A/N: Hello, readers! I'm here again with the next installment of "Nautical Twilight"! I appreciate the positive response for the first chapter, so much! Made my day!

We are now onto the next chapter of our story! Bella is starting her new job! I hope that you all enjoy this second chapter. I know, there is no Edward yet! However, be patient! He will come and it will be wonderful!

Also, I don't think I mentioned this is the first chapter. Some of you may know this, but I got the title from the phase of Twilight. It is called "Nautical Twilight". So, there you go! Mystery revealed!

Anywho, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please leave a response, I love hearing from you!

A special thanks: SunFlowerFran, Jet, and Guest! Your reviews and comments mean so much!

Nautical Twilight

Chapter 2: The First Day

"Aw, Bells, look at you, off to your first day of work!" Charlie beamed from across the kitchen table as I came down the stairs. There was nothing particularly stunning about my day's wardrobe: tan dress pants, a black button up shirt-of which was mostly covered by my jean jacket-and my hair thrown back into a quick ponytail. He was treating this like it was my first day of school. "It's like seeing you on your first day of school!"

Called it.

"Come on, Charlie, let's not make this a thing." I practically pleaded making my way into the kitchen to start assembling the things that I would need for the day. Charlie maintained his "proud papa" look.

"Are you looking forward to your first day as a librarian?" Charlie inquired, shoveling a spoonful of, what I could only assume to be, his breakfast into his mouth. Upon closer glance, it seemed to be the prepared parfait. Good. Hopefully this means he will eat what I have made for him while I'm away and not order take out.

"Well, it's a job. I mean, I'm happy I'll have flexible hours and overall I enjoy a variety of literature. So, it could be worse." I should probably be a little bit more enthused about this job, for Charlie's sake. He was the one to get me the job after all. One of the perks of being Chief of Police, I suppose. It wasn't that I wasn't grateful, it's just...I left my dream job back in Arizona. Anything else seemed lackluster.

I quickly changed the topic, "I see you're enjoying one of your prepared breakfasts? See, eating healthier isn't so bad."

"Yeah, it's alright. "Charlie said simply, paired with a shrug, before taking another spoonful. "Would be a little bit more fulfilling with a side of bacon. You know, some protein."

I rolled my eyes, "Dr. Cullen said, no greasy foods. Besides, yogurt is an excellent source of protein. You don't have to eat meat to get your protein, Charlie!"

After ensuring that Charlie would be alright for the day and wouldn't do anything to jeopardize his health, we said our goodbyes and I was off to work.

Charlie was kind enough to make sure that I had a vehicle when I moved out here. I sold the car I had back in Arizona, for the purpose of having a little extra cash in the bank. It wasn't a fancy vehicle by any means; an older, orange, Chevy truck with some definite wear from over the years. It was a gift from Charlie's good friend, Billy Black.

The important thing was: it ran; and, I liked the color orange. Also, who could argue with free?

I forgot how much I disliked the beginning days at a new job.

The awkwardness from not knowing anything or anyone. The confusion from not knowing anything or anyone. And of course, the utter unease from...not knowing anything or anyone.

There was so much to how a library is to run. It wasn't as simple as checking out books and putting them on shelves. With the merging of technology, libraries had advanced so much beyond from when I was younger.

"Don't look so petrified, Isabella. This is a lot of information to be thrown your way, you'll get the hang of it over time." Mike Newton was the director here at Forks Public Library. He appeared to be close to my age. We had completed the typical new hire protocol: introductions, small talk, paperwork, and training videos. It was now onto the next part, and the part that made me particularly squeamish: going out onto the floor for a "tour" and meeting my coworkers.

He divulged that he had grown up here in Forks his entire life, left briefly to go to college nearby, and then returned after graduating. He had worked at the public library for a few years before completing his masters in Library Sciences and became director shortly after. Mike seemed like a super friendly guy. A definite open book-all the puns intended.

"Yeah, that's what I'm hoping. Still, just a little nervous." I reply, sheepishly.

Mike flashed me a reassuring smile, "You have nothing to be nervous about, Isabella. We are going to ease you into the job. I'm going to have you shadow one of our veterans here: Jessica!"

I have to admit, Mike telling me that I would be working with someone else, and not just thrown into the deep end, did soothe my nerves a little.

Mike directed me towards the children's literature section of the library, towards where Jessica Stanley was manning the help desk. As we made our way, Mike did his role as director and greeted any patron's we passed, asked if they needed any assistance, and made sure to introduce the library's newest employee. My social awkwardness was armed and at the ready!

Even at twenty-nine-years-old, I still never quite outgrew my awkwardness that has plagued me since my early teens.

"Hey there, Jessica!" Mike greeted, a certain level of cheerfulness oozing into each word. I quickly recognized Jessica. When I first arrived, she was the one working at the front desk and brought me to Mike.

"Hey there, Mike!" Jessica responded, mimicking his tone. Her eyes took a quick glance in my direction before returning to Mike. She probably assumed why he brought me over there.

Jessica, too, appeared to be around the age of both Mike and Myself. She was very cute. Small and petite, she kind of reminded me of a preschool teacher: all bubbly and sweet.

"I know you two met, briefly, earlier. But, this, here, is Isabella, she is our new page!" Mike introduced, stepping to the side. A silent cue for me to move into the "spotlight".

I gave a shy wave, paired with a sheepish smile. Damn you, awkwardness. "It's nice to meet you, Jessica. You can call me 'Bella'."

Jessica smiled from ear to ear. "It's nice to, formally, meet you Bella!"

"Bella is going to be shadowing you for the next few days. So, she will be looking to you to show her the ropes and the ins and outs of the library!" Mike instructed. Though, from Jessica's quick acceptance, she must have known this was coming. His attention returned to me. "You're in good hands with Jess, Bella! She has been working at this library for the past ten years! You girls are going to make a great team!"

With those final words, and a rather cheesy 'two thumbs up', Mike sauntered off towards his office. However, not without performing his directorial duties of greeting and helping the customers.

"Mike's a big time goober, but, he's a really good boss!" Jessica commented. "So, have you ever worked at a library before?"

"No," I replied, shaking my head. "But, I have always loved books and reading. Back in Arizona, I worked as a writer for an online new media. So, reading has always been a passion."

"Oh, really? That's super cool!" She seemed genuinely impressed about my past career. I couldn't help it, but it actually made me feel pretty good. "You'll probably find that Forks Public Library isn't quite the same "speed" as that, but, for a small town library, we get a decent amount of traffic."

I slowly nodded, looking around our section of the library. She wasn't wrong. Definitely more people here then I would've thought in small, ole Forks!

"One of the perks of not having a Barnes and Noble nearby, I suppose." Gotta envy her bubbly personality.

Our small talk came to an abrupt end as a young preteen approached us, "Um, excuse me? Would you by chance have a copy of "Interview With A Vampire"?"

"Ooo, a vampire fan, eh? I believe we do! Here, Bella, I'll show you how we use our database to find books." Jessica replied, turning her attention to the computer. Her fingers moved fast across the keys, even with her instruction, I was still completely lost. It wasn't but a few seconds, and with little assistance from me, she had found what she was looking for. She really was a veteran. "Yes we do, sweetie. Right this way."

As Jessica guided the young girl to her intended destination, I followed close behind. We were off to find ourselves some vampires!

TBC...

Next: Jacob Black