and said "I'm Leah, and I can tell you aren't from around here", I smiled and asked what gave it away. Leah took my order, which was the special of the day. I wasn't sure what it was but at least the locals went back to talking. Leah brought me a burger and fries. She sat down with me and started with 20 questions. I asked her if she always got this friendly with customers. Leah said "You look like you could use a friend".
"I 'm Bella, nice to meet you." Leah asked questions and I gave vague answers. She said her cousin Jacob owned some cottage style homes that he rents out and he just had a tenant just leave. A phone call later, I had a furnished place to stay. She introduced me to Charlie, the chief of police, who told her to have Emmett come and tow my car to the shop to check it out after the long journey, "I smelt oil burning" Chief Swan said. He just patted my back and said "Sweetheart you could have broken down with a nasty storm about to come." I ate and Leah gave me a ride to the shop. I open the door and head into the office. With Leah right by my side, she introduced me to Emmett and Rosalie who owned the shop. Emmett did the bills and Rosalie worked on the cars. Rosalie and Emmett just looked at each other like I was alien and smiled and said "We don't get many newbies around here, why would you choose to move here." How did I explain it might have been divine intervention , what are the odds that a dart landed so close to Seattle where my mom started out when she was my age.
After another 20 questions, I was following Leah to my new place. I was still in shock that 4 days ago had been the single worse day of my life and here I am following a complete stranger into the woods of Washington State to either start my new life or end my current one. I am still unsure of which it will be.