CHAPTER TWO:

We fell into a gradual pattern, Mike and I. We worked the same shifts, and walked to work together every day. I had the sinking suspicion that somehow his mom was behind all of it, and that suspicion was confirmed one bitter day a few days after my arrival.

When organizing the shelves just before taking a lunch break, Mike confronted me, nervously clearing his throat.

"Um, Mary?"

I looked up, tucking a frizzy wisp of hair behind my ear. The humidity was great for breathing, but not so much for coiffing.

"Yeah, Mike?"

"Hey, I was just wondering ... tonight? --Or, or tomorrow night—would you want to maybe grab something to eat? Or go see a movie?"

I felt something was slightly amiss. Perhaps it's due to the fact that I just simply never get asked out, but I didn't believe him for some reason.

"Mike? Did your mom put you up to this?"

He reddened and immediately looked away. I did exactly the same, quickly turning back to the shelf and organizing products. He hastily tried to fix the damage done.

"No! It's just ... it's not that, Mary. She did give me the idea, but it really sounded like fun."

I let out a gusty sigh and smiled at him. "It's okay, Mike. Really. I'm generally pretty popular with guys' moms."

"Guys?"

"Yeah. With their moms. With the actual guys, I'm sort of out of luck."

I was just making him feel guilty now. I quickly tried to ease the sting. "But ... it's fine. You said you wanted to do something anyway? No pressure?"

"Yeah, no ... no pressure."

I smiled. "A movie sounds great. We could go dutch if you wanted ..."

"No, no. I ... my mom's paying." He rolled his eyes and we both started laughing.

"Well, that sounds great. Find a show you want to see and we'll go."

We went to the movies that night—no pressure, no expectations. Just as friends. It was strangely relieving. Free from the real question—the one that people go on dates to answer in the first place--"Do I really like this person?"--it was relaxing and fun. The movie was just like any other that had recently come out in theaters, and we both laughed and gorged ourselves on greasy popcorn.

I woke up late the next morning, relishing the promise of a day free from dull work at the sporting goods store. I tossed on one of my more girly outfits and coaxed my golden hair to pour lazily across my shoulders and down my back in loose waves. Today was going to be a good day. I could feel it.

I strutted down the street in heels and bermuda shorts, toward the grocery store. A yellow patch of hazy sunlight stole across the sky, casting a golden gleam on the rest of the thick, gray expanse. I pushed a cart through the one tiny store in town, restocking the basics—toothpaste, shampoo, and lip gloss. As I looked over the scant beauty products, trying to find a lip gloss that would suit, I heard a surprised sounding voice.

"Rosalie? What are you doing in the--"

I turned, confused, and she stopped abruptly, turning pink. "I—sorry. I thought you were someone else."

It was a girl my age. I smiled in relief. It'd been a while since I'd seen one of those. She turned to walk away, embarrassed, but I stopped her.

"No. Hey, wait! Who ... who did you have me confused with?"

She shrugged. "This girl I know named Rosalie. She's ... she's blonde, too."

"Oh."

She seemed like she wanted to go, but I wasn't finished yet.
"So ... I'm just visiting. What is there to do around here?"

"Nothing," she said a little too quickly.

I was taken a little aback.

"I ... nothing?"

"Not really, no. If you want to do a little shopping, Port Angeles is reasonably close, but there really isn't much in Forks."

"I could ... see that. Um, let's ... can we start over? My name is Mary-Celeste. And you are ...?"

"Bella."

I held out a hand, and she shook mine, then turned to leave.

"Okay, listen. I'm getting the feeling that you really don't want to talk to me."

She turned pink again and smiled weakly, looking embarrassed.

"I just ... need some estrogen. You see, I'm working at the sporting goods store, and--"

"Oh, Newton's? Me, too."

"Oh, cool. Why haven't I seen you before?"

She shrugged. "Different shifts, I guess."

"Anyway ... I could really use a ... well, a girlfriend to hang out with. And ... obviously, since you apparently don't seem so inclined, could you point me in the direction of some friendly girl to talk to about lipstick or something with?"

"Lipstick?" she smiled.

I shrugged, trying not to be embarrassed. It looked like she was just about to reply when someone else breezed down the aisle, and I had a little trouble catching my breath.

I'd never seen a guy so ... so perfect. He had the bone structure and physique of a Greek god, and icy pale skin. His eyes were an interesting caramel color, and his hair fell perfectly over a well-formed forehead. I gibbered silently in my mind. My, but he's incredibly good-looking. Is that how they make them in Forks? It must be a well-kept secret ... my goodness, but he's good-looking. I wonder if they've had plastic surgery. Perhaps it's even a woman with a really ... really really good job done ...

The young man frowned and turned to Bella.

"Bella? Who is your new ... friend?"

"This is Mary-Celeste. She's visiting from--"

"Utah." I reached out to shake his hand and was startled at how cold it was, considering the hot weather. I felt the urge to pull away, but didn't. His lip twitched in a smile and he looked at me quizzically, staring right into my eyes with his strange amber ones.

Why is he staring at me like that? Weird. I wonder if they're dating? They seemed awfully familiar. How odd. A girl with no apparent friends and a ridiculously dish-y boyfriend. I wonder if he beats her or something, and keeps her from getting other friends. It does seem strange. He's so very ... possessive.

He suddenly frowned. His brow darkened.

"Bella?" he asked again.

She turned to him. "She, uh ... is visiting and said she needed some ... female companionship."

He looked at me again, slightly suspiciously.

Oh, gross! When you put it that way it sounds like I'm a lesbian. I like boys, I promise! ... But I can't just come out and say that. It would just sound even more weird. Oh, I hate situations like this ...

The boy smiled again, as if laughing at a private joke.

"Well? Do you have plans or anything? To see a movie, perhaps? Or go shopping?"

She started to shake her head, but he looked at her a little sadly, and she sighed and turned to me.

"Sorry. I ... wasn't really polite. I'm probably just a little more out of it than usual today. Do you want to do something? Where are you staying?"

"In Mike Newton's basement."

The boy let out a sudden snicker and I wondered what was so funny. Bella poked him and smiled at me, trying not to laugh.

"Mike Newton?"

"Yeah. I'm uh ... working at their store? His mom offered me the basement, and ..." I trailed off. And practically planned the wedding, I thought to myself. Why is it that I'm such a favorite among mothers?

The boy smiled again laughed softly under his breath before turning to Bella. "I was just about to go home. Did you want me to drop you and Mary off at your house?"

Bella nodded, looking slightly pinched.