CHAPTER ONE
Graduation day, yay. To me, it's just another day not spent with Edward. I hoped against hope that today wouldn't come. All of my classmates are surrounded by their families, smiling, taking pictures, talking about graduation parties, and celebrating. I was lucky to just break a smile.
I heard Renee, Charlie, Billy, and Jake all yelling my name when I was called to cross the stage, shake the principles hand, and receive my diploma. What is wrong with me? I should be ecstatic about this day. It's almost like he took my will to enjoy ANYTHING away. I'm in a constantly dark tunnel and I'm never going to find the end.
I sent some college applications out and was accepted to three colleges and universities around the country. I settled for NYU. Wow, who would have thought, NYU. I can't wait to get there and maybe, I'll see a Cullen. There I go, setting myself up, yet again.
I've already packed everything I'm taking to the dorms with me. I have decided to major in Business Administration. Hopefully, if I don't see a Cullen, I'll find myself. I've never been to New York City or the state for that matter. This is going to be exciting. Renee, Phil, and Charlie are going to fly there with me and help me get settled into my dorm.
I managed to get a couple of grants because Charlie is a cop and I was able to get a few student loans to cover the rest. I'll pay those back when I get a job. I've also decided to of work while I'm in school, cause let's face it, Charlie and Renee have their own lives to live and I don't want to be just a kid anymore. I want to have my own money and make my own way. Now that, I get excited over. I am not scared. I AM PETRIFIED.
I have my plane ticket and my papers for school and my dorm information in the bag I'm taking on the plane with me as my carry on. This is a good decision. I can surround myself with different people, and different scenery, and finally maybe move on with my life.
"Bella," Charlie called from the ensuing crowd, "where do you want to go for dinner? After dinner, we'll do anything you want. I mean we only have a few weeks left together. Your mom is leaving on the red eye back to Florida tonight, I figured we could all go out."
"Sure, Dad. That sounds good. Um, I'm not sure where I'd like to go. How about we go to Seattle to the restaurant in the city. Then we'll be able to kill some time doing what ever until Mom's flight. We could stay there tonight and head home in the morning." I really wasn't in the mood to do anything at all, but in the spirit of celebrating I'll just fake it and try to please my parents.
"Okay, let's go home and get a few things for the night and have fun." My dad didn't seem too enthused with my choice, but it was my day. "I guess we'll go in two cars so your mom can drop off her rental car and we won't be stranded in Seattle."
My mom just nodded and never said a word. She just followed us back to Charlie's house and patiently waited for us to get our stuff together so we could go.
We ended up in a nice restaurant near downtown and not far from the hotel Charlie and I would be staying. Before we went to dinner, he booked two rooms for us at the hotel.
"Listen, Bella, before you go off to school, I thought it would nice if you spent some time with your mom in Florida. Maybe go to Disney World and be a kid for a while longer." Charlie said while looking over the menu.
"I would love that, Bella. I know we can afford a week in Orland. It's not that far of a drive from Jacksonville. We haven't been since you were little. Charlie, that's such a great suggestion. Maybe you could take a few days off and fly down to go with us." Renee sounded almost excited.
"Yeah, sure. That sounds like fun. Do you think you can, Dad? I'll call the airlines Monday morning and see if I can get a refund on my plane ticket and just arrange to fly out of Jacksonville to New York. That way, we can all just fly to New York and Dad can fly back here to Washington after I'm settled in my dorm room." Finally a summer I can look forward to. It might not be depressing now. An early start to my new life. I'm going to be all about Bella there.
"I'm sure I can arrange it, Renee. That is if Phil is alright with your ex-husband hanging around that week." Charlie replied smiling and raising his brow.
"Of course he won't mind, Charlie. Don't be silly. I'm looking forward to it. You know, Bella, Phil hated not being able to be here. He had to stay in Jacksonville for the all star tournament. He tried to get out of it, but nobody would take his place. We had no idea the tournament would begin the same weekend as your graduation. I promised him I would take plenty of pictures of you today. He's going to be so ecstatic that you're coming this summer for a few weeks. He's been wanting to meet you, Charlie." Renee was absolutely beaming with joy.
This morning, I was depressed about my life lately, and here I am with a great exciting summer ahead of me, starting college in the fall, getting a new job, and starting a new life. Zombie Bella gone for the moment, excited Bella present until I go to bed in my room tomorrow night without Edward being there. Get used to it, Bella.
After dinner, we walked around town and enjoyed the warm night air, took in the sights of the city, shopped a little, even though I still hate shopping, and we followed Renee to the airport.
Charlie stayed with the cruiser while I walked to the gate Renee to bed her fair well until I went to Florida in a few weeks to start my fun filled summer of being a kid for the last time. I don't know about anybody else, but that just sounds kind of sad. I guess for Renee and Charlie it was, but for me, it was PETRIFYING and exciting all rolled into one.
"I can't wait for you to come to Florida, baby. It's going to be so much fun. Phil's going to be so excited. You know, honey, we've talked about taking you to Disney since moved to Florida." Renee was all smiles.
"I know mom. I'm excited too. I'll see you in a few weeks. I'll call you Monday after I exchange my plane ticket and I know when Dad will be coming too." I told my mother and hugged her hard. I miss my mom so much, but she has Phil now. The one I worry about most is Charlie.
I've lived with him for a little over a year now, and I think he's grown used to me taking care of him. Now, he'll have no one. Maybe his relationship with Sue Clearwater will blossom into more than just friends. I hope so.
I made my way to Charlie's cruiser after Renee was on the plane. I was actually smiling. I could tell he was happy to see it, too. He smiled right back at me. I like how today turned out. It wasn't so bad after all.
