1

"You understand why you have to go to Forks, don't you, Bella?"

Bella stood there, staring at the woman who used to be her mother with her perfect blond hair and pleading blue eyes. They were standing outside the security gates at the airport in Phoenix, Arizona. Bella had her arms folded in front of her, and her mother, if you could call her that, was pleading with her to understand why she no longer wanted her around. Now, that Renee had a new husband, she was tired of being held back with a child. So, yes, Bella understood, but at the same time, she was being thrown away by the only parent she had ever known. Sent to live with her absentee father, who didn't even know when her birthday way.

Renee sighed and looked at Phil, who shrugged his shoulders like the asshole he was. He was the reason Bella was being shipped off. Yes, Renee would say it was because Bella had gotten into too much trouble, that she was causing too many 'problems', but the fact remained that Renee didn't like who Bella was, who she really was, and didn't want to be saddled with a disobedient daughter any longer than necessary.

"Dad will be waiting for you in Port Angeles," Renee said, reaching for Bella, who pulled away. She sighed again. "I do love you, Bella. I know you don't think that, but I'm doing this for your own good. You can't just . . . live your life so freely, and if you won't listen to me, maybe . . . maybe you'll learn from him."

Bella simply picked up her carry-on bag and walked away, through the security check. She didn't turn back as she heard her mother weeping, or turn back to give her a wave, any indication that she was going to miss her mother. Even if she would, even if her heart was breaking with every step she took. No, she wouldn't give her mother the chance to see her tears, to watch her cry, to hear her grieve. Her mother didn't love her for who she was, and she wouldn't let her see her cry.

—TNSPD—

As Renee said he would be, Charlie was waiting for her at the baggage claim. His dark hair was thinning on top, greying on the sides. He looked older, tired, warier than he had last time she'd been forced to see him face to face. It had been five long years, and even before that, she only had a few memories of him. And none of them were good, all of them filled with hate and nastiness. They spoke on the phone once a week, as ordered by the court, but Charlie didn't make an effort to see her, nor did she try to contact him. Life was just easier without a make-believe parent.

"Any more luggage?" he asked, gesturing to the conveyor belt that had started to move.

"Nope," she replied. "Figured I wouldn't have much that fit into the climate here."

"Suppose, I'll have to take you to buy more appropriate clothing," he quipped, eyeing her denim mini skirt and slinky tank top. "You look like a slut, dressed like that."

His words stung, she wouldn't deny that, but simply said, "Can't wait."

Charlie didn't hear, or chose not to hear at least. He simply motioned for her to follow him, and considering she didn't have any other option, she did as she was told. Charlie led her out to his patrol car, opening the trunk for her to stow away her bag before hurrying over to the driver's side. He stood there and watched as she tossed her bag inside and slammed the truck closed before climbing into the passenger seat. Perhaps, he was expecting her to turn and run. She thought about it, of course, but where would she have gone? Nobody wanted her. Not anymore.

"You hungry?" he asked, starting the car and looking at her.

"Not really," she replied, pulling her seatbelt on.

Charlie grunted, but didn't say anything as he shifted the car into drive and pulled away from the curb, heading for Forks, Washington.

—TNSPD—

An hour later, Charlie parked in front of his house. A small two story home that looked like a strong gust would knock it over. Bella climbed out and sighed. The air was cold, wet, and miserable. She waited for Charlie to pop the trunk before grabbing her bag and following him up the front path, but before she could reach the comfort of the warm house, her attention was pulled to the house next door, when she saw someone looking out the front window. A girl, she could tell. Around the same age as her. She looked to have dark hair and eyes, but that was about all she could make out before the curtain closed.

"Stay away from them," Charlie said, tilting his head toward the house.

"Who?" Bella asked.

"People next door," he said. "They're a bunch of weirdos," he groused, stomping up the front porch. "There's a bunch of them living there, too. A bunch of fucking queers. Stay away from them, Bella. I mean it. It ain't natural the way they behave."

Bella pressed her lips together before she looked back at the house. A bunch of queers, huh? What would Charlie Swan do if he knew she was one of those queers, as he put it? After all, Renee had sent her away when she found out.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to start this new story with me. It's going to be a wild ride, short chapters too. Do me a solid, and drop me a few words.