Chapter 1

Forks

It's early morning when I leave my apartment. I decide to travel light – my vacation will be short. When I go outside, it's still dark everywhere, but I've got used to this weather many years ago. There was a time when I even loved it.

When I started living with Charlie, I had an old truck, a faded red Chevy, that he had bought from his old friend Billy Black. Edward hated it, but I drove my lovely old car until it died. Later, after we got married, Edward bought me a new car, but I returned it after our divorce. One of the few things that I left is my engagement ring. I'm still wearing it. It became a little small for me, and I couldn't take it off while trying to get rid of it, so wearing the ring became a bad habit. Maybe, I just comfort myself by telling this lie. Maybe, I can't stand seeing my empty hand without it.

My new Audi doesn't have anything in common with any car I've driven before, and that's okay. Somebody says it's good to surround yourself with new things when you start a new life. Audi is one of the steps to move forward. There's no way to get back to the past, anyway.

The distance between Seattle and Forks is short, and a few hours later I notice a familiar sign.

THE CITY OF FORKS WELCOMES YOU

I have big doubts about that.

Forks is still green and wet, and it's raining when I get here. Some things never change. I get past the heart of the town, and soon I can already see Charlie's house.

I take a deep breath.

Welcome home, I think, you can't hide anymore.

I've tried to avoid visiting Forks since the divorce.

To my surprise, Charlie doesn't go outside to meet me, and I guess he isn't home now. My assumptions are right when the front door appears to be closed. Luckily, it's not a problem – I've still got my old keys. Again, some things never change.

There is a short note for me at the kitchen table.

Sorry, Bells, emergency call, I'll have to work today. Call me when you get home.

Dad

I've planned this vacation, because I didn't want Charlie to spend Christmas alone – and it doesn't look like a good idea anymore. Maybe, I missed something important, and my Dad doesn't need me so much? Shame fills my body. Maybe, I should have visited Charlie more often, but we both knew it wasn't a good idea.

Trying to be a good daughter, I call Charlie, just like he asked. Our conversation is short. We both are too awkward to have a really good talk, and silence between the two of us isn't a problem.

I want to hang up when Charlie suddenly adds:

"Are you sure about it, Bells?"

"Sure about what?" I ask, knowing what he's about to say. Old, hidden pain wakes inside of me, but I'm trying to hide it again. It's not the right time for it.

"He dumped you, Bella. It's not right. Are you sure you want to deal with it again?"

Feels like he wants to say something more, but I can't guess what. I just know that I need to be strong. I need to find the right words for Charlie – I've disappointed him so much already.

"It doesn't matter anymore," I answer. "Everything is fine, Dad. I'll be glad to spend Christmas with you."

"I missed you, Bells."

"I missed you too, Dad," I say, and we both know it's true. "Don't be late, okay?"

In the end, I decide that it's not so bad that Charlie's is working today. Dad visited me in Seattle a few times during these two years, and I need to prepare myself for spending time with him. I also need to pretend to forget all the memories that still live in this house, and that's gonna be… complicated.

Trying to stay busy, I clean the house. It's obvious that Charlie still lives alone, so I haven't missed much. Maybe, it'd be better for Dad to find somebody. It's better than being alone. Better than being like me.

When the house is clean, I examine the fridge and decide to drive to the supermarket. Charlie will be hungry when he gets home. I owe him a good dinner.

It stops raining, but I still try to be careful while driving. The supermarket in Forks is small but has everything I need, and I hope to return home in an hour. It's one of the advantages of a small town – time here has different price. Despite growing up in Arizona, I understand it only now.

The roads are empty, and soon I examine the shelves, searching for the products I neet. Pasta, vegetables…

A loud, familiar laugh fills the whole supermarket. I freeze. I remember this voice, and it's somebody I don't want to see right now.

Emmet Cullen, Edward's brother, and his wife Rosalie stand on the other end of the hall. They didn't change much since the last time I saw them. If somebody asked me to describe them, it'd be quite easy: prom king and queen. Emmet, broad-shouldered, perfect at any sport, has always been loud and open. Luckily, he's never been arrogant – their mother Esme would never allow kids to behave like that. Emmet and I lived in different worlds, but he always liked me – I knew it because he never knew how to lie, it was always easier for him to be honest.

Rosalie… well, we've never been friends. A former cheerleader, a long-haired blond with perfect skin, she thought that Edward should have chosen somebody better than me.

When I finally see the Cullens I realize that I'm not ready to talk to them. Probably, I could say hi to Emmet if he was alone, but they're together here. I'm so shocked and scared that I almost start panicking. My hands are wet, my brain doesn't work, my body freezes.

I'm not ready, so I need to leave this place as fast as possible. It's not a solution, but I just can't make it, not this time. I don't care about the food anymore, all I think is how to leave the store unnoticed. I'll think everything over when I get back home.

I manage to turn away without making any noise. A take a deep breath, then another one, but it doesn't help. Just pretend to be normal, I remind myself in my mind.

I almost rich the checkout line when I hear beside me:

"Bella, is that you?"

This is the end of me.

I can hear Emmet's heavy steps, so there's no way to escape. After taking a deep breath, I turn to him and force a smile. It looks pathetic, I know.

Emmet is getting closer, grinning, as usual, Rosalie is a few steps behind him, her eyes scanning me. I remember that look – it promises future gossips about me.

"Isabella, is that you?"

I don't know what to do, but Emmet doesn't hesitate and simply hugs me, like the past means nothing to him, and he's still my brother. His arms are warm. For a tiny second, I let myself relax in his arms.

"Yeah, that's me. Hi!"

Rose just nods, greeting me, but I'm only glad.

"We haven't heard anything about you for so long," Emmet says after letting me go. "Did you get back to Forks?"

"Sort of," I answer, my skin burns under Rosalie's stare. "Came to spend Christmas with Charlie."

"That's right. It's better than spending this day all alone," Rose adds. "I mean, Christmas is a family holiday, right?"

I just nod. Her words hurt me, but I'll swallow it. I have no other choice but to keep this conversation.

"Shopping for Christmas?" my question is stupid, but I don't know what else I could ask. I'm afraid that they'll start to speak about Edward.

Emmet laughes.

"Not exactly. Esme is too busy to go shopping herself today, so she asked us to help her. Problem is, Rosie and I have never been good at buying the food… or cooking. It's easier to burn the whole house than cook a turkey."

It melts the ice between us. I smile.

"So," Emmet continues, "did you get back alone? Or…?"

I shake my head and smile, my smile forced again.

"No, it's just me."

I turn my head to look at Rosalie, surprised that she hasn't left a comment about it yet. But she doesn't look at me. She looks at my hand.

"Do you still wear your old ring?" she asks, probably, too loud.

My cheeks are turning red.

"No", I lie. I'm a bad liar, but I have no choice.

I hide my hand in the pocket.

"So, guys, did you decide to spend Christmas with Carlisle and Esme as well?" I ask, trying to distract them.

"Actually, the whole family is gathering here. Alice and Jasper have just got back home. She's angry with Edward for planning everything without her."

After mentioning Edward's name, Emmet's face looks guilty, like he had told some huge secret. He glances at his wife, hoping for her support, but she doesn't say anything to comfort him.

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

Not sure I want to know anything but I need to ask, right? Just to be polite. I'm anxious again. It's about Edward. I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready…

"Haven't you heard the news?" Rosalie asks, her face excited, it's glowing with joy. I start feeling worse.

"What kind of news?"

I glance at Emmet, hoping that he'll explain everything to me. He doesn't like this idea.

He glances at Rosalie again, but she doesn't help him.

"We're here because of Edward, Bells," he says at last. "It's about the engagement… Edward is marrying again."

Author's note:

Hi, everyone! Thank you all for reading this story! I'm so glad and grateful that you've decided to read it. Thank you for your reviews, your follows, and thanks for adding the story to your favourites! I really appreciate it.

This story is the description of the past relationship where your partner made you feel that you're not good enough, and it doesn't matter how much you tried. I bet many of you or your friends/relatives experienced something like that. And yes, I named the story after the "All Too Well" song. I often call my stories after the songs that have similar mood, and Taylor Swift's "All Too Well" is a perfect choice for that (Did you like it as much as I did?)

What do you think about the story so far? Do you think Bella is strong enough to move forward? Will Edward and Bella meet again soon?

Do you have any questions you what to ask or do you just want to talk? Feel free to leave a review!