DISCLAIMER: My first fanfic story. Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer, I just love the story and took my own spin on it. :)
Ch. 4
The next few days came and went with more of the same occasionally going out on the town to the local library or grocery store. I didn't talk to Jacob at all. Part of me was constantly thinking about him and what happened that day at the store, another part of me brushed it off since I had only just met him, again. I didn't think it was my place to be calling him for small talk. My aunts in Phoenix had called to tell me that all the arrangements for my boxes had been made. I checked in to make sure my flight reservations and everything was in order. The countdown to my departure was only three days away and I could feel the anticipation building.
I needed to get in some practice since it felt like many months had passed since I had last put on my ballet slippers. Since Forks did not have a ballet studio, I was going to have to go to Port Angeles. I looked up the number and called the school. They told me they had open practices every week day afternoon. I told the receptionist that I would be going by the next day. Now my problem was to convince Charlie to let me go alone.
It was a typical rainy day in Forks. I stayed home all day and decided to make meatloaf for dinner. Everything was almost ready when Charlie got home from work.
"Hey kiddo, smells good," Charlie said as he hung up his belt and hat in the hall way.
"Thanks Dad, its meatloaf, it will be ready in about fifteen minutes." I took out the meatloaf to cool down a bit and set the table. Charlie came in and slumped down on the chair on the kitchen table.
"You ok Dad?" I asked.
"I think I have a cold, or flu, or something," he said, "Can you get me some Dayquil from the cabinet." I sat gave him the pills with a glass a water and served dinner. We ate in a comfortable silence. I was trying to think of a way I could bring up my trip to Port Angeles with him. I was never used to asking permission to go places with Renee, but with Charlie, I felt I owed him that as a father figure to ask before doing.
"Ummmm, Dad, can I ask you something?"
"Sure hon, what it is?" Charlie replied while wiping his chin and putting down his fork.
"Well I was thinking about heading out to Port Angeles tomorrow. I have been without ballet practice for a few weeks and I really want to get in a little practice time before I leave Saturday," I said.
"Oh well Bells, you know that's at least an hour drive away," he began, "are you sure you want to go over there alone?"
"Well of course, I mean I wouldn't expect you to come with me."
"Yeah … well no you know I have to file some reports out there anyway. I was going to send Robert with them, but now that you mentioned this I can drive you over there get my work done while you're at practice then we can have dinner," he said with a bit of gleam in his eyes.
"Oh that'd be great Dad, thank you." I started cleaning up and he went out to the living room to watch sportscenter. Although Charlie had never really been the emotional type, I was beginning to see the cracks in his façade. I was grateful that Charlie was so easy to get along with. It was too bad I didn't spend more time with him growing up.
I slipped off my ballet slippers and gathered my things after practice. I was feeling so blissful at how things were turning out. Dancing really helped me let myself go into the music and just feel all the joy and happiness I used to feel. Charlie was waiting outside the ballet studio for me when I walked out. We had dinner at a little Italian restaurant he suggested. I really enjoyed my time with Charlie, we talked about Renee, told me stories about my childhood and school. Charlie and I talked so much I was surprised at how easy it was to carry on a conversation with him.
All the bad of the past weeks was slowly disappearing. I was starting to feel like a weight was lifted from my chest. Soon I'd be starting a new chapter in my life just as it had always been meant to be.
Driving home Charlie and I sat in comfortable silence. I was looking out my window at all the lush green forest passing by. Charlie finally cleared his throat before asking about Jacob.
"I'm not sure Dad," I said, "last time I saw him he acted weird as we were leaving the store and hasn't called me back since then."
"Billy mentioned him being under the weather," Charlie said as we pulled up to the house.
"Hope everything is ok with him, maybe I'll call him tomorrow to see him before I leave."
"That sounds great Bells, you should do that. You know you and Jacob were best friends as kids, I'm surprised you didn't remember him very well."
"I remember him Dad, it's just weird hanging out with someone who I hadn't seen in a long time," I said, but I couldn't deny the feeling I got when I was with Jacob. He and I had been close when I was little. When I was with him that day I felt like we were old friends who never had been apart. It was an easy friendship.
Once inside the house I went upstairs to shower and change. I had such a great day I felt like I had a smile plastered on my face. Logging on to my computer I saw I had a new message from Alice waiting for me.
"Hey Bella! Only a few more days until we finally meet at Julliard, how are you doing? I am so excited I can't wait! What time does you flight get in to New York?" – Alice
I sent her a quick reply telling her I was excited as well and that my flight would be getting in at 3 PM Saturday afternoon. Jumping in my bed I grabbed my Wuthering Heights book off the dresser and snuggled in my bed to read. Everything that seemed to be falling apart before was not feeling put back together. After reading for a few chapters I felt myself falling asleep. I turned out the light and snuggled deeper in my blankets drifting off to the most peaceful sleep I've had in weeks.
