A/N OK, so I don't really like writing Authors notes but this one is needed. I really need reviews! Flame me, pity me, or, and this is laughable, congratulate me!
This Fan Fic is going to be set after Edward leaves in new moon, although this is after graduation, Bella decides she can no longer stay in Forks so packs a rucksack and heads out in search of adventure. Anyway this is the last you will be hearing from me for a while so please enjoy!
"Bella, I have to leave." I wouldn't have been too concerned if I hadn't heard the finality in Edward's voice.
"Forever?" I asked quietly. I was afraid of the answer.
"Yes." But why? I wanted to scream at him, beg him to stay. But that wasn't how I wanted him to remember me.
"Can I ask why?" I tried to keep my voice and body controlled.
"I have to."
"Do you not love me anymore?" Again, I was afraid of the answer.
"No, I don't." I nodded, keeping my image controlled. While inside I was slowly being torn apart.
"Ok, if that's how you feel." I felt tears roll silently down my face.
"Goodbye Bella."
"Just go." He nodded once then left, running at vampire speed towards the Cullen house hold. "Tell the others I said bye!" I shouted as an afterthought. I knew he could still hear me. I made it all the way home and to my room before I broke down completely. I cried all night. I knew it would be hard without Edward. Although, it was only a matter of time before he realised his mistake at picking someone as plain and boring as me.
A week passed before I broke the news to Charlie.
"Dad, I'm going travelling." He just looked at me like I was crazy. "Look, I just want to take a gap year before collage and now is the perfect time. I only plan on being gone for a year and I'll come visit all the time."
"But Bells, why?" I had to think of something fast.
"I've taken up photography, and I want to go take photographs from around the world and put together a portfolio. I want to sell them as well, if they're good enough. Plus, I just really want to do something by myself, be independent."
"Where do you plan on going? When?"
"Next week and all over, I'm going to start with Hawaii. I have enough money to get me over there and back again, I can pay for somewhere to stay too. I'll ring you every two days and send tons of postcards." He nodded. And that was it.
After some more research and ordering a camera of the Internet, I found around the world ticket. I could get on any flight from anywhere in the world, if there were any last minute seats available. It was perfect and I bought one that would last me two years, it cost a small fortune but I felt it was worth it.
Within the month I was on a plane to Hawaii, I grinned to myself as the plane took off. There was a particular reason I was going to Hawaii, the sun. No chance of running into any UN-dead people there! I was sat next to a small girl and her mother.
"Are you scared of flying?" The girl asked shyly from her seat next to me.
"A bit, yes. I'm sure we'll be fine though" I said reassuringly. She smiled back and I looked at her mother who mouthed a thank you at me.
The flight wasn't that long and soon we were in sunny Hawaii. I said goodbye to the little girl and her mother before heading to the luggage pick up station. I was already boiling and we'd only been of the plane an hour! I got changed in the toilets then headed out, armed with a camera and the bare essentials. I was determined to have a good time and to forget about, him.
In my trusty back pack I had a waterproof sheet that could be made into a shelter if I needed one, a sleeping bag, a torch, a fire making kit and some hiker food packs. And a couple of changes of clothes. Oh, and I had my survival hand book. And money.
I walked out of Hilo and hitch hiked to Puako, a small town and slept in the forest by the beach. That was my first night under the stars, and definitely not my last. The next day I decided to go look for something I could photograph and turn into a postcard that I could sell to make a little money. After all I had spent almost my life savings on that ticket.
I found the sweetest bay just of the beach and went inside.
"Hey there! What can I get you?" I looked at the blackboard and all the exotic drinks written on it.
"Err.." He grinned.
"How about a nice mango smoothie to start the day?" I smiled back.
"Sure, thank you. How much do I owe you?" I swung of my back pack and pulled out my purse.
"Five dollars please." I handed him the money and took my smoothie. It was delicious!
I got talking to the bar owner, his name was Joe and soon I was sleeping in the bar at night. After a few days A man with a guitar came to the bar and started playing a Green Day song and I couldn't help but sing along. After that Joe started paying me and Freddy to play and sing in the bar every night. Soon it was time for Freddy to move on, he was travelling the world too, I only stayed for a little longer before heading back to Hilo to wait for a free seat on a plane out of Hawaii. I opened up my Hand Book at a random page and looked to see where my next destination was, the Amazon rain forest! Cool! I can get some cool pictures there. I got on a plane and was there. I rang Charlie and once again he tried to convince me to come home look for a collage. Once again I said no and headed out on my rain forest adventure. Long story short I met a tribe when I got lost deep in the jungle, they knew about vampires as well! They were really cool and after a couple of weeks with them they took me to the nearest air strip and told me that I had to promise to visit again and they gave me clear instructions on how to get back to them. As well as a small delicate looking flower that was so resilient it could last for months with out water or sunlight, they said that wherever in the world I went I would always be able to look at the flower and remember them.
My next random page flick took me to Las Vegas. And this is where I began to dig the gigantic hole I'm in now.
I got off the plane and changed the time on my watch. It was nearly three in the morning and I had severe jet lag. I practically crawled to a hotel and checked in.
The next day I went down to breakfast and noticed a sign on the notice board in reception:
Wanted, singer to perform Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night.
$90 a night, cash. Ask at desk for audition slot. Free lodging at the hotel.
I did as the notice told me and walked up to the person sat behind the desk.
"Excuse me, I'm wondering if I can audition for the singing slot?" I asked shyly.
"Hey!! Sal, got a singer wanna be over here!" She motioned to me and a short busty woman walked over.
"So you think you're a good enough singer to sing here? We have a reputation to keep you know."
"Yeah, I think I'm good enough." I used the confidence I had gained when with the tribe from Brazil.
"Well then, you can audition here and now."
"Right here?" I asked, I can't help my shyness from popping its stupid head up every now and again.
"Yes, right here." She looked bored. I pushed down the urge to ask what to sing, I think that would have just annoyed her even more.
So I sang. I belted out She's A Rebel by Green Day. Everyone turned to stare at me and I felt myself turning pink, then red. I looked around at the crowded lobby and saw that people were actually enjoying my singing! It gave me a new confidence and by the end of the song everyone was cheering.
"You start tonight, 8pm, the bar." I nodded and she walked off.
For the next three weeks I spent my time singing and meeting eccentric billionaires. That ended when I was at a casino about thirty minutes walk from the hotel. I saw stunning red hair and pale skin. I froze, about to slowly move towards the exit. The woman's head snapped up and she looked into my eyes and I looked into hers, crimson. Victoria. Crap, I'm screwed.