Hello everyone!

This is where the party begins (in France of course!) :D. ENJOY!

*~La Pomme D'Amour~*

**Bella**

Oh god someone save me!

I don't speak French an exception being L'anglais...How am I going to survive now?!

Well you have got your wish parents...I am officially terrified and I do not know what the hell I have supposed to have done to get sent to another country.

I am well and truly alone.

Fighting back all the tears as I clambered through the gathering crowds of 'Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport' if that is even how it is spelt...All I could hear was gibberish and if I felt alone before in England...This did not compare or even scratch the surface of describing loneliness. The speed of my walking would probably result in some bruises in the morning...I had been lucky in one way that my suitcase was one of the first to come out on the carousel but now...I had nothing and no one that would be able to help me...If I lived in France I would prefer to speak my own language as well so...Being English was going to be my downfall.

I couldn't look around...I didn't want to look at anything but the floor ahead of me...My casual bag was over my shoulder and my suitcase was trailing behind me on its wheels...I was out of breath already and the exit was even in eye distance. I had no interest in seeing the strange world around me and the new world that I would be entering into as I was scared enough already and the fear was proving to be too much to cope with.

The only time I allowed myself to look up was when I found a sign that was indicating the direction of the exit and that was not very often...It seemed like it would take me days to get out of here if I ever did manage to get out.

I am Bella by the way...Bella Swan. I am English (well as you might have gathered)...I wish I could fully explain why I am here...In FRANCE...At one of the AIRPORTS...I do not really know myself. The only thing I know is that my parents don't want me anymore..I believe that they used the words 'underachiever' and 'slob'...That and loads of other words and curses that I will NOT name. Truth is, I am none of these things...I was trying to find my way in the world...I still do not know what I want to do and that didn't seem good enough for my parents.

Is it true what they say about how your parents have to be the people you trust because you can't pick your friends...I would pick my friends over my parents any day of the week! Life is fine for my mum and dad because they are at the top of their jobs..My mum is a scientist and my dad is a solicitor and as a family we were all well known and respected if that is the best word to use...I could never stand growing up because everyone seemed to have had this preconceived idea of me before they had even got to know me properly.

Now I was twenty and living in a strange country that I only knew one word of the native language...Somehow I didn't think I was going to be able to survive after tonight and that scared me...More than anything else in the world in scared me.

I took a large sigh of relief as I approached large entrance doors...I pushed my legs harder underneath me even though the pain was now beginning to be a real setback...I got passed the last set of people before stepping out into the night air around me.

I let the tears fall as I looked around the quietness and unnatural atmosphere of my new world..All I could hear was what I presumed to be French..If no one spoke English five minutes was going to be too long for me to last. I made a mental note to learn the language as much as I could if I ever got round to finding the exact whereabouts of the place I was supposed to be staying at.

I took in another large breath of the fresh air...It was cold but being in the airport for so long and also squeezing into the confined space of an airplane seat..The fresh air was all quite welcoming. The air I mean not so much the new surroundings...I leant against the wall of the airport and reached into my bag pulling it across my side more to reach the zip...I buried around the bottom and my fingertips grazed what I was looking for.

I took out my box of cigarettes and my lighter and lit up...There were probably about ten people around me outside of the airport and they were all smoking so...I guess it would seem weird if I didn't...Just stand there like a lemon didn't seem much of a good plan at this moment. I took my first drag and threw the box and lighter away in my bag...I was going to pull out my piece of paper which held my cousin's address on it but I figured as the air was clear...I would walk somewhere...If I had to sleep on a bench for the night then, fine.

I kept my direction straight even though I had no idea where I was going to go.

Paris was unusually quiet..I had always thought that it was a city that never slept...I saw the Eiffel tower in the distance and knew that I was no longer in England...I carried on walking ahead not bothering to take in the sights. I just needed to have a sit down..I didn't care where.

I approached what looked like an open landscape space fifteen minutes into my journey...If it can be called a journey I would say it was a whim. The space was empty of people but there were lots of benches in it...I made my way over to the first bench I could get to my hand numbing on the case from the cold air. I sat down pulling the suitcase next to me covering my hand with my coat sleeve..With my free hand I took out another cigarette as well as the small piece of paper that held the address of my new home.

I looked over my writing intently and sighed...How the hell was I going to find this place.

The house belonged to my cousin Maureen, I say she is my cousin but in actual fact she is my third cousin on my mum's side...Probably the only other family I have as we have never conversed with my father's side of the family nor the rest of my mum's..As a family we were a quiet set of people however that was always doomed to be a struggle because of the fields that both my parents worked in..Everyone knew everyone and there was no secret left untold by outsiders.

I kept my focus on the floor letting the silence be a small comfort..I was shaking badly and it wasn't just because it was cold..I was also so very scared about all of this and seeing as I was no longer at home I did not have any shame in showing how I was feeling.

"Excuse me... Parlez-vous anglais?" I turned around and saw a young man addressing me...I looked around quickly from side to side...That was weird he didn't seem to have a French Accent like so many crowds of people did.

"Me?" I said pointing to my chest...The guy smiled as he stood in front of me..I remained sitting on the bench.

"English." He stated...I turned my gaze to the floor...I was feeling slightly awkward that a stranger just came up and spoke to me..I was always told to never talk to strangers as a child...I may have to get used to more than just being in a different country.

"It's alright...Don't be scared...You seemed lost...I came over to help" This man definitely had either an American or a Canadian accent – I could never be able to tell them both apart and I still couldn't..I smiled a little relieved slightly that he seemed normal.

"Um..I have this address...I don't know where it is, though" I explained briefly as I held out the piece of paper..The guy took it and looked at the writing.

"Oh...I know where this is. I do not own a car but I'd be happy to walk you there." He replied giving the piece of paper back to me.

"I don't know..." I trailed off...The guy smiled again.

"This is Paris...You need to learn to take risks." He replied...I frowned.

"Taking a risk by speaking to a possible abductor or murderer?" I asked with sarcasm.

"It's nice to meet you too...I'm Edward." Edward held out his hand to me and I looked down once at his hand and back up to his face. "Listen, I am no abductor..I mean the only harm I could really do is take you the wrong way to where you want to go...But I am not like that." I smiled a little.

"I'm Bella" I said.

"Nice name...Here I'll take that...Shall we walk, Bella?" he said as he gestured out to the open path in front of us..I stood up from the bench and walked ahead of him as he pulled out the handle of my suitcase and followed behind me the wheels dragging on the floor as he went. We were definitely in what looked like a park or an open green...I could have sworn it was but you can never be so sure in the dark. "So...Bella where in England are you from?" he asked as we started to walk.

"Oxfordshire" I answered "I wouldn't expect you to know it."

"Sorry, no. How is it that you are here in Paris?"

"My parents kicked me out."

"Of the country?!" Edward said...I laughed a little as his remark because of how true it was.

"No...Out of the house. My distant cousin who lives at that address on the paper agreed to take me in...I had no ambitions in my life and that annoyed my parents so-" I stopped.

"You can't help not knowing what you want to do." Edward remarked.

"Thanks...That is the difference between myself and my parents...I believe in gradual success when they believe that everything should be handed to you on a plate and if you show any signs of struggle then you are not worth the time." I explained...Edward took a deep exhaling breath next to me. "Sorry" I finished...Feeling very awkward that I was giving him everything about me on a plate.

"No..I mean your parents seem to have issues."

"Tell me about it. So do you live here?"

"Yes. I live with three other roommates...I mean it's not ideal but I am happy."

"Roommates... What about your family?" I asked.

"Oh...I have no family...They died a couple of years ago..Both my parents anyway and I am an only child."

"Oh god...I am sorry"

"It's all good...Not good that they died because I miss them like hell but Paul, Jacob and Sebastian..Those are my roommates by the way...They offered me a place to crash as they have been living here for about three years now. Sebastian is a born Frenchman and Jacob and Paul met him on a vacation once that they took together. So as I could no longer bear to live in the house and being at home wasn't my only option I took their offer. It's not all bad...I haven't lost everything."

"That's true...I wish I could have that attitude."

"It's not really an attitude but more like belief...I believe that bad things have a good curve..A silver lining if you like."

"I am too passive" I stated.

"What?"

"Oh sorry...Um I am too negative about things."

"You shouldn't be...You look like you're a kind of girl who could grab the world with both hands if she could."

"If only that were true. Hey, Edward?"

"Yeah" he answered.

"I really need the loo" I stated.

"Who's loo?" he was joking but I giggled anyway trying to keep the humiliating circumstance of peeing myself at bay.

"Um...Rephrase...I need the bathroom" I said picking up a saying I heard on an American TV show once..Edward smiled.

"Ah..Well you're in luck" he pointed ahead of him and there was a large fountain straight ahead that was also used as a roundabout on the circumference for the road users...Ahead of that there was a small row of shops all lit up brightly under the contrasting darkness of the night sky. It was beautiful...I had to be honest with myself.

As Edward and I reached the fountain he put my suitcase down so it was upright...He reached inside of his pocket and pulled out a coin...He then held it out to me.

"Make a wish, Bella" he said.

"I do not believe in wishes" I replied shaking my head.

"This fountain is believed to be magical" he stated..I fought back a laugh.

"If I say yes..Will you let the next discussion of magic die before we start?" I asked sarcastically.

"Of course" he replied, smiling...I rolled my eyes and took the coin from him.

I closed my eyes.

I wish to find love and be happy again. I threw the coin over my shoulder and it landed with a small popping noise to the fountain floor. I turned around at Edward who was doing the same however he had thrown his coin out in front of him inches away from my shoulder.

"Not to...You know keep you out here all night but..My roommate Sebastian is the manager of a bakery over there" Edward stopped and pointed at a small lit up shop on the row. "Would you like to use his-"he cleared his throat "loo" he finished.

"If that's okay"

"You never need to ask to use a public toilet, Bella."

"Um..Okay sure" I said stepping down from the fountain steps..I reached for my suitcase but Edward took his hand out and pushed my own away.

"I will take this" he said grabbing the suitcase before I could protest...I followed him over the street to the shop..Edward opened the door the heating hitting me from the door breeze from inside. He held it for me.

"After you mademoiselle" he said...I stepped in and waited for him to close the door. I then followed him into the main seating area.

The bakery was sweet almost like the small cafes you find in England...A man behind the counter immediately waved at Edward as he walked in.

"Edward...Nice to see you my friend" the man said enthusiastically...I followed Edward to the counter keeping my eyes away from the delicious and mouthwatering pastries and cakes through the see-through glass. "Who is this?" he acknowledged me...There was something oddly intriguing about his accent..it wasn't very strong but he seemed to have a good grasp on English..In all honesty I was pleased to have been able to understand him.

"This is Bella...Bella this is Sebastian" I smiled at Sebastian...He reached over the counter and took my hand placing a light kiss on the top of it.

"Enchanté" he said...I could feel my blush heat my cheeks as I took my hand away from his hold.

"She wants to use the toilet" Edward stated...Sebastian beamed.

"Of course Mon cherie...Just over there to the left" Sebastian said...I left Edward alone with the suitcase as I went to the door leading to the ladies toilet.

*~Edward~*

I watched Bella go as Sebastian cleared his throat...I swung back round to face him.

"What?" I asked.

"She is..er...how you say very pretty, Edward...Where did you find her?" Sebastian asked...I rolled my eyes.

"I didn't find her..She was lost just walking around on her own and I offered to help." I replied.

"Ahh how very kind of you" Sebastian said...He had a glint in his eye which meant that he was thinking far too much and no doubt getting the wrong impression. I scoffed.

"Don't get any ideas, Seb" I warned him.

"Oh Edward it has been too long that you have had a lady friend...I see romance in the air, huh?"

I rolled my eyes....The French and their views on love..Always so good and uncomplicated so very unlike my own views and possibly Bella's too.

"No..Just a friend, Seb" I answered firmly.

"Yes well do not make me say I told you so when you fall in love".

"While I am here...Can I get two iced buns?" I changed the subject quickly...I didn't want to make myself look like a fool anymore.

"For you...Only the best" Sebastian grabbed a paper bag and I waited patiently as he forked out two iced buns from the display and popped them in. He was rolling the bag up as Bella made her way back out.

"All better?" I asked.

"Yes thank you" she answered with a smile. I took the bag from Sebastian.

"I will see you later" I said walking out of the entrance door.

"Of course Mon amie...It was a great pleasure to meet you, Bella" he shouted.

"You too" Bella said as she followed me out into the night again.

*~Bella~*

"Here...I got this for you" I turned and stopped as Edward gave me the bag that he had given Sebastian.

"What is it?" I asked studying the bag.

"The finest iced bun you will ever have" he answered...I frowned.

"You didn't have to pay for this, Edward."

"Seeing as I am a friend..I earn discount..Free." he answered proudly..I took the bag from him and opened up the twisted top. I took a bun out and gave the bag back to Edward.

"So is it customary in France to eat iced buns at night?" I asked taking a bite the icing sticking to my lip.

"No...But it doesn't hurt" Edward took out the last bun and threw the bag in the bin nearby...He didn't miss which was rather impressive. He grabbed my suitcase again with his free hand and held the bun in the other..We then carried on walking and eating through the quiet streets of Paris.

We reached a small street which was secluded by the hustle of the main city square that we had left...It had taken around half an hour in total to get to where we were now and my feet were beginning to feel the effects. Luckily I had already finished my bun..I do not think I could deal with indigestion AND sore feet.

"Here it is" Edward said stopping in front of a terraced house..It looked small but it definitely held a lot of character.

"Oh..Thank you so much" Edward released the handle on the case and walked over to me.

"It's my pleasure, Bella. Now I know where you live I hope that you will come out with me again..In the daytime...I would like to show you the sights of your new living environment." Edward explained.

I smiled appreciatively "that would be great...I will see you soon, then" I said as I walked over to the case...I pushed the handle down that I used to wheel it and picked the case up with the MAIN handle at the side.

"Take care, Bella" he said as I opened the gate and over to the doorstep.

I knocked on the door three times and waited. I turned around to see that Edward had already disappeared.

I found myself smiling for the first time in weeks...I had made a new friend.

Short and sweet for this chapter.

It WILL get more detailed and hopefully have some much needed drama soon

Thanks for reading!

.S.

X x x