Hello Everyone.
I am sorry that it has taken me forever to get this chapter up, but I have been massively busy since I am leaving in a few days to go to Chicago to see my friend. Yay!! I am so excited about this trip too. I have never been there so I am looking forward to it.
I do want to let you know if there is any major mistakes, I will try to go back to catch them later since I am awake at five thirty in the morning trying to read this. My eyes are actually burning and that means its time for me to stop looking at the computer. So forgive them for the moment. I will go back to catch them.
This chapter is opening the door to the one thing that most people have been waiting for… can you guess?? I have been thinking about this portion of the story since I started it back in April so I hope it turns out as good as it is in my head.
The Normal Stuff: The Twilight series and its characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer and check out and read the stories that are located on my fave list.
Note: Summa cum laude is the highest academic honor that you can receive. Basically it's a 4.0 GPA.
I want to give a shout out to everyone that reviewed last chapter. To those that have not received their reply, I will finish the last chapters before I begin to reply to this chapter. Reviewers are so nice and I love you guys.
I dedicate this chapter to the Three Amigas, and to the lovely people from Twilighted (dot) net. I want to give a shout out to Halo though, I was thinking about you when I wrote this chapter… can you see when I was thinking about you? lol
Okay, now on with the story…
Chapter 25 Who Says You Can't Go Home? Song: Boston by Augustana
Reasoning: I was looking through my music to find a song for this chapter and when I came across this song I thought of a couple of lines in it and it made me think of how Bella would have felt when she left Forks and now to have her going back she has to face the past is something that would be a challenge for her overall.
Chapter 25: Who Says You Can't Go Home?
May 2007: Bella's Graduation
"Come on, Bella. We're going to be late."
I was slipping on the blue dress that Alice had bought for me to wear to graduation along with the death traps that she called stiletto heals. I looked at my hair and my makeup for a moment to ensure that I didn't look weird, I wanted to look nice for this moment. I had been working toward this moment since I left Forks, and it was one of the most important things I have done in my life up to this point. Quickly I swept a piece of hair behind my ear and then grabbed the hanger with my graduation gown and cap and headed to the living room.
When I reached the living room, I was met by my mother, along with Kat, Jake, Alice, and Jasper. However, as I was getting ready for this moment, I couldn't help but think about Charlie though. This was the moment he wanted to see more than anything in the world. I knew the idea that I was valedictorian of my senior class was something that he was overly proud of, but seeing me graduate from college was going to be one of the crowning achievements in my life, at least for him. Especially since he never had the chance to do what I have done with my life.
"You look beautiful, sweetheart," said my mother as she wrapped me in a hug.
"No time for sentiment, Renee, we are going to be late," chirped Alice as she grabbed my hand and began to drag me out of the apartment toward the car.
"I am starting to wonder who is more excited about Bella's graduation, you or Bella," chuckled Jasper as he followed behind us.
She turned and stuck her tongue out at him like a child and he smiled back at her. I couldn't help but smile when they acted that way. I just loved to watch them together. They were perfect in everyway possible… relationship wise. Not saying that I didn't have a good relationship with Jake, but it wasn't anything like what Alice and Jasper had, not even close. Jasper and Alice just were perfect for each other and it was obvious that they were meant to be together always. That was the kind of love that I wanted… one that was meant to be.
"So, are you excited to move to St. Louis, Bells?" Asked Kat as she pulled her seat belt on and turned the key to the ignition.
"Yeah, it's going to be a new experience that is for sure."
My mother wasn't too happy with my future living arrangements, but after I told her that I wasn't having sex with Jake, she took the information a little better. The idea that her daughter was going to be living with her boyfriend, one that was a few years older and looked like Jake did, would worry any rational mother that cared about her child's well being. I knew Jake wanted us to have sex though. I could see it in his eyes, but he knew I wanted to wait until I was married. Plus I didn't feel like I was emotionally ready for that kind of relationship with him. So he was the perfect boyfriend and went on respecting my wishes, even though I knew it was becoming frustrating for him, especially since I would be living there with him, and even seeing me in less clothing than he had seen me in before. I would have to keep that stuff in mind so I didn't make it harder on him than it actually was.
The drive to the SIU Arena was a long one, and by the time that we got there a massive line of people had formed and were trying to get inside. When I stepped out of the car, Alice was pulling my graduation gown off the hanger and putting it on me, along with the collar. She looked at me carefully, and then adjusted my hair some before she placed the mortarboard cap on my head and tassel.
"Now, let's get you graduated," she said smiling as if she was a proud parent instead of being one of my best friends.
When we finally got inside, my family walked toward the stands. I, on the other hand, went to the table to retrieve my name card and went toward the Arena floor. As I stepped out, I looked around to see the hundreds upon hundreds of people that were taking their seats. Walking farther out, I finally found the sign for my degree and took a seat on the outside edge. Finally I looked out into the crowd to see my family out there smiling and waving at me.
Sighing, I couldn't help but think about a lot of things as I waited for the ceremony to begin. The main thought was that I never dreamt that I would ever be graduating from college without my father or my best friend, but here I was graduating and neither was here with me. It was a hard thing to wrap my mind around.
I didn't find this out until a few months after my father's passing, but from what Esme told me later on, Edward didn't take my father's death very well. Alice would come to tell me that he disappeared for a few days. No one knew where he was and even Tanya was driving everyone crazy with frantic phone calls searching for her fiancé. They said when he finally did come home, he had a completely different attitude about things. Esme asked me once what I thought brought this on, and I couldn't be sure for a few reasons. Mostly I wasn't sure if he was the same person that I had known before I left Forks. Edward was now a complete mystery to me.
In a way, I had made peace with Edward since Charlie's death. Alice knew it was okay to tell him some things about my life, though I never asked about Edward's. I felt it would be better to be on a need to know basis, and I really didn't feel like I needed to know what he doing anymore. Too many things had happened in our lives and we couldn't just go back to way they were when we were in high school, but I didn't have to be cruel and mean about everything anymore. It was time for me to grow up and get past the stuff that had hurt me in the past.
"Please rise for the Processional…" boomed the voice from the loud speakers.
Standing, I watched as the professors marched in with their brightly colored hoods and they took their seats on the floor. When they all were seated, the graduates took theirs. The whole graduation was actually pretty boring. Watching hundreds of people graduating wasn't something I considered to be fun. I would have rather been finishing packing my stuff for the move to St. Louis.
After about an hour and half, they called the bachelor's degree candidates in English forward. I followed in line with my fellow candidates. I handed my name card to the professor that represented the English department.
"Isabella Marie Swan, English, summa cum laude."
Crossing the stage, I shook hands with the dean and a variety of other people that were associated with the university and went back to my seat. It was a nice feeling to know that I had finally accomplished what I had set out to do, but sad that the people that I wanted there the most wasn't there to share this moment with me. Mostly, I wanted my best friend here, even after everything that had happened between us, I wanted to share this one moment with him. No matter what would happen to us, I knew that Edward would always be my biggest fan.
They conferred our degrees to us and then the recessional played, and professors marched out. When they finally left the floor, the graduates were free to leave and find their families. As I exited the building, I found them standing outside by the fountain that was just outside the front doors. I received the normal hugs and congratulations, but I wasn't completely satisfied with everything.
"What's wrong?" Asked Alice, low enough no one but me could hear.
"Nothing. Just thinking."
"You're thinking about my brother, aren't you?"
"Maybe a little."
"He wanted me to tell you congratulations."
Congratulations huh? I wondered if it was true or was Alice just saying it to make me feel better.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah, and he wanted you to know that he was happy that you accomplished what you set out to do too."
"That's some big words… you sure he said that?"
"I made it sound a little nicer than what he said," she chuckled.
Smiling, I shook my head and turned my attention back to Jake who was watching me closely, a smile on his face. He slowly came toward me to wrap his strong arms around me, pulling me as close as he could to his chest.
"Congratulation, my love," he whispered in my ear.
"Thanks."
I pulled myself close and laid my head against his chest. I felt safe in his arms, but still felt strange at times being there.
"I want to take some pictures," beamed Renee as she pulled her camera out of her purse.
I couldn't help but smile and shake my head. I had reached this moment and I could give this to my mother. She never asked for much from me and I could be the good daughter and let her have this moment. This was the moment that she got to be a proud mother of a college graduate.
So I put the cap back on my head and stood with Jake for some, then with Kat to Alice and Jasper. Then I wrapped my arm around my mother and stood with her for a minute, taking in this moment and reflected on all the stuff that brought me to this point. Even with all the people that I cared about there with me, I felt alone like I was missing something. It didn't take much to know who I missed either. I missed Edward.
October 2007
"Bella, I need those copies on my desk… NOW!" stretched Carrie, one of my many bosses.
When I finally got moved to St. Louis, I began working as a copy editor for a publishing company. Since I started working here, I have actually begun to question my sanity. I have even begun to wonder if I was crazy to become a copy editor for Smith Publishing.
I quickly finished scratching down my corrections and was running down the hall toward Carrie's office. As soon as I threw the folder on her desk, I was off toward Greg Crane's office, the president and CEO of the company. Yesterday, I had received a memo that he had sent down saying that he wanted to see me in his office about something. I had no idea what it was about, but I knew better than to tick him off. Greg had a little bit of a temper when people tested his patience.
I rode the elevator up stairs to the top floor, and when the doors opened I was greeted by his personal assistant, BJ. He was the go to guy when you were in a pinch too. He knew everything that was going on in this building and there was always a million things going at once.
"Hey, Bells. Ready for this meeting with Mr. C?" He asked while he was writing something down on his clipboard.
"I would be more ready if I had a clue what he wanted to talk to me about. You got any ideas?"
"Sworn to secrecy, Miss Swan. I would totally love to tell you but Mr. Crane isn't the only guy I have been sworn to secrecy by."
"Jake?" I asked.
"Yeah. Told me if I told you anything he would personally talk to Mr. Crane about demoting me to being a janitor instead of being Mr. Crane's right hand guy," he stated looking down at his clipboard.
Jake helped me a lot by getting this job for me. He was working as the new head editor of the paranormal romance department. He totally loved this job too. Mostly he liked it because he could swing downstairs when he wanted to visit with me. It didn't matter if the other people in my department liked it. Jake was in too good with Mr. Crane and he could almost get away with anything he wanted as long as it didn't bother anyone else.
"I guess I am going to be surprised then?"
"Yes, and promise me this… you won't get mad at Jake. He does have your best interest at heart."
BJ's comment worried me a little. What had Jake done? Was I in trouble? Oh God, please don't let this be a meeting to tell me to find another place of employment.
It was then that the speakerphone on BJ's desk buzzed.
"BJ, send in Swan."
I looked over at BJ and he gave me an encouraging smile as I walked toward the door. Turning the knob I said a silent prayer hoping for good things.
"Come in, Swan. Don't be afraid."
Gregory Crane was a very frightening man if you didn't know him. He appeared to be one of those cranky older men that you might even come to think would complain about everything, but he was the complete opposite of that. He was the funniest and most relaxed guys, but when angry, he was a force to be reckoned with.
"What can I do for you, Mr. Crane?" I asked as I sat down in front of him.
"Swan, when were you going to tell me that you could write?"
"Excuse me?" I asked, confused.
"I was talking with Jake and he told me that you spend most of your time writing at home and I was shocked since you have never mentioned it to me yourself. He also told me that you have a dream of being an author too."
"It's only a dream, sir. Not a reality," I said sadly.
"I don't think so."
He pulled out a folder with my name on it and when I flipped it open laid one of my stories that I had been working on for the last few years.
"Bella, this story is amazing. Honestly, it's raw and powerful. It deserves to be finished and published."
I sat there in shock of what he was saying. He was saying that my writing was good. My story was good.
"Mr. Crane?"
"Miss Swan… would you be interested in completing this story and Smith Publishing being its publisher?"
When he asked this question a million thoughts flooded my mind. The idea that I was getting my chance was insane. It couldn't be real. I just continued to look at my boss, not saying a word.
"Bella?"
I shook my head trying to bring myself back to reality.
"This is because Jake asked you to do this?"
"He asked me to read some new talent and he actually put another name on it to keep me from knowing. Bella, it wouldn't have mattered either. Your work is wonderful and I want you to be one of our new writers. So, what do you think? Do you want to stay as a copy editor for this company or do you want to get out there and show the world what you can do?"
It didn't take me long to answer either.
"If you want me to write… let me."
I shook his hand and I quickly started to sign the paperwork while he told me about some of the requirements that would be expected of me.
"Clean out your office, Swan… work from home now," he said with a smile as he led me to the office door.
When he closed the door, I was met by the smiling face of BJ.
"Congratulations, Miss Swan… you are now a soon to be published author," he said with a smile.
He grabbed me and we both were jumping up and down and squealing. Many people were walking past us and they were wondering what was going on to have the copy editor and the head honcho's assistant dancing in front of his office.
"Can I get in on this excitement?"
I turned to see my Jacob standing behind me. I ran into his arms and was enveloped in his strong embrace. I couldn't help but kiss him. I normally wasn't that affectionate in public, but this was one of those exceptions.
"I should kill you for this, you know," I whispered when I pulled away from him for a moment.
"You love me, and you would miss me if I wasn't around," he said playfully.
I hugged him close again, before I pulled back to look at him again.
"Got to go tell Carrie to shove it now," I said with a smile.
He chuckled as he released me and I skipped downstairs. After I swung into Carrie's office to tell her that she would be getting a new copy editor since I was now an author, I ran down to my office and began to pick up most of my personal belongings when the phone on my desk began to ring.
"Hello," I said my voice full of music.
"Someone is rather happy…"
"Yes, I am, Alice. Happier than I have ever been."
"Well, then… I want to add to the happiness."
"Then add away…"
"Jasper asked me to marry him!"
The squeal that came through the line caused me to start jumping up and down and squealing too.
"Oh my God. Congratulations. When?"
"Today at lunch. Told him I had to call you as soon as the ring was on the finger."
"I bet he laughed at you too…"
"Oh, Bella. Anyway… I need to ask you something."
"Alright, ask."
"Will you be my maid of honor?"
That wasn't exactly what I thought she would ask me, but not something that I should have been surprised by.
"You know you have a sister-in-law you could ask too. I don't want to take away from her…"
"Bella, you know that I would only want you there with me. Please… pretty please… with sugar on top."
I stood there looking around my office for a moment before I answered.
"Okay, Alice. For you, I will."
She squealed again causing me to pull the phone away from my ear.
"I love you, Bells. I'll call you with more info soon. Later."
The line went dead and I put the phone down on the desk and couldn't help but smile. I was getting out of the copy office and I was going to be working on my writing and my good friend was getting married…
I stopped for a moment when I started to process this new news. Alice and Jasper was getting married. I was Alice's best friend and in turn was going to be her maid of honor. Jasper's best friend was… Edward. So that meant that he was going to be the best man!
My thoughts started to run. Edward was going to be in the wedding. I hadn't seen him in forever and I would have to spend massive amounts of time with him for this wedding. I promised myself that I wouldn't go back to Forks, and now I had to go back because I just made a promise to be in a wedding. I could change my mind. Tell Alice I was busy with my writing especially since I was now trying to get my story ready for publishing. No, I couldn't do that to Alice. She came here so many times for me and she wants me there.
Sighing, I sat down in my chair and stared out the window of my office. I never thought I would have to go back to Forks to face him. I thought I could hide out from him and just make the choice to stay in the Midwest and not go anywhere that he was. Now, it wasn't an option. I had to go home.
Questions flooded my thoughts though. How would he react to me now that it's been so many years since we last saw each other? Would he recognize me? Would he hate me for what I had done? I ran away from him without a word. What kind of person does that make me… a coward? Would it be weird with him being with Tanya and me with Jake? Groaning I put my head down on my desk. My happy news has now turned to gloom.
The old saying is 'who says you can't go home?' and I realized that I wasn't one of those people that could have that option of staying away. I had to go home to face my past and my demons. Mostly, I had to face the man that been so much a part of my life and show him that like him… I had moved on.
December 2007
I was sitting at my desk working through some chapters of my story that Greg wanted to see on his desk when my cell phone started to ring.
"Bella Swan."
"You are so professional now."
"Yes, Emmett. It tends to happen when you have a job."
"Guess so. So… when are you coming in for the wedding?"
I sat in silence for a while on that one. I really didn't want to think about it too much, but I realized that I was going to have to head toward Forks soon… especially with the wedding only weeks away.
"Unfortunately soon," I mumbled.
"Aw, come on Bells. You know you are excited to see everyone. Especially me."
"I wonder who is the most excited to see me… you or Alice. You realize your wife might get upset with your fascination with me too," I said jokingly.
"Doubt it. She's excited to see you too."
Sighing, I was a little more at peace since I knew I wasn't heading into Forks alone. I had called my college friends, Joanne and Tiffany, and they were going to go out with me. Jake would be flying out closer to time for the wedding. He still had to report to Smith Publishing everyday where I just stayed in communication with Greg and my editor, Kyra, via email.
Lucky for me, my mother never sold the house in Forks, not for a lack of trying though, so we had a place to stay when we got there. Alice had Jasper and Emmett getting the house back into shape so it was livable. As I thought about it, I began to wonder what the good people of Forks would think to see the daughter of the former police chief back in town.
"I think Joanne told me that she got the tickets so we will be leaving in a day or so."
"Great. I can't wait."
It was then that I had to ask the question.
"Emmett, what does Edward think of me coming back to Forks?"
The line went quiet then. I removed my hands from the keyboard of my computer.
"Emmett…"
"He doesn't know yet. When the subject is brought up he seems to think that Rose is going to be the matron of honor."
"YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT HE HAS NO IDEA THAT I AM COMING??"
"Alice thought it would be better to let him find out after you got here. Plus with the psycho fiancé of his…"
In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to strangle Alice to death. What was she thinking?? After taking a really deep breath I started to calm down again.
"I'm sorry, Em. I didn't mean to freak out. I just have a bad feeling about this."
"Worry not, Bells. All will work out like it is supposed to. I got to run. Rosie is yelling. See you in a day or so. Bye."
"Bye, Em."
After pushing the button to end the call, I felt this moment of dread again. This wasn't going to be good. That much I was sure of.
Two Days Later…
"So how does it feel to be heading back to Forks?"
I turned to my friend, Joanne, to see her studying my expressions closely. I must have looked a little freaked out, because she seemed like she was walking on egg shells around me at the moment.
"Nervous I guess. I never thought I would actually be going back to Forks. I thought my life there was over, but I guess I was wrong."
"It will be fine, Bella. Just take it all in stride," stated Tiffany who was sitting across the aisle from the two of us on the plane.
"Yeah, Bells. Who cares if your high school crush is there and he is engaged to some evil bitch now. You have a wonderful guy that worships you and soon you are going to be a published author. How could it get any better for you?" Asked Joanne.
"I see your point," I said with a smile. Joanne always had a way with words.
"Alright then. We should be arriving in Seattle in an hour or so. So let's get a little rest."
Taking Joanne's advice, I closed my eyes and I quickly fell asleep, pushing my worries from my mind. The next thing I knew was the captain was coming over the intercom to tell us that we would be landing soon. My worries quickly returned and were causing my heart to beat erratically.
"You ready for this?" Asked Tiffany while Joanne and I were followed her down the aisle of the plane, heading for the exit.
"I guess I better get ready since we're here now," I chuckled.
We claimed our luggage and we were walking through the airport heading for the front doors. We were going to have to hail a cab to make it to the hotel. I wasn't in the mood to go to Forks tonight. I needed a little more time before I faced the Cullens, especially Edward.
"So, Bella, are we going out tonight? I mean we should totally go out for drinks. Plus I think you need calm down some and it will totally help you relax some before we head into Forks tomorrow. What do you think?"
Looking at my friends, especially Joanne, it was obvious that I wasn't going to get out of this situation without going out for drinks with them. They liked the bar and club scene… I personally could live without it.
"Fine. Lets get checked into the hotel first, and then we can go out for dinner and drinks," I replied, while I hailed the cab.
The ride from the airport to the hotel wasn't horrible. I listened to my friends talking the whole way there but my mind was on more pressing issues. I was thinking about how things were going to go when Edward and especially his psychotic fiancé found out that I was back in Forks for Alice and Jasper's wedding. Mostly, I was wondering how I was going to react to Edward. He was such a prominent person in my life and I just left him here and moved on with my life… how would things be between the two of us?
As the cab pulled up in front of the hotel, both of my friends gasped at its size and grandeur. Before the flight I had called to reserve us a room and it was actually one of the nicest ones in Seattle. Greg was a doll and let me put the room on the company's tab. Said it was his way of helping one of his up and coming authors out. Plus he hoped that maybe the time away would inspire something new for me. My first book was going to be coming out soon and he was ready to see what other original ideas I could come up with.
The girls scattered around the room as soon as we crossed the threshold. They were quickly showering and getting dressed for our night out on the town. Me, I crashed on the couch with my cell phone. Pushing three on my speed dial, I pushed the button to make a call. After about two rings, Alice answered.
"Hey, Ally."
"Bella!! Are you here yet?" She asked.
"Yeah, we are going to stay over in Seattle tonight though. My friends have never been to Seattle and they wanted to see some stuff before I bring them to the middle of no man's land."
"I totally understand. So you will be in tomorrow sometime?"
"Yeah, around four or five probably."
"Great, tomorrow we are going to the dress shop so you can try on your dress."
I couldn't help but feel another moment of dread. I hadn't forgotten Emmett and Rosalie's wedding and I knew Alice. Her wedding was going to be even more fancy and extravagant.
"Great," I said sarcastically.
"Oh, Bella. You are being overly dramatic about this. It won't be that bad."
"We don't all find dresses and fittings to be fun, Alice."
I looked up to see Tiffany and Joanne walking out of the bathroom to stare at me. I knew they were wondering why I wasn't getting ready for our girls night out.
"Alice, I need to go, I think Tiff and Joanne are going to kill me so if I don't make it through tonight, tell everyone I love them."
"I will," she chuckled. "Talk to you tomorrow, Bells. Bye."
I ended the call to see a glimmer of mischief in their eyes.
"You aren't ready, Bella," stated Tiffany.
"I was calling to check in with Alice. Sorry."
Tiffany grabbed my hand and drug me into the bathroom and was pulling out her hair iron and was quickly waving my hair along with putting on a light layer of makeup with a soft, pale baby pink gloss. Joanne had an outfit pulled from my suitcase and was forcing me into it before I could say anything.
When I stepped out of the bathroom, I didn't look like Bella Swan, but someone else. The woman had been staring back at me from the bathroom mirror was a woman that had this look of absolute confidence. She was a force to be reckoned with. She could walk in a room and take control of everything. She could make men fall at her feet and beg for just a moment of her attention. It was strange, but I loved it. I wanted to be that woman, at least for tonight. Especially since no one in this city knew me as the geeky Bella from Forks. I could be anything I wanted, and I wanted this…at least for tonight.
"Damn girl, you will have the guys at your feet tonight. Glad that your boyfriend is no where to be seen because we would be bailing him out of jail for kicking the butt of every guy that lays eyes on you tonight," stated Joanne while she was putting on her necklace.
"Lets get out of here, I don't want to be out all night."
Grabbing our keys, we were down the elevator and at the front of the hotel hailing a cab to take us to this restaurant that Greg told us that we should go to. Again, he was paying for this portion of the trip. I must have really impressed him. Companies normally didn't spend this much money on a new author.
The restaurant was nice. In my mind, it was a little too fancy, and too expensive for my taste, but my friends loved it. They loved having all the fancy food and French champagne. Me, I would have loved to have a sandwich somewhere. When they were done with their food they started to ask where the best place to go for drinks would be. It was then that our server recommended this bar no far from the restaurant… The Casino. He told us that it wasn't a fancy place, but it wasn't a dive either. Mostly he told us that they were having karaoke tonight and my friends couldn't pass up the opportunity to listen to people make fools of themselves. Drunks were hilarious when they sang karaoke.
We didn't even take a cab. We just walked down the street, since it was only a block away and it was in a well lit neighborhood. When we walked in front of it, you would have sworn it was a place that could have been seen in the 1920's… a speakeasy. The atmosphere was similar to one too. The place was dark, and had walls that had iron grate windows throughout the place. The bar located in the center of the room with numerous table in which games of poker were being played. We found a table not far from the bar and Joanne quickly went to the bar to get us drinks. She returned and I began to sip at my drink when they announced that they were going to be starting karaoke soon and that people should come to sign up to sing.
"You should sing something, Bella."
I turned to see Tiffany looking at me. Serious about her comment too.
"I don't think so, Tiff. Singing isn't my thing."
"I'll sing if you do…" She said, trying to tempt me.
"What would you sing, may I ask…"
"I Hate Myself For Loving You," she said with confidence.
"Joan Jett. Very classic."
"Come on, Bells. Be bold. Do something crazy… it's just us with you. No one else you know is here. Have this moment of fun," teased Joanne.
I sat there and thought about it for a moment. I wanted to be that woman. The strong, confident woman that could make the world fall at her feet, but I was a coward when it came to standing in front of people to do anything. Joanne was right though. The only people that I knew in this bar were her and Tiffany. So why not?
"Okay, but you can't make fun of me later about it."
"Never. Especially since I can't sing and I am going to," laughed Tiffany.
I followed her up and she told the DJ what song she wanted to sing and I began to flip through the book when I came across this song that I had listened to and I fell in love with. I quickly wrote my song choice down and the DJ told me that I would sing after Tiffany.
Sitting back at the table, we listened to many people get up there and some were making absolute fools of themselves. It was fun, even if I didn't say it out loud to my friends. I was worried though. Something told me that this moment of fun was going to do something to change my world completely. How it would change it… I didn't know.