Disclaimer: All Twilight related material belongs to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: I'm going to try and make this as historically accurate as possible but no guarantees. I'll be taking some artistic license especially when it comes to encounters with Native Americans. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks to those who reviewed! It means a lot to me and encourages me to write faster! :) Also thank you to those who put me on their Favorites/Story Alert/Author Alert. You guys are great!

So here we go! Chapter 2!

The Trail

Chapter 2

Independence, Missouri

May 1842

BPOV

"Are you sure you have everything?" Angela asked me yet again. I threw the tarp over the back of the cart, hiding my few belongings.

"She's got it love." Ben said to Angela as he walked up to stand beside her. He gently put an arm around her. Angela looked over to him and smiled.

I climbed up into the cart. Ben walked towards Nessie to make sure she was secured. I picked up the reins before turning back towards my friends.

"It's only a half days ride from here. You should get there before midday." Ben said as he stroked Nessie.

"I will write to you both as soon as I find lodging for the evening so you will both know that I got to Independence safely." Ben nodded as he walked back to stand beside Angela. She sniffled slightly, holding back tears.

"You will write often?" she asked quietly. I felt the slight burn in my eyes as I finally realized that this was probably the last time I would ever see my best friend. I put the reins down and jumped back down from the cart. Angela and I hugged each other. Tears filled my eyes and I felt myself begin to sniffle too.

"Look at us," I pulled back slightly. "Blubbering like a bunch of old ladies." We laughed softly as we both wiped our eyes. I looked to Ben. "Thank you for all you have done. For me, for my Pa," I stopped feeling myself get choked up.

Ben smiled gently. "I'm glad I was able to help."

I climbed back into the cart and looked behind me at my few possessions hidden under the tarp. I was leaving everything I had ever known. As frightened as I was I could feel myself beginning to smile at the thought of what lay ahead. I flicked the reins and Nessie began to pull me towards my new life.

I had never seen anything so crowded. The street was filled with wagons, carts, and people scurrying around. I pulled Nessie to a stop so I could steer her by hand on foot. She was not used to so many people. I got down from the cart and straightened my blue dress. My hands touched my bodice to make sure all of the buttons were still there. I would hate to make a bad first impression. Pa's letter had told me that I would be meeting a man named Billy Black and his son at the barn. I would be accompanying them to Oregon. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about traveling with two strangers. I figured if they seemed dishonorable then I could stay at the inn and try and find passage with another group the next day. Feeling confident in my plan I steered Nessie and my cart further into town.

I could feel my dark brown hair sticking to the back of my neck. I had put it in a bun under my bonnet to help keep me cool. Little good it was doing me. I had walked up and down the main street three times and had seen no sign of a barn. I was supposed to meet Mr. Black by midday and the sun was almost fully overhead. I saw two men ahead of me near the clothing store and decided to ask for directions. I didn't want to be late.

"Come on Nessie," I said as I pulled my tired horse towards the store. The two men were talking to each other and the man facing me looked to be middle-aged. He had his hands on his brown suspenders and I could see blonde hair peeking out beneath his hat. He was by no means unattractive.

"Excuse me, sir." I said to the blonde man. He pushed his hat back and smiled at me.

"How can I help you Miss?" he asked. The blonde man's companion turned around and looked right at me. I found myself staring at the tall young man before me. He had his hands in the pockets of his wool pants. His dark green shirt was tucked in and the top two buttons were undone, revealing a small bit of his muscular chest. If I had thought my cheeks were pink then, they were bright red when I looked up at his face. He had unruly bronze hair beneath his cap and these green eyes that seemed to pierce mine. I felt like I couldn't look away. He held me there in his stare. I licked my lips and I saw him beginning to smirk. I heard a throat clearing and immediately tore my eyes from the green eyes to look back at the other man. Oh right. He asked me a question.

Flustered, I spoke quite rapidly. "I was wondering where the barn was?" I quickly looked down at my feet. My cheeks were definitely radiating heat. I took a deep breath to try to get a hold of myself. I looked back up at the older man.

"Oh, you must be new in town." He said. I nodded. "Not a problem. Take the next road on your right and it will be on your left."

"Thank you, sir." I said to him. He lifted his hat to me. I pulled Nessie's reins and left the two men as quickly as I could. I was too afraid to look back at the younger man. I couldn't believe myself. It's only been a few hours and I am already swooning over strangers.

After following the blonde man's instructions I found myself right in front of the barn. It was rather large with two huge wooden doors. There were a few wagons inside and some wheels leaning against the horses' stalls. It put my farm's barn to shame.

"Isabella Swan?" I turned towards the sound of my name and saw an older man with gray hair walking towards me.

"I know we've never met but I head a lot about you from Charlie." He came closer and stuck out his hand. "I'm Billy Black." I returned his handshake, glad I finally knew someone in this town. He released my hand. "Charlie said you might be coming with us too." He looked around the cart. "Say, where is your old man?" I felt myself freeze up. Pa didn't tell Billy he was sick.

"My Pa passed away a few weeks ago." I could feel my throat tightening with emotion. Hold it together Bella.

"Oh," Billy looked down. "I'm so sorry to hear that Isabella. Your father was a good man." he said sincerely. I drew some small comfort from Billy's words and felt a sense of security in the fact that Pa had called him a friend.

"Please call me Bella."

He smiled at me gently. "Alright then Bella. Let's get this horse inside. We got a big trip ahead of us." I gave him the reins and he led Nessie inside the barn.

I followed Billy inside the barn and watched him unharness Nessie and put her in a stall. It was much cooler in the barn and was a relief to the afternoon heat. I untied my bonnet and took it off. Some strands of my brown hair had fallen out of the bun at the nape of my neck so I tucked them behind my ears, enjoying the coolness.

"Bella, can you run up to the loft and get some hay? This one's a bit low." Billy said from inside the stall.

I walked past the stalls to the right where there was a ladder that led to the loft. I put the bonnet back on my head and made my ascent. There was a window at the top of the loft that looked out to the city. It showed the main road where there were still tons of people lining the streets. I could see the dust billowing around the wheels of the numerous wagons. I looked near the stores thinking about the young man with the green eyes. They were like emeralds. There was so much depth to them and beauty. I wish I had learned his name. I sighed and turned back towards the hay.

I almost fell over in shock to see a young man standing on the loft. He immediately put his hands up.

"I didn't mean to frighten you." He said gently taking a step back slowly. I put my hand to my chest, trying to catch my breath.

"It's alright. You just surprised me, that's all." I finally got a chance to look at him. He was very tall and looked strong. His shirt was rolled up to his elbows showing the bulging muscles of his arms. He had tan skin and black hair. He stepped towards me and I barely came up to his chest.

"I'm Jacob Black. Billy's son." He stuck his hand out for me to shake.

"Oh, of course!" For some reason I had been thinking the son was going to be a child not this huge man in front of me. "I'm Bella Swan." I put my hand into his. His hands were warm and a little rough. He grimaced slightly.

"Sorry for the rough hands." He let go of my hand and moved towards the bundles of hay. "Pop sent me up to get some hay for your horse. He thought you might have gotten lost." I blushed a little at the thought of how long I had been absent. "Not to worry though. We'll get this to your horse."

Jacob helped me get all my things in order and told me the Inn where I could stay for the night. He seemed very excited about beginning our journey tomorrow. He and Billy were working on their wagon when I decided to go and wander the town.

"I think I'm going to have a look around the town. I'll be back in time for supper." I called to them. Jacob was in the loft again looking for some tools.

"Bella, I'll go with you!" Jacob called down to me. I smiled at his eagerness. He was so helpful today helping me move my things from my cart to my room in the Inn.

"I think Billy needs your help. I won't be gone long." Jacob gave me a sad wave as I left. I couldn't help but smile to myself about his enthusiasm. He had such a kind heart. I walked back out to the main road towards the clothing store. I thought I saw a small book store near there and I would like to get a new novel before the journey.

When I got to the clothing store I realized the book store was on the other side of the street. I watched the road as wagons and horses traveled it. I would have to wait for a break. Finally my opportunity seemed to present itself and I made it halfway across the street before I heard shouting.

"Look out!"

"Runaway horse!"

I turned to the left to see a huge black stallion galloping straight towards me! I gasped and felt something collide with me on my right. The force of it knocked me straight to the ground and out of the way of the horse. The wind get knocked out of me and thought I was going to faint. I felt something heavy on top of me and opened my eyes to see a pair of green ones staring back at me.

Oh snap! I wonder who that is :p Hope you guys liked it! Please review!