Chapter 2, Old Friends
A couple of afternoons after arriving back home, I was relaxing in the living room and going over my photography portfolio when mom came sweeping into the room with excitement.
"It was just confirmed." She said as she leaned a hip on the back of the couch where I sat. "You'll never guess who's getting married."
"Who?" I asked as I continued to examine my printed-out pictures on the coffee table.
"Chief Swan! Your father just called and said he is going to officiate."
I stopped and looked back at her. "Really? Chief Swan is getting married? To who?"
"A woman from the reservation. They've been seeing each other for years now. Her name is Sue Clearwater."
I was surprised, but also happy for Mr. Swan. I've known him almost my whole life and I can't remember him ever being romantically involved with someone. Then when his only daughter (and my best friend at the time) Bella had gotten married and became deathly ill while out of country on her honeymoon, he had suffered greatly not being able to see her. Sometime after I had moved away, I heard Bella made a full recovery, but was now different somehow.
"Apparently he and Sue want to keep it small, but since your father is officiating our family was invited." She finished.
"Oh that's great. When is it?"
"Two weekends from now."
"I'm going to need a dress." I concluded aloud.
"Well I have brunch tomorrow with Mrs. Newton, but why don't you and your brothers go up to Port Angeles and shop? Lord knows those boys don't have anything decent to wear at a wedding."
"I'll think about it." I said and then out of nowhere I added, "Are Bella and the Cullens still living just outside of town?"
Mom's face fell and her brow furrowed a bit.
"Oh uh, no. She was around for a while after her incident, but last year they all moved to Alaska to be near doctor Cullen's cousins. She'll be at her father's wedding, I'd imagine."
I nodded and watched her leave the room. I wondered about her strange reaction when I asked about Bella. Was her illness back then worse than everyone was led to believe? Poor Bella. She was such a good person. I remembered the day when she came over to help me address my graduation announcements. She and I could've been much closer friends than we were, but there was something that was always holding her back from the rest of us. Of course it had to do with Edward, but I could never exactly figure out the issue.
My decision to go to Port Angeles was very last minute. As much as I love my younger brothers, I didn't really want to go clothes shopping with them. When I realized this morning, however, that I had lost the charging cable for my camera I caved and rounded them up. I had planned on going hiking this week to get some nature shots, but I couldn't do that if my camera battery was dead.
On the drive there the three of us got to talk like we haven't talked in years. They confided in me that they both wanted to go to an out of state college, like I did. Josh wants to go to the University of Southern California to major in video game design, and Isaac wants to go to Wake Forest University in North Carolina to play on their soccer team. I told them how proud of them I am that they are working towards their dreams. Despite getting a few detentions here and there for pulling stupid pranks, both kept their grades up in all their classes.
Other than the academics, the boys were very interested in the social side of college.
"Are college parties really as crazy as they are shown in movies?" Josh questioned.
I laughed before answering honestly, "Yes and no. It really depends on the crowd."
"Sweet!" Isaac said excitedly from the backseat, then added to Josh, "Think about the girls though. I'll bet they're alot more interesting than high school girls."
"Oh for sure." Josh responded with enthusiasm.
I didn't want to comment on that topic, so I shook my head and tried to focus on the road. My thoughts flickered back to a very brief, but amazing time in my junior year. I squeezed my eyes shut once and forced myself to think about what style dress would be appropriate for the wedding instead. I really shouldn't let myself think about junior year right now. I wasn't ready to face it yet.
Finding something for my brothers to wear to the wedding wasn't as difficult as I expected. When I told them to try on shirts I picked out I only got an impatient scoff and an eyeroll a couple times. I just smirked at them and handed over several hangers of button up dress shirts. Apparently they both had slacks and dress shoes at home. Probably left over from their prom, but those would do just fine. Once they each chose a shirt I grabbed ties for each and went straight for the register.
"Alright," I started as we walked out of the men's formalwear store. "I doubt you both want to go dress shopping with me now. So go do what you want and I'll call you when I'm ready."
"Cool. See ya." Josh said as he and Isaac turned and headed for the game store.
I quickly located an electronics store not far from where I left my brothers. I got distracted at first by a couple of really nice Canon brand cameras. I was practically drooling over the beauty of them. The pictures I could get with these! One day I would be able to afford a new camera. I sighed and forced myself to get back to my reason for being here. After about five minutes I picked out a new charging cord and took it up front to pay.
As I walked along the various boutiques I shivered from the cold. I had gotten used to the much warmer weather in California and had failed to dress appropriately today. Today in Washington the weather was cloudy, drizzly, and very cold. My long sleeve shirt and jean jacket were just not cutting it. I laughed at my own stupidity as I ducked under an awning to a dress shop.
I examined the display of dresses in the window for a moment before deciding to go in. A cold breeze blew by right as I went to open the door. I shivered hard and was briefly distracted which caused me to collide with a hard body coming out of the store. My glasses got knocked askew and I stumbled back onto the sidewalk. Thin, yet very strong hands reached out and steadied me.
"I'm so sorry!" I say as I fix my glasses. "I wasn't watching where I was going."
"Angela?" Came an airy feminine voice.
I looked up at a familiar heart shaped face and was dumbstruck. She was different, yet also exactly the same as when I last saw her. Her chestnut brown, shoulder length hair fell about her in the same pretty way it always had, and her skin was still just as pale. Her eyes, however, had changed completely. She used to have brown eyes, but now they were amber. Almost gold.
"Bella?" I asked, not completely sure.
"Yes! Oh wow! It's been so long!"
She retracted her hands from my upper arms and I mentally noted that her hands were as cold as ice. Her coldness seeped through my jacket and shirt. I also noted how confident and graceful she held herself. A bump like that would've sent the Bella I knew falling backward into the shop.
"Yeah, four years." I confirmed, trying to look happy and surprised rather than confused by her. "I'm so glad to see you. How have you been?"
"I've been great. Life has been full of surprises, but it's been really great. How about you?"
"I just got home this week from California. I just graduated from university."
"Congrats!"
"Is that Angela Weber I hear?" Alice Cullen appeared behind Bella.
"Alice, hi." I grinned at the petite and friendliest Cullen sibling.
"Congratulations on your graduation." Alice said happily. She must have heard me talking to Bella.
"Thank you, Alice."
"So what are you two doing in Port Angeles?" I asked, still trying to act casual and not stare at Bella.
"We're picking up dresses." Bella answered and motioned at two bags on Alice's arm. "Have you heard about my dad's wedding?"
"Yes. My family was invited. That's why I'm here too. I'm so happy for him."
"Me too. He deserves happiness." Bella sighed. "Well, we won't keep you. We have to get back soon. I'll see you at the ceremony."
"Okay." I moved out of their way. "We should all catch up some time."
"Definitely." Bella smiled.
"Oh, by the way." Alice said to me, "There is a really pretty dark green dress in there that I know will look good on you. It's an A-line, v-neck, asymmetrical chiffon dress with lace overlay on the bodice."
"Thanks Alice." I laughed. "I'll try that one on first."
I waved them goodbye and turned back towards the dress shop. As I opened the door, I peeked over my shoulder to get another look at this new Bella. I surprised to find, however, that they were nowhere in sight. I gasped and looked across the street, but they weren't there either. Where had they gone so quickly? I shook my head at myself and went into the shop.
Alice had been absolutely right about the dress. I shouldn't have been surprised when I tried it on and decided right away to buy it. I smoothed my hands down the front of the dress as I followed my family into the church. The soft fabric felt nice and the skirt had just the right amount of flow to it. My hair was done in loose curls and pinned up in places to keep it out of my face. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this pretty.
The inside of the church was decorated beautifully, yet not overdone. Their wedding colors seemed to be navy, olive, and peach. All very mature and beautiful colors, perfect for the couple. I wished I could've brought my camera to get a close up picture of the cream and peach colored roses pinned to the ends of the pews. I made sure to sit next to the aisle so that I could see everything better.
A few minutes after we sat down, I spotted Bella. She walked gracefully side by side with Alice, and both followed behind Edward. They all looked like models in their formalwear. How strange it was still, to see Bella this way. Whatever had happened to her, she looked happy and comfortable with herself. Her smile was bright and genuine. I supposed whatever it was that happened didn't matter, as long as she and her family are happy.
When I reached my decision about the new Bella, I saw Edward's eyes slide to meet mine. It's like he knew exactly where I sat as he didn't even look around the room before spotting me. His mouth pulled up in a friendly, closed mouth smile. I sent back my own friendly smile as he looked away again and sat with Bella and Alice at the very front.
I somewhat recognized a few faces in the crowd. I spotted a young Native American man I knew I had met a couple times back in high school. I think his name was Jacob. The older man in the wheelchair next to him must be his father. On the groom's side of the aisle I spotted Mr. and Mrs. Stanley, but no Jessica. There were a few men I recognized worked for the Forks Police Department with Mr. Swan. Eventually Carlisle and Esme Cullen took their seats a row behind Edward, Bella, and Alice. They too hadn't changed a bit.
A tap on my shoulder brought my attention back to my immediate surroundings. I looked behind me into the familiar, handsomely boyish face of Mike Newton.
"Mike!" I exclaimed quietly, but happily.
"Angela!" He laughed and leaned forward to give me a quick hug. "Boy am I glad you're here. How have you been?"
"Good." I said, then to his parents, "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Newton."
"Hey, would you mind hanging out with me at the reception?" He asked awkwardly. "Your like the only one here I know. Well, besides..."
I knew he meant the Cullens. Mike was never comfortable around them.
"Sure." I say.
The ceremony was perfect. Mr. Swan's Best Man was a young man whom my mother whispered to me was Seth Clearwater. The Maid of Honor was a woman my mother identified as Leah Clearwater. Seth and Leah were Sue Clearwater's children. This was one of the few times that I was glad my mother was a gossip. She helped me put names to faces now so I wouldn't make a fool of myself later.
The flower girl was the one person here that I knew I've never seen before. I couldn't even guess who her parents might be. As she passed by my row I examined her. Her brown eyes and somewhat pale skin tone told me she was related to Bella and Charlie somehow, but her bronze colored curls was the exact same shade as Edward's hair. I was confused by this pre-teen girl, and even my mother wasn't sure who the girl was.
"So, did you just back too?" Mike asked me.
The ceremony was done and everyone had gathered in the events hall next to the church. Mike and I stood off to the side away from the older adults and those from the reservation, who all mingled amongst each other.
"Yeah, kind of." I answered as I accepted a glass of champagne he offered. "Almost two weeks ago. After graduation. What about you?"
"I wanted to come back right after graduation, but I had to work my last two weeks at my job. Where did you end up going? You weren't at Washington State with the rest of us."
"I decided to go to the University of California in Los Angeles. They have a great photography program. What was your major?"
"Business. Yeah, I came back to help manage my parent's store. One day it'll be my store."
"Oh, wow. That's great."
We both sipped on our champagne awkwardly. Neither of us were used to just hanging out with just each other. I was more Jessica's friend and he was more Eric's friend. Now that I was thinking of Jessica, however, I was curious about where she was now.
"So, um... did Jessica come back too?" I asked.
Mike shifted uncomfortably. His on again, off again relationship with Jessica had always been uncomfortable and complicated.
"No. We had a pretty bad breakup in freshman year and we didn't talk again until graduation. She said she's going to Hollywood to become an actress."
There was a moment of silence before we both started snickering.
"Why am I not surprised?" I laughed and covered my mouth.
"I know right?" He laughed too. "Her level of drama is perfect for Hollywood!"
We hung out for the rest of the reception. I found out that Eric got a writing gig with the newspaper in Seattle. He was living there with two roommates in a large apartment. I also found out that Lauren and Tyler are currently engaged. They had a baby last year. Our little group of friends was all grown up now.
Eventually everyone filed outside to bid farewell to the bride and groom. It was a sea of umbrellas out front of the church as we all watched the couple drive away. When people started moving towards the parking towards the parking lot, I decided I better go say goodbye to Bella properly. I had an odd feeling that I wasn't going to see her again.
"Hey," I turned to Mike who was still beside me. "I'm going to go talk to Bella before she leaves. Want to come?"
He reached up and scratched the back of his head. He looked uncomfortable again.
"Uh, no that's okay. Maybe another time." He started to back away. "But hey if you're gonna be around Forks for a bit, we should go get a drink sometime. Catch up more."
I was in a bit of a hurry to catch Bella, so I didn't really think about what he asked before I said, "Alright. Talk to you soon."
As I approached the Cullens, I saw Edward whisper something to Bella. She nodded and turned to look right at me.
"That was a really nice ceremony." I told her. "They looked amazing, and so do all of you!"
"Please!" Alice exclaimed as her fingers skimmed the flowing skirt of my dress. "You look beautiful in this dress. Just as I predicted."
Bella chuckled and Edward rolled his eyes in amusement.
"So are you all leaving right away?" I asked.
"Oh, uh.. yeah. We have to get back for- " Bella had started to explain when suddenly she was interrupted.
"Hey!" Came a young girl's voice.
We all looked to find the flower girl striding across the grass towards us. Her bronze curls bounced perfectly about her with each step. Next to her was Jacob. His long strides easily keeping up with her.
"Hey, there you are." Bella said to the girl. She put an arm around her and tucked the girl into her side.
Edward must have seen the question in my eyes because he explained, "Angela, meet my niece Renesmee. Bella and I take care of her."
"It's nice to meet you, Renesmee."
"Hello." She replied politely.
"And you remember my friend Jacob Black?" Bella added and put a hand on Jacob's shoulder.
"Yeah. Hi."
"Hey." Jacob grinned, then to Bella he said, "Nessie and I are gonna ride back to the house with Esme and Carlisle."
"Okay. See you in a few." She gave girl another hug and let her go.
We watched the two walk away. It was really too bad that Bella and the Cullens would be leaving so soon. It would've been nice to have her around. At least for a little while. But Bella had built this whole new life, with a beautiful family to take care of.
"There's Tanya. We'd better go." Edward announced and nodded toward a black Subaru pulling up at the curb.
"It was great seeing you three again. Drive safe." I told them.
"Take care of yourself, Angela." Edward said with a kind smile.
"Nice to see you again." Alice chimed in and began to walk towards the waiting car with Edward.
"Congratulations again on your graduation. That's just so awesome."
"Thanks Bella. Hopefully we'll see each other again."
"Yeah." She said with a sad smile. "Good luck with everything, Angela."
I stood there clutching my umbrella, watching them leave. Looking over at their waiting ride, I saw that the driver, a young woman, had gotten out of the car. Her porcelain like skin, golden eyes, and wavy platinum blonde hair was familiar. I remembered her at Bella and Edward's wedding four years ago. She was one of Carlisle's cousins.
She leaned a hip on the driver side of the car and said a few words to Alice that I couldn't hear. I wasn't sure why, but I couldn't bring myself to look away from her. My lips parted slightly as her beauty seemed to dazzle me. Her gaze suddenly shifted from Alice, to Bella and Edward briefly, and finally landed on me. Our gazes connected and suddenly my heart beat faster than it should have been. A slow smile spread across her face as if she knew the effect her stare had on me in that moment. I felt the heat of embarrassment flood my cheeks, but I still couldn't look away. After just a few seconds of us staring at each other, her eyes ripped away from mine. I took in a breath and saw that Edward must have said something to her because she was now scowling at him as he stared back while holding open the car door for Bella. Alice seemed to have frozen on the sidewalk and I wondered if she was okay. As soon as the attractive blonde had gotten back inside the car and slammed the door shut, Alice began moving again. Less than a moment later, the car was speeding up the street with all four of them inside.
My eyebrows furrowed and I frowned as I watched the car turn the corner and out of sight. I felt more than a little confused about what just happened. Not so much about my attraction to the young woman. Even though I kept feelings towards other women to myself, it wasn't new for me. My confusion was the short, yet obvious confrontation between her and Edward. She hadn't done anything except stand there.
How odd, I think to myself as I turn back to the church to find my family.