~Coming Back to Forks~

I've been homeschooled since I was 11. My mother wasn't exactly the responsible one so I decided to do my schooling from home over the internet so I could take care of her and make sure everything around the house was done. The was the only life I've ever known was being the mature one and taking care of her through all the men she dated and broke-up with. By the time I was 16 she met and married a man named Phil who was trying to pursue a career in baseball. So he traveled a lot.

When Phil traveled she stayed behind to keep an eye on me. And I saw how miserable she was without him. So I decided to go and live with my father in Forks, Washington. It is the complete opposite of Phoenix, Arizona. Here it's sunny and warm all day, and there is it cold and rainy. This was going to take some getting used to.

On the day of my departure my mother Renee tried to talk me into staying with her and going to Florida. "Mom I want to go to Forks." I said.

"But it's cold and rainy, and you'll be much happier in Florida."

"I miss Charlie." I lied. I had to convince her of that or else she would never let me go.

"Okay. But e-mail me every night Bella." She said as she hugged me. I kissed her on the cheek while she did the same thing to me. "I'll miss you mom." I said trying to sound strong. "I'll miss you to, honey." She said while tears were streaming down her cheeks non-stop.

"I'll be fine mom." I reluctantly pulled away from her. "I love you."

"I love you to." She replied as I grabbed my carry-on luggage. "Say hi to Charlie for me."

"I will. Don't worry mom. I'll be fine." We hugged one more time and I headed toward the plane and climbed aboard. What my mother didn't know is that I really didn't want to go. I wanted to stay with her to make sure she would be alright but she had Phil now and he could take care of her.

To tell the truth I didn't think I was going to like Forks all that much. It was rainy and cold. My many summers visiting my father made me not want to go even more because I would be there all the time. O well. I thought as I took my seat. If I can handle everything I have, I can survive this.

As we began our decent I started to get more anxious. What will Charlie think of me now? How will I be able to handle being stuck in the cold all the time? Will I ever make any friends? These questions kept doing a mantra in my head until a kind flight attendant named Julie asked me if I was okay and to tell me that we landed. The plane was almost empty accept for just a few people and employees.

As soon as I got off the plane I saw my father and his police cruiser. Oh great! I thought. 'Now everybody in Forks will know that I am the daughter of the Chief of Police!'

But my thoughts were quickly disrupted when my father ran up to me and enveloped me in a big hug. So I hugged him back and gave him a quick "I missed you, and I missed you too."

Charlie offered to help me carry my bags but seeing as I was used to fending for myself I refused his help. But after I fell the third time he gave me no choice and carried them for me. So here I am walking toward a police cruiser with the chief of police carrying all my bags and everyone staring. Great! My cheeks were crimson by the time I got in the passenger door and we were finally off to Forks.

I got lost in my thoughts but was pulled out of them by "So how have you been?"

"I've been fine. Ma got married and she was separated from Phil for weeks at a time so I decided it was better to come here and spend some time with you." I faked a smile.

"Well that's good sweetie. Do you remember Billy Black?"

"No." I replied. Although I think I've heard him mention him…

"That's ok sweetie. He's been good friends with me for years. His son Jacob and you used to take baths together." My cheeks turned red again.

"I might remember him dad. You don't need to bring up the past."

"Sorry dear. I just thought that something would click and you'd remember who I was talking about when I mentioned that." I sighed. "No worries dad. What's done is done." I was thankful that my surroundings were starting to look familiar because that meant we were close to home. No, this isn't my home. I don't really have a home. Not yet.

We pulled up to the white house and I remembered it instantly…

I was playing in the yard on my bike – my father was laughing and smiling as I tried to keep my balance on the thing. Jacob was laughing at my efforts while he was effortlessly riding around in the yard and on the street trying to impress by screaming "No hands!"

Eventually I gave up and Jake and I settled to playing in the pool out back. The pool was too small for the four of us but Jacob and I didn't mind. We were splashing each other and laughing and having a lot of fun.

He asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. I told him that I wanted to play with him and maybe become a writer. I also told him that I was hoping to get married and have kids.

But this was coming out of a mouth of a 7 year old. I had no idea what I was talking about back then. Jake said "I think that's a good idea Bells! I wanna be a daddy someday!" We laughed and played in the pool for the rest of the day before it got too cold and he went home with his dad Billy.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when my dad asked "Are you ok Bells?" I could see the concern on his face.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I remember him now. They used to come over here and we'd play all day with each other."

"I'm glad you remember, honey. Do you want me to help you unpack and order a pizza?"

"I can fix dinner dad."

"Nonsense, you just got off a plane. You've been gone all day. But if you want to make dinner I won't stop you."

"Pizza sounds great dad."

"Okay Bells. Why don't you get settled in and I'll order the pizza?"

"It sounds good."

I grabbed my bag and made it in the house. Everything house was just how I remembered. The worn out recliner my father always sat in, the couch that didn't match with anything but was an important part of the living room, the TV that sat directly in front of the recliner and the pictures of me, him, Jacob, Billy, and Renee.

I went up to my room without incident and started to unpack. My room was exactly how I left it, but had a new bed-set and had a lot of dust. Even my computer was still here. Old and worn out but thankfully it still worked. But it wouldn't have been a big loss if it didn't work. I brought my computer from Arizona with me that I did homework on. I would need to update the old one later.

I placed my pajamas, sweat pants, tank tops, under garments and socks in the dresser and all my shirts and jeans in the closet. Yup, even the clothes I forgot here years ago were still hanging up where I left them. I doubted that they would fit me anymore. I needed to clean this out and give everything I didn't want any more to Good Will.

After I finished unpacking I headed downstairs. My father was at the door paying the pizza delivery boy money for the food. He was cute but I didn't really want to talk to him. He had blond-ish hair and seemed over-confident.

My father closed the door, thanked the boy and brought the pizza over to the table. I was thankful he wasn't going to push boys on me. That was the last thing I needed. I had to focus on my schoolwork or else I would certainly fail.

"It smells really good dad, sausage and cheese?"

"Yup, you know how I like em'. And I also know you like it the same way I do." He smiled at me. I got the plates, handed one to Charlie, sat down and grabbed myself a slice.

"So who was that dad?" I mentally slapped myself. I forgot about the saying 'curiosity killed the cat.'

"That was Mike Newton. He goes to school at Forks High. He's a good kid, but he asked who you were. He's a little too bit nosey for my taste. He drooled all over the box." And sure enough, there was a wet spot on the top of the box.

"Oh, okay." I finished up my slice and grabbed another.

"So, how's your mom?" I wish that he didn't ask.

"She's good dad. She married this guy named Phil. He's really good to her."

"But is she happy?" I could tell that he was truly worried about her.

"Yes. She smiles a lot and is giddier."

"That's good." My father looked like he was about to cry. He got up and put his plate in the sink.

"I'm going to go to bed. I have to be at work at 6. Do you need any help?"

"No I'm good dad. Good night." He placed his hand on my shoulder and patted it a few times.

"Good night Bells. I hope you like it here." He removed his hand and went up the stairs to his room.

My mind was swarming with thoughts. Will I be happy here? Am I going to make any friends? How can I not disappoint Charlie? Will I ever meet anybody that I feel the same about them as they feel about me? I really didn't have any answers to any of these questions, but I decided to go to bed.

I put my plate in the sink, wrapped the pizza up, put in the fridge, and washed the dishes. I went to the bathroom and did my nightly ritual, brush my teeth, rinse my mouth with mouthwash, do my business on the toilet, and take a shower.

After my shower I forgot that I didn't take clothes to the bathroom for bed. I got out hurriedly and I slipped and hit my head on the counter. "Ugh!" I can't believe I am this clumsy!

I went to my room and threw on some pajamas quickly and went back to the bathroom. "Great! I won't stop bleeding!"

I tried everything from putting pressure, to ice and it still wouldn't stop bleeding. It was a pretty good sized gash.

I walked to my father's room and knocked on the door. "Charlie? Are you awake?"

"Yeah honey? Come in. Is everything alright?" When I opened the door the room started spinning and the next thing I knew everything was black.