I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
Ch. 8 Bella 20-Dec/Jan
I came to a stop when I reached the patio steps. Running on the beach was a great workout that woke me up every morning. I switched to my flip-flops before entering the kitchen, since my mother's housekeeper hated it when I tracked sand inside.
It still amazed me that Mom had a housekeeper, though if anyone needed one it would be her. Phil was lot more well off than I knew at first. His house was huge, practically a mansion. When Mom suggested I stay with them while I attended college, I didn't want to be a burden on a newly married couple, but I often went days without seeing them.
After Edward and I broke up, I dreaded going to U-Dub, so when Mom suggested a college near her, I seriously considered it. I expected I would have to wait at least until my second semester. However, Phil knew somebody who knew somebody, and I got in right away.
"Miss, your mother wants you to see her before leaving for the day. She and Mr. Dwyer are having their breakfast in the sunroom," Mrs. Cope told me.
"Thank you." I grabbed a muffin and a small plate before heading to them.
"Bella, there you are. How was Christmas with your father?" Renée asked when I entered.
"It was nice and quiet. How was yours?" I asked.
"Wonderful," Mom gushed. "Come sit with me. Do you have plans for the day?"
"Nothing set in stone. I was thinking of heading to the gym. Classes won't start up until after the new year," I told her.
Phil snorted and shook his paper out loudly. "Really, Isabella, I would think yoga would be more suitable for you."
The guy was so old-fashioned it was ridiculous. He hated that I ran every morning, thinking it wasn't ladylike. He even tried to forbid me from learning kickboxing. However, since Charlie was paying for it as my birthday gift, in the end, Phil really didn't have a say.
"I've tried yoga and fell asleep on the mat. I need something to keep my blood flowing, and kickboxing is invigorating," I told him.
"I have to get to the office." Phil stood and kissed Mom's forehead. He turned to me and nodded with a small frown. "Isabella."
"Phillip." I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
"I would love it if you'd go shopping with me for dresses for the New Year's ball at the club." She gave me a hopeful look.
"I'll help you pick out a dress, but I'm not going to go this year," I answered, taking Phil's seat.
She frowned, "Well, I already have my dress. I picked out a few for you to choose from. Please reconsider, sweetie, Phil doesn't ask for much. It's only one night, and he has been very generous by paying for your school."
"I plan on paying him back. But fine, you're right, one night isn't too much to ask," I agreed.
I wasn't initially comfortable with the idea of Phil paying for school. However, both my mother and father were on board with the idea. I only agreed to if he'd considered it a loan which I had every intention of repaying.
"Maybe you'll meet someone." Mom winked, then took a sip of her coffee.
"Mom, stop." I sighed, not wanting this argument again.
"You've only dated that one boy Evan. It's time to get yourself out there," she insisted.
"First of all, his name was Edward. And I dated a few guys before him and a few after him. I'm concentrating on school right now, rather than getting into a relationship." I felt like we'd had this conversation a million times.
"I just want you to be happy." She gave me a wistful look, placing her cup on the table.
I gave her a patient smile. "Mom, I don't need a guy to make me happy. I promise you, even though I'm not looking, I'm not averse to someone coming along—if it happens, it will happen."
"You've become a strong young lady, and I'm proud of you. I'll back off," she said sincerely.
"Thank you. How about we meet for lunch downtown and then go to the dress shop?" I suggested.
"That is a wonderful idea. I'll make reservations at Lucia's for noon. How does that sound?" Mom looked hopeful.
"I'll be there," I promised.
Days
I walked into the gym, and it was rather quiet for a Wednesday morning. I glanced around and spotted Leah in the ring, working on her footwork.
When she saw me, she stopped and leaned against the ropes. "Well, well, Swan, you're back. Are you ready to work off the holiday pounds?"
"Sorry to burst your bubble, but I didn't indulge that much. Where is everyone?" I asked.
"Slacking because it's the week between Christmas and New Year's." She rolled her eyes. "I'm bored, either spar with me, or if you'd rather jibber jabber, go bother Kim." She pointed to her girlfriend at the desk.
"Give me a moment to take care of my things and I'll be back." I headed to the locker room.
I hung my dress inside a locker and grabbed my gear before I tossed my gym bag on the floor. I strapped on my pads and gloves before exiting. Leah had moved a dummy into the ring.
"Grab a helmet. I don't want to be responsible for any accidental head traumas," she joked.
I grabbed one from a nearby hook and clasped the straps as I bent to duck under the ropes.
Leah wrapped her arm around the dummy. "What will it be, Swan, take me on or will you go the easy route with Sammy here?"
"I'm no fool. Let me warm up with Sammy before I even think of challenging you." I shook my head with a grin.
Leah was brutal in the ring and often forgot to take it easy. She was an MMA fighter who did well in her division. She dragged the dummy into the center of the ring then adjusted her ponytail.
"Let's see what you got." She stepped to the side.
I started punching my target, moving my feet then giving a good swift kick.
"Move faster. If you move that slow you're going to get hit before you can get in a swing," Leah commented.
I did as directed, getting in a few more patterns.
"Girl, switch it up. You're too predictable!"
I started off with a kick this time and tried to change it up.
"Better, but hit harder! My grandmother can hit harder than that."
I paused to catch my breath. "Wasn't your grandmother a woman's champion boxer?"
Leah smirked. "That's beside the point." She gave Sammy a good kick, making it bend then bounce back up. "Have I told you why I call him Sammy?"
"After your ex, who you caught screwing your cousin," I answered. After him she had sworn off men.
"Exactly, I find it easier to focus my aggression when I think of that fucker. Now do you have an ex that you ever just wanted to kick the shit out of?" Leah asked.
"I'm not a violent person," I told her.
She rolled her eyes. "Seriously? No one has ever pissed you off enough that you never thought about wanting to hit them?"
"Maybe briefly," I admitted, thinking of at least two individuals.
"What did he do?" She raised an eyebrow.
"I thought we were making plans to go to college together. He never had any intention of going but lied to me like he was. He even fucked me knowing he was going to break up with me afterwards," I told her.
"What's the dumbass's name?" she asked.
"Teddy."
"Teddy?" She snorted.
"Nickname," I explained.
"I hope so or else his parents were cruel." She smirked, then kicked the dummy with her foot. "Beat the shit out of Teddy here."
I took a couple swings as I worked out my aggression. The feelings I thought I buried rose to the surface. Then suddenly it wasn't Edward I was seeing—it was Rosalie and her condescending smirk. She must have been all too pleased when we broke up. I punched the dummy harder, ending with a round house kick with enough force to make it fall to the ground.
"That's it. Feel better?" Leah smiled at me.
"A little," I admitted, taking a deep breath.
"Good. Get some water, then it's you and me." She pounded her fists together.
By the time I was leaving, I was sore; Leah managed to clip me in my side before I could block her. I was sure I was going to have a bruise on my left thigh too.
Just before I could open the door, a dark-haired man slipped by me and held the it open. He was Garrett Costa, a nephew of Phil's boss, whom I'd met on several occasions. He was nice and good looking, and his eyes always sparkled with humor, like he was in on some unkown joke. He was barely taller than me and on the stocky side.
"Bella, it's been awhile. It looks like Leah put you through the wringer," Garrett teased.
"No more than usual. I didn't know you were here," I said.
"You were in the zone. I saw you come in, and I have to ask, what did the dummy do to you?" His brown eyes were filled with amusement.
I blushed, thinking about my workout. I had slammed my thoughts and feelings about Edward into a box long ago, and now thanks to Leah, he had come back to the front of my mind. I pushed thoughts of him away and gave Garrett a smile.
"She encouraged me to take out my frustrations of an ex on it," I explained as he walked with me to my car.
"Remind me to stay on your good side." He chuckled. "Will you be gracing us with your presence at the club for the New Year's ball?"
"I already told my mother that I would be there," I answered him as I came to a stop and unlocked my door.
"I'll be looking forward to it. You were missed at the Halloween and Christmas parties. Save me a dance?" he asked, looking hopeful.
"I was at the Halloween party. I was dressed as a ghost, didn't you see me," I joked.
"Apparently, not." Garrett laughed. "Now a dance?"
"Sure," I agreed after a moment's hesitation.
"Excellent." He grinned and opened my door. "I'll see you then. I'll be the one wearing a tux," he joked.
I laughed. "See you there."
As I drove to the restaurant, I thought about Garrett. If I was reading the signals correctly, he was interested in me. Although he seemed like a great guy, I didn't want to do to him what Edward did to me. I earned enough credits that I'd be graduating a year early. And I hadn't decided where I was going to grad school. I didn't want to feel obligated to stay in-state. I made that mistake once already.
Days
I pulled up to the valet parking, and the young attendant took my car. When I entered the lobby, I saw my mother standing off to the side with Phil's boss, Afton Costa, and his wife, Renata.
"Bella, over here," Mom called.
"Mr. and Mrs. Costa, it is nice to see you again," I said politely.
"Isabella." Afton gave me a sharp nod.
"Is it raining, dear?" Renata looked toward the doors.
My cheeks heated as I realized my error in not taking the time to dry my hair. "No, ma'am, I came from the gym."
"Oh? Pilates or yoga?" she looked interested.
"Actually, kickboxing," I told her.
"Oh, my." She looked startled.
"Ahh, yes, Philip mentioned how spirited you were," Afton commented in a flat tone. "He also mentioned you'd be done with school soon."
"Yes. I'll be graduating this Spring." I nodded.
"How lovely. Your mother said you'll be at the ball. Perhaps, you'll be able to find yourself a suitable husband now that you are done with learning." Renata's comment seemed innocent enough, but I couldn't help but take offense.
I opened my mouth to retort, but Mom caught my eye and subtly shook her head.
"Maybe." I forced a grin.
"If you'll excuse us, I have to get back to the office," Afton said, leading Renata away.
"Thank you for not making a scene," Mom said in a whisper.
"I wasn't about to. But what's wrong with a woman working and having a career?" I asked.
"Nothing, sweetheart. Try and understand Renata meant well. She grew up with cotillions and finishing schools. She was expected to marry at a young age and stay at home. Her daughters were the same. She doesn't know of any other way," Mom said.
"You're not trying to marry me off at this ball are you?" I raised an eyebrow.
"No, of course not. As I said this morning, I just want you to be happy," she said sincerely.
"Mrs. Dwyer, your table is ready. Sorry for the wait." The Maître d' came up to us.
"Thank you." Mom smiled pleasantly, and we followed him into the dining area.
A/N: Roughly 2.5 years later and she's in Florida. This was the last big time jump. I also want to point out that Bella not dating a lot doesn't mean she is wallowing after Edward. She just rather focus on other things than relationships at the moment.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
