I groaned as the plane hit the runway. I was headed home. Back to the little town I escaped from the day after I turned 18. I vowed to myself that I would never go back. Now as an adult (I just celebrated my 21st Birthday!) I was moving back. Back to a tiny town in east Texas, I was back in Athens.
I decided to move back after graduating from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. I then applied at the local police station in Athens.
By the time I got into town and checked into my hotel it was 4:00. I had an appointment at 5:00 to go apartment hunting. I took a quick shower and got dressed in a pair of jeans and a gray t-shirt before grabbing my purse and heading out the door. As my realtor and I walked into the first apartment, I immediately envisioned me living in it. "I'll take it!" I exclaimed as my realtor showed me around the apartment. The apartment had 2 bedrooms, a full size bathroom, a kitchen, a breakfast room, a living room, and a laundry room. It was perfect!
The next day I went to my Parent's house, we had a large lunch and my sister Alice and her husband Jasper came over. That evening I decided to go grocery shopping. That's where I saw him.
A young man in army greens stood in front of me. "Hello! My name is Bella." I told him. "Hi, My name is Edward!" he informed me. We talked for what seemed like seconds, just standing there in the middle of the fruit section. Eventually the manager came over and told us that the store would be closing soon and we needed to leave. After exchanging numbers we parted ways. That night I dreamed about Edward Masen. A few days later I called him.
"Hey!" I said.
"Hey Bella!" Edward replied.
"So I'm moving into my apartment today, and I was wondering if you would come over and help me?"
"Sure, what's your address?"
After giving him my address I went over to my best friend Rosalie's house to pick up her, Alice, Jasper, Emmet (Rose's boyfriend), Esme, and Carlisle. Rosalie and Jasper are Esme and Carlisle children. Alice (my sister) and Jasper are married and Rose and Emmet are engaged. We all headed over to my apartment to meet Edward. Since my parents were out of town, Carlisle pulled Edward aside and gave him the whole if he hurts me Carlisle will hurt him speech. After that everyone got along great.
Jasper and Emmet spent hours talking to Edward about the military (Edward was a Sergeant), because they were thinking about enlisting Carlisle even joined in once in awhile. Esme, Rose, Alice and I talked about decorating. I wanted to go with a rustic feel, Esme and Rose agreed with me but Alice thought that I should go with a modern theme. At about 9:00, Rose, Emmet, Alice, Jasper, Esme and Carlisle all went home. Edward stayed and talked for awhile. We made plans to go to dinner the next evening.
Edward left around midnight. I tossed and turned for hours, excitedly awaiting our first official date.