***************** Twitterpated in the Springtime: Tricky Raven Spring Romance Contest...2nd place winner***********************

~A/N This was my anonymous entry for Tricky Raven's spring writing contest.

Title: Acquiring the Light

Pairing: Jacob/Bella

Rating: PG

Genre: Friendship/Romance

Summary: Circumstances brought Bella to Forks at a much younger age. She struggled to fit in even though she had a doting father that loved having her live with him. School kids were bullying her until one young boy stepped in and changed the course of her life. A bond was formed and no amount of distance, unplanned obstacles or even mesmerizing vampires could severe it. She had been living in the dark, but Jacob revealed the light.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Acquiring the Light

The outside world passed them by quickly. It was all a blur. Over the miles, sunshine was replaced by trees, lots and lots of trees. Bella couldn't remember when she'd seen so many trees before. She thought probably never. Charlie had come for her. Renee had a problem. She always had problems, but this was a big one. She heard him on the phone before they got on the road. He was talking to his friend, Mr. Black. He whispered...called it a "breakdown."

How could a person breakdown, sounded like a car or something? She was going to live with her father. Bella really liked her father. Why did she never see him? Her mom said he was too busy. He'd just said how happy he was to be with her again. Renee told him she was in so many activities and had obligations...lots of friends too. Normally, there wasn't a good time for him to see her. He didn't want to interfere in her life. Huh? What were obligations? She hardly had any friends.

Bella Swan was 11 years old, almost halfway through the fifth grade and for the first time since she was a toddler, she was back in Forks. He let her stay home and visit his work the first week, but then she had to start her new school.

Bella had started new schools before; it wasn't her favorite thing. She was so excited Charlie took her shopping. Her clothes weren't looking the best. Most were hand-me-downs from the neighbor lady that had a bunch of kids. She was left with a bunch of holey, mismatched outfits that never fit quite right. Her mother always said she didn't have much money to spend on clothes that she'd soon outgrow. She remembered her dad raise his voice even though Renee was sick, "What do you do with all the money I send? It's meant for her."

Of course, when the two of them got into the department store, Bella saw loads of pretty clothes. She wasn't sure how much she could have, so she picked out two very pretty dresses, since she'd never had one. "You sure that's what you want for school, kiddo?"

"Oh, yes, they're so pretty, but if it's too much...I'll put one back."

"No, nonsense. School's five days a week, so pick out five of the prettiest dresses they have and then we'll get a few jeans and tops." He also insisted she buy two new pairs of shoes: one to match the dresses and one pair for playing. Her feet felt wonderful in the new ones. Charlie made an angry face again, when the saleslady told him the old pair was at least a size too small.

Charlie was so nice. She did her best to help him around the house, since he took her shopping and decorated a spare room for her. His cooking tasted funny, but he tried. She knew how to do a few things, so it wasn't long before she took over the kitchen. He was amazed an eleven year old could cook that way. She was going to have to do even more now that he was hurt. Her dad was helping with a rescue over the weekend and fell high from a ladder. He broke his leg really bad. He had a big cast over it and had to use crutches.

"Bells, hurry up...the bus will be here soon and you need to eat."

She looked at herself one last time. Her hair still had a piece that wouldn't stay down. She'd been teased because of it: once for it curling over her eye and then again for putting it in a barrette. Mike asked if she was trying to be a pirate. The following day, Jessica said her barrette was ugly and nerdy. She'd been called a whole bunch of names so far, but she did her best to ignore them. One girl, Angela was nice and said they did that to all the new kids. She told Bella a story from the year before, when the reservation school merged with their school. They tried to call a bunch of those kids mean names until they started getting their butts kicked. Angela said she avoided them for the most part and she should do the same.

None of the names bothered her, but she was surprised they had made fun of her nice dresses. She'd been called "fancy, show off, prissy," to name a few. She didn't care, because she'd chosen the dark green one that morning. It was her absolute favorite. Today was going to be extra terrifying since Charlie couldn't drive for a few weeks. She was taking the school bus, but she was going to pretend she was fine about the change. Really, she was not.

Bella chomped on the few last bits of a crunchy cereal, but she dumped out most her milk. "You sure you're okay with the bus? I could call one of the guys at the station."

"No, it's fine. I always ride the bus."

"You do?"

"Yes sir."

"Why doesn't your mother take you?"

"She's asleep."

"Bells, do you get yourself up and ready every morning?"

"Most days."

Her dad gripped his mug real tight, she could see his knuckles turning whiter. A rumble from down the street alerted them it was time to go.

A friendly face greeted her at the steps. She kept saying don't trip in her head, and did fine making it inside. She turned to wave at her father and several giggles erupted.

"Find a seat, don't assign them..." the bus driver instructed her.

Bella turned and looked down the long row. She must be one of the last ones, because at first glance, there didn't appear to be any empty seats.

"Go on Miss Bella...I have to get moving."

She noticed one side were the kids from Forks and the right side appeared to be kids from the reservation. She didn't know any of them officially, but had seen them around. One girl, Leah, called her a funny name last week too. It wasn't just Jessica and Lauren, but it wasn't a word she knew. Leah was glaring at her, with her arm around a small child, maybe a first grader...probably her brother. Each seat she moved to, she heard the same thing: no room. Mike had a free spot, but he'd already pulled her hair once. She looked around debating and felt her eyes begin to sting.

"Hey guys, the new girl's about to cry," a mean looking boy in a red shirt said.

Once again, the bus driver insisted she have a seat. Bella held her breath and hoped the last one was available. She made it to the back and saw a boy was back there. He scooched closer to the window and said she could sit there.

She blew out all the air she'd been holding in her cheeks.

The boy didn't say anything else at first.

When the school was in sight, he finally said, "I'm Jake."

She heard some laughing from the seat in front of him.

"Hi, I'm Bella."

"I know."

"How? I've never seen you before."

"That's cuz I'm a fourth grader, not a fifth grader, but Charlie and my dad visit a lot. I know his house and that you were coming to live with him. How do you like it?"

"Oh, fine, Charlie's nice."

"You call your dad Charlie?"

She bit her lip because she was embarrassed by his question.

"No, well...sometimes, I forget."

The brakes hissed and whistled, the bus jumped slightly before coming to a complete sight. Kids started to stand with their backpacks to head towards the front.

"Well, thanks for sharing your seat, Jake." She stood, but waited until there was plenty of room to leave.

"You can sit here everyday if you want. I always have the empty spot."

"Oh, okay...that's very nice of you."

Jacob looked around, to see all his friends were gone.

"Sure, sure," they made it outside together before going off to their separate hallways. He said one more thing. "Green's my favorite color...bye Bells. See you this afternoon."

She stood on the sidewalk for a few seconds breathing in the air around her. Why did that mention of his favorite color make her toes tingle and her stomach turn upside down? Bella thought it was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to her.

She looked forward to the bus ride all day and everyday after that. Jake was so easy to talk to; he was quickly becoming her best friend. Six weeks flew by and Charlie could drive again, but she asked if she could still ride the bus. He asked if she was sure and she said, "Very sure."

One night, Charlie announced they were getting out of the house and going to La Push to have dinner with the Black's. Jacob's room was messy and smelled a little funny, but they sat on the floor and did homework together. His was easier than hers, of course. He invited her to come again on a weekend. He told her they could go exploring or she could hang out in the garage with him.

"The garage?" that didn't sound like much fun. Jacob said he liked taking things apart and putting them back together. She giggled when he told her how Quil dared him to take microwave apart once. He got in a lot of trouble because it never worked again.

"You going to keep living with Charlie?"
She shrugged. Her mother didn't call much. "Maybe."

"I hope so," was all he said and Bella hoped too. She found herself hoping all the time now. It was nice.

One morning, Paul, aka red shirt started up again. He had a big mouth. Jake always said to ignore him. "Hey paleface, I heard you and Jacob almost kissed yesterday. Go on...whatcha waiting for? We all know you two are in love."

It wasn't true, she'd never thought about kissing a boy. In truth, she might have thought once or twice, but wasn't ready to try it.

"Shut it, Paul."

The whole bus was listening by then and laughing loudly.

"Awe, look at her. She's upset. Guess I was wrong, the little princess is too good for a rez rat like you."

Jacob broke several bus rules when he jumped up from their seat and started pounding Paul into the floor.

"Fight, fight," echoed off the rounded walls. The driver pulled over. Jacob had to sit up front the rest of the time. She knew fighting was instant detention. Why did Paul have to tease them? She worried Jacob wouldn't want to sit with her anymore. There was only one thing to do.

~o0o0o0o0o0o0o~

Charlie Swan was puzzled by the call he received from the principal. "Bella did what?"

She heard him over the speaker phone. She finished her detention right along with her best friend. He wasn't mad at her in the least. He was only mad when she was upset...that's why he taught Lahote a lesson. Bella taught one to Lauren as well. She continued where Paul had left off when they got to class and Bella wasn't putting up with it any longer.

Billy arrived around the same time her father did. They all ended up in the office together. He apologized for Jacob causing a disturbance and then nudged him to do the same.

"I'm very sorry Principal Long, but in my defense, the kids pick on Bella really bad and I was tired of it. She's nice and doesn't bother anyone."

About that time Evelyn Mallory barged in and dropped the evidence on the principal's desk, "What are you going to do about this, Beth?"

"I'm handling it right now, if you want to wait out..."

"No," she interrupted. My daughter is crying her eyes out in the bathroom practically hairless because of this...this..." she pointed her finger in Bella's face. "Chief, how are you raising your daughter? Isn't her mother in a loony bin? I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

"Now just a second...I won't have my daughter exposed to vicious rumors. She's a good kid."

"Oh, that's how good kids act, disfiguring their classmates in the middle of class? Do you have any idea how long my daughter's been growing out her beautiful hair?"

Bella saw Jacob holding in his laughter. His eyes hadn't left the long, blonde ponytail resting in peace on the desk. She knew he probably had a hard time believing she would do such a thing. She felt the same way, but as soon as Lauren turned her back on her, it was like an uncontrollable urge. She snipped it as close to the scalp as she could. Good thing her father had bought her the good scissors.

Charlie interrupted the shrieking, "I wanna hear more about this teasing. Bells, you never said they kids weren't being nice to you."

"I...I didn't want to tattle."

"It seems to me, my son and Bella already took their punishment. It's time for the other kids to as well. Maybe that'll put a stop to all this," Billy stood up for her.

Principal Long was a nice lady, she showed compassion for her. "Make a list Bella...I want to know. I don't condone that type of behavior. It's certainly no way to welcome a new student."

Bella started the list. Lauren's name was first, followed by Jessica and Mike. She looked at Jacob. He nodded, "Go on, Bella...even if they're my friends. Tell the truth." Bella added several more, including Paul, Leah and Quil. The school was going to get in touch with all their parents. Principal Long said that was enough for the day. Mrs. Mallory wasn't satisfied that one day's detention was enough punishment. Soon a mortified, not so bouncy Lauren joined them. She didn't look so scary anymore. Lauren admitted, she and the others called Bella lots of names, messed with her hair, and threw spitballs at her.

"Everyone does it. I wasn't the first. Look at her...she's weird. All she wants to do is read and she wears dresses most days. No one does that."

Bella knew Lauren was indeed the first and her little group of followers went along with it. The confession shut Mrs. Mallory up pretty quick and the principal insisted the teasing would end or Bella was to come to her...no more vigilantism.

Charlie drove them home.

"Dad, am I in trouble?"

"No, Bells...but you need to trust me. No more secrets."

"Okay. About what Lauren's mom said, is my mom in a loony bin?"

"No, honey. She went to a hospital, but she's home now."

"She doesn't want me to live with her anymore, does she?"

"She never said that, but for now I think it's best if you stay with me."

She smiled because she thought that sounded best to her too and Jacob was close by. She had no idea how she could manage without her best friend and defender.

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That's how it went for the next three years, Bella lived with Charlie. She grew closer and closer with Jake. They were joined at the hip in the summers. She found out working in the garage wasn't so boring after all. He always made it entertaining. They ran the beaches of La Push and hiked in the hills together when the weather wasn't crappy. He even convinced her to jump from one of the lower cliffs into the ocean. She'd only try if he held her hand. Once he started middle school with her, he was her first date for the Winter Formal.

Bella had tons of friends. No one was ever mean to her again. In the beginning, Lauren tried, but Bella would hold out her fingers and act like she was clipping the air and that would shut her up fast. Leah stopped being rude and Paul avoided eye contact with her for at least six months after the fight. Now she was one of the gang and she was happy.

All was right with the world until the unexpected came. It arrived at her house in a maroon car one sunny afternoon. She'd just finished the eighth grade and they were ready for another great summer. Bella went inside to see who the visitor might be.

~o0o0o0o0o0o0o~

Five days later, she sat with Jacob on a blanket watching the waves crash over one another. "Please don't go. She didn't want you before or couldn't take care of you. Remember, you've told me the stories? Why would you go back to that?"

"Jake...she says she really needs me. It's been years and she received treatment. I'm only going for the summer, then I'll come back."

"Our summer...damn, we had plans...tons of them. I was finally gonna..."

"What? What were you going to do?"

"Nothing, it doesn't matter. You promise you'll be back for school?"

"Sure, this is my home now. I'll come back."

She stood up on a nearby log and held out her arms. "Remember when you showed me this?"

He joined her and did the same in front of her. She was too clumsy at first and always fell, but he'd practiced with her and she could easily hold her balance for longer periods of time. Bella wasn't the bold type by any sort of the imagination, but standing there with him created confidence she'd never had before. She was going to miss him more than she could express. There he was, her best friend smiling that sunny smile just as he'd done countless times including that first day on the bus and she was drawn to him. As soon as she took a step, he did as well, bringing them face to face. Bella kissed him first and Jacob kissed her back. Her hands were still outstretched until he pushed them down and hugged her close. All that balance control disappeared and she started to shake.

Lucky for her, Jake had a strong grip on her. He helped her back down.

"That was..."

"Amazing," he finished her sentence.

"I swear I won't kiss another boy until I get back."

He laughed out loud, "Jeez, I hope not, you'll be back in less than three months."

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But she wasn't. Bella didn't go back to Forks. One thing led to another over the summer and Renee made it seem like she would implode if she abandoned her again. She needed lots of help. Nothing was getting done at her mother's apartment. She soon realized there were various disconnect notices and a threat of eviction. Her mother was on very thin ice at her part-time job as well. Role reversal at it's finest, she did exactly what a good daughter would do with a not so proficient mother.

Her phone calls and letters revealed a very disappointed but understanding father. He insisted he wouldn't force her back. Jacob on the other hand expressed a vast array of emotions. He was upset, then angry, then apologetic and then remorseful for his behavior. They tried to keep up their correspondence, but eventually that died down. It was too painful for both of them and she couldn't tell him how it really was. It felt wrong to lie to him, so telling him nothing was all she could do. Bella missed her friends, her dad, but most of all...Jacob. Her responsibilities distracted her at least. She did several odd jobs like babysitting and cleaning for neighbors.

Time drudged on, Bella and Renee got by somehow. Several moves and many states separated her from Washington, since they ended up in Florida. Her seventeenth birthday came and went with only one recognition in the form of a card from her father.

"He send you any money?"

"Um...yes, a little."

"Well, if I'm going to get this better job, I could use some new clothes. You want me to be successful, don't you?"

She did, but Bella really needed some new outfits for school. "Can we split it?"

"Sure, baby if you want me to get half a job."

It was no use, she'd never hear the end if she didn't help out, so she forked over all her birthday money.

Renee thumbed through the cash. "A little? That man spoils you terribly." She knew that two hundred dollars would probably end up blown, but she hated confrontations.

Little did she know, all was about to change. She was use to her mother's deadbeat boyfriends, but the new one gave her the creeps. He looked at her strange and sometime during the night, she swore she'd heard her doorknob rattle. She was so relieved she had a lock, but it was a wakeup call for her. Bella stayed up the rest of the night huddled against the door, just in case. She pretended to go to school, but came back as soon as she saw her mother leave. Bella scrambled back inside and haphazardly threw together some things she might need. She'd managed to hide away some of her odd job money. She was pretty sure it wasn't enough to get her too far, but she had to leave. After checking Renee's hiding spots, she was shocked to find a hundred left of the birthday cash, so she reclaimed her half.

She made it as far as Orlando, but she was stuck. All other bus tickets were too much. She made a collect call. Up until that moment, she'd covered for Renee and made excuse after excuse as to why she couldn't see him or visit. Truth was, she was always being monitored.

She was practically sobbing, "Daddy, I'm in trouble..."

~o0o0o0o0o0o~

A conversation ensued and all the facts came out. In the end, she was relieved to find out it was possible to get to the Western Union counter and receive all the money she needed to make it back to Forks. Why hadn't she runaway before? Charlie gave her explicit instructions on getting to the airport by taxi and where to go to get her plane ticket. He'd take care of everything so she'd have permission to travel home to him.

Running into her father's arms was like coming home in every sense of the word.

They hugged, they cried and they stayed up for almost the entire night talking about everything under the sun. He got the bad stuff out of the way first.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know...I wanted to, but I didn't want something bad to happen to her. She's so careless."

She could tell he could barely contain his anger. His phone hadn't even rang once. "Wonder if she'd ever think to tell me you were missing? I feel like sending the local police and have her brought up on child neglect and endangerment charges."

"Please don't, I'm here now and I'm safe. I'm never going back."

"Of course, baby. I'll protect you. This is where you belong."

The conversation eventually shifted to Jacob. She figured by now, he probably had a girlfriend. He was handsome and popular in middle school. She could only imagine how much that had increased.

"Um...no, I don't think Jake has time for girls. Billy and the tribe keep him busy. He's in some organization."

"What kind of organization?"

"Not sure, community service, I suppose. Whatever it is, I think the only requirement is size. Those boys are huge."

"But they all still go to the Forks school, right?"

"Yeah, but I hear they're missing quit a bit. I told Billy that wasn't good, but he swears they're making all their work up."

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Bella was taken back in time, when he took her shopping again. He was buying her everything in sight. She pretty much needed all of it. Her eyes caught a glimpse of a mannequin dressed in an emerald green dress with a denim jacket. She loved the entire look.

"You'd look real cute in that," he came up behind her. "I'm going to find the saleslady to help you get all of it: the shoes, the jewelry, everything. You deserve it kiddo."

Bella imagined seeing Jacob for the first time wearing the outfit. She hoped he still liked green. She broke her promise because she didn't come back to him, but at least she kept one of her pledges. She hadn't kissed anyone else in those three years. He'd been her only one and she never regretted it.

~o0o0o0o0o0o~

Her hopes soon fell when she realized Jacob and his friends weren't at school that first morning. Plenty of other kids remembered her and made sure to tell her how good it was she was back. Even Lauren stopped off near her locker and was sugary sweet. Turns out a pair of good cutting scissors had worked wonders on her personality. Mike wasn't such a rascal any longer. He'd actually been very helpful showing her around the high school. There were even some new faces. A preppy sort of family, The Cullen's. All the others seemed to be in awe of them like they were really something special. Bella had a few classes with one of the guys. He kept staring; she thought he was weird.

After lunch, she stepped outside in the open common area to get a little air before class. Sure enough, the Cullen boy followed.
"Hi, Bella...we've not been properly introduced. I'm Edward."

She was polite and said it was nice to meet him. He tried to start more conversation, but she wasn't very interested. She kept looking towards the parking lot, hoping that just maybe someone might show up for afternoon classes.

"So you're going to be living here permanently, is that right?"

Bella kept watching and wishing.

"Bella..."

"Oh, huh? Did you say something?" she wondered what his name was, since it'd already slipped her mind.

The pale boy's strange eyes pinched shut and he appeared to cover his nose. She wondered if she was offending him in some way, but then she noticed he was focused on something across the yard. A rowdy group was descending on the campus. Bella turned towards the ruckus. Charlie was right, they were all very tall and well developed, but she knew the faces still. Those were her friends and right in the center, was her very best friend. He stopped them with his arms and zeroed in on her. Bella's feet couldn't carry her fast enough. She totally forgot that nameless Cullen boy and ran to Jake.

"Bella," was like a prayer from his mouth. He lifted her as if she was weightless and spun her around. "Is it really you?"

She giggled in his ear and felt a shiver run through him.

"Yes, I came back. Better late than never." He'd yet to put her down. She noticed he was looking towards the guy. It was Edward. That's what he called himself. A strange noise rumbled from Jacob's chest.

"Are you growling?"

"Maybe."

"Why? He seems harmless...a tad awkward. I take it you two aren't friends."

"No, we're not and he's not harmless. Stay away from him, Bells," he warned as he sat her back down on the ground. She could care or less about Edward, she only wanted to get a better look at him. He reminded her of a model straight off the pages of a magazine spread. How had lanky, cute, adorable Jake turned into such an Adonis? She was beginning to doubt he'd still feel the same way about her after realizing how gorgeous he'd become.

He seemed to be taking her in as well. She saw his eyes go from her ankle boots, up her black tights, pause at the hem of her green dress, and eventually linger over her womanly curves. Soon his stare, slowly raked over her face. They both caught each other's gaze. She felt the warmth of the sun as it came out from behind the clouds to heat her straight to the bone. Both seemed to forget they were in the middle of everyone. It felt like they were all that existed. Jacob's hand came up to her face, "Bells, it's always been you."

The school had PDA rules; she'd just skimmed the handbook. They both could serve another detention together for all she cared. He leaned in and kissed her full on the lips. There was no hesitation. It was a real grown-up kiss. His lips were warmer than the sunshine that glowed over them. All she could think about was how good it felt to be home for good. They eventually pulled apart, Jacob's hands still held the sides of her waist. His fingers moved over the fabric of her dress. "You know what, Bells?"
"What?" she asked, dazed from his heated welcome home kiss.

"Green's still my favorite color."

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~Thanks so much for reading.

I adored writing this sweet story and I really poured my heart into it.