I returned to the hotel staring outside, a favorite pastime of mine. I waited for the sun to come out again, and when it did, I would gaze at it sadly. So bright and happy. Just like Mary. I mustn't think about her though. She passed away many years ago, and is up in heaven with mother and father. How I miss them also.

~England. May, 1552.

"Mummy! Daddy!" I screeched. I looked outside. The clouds were parted and the Sun stood proudly, throwing rays on the grass.

Mummy ran in and picked me. "Yes, sweetheart?" She swung me on her hip. Back then, she was so bright and bubbly. Much like Mary.

Thomas and Katherine Brandon. They were both quite nice, in my opinion. They both had one fatal flaw. We were poor, but not horribly so. And they would do anything to get money.

Father walked in, Mary in his arms.

I pointed outside, excitedly. "Look! The sun!"

Mary gasped and wiggled out of father's arms and rushed to the window, pushing away the thick drapes. She stared in awe. "May we go outside?"

"Mummy! Daddy!" Mary turned around, her bottom lip puckered and her brown eyes wide. The expression influenced them every time she made it.

Father looked at mother and he bit his lip. "Okay. You may. But your older sister must keep you company at all times."

Mary jumped up and down, smiling widely, if it were any broader it would crack her face. I rushed over to her and she cried a 'thank you, daddy' before I dragged her outside in the sun.

~Seattle, Washington. Saturday.~

I closed my eyes and glanced at my watch. Had time passed that quickly? It was already midnight. I crawled off the window seat – I was fortunate enough to have a hotel with one of these – and into bed. I pulled the covers over myself and stared at the dark ceiling.

I didn't sleep. I never could. I don't know why, but I couldn't. If my grandmother were alive, I would ask her. She was the one I got my powers from. Her name was Mary Alice – who Mary was named after – and she was my father's mother. The powers did not run through male blood, and therefore skipped my father and went straight to us.

I had a theory that it was because of the power thrumming in my blood. I was a strong witch, and it caused me not to be tired. Almost as if I was on a sugar high.

I stared at the ceiling, thinking of little Mary, oh how I missed my family. Hours passed in minutes, time meant nothing to me after these many years. Finally, the foggy day light protruded from the window and I got out of bed.

I walker to the desk that held the computer, a definite perk I did not expect. I sat in the leather swivel chair and reached for the book I placed

on the desk a couple hours before. "Pride and Prejudice" I had read many times before, but never tired of it.

I had finished the book and started another one by the time five o'clock rolled around. I sighed, placed my bookmark in the page, and grabbed my keys. I changed quickly, and snatched the key card on the way out.

I ran quickly, hoping the man wouldn't be mad at me being late. I hopped into the car, turned it on, and pressed the gas pedal to the floor. It lurched forward with impeccable speed. I made it to Charlie's house in a reasonable amount of time.

I jumped out of the car and glared at the rain. I walked up to the man who stood under the cover of the porch. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Grey," I apologized.

He waved his hand. "You're only a couple of minutes late, Ms. Brandon."

I smiled. "Please, call me Bella."

He nodded. "Bella." He pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and grinned. He opened the door and ushered me in. "It is two bedrooms and one bath. The kitchen is through this hall, and the living room straight ahead."

I walked to the kitchen. It was fairly small. A booth sat to the right of the small island in the middle of the kitchen. The sink was to the left, and the stove and refrigerator straight ahead.

Next was the living room. An empty room with hardwood floors. We walked up the steps to the two bedrooms. The bedroom to the left of the bathroom was a sky blue. It was dusty, nothing had been held in the room. A window was on the far left wall, facing the front yard.

The bathroom sat in the middle of the two bedrooms. It was small. The bath on the right, sink on the left, and the toilet on the far wall.

The spare bedroom was larger than the other, and I knew it was occupied by the man that lived here before, Charlie.

All the way through the short tour of the house, he explained unimportant history. I looked at him, pretending to be interested.

"Charlie is a great man and we're all very happy for him."

I raised an eyebrow. "You were good friends with him before he moved?"

"No." he shook his head. "He was the chief of police. Everyone knew him."

I smiled. "Well, Mr. Grey. I like it," I nodded, looking around appreciatively. "Mr. Swan took very good care of it and it has a homey quality to it," It was a lie. Charlie was obviously lonely and left a sad presence around the house. I could tell. Another power I gained over the years was gaining insight from touch. Mostly memories. I had learned that most of my powers were mental.

He smiled. "That's great! So, Ms – Bella. All you have to do is go to a lawyer and get the contract drawn. I will sign it for Mr. Swan and we'll go from there."

I held my hand out. "It was pleasure doing business with you. Should we meet Monday?"

"Monday?" He asked incredulously. "Don't you think that's a little early?"

I grinned. "I have my ways," I wished him a good day and left, driving to an old friend.

I pulled up in the horrible neighborhood, in front of the office. I pulled my hood over my head. The rain had worsened through the course of the drive. I walked up to the building and inside. I smiled at the secretary. She was new. I strolled up to her stumbling over my sneakers awkwardly.

She looked up from her trashy romance novel, a pink blush coating her cheeks, as if she were a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Only a couple of years older than me. She was slightly overweight, having more curves than most women I had become acquainted with. Her hair was blonde and straight, going around two inches past her shoulder. She had blue eyes, and they were wide from embarrassment.

"H-Hello, how may I help y-you today?" She stuttered.

I laughed quietly. I leaned on the desk and said, "I am looking for a Mr. Scott."

"Do you have an ap-p-pointment?" She pushed the book aside and her hands sat poised over the computer keyboard.

I smiled widely. "Tell him that Ms. Brandon is here to see him."

She looked around nervously. "Mr. Scott d-doesn't like to be d-disturbed-"

"Trust me."

She pushed her hand over the intercom. "Mr. Scott?"

"Yes, Brianna?" He asked tiredly.

"Isabella," I offered her my first name to make it clearer.

She nodded in thanks. "A Ms. Isabella B-Brandon is here to see y-you."

He gasped, "Bring her in!"

"W-Would you like me to show y-you the way?" She had a speech impediment I realized. She was working on it, and was ashamed of it.

"It's quite alright," I smiled. "I know how to get there."

I walked down the short hallway and knocked on the door before walking in. "Hello, J. It's nice to see you again."

He smiled. "Hello, Isabella. How are you?"

I sat in the chair. "I'm good, thank you. And you?"

"Good, good." He had gained weight I noticed. "I see you haven't aged a day."

I smirked slightly. "I take care of my skin, J. How long has it been? Five years?"

He nodded. "Just about. What can I do for you?" He was sweating, having calmed down slightly, but still having some aftershock. I looked into his mind. It was about a blonde man. He made J. nervous.

I decided to leave it alone and explained to him how I needed a contract for a house drawn. Quickly. He pulled out a stack of papers from a drawer and handed them to me. J was excellent at forging.

"I need all of this done by tomorrow," I ducked my head guiltily. "Name the price."

He nodded, seemingly not surprised and wrote the number on a slip of paper. I pulled my wallet out of my pocket and placed the bills on the table. "I'll see you tomorrow then?" I asked.

"Yes. It was nice seeing you again, Ms. Brandon."

"Likewise, Scott," I kissed him on the cheek and left, bidding him a goodbye. I waved to Brianna and once again jumping into my car and heading back to the hotel.

I called the school to register telling them I would be there on Tuesday. I let my British accent seep in and pretended to by my mother.

They told them the supplies I would need for class and I wrote it down on the pad of paper next to the telephone in the hotel room.

I wished Mrs. Cope – that was her name – a good day and hung up. I walked to my car, keys, paper, and the key card in hand.

I drove to the closest Wal-Mart and picked up the few items I needed, quickly checking out my items.

The night passed rapidly. Night turning to day. Saturday turning to Sunday. I sat in bed, closing my eyes. The sun was not out. It was overcast and raining heavily. It put a damper on my mood.

Per usual, my thoughts switched to Mary. Even after all the years I could not mourn her. I did nothing to help my little sister. Guilt always sat on my shoulder, reminding me how I should not be enjoying myself. If Mary could not, then why should I?

My memory was astonishing. I was surprised I could remember all of these memories. It would not surprise me that it was a power. One particular memory pounded in my head for some reason.

~ Massachusetts. May, 1661~

"Isabella!" Mary called me. I looked up from my book, raising an eyebrow at her. She sat at the table where I was seated. She rested her head on her gloved hand, the other brushing a long lock of black hair behind her ear. "What are you doing?" Her eyes flickered to the sky and then narrowed at me.

"I am reading," I replied, turning a page.

"I knew that," she said testily. "That is not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?" I set my book aside and picked up my cup of tea.

"What I meant – mean, what I mean is, why are you reading?" she uttered the word as if it were speaking of the Devil himself, "when it is so beautiful outside? Look, Isabella! The sun!"

I looked at the beautiful orange glowing sphere in the sky. The light did not affect me and I looked back at Mary. "Yes, that is why I am reading outside."

She sighed, knowing when she had lost, but not liking it. "Fine, Isabella," she tapped her fingernails on the glass. "You are going to the ball tonight, are you not?"

"Mary, you know I cannot dance."

"Nonsense!" She shouted.

"Fine," I relented, "I can dance, but I always manage to land on my arse, and bring people down with me."

She hit me lightly on the arm. "Do not swear, it is unladylike," I knew she was joking. Mary was the farthest from ladylike that any other woman I knew.

I rolled my eyes. "And who might be listening?"

She pouted, her eyes going big, her bottom lip jutting out. I looked away, and back at her, seeing her stare go vacant and glassy. She squealed and clapped her hands together. "Wonderful! It is settled then. We shall go, and you will enjoy yourself."

It was moments like this that I truly hated her gift.

"Oh, Isabella, isn't it beautiful?" Mary squeezed my arm and I looked down at her. She was so excited.

I glanced around the ball room. "It is."

Couples waltzed around. Their backs were stiff, proper. It was obvious no one was enjoying the time they were spending here.

I guided Mary to the sets of tables to the side. She fixed her posture, trying to look well-mannered and presentable. I sat next to her.

My eyes roamed the room, catching the eye of a redhead. Her hair was curly, naturally so. She wore a light colored dress and her face showed nothing. Her eyes...Her eyes showed everything. They were a darker colored red than her hair. It was unnatural...She was dangerous.

The man beside her's lips were moving, not noticeable for mortals. They stopped though, and the redhead nodded. He walked beside her, his hands behind his back.

"Excuse me, miss." He said when he reached us.

I looked at him, his eyes staring at Mary. She smiled politely.

"May I help you?"

His smile had an undertone of smug. He chuckled darkly, looking down. "Yes, actually." he held out his hand. "Would you like this dance?"

She stared at him, her eyes boring into his. She looked away and glanced at me. I looked into her mind. "Help me, Isabella, please! He frightens me," she thought.

"I would love to," I said suddenly.

He looked at me. "I—"

I stood up on my heels, hoping my witch side would help me with my balance. I grabbed his outstretched hand and guided him towards the dancers.

"Thank you." Mary thought sadly.

I nodded slightly, making it seem like it was directed towards the man, as if I were ready to dance, I knew she would know it was for her.

~Present.~

The phone rang, breaking me out of my reverie. My hand shot out, grabbing it.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Ms. Brandon?" J. asked.

I smiled. "Yes! Hello, J. Is the contract done?"

"Yes," I could hear him shuffle the papers on the other side. "Where would you like to meet, Isabella?"

I sighed, no matter how many times I told him he insisted upon calling me by my full name. It made me feel old for some reason. Maybe because I am.

"How about IL Bistro Italian Restaurant?" He suggested.

I had not been in Seattle in many years, so I shrugged and then remembered he couldn't see me. "Okay."

"See you at eight?"

"Okay, see you there," I hung up. I rubbed a hand across my eyes. I went on the computer and located its address. It wouldn't take long to get there.

I looked at the clock on the bottom of the right hand corner of the monitor screen. It was already seven o'clock. I got up and searched through my suit case. I had set my new clothes in there earlier. I grabbed a pair of dress pants and a white blouse. I changed, slipping on a pair of ballet shoes with silver buckles. I left my hair down and grabbed my purse, slipping my wallet in there from my jeans.

I left at seven forty five, wanting to get there early. Outside it was dark, darker than Phoenix at eight o'clock. I couldn't deny that Forks was beautiful. The leaves were array of different shades of green, trunks covered in moss. The grass was lively, being watered every day.

I pulled into the lot, shutting off the car and slipping my keys into my purse. I walked into the restaurant and up to the podium. "Jenks," I said.

She sized me. Her blonde hair was done in a bun with chopsticks pushed through it. She had a black attire on and rolled her eyes. "Probably screwing him for the money," she thought.

I was slightly offended. Sure, J suggested a nice restaurant that mostly couples went to, but that doesn't mean he liked me, or that I was 'screwing' him. People nowadays were rude. Yet, people in my days were cruel. We really not have progressed much.

She led me down a hall and into a private room. J sat at the table papers set in front of him. I thanked the maître d' and she scoffed. "Ugly bitch gets the rich man while I have to work in a fucking restaurant."

I bit my lip to keep from doing something I would definitely regret later. Instead, I smiled at J and sat down. I took my coat off and set it in my lap. "Hello, J."

He smiled. "Isabella." He pushed the papers towards me.

I leafed through them, nodding. "Perfect! Thank you!" I reached into my purse and pulled out a couple of bills. "For the restaurant fee. This place is truly beautiful and can't be cheap."

"No. I'll pay." He insisted.

I relented. "Fine. Keep the money anyway, for your troubles," I got up, ready to leave.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" J asked.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, but I have to decline." Being Immortal messed with my appetite. I didn't eat. Well, I could, but chose not to. Another theory of mine: my Immortal blood – the witch side that makes me ageless – has enough power in it that it sustains my hunger. "I am getting quite tired." Lie. "I did not get any sleep at all last night." Truth.

He nodded. "Okay. I shall see you..." He paused, not knowing when he'd see me next. My visits were very irregular. "Whenever."

I smirked. "Yes, J. I will see you whenever," I grabbed my coat and slipped it on. "It was great seeing you again," I walked down the hall. The blonde woman glared.

"She's not even that pretty," she looked in the glass of the podium, seeing her reflection. "I'm cuter."

Looks won't get you anywhere in life, sweetheart. I knew I was pretty, so I did not listen to her thoughts. I was not conceded, far from it. Most people thought I was pretty. They never voiced it, but they thought it.

I pushed open the door. The rain had ceased and some clouds parted, letting the twinkling stars shine. A rare occurrence in Washington. I slid into my car and put the key in the ignition and twisted it. The car purred. It was different from my old car. The one that growled and sputtered when it started. As if mad that you woke it up.

I drove, fast. I do not know where I was driving but ended up in the Forks park, watching the gray swirly clouds move in the sky.

*Le gasp!* How...not so surprising. So...

Review, people! Reviews make me happy. Please? The only thing that keeps me going are reviews...

P.S. Sorry if Bella isn't very in character.