Disclaimer: "Nope" I said, popping the p. I wasn't lying, I really didn't own twilight. Stephenie Meyer did, and taunted me continuously about it. I sighed. I still didn't have a name for my story…
Chapter Two- Bella's POV (age eight; two years after last chapter)
I stepped into the airport lobby, gazing down at my feet as I wandered over to the side. When I was safely out of the way of the crowd, I looked around, trying to spot Charlie. This was the second time I had flown to Forks by myself, and I knew not to get mixed up with the people. I caught sight of him, advancing towards me and waving his hand.
"Hey Bells," he greeted me when I was in ear shot.
"Hi, Dad," I said as he grabbed my suitcase and pulled me into a one-armed hug.
"So, how has your year been?" he inquired, trying to make conversation.
"Normal. Nothing really stands out…" I trailed off, lapsing into an awkward silence.
When we made it to the parking lot, Charlie loaded my bag into the trunk of his police cruiser and I got into the back. We pulled onto the road as little rain specs began to pelt the windshield. I was practically bouncing in my seat. I couldn't wait to see my best friend, Edward, again.
Since the first day we met, we had been inseparable. I didn't mean that literally, of course, since we only saw each other for a month every year, but I was closer to him than I had ever been to anyone. Even closer than my mom and we were best friends. I knew everything about him. I was the only one who knew that when his mother has started to force him through piano lessons last year, he found that he loved to play. I knew that he was smarter in school than he led on at home, and I knew that he was the only nine-year-old in the universe who listened to classical music. I knew he was my favourite person in the world.
He knew all about me, too. At least, what there was to know about me. I wasn't a very interesting person. I wasn't smartest in any of my classes, I wasn't good at any sports, and I had no talents or hobbies. I was the very definition of average.
"Esme and Carlisle invited us over for dinner tonight," Charlie broke through the silence.
"They did? That will be nice, a real meal for my first night," I laughed, and he chuckled a bit.
"Don't mock my cooking, I make delicious eggs," we both laughed harder.
Slowly, the silence crept on us again and we waited out the remainder of the drive in more silence.
-- At The Cullen House --
"Ooof!" a huge gust of air was pushed out of my lungs as I was tackled by a blur of russet orange. I heard the adults laughing as I struggled to free myself from Edwards embrace.
"Edward!" I cried, "I missed you too, but I… need…" the words were scratchy as I heaved them out of my mouth. I couldn't even finish the sentence because I was entirely out of oxygen. He quickly let go and offered me a hand. I ignored it at first, trying to regulate my breathing, but soon grasped it and let him pull me to my feet. He didn't let go of my hand.
"Hello Esme, Carlisle!" I greeted them, smiling brightly. They were like my second family. I spent as much time at Edward's house during the summer as I did at Charlie's.
"Hello, dear!" Esme laughed, and Carlisle nodded his agreement.
"It's nice to finally see you again," he added.
We all gathered in the living room because it was raining outside again. Edward and I sat on the floor, filling each other in on the past year's events. Edward had turned nine in June, and he said that he got a new bike for his birthday. I didn't turn nine until September, but he said that he got me a birthday present anyway, sine he wouldn't be there to give it to me on my real birthday. I told him he shouldn't have gotten me anything, I didn't need presents, but he just changed the subject.
I looked back up to the adults who had started talking about the next month's plans. Apparently, Edward's cousin, James, was coming over for a weekend and they wanted him, Edward, Emmet, and me to hang out. I didn't like playing with people I didn't know, but I wasn't scared if Edward would be there.
I realized that Emmet wasn't there. I wanted to hit myself for not noticing, he was family too, but it was understandable. He didn't hang out with me a lot; I think he thought that I was stealing Edward from him. I felt horrible. I wanted to be his friend, but Edward said he would come around eventually. I hoped so.
"Why isn't Emmet here?" I asked the room.
"He is, he's in his room." Esme said, frowning a little.
"Oh," was all I could say. I felt hurt. Emmet had never been that close to me, but he never avoided me either.
"Don't worry. He's ten and a half now; Dad says that he's maturing. I think it means he's getting older, or smarter… Something like that. Either way, it means he spends more time by himself. He hardly ever plays with me, either." Edward whispered to me, so the grown-ups wouldn't hear.
"Okay," I tried to smile. It did help a little.
-- Next Week --
Edward and I were in the yard. It had just finished raining and we were wandering around the garden in bare feet. Edward was holding a large umbrella over the both of us, but my hand was wrapped around his on the pole. We were playing twenty questions again.
"Is it a place?" he asked.
"Yes,"
"Is it near Forks?"
"Uh-huh,"
"Well that's easy. It's Seattle."
I pouted, "How do you always do that?"
He didn't answer; instead he just tapped his temple and grinned crookedly. I giggled. He only ever smiled like that for me.
We could both hear a car pulling into the stone driveway.
"I guess that's James…" I bit my lip.
"He's a good guy, don't worry."
"I always worry." I said, slightly muffled. I hadn't released my lip.
He chuckled. Grabbing my hand, we ditched the umbrella and raced to the front door, where Emmet was already waiting. Edward had told me that James and Emmet were the same age, so we wouldn't have to hang out with James too much.
The door swung open, revealing a skinny boy with long, blond hair like Carlisle's. His eyes were a misty blue, but they had an eerie sparkle. He had a flannel shirt on and there were a few scrapes up his arms. He looked like he got into fights a lot. I hid behind Edward, clutching his shirt with both fists and peering out to watch.
Beside him was a tall woman with the same blond hair and light blue eyes. I assumed she was Carlisle's sister.
"Boys," she nodded at them, not noticing me, and pushing past into the house to go find Esme.
"Emmet!" James shouted, advancing on his cousin, "It's been too long." He laughed.
Emmet nodded and said a quiet, "James,"
"Come on, your not still mad from last time? So I beat you in a couple of rounds, no hard feelings, 'kay?" he laughed, nudging Emmet in the ribs. He muttered something about cheating but James ignored him, spotting Edward.
"Eddie!" he called, even though he was standing not three feet away.
"Don't call me that," Edward rolled his eyes.
"Don't be like that, squirt… Oh, who's this? Got yourself a girlfriend already?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows. James didn't do it like Emmet, he was more… creepy.
"James, this is my friend, Bella. She lives at the house over the street."
"The chief's daughter, eh? You're pretty Bella."
I cowered even further behind Edward, trying to get away. I didn't like James, and it didn't seem like the other two boys did either. When he called me pretty, it didn't make me blush, it scared me. I swear, I thought I heard Edward growl.
"Leave her alone, James." He warned
James snorted, but didn't get to reply as Carlisle had just walked in.
"I'm glad you've already had a chance to introduce yourselves. James, you'll be staying in Edward's room. Edward, you'll be with Emmet. James' mother will be leaving soon; she's going up to Port Angeles to visit a friend of hers for a few days while James is with us."
All of the boys mumbled their agreement so Carlisle continued.
"We're going to First Beach tomorrow. Bella, you can ask your father if you can come along." He smiled warmly at me.
"Thanks Carlisle!" I beamed. It was much easier to hang out with Edward while avoiding James at a beach.
-- Tomorrow At First Beach, La Push --
We all squeezed into Carlisle's Mercedes (A/N: I have no idea whether or not there are 5 seats in a Mercedes, so let's just pretend) with Emmet, who called shotgun, in front, and Edward, James, and I in the back. James somehow made sure that I was in the middle.
To my right, James shifted in his seat so our arms were pressed together. I shivered and entwined my fingers with Edward's. I was glad it was only a twenty minute drive to La Push.
Luckily, it wasn't raining today so Emmet and Carlisle dragged a log over to our chairs to make a bench, while James shouted instructions at them the whole time. In about ten minutes we had all split up, setting off on our own little adventures. Emmet headed down to the pools on the other side of the forest while James followed along. Carlisle sat with our stuff, sketching the cliffs in the distance.
Edward and I went out to the water.
"You have to find a nice, flat one," he explained, showing me the 'proper technique' to skip a stone.
He found one, flicked his wrist back, and flung it out into the waves where it skipped all of three times before falling under the surface. I laughed and applauded his rock-skipping abilities until I felt a presence behind me.
"Hello, Bella," said an all too familiar voice.
"Oh, Hi James," I whispered, going to stand behind Edward who stepped forward.
"Would you like to play soccer with me and Emmet?" he asked in an innocent voice.
"Edward?" I asked.
"Yeah, okay, but you have to promise to be careful." He warned me.
"Alright then, James."
He smiled widely and produced a ball from his bag. Emmet had already set up a goal and we chose positions. Edward played forward, Emmet was goalie, James was the opposing forward, and I somehow ended up on defense.
The game started and I didn't have to do much. Edward scored a few goals, so did James, but Emmet was blocking almost everything. I mostly just watched, until Edward called a 'time' and tried to encourage me to get more involved.
I stood at my post, a few yards in front of Emmet, and watched as James got the ball from Edward. He came towards me and I attempted to block him. He saw me coming and shoved me down with his elbow, knocking me to the ground. I was too shocked to feel any pain, but I watched as Edward came running over to me, making sure I was alright. I didn't think to answer him, I was watching as James continued over to the net. He shot the ball in, right past Emmet, who was advancing towards him.
"What was that!?" he shouted at James.
"That was goal." He explained.
"No! Not that, you shoved her down! That's fowl!" he roared.
"Was not, checking's allowed!" he yelled back.
"That was more than a check, she's gona get bruises from that. What're you playing at? You can't hit a girl!" I couldn't believe that Emmet was standing up for me. Lately he just kept to himself, not talking much to anyone, but here he was, fighting James because he hurt me.
James pulled back his fist and tried to sink it into Emmet's stomach, but he blocked it and swung a punch right into the side of James' jaw. He howled with pain and fell to the sand.
"Don't mess with Bella!" he warned, raising his foot in a threat to kick him.
"BOYS! What do you think you're doing?!" Carlisle yelled, coming up behind me.
-- Bella's Last Day in Forks --
The past few weeks had been amazing. Emmet and I were a lot closer since the incident with James. He took it on himself to protect me from anything and everything. I would have been annoyed, but he was the big brother I never had. I loved him, and all the Cullens, like family.
As I packed up my suitcase, I flint of silver caught my eye. I paused, dropping my shirt, and walked over to my desk. I picked up the metal picture frame that had gotten my attention and instantly recognized the picture, taken last year when Charlie and I had taken Edward to Olympia. We went out for the whole day, walking and checking out different stores. We stopped at hotdog stand and each got some food. The photo was of me sitting on the ground with ketchup and fries all over my lap, while Edward bent down and dipped his corndog in the ketchup. We were both laughing hysterically.
"You can have your present now, Bella." The voice came from behind me, making me jump.
"Edward, you really didn't have to." I mumbled, knowing it was no use.
He dragged me over to the bed and sat me down, smiling at me. He pulled a small box from his pocket and handed it to me. I eyed him suspiciously, but slowly opened the package. Inside was a long metal chain. I pulled it out of the box, revealing a tiny plastic diamond heart strung onto it.
"Oh!" I cried, tying it to my neck and throwing my arms around him.
He chuckled and gently hugged me back.
"Emmet says that if you like a girl, you give her jewelry." He paused for a moment before whispering, "I like you, Bella."
My heart melted.
Charlie stepped through the door just then. Edward quickly released me and stepped back, while I blushed and giggled girlishly.
Charlie chuckled a little before letting me know that it was time for us to leave. I tried not to cry. I hated leaving, because I knew I wouldn't see Edward again for another year.
A tear rolled down my cheek despite my efforts.
A/N: Hello : ) I liked this chapter better than the first one. Still can't think of a name… Please review? I way more alerts than I did reviews last time… Reviewing helps me write better. : (