Okay. So this is my FIRST EVER Fan Fic. Let me know what you guys think. It's all human. Regular pairings.
Ever since I was a child I've always been told that I'm not good enough, not pretty enough, not smart enough, not skinny enough. You name it, I've been told it.
To most people the way I grew up looked like a fairy tale. My dad held a powerful job as CEO at some huge PR company that was centered in Los Angeles and made more in a month than most Americans make in a year. My mom was a perfect society wife; beautiful, with perfect hair and nails, no matter where she was or what she was doing. Her only job was to make sure that I was always dressed in the newest and best clothes. Cotillion and manners classes filled my time that I wasn't with my horse.
I despised that life, aside from my horse that is. He is the only part of this whole thing that makes me happy. PF Time After Time is his registered name but to me he is just 'Travis'. My mom and dad bought him for me from the Scottsdale Arabian auction as a yearling and he is now four. I've spent countless hours with him, training and bonding to get us to where we are today. I've got one more year left as a Junior Exhibitor and we are finally qualified for Youth Nationals. Travis is truly beautiful. A huge 16.1 hand silver dapple with the most beautiful liquid brown eyes. He's been my escape for years.
I had just finished working Travis and was pulling his saddle off when I heard the 'click-clack' of my mom's stiletto heels marching down the cement aisle of the barn towards me. I ducked quickly into the tack room to discard my sweaty saddle pad and then walked out to come face to face with a very pleased looking Renee. Of course that face changed quickly when she took in my sweaty, dirty appearance and muttered something about "never going to find someone suitable looking like that."
"Hi Mom, what can I do for you?" I questioned her with sigh as I ran a soft rag over Travis to get some of the sweat off his chest.
"Well Isabella," (I hate when she uses the full name…) "We've got new neighbors moving in. A doctor and his family, and I invited them for dinner tonight so you can meet the children, it's about time you started to spend time with….people…" she said as she looked Travis up and down like a broken Jimmy Choo. If Travis could have rolled his eyes at that, he would have.
"Um, okay…I guess I can swing that, what time do you need me home?" I questioned as I finished buckling a thin sheet onto Travis and led him to his roomy stall.
"I need you to be down stairs, clean, and wearing the outfit I've laid out for you at 7 on the dot." Renee responded as she began to retreat down the aisle mumbling about "the nasty horse smell she'll never be able to get out"
"Alright big guy, I gotta go get ready, but I'll be back tomorrow. Love you." I whispered to Travis as he lowered his beautiful head to rest against my chest. I hugged his face and dropped a kiss on his forehead before opening his door to the small run attached to his stall and removing his beautiful leather halter. Once I was outside his stall I hung his halter and secured the latch of his stall door. Walking out of the barn I was almost blinded by the bright mid-July Arizona sun. I climbed into my Ford F. 250 and sat for a while, just to let my mind go blank. My mom and dad wanted me to get a Mercedes or some other ridiculous car but I love my truck. The engine roared to life and I slowly pulled away from the beautiful barn and onto the narrow dirt two track that connects our barn to our house.
After pulling into the spacious 4 car garage that is attached to the house, which, in my mind is far too big for a family of 3, I killed the engine and hopped out of the cab. I landed on my feet with a light 'thud' and kicked my boots off as I walked through the mud room. As I walked across the polished marble floor of our kitchen on my way to the grand staircase that led to our second and third levels I grabbed an apple off the counter and began to eat it. I climbed the two flights of stairs to my 'floor' of the house. The third floor was rarely used for anyone but me and my 'friends' (a.k.a the girls my mom makes me endure cotillion with). It housed my bedroom, a mini library, art room, and my personal favorite; a music room. The music room was beautiful. Painted all white with white carpet. Centered in the middle of the room was a beautiful black grand piano. Against one of the far walls is an enormous, buttery soft black leather couch. On another wall is a huge shelf filled with every kind of music one can ask for (sans rap and heave metal of course) and an amazing stereo system. As much as I hate the life I've been per-determined to lead I have to admit. I do love my music room and horse which could only be given to me because of how we live.
I wandered into my oversized room and looked around. The walls were filled with pictures of me and my old best friend, Peyton. I don't know why I kept those up; it hurt whenever I looked at them. Peyton had been my only human friend. She was beautiful, funny, nice, and passionate about her horses. I glanced up to one of us. We were both on our horses, standing side by side and grinning like mad. Peyton's green eyes were sparkling as she looked at the camera. That day we had gone grand and reserve in the class we were showing in against each other. Peyton's beautiful bay mare, PF Simply The Best was wearing the blue, yellow, and red ribbon of the grand champion around her neck and Travis had the white, yellow, and red reserve champion around his. Both of us had been thrilled at the wins and couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces.
That was the last season Peyton showed. She had gotten a new boyfriend and began to distance herself from me and her horses. I had never liked James. He was too controlling, into drugs, and mostly, he took Peyton from me.
I shook those painful memories from my head and looked at the next picture. My favorite of all the pictures of Travis and I. It wasn't one of a victory pass or anything amazing, just one of us. Peyton had taken it. I was standing with my forehead against Travis'. My arms wrapped around his muzzle. His eyes were closed as he leaned into my hug. The picture had been altered so it was in black and white rather than color, making it, in my mind, even more artistic and beautiful.
I finally made my way to the bathroom and began to discard my barn clothes into my hamper.
I stepped into my large shower and sighed as the warm water engulfed me. I washed and conditioned my hair before grabbing my loofa and washing my body. I was lucky enough to have a towel warmer right outside my shower so before turning the warm water off I grabbed a towel and brought it into the shower, being sure to protect it from the spray. With a sigh I turned off the warm water and wrapped my oversized towel around myself.
The cold air of my room hit me and made me shiver. I walked over to my bed to see what my mother had left me to wear. A khaki skirt that ended just above my knee and white, sleeveless Ralph Laruen polo were laid out flat on my bed. There was a thick, black headband and black kitten heels with a peep toe as well. I assume that because I'm in a skit, the new family has a son around my age.
Sighing to myself I wandered back into the bathroom and began to blow dry my hair. Once it was completely dry I started my makeup, deciding to let my hair be its naturally wavy self. I kept my makeup simple. Eye shadow, liner, mascara, and clear lip gloss. Finally I put my clothes on and made my way towards the stair case. When I got to the top I could hear voices that didn't belong to my family, the new neighbors must be here. I began my decent slowly because of the heels. While I am very graceful atop a half ton animal, walking on my own two feet is another story. Finally I reached the bottom of the stairs and made my way to the kitchen where I could hear everyone talking.
"Oh Bella. You've finally decided to join us." My dad, Charlie said with a smile. I love my dad; he's nothing like my mom. He doesn't care what I wear or what I look like, only that I am happy.
"Yeah, sorry Dad, it took more time cooling Travis out today than usual. Are these our new neighbors?" I asked as I looked around. I could see two older people. Beautiful but not in their twenties anymore. Next to them was a stunning blonde girl who had her arms wrapped around a huge, but friendly looking brunette boy. To the right of the blonde and brunette was another blonde and brunette couple. This time the girl had the brown hair. Cut short and framing her face she was looking up and a very attractive blonde boy, who was in turn, looking down at her with pure love in his eyes. I couldn't see the last member of the new family because his back was to me, looking at some pictures of my dad, horse, and I.
"Hello Bella," the older man spoke. "I'm Carlisle Cullen; this is my wife, Esme. The big goof next to us is our son, Emmett and his girlfriend Rosalie who also lives with us. Next to them are our daughter Alice and her boyfriend Jasper, who also lives with us, and finally, my youngest son who is your age, Edward."
I smiled and waved to each family member, my eyes following the names that Carlisle had rattled off. When he got to Edward I was speechless. When Edward looked up my eyes met the most beautiful pair of green orbs I've ever seen. His wild bronze hair was mused into perfect disarray. He smiled at me and I tried to form the muscle movements to smile back, but all I could manage was a blush.
Finally Charlie called us all for dinner. He had made steaks on the grill and was really excited that Carlisle enjoyed football as much as he did. Esme was talking to my mother about something and so that left us kids to talk amongst ourselves.
"Hey Dad, is it okay if we head to the basement? I want to show the Cullen's some of the house."
"Of course Bells, we'll be up here if you need us." He responded, looking up at me and smiling, before returning to his conversation about football and who would win some bowl that season.
"Alright guys, wanna head down stairs and hang out. We've got basically everything down there." I asked all the Cullen children/adoptees.
"Sure that sounds great Bella!" Alice was the first to speak, I had only known her a few hours but I could tell that we could be great friends.
All of us made our way to the basement and decided that a DVD was something we could all do. I let Alice pick the movie and she came back with Casino Royal. I'm always up for a James Bond movie so I settled in. Somehow I ended up right next to Edward on the love seat. 'great' I thought to myself. Edward was the first boy I found myself liking after my relationship with Laurent had ended and I wasn't sure what to think about it.
"So Bella, your father tells me you show horses?" Edwards's voice broke my train of thought.
"Um, yeah. I do… since I was six…" I mumble, and then blush. I can hear Edward chuckle and when I look up I see he is staring at me, making the slight rose color on my cheeks flame bright red. This seems to make Edward laugh harder. "What?" I question him.
"Nothing, it's just, you're so beautiful when you blush. I like it." He said through his laughs.
"Oh. Um… thanks?" I once again stumbled over my words. 'smooth Bella, real smooth…'
"Would you like to go for a walk? It looks like everyone else is down and out." Edward said with a smile motioning to his sleeping brothers and sisters with a smile.
"Sure, I'd like that…" I said as he grabbed my hand and pulled me from the couch. When he did, he pulled a little too hard, causing me to crash into his strong chest with an 'oof', for a second his arms tightened around me. Holding me to his chest before he moved his hands from my shoulder to my bicep and slowly pushed me back until I was standing right. "Sorry" I said with a sheepish grin.
"Don't worry Bella, it was my fault, but let's head out if we want to go for that walk." He said as he laced my fingers with his and led me up the stairs to the main level.
We wandered down the two track towards the barn where Travis and a few other horses lived. Quietly I opened the barn door and walked down the spacious aisle to Travis' stall, Edward in tow. When we reached his stall, Travis bobbed his head over the stall guard and nudged me with his nose.
"Hello my beautiful boy." I cooed at him before dropping a kiss on his nose. "Travis, this is Edward, he is our new neighbor, Edward, and this is Travis." I said, introducing the two.
"Hello hansom boy, I assume you take good care of our Bella when she is with you?" Edward questioned with a smile as he ran his hand down Travis' forehead. We both giggled when Travis nodded his head and looked at us with amusement in his eyes.
After saying goodnight to Travis we made our way back to my house, our hands bumping between us once and a while as we made our way down the path. The old oak trees that lined the lane created a canopy above us as we walked. Suddenly, Edward stopped short, grabbing my hand and pulling me to a stop with him.
"Bella… I know this may sound forward to you, but I really like you." He whispered, not looking up at me the whole time. I didn't know what to say, I was speechless. This beautiful boy actually liked me? I stood there, probably looking like an idiot with my mouth hanging open. I was just about to respond when his voice interrupted my thoughts once again. "Shit Bella, I'm sorry. I probably freaked you out… I'm so…"
"EDWARD! Stop!" I interrupted him. He looked up and met my gaze. "Edward. I like you as well. I wasn't sure if you felt the same way and when you told me you did. I didn't know how to respond." I said with a smile.
"Well Bella. It looks like we're on the same page. But we've been gone for an hour so we should probably head back to your house." He said with a smile, looking down at me.
"Sounds good" I told him, grinning so big it hurt my face. I grabbed his hand and interlaced our fingers as we walked back. Once we got to my doorstep he paused, pulled me into him and gave me a gentle yet intimate hug and dropped a kiss on my head.
"Alright my Bella. Let's head inside." He whispered before turning the knob of the door and pushing it open.
"Hi kids, how was the walk?" My dad asked as we made our way into the kitchen, still holding hands. Charlie noticed and his face instantly lit up. As did the faces of Edwards parents. Only Renee seemed upset to see us holding hands. She had always wanted me to date 'that Newton boy'. Mike Newton was the only son of a very powerful business man my dad worked for, and on more than one occasion he had tried to get me to date him but he was a bit of a playboy and I was definitely not that kind of girl.
"The walk was great Dad. I took Edward to meet Travis then we walked the tractor lane home." I said as Edward removed my hand from his and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me into him.
"Well, I'm glad. But it's getting late and you kids start school tomorrow. We've looked over your class list and it's looking like you're in all but one of Edwards's classes and all of Alice and Jaspers" Esme said with a smile.
"Really?! That's awesome!" I said, apparently a little bit too enthusiastically because I got a laugh from all the parents. Well, except Renee. Even Edward chuckled at me exuberance and pulled me closer to him. Finally all the Cullen kids were upstairs and ready to head out. I hugged everyone, saving Edward for last. I made sure that his hug was longer than the rest and he planted a kiss on my cheek before whispering goodnight to me.
Finally the night was over. I collapsed on the bed and let out a happy sigh. I quickly changed into my pajamas and washed my face and brushed my hair before hopping into bed and quickly falling asleep.
My last though before sleep overtook me was how happy I was with the night and how, for the first time since I lost Peyton. I was excited for school in the morning.
So what do you all think? I'll TRY to update (if I get reviews) again this week but it's finals week and I'm SUPER busy. I'm thinking you'll learn more about Peyton and Laurent in the next few chapters.