AN 1: Forgive me Alice lovers, but I decided to go with Rosalie after a very difficult process of many pros and cons lists... Alice is a bit too hyper for Alex and I really like the Jasper/Alice dynamic. Please don't hate me haha. And ohmygod. So many people are reading this and that's mind boggling. I say this again even though it might be annoying and presumptuous of me, but THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AN 2: This chapter is also a chapter that gives insight to Alex. Hopefully we'll get to the good part of the first day of school. It'll probably be either next chapter or the one after that. But, Carlisle is going to meet Alex for sure next chapter.
AN 3: Umm... Also is anyone willing to beta me? I beta it'll be fun ;) Because there are a shit ton of mistakes here I'm sure.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I really don't.
Chapter 2
Stepping off the plane, Alex took the time to observe his environment. The people who were on the plane with him rushed out to be taken through security and get started on their days. He understood. Time was precious. Time is what made his schedule run. He wonders if some of these people are rushing for another reason. Maybe they have family waiting for them – like he did he reminds himself. His dad. His awkward but easy to get along with dad.
Walking out from security, he searched for Charlie. Standing near the airport coffee shop was his dad. He stood there with the same messy brown hair as Alex had, the same dark eyes, but with an awkward smile on his face. Charlie spotted Alex walking towards him, so he did the same.
"Hi Alex."
"Dad."
There was a brief pause. A silence as father and son studied each other. Finding what he was looking for, Charlie gave a half smile.
"I missed you, son. I missed you." Seeing as Charlie would not be the one to go for a hug. Alex went in for one.
It was strange. Alex never expected the intense feeling of home that came from hugging Charlie. Alex loved his mom a lot, but he never felt the strong dependent feeling he got from being in Charlie's presence. It was as though he was a kid again, being protected by his awesome dad. Alex initially convinced himself who is dad was in his head, and planned out how to interact with him the moment he learned he was going to Forks. All his carefully laid plans when out the window, because Charlie went beyond expectations.
Both men eventually separated. "You're big. Bigger than I uh, thought. Um How was the flight? You okay?" Charlie nervously asked, fidgeting with the edges of his faded shirt.
"The flight was fine, short too. It was only two hours and thirty-four minutes." He paused, taking in Charlie's tentative demeanour. "I'm guessing mom gave you a heads up?"
"She did. But... You seem normal." Charlie's eyes widened when he realized what he said. " I mean not that you're not normal. I... You just don't seem to show your symptoms very much. You're normal. I-"
Chuckling lightly, Alex replied. "I get it dad. It's okay."
"I know. I just want you to feel welcome. I'm really glad that you decided to come here. You're my son and I love you."
The very sentimental statement from Charlie of all people shocked Alex into silence. Not knowing what to do, Alex simply grinned at his father.
When they made it to Charlie's squad car moments later, and when Alex's suitcase and guitar were loaded, they drove off out of Seattle. The ride to Forks was full of small talk and catching up. The whole experience was bizarre. Alex felt like he was in some sort of alternate universe, like he was watching his body flow naturally through genuine conversations meant for connecting.
The entire day was spent bonding with each other. They talked about positive things and when evening came, they could both honestly say that they knew each other. And, although Alex was afraid to open up, he did manage to talk about some things he could not bring up with Renee. Maybe it was because Charlie seemed to be the quiet listener type, who despite his quiet nature, jabbered off with Alex on random topics. The only time that conversations seemed to give way to silence was a brief moment of confusion over who Carrie was - Alex's 'baby' as he liked to call his 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible passed on to Alex by his grandfather.
After a quick dinner at the local diner, realizing that Charlie would only burn the house down, they said their goodnights and retired to bed; Grandpa Jamie still on their minds as they lay in their beds that night.
Now Alex's grandfather was a touchy subject for both Charlie and Alex. Charlie lost his father, and Alex lost his trusted confidant. Before Grandpa Jamie passed away, Alex used to visit Charlie frequently. In fact, even Renee and Phil used to come by as well. Grandpa Jamie was a special man, who held nothing but love for his family. However, over the years, he started showing small signs of short-term memory loss. The family thought nothing about it because forgetfulness was a common symptom of time and age.
Things took a turn for the worse when Grandpa Jamie was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
As a kid, Alex didn't know much about pain or loss. Growing up, he had his family, and even though Renee and Charlie split up, Alex was okay with it because Grandpa Jamie said everything was going to be okay. When Phil came along, that was okay too, because he had earned himself a brother-like figure to give him advice.
When Grandpa Jamie was getting close to the end of his life, Alex lost himself. His obsessive behaviours and intrusive thoughts were more frequent and started to interfere with his daily life. Anything that reminded him of Grandpa Jamie was pushed aside. He lost his creative will. Art and music died. With the final goodbye to Grandpa Jamie when Alex was thirteen he - after writing a final song in tribute - said goodbye to his passion.
That was until Chloe pushed her way into his life.
"Alex."
Opening his eyes, Alex saw that he was standing in the old skating rink that was about ten minutes from his house in Phoenix.
"Alex."
There was that voice again. High pitched but smooth. It echoed in the rink. Searching the rink for the source of the voice, Alex walked from where he was standing towards the ice. A lone female figure stood on the centre of the ice, hands linked behind their back, head tilted back to stare at the ceiling. Her most striking feature was her fiery red hair, flowing down her back in soft curls.
Alex's heart rate shot up. 'It couldn't be.'
The figure turned to face Alex. "There you are Al. Get over here!" Brilliant blue eyes met his. Standing before him was his best friend. His sister in everything but blood. Chloe.
"Chloe. I... How are you here?"
"Stop stalling and get over here Al. We haven't skated in so long." Chloe smoothly moved along the ice, a wistful look in her eyes.
Alex decided to throw away his logic and skated with Chloe, making long laps around the circular rink. They skated along in silence until Chloe spoke first.
"So how do you like Forks so far?"
"How do you know that I'm in Forks?" Alex asked in shock.
"I'm your best friend silly. Besides, you told me remember?"
Alex's mouth opened to reply, but he didn't know what to say. Instead of replying, Alex grabbed Chloe's hand and brought them both to a stop.
Moving her gaze up to meet Alex's questioning gaze, Chloe gave his hand a soft squeeze. "What?"
"Nothing. I just-" Alex couldn't finish what he was going to say. Instead he took the moment to memorize Chloe's face. He knew this moment wouldn't last, and that thought hurt.
Chloe moved into Alex's personal space and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Alex reflexively hugged her back and closed his eyes. Warmth spread through his chest to his fingertips. They stayed like that for a long while until Chloe pulled away.
"Everything's going to be okay. Those thoughts you have aren't abnormal, Alex. It's okay. Just let everything in." Chloe whispered softly, afraid to break whatever serene atmosphere their embrace created.
"But it's not normal. I'm fucked up. I know that."
"That doesn't mean you have to have control over everything. You're in a new place. Make some friends. Find love. Control isn't going to help."
"How do you know?" Alex questioned, desperately wanting an answer.
A knowing grin spread across Chloe's lips. Gazing into Alex's eyes, Chloe replied. "Because I know you. Because I'm you're sister. You've always been normal. If not, you've always been better. Believe in that."
"Chloe-"
The incessant sound of the alarm woke Alex from his sleep. 7:00AM. The dream still very much in his head, went through his usual routine mechanically. His head constantly revolved around the dream, and a buzz of sound surrounded his ears. His head wouldn't stop thinking.
Unable, to think of something else, Alex succumbed to the feelings the memory evoked. He sat still on his bed, his hair still damp while hanging over his eyes and dripping on to the sheets, trying to make sense of the surreal episode. He actually felt okay for the first time in a while. But, that thought was quickly ended by the fact that things will always turn to shit. 'Maintain control.' Alex thought.
Alex wanted to keep his mind occupied. Since it was Sunday, Alex didn't have school. Not that he was looking forward to it as Forks High technically started the year a week ago, and Alex would become the "New Kid." That being said, school could keep his mind occupied.
Suddenly, Alex remembered Charlie mentioning something about the Hospital that was starting a volunteer program for youth last night. Checking the time, Alex noted that he had spent three hours in his head, so he quickly dialed Charlie's personal number.
"Hello?"
"Dad?"
"What do you need? Is there a problem?" Charlie asked with worry.
Laughing softly to himself Alex replied,"No. Nothing's wrong. I was just wondering about the Hospital volunteer program?"
"Oh. Well if you're interested you are going to have to head down to the hospital. Ask the receptionist about the program and they'll make you fill out some forms."
"Okay, then can you give me the directions to the hospital?"
"No problem son. Although, you might want to go explore Forks. Not that there's much to see in this little old town." Charlie replied chuckling. "But it would be easier if you marked down where the school was and such."
Deciding to spend the day preparing a set schedule for his life at Forks, Alex replied, "That sounds reasonable. I'll get on that. Directions please."
After a short description on where the main town locations were, Alex and Charlie hung up.
Charlie put his phone on his desk with a smile on his lips. His uncharacteristic mood shocked the other officers in the room. One officer who was a rookie assigned to Charlie two years back was brave enough to ask what was up.
"Chief? What's that smile doing on your face?" Officer Shaw asked with a smirk.
"My son is too smart for his own good."
"Oh right," Shaw asked, stretching his reply, "the son is back for good. What's he done that's 'too smart for his own good?'"
Putting his hand through his hair, a habit that he and Alex shared, Charlie grinned. "Well, first of all, my kid's a genius. Second of all, he's heading down to the hospital for that volunteer program Dr. Cullen started."
"Ah, I see. Didn't you say Alexavier's had first aid training? Makes sense."
"Alex. He doesn't like to go by Alexavier. Says the names too archaic or something. I blame Renee's crazy ideas." Charlie stated. "And yes he's a certified first aid kid. And he does martial arts." Charlie boasted with his chest puffed up. "My boy's a remarkable kid."
"Sounds good chief."
The conversation ended and Charlie sat thinking.
'Hope my boy knows what he's doing.'
AN: Hope you guys liked this chapter. I'm thinking of trying different POVs in the future. I'd like to know what you guys though - good and bad - so that I can improve and make this a better experience for me and you guys. Also, do you guys want about the same length chapters, generally uploaded with 1-3 days between, or longer chapters even if it would take longer to update?