EPOV

We can both feel the tension between us, but neither of us advances.

Bella breaks the silence. "What's your life story? I gave you the short version of mine."

"It's pretty lame, but I've lived here my whole life, with my parents. Alice moved in when she was five. We've lived together since then. I've gone to the Forks school district my whole life. I basically hate everyone except for my family. I want to move away for college. Go to an art school. Maybe CalArts. Study film production."

"I don't know how you survived living here so long. But I can see why you're tired. How'd you get into film?"

"I've always loved movies. I'd just watch movies all the time. And then when I was 13, my parents got me this rinky-dink video camera & editing software. I was hooked. I started looked up a lot of stuff on the internet. I saved up money to get better equipment. Took film classes. I dunno, it's just something I've always loved. I love the idea that I can create a different reality. As you can see, the reality of Forks isn't a very exciting one."

"No kidding." Bella scoffs.

"What do you want to go to college for?" I ask after a pause.

"Probably dance."

"Dance?" I'm shocked by that.

"Yeah, I've been dancing since I was little."

I think back to art class, and her talking about what she did artistically.

"You never mentioned that when I asked about your artistic abilities."

Bella shrugs. "It's weird, but I see dance as life, not as an art form that I do. I am dance, dance is everything. I've been doing it since I was young. Photography, painting, writing, drawing. They're all hobbies I picked up. But dance is just…life. If I don't dance in a day, I can't sleep. My body needs it."

"That's pretty intense."

"I guess so. It's not as serious as it sounds. It's just what it is."

"What kind of dance?"

"I like contemporary, jazz, hip hop & ballet."

"Hip hop?"

Bella smiles at me. "Of course."

I remember her state of dress when we saw her at her house & everything clicks.

"Did you find somewhere to dance here?"

"Oh yeah. I had to. I didn't even think about moving here until I found a studio."

"Where is it?"

"It's in Port Angeles. My childhood friend dances there, so it's a good fit."

"You have friends here?" I ask, wanting to learn as much as I can about her.

"Just one, her name is Angela. I knew her in kindergarten. We were besties & when I moved we stayed in touch. I'd see her whenever I can to visit my dad."

"That's cool that you aren't so alone here."

"Yeah, I have my dad & I have her & I have Alice & I have you. That's enough for me. I'm content."

My heart speeds up when she says that & I forget to reply, too wrapped up in my own head.

We both get up after a while & decide to head back to school or else Alice will have our heads.

In the car Bella asks about why Alice & I live together.

I don't really know what to say.

"It's not my story to tell. You'll have to ask her."

Bella nods but doesn't say anything more.


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