This isn't beta'd. Any mistakes are my own.
Forks, Washington. November 2005.
The flight to Port Angeles was uneventful and Bella slept most of it.
She deboarded the plane and collected her bags. Her dad pulled up in his police car and it made Bella giggle.
"Bells!" Her dad, Charlie Swan, greeted as he grabbed her bags from her.
She smiled warmly, "Hi, dad! I'm so glad to see you!" She told him honestly and even threw her arms around him.
Something inside her told her to shower him with as much love and affection as possible. He was caught off guard for a second before he hugged her back tightly.
"I missed you to, kid," He said gruffly.
They released each other and she helped put her other bags in the trunk. When they got into the car, he asked her about life.
"I beat my old time, dad! By two minutes! I ran two miles in eleven minutes!" She told him excitedly as they turned onto the highway.
"Wow, kid! That's impressive! I'm going to have to see this with my own eyes! I'll pull out my camcorder and film you!" He exclaimed, just as excited.
"So, I'm going to have to join the track team at Forks high, do they run in the winter?" She wondered.
He nodded, "I've seen the kids running in their jackets," He assured her with a chuckle.
She kept the smile on her face, "Awesome! I can't wait to see how the other kids are at track! I'm hoping I can find someone to run with!" She commented.
"The kids here are good, you'll make friends quickly, you have a great personality, everyone will like you, Bella," He said.
Bella's face flushed and she laughed, "You have to say that because you're my dad," She teased.
"Nah, it's the truth," He teased back and they switched to the topic of music.
Before long, the hour drive was over and they were pulling along the pavement, in front of the house.
Bella saw the old 50's/60's pickup in the small driveway right away and turned toward her dad.
"Who's here?" She wondered, pointing to the reddish orange Chevy pickup truck.
Charlie grinned widely at his daughter, "It's yours, I bought it off a friend of mine, do you like it?" He asked.
She sputtered, "Do I like it? I love it! It's amazing! Oh my god! Dad, you didn't have to do that!" She practically shouted.
He chuckled, amused at her reaction, "You'll need something to get you around, you can't walk everywhere out here," He explained.
She reached over the center console and hugged her dad again, "You're the greatest! Thank you so much, dad, really," She said emotionally.
He patted her back and cleared his throat, "Well, let's get you inside to unpack," He said, a little awkward.
He wasn't that great with emotions but he was trying for his baby girl.
The house was exactly as Bella remembered it. It was a white two story house with a brown oak door and green stairs. There was a large bay window in the front; looking out to the street. Two huge trees sat with a walkway to the house in the center. It was a small house with two bedrooms and one bathroom but it was warm and inviting and Bella loved it.
"Welcome home, Bells," Her dad said as he unlocked the front door for them.
Bella felt the bubbling of emotions in her chest and she held back tears, "I'm so happy to be here, dad," She said quietly and made her way into the living room.
They carried her bags up the short narrow staircase that led to the bedrooms and bathroom. She stopped at the room closest to the stairs and pushed open the door. Her bed was large and took up the majority of the space in the small room. There was purple sheets and a purple comforter set. Along the wall, above her bed, was a string of fairy lights. Across the bed, against the wall, was a desk with a rolling computer chair and a desk lamp. A wooden dresser sat against the wall near the back window that gave her an amazing view of the woods outside.
"We can change anything if you don't like it," Charlie told her as he stood awkwardly in the door frame.
She spun around to face him, "No! I love everything! Thank you for setting up my room! That was so thoughtful of you! Oh-" She bent down to pull the little plant from her carry on bag, "Mom is so weird sometimes but she made me promise that I would have you keep this in the kitchen on the window ledge," She said and handed over the plant.
Her dad took it from her; giving it a once over, "If you say so," He joked and then turned to go back down the stairs.
"I'll just unpack and then we can get dinner!" Bella called after him.
His heavy work boots clomped down the wooden stairs, "Is the diner okay? I haven't been to the grocery store in awhile," He admitted.
She laughed, "Of course! I love the diner!" She reassured him and then turned to pull the clothing out of her suitcase.
After she was done unpacking, they headed off to the diner in the police cruiser.
Charlie opened the door for Bella and she blushed as she thanked him.
"Charlie!" A woman's voice called out cheerily.
"Hey, Cora, how's it going?" Charlie replied as he ushered Bella to sit at the table near the large window.
"Busy! Is this my best girl finally come back?" Cora questioned as she neared the table.
Bella smiled brightly at the beautiful woman, "Hi, Cora! I'm so happy to see you!" She said and stood to hug her.
Cora's green button up shirt complimented her warm brown skin and her brown eyes glowed as she hugged Bella tightly. Bella smiled as she smelled Cora - the scent of sweet deserts surrounded her. It brought a flood of memories back of Bella sitting on Charlie's lap when she was a little girl and eating cherry cobbler.
Cora stroked Bella's hair before releasing her, "How was your flight?" She wanted to know.
"Eh, it was alright, boring, but that's always good right?" Bella joked.
"Yes it is," Cora agreed and then asked about Renee.
"She's good, the usual Renee," Bella responded.
Cora chuckled in acknowledgement, "I'm glad she's doing good. What did you want me to get you tonight, sweetheart? You must be starving," She commented.
"Can I please have the chicken salad?" Bella requested after a brief scan of the menu.
"Of course, sweet girl, and what to drink?" Cora asked, shoving her hands in her black apron to warm them.
"Just a water with lemon, I'm trying to watch myself during track practice," Bella said with a smile.
"Oh, I heard all about that! I'm definitely coming to a race to watch my best girl beat all the other kids!" Cora said and then disappeared without taking Charlie's order.
Bella smirked and shook her head, "She knows you that well, huh? Doesn't even have to ask you what you want," She teased her dad.
Charlie blushed and grinned at his teasing daughter, "Yeah, yeah," He mumbled.
As Bella giggled, she realized how much she looked and acted like her dad. She had his same chocolate brown eyes, pale skin and curly brown hair. He had that same mustache since Bella could remember and she always teased him about it but he never shaved it off. She was a loner like her dad, could sit and read for hours by herself. She liked to keep to herself but she could make conversation when she really knew the person. She was much more her dad than her mom.
She watched him smile to himself and she suddenly wanted to be the best daughter she could be. She wanted to make her dad proud and seeing him happy like this, made her warm all over.
Cora brought out their dinner - Bella's chicken salad and Charlie's steak with potatoes. They ate contently; making conversation when they paused to take a drink. After they finished their dinner, Cora brought out a cherry cobbler for them to share.
Later, after they had returned from dinner, Bella stood in front of her closet picking out her clothes for the next day.
She was starting school and she was nervous. Her stomach fluttered uncomfortably but she told herself to be excited. She ended up on a navy blue henley long sleeved top, blue jeans and black rain boots since it called for rain. She decided she would curl her hair even if it would frizz up because of the rain anyway. She nodded at her selection, happy with it, and slipped into bed. She set her alarm clock for an hour early so she could get ready for school and then called out a goodnight to Charlie.
Her alarm clock blared too soon and she groaned as she forced herself to sit up in the darkness of her room.
"Ugh," She complained as she sat on the edge of the bed.
She was used to this though. She got up early many times to go for runs. There was an hour time difference though that she was trying to get used to. Regardless of how she tired she was, she pushed herself up and started to get ready for the day.
Charlie was downstairs preparing to go to work when he heard the shower come on. He smiled to himself, still reeling from the fact that his daughter was there with him. He poured himself a cup of coffee and then poured another for Bella, unsure if she drank coffee. He added creamer and lightened it to a level he thought a teenager would think was acceptable. He fried up a couple of eggs and made some toast while he waited for her to come down.
When Bella finally came down the stairs, ready to take on her new school, she smiled as the smell of food hit her. She rounded the corner to the small green painted kitchen and saw Charlie sitting at the kitchen table. He stood and offered her the cup of coffee which Bella took gratefully.
"Thanks, dad! You really didn't have to do all this! I'm a little queasy from nerves," She admitted and closed her eyes as the sweet coffee slid down her throat.
She hummed in appreciation and sat down with him to eat her eggs.
"I know it's scary to start a school when it's already started but you'll be great! I just know it! Don't forget to stop by the guidance office and ask about joining the track team," He reminded her as he shoveled down his food at an alarming rate.
She laughed as she watched him and ate her breakfast at a more normal speed, "I won't! It's the first thing I plan to do when I get there!" She said happily.
He stood abruptly, dumping his plate into the sink, "Well, I'm off to the station, I put new tires on your truck this morning in preparation for any snow we might get, don't get lost on your way to school, remember it's right off the 101," He told her as he pulled on his police chief jacket.
She got up and placed her dishes in the sink before pulling on her black winter jacket, "I remember, I'll be okay, go, have a great day and I'll try to as well," She said as she pulled her backpack on her left shoulder.
They walked out together and he watched she climbed into her truck. It roared to life and he chuckled shaking his head.
"Hope she's alright in that big thing," He muttered to himself and climbed into his cruiser as she backed out of the driveway slowly.
Bella found the small one story school easily and parked in a spot closest to the entrance so she wouldn't get poured on. The impressive woods behind the school caused her to stare for a second before she made her way slowly into the warm building, looking around. It was much smaller then her school in Phoenix but it was nice. A school was a school, right? She didn't have any complaints. She found the main office and informed the white haired lady behind the desk who she was.
"Isabella Swan! Oh, it's lovely to meet you, dear! Your dad has been so excited for you to come here!" The elderly woman exclaimed; her name tag said Miss Cope.
She nodded, "I'm very excited to start school! I was wondering, how would I go about joining the track team?" She questioned.
Miss Cope smiled widely at Bella, "That's wonderful, dear! Here, just find Coach Clapp and tell him you'd like to join the track team, I'm sure it'll be no problem," She said and handed Bella multiple papers.
"Thank you so much, Miss Cope!" Bella told the sweet lady and looked down at her class schedule.
Just as Bella was about to make her way out, the door opened and in walked a tall skinny Asian boy.
"Eric! Perfect! Just who I needed to see! Could you possibly show our new student Isabella here to her first teacher? It's Mr. Varner," Miss Cope called out.
Eric turned to look at Bella and grinned, "Of course! You know I'm the eyes and ears of this school!" He joked.
Bella smiled back nervously but laughed, "Awesome! That would be really nice of you!" She said and followed him out of the room.
Eric Yorkie had long straight black hair with a side fringe and brown eyes. He wore a purple button up shirt with black pants and dress shoes. Bella felt a moment of self consciousness, thinking she had under dressed for some kind of occasion but surely her dad would have told her? As they walked down the hallway she calmed down, other students weren't dressed up. So it must have just been his thing. She knew guys at her old school that would dress up no matter the occasion or weather.
"I have Mr. Varner to!" Eric told her, he bounced on his feet like an excited puppy.
"That's great! Do you know anyone on the track team? I'm trying to join," She said, making conversation.
"Track team? Nice. Yeah, my friend Angela is on the track team, she's super nice," He replied as they rounded a corner.
"Nice! I was hoping to make a friend on track team so we could run together, it's kinda lonely to run by yourself," She admitted as they finally stopped in front of a grey door.
"Angela will definitely run with you, she doesn't have a mean bone in her body," He remarked and then knocked on the door.
Another student answered the door and Bella and Eric walked in. All eyes were on Bella as Eric introduced her to Mr. Varner.
The large, annoyed looking man sighed. "Very good, why don't you introduce yourself to the class?" He waved his hand towards Bella.
Bella's face reddened, "Umm, okay. I'm Bella Swan, I was born here but grew up in Phoenix, I recently moved back here to live with my dad, Chief Swan, because my step-dad is a professional baseball player and was traded to the Florida Gators, not much else to tell," She shrugged and looked at the teacher to see if he was satisfied.
He nodded at her, "You can sit next to Angela Webber, she's the one without a partner currently," He instructed and pointed towards a tall girl with glasses.
Bella sighed in relief and made her way over to Angela. She sank down in the black plastic chair and smiled warmly.
"Hi, obviously I'm Bella," She introduced herself again.
Angela laughed sweetly, "And obviously I'm Angela, so Eric told me you're going to join track?" She wondered.
Bella nodded eagerly, "Yes! I did track back in Phoenix, it's my passion!" She exclaimed.
Angela looked happy, "Mine to! It's going to be so nice to run with someone who takes it as seriously as I do! What's your time for the two mile run?" She almost demanded.
"Eleven minutes," Bella answered proudly.
"Eleven minutes?! Oh, man, you have to help me get there! I can't get under twelve," She complained.
"We'll run together and be a team! We can help each other," Bella said and felt warm all over that she had made her first friend.
By the time lunch rolled around, Bella was exhausted by the attention.
She sat down next to Angela who had a camera around her neck and her dark brown hair was up in a high ponytail.
"Damn, you do yearbook to? Impressive," Bella said.
Angela shrugged, "I want to do all the things that will stand out for college," She replied simply.
Bella shoveled some salad into her mouth and chewed, "What college are you interested in?" She asked.
"USC is my dream but I'll probably end up going to University of Washington," Angela said.
Bella choked on her salad, "USC is my dream college to! They have the best track program but you obviously already know that," She laughed.
Angela nodded with a smile, "That would be so cool if we could go together!" She said.
"USC is super hard to get into, I hope we can! How's University of Washington?" Bella wondered.
"It's good, it's just not USC good," Angela answered with a laugh.
"True but if we have to go there at least we'll kick ass together," Bella pointed out, eating more of her salad.
There was a brief pause in their conversation and then the entire cafeteria seemed to go quiet.
Bella looked around confused, "What's going on?" She asked Angela.
Angela motioned to the far end of the cafeteria where a group was coming into the building, "The Cullens are entering the building," She said in a teasing voice.
"The Cullens?" Bella asked and peered around Angela for a better look.
Just as Angela was going to respond, a short blonde plopped down at their table.
"Don't even bother wasting your time," She said with a snort.
"Jess..." Angela seemed to warn.
Jessica ignored her, "Most of them are already paired up except for Edward and that's because nobody around here is good enough for him," She continued on with her rant.
Bella raised an eyebrow at Angela who rolled her eyes in response.
"I take it you've tried?" Bella pried and Angela let out an unlady like cackle.
Jessica's face flamed red, "Shut up, Angela! You don't have the guts to talk to anyone!" She spat.
Bella ignored this and looked around Angela again. The Cullen's were sitting now and it seemed like one of them had eyes for her. He stared directly at her with a look that made her shiver. The most beautiful boy she'd ever seen in her life was staring intensely at her. He was almost to beautiful to look it. Their eyes were locked and neither of them were able to break the spell. He was paler then anyone she'd seen, even in Washington. His hair was a messy bronze color and eyes like gold. He was more slender then the other males he was sitting next to but still as muscular. His face was like a greek god, angular and straight and perfect.
She felt a surge of something flood her and then confusion. What was happening? What was this feeling inside of her? Lust? Love at first sight? Intense attraction?
She couldn't pin point it so she did the first thing her brain told her to do, she pulled her eyes from the intense boys and ran out of the cafeteria.