I do not own Twilight or any of its characters.*

Ch. 1 Blast From The Past

BPOV

"Toni, baby! I loved the re-write on chapter 23, but you've gotta give me more with that final line. We can't spoil the plot for the next book in the line-up. Also, give me more smut. The readers eat it all up! Anyway, call me back, so we can meet up later to discuss it in person!" The voicemail ended abruptly, and I shoved the phone back in my pocket.

I was supposed to be re-stocking the books in the non-fiction section, but when I saw the little green message icon appear on the front of my phone, I knew I couldn't ignore it. After all, working in this dingy little shop was just my cover for my actual job. I couldn't exactly tell Charlie that I was the undercover author of an internationally acclaimed book series which basically chronicled my romantic relationship with Edward Cullen. Of course, I had to remove all the supernatural mumbo jumbo from the story, but substitute vegetarian vampire in love with a human who has a psychotic vampire after her for a bad-boy heroin addict running from the dealer who's after his good-girl love interest and badda-bing, instant seller!

Don't get me wrong, I loved working in the shop. Bookstores and libraries have always been a few of the only places I could find true peace in my life. It was definitely the only place besides my apartment where I could lose myself and break free of the memories which otherwise consumed my every waking moment. 'You're no good for me.' He had said, finally revealing what I already knew deep in my heart to be true. I wasn't good enough for him. I wasn't pretty enough, smart enough, rich enough, thin enough, graceful enough, strong enough, fast enough, god-like enough...

Then there was Jacob Black. He was my best friend at one point, and he had also claimed to be madly in love with me. After months and months of his wooing me, I finally reached a point where I was ready to fully relinquish all hope of Edward ever returning to me and gave in to Jacob's advances. We worked pretty well together too...for awhile. I spent my days on the reservation while the wolves patrolled for Victoria who was intent to kill me.

Victoria. A shudder ran down my spine at the thought of her. Thankfully, the wolves were able to finally catch her a few months after her return to Forks.

Things were good again between Jacob and I after they got rid of Victoria, that is, until he saw her...Venessa. I was happy that he found his soulmate, but where did that leave me? Alone, again. Rejected and left broken-hearted by an inhumanly perfect supernatural being for something better, again.

I could go on forever about all the ways I would never amount to Edward's expectations of a mate or how I would never be as perfect for Jacob as his imprint, but I had decided not soon after Jake and Vanessa's meeting that if I couldn't be what anyone wanted or needed as I was, then I needed to be better than what I was. I would be better than what Edward wanted or what Jacob had. Well, I would be better in as many ways as a normal human possibly could be better. If I ever crossed paths with Edward, he would see me and regret ever leaving, ever walking away from my attained perfection. I just had a few more tweaks to make and I would be just that...perfect.

I was already wildly financially successful, even if no one knew it was me who authored The New York Times current number one best selling book series, a spot in which it had remained for thirteen consecutive weeks, but who's counting?

I chose to write under a pen-name for a couple of reasons. The first was that I couldn't care less about the fame itself. I merely needed steady income to help me meet ends in my path to perfection. Second, the book really did follow mine and Edward's relationship closely enough that I didn't want anyone—like seven nosey, no-good, abandoning vampires—thinking that I was still pining after them or revealing too much.

I didn't really expect how successful the story would become. I was just writing what I knew like everyone always tells authors to do. How was I supposed to know that the story would spread everywhere, spanning across every corner of all seven continents? The media reported that there was even a research team in Antarctica that allegedly had a copy mailed to them. I never would have guessed that a little over six months after it's release there would be big-wig Hollywood producers hitting up my agent for rights to the story to make it the next summer box office hit. It was an instant, unexpected smash.

Now that I had secured finances, I was also able to attend university at Brown and study literature, something I never would have been able to afford on my own even in my wildest dreams.

With my long-forgotten financial problems out of the way and most of my schooling under my belt—more money *check, higher intelligence *check*—I could focus on the real reason Edward didn't want me, my depressingly plain appearance. I had a few procedures done here and there—just a nip and tuck really—tightened a few things, removed a few things, plumped a few things... I was nearly there, but there were just a few more pieces to the puzzle that I needed to have done to finally be complete, to be perfect. The Bella from three years ago wouldn't recognize who I was now, and that was a good thing.

I even picked up marathon running—that's right world! Poor little clumsy Bella Swan that used to trip on air runs marathons and WINS—so now I could move through the world without the constant threat of worrying when my next accidental, self-inflicted injury would be. Plus there was the added benefit of calories burned...

I was suddenly pulled from my musings when the bell above the shop door rang, so I slowly walked back to the front of the store ready to greet the new customers. Just because I didn't technically need this job, didn't mean that I wanted to be fired. I shot a sheepish smile at Jim, my boss, who narrowed his eyes when I did because he knew I had been hiding out in non-fiction on my phone.

I rounded the edge of the shelf closest to the store entryway only to stop dead in my tracks. Eric Yorkie was standing there looking around like he was lost. It was like a blast from the past, but that was ok. It was just Eric...it could have been worse. Someone else from Forks could have showed up, someone arrogant and handsome who sparkled in the sun...Yes, that would have been far worse.

When he saw me, Eric straightened himself and puffed out his scrawny chest a bit with a smile. I fought the urge to roll my eyes as I approached him. "Hey Eric. What are you doing here?"

Confusion crossed his face before he asked, "Do I know you?"

"Ha. Ha. Very funny, Yorkie. Why are you on the East Coast?"

His wrinkled brow sunk deeper. "Seriously, this is so weird. I'm drawing a major blank here. Were you at that writer's convention over the summer or...?"

"Eric, it's me. Bella."

He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head making a face as if to say "yeah that means nothing to me..."

"Seriously? Bella Swan from Forks? We went to school together for almost two years!"

His eyes were wide enough that if I had just walked up and seen him that way, I'd be concerned. "Bella?" He took a timid step forward. "Is that really you? I didn't recognize you...you look so..."

"Much better?" I smirked in feigned confidence to try and hide the blush that was spreading rapidly across my cheeks and chest—the one thing I could do nothing about. He didn't look like he enjoyed what he was seeing. I might need to call Dr. Gullege's office for another consult...

"Umm...different..?" He chuckled nervously, and my heart sank. Even nerdy Eric Yorkie didn't like what he saw.

I looked over to the clock which read two thirty. My shift was officially over. "Yeah. Well, it's time for me to go home now, so it was...umm...good to see you, I guess..." I trailed off as I tried to make as graceful of an exit as possible when you're trying to hold all your tears in.

"Bella? Wait! I didn't mean you looked bad...just different...ugh I'm screwing this all up...You wanna go get a coffee and catch up? I just moved to the area. I transferred to Brown. It would be nice to have at least one friend here." He smiled hopefully.

I looked down at my phone and the little voicemail icon which was blinking again. I really had work to do, but I guess I could spare a few minutes. It would be nice to visit with my old friend. I didn't have many here in Providence.

"Umm, yeah. Sure. Just give me a minute to get my bag."

"Really?" He looked so excited, and I laughed.

"Yeah. Why? Did you think I would really miss the opportunity to catch up with you?"

"Honestly? Well, you never really gave me the time of day in High School. You were...busy with other things..."

I frowned and looked to my feet awkwardly. "I'm really sorry that I made you feel that way, Eric. I didn't mean to. I was just in a bad place there. I had to get out. That's why I moved out here on the East Coast. I actually go to Brown too." I offered him a small smile.

"Wow. That's awesome! This day just got even better. Tell me you're not studying Journalism?!"

"English Lit, but we may have some classes together." I had to laugh at the way his eyes lit up.

"This is amazing. Hey, I'm the new editor of the paper—"

"Of course you are."

He smiled and winked but continued, "—and I would love it if you joined the team. I'll give you top pick of whichever section you want."

"I don't know. I'm pretty busy between the shop and school..." and working on the next book in my top selling series...

"Come on! It will be just like the good old days! Please? Don't make me beg. You know I'll do it!"

Eric had matured and seemed more confident. It suited him. "I...uhh...ok, but only on a trial basis. I don't want to mess up your paper because of my crazy schedule."

His grin spread ear to ear. "Yes! Perfect! How about that coffee, so we can figure out the deets?"

"Ok." I shook my head and smiled at his enthusiasm.

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