A/N – I hope I don't confuse anyone! This chapter starts out with a flash to the present day. The first few chapters are Bella's back story and how she ends up where she is. I know it's a tad uneventful right now, but I promise, as you can see from the glimpse the story really will get more exciting here within the next couple chapters.


Two

Welcome to San Francisco

/Flipping to Present Day/

"BELLA!"

My eyes shot open and I jumped off the bed, instantly awake. He was drunk again; I had learned my lesson from the first time.

"BELLA! Where are you?" His voice was high-pitched and his words slurred.

I couldn't believe this was happening; he was never like this before we got engaged. I moved out of my quaint little studio apartment to live here in his big three bedroom condo. He told me to quit my waitress job and concentrate on my art since I had recently started selling some of my pieces and people were actually interested in them.

I looked around the room, in a complete panic. I needed a place to go. To hide. I might not be so lucky this time and I might not be able to hide the bruises with clothing or makeup. I was afraid it would be worse this time.

Snatching my cell phone off the nightstand I headed to the giant walk in closet. I could easily hide behind something in there, I was sure of it. Once inside I tried my best to find a place using my cell as a flashlight. I noticed a crevice between a dusty old trunk and the wall that was barely big enough for me to squeeze into. I was in for an uncomfortable long night. At least until he finally passed out, then I could escape to Alice's apartment.

As soon as I got myself settled in there, I took a deep breath and made a decision. I couldn't live like this anymore. I started quickly forming a text message to the one person I knew I could trust, and hoped didn't hate me since I hadn't spoken to him since our incident about eight months ago.

As I waited, keeping my breathing as quiet as possible my mind wandered back again to my first days of San Francisco, desperately wishing I had just decided to go with my gut instinct and move the hell back to Forks and into arms where I belonged.

/End Present Day/

Previously on Trace the Moment…

"Hey dad. It's Bells. Just wanted to let you know I made it, I'm sure Jake explained everything to you. Miss you, I'll call you tomorrow. Love you."

Once I hung up from that call I could feel the empty feeling in the pit of my stomach grow, I closed my eyes tight and said a silent prayer that things would work out for me. Before I knew it the blackness overtook me and I slipped off into unconsciousness.

The next morning I found myself in a very awkward position on the naked bed, I sat up looking around at my new home now basked in the glow of the beautiful sunlight coming through the huge windows. My neck ached from not using any pillows; I rubbed it with my hand as I got up off the bed fumbling around in my half-asleep state.

That's when I realized I literally had nothing to eat or drink, nor nothing to eat or drink out of.

Shit.

First stop today was shopping and then job hunting.

Yawning I walked over to my bags I had thrown on the floor last night. I pulled out my pillows and sheets that I had brought with me; I was going to start making this place feel like home. Little things mattered to me.

Spreading the purple sheets and comforter out over the bed made me smile. I remembered how Charlie had those sheets ready for me when I moved to Forks when Renee decided she needed to follow Phil all around the country. They were still in good condition for being a several years old; you could see they were a little worn on the edges but otherwise in really great shape.

As the sunlight illuminated my bed for the first time I saw just how pretty the shades of purple were on the comforter, the leaf design standing out. The sun made everything seem so much better, but it also reminded me of my own personal sun. Jacob. Thinking of him made the ache return to my chest, and I hoped that the day out and about in San Francisco was going to be enough to keep my mind off of it.

I grabbed my bag that contained some towels and bathroom essentials and headed off to check out my bathroom, my own personal bathroom. I didn't have to share with anybody. It was well laid out, which made me happy. There was nothing I hated more than a small cramped bathroom. Quickly I set out my stuff out and hopped into the shower, letting the warm water run down my sore neck and back providing me with a little bit of relief from the stiff feeling.

I dried my hair with the towel, leaving it slightly damp hoping that it would be slightly wavy if I just let the California heat dry it. I picked out a simple top and jeans, as I was not too keen on wearing shorts just yet. I was afraid I would blind people with my horribly deathly pale legs. Throwing on just a little makeup I was ready and out the door, time to explore my new home and in the process make my new apartment just a little more livable.

I decided to walk; there were was bunch of small shops lined up along the street near my apartment building. My poor truck needed the rest, I was sure of it. The rays of the sun warmed my skin, and I immediately regretted not using sunscreen. After walking around today I was sure I'd resemble a lobster tomorrow morning.

My first stop was a small second-hand store; I needed a few pieces of furniture. I cautiously walked inside, eying items as I walked around. The smell of the store reminded me of my Gram's house, sort of a mixture of moth balls and wood polish.

"May I help you?"

I turned to see a pretty statuesque blonde smiling at me.

"I, uh. Well I was actually interested in this off-white set over here." Pointing to the only pieces of furniture that really caught my eye.

"Oh yes. We just got those in yesterday. Very beautiful. I'm asking $450 for the complete set."

I nodded, that was less than I expected to pay. "I'll take them. Do you deliver? I live a few blocks down at the apartment building at the end of the street." I wasn't exactly sure how I would wrestle a couch, loveseat, and matching chair into the bed of my truck much less out of my truck and up the stairs leading to my apartment.

Here lies Bella Swan. Crushed by a couch.

"Yes we do. I'll find out when we can get that down to you." The blonde turned to a very muscular guy who was standing behind the counter; I had no idea how long he had been watching us. "Em, you think you can get these down there this afternoon?"

"Sure no problem." His booming voice replied.

A set of china caught my eye next to the counter where the big guy was standing; I walked over to it inspecting each piece. "I'll take this also. Can you bring this with the furniture?"

"Sure thing, Miss." The man's eyes sparkled at me.

Wow. These California people were really friendly.

The blonde came back over and rang me up for my purchases, and I paid her in cash. "I'm Rosalie by the way, and that's my husband Emmett. If you need anything feel free to stop by anytime. Do you have a number that we can call you at to let you know we are on our way?" She smiled at me, I wasn't sure if it was just a fake sales girl smile or not.

I put my receipt in my purse, and rattled off my cell number to her almost absent-mindedly. "Oh, Bella Swan. I'm sorry, just a little preoccupied."

Rosalie gently laughed, "No problem. Emmett will call you sometime this afternoon."

Thanking them again I headed out of the store and continued my walk, enjoying the sunshine, and trying desperately not to think about Jacob and how bad I missed him. I caught the scent of food and my stomach started grumbling, reminding me that I hadn't eaten anything yet today.

Looking up I saw a quaint little diner about a block away, it looked friendly enough. I continued on my route towards the wonderful aroma, and as I reached the door I noticed a help wanted sign. As much as I feared walking around with the possibility of badly scalding someone or just soaking their lap with their drink; I knew I was going to need some type of income.

I took a booth in the back and waited for the waitress to make her way over; she was a pretty frazzled redhead. "Hello honey, what can I get you?" She had a deep southern accent.

"Arleen." I read her name tag, "I'm Bella. Could I possibly get an application, I saw the help wanted sign in the window. Oh, and I'll just have some toast and coffee please."

Arleen beamed at me, "Bless your heart. I'll get Sam right away; he can just talk to you about the job." I smiled at her in thanks; today was certainly turning out to be my lucky day.

I turned my attention out the window where I happened to notice a tiny art gallery which was going to have to be my next stop. Crossing my fingers I prayed that they allowed new amateur artists to showcase their pieces, I brought a few pieces with me from Forks that I wanted to showcase.

"Bella?" A gentle voice broke me out of my thoughts.

An older gentleman with salt and pepper hair had scooted into my booth opposite me, "I'm Sam, Arleen said you were interested in the waitress postion?"

I nodded, "Yes. But I'm afraid I don't have any experience." Truth be told, the only job I ever had was working at Mike's family's sporting goods store. I cringed, hoping that little fact didn't hurt my chances of being hired.

Sam chuckled, "No problem. Arleen says she thinks you'd make a terrific waitress. Can you start tomorrow?"

"Yes, that's perfect." I smiled at Sam.

"Good. How about coming in around 11? Lunch crowd gets busy sometimes; you'll be working with Arleen and Anna. They will show you the ropes." Sam patted me on the shoulder before sliding out of the booth, "See you tomorrow, kid."

Shortly after Sam left Arleen brought me my breakfast, "Glad to have you aboard honey." She winked at me before heading away.

Again, why was it that everyone warned me that people in California were not friendly?

I ate my breakfast quickly very excited to check out the art gallery. Arleen came over to clear the dishes, "It's on the house honey." She winked at me one last time before heading back to the kitchen. I reached into my purse and pulled out a five dollar bill which I threw on the table.

The sunshine hit me with welcoming warmth; I closed my eyes enjoying the feeling on my face. Before heading over to the art gallery I decided to try to call Jake, I just needed to hear his voice. I pulled my cell out of my pocket and the familiar Secondhand Serenade song played in my ear.

"Bells."

"Hey Jake."

"How are you doing? Ready to come home yet?" He chuckled at bit.

"No, I just got a job. As a waitress!"

"Bells, you as a waitress? Wow. You better make sure that they don't dock broken dishes out of your paycheck." He laughed, and I smiled. I was really starting to realize how much I missed him.

"Everyone seems really nice there. How are things in Forks? Have you talked to Charlie? I never got a hold of him last night."

"He's upset Bells. Just give him some time."

I felt sad; I didn't plan on hurting Charlie. However, I had pulled a Renee big time. I left him, saying I didn't want to be stuck in a small town like Forks. At least that was the façade I told Jacob to tell him. Too bad that wasn't the entire story, but I was sure that Charlie heard what happened. Everyone in town knew what happened. I sniffled, rubbing the tears away with the back of my hand before they could fall.

"It's ok Bella. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. It'll be ok. I promise."

That was the thing. When Jake promised something, he always came through. However, I didn't. I promised him I'd always be there, but here I was hundreds of miles away from him.

"No, Jake. I'm glad you said something. I'll try calling him later. I'm going to go check out this art gallery and see if I can possibly show some of my pieces." I needed to focus on something else. Not Forks. Not Charlie. Not Jacob.

"Ok Bells. I'll call you later. Love ya!" I didn't know how he managed to always sound so cheerful.

"Love you too, Jake."

I replaced the phone to my jean's pocket as I made my way across the street. Checking out the building I saw the sign hanging over head, Mallory Studios. The glass of the front window had been painted with a landscape, and signed by a James Mallory.

I slowly pulled the door open stepping inside to the cool air-conditioned room. Chills ran up my spine as I browsed some of the paintings on the wall. One wall was dedicated to James Mallory, another wall was dedicated to Alice Brandon, and there was yet another wall with paintings by a Leah Clearwater. I was really impressed with some of the work, and almost immediately regretted my decision to come in here.

My pieces were in no way good enough to compete with these; quickly I turned on my heel.

"Hello there."

My body stiffened and I froze in place. I was completely busted. I turned back to see the owner of the voice, a tall muscular man with a pony tail of blonde hair at the nape of his neck. "Hello." I replied, shyly. My cheeks were blazing red at this point.

"I'm James Mallory. Can I help you with something? Is there a particular piece you are interested in?"

"Actually… I … uhh.. was coming to see if I could show some pieces here…." I stammered as James slowly stepped forward, closing the gap between us. My breathing and heart rate increasing.

He smiled at me, one of the most dazzling smiles I had ever seen in my entire life.

"Normally, I don't unless you take classes here like both Alice and Leah have. But, I could never say no to a new artist looking for some help. Especially one as cute as yourself."

My cheeks blazed even more if that was possible.

"So Miss…?"

"Swan. Bella Swan." I almost choked say my name.

"Bella, what a beautiful name. Short for Isabella?"

I nodded.

"Well, Miss Swan, what would you say to showing me a few of your pieces over dinner tonight?" The look on his face was of pure confidence and power. I was immediately sucked in, almost dazzled by this man. He had the most beautiful blue eyes that reminded me of two sapphires.

"Yes. Of course."

A pang of guilt shot through me, as if I were betraying Jake. But I wasn't. Jake and I didn't have a romantic relationship, although he told me how he felt about me after the shit hit the fan with Mike and Jessica. Jake was there. Holding me while I cried, yet I couldn't bring myself to love him that way. It was like there was a wall between me and him and romance and I couldn't figure out a way to cross it.

Besides, this was just in essence a business meeting. Right?

James smiled at my response; there was just something about him that completely invited me in. I wish I could have explained it.

"Good. I would be more than happy to pick you up at your place. Say 8?"

I nodded again. "I live right at the end of the road, at that red brick apartment building."

James's eyes perked up, "You live in Alice's building? Do you know her?"

The Alice I met in the elevator must have been the Alice Brandon whose paintings adorned the walls here at Mallory Studios. Knowing that fact calmed me down a little. If Alice knew James, and I technically knew Alice then it wasn't so weird. "I met her, last night when I moved in. She seems very nice."

James seemed surprised at my statement, "You just moved here last night?"

I nodded and chuckled, "Yeah.. yeah. From Forks Washington."

"Well then let me be the welcome wagon." He took a playful bow in front of me, "Maybe I could show you around then also?"

I wasn't quite sure of what to say to that, that invitation seemed to be a little more than just for business. I just nodded, which I was sure was going to get me into trouble. "Well, James. It was nice to meet you. I need to get going, I have furniture arriving this afternoon and I still need to pick up some groceries. But I am looking forward to our meeting tonight." I chose my words carefully, making sure I didn't call it a date.

"You too Miss Swan, I am looking forward to our date tonight."

Doh!

I turned again and headed out of the front door of Mallory Studios and once I was out of the sight from the window I started hyperventilating.


A/N – Reviews are better than Jake professing his love for you!

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