Disclaimer – I think you know… but if you don't, I do not claim anything from the Twilight saga as my own. The only thing I can claim is Addie.
Author's note: Oh my goodness! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read. I hope y'all are having as much fun as I am. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments/reviews! I appreciate any encouragement or feedback that you provide.
Chapter 7: Sunrise Coffee Dregs
"It was the weirdest thing. It was like he was disgusted by me. All I did was sit next to him and he looked like he wanted to escape!" Bella was telling me as we sat on the tailgate of her rust-red truck.
Aunt Amy and Chief Swan had "made good" on their promise to get us together so here we were, swinging our legs back and forth, talking about Bella's hostile encounter with Edward Cullen. It was Saturday afternoon, and the sun was out which was why we had decided that the outdoors was a desirable venue for our meet-up.
I'd been the one to suggest it when Bella pulled up to our little white house. We'd made pleasantries and I brought Bella in to officially meet my aunt before making two cups of coffee and suggesting we took them outdoors.
Bella hesitantly agreed – I was starting to think that she was a naturally indecisive person. I had sold her on the plan when I said, "The weather won't be like this again for a while, you know."
We had been talking for an hour or so, in the unseasonably warm air, soaking in the warmth of the sun on our faces.
Our conversation started by discussing the slow-motion quality of sleepy Forks, WA. We both agreed that time moved at a different pace here. Everyone else was used to it, but we could feel the slowing of the clock and struggle to fill time – especially on the weekend.
Naturally, we began to share about our reasons to move from our bustling cities to "Slowsville," as Bella put it. I barked out a laugh when I heard it.
Unlike her answer at the lunch table on Monday, Bella was far more vulnerable with me one-on-one about her motivation to move in with her dad. She shared with me about her mom and stepdad and this feeling of wanting to take care of her mom which drove her to create the opportunity to focus on being a wife more than a parent. I found that very touching, particularly the self-sacrificial nature of it, especially because I could feel that she wasn't sure about Forks quite yet.
I told her about my life as a military brat. I explained the dynamics in my family and the way I had needed to become independent. I even felt secure enough to tell her about all of the different seasons in my childhood of being the oldest, trying to navigate new places and months where my dad was deployed. I had learned to be strong for my family out of necessity.
It was nice to talk with someone so openly. I usually protected these kinds of thoughts and memories, only wanting to share them with people I had vetted as safe audiences. Bella was proving to be that.
I looked up at the sky as she described Edward's chilly welcome and his absence this past week. I had noticed his vacancy at the Cullen table during lunch but didn't give it too much thought. I'd mostly been focused on a certain burly, broad smiled boy.
I looked back over at Bella as she summarized, "I just want to know what I did."
Her face displayed a mix of insecurity and irritation. I saw the questions swimming in her eyes. What was up with Edward Cullen?
The question was relatable. It was something I had been wondering for a couple of weeks now… what was so strange about the Cullen family? For starters, they were all unusually beautiful and strangely unengaged from the rest of the school.
"Well, I can only assume he won't be gone forever. I'm sure he comes back at some point! Then you can get your answers," I said, trying to cheer her up. No one liked unresolved conflict.
I looked down at the coffee mug beside me. The remaining drops of coffee were now drying to the bottom in a pattern. I mused how the mark reminded me of sunrise, blotchy brown rays stretched out from the base of the rounded rim.
New beginnings, I thought. I wondered what new adventures were ahead for me.
Bella was studying me now and asked, "How do you have so much confidence? You seem so sure about everything."
I smiled back at her, feeling the warming effect of the authentic compliment.
"Thank you, that's such a nice question." I wasn't completely sure of the answer so I said, "I just take it day by day and trust that things will work out."
I'd been through enough transition and change in my 18 years for a whole lifetime. Rather than being scared or anxious, I had learned through trial and error that even the worst of circumstances was an opportunity to grow. I didn't want to bore her with my philosophical musings, so I left it at that.
Bella decided to head home soon after. We agreed to hang out again the following weekend if homework allowed. It was a tentative plan, but I was grateful for it. Having a friend brightened my outlook on the next few months.
I watched her truck sputter to life and drive away. I held the two coffee mugs in my hands and thought about the dregs again. I decided to look into Bella's mug out of pure curiosity. Her coffee had dried in the crevice of the circular base.
Moving into the kitchen I washed the mugs in warm soapy water and set them on the drying rack next to the sink. The clock on the wall read 4:00 PM (16:00 in my family). I decided it might be nice to get a workout in before dinner time.
Sprinting upstairs I changed into athletic pants, a sports bra, and a light sweatshirt before running out the front door.
It had become a habit to work out in the driveway since the backyard creeped me out. It wasn't scary for any reason other than the thick blanket of forest that made me feel uncomfortably secluded. The first day I tried to work out in back of the house, I felt the hair stick up on my neck and decided I'd rather be out front where the neighbors could see me.
My warmup consisted of jumping jacks. Then I started moving… beginning with burpees to get my heart going. I felt it beat harder and harder as I forced my legs under me to jump after each push-up. I wasn't looking to do too much cardio since I hadn't done heavy lifting in a long time, but I did want to stay healthy.
I then completed side squat walks back and forth until I felt my thighs, glutes, and core fully engaged. The rest of my workout was filled with dynamic strength moves… I thought about asking around the school on Monday if anyone knew about a local gym. I had to find one!
Afterward, I filled a glass of water and guzzled it down in big glugs. Aunt Amy made tacos and I enjoyed every single bite. Dessert was a chocolate protein shake that I sipped on while we played each other in Monopoly. She creamed me, managing to bankrupt me within an hour and a half.
Sunday was cloudy and peaceful. I spoke with my family in the morning and studied for school the rest of the day. By Monday morning, I was ready to get out of the house. I headed for my car earlier than usual, relying solely on my tumbler of coffee for the daily caffeine fix.
I was sitting in my chair for first period ten minutes ahead of schedule. Only a few other students had arrived. I took the moment to take off the lid from my mug so that the coffee might cool quicker.
To my surprise, Alice Cullen arrived only a few moments later. Did she usually get here this early? I wondered.
"Good morning, Addie," her voice twinkling with excitement.
"Hi, Alice. How was your weekend?" I looked up at her. Her eyes were mesmerizing and reminded me of Emmett.
"Oh, it was great! My family went camping like we always do when there is nice weather."
"How nice! Do you guys sleep in tents? My family loves to camp, but we have a camper which makes it a lot more comfortable," I shared.
Alice paused for a second, "We do… Sometimes we don't even pitch the tent and stay out under the stars."
"Really?" I questioned. "Don't you get cold or damp? It seems like the ground in Washington is always so soggy."
She quickly replied, "Oh yeah, we don't do that all the time. Just every once in a while… I really like your top today, Addie."
I looked down at myself, not remembering what I had selected from my closet so early in the morning. I was wearing a maroon silk tank top with a white long sleeve undershirt. Tank tops were so popular right now, but no one at Forks was able to get away with it between the dress code and chilly weather.
"Thanks, Alice," I said, not sure what else to say. I paused long enough to end the conversation, but Alice was still standing there, with an expectant look on her face.
"Everything ok?"
"Oh, I thought you had something to ask me about," she said. How in the world…? But she was right.
"Oh my God, Alice. You are a mind reader or something!" Her mouth twitched. "I had planned to start asking around if anyone knew of a gym with heavyweights around the area. It's like you are psychic!"
She blinded me with a perfectly straight and satisfied smile.
"I just had a feeling. It's funny you ask because we have a gym in our garage! It's mostly for Emmett. You should talk to him about using it… I'm sure he would be delighted to talk about weightlifting."
Me… talking to Emmett… about using his gym… My brain was only processing the suggestion in segments. I should have realized that Emmett probably weight lifted regularly… how else does someone get so ripped?
"Maybe I'll do that, Alice. Are you sure it won't be weird?" I was kind of hoping she would say yes so that I could find a reason to excuse the idea. Yet, I knew that I desperately needed to find some free weights.
Alice shook her head, "Not weird at all. I'm sure he would be happy to share."
Over the rest of the class I thought through the different ways I could manage to ask Emmett Cullen about his weights. How in the world did someone do that without appearing desperate and assuming? I noticed a small, contented smile that graced Alice's mouth the rest of the period.
Before the class ended, she leaned over really quick to whisper, "Don't be a stranger, Addie!"
Boy was she different.
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