Addie Day didn't know what to expect when she arrived in Forks. Never did she think she would be looking into golden eyes and feeling this rush. EmXOC Human/Vampire
Author's note: 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 Addie.
Many thanks to Taylor Swift for the feelings that inspired this story and its namesake. If you haven't, listen to "Gold Rush" to understand the butterflies of excitement.
Chapter 1: New Normal
The droplets of water clung to the car window as I shifted my '95 Toyota Camry into "Park." My left foot automatically forcing the emergency break into place. It was a reflex no matter where I was, but it sometimes meant I forgot to take it off. I'd probably need to get it replaced after my 3-mile cruise with it on last month.
I surveyed the school in front of me with a sigh. It would be much nicer to be back in Colorado. Maybe I could turn around and drive right back to my old school. It was just 1,500 miles, give or take a few.
That wasn't an option though. I was here in Forks, Washington for the rest of the year. There was no point in thinking back to Colorado when nothing was going to change.
I took three breaths, each one a litter deeper to cut the nerves. My hands were a little shaky even though I had done this thing a million times.
Moving was a constant in my life. My family was military meaning we had lived all over the United States and never stayed in one place for a long time.
It was hard to count how many different schools I had been to between new duty stations and leveling up to the next school. By the time I hit high school I was a professional new girl. This wouldn't be much different; except I didn't have them with me…
I stretched my neck up to peer into the rearview mirror and smile. I always tried to smile before starting something new – thought it set a good precedent. I then surveyed my face before getting ready to shove open the heavy door.
My deep-set almond eyes were adorned with enough mascara to allow a halo of lashes to peer above my hooded crease. The pupils in my deep blue eyes constricted in a snap as someone turned in behind me and their headlights hit my mirror.
It was early and winter which meant that the light had not yet presented itself. The lights forced me to speed up my survey. Nothing in my teeth, my face had a natural glow from my daily SPF 30 moisturizer - I was a big fan of sunscreen.
Another set of headlights hit my mirror again and I decided that meant I needed to find the school office.
I shoved the door open and swung my legs out feeling the asphalt beneath me crunch with salt that I'm sure was there from the freeze my aunt told me about last week.
It was cold enough to send a chill through me. The dampness of the light drizzle mixed with 40-degree weather made me miss my car's heater.
I grabbed my black Jansport backpack out of my backseat and pushed onward towards the main office building.
The biggest pro to the weather here was that my curly hair would stay springy. My brown hair fell to my shoulders and held itself tightly in ringlet curls and inexplicably liked the water.
The door was heavy when I opened it, forcing me to lean back a bit to wrench it from its spot. I walked into the warm office and introduced myself to the lady at the desk.
"Good morning," I said casually. "My name is Addison Day and it's my first day here."
"Of course, that's who you are! How often do you think we get new students here in Forks?" The homely-looking lady explained.
I nodded to acknowledge the reality that hardly anyone moved to Forks. I just wasn't that kind of place. The sleepiness of the town since I had arrived made me miss our Air Force base.
"I'm Mrs. Cope and here is your class schedule. Be sure to get a signature from each of your teachers. You can bring that back to me at the end of the day."
I thanked the lady, wondering how much time it would take me to find my first class. Starting the day with Math was not ideal, considering that I sucked at math. I'd need to see if I was allowed drinks in class… I could already tell that coffee was going to fuel my first period.
The hallways were filling with students as I worked my way around, trying to follow the map from the office. I found the blue door with "Room 115" labeled above it and followed the other students in.
I prepped myself for it to start up. All the new girl's attention was coming, and I had to remind myself how the dust would settle in a week or so.
I walked up to the teacher, a short gruff-looking woman with very thick glasses.
"Hello, my name is Addie Day. I'm new and was told you'd need to sign this." Pushing the paper in front of her.
"Welcome, Ms. Day," she said as she scribbled on the paper. "Find an empty seat."
I spun on my heel and turned to face the class. Several clusters of kids were chatting with each other, all with their eyes on me. I noticed some appraising eyes from a few guys who took their time looking over me.
It's not like I was wearing low risers like most of the other girls did. Instead, I wore high-waisted jeans and a green chunky sweater that I found at a thrift store in Colorado.
I knew they were noticing my curves – or muscles I should say. I was built like an athlete standing at 5' 7'' with strong legs and a small waist. I wasn't thin by any means, but I wasn't overweight. I'd say I was comfortably toned from all of the hiking and weightlifting I did back in Colorado.
Some girls were glancing at me too. I couldn't tell what they had decided about me, so I decided to go the friendly route and placed a smile on my face.
I found a seat next to a tiny girl with the most gorgeous features. She was looking far off like she was spacing out. Maybe she wasn't a 7:00 AM math girl either.
All of a sudden, her eyes shifted, and the corners lifted so far that they scrunched up as her mouth did the same. She was looking at me with so much… excitement?
A few more people were still entering the doorway, so I made a move to turn to her and stretch out my hand.
She looked surprised and excited at the same time.
"Hi, I'm Addie." I stretched my arm out further to make it easier for her. She looked tiny so her arms must be short, I thought to explain the slowness of her response.
"I'm Alice," she said. I was shocked by the happy sound of her, but even more so by her ice-cold hands.
"God, you are freezing! Are you ok? I think I have some gloves in my backpack." I said and turned towards my black bag.
"No, no! No need. I'm good!" She said quickly, her voice reminding me of chimes tinkling through the air.
"Ok," I said with a smile.
Something about her was energizing.
Her pixie cut and clothes screamed fashion magazine, but it was her face that drew me in.
"I'm so glad you are here."
"In math class?" I asked with a giggle. What a welcome!
"Yes… in math class! How did you end up here in Forks?" she asked.
"It's kind of a long story. Short version is that I came here to live with my aunt while my family moved overseas."
I felt a few of the eavesdroppers around us lean into our conversation, but no one looked willing to join in. Interesting, I thought.
"Oh wow! I hope you like it. I have a feeling that you are going to have the time of your life here!"
I had no clue how she came to that conclusion, considering it was a sleepy town with nothing to do, but I was an optimist too, so I smiled back at her widely. Her excitement really was contagious.
Class started up right away and the math did not wait for me to be ready for it. I decided tomorrow I would bring a tumbler of coffee after noticing a few people had drinks on their desks. I hoped that Aunt Amy had a to-go mug at the house.
Alice tinkled a goodbye to me and quickly skipped out of the room before I had even gotten up. She might be the only bright side to first-period math, I thought to myself as I walked out the door.
Alright! I hope that was enjoyable. This is the first fanfic I've ever felt comfortable publishing. Please let me know your thoughts and constructive feedback. I'd love some encouragement!