Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
An: This chapter takes a look at the very first time Bella ever went to Forks. I haven't decided yet, but most likely chapters will flip between present and past on a regular basis. Enjoy.
Can't Help Myself: Chapter 2
Eleven year earlier …
The summer breeze filters through the car windows as we drive. The air is chilly compared to the hot, dry sun I am used to in Phoenix. I slide my eyes closed as the wind caresses my face. "Is it always this cold?" I ask quietly, opening my eyes only long enough to glance at my father in the driver seat.
He nods. "You get used to it," is his casual response. I can tell he's as nervous as I am, so I smile reassuringly.
"Yeah, I'm sure I will."
It's been too long since I've last seen him – six months at least. Even then it had only been for a few days, a stark contrast to the first eleven years of my life that we'd lived together. It was only two summers ago that Charlie had lived in Phoenix with my mother and I.
I could tell they were unhappy in their marriage, I'd known for years. It was no surprise to me when they sat me down to explain their impending divorce. The only thing I hadn't expected was for my father to move so far away.
It was understandable, since he'd grown up in the state of Washington, but it was something I struggled to come to terms with. In fact, it had taken months for me to convince myself that I wasn't the reason behind his sudden departure, and several more weeks before I could bring myself to answer his phone calls. That was why this summer was my first one I'd traveled to see him instead of the other way around.
Charlie was trying to show enthusiasm about my visit, but I knew he was weary of my reaction. I could tell by his cautious words and tentative questions about how I'd like to spend my time. His smile when he picked me up from the airport was genuine enough, however, and I knew I'd have to try harder to put his mind at ease.
I hear him clear his throat as he makes another attempt at conversation. We still have a bit of a drive ahead of us, according to him anyway. "So, uh, how was school Bells? Do okay on your report card and all that?" My face is turned once again so that it is slightly outside the window. I'm taking in the scent of fresh air; it brings a smile to my lips.
A moment passes before I respond, and even then I don't bother to open my eyes. "It's the seventh grade Dad, nothing special."
He sighs, but doesn't push the questions further.
"You know, you keep hanging your head out the window like that and you're likely to get rained on," he comments instead.
I snort in a very unladylike fashion, not answering, but I do open my eyes, leaning back in my seat, and then close the glass that will protect me from any stray raindrops.
"Does that happen a lot here? Rain, I mean?" I ask.
Charlie only smiles and nods when I glance over. "Sure does, every day."
He says it like he enjoys such miserable weather.
This time I can't help but groan and throw my head back against the seat. "Great," I mutter sarcastically. Maybe this wasn't the greatest idea after all.
It's another hour before we pull in front of a small, white two-story house.
When I first got into the car, or rather my dad's work cruiser, Charlie had told me he had a surprise for me. Now, two and a half hours later, I was desperately hoping the old, worn house in the middle of the woods where it rains every day is not the surprise he had in mind.
My thirteen-year-old self is not impressed.
"I love it," I lie.
Charlie smiles widely, and I know I've done the right thing by pretending that him owning a house I've never lived in isn't weird at all. If I had it my way then both my parents would live in Phoenix, within walking distance, so I could see them both whenever I'd like.
He steps out of the car and moves around to the trunk, pulling out my scare amount of bags I've brought with me. I follow suit, offering my assistance but Charlie shoos me away.
"I've got it kid, you can head on in." His hands are full so he jerks his head towards the front door. "It should be unlocked, and my bet is that your surprise is lurking just inside the door." He laughs at his own comment, leaving me curious.
I take step forward, but then pause. "You don't like your doors?"
He shakes his head. "No need. It isn't like Forks is crawling with criminals. This isn't the city."
Just how small is this town? I wonder, but then a high-pitched squealing noise breaks my train of thought and I cringe.
"BELLLLLAA!"
I hear her before I see her, and it's not a moment later that someone slams into me – hard.
I'd know that voice anywhere.
"Alice?" I ask in disbelief when I've regained my balance. The sound is muffled slightly since my face is currently trapped against her shoulder as she hugs me tightly.
She pulls back enough to allow me a good look at her face. "No, it's your other favorite cousin," she deadpans. Alice's mom is Charlie's sister, and we'd grown up spending our summers together in Phoenix when Alice would come to visit. Some holidays were spent together as well, but I hadn't seen her face-to-face in almost two years.
Way too long in my opinion.
Charlie passes us, suitcases in tow, shaking his head.
"Oh my gosh, I can't believe you're here!" I squeal, fully registering that my closest friend, and favorite cousin of all, is here in front of me. "I've missed you so much."
This time I pull her in for a hug, though I don't try to suffocate her as she tried with me.
"Surprise!" She shouts next to my ear, and I cringe for the second time. Alice never did know when to tone it down. Then again, I wasn't much better most days.
Call it a side effect of being a teenager.
Our arms link at the elbow as we make our way into the house, equal smiles of happiness plastered on our faces.
"So you're my surprise?" I question dumbly, just wanting to make sure I understand right.
"Yep!" She confirms. "I'll be here for the next two weeks."
This vacation just got a whole lot more tolerable.
Her voice drops to a whisper as she continues, "I think Uncle Charlie thought it'd be easier on the two of you if you had a friend around."
She's right, it will make things easier. The close relationship my father and I had in Phoenix prior to my parents' divorce no longer exists. Sometimes it takes effort just to have a simple conversation.
I silently thank Charlie for giving me the gift of my best friend. Perhaps he still knows me better than I think he does.
The inside of the house isn't much better than the outside, but it does remind me of my father. It's simple, minimally decorated. He has a beat up old couch and recliner in the living room, a round oak table with four mismatching chairs in the kitchen, and I imagine the feminine yellow paint with matching rose wallpaper border was left behind from the previous owner.
Alice shows me around while Charlie, I assume, places my bags upstairs.
My assumption is confirmed when we hear his footsteps coming back downstairs. "Okay Bells, I've placed your bags in the spare room upstairs. You girls will be sharing a room, though I don't think you'll mind."
We shake our heads in unison. Even if he had put us in separate rooms we would've shared because I never got to spend time with my cousin, and we had much to catch up on.
Later, when we're both tucked in bed – me on the small twin, her on the trundle bed below – we catch up on school , our parents, boys.
The last one is a new topic for us because boys are something we've only just recently started to admire in a way that is not followed by "the cootie shot."
"Oh Bella," she sighs dreamily, "just wait until you meet your new neighbor."
I lean over the side of the bed and quirk one eyebrow. "Oh really? Why's that?"
She makes a show of pulling an invisible zipper across her lips and tossing the key away. "Uh oh, I'm not saying a word." I roll my eyes because Alice has never been one to keep her mouth shut.
"Whatever," I say, flopping back onto my pillow.
"Good night Bella Bear," she sings at me through a yawn. I smile at the nickname she's used since we were kids.
"'Nite Ally Cat," I whisper in return.
Snuggling into the covers I can hear a roll of thunder in the distance, and the rain begins a tapping lullaby on the one window in my new, tiny room. I fall into a restless, dream-filled sleep to the steady beat.
An: Don't worry, Edward will return next chapter, and most likely he'll be in every single one following. Reviews let me know what you think.
If you think this story is going to be too heavy for you I've posted a drabble fic that's my first attempt at fluff. It should prove humorous. It's called Clique. Also, you can follow me on twitter. I'm Mrs_Bite_Me.