Second chapter! I did it! Yay! Hope you enjoy! Alaska here comes Bella! Written at two am, I had to get it done for anyone who's reading this :D
The plane ride was long and grueling. Bella's mind was swirling with the memories of her past life. Horrid images of Phil tickled her nerves, almost bringing her to tears in front of all these people. She had a window seat, thankfully, and found solace in her copy of Wuthering Heights-her only carry on. Phil had driven her to the airport, and the car ride was not one she wanted to remember. He had taken the long route, stopping in a hidden ditch to give Bella his third 'final' goodbye. As normal as his exterior might seem, Phil was a possessive man, carrying strong traits of obsession and territorialism. He had just dropped her off at the doors of the small Port Angeles airport, not bothering to help her through customs. This gave her a chance to go to the bathroom and change her clothes, throwing out her old ones. His cheap cologne made her nauseous, bringing tears to her eyes and bile up her throat. She never wanted to smell it again, and lord help her if she did. She had no issues with customs, barely any time to wait to board, and now, she found herself on this small plane. Next to her sat an elderly lady that didn't waste time starting conversation with Bella,
"Hi there dear." Her voice shaking with age, she looked at Bella.
"Hi ma'am." Politely replying, Bella turned her attention to the window again.
"Is there something wrong? Lets see, oh here it is! Have some chocolate, it always helps." Her wrinkled hands rummaged through her purse, pulling out some chocolate and offering it to Bella.
"Really, it's okay, I'm okay. Thanks though."
She looked at Bella, obviously not giving up, "I'm not dumb, nor am I dangerous. I promise it's just plain, milk chocolate, bought it before the flight actually. You seem a little sad, eat up! I promise it helps." Bella's hand reluctantly reached out, grabbing some chocolate from the lady and politely thanking her. She turned her back again, hoping to avoid anymore pressing questions. "Listen sweetie, I've seen a lot in my years, and I can clearly tell you're not okay. Something's bothering you, and if you need someone to talk to in these, oh, three hours or so, I'm here." She carefully patted her knee, and brought out some needles and wool to knit. She reminded Bella of her own grandma. She had passed away two years ago, right after the wedding. She had never particularly liked Phil, and Bella wished she were around to help her. This old lady beside her seemed kind enough, but Bella was just fragile. She couldn't talk to anyone about her problems or she would collapse-millions of little pieces left behind.
Bella had been preparing herself for the past six months just so she would be able to talk to the Cullen's. She had the first chunk of the conversation she wanted to have memorized, the rest she left to interpretation. She toyed with many possibilities, ranging anywhere from bluntly saying, "hey, my stepdad rapes me" or from the slow easing story of 'this is how mom met Phil, how mom left us, how Phil was nice, how Phil got creepy, how Phil eventually raped me'. She had never had this conversation before with anyone, not a counselor, a teacher, a friend, not anyone but herself. She was getting nervous thinking about it, sweating in her sweater, picking her nails, scratching her leg. In a split decision she turned the elderly lady beside her,
"I'm going to Alaska for an exchange student program."
"That sounds like a lot of fun dear." The ladies eyes didn't stray from the scarf she was knitting.
"I'm leaving my stepdad behind, luckily." She wasn't thinking, only speaking.
"And why would that be a good thing? Do you two not get along?" The ladies eyes still did not stray.
"Not particularly. It was good at first, and well, he's different now and I don't like it." Bella was numb, entirely void of emotion.
"Are you being a stubborn bratty step-child? Or is there a part of this story I'm not getting?" The old ladies eyes strayed to the corners of her wrinkled eyelids, looking at Bella but still knitting.
"Uhmm, well, I, uhh, mmm, yeah." Bella was fidgeting immensely, "Is it okay if we don't uhh- don't uhh- don't go there? It's rough, and well, I'd tell you, really –uhh, its just I don't want anyone to hear, h-h-hear me." Her eyes were fixed downwards. Her fingers were twiddling until she felt warm hands over her own. She looked up, and knowing eyes were staring back at her. With a simple nod of her head, the lady said all she needed to say, she understood. Both woman were tearing up, Bella laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation,
"What might be so funny?"
"It's just, this family I'm going to be living with, and they adopted all five of their children. My guidance counselor told me all about them, and how the Doctor and his wife saved them all from these nasty situations. I found hope in their stories, kind of like if I maybe found the courage to tell them MY story, I would never have to deal with Phil again because maybe they would help me. I feel like this plane ride is my journey to this whole new life. Hopes been restored in my eyes and I just- I've been trying to think of this gruesome conversation I would have to have with them, and then I come here and meet you and you just got it, right away. And it was surprisingly so much easier than I thought. I- I want to thank you, I don't really know for what, the chocolate, the understanding, probably just letting me get it out, even if I didn't technically say it." Bella wiped the tears from her eyes, laughing again. She felt somewhat relieved?
The old lady took out her handkerchief, wiping her own tears, "Dearest, you have no idea how much I understand. It's hard but it gets better. When your old like I am, you will look back at this and see it helped you grow, helped mold you into the person you are. Stay strong, and I hope you find what you're looking for wherever you are looking for it." Her smile was evident amongst her lined face. Bella saw wisdom and experience in the many facets that were engraved upon her fair skin. No more words needed to be said. They smiled at each other, the old lady held Bella's hand, and moved her hair out of her face before Bella lulled to sleep.
Bella woke up after the plane had landed when the flight attendant had come around to look for strays. She had found Bella and shook her awake. The moment she was coherent, she looked to her right just to find an empty seat. She had never gotten the ladies name, and she hoped to at least get her number so she could call her sometime. Bella had no time to think, as she was the only one left. She grabbed her copy of Wuthering Heights off the tray, and headed off the plane. Juneau's airport was bigger than Port Angele's one, and it took Bella a long time to find her way. She managed to make it through customs, and grab her luggage before she begun searching for her ride. Her eyes scanned the airport, not seeing anyone who looked like they might be there for her. Finally, a large sign with the words BELLA SWAN written on it in elegant script made it's way through the crowd. She was face to face with a man dressed in a black suit, and a black hat on his head. She approached him quickly,
"Hello ma'am. I am the Cullen's driver, Ivan. Let me take your luggage, follow me now." He had a strong Russian accent, and Bella hadn't quite processed what she had heard yet. Wait, he said he was their 'driver'. Who has a bloody driver?
Bella followed Ivan through the crowd, almost loosing him a time or two, but eventually they made it to the black Mercedes awaiting outside. He had opened her door for her, and she thanked him quietly before getting in.
"Ms. Swan, we will be arriving at the Cullen's house in approximately forty-five minutes. Thank you for your patience." Ivan looked at her through the rearview mirror, nodding politely.
"No problem, any good music we can listen to?" Bella was nervous, fidgeting- again, and music helped soothe her.
"Well, I believe Mr. Cullen had left his Debussy CD in here, is that alright Ms. Swan?"
"Sure! Thank Ivan." Claire De Lune was an old favorite of hers, the perfect thing to soothe her right now. She barely noticed her surroundings as they drove through unnamed roads she didn't recognize, unfamiliar places she didn't know. Eventually, she noticed that they had exited what looked like the city limits, and were now driving through lush forests. It reminded her of Forks, and the little familiarity was comforting. She was lulling into sleep again, tired from her travels, until she noticed the car was now driving on roads of different texture. She looked out the window again to see that they were driving down a winding driveway of cobblestone, and nearing in front of her was a gorgeous white mansion. It was just after sunset, not quite dark yet, but still not light out, and the house lights were all turned on. It looked homey, but elegant at the same time with a modern twist. The black shutters were a perfect off set to the white panels, and a wide porch wrapped around the front of the house. The car made its stop and Ivan was quickly at her door side before she realized it was time to get out,
"Welcome to the Cullen Manor Ms. Swan. The family will be waiting for you inside. I'll bring your luggage in through the back, off you go." He smiled warmly at her, motioning towards the huge wooden doors.
"Thanks for all your help, Ivan." Bella looked at him and smiled before shakily taking her first steps towards the house. Would they like her? What did they look like? Were they rich snobs? Did they seriously have a driver? Cullen Manor? Would she meet their standards? Mannered enough? She had never been raised in a world of distinct culture. She knew when to say please and thank you, she knew not to put her elbows on the table, never slurp, all the classics, but nothing of a high-class stature. This looked like a whole new world, and she hoped to be able to conquer it. She climbed the steps, almost tripping, and went to knock on the huge double doors. Before her fist could make contact, the door opened in front of her. A short pixie like girl leaped at her and gave her a huge hug,
"Hi, you must be Bella!! I'm Alice! I'm so excited to meet you! We're going to be best friends!!" She had black hair, spiked in the back, and fairly short. She was dressed very well, and made Bella feel underdressed. She was in a simple sweater, t-shirt, and jeans. "Well come inside!"
"Thanks Alice. It's nice to meet you." Bella smiled warmly, genuinely. She felt like Alice was easy to get along with, and she radiated happiness already. Alice was strikingly pale, and despite her warm welcome, her skin was flushed cold. Maybe the girl just had bad circulation. She followed Alice into the house, and immediately she saw a beautiful work of art. The stairs were huge and winding with great wooden railings that looked hand made. They had lights on the panels all the way up, illuminating the deep cherry hardwood. The rest of the foyer was made of marble and wood, forming together to look like a room straight out of those magazines. At the foot of the stairs stood five people, and Alice beside her counted as the sixth. One was missing from what she knew. Anyways, she was greeted almost immediately with another hug from a taller woman,
"Hi Bella! I'm Esme, the mom of the family! I'm so glad you're here and happy to see you made it in one piece! Oh you must be so hungry! We'll eat right away!" Bella kindly thanked her, and hugged her in return. She was very likeable, but she aswell was very cold and very pale. Alice had had golden eyes, a strange colour, and Esme had shared her same trait. Weren't these kids adopted?
"Bella, great to finally meet you, I'm Carlisle. Welcome to our home, sorry about Alice, she's overly excited! Make yourself at home, this is your home for the next while, use what you need and do what you want!" A handsome, older looking blonde male greeted her next, Dr. Cullen.
"Thank you for having me here Dr. Cullen. I'm very happy to be here and very grateful that you and your family are willing to have me."
"Please Bella, call me Carlisle!" and with that he scooped her up for a strong hug, and she returned it. She was a fairly cold person herself, but his body sent shivers through hers as his cold, stony exterior embraced her. He was the perfect image of a father, welcoming, kind, and strong. She'd never really had one of those before. "These are my children, you've already met Alice, this here is Rosalie, beside her is Emmett, and that is Jasper." Bella was introduced to a gorgeous blonde, Rosalie, who looked like a model straight from Milan, a huge, bulky tall-dark-and handsome, Emmett, who swept her into a bone crushing hug and deemed her is other 'little sister', and Jasper, a blonde with wavy hair and strong bone structure, oozing with the I-don't-care surfer look. He politely nodded towards her before putting his arm around Alice, they seemed close. All of the Cullen kids had the same, deep golden eyes that offset their pale complextion. She thought they might have been wearing contacts, but she wasn't quite sure. Carlisle smooth voice interrupted her thoughts,
"Esme, honey, where is Edward?" Carlisle asked Esme who had gone and occupied herself in the kitchen.
"Right here dad." Bella heard his angelic voice before seeing he gorgeous person it belonged to. He came down the stairs, practically floating.
"Bella, this is Edward, he's technically your exchange partner." What Carlisle had just said barely registered in her mind. Bella's chocolate eyes met Edwards golden ones. She was so consumed it didn't register that he too had the same eyes as his siblings..
"Hi, I-I-I'm B-b-Bella." She extended her hand, and he took it into his strong one. Cold. Bella didn't care. The electricity between them overpowered it.
"I-I-I-I'm Edward. Pleased to meet you." His golden eyes bored into her own, his bronze, almost copper, messy hair shining in the light, his strong jaw carved like a Greek-gods, the rest of his body looked strong. He was slim, but muscular from what she could tell in his button up shirt. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it softly. Pleased to meet you indeed, Edward Cullen.
EDIT: I revised the end of this story. Im playing with the fact that the Cullens are in fact Vampires. It makes for an interesting twist. I have more in store for this when I include the sci-fi. :)
Review please :)