Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Boo.
Summary: AU, All human. Bella's looking for a summer job and the Cullens are looking for a live-in nanny for the two youngest Cullen kids. But Bella finds more than just a decent paycheck at her new job. She finds a best friend, new opportunities, and... True love? (Usual Pairings)
AN: Heyy. I thought I might try my hand at writing fan-fiction. This is my first story, but I've been reading for a while now. There are some great writers out there and I'm nowhere as good as them, I'll admit, but it couldn't hurt to give it a try. I realize this chapter was a little short, but this is just something I'm doing on a whim to see if I'm any good at this at all. If this is successful, the chapters will definitely get longer. And yes, this is an EdwardxBella Fan Fiction.
Here it is:
Goodbyes
I looked around the campus of my college. Tons of students were bustling around preparing for the upcoming summer vacation. I heard two people in my class who happened to be walking by, talking to each other about going on a month-long cruise to the Caribbean. If only my life were that easy. It seemed like I never had time to relax nowadays…
"Bella!" I heard Angela, my best friend and my roommate, call to me.
I turned around and waited for her, watching her run up to me. "Hey, Angela, what's up?" I said when she caught up.
"Hey Bella, I just realized that I never got the chance to ask you what you were going to do during the summer break. I feel like a terrible friend. We haven't had a lot of time to talk lately. I guess I was too caught up in other stuff. I'm so sorry," Angela said.
"Don't worry about it. I've been pretty busy myself," I replied, smiling at her reassuringly. "You've been an awesome roommate, all things included."
She smiled back at me gratefully. "So what are your plans?"
"Actually… You know how I'm always talking about getting a job? Well, I've been trying to get one! I could use the money. I feel awful for using my parent's savings to pay for my tuition and not being about to chip in," I admitted. "What about you? Have you decided where you're vacationing with Ben?"
"We can't seem to decide where. After all, we have a budget to follow," she murmured.
"Anyway, do you have any ideas on where you want to work or what you want to do?" she asked hastily, trying to get the attention away from her.
"Um, well I did see this ad online for a job that seemed rather promising. The pay was great and the job seemed easy enough… I'm planning on calling them later today to see if the job is still available."
"Oh, what's the job?" Angela asked with genuine interest. That's one thing I loved about her. She was always so honest and open.
I took out the advertisement with all the information pertaining to the job, which I had printed out earlier that morning and put in the back pocket of my jeans. "It's a job as a live-in nanny for the two youngest kids of the Cullen's… It's all the way in New York. That's pretty far, huh? Their estate is by the beach, though, so I can imagine the view would be nice…" I mused. "Do you think I should do it?"
"Sure, I don't see why not! It seems like a great opportunity and it might be—"
"Hey Ang. Bella," Ben, Angela's boyfriend, greeted us cheerily. They had been together for almost a year now. It didn't take me long to realize that the conversation wasn't going to be centering on my summer job for long so I put the ad back into my pocket.
"Ben!" Angela hugged him in greeting and he hugged her back.
I smiled involuntarily. They were too cute together! There was quite a height difference, though. It never seemed to bother them and I don't think height makes a big difference in a relationship. They were still absolutely perfect for each other regardless. I couldn't help but be jealous sometimes… They were so certain they were the 'ones' for each other. I had never come close to finding anyone like that.
Angela and Ben had made an effort to set me up with Ben's roommate, Tyler, before but it didn't go so well. I had managed to trip over the leg of my chair and I took the entire tablecloth down with me along with our rather expensive dinner. I'll admit I did have a clumsy streak.
"So Angela, are you all packed up?" Ben asked.
"Um, pretty much. I just need to pack up a few more things… They're up in my room still."
"Well, we leave in two hours so we better go up to your room and finish packing your luggage."
That's when I noticed Ben was carrying his entire luggage with him. Was it time for students to leave already? Where had the day gone?
"Oh, alright," Angela concluded before she turned to me. "Oh, Bella! I'm going to miss you so much!"
I laughed, trying to lighten the mood as I saw her begin to tear up. "Angela! Don't worry! It's only one summer. In fact—who knows—I might even come back early if I get fired soon enough!"
She smiled at my attempt to cheer her up. "You're right. It's just one summer. But I'm still going to miss you! Promise you'll call and keep in touch?"
"Absolutely!"
"Okay, take care of yourself! Good luck at your soon-to-be new job!"
With one last fleeting smile, she walked hand-in-hand with Ben towards our dormitory. I waved to their backs half-heartedly.
I probably should have gone up to my dorm too, to finish packing up all of my belongings, but I had a feeling that Angela and Ben might want to be alone with each other. They had never said anything of the sort, but I had always felt like a third wheel around them. I'd mentioned it once, but they just tried to convince me I was being ridiculous.
I walked around campus for a while, not having anything better to do. I was walking to go grab a bite to eat when I saw Tyler walking up to me. There wasn't necessarily anything wrong with him; he was a great guy, but I just wasn't interested and he couldn't seem to grasp that. I had been avoiding him ever since that disastrous double-date.
"Bella!" Tyler called. I picked up my pace a little in what I hoped was an inconspicuous attempt to get away from him. I guess I should have run, though, because before long I felt a tap on my shoulder that I couldn't ignore without being rude. I turned around to face him.
"Hey, Bella, didn't you hear me calling you?"
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention…" I muttered. I was never a great liar, but he didn't seem to notice. Either that or he didn't care.
"Anyway, are you interested in hanging out this summer?" Tyler continued with a hopeful voice.
"Sorry, but I'm applying for a summer job so I'll be pretty busy this summer," I said. I watched as his face fell, but before he could reply I quickly dismissed myself and scurried up to my dorm.
I bumped into Angela and Ben leaving the room when I got up there. They informed me that they were going to leave a little earlier than originally scheduled. We said our final goodbyes.
"I'm really going to miss both of you!" I said with a sad smile.
"We're going to miss you too, Bella! We'll keep in touch. Tell me how the job goes!" Angela replied.
"Okay. Bye, guys! Have fun."
They both waved to me as they started walking away. Once they were out of sight, I walked into the room. I took this time alone to finish packing up.
I looked around after I finished and was surprised at how bare and empty this place looked without Angela and all of our stuff. The room had always been a little drab during my stay here, but I would probably miss this little dorm room over the summer nonetheless.
Suddenly, I remembered the job that I was supposed to be applying for. I realized I couldn't put it off any longer and so, I took out my outdated cell phone and the ad in my back pocket. I sat on the stripped bed that used to be Angela's and dialed the number given on the advertisement.
I sat there with my heart beating madly as I listened to the phone ring repeatedly. I was surprised as how nervous I was. This interview was going to determine the rest of my life. Okay, fine. The rest of my summer.
With that none-too-comforting thought in mind, someone picked up.
Please review! It would mean the world to me. And fear not, Edward will make his appearance soon enough.(: