Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
Chapter One
Chance Encounter
I was over 30,000 feet up and I had two things on my mind: Forks and my mom. Forks, my current destination, was where I would be living with my father, Charlie. I was moving in with him because—this is where my mom fits in—my stepdad, Phil was a senator from Florida and is currently running for president. Of course, he had to be the favored candidate, which got us more publicity than I actually wanted. They liked to center around me, giving me the spotlight, because I was a teenager and no doubt they wanted a scandal. But I was not the scandalous type so they lost a few stories there. I also did not enjoy said spotlight so I was moving in with my dad to the small town of Forks, Washington where I was hoping to find some peace. Especially from a certain girl. But of course nothing was guaranteed, so one can only dream.
I got chills down my spine as I thought the word dream. The word had significance, but I wasn't exactly sure why. I never did remember my dreams; I just remembered that I had them. My dreams were so odd, but not because of what happened in them, but because they felt so real. Maybe that was the significance. And sometimes I remembered those dreams. I only had these dreams sometimes, but those few times were enough.
The hostess came on over the intercom, pulling me from my thoughts, telling all passengers that the plane had landed in Port Angeles and what carousel our luggage was at. I exited the plane into the gate carrying my book, Wuthering Heights—I had a soft spot for the classics. They never got old.
As I was leaving the gate I noticed a man on a cell phone, looking directly at me. Something certainly felt off, but I pushed it from my mind.
I continued on and as soon as I was past security I noticed Charlie sitting on a bench waiting for me. I walked over to him and he got up and gave me hug. Quite sheepishly--I might add. Hugs weren't exactly his thing.
We continued on to the Baggage Claim area and out of some strange miracle my duffel bag came first. I was silently surprised, but glad at the same time. Charlie proceeded to carry my luggage. One duffel bag because not everything from my wardrobe in Florida would be wearable over here. Luckily Phil gave me some money to go shopping for more appropiate apparel. He really was a nice guy. . .or maybe he was trying to be the guy portrayed in the campaigns--which one I wasn't sure. I guess it was a win win situation for me either way.
We proceeded through the doors into the parking lot. We were immediately met with a flash. Oh no! Peace was officially disturbed! I just wonder how they found--. Thanks alot cell phone man! It hadn't even been 30 minutes since I left the plane. I exhaled loudly.
I just made my way through the reporters making no eye contact. Charlie, unsure of what to do, followed suit. We made our way to his car while the flashes and videocameras followed. Then I realized that we would have to take the cruiser, because Charlie was the police chief. Oh No! I wonder if they will have fun with that? I sighed.
I opened the cruiser's back door and let Charllie throw the bag back there--neither of us wanting to hassle with the trunk. We got in and drove away. Luckily they didn't follow. Myabe it was because Charlie was a cop and could arrest them for stalking or something. Hmmm. . .Charlie being a cop could definitely be used to our advantage. Then again Charlie would have to do all the work. But then again he chose to become a cop. I shook my head sadly. I was thinking too much into this.
I stopped thinking and just looked out the window as we drove home. My new home. We were both silent during the entire ride so far. Now it was beggining to get uncomfortable. So I decided to say something. It wasn't very original, but it started up conversation casually and easily.
"So. . .dad. How have you been?"
"I've been doing pretty good, Bells. Except the food isn't that great. Well...how have you been?"
I chuckled at his response. "I could fix the food situation. I've been good. Let's see... Lots of campaigns and press conferences. Did I mention how I have the best privacy. It's insane," I added sarcastically. We both chuckled at my response.
"How do live with that?" he questioned.
"I don't know," I answered, very original. "I guess I'm just getting used to it. But that doesn't mean that I don't find it irritating."
"Yeah... I know what you mean, Bells. That wan't exactly the best experience back there."
"I have a feeling it won't be the end."
I looked out the window and noticed the familiar street.
"Nothing has changed."
"Yup. Everything is still the same... Here we are!" he finished while turning into the driveway.
He cut the engine and we got out. He went to get my bag from the back seat and went inside. I went up to my room. Everything was still the same, except now I had an ancient computer on top of my desk. The windows were still dressed in the same yellow lace curtains and the walls were still coated in powder blue paint. The only difference to this room was the fact that I was goint to be living in it for more than a couple of weeks. I unpacked my stuff and went downstairs to make dinner for Charlie and I.
Even though, I supposedly, gained three hours I felt really tired. So I kept it simple for dinner; spaghetti and red sauce. Charlie seemed to notice my energy level was low and said he would do the dishes for me when I was about to do them myself. So I went upsairs and turned on the computer--my mom would strangle me if I didn't email her after the flight. When the stone age ended I typed up my message.
Hey Mom,
It's Bella. I'm tired so I'm going to keep sweet and short. The plane ride was good, very comfortable. At the airport there were a few incidents, but I bet you'll know about them soon enough on any news channel. I unpacked, made Charlie dinner, and am typing this message to you. When I'm done I'm going to go to bed. Time changes are so exhausting even when you gain hours.
Love you Mom,
Bella
After I sent the email I climbed into my bed and fell asleep.
I was walking to my next class, History, sluggishly. I was extremely tired because I couldn't fall asleep last night. I sat down in my seat when I noticed the lights were out. My eyes adjusted to the darkness and a second later my teacher Mrs. Brauer turned on the projecter and the glow on the screen lit up like a beacon forcing my eyes shut. She told us we would be watching a movie on the American Revolution. Fun! As soon as the movie started my eyes began to droop and I allowed my head to rest on the desk. Then I decided it would alright if I rested my eyes. I let them slide closed. It was not as if I were going to fall asleep. A second later I was in a very different place than my classroom when I opened my eyes.
I was on the floor in a factory. A woman with pale skin and flaming red hair approached me, her face contorted inhumanly in what could only be lust. Her eyes were coal black and she approached me and I knew she wasn't safe. I sat up, my instincts yelling at me to run. She seemed to read my body language and spoke in a voice that seemed vastly out of appearance.
"Don't even try to run. I'll catch you before you can get farther than a step," she said in a high, girly voice.
She scared me. I was scared to the point that I was frozen. My mind yelling at me to run as she got closer, but my muscles wouldn't move. I was somehow able to use my voice:
"Who are you?"
She smirked, cleary amused with her little game. "My name is Victoria. And you, my dear, are dinner."
Her words didn't make sense to me, but they weren't good--that much I knew. I had feeling that I wasn't going to be leaving the factory.
"Please! Victoria, please...stop!"
My eyes searched frantic around the room looking for anything. They landed on another body not so far away with a set of naturally messy, bronze hair. The sight made my eyes erupt in tears. My body convusling in sobs. My mind overcome with pain of losing the one I loved that there wasn't enough room to be frightened to the point of frozeness.
"Don't worry, dear, he's not dead...yet," she said noticing my distraction and laughing coldly. She continued closing in.
Though her words were meant to be cold they comforted me a little. I knew he wasn't dead.
She was right in my face now smiling evilly.
"I hope you taste as good as you smell." And with that she tilted her head to side as if she were to kiss me. She brought her mouth to my neck. Her teeth sunk into my skin and a fire ran through my veins. The fire reaching throughout my entire body made me scream in pain.
"Edward," I whimpered and looked at him for the last time.
She was still at my neck when the world turned black.
I awoke with a start. Next to me I heard a snicker. I shifted my eyes to the right and saw Asheley Hoover smirking at me.
"Aww... bad dreams, Bella?" she asked with the fakest concern.
"Yeah, I was dreaming about you."
The smile dropped from her face. "I wouldn't be so mean, Bella. I'm sure the press would love to know about your...condition."
"My condition? What would that be exactly?"
"I'm not sure people will want to vote Phil Dwyer for president when his stepdaughter is crazy."
"Crazy?" I questioned.
"Who's Victoria?"
I froze. Crap! Had I been sleeptalking again? What had she heard? I blushed from embaressment. She smirked again.
"Sleeptalking isn't a crime you know."
"The press doesn't have to know you were sleeptalking. I could just say that you were talking to yourself during class."
"We could just deny it. And besides...it's not as if you have any proof."
She pulled something black from her pocket. "O contraire, Bella. I do. Besides...crazy people never admit that they are insane."
I swallowed hard. She couldn't be serious--if anyone was insane, she was. Who went around recording people while they slept!?
"You're bluffing."
"You only wish."
I sighed. "What do you want?"
"Leave."
"Why?"
"You know why, Bella. Jack won't even take a second glance at me with you around."
"Are kidding me? This is about a guy!?"
"No, I'm not kidding you. So unless you want to be the reason your stepdad loses the election, be my guest. And stay. Stick around and just see what happens."
"Fine," I said, defeated. "I'll leave."
"Good choice. I'll miss you, Bella. Not!"
The bell rang and I headed to the nurse's office, instantaneously becoming sick so I could go home and get ready to leave.
I rolled over. I opened my eyes to look at my clock. It read 5:02. I wasn't about to get up anytime soon. I rolled back over and once again drifted into unconsciousness.
After what felt like seconds I woke up to find the sun shining brightly on my face. I got up and went downstairs to find a note on the counter saying that he went fishing for a few hours and be back by 5:00. He'd be back in about 7 hours considering it was 10:00 now. I guessed I could use the time to look for a car. I needed one over here because I was not taking the cruiser. Transfering in the middle of October was going to be bad enough, let alone showing up for school in a police cruiser.
I didn't know exactly what to do for the day. I first decided to get breakfast, which consisted of a couple of poptarts and a glass of milk. When I was done eating I sat down in front of the tv and turned it on. I started to flip channels and came arcoss MTV. A few girls were sitting around a table eating. They weren't saying anything. They were just chewing. That went on for about 5 minutes and I went on to the next channel. Nothing caught my attention so I turned the tv off. I went upstairs and layed on my bed. I grabbed my book and read for the rest of the day.
At about 4 there was a knock on my door. Charlie's face poked in and told me to come downstairs. I wonder what's up?
After I got down the stairs he went behind me and put his hands over my eyes.
"Uggh, Ch-Dad! You know I hate surprises."
"I have a feeling you'll like this one."
He led me down what I was pretty sure were the front steps and towards the driveway. He removed his hands and in front of us was a burgandy 2006 Ford Taurus. I loved it, but felt bad that he had to spend money on a car for me. I silently wondered how much it cost.
I turned to him. "Thank you, Charlie! I love it."
"And don't worry about paying me back. This was a gift from me, your mother, and Phil. So don't worry."
I gave him a hug and said "thank you" again.
He seemed pleased by my reaction and went back inside. I, on the other hand, went inside my new car. I looked at the mileage and it was less than 30,000. That's pretty good. The seats were a tan material and the dashboard was also tan. The car was great. I loved it and tomorrow I would take a trip to Port Angeles to go shopping for clothes for school on Monday. Thank God it was Saturday.
I went back inside to make dinner. After dinner I went back upstairs and drifted off to sleep.
I gazed happily into the mirror, having finally accepted that this wasn't all a dream. If it really was a dream, it started a little over two years ago when my father, William, a worker in a factory, had a better different method of business that I wouldn't even dream of understanding; it was, however, successful.
Success! The word rang silently through my ears. No matter where you are you can always change it for the better. That was, of course, exactly what my father did. He went from worker to owner. And we went from working middle class to being part of "high society." We got invited to the parties and were talked about in the newspaper—we were even gossiped about by other high society members.
After about only a month I had thought that life couldn't get any better. New house, new clothes, new life but…we were…nouveau riche—new money. That was what most of the gossip had been about but it didn't bother me anymore because that was old news. My life was perfect. I was like Cinderella…the only piece of the story that was missing was prince charming. He came of course but…it was better than any story—the feeling indescribable. That month there was a party celebrating a battle won by the allies. We were all elated, my family more than others because my brother, Charles, was a soldier and was fighting in whose knows where. He was nineteen and could die at any moment—but I had tried not to think about that.
We all—high society members—celebrated our victory and hoped our husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, and friends survived. Some might even be close enough to visit for the one night and celebrate with friends and family instead of those dirty trenches I had heard about. I was repulsed by the very thought of anybody—let alone Charles!—in one of those… I couldn't finish the thought.
I was amazed at the ease of the party that night. Of course it was a happy event that a battle was won but it one skirmish in the midst of so many others—I hadn't let my mind wander to how many there could possibly be.
That night I put all unpleasant thoughts from head—or I tried. Of course, that wasn't so difficult when he arrived. My prince charming.
I was with one of my newest friends, Anna Masen. She was perfect in every way—very polite, well spoken, kind, but most of all…beautiful. How could someone look at her golden loose curls and piercing green eyes and not think that she was beautiful. Her ski slope nose and heart shaped face. She was the girl that the rest were jealous of—I was jealous myself…to a certain extent, but all in all she was my best friend. My sister.
I was going around the room greeting everybody with her when he walked in. At first glance he was handsome, but with a second glance even more beautiful. He was tall, with bronze hair, pale skin, and the most amazing green eyes. I had thought that Anna's eyes were beautiful, but his sparkled. And their depth! It was nonsensical.
He was faced in my direction and smiled. His white teeth were lighting up the room…my existence. Maybe that was too far.
"There she is," said a voice.
At first I thought his smile was meant for me, but that happened only too often to the point that I knew better. He was still looking my way, but then, of course, Anna caught me staring and followed my gaze. She squealed in delight—I had never seen her so giddy except…
"Edward!" she called but not too loudly because he was swiftly to her side. They embraced in a hug and I became furiously jealous.
I wasn't completely aware of anything—or anyone for that matter until Anna spoke.
"Your eyes are green," she teased.
Understanding what she meant—my eyes were brown—I looked down knowing that my blazing scarlet cheeks betrayed me. She chuckled to herself and hugged me.
She moved her mouth to my ear and breathed, "He's my brother." And let go.
I reluctantly looked up and saw Edward with his lips pressed into a tight line, the corners twitched as if he were fighting a smile. If! I scoffed at the word in my head. Of course he's laughing at me. At least he could have the courtesy to keep it to himself.
He then grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. I changed my mind. What a gentleman!
"It is my pleasure to meet you. My name is Edward Masen. What is your name?" he asked, his voice as smooth as marble.
My blush had deepened and I became even more chagrined when he had kissed my hand, which he still held. His skin blazed amazingly warm through my glove. Or maybe that was my skin. Mine probably.
"It's very nice to meet you too, Edward," I replied, amazed at how even my voice was. "My name is--"
I woke up to find the sun once again in my face. I really needed to close those curtains. I got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and went downstairs. Downstairs I found the keys to my new car next to a note saying that he would be going on an actual fishing trip today. I took the keys and went to my car. I turned the ignition and heard her purr to life. I pulled out of the driveway and was on my way to Port Angeles.
I was there in about 45 minutes and looked for a mall. I found one and ventured in. There were many stores and I wasn't exactly looking where I was going. I ended up on the floor and about a million boxes and bags were everywhere. I looked up into the face of short, pixie-like creature who was pale and nonetheless, beautiful.
She held out her hand which I grabbed and she helped me up. It was odd though. Her hands were unusually icy. I pushed it from mind and I started spluttering out apologies.
"It's okay. I shouldn't have been carrying so many things," she said, her voice sounded musical. She moved gracefully picking up her purchases. I figured I was pretty skilled to have succeeded in knocking over such a graceful creature over. She turned to look at me and smiled.
"I'm Alice, by the way. Alice Cullen," she said rather happy.
"I'm Bella Swan," I said shyly. "It's nice to meet you."
"I have the feeling we're going to be great friends."
I chuckled at her peppiness and said, "Thanks."
I watched her face as she scrutinized my outfit. It made me feel sort of self-conscious.
"Hmmm," was all she said.
"Uh...Alice?"
"Sorry, it's just that I bought this cute top, but when I think about it I think it will look better on you."
"Me?" I asked nearly speechless. I had just met her and she looked like she was ready to take me on shopping spree and/or give me a makeover.
"Yes. Come on in this store with me and try it on in the dressing room. I'm positive it will look fabulous!"
"Okay."
She dragged me and looked through her 15 or so bags for this one shirt. She found it in the fourth bag she looked in. It was a blue sweater. Short sleeved and scoop neck with two brass buttons on the bottom of the scoop. She threw it at me and I went into the dressing room to try it on. While I was changing I heard her talking to someone.
"There you are. I was wondering where you had gotten of to. Can you carry my bags? Thanks!"
Between each sentence there wasn't a single answer. So I assumed that this person had nodded.
I looked at myself in the mirror and had to admit that the sweater looked good on me. It emphasized the right areas and clung to my skin in a way that didn't look to tight but rather good--in a sexy way.
I stepped out from behind the curtain and heard Alice gasp.
"I knew it!" she squeeled. "It looks fabulous on you!"
I was barely listening to her because I was staring at the extremely gorgeous man right beside her. He had bronze, messy locks and glowing topaz eyes. He looked extremely familiar. Then I realized why. He couldn't be real though. He couldn't be real because he was the guy from my dreams.
Uh Oh! What's going to happen next? Review. Pretty Please?
(Btw the first dream she had really happened. That's what prompted her to move.)
