Growing up a Brandon

Chapter 7


BPOV

Alice stood there looking at me with her mouth agape.

"Alice?"

"Oh my God ! Bella that is great news hun !" she squealed and pulled me into a hug.

"Wow! No sign of him for twelve years then BAM! You bump into him in the middle of New York. Honestly what are the chances? This must be fate!..." I had stopped listening to Alice, and I thought of Edward. He wanted me to text him or call him, and I wanted to, I really did, but I needed to get settled in and I didn't want his Fiancee coming after me. Drama was the last thing I needed right now. I had plenty of that throughout junior high and high school. I couldn't get the picture of him out of my head. I smiled to myself. He hadn't changed, well sure he physically changed. He had gotten taller, gotten a muscle mass and a deeper voice, but there were some features that had stayed the same. His wild red-brown mane, bright green eyes and comforting heart. I missed having my best friend. He made me feel wanted and supported. We are connected through an experience that we both had to live through that no one else will truly be able to understand. And then I remember Tanya and how in an instant the friend that I had reconnected with had been taken away.

"Bella ?" Alice asked, "What's wrong? You're frowning, you should be smiling. I mean for years after we adopted you all you would say to us is that you wanted Edward. And now you can have him ! You get your best friend back Bella !" I looked up at her and put on a smile for her sake.

"You're right I should be happy. I mean I am. It's just a lot to process. It's been a while." I looked at the time on my phone. 11:28. "I should really finish unpacking then go to bed. I'll see you tomorrow Alice." My sister gave me a half smile then went back to her room as I dragged my suitcases into my new room.

By the time I finished unpacking and putting everything away it was almost one. I collapsed onto my bed, fully clothed and feel into a deep sleep.

I was running through the heavy crowds of New York. The tuff of bronze hair moving quickly and skillfully ahead of me. "Edward !" I yelled. Pushing my way through trying to reach him. "Edward!" I yelled once more, but once again he didn't hear me. My breath was pushed out of me as I ran into a tall thick man. He grabbed me roughly by the arm.

"What did I say about you two? You're gunna get it now you little bitch!" A hard slap hit me across the face. The man who smelt of beer and smoke threw me to the ground. He kicked me over and over again. I turned to my side and coughed up a mouth of blood, my insides burning. "Help! Someone please help me !" People ignored us and kept walking as if we were non existent. He pulled me up by my hair and more tears filled my eyes. "Please stop. Please I'm begging you! I can't take it anymore!" I closed my eyes as I cried out in pain. I heard a bottle break. And my eyes snapped open. The pudgy man was still holding me up by a handful of my hair. A bright light now surrounded us and Edward was standing there watching. "Edward!" I gasped out in relief, "Edward please ! Help me ! Make it stop, get help, do something!" He smiled at me then he looked above my head and his smile got larger. Tanya came up behind me marched up to Edward and locked her lips with his. Then she turned around to watch, her body draped on his. "Edward she's not worth it. Let's just go." She whined grabbing his hand. "You're absolutely right." He said. "Let's get out of here." He turned his back and started to walk away. "Edward!" I screamed out, tears now flowing freely down my cheeks. "Looks like Edward won't save you this time." He said before smiling sweetly and plunging the cracked beer bottle into my lower stomach.

"NOOOO!" I screamed as I shot up, drenched in cold sweat. I lifted my shirt and touched the scar that was on my lower stomach from when had stabbed me. I wiped my eyes which were damp from tears. Twelve years and the nightmares still haunted me. There was no escaping the past. I looked over at my clock, it was four in the morning, I was so tired, I haven't been sleeping well lately and the nightmares weren't helping.

I changed into my sleeping clothes before going back to sleep. I was afraid to close my eyes for fear that the horrid images of my past would come back to life for the second time tonight. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, letting sleep take me.

I woke up to the buzzing of my alarm clock. Seven had arrived to soon. I groaned and rolled out of bed. I walked over to my bathroom and looked in the mirror. I had dark rings under my eyes, my hair was a tangled mess and face looked paler. I changed into some yoga pants, a yoga jacket, threw my hair up in a pony, my long bangs hanging off the side of my face. I wrapped my ipod holder around my arm, put on my runners and was off.

I loved morning runs. It was not only a great way to get your day started but it gave you time to think. I took longer today scouting out a decent path which I could use for my daily runs. I hated being unfamiliar with my surroundings. About a block off of our apartment building was a park, and just off the park was a path that looked like it led down to a ravine. It looked promising so I ran down there. The sun, which was low in the sky, made the morning dew on the trees covering the path sparkle. It was quite a pretty sight. Patches of sun slipped through the cover of trees, lighting my way. I thought about yesterday. It all seemed so wonderful, he wanted me to be in his life, but I knew I couldn't. At least not right now. I wasn't ready. Even though he was a great part of my childhood, he also brought along unwanted memories that I did not want to face. The ravine started to open up as it ended, bring me to a small field, with a familiar fountain in sight. I was a block and a half away from the apartment. I kept my quick pace and headed back to my new home. I got back to my room and took a long but needed shower. I brushed my hair then flipped on my laptop to pass the time, letting my hair air dry so my natural waves would stay. It was supposed to be nice out today, 20 degrees celsius. I got changed into a tank top and some jean shorts then headed out to our kitchen.

"How was your morning run?"

"It was good, I found a nice path. What's for breakfast?"

"Cereal." Alice laughed, "I went to the store and got some while you were out. I picked up a few others but I'll go grocery shopping later today, I just need to finish some things first. I nodded and ate my cereal.

"You'll be alone for a while. I hope that's okay ?" She asked, eyeing me.

"Yeah, no that's fine. I'm going to go out and check out campus." I said waving her off. She smiled.

"It's a good day for that! It's so beautiful out!"

I sat there eating my cereal and drinking my milk as Alice left to her room to finish unpacking. I put my dishes away and brushed my teeth before knocking on Alice's door.

"Alice I'm going now, text me if you need anything."

"Okay Bella, have fun !"

I grabbed my small brown leather satchel and threw the strap over my shoulder. I crossed the street and walked onto campus, the sun shining down on me. I walked around the main building and into a courtyard. Blossom trees were spread out around a stone walkway and all over the green field of grass in the middle. Students were everywhere, music filled my ears as students tuned and practiced. They were spread out everywhere, on blankets in the field, lying in the shade, on the stone steps leading into the main building and other concert halls. My heart filled with warmth and I realized that I was here, I achieved my dream. Two days from now I would officially be a student here. I smiled and walked around exploring, until I decided to lay down under a tree. I pulled out some sheet music and tried to finish a song I was writing. I felt so inspired being around all of this. I hummed some notes and wrote down lyrics, inspiration flooding me.

"Hi." I looked up and my eyes widened. Standing in front of me was a model. She had long blond, curly flowing hair, ice blue eyes, a flawless complexion and rose red lips. If she wasn't perfect she was damn near close enough.

"Hi." I answered her back.

"Do you mind if I have a seat?" she asked her voice sweet and calm.

"No, go right ahead." I nodded beside me.

"Thanks." She said smiling at me as she sat down placing a case next to her. "I'm Rosalie Hale by the way."

"Bella Brandon." I smiled back.

"So do you go here ? I don't recognize you."

I blushed, "I start in a few days. This is my first year."

"Ahh well Bella, let me be the first to say welcome to Julliard. What are you studying?"

"Umm, I'm majoring in voice and minoring in dramatic arts." I told her. She nodded.

"The competition is pretty steep in those areas. But I have a feeling that you'll do just fine." She said smiling at me reassuringly.

"Thanks. What about you?" I asked her, "What are you here for?"

"Well this is my second year and I'm here for classical training. I play the violin and piano." I nodded.

"That sounds great. Any advice for a newbie ?" I asked laughing.

"Things get tough around here, competition is brutal but no matter what if you want something you'll have to reach out and take it. It won't just come to you, you gotta fight."

"Wow, that's actually really great advice. Thanks Rosalie!"

"Oh it's no problem. Do you mind if I practice ?"

"Oh not at all, it actually might give me some inspiration."

"Inspiration?"

"Yeah, I'm writing a song." I said, motioning to my sheet music. She smiled and took out her violin.

"I wish I could write lyrics. I've never been good at it." She nestled the violin under her chin and started to gently row back and forth with the bow creating a soft and gentle sound to fill the air around us. I sat and watched her play, she was really good. Her eyes stayed closed the whole time she played. The sweet haunting sound gave me inspiration for a new song. I quickly started to write down piano music and lyrics. I would love violin in this song. It would just be so empowering and haunting. She stopped and looked at me.

"Get anything ?" she asked.

"Yes, actually, thanks. You are amazing Rosalie. It's just so gentle. The sound... I don't even have words for it." I smiled.

"LOOK OUT!" A huge man jumped and caught the football landing in between Rosalie and I.

"Sorry ladies," He turned to Rosalie. "Hey babe." She leaned forward and kissed him.

"Oh how rude, Bella this is Emmett my boyfriend, Emmett this is Bella." She gestured to both of us.

"Hi! Sorry about my rude entrance I can't help but fall to the ground at the presence of your beauty." Rosalie and I laughed and she hit him. "But seriously it's nice to meet you." He held his hand out and I shook it.

"Anyways babe, I'm gunna get back to playing, see you tonight. It was nice meeting you Bella." He smiled, dimples appeared in his cheeks. Emmett was anything but small, his built was very large, he had very toned muscles. He had broad shoulders and a wide chest, deep brown curly hair and big brown eyes.

"He's nice and cute."I noted smiling at her. "You two make a cute couple." Rosalie blushed.

"Thanks Bella."

"So does he go to Julliard too?" Rosalie laughed.

"No, he's more athletic, that boy doesn't have one artsy bone in his body. He went to Columbia, graduated last year, now he's just living with me." Rosalie smiled to herself, she seemed so happy. I looked down at my phone and saw that it was almost three. I should probably get back to the apartment.

"Oh. Well he seems very sweet. But I must get going I still have to check out where my classes are and head back to my apartment. It was really nice meeting you." I started to get up.

"Like wise. Here, give me your number so I can text you sometime." She pulled out her phone and I recited my number as she keyed it into her contacts list.

"Perfect! See you around Bella!" I shot her a wave as I walked back to the main building.


Well there you have it ! This one is a bit longer and I hope you enjoyed it. Give me a shout about what you think ! Reviews would make my day :)

Her Name Is Bella