CHAPTER ONE: Arrival


Charlie had always been a stoic man.

As a child, Bella had been intimidated by the near stranger she saw twice a year at most. She tiptoed around the house during her visits, acted in the least conspicuous way, and generally tried not to be a nuisance. Charlie made small overtures to quell her apprehension, but in the limited time spans that their visits took place, any progress would become undone by the next time she saw him.

She had trouble reading his facial expressions, understanding his body language. Her instincts were to become reserved in the face of uncertainty and so, sadly, that meant her and Charlie never really connected as parent-child, could not under the rare occasions they saw each other. It had been even longer since she had made the trek to his, and hers she supposed but would not call it so, hometown—Forks, Washington.

Her arrival prompted no break from tradition, other than the change in location. Charlie greeted her with a nearly impassive nod and awkward hug, took her bags, and drove back to his house in almost complete silence.

He did not broach the reason for her sudden banishment from her mother's home. Nor did he comment on her altered appearance or injured arm. Instead, the minimal conversation he made revolved around logistics. From the seamless way he appeared able to incorporate her into his life and routine, she figured that her presence did not unduly disturb him.

He showed her the room she would stay in, decorations thankfully different from when she was a child. His thoughtfulness made her stomach hurt, and she professed her tiredness eagerly when he gave her the first opening.

"We can talk about school tomorrow," he said, giving her a small smile that could mean a thousand different things. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to come get me."

"Alright, thanks," she mumbled, and was grateful when he closed the door behind him without further inquiry into whether she needed help with her cast. He must have heard the story, thought it unimportant to get her side, and believed she could handle this herself. Which she could.

She studied the door briefly, happily noting the lock and silently commending Charlie on thinking of her privacy, and turned it accordingly.

She glanced around the room again, taking stock of the layout. Bed, nightstand, dresser, and desk. All these things fit neatly into the room, but more would only clutter the space, which was clearly what her suitcase was doing.

Instead of doing the practical thing and unpacking, she went for shoulder bag and pulled out her computer and a thick book. She was teaching herself to program, focusing on a variety of the languages in order to prepare for the project that, in her opinion, would be tricky but just.

The steadiness and logic of the study washed over her, and she allowed the practice to absorb her completely until she crawled into bed hours later, unable to keep her eyes open any longer.

She was unable to fall asleep until she double-checked that the door and window were locked.

Then, she slept better than she had in months.


UNSENT DRAFT


From: Bella Swan

To: Renée Dwyer

Subject: (I hate this field and don't know what to say) I'm in Forks

Date: September 18th, 2016


Renée,

You haven't called or texted or emailed, but I guess I should let you know I made it. I'm sorry for how we left things at the airport. I was really angry (for good reason) but shouldn't have called you a shitty parent. I know you did your best (except at the end). I really can't believe you didn't trust me when I told you –

Maybe I won't talk about that stuff.

So Charlie enrolled me at Forks High starting on Monday. So tomorrow. He sure didn't waste any time. He didn't ask me about what happened, I guess you didn't tell him? I'm glad…

It's funny, we used to be able to talk for hours and I can't even think of what to write in an email.

I hear Charlie calling, so I guess I will try and finish this later…