In the beginning…
Bella
The auditorium is filled with happy graduates and their families. Everyone has smiles on their happy faces as they pose for pictures. I stand next to my parents, giving my best Colgate smile to my best friend, Alice as she takes pictures with my Canon EOD Mark III - my one indulgence in this life; cameras. I can't believe I did it. I have my B.A. in photography from The Art Institute of Seattle. My two best friends stand in their cap and gown as well, beaming with pride at our accomplishments.
Rose walks over to me with her silky blonde hair flowing under her graduation cap.
"We are going out tonight."
I turn and stare at her and shake my head as we all follow my parents out of the auditorium. "Um, thanks Rose, but I think I'll pass."
Alice comes up from behind us and wraps her arms around my shoulders. "Cut the shit, Bella. You're going, and that's it. You really have to get rid of this idea of Mr. Perfect."
"She's right Bella, I have no idea what the hell you're waiting on," Rose said with a fling of her perfect, blonde hair.
I roll my eyes at the both of them. "Not that I have to explain myself, but I am waiting on my Mr. Right. The man that is going to make me swoon with his words and causes me to come un-done with just one look.
I gazed off into space as they dragged me behind my parents, while I envisioned my dream man. Man. I want a man, not some little stupid boy that barely knows what he's doing.
We reach my parents' car and say a quick good bye to them; I promise to be home this weekend. It's a long drive from Seattle to the small town where my parents live, Forks. I give them a pass on dinner, and promise we will celebrate when I'm home.
My mother beams at me with fresh tears in her eyes. "I am so proud of you, baby girl. Good luck on your interviews this week."
I give her a hug and a kiss. "Thanks, Mom. I'll see you this weekend."
I turn to my dad, and he gives me a warm embrace. "So proud of you, kiddo."
I smile at them as they get into their car and then drive off. Alice and Rose quickly take hold of my arms and rush me to our apartment.
In our apartment, where we have lived, since freshman year, we hang out in Alice's room going through her massive wardrobe. Alice's bedroom is like the Cave of Wonders. Her queen sized bed and a sewing table take up one wall, the others support her leaning tower of catalogs, magazines, shoes, and fabrics along with half-dozen wire-frame wardrobes. I'm claustrophobic in here, but this is Alice's, the newly minted fashion designer, paradise.
Alice and Rose stand in front of her closets staring at the vast amount of garments looking for something they deem fit for me to wear tonight. It's an impressive wardrobe. She and Rose swear they're runway models. Me, I'm just Bella. I frankly wouldn't have it any other way. I'm comfortable in my own skin, just being me, lounging around in yoga pants, or taking candid photos to capture hidden moments.
Those are the best moments, capturing a person or thing completely unaware. That's when you see the realness of the moment. A million different perspectives can be found even capturing an empty room.
"Bella!" I'm torn from my musings by a screaming Alice who is waving a scrap of fabric in my face, which she claims to be a dress.
"Alice, I might as well walk around naked wearing a sign around my neck that says, "Desperate."
"Don't be a drama queen! Just try it on. Your ass is going to look great in this." She thrust the lame excuse for a dress in my hands.
Rose admires herself in the full-length mirror, - before turning around to face me. "Look at it this way, Bella. You may not find Mr. Right, but you will find Mr. Right Now."
I roll my eyes at her and exhale loudly, showing my annoyance of the subject.
"I really do appreciate you two being so concerned about my sex life, but can you not make it seem like you are selling me to the highest bidder?"
Taking off my clothes, I throw them at my two nagging best friends, then slip the tight dress over my head, and dragging it down my body. It fits like a glove, and I find myself staring in the mirror, totally checking myself out. The first thing that pops out is the bright red color, the next are my tits, and last, but not least is my rear end. Which seems to have doubled in size.
Rose and Alice walk around me like predators, both of them observing how the fabric hugs my curvy figure.
Rose smacks my ass causing me to jump from the sting. "Damn! I would totally do you, - if I didn't prefer a nice piece of man meat."
I take a few steps away from her just in case she decides she does indeed like women now. Alice cracks up, laughing at my not subtle diversionary technique.
"Bella, you seriously act like Rose is going to attack you. It was just a compliment. She is right, though, you look hot!"
I give myself one more look in the full-length mirror and decide that for one night I can throw caution to the wind and do something I've never done before. Live. I've always been the classic good girl; I've always listened to my parents, never putting one foot out of place. I've lived my life by a certain set of rules, and it has gotten me places academically, but my social life, has suffered for it. Well, it's time I put myself out there and let go.
"Fine, I'll wear it, but don't think for a minute that I plan to meet anyone tonight. Where are we going anyway?"
Alice jumps up and down with glee.
"New Moon."
Edward
The C17 plane that carries us soldiers home lands in Seattle, and man I've never been so fucking happy in my life. I'm home until I get the call for the next mission. This leave will be a minimum of six months, and it's going to be like a dream come true. I may have to find me a steady piece of ass to keep me company while I'm here. After a bumpy landing, my guys and me unbuckle the harnesses and prepare to meet our families.
"Sarge, you going out with us tonight?"
Emmett, one of my closest friends and a big ass dude, gives my arm a playful push. I have to steady myself because he is one strong fucker.
"Yeah, I'll go. I need to get my dick wet."
I stand in front of the cargo bay waiting for the door to open up. My other best friend Jasper, stands next to me and shakes his head. His curly hair flops in front of his face. "Do you have to say it like that? It sounds so damn caveman."
I hit Jasper in the back of his head. "I am a fucking caveman."
We descend the ramp and walk over to where the families are waiting. Soon, the men are surrounded by their loved ones-wives are kissed and children are hugged tight. I feel a little tug of longing, but I shrug it off. I can't have a family with the life I live, it's too unpredictable. Spotting my parents, I walk over to them.
My mother jumps into my arms with tears in her eyes. "Oh, Edward, we're so glad you're home."
I pat my mom's back awkwardly trying to calm her down while my father smiles at both of us. I guess it couldn't have been easy on them with their only child joining the Marines.
I was fresh out of college with a business degree, but at twenty-four years old business wasn't calling me as it once did. I wanted to serve my country, I wanted to do something that held meaning. It was hard to turn away from all the money I could have made, but I needed to give my life purpose. I wasn't planning on settling down anytime soon, so I signed up for the Marines and never looked back. That was ten years ago.
My father gently removes my mother from my arms and wraps her safely in his. He gives the million dollar Cullen smile and reaches for me, pulling me into their embrace. "Welcome home, son."
"Glad to be back." I smile at my parents as my mother composes herself.
"Well, let's get you home and fed. I cooked all your favorites and topped it off with a strawberry cheesecake."
I couldn't help the groan that left me as I thought about my mother's cooking. We were walking toward the car when Emmett and Jasper cash up to us. Mom attacks them both with suffocating hugs, and once again my dad has to pull her away.
The three of us have been inseparable since basic training. We spend most of our time off duty together as well.
"I heard there was this new club in town called New Moon, supposed to have some hot chicks!" Emmett is jumping up and down like a kid on Christmas while Jasper shakes his head at him. "Would you calm down? Sarge, we're going to drop our stuff off at home then come to your house for dinner."
I roll my eyes; they are so comfortable with my family that they just invite themselves over. I swear Emmett is over there more than I am.
"By all means, just come on over anytime." Jasper, Emmett and I finally catch up to my mom and my dad at his black Mercedes.
"Don't you all listen to Edward. You know I made enough for all my boys."
"Oh, Es, you know nothing can keep me away from your strawberry cheesecake, not even old Sarge here!" Emmett lets out a loud laugh while I give him a cold stare. My parents get into the car.
"Hurry up and get to the house so we can go out." I bark out to them. Hell I was ready to get into something or someone and tonight couldn't come soon enough.
