Day número uno for Bella in Forks, also Twilight and all it's characters are owned by Stephanie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.
~Bella pov~
I woke up groggy and disorientated. Panicking slightly at the unfamiliar surroundings before it all came rushing back.
I'm in forks!
However, no matter how exciting it was to be here, it did nothing to change the fact that I was most definitely not a morning person.
Today was better than my usual early starts as I actually managed to get up without grumbling swear words and threats under my breath and made it to the bathroom without physically injuring myself!
Angela Webber eat your heart out.
Famous last words. After doing my clockwork morning routine that I could literally do in my sleep, I slowly shuffled my way downstairs.
It all seemed to happen in slow motion.
"That you Bells?" I heard my dad's voice call.
"Meughhhyeawhaaaa". I mumbled looking up at the sound of my name.
That was my first mistake. My second being the decision to wear my pair of ginormous, fluffy, pink bunny slippers with pom poms on the front.
I looked up at the moment I descended the last few steps… The bunny slippers, while being cute, were not made with the idea of good grip in mind.
One minute my legs where under me and the next…they were not.
"Owwwww! FECK!" I yelled. Even in severe pain I still remembered Charlie's abhorrence against swearing.
Whenever Renée got angry or hurt she would start swearing in rapid fire Spanish, thanks to growing up with a Latino father. Although he couldn't understand what she was saying Charlie would always tell her off anyway.
"Bella!"
Dad's face loomed above me, all wide-eyed concerned and a flicker of something else.
I looked closer. Surely it couldn't be…
"Dad why are you laughing at me!" I screeched up at him, hurt and angry from my position on the floor.
"I'm sorry Bells. It's just…the look on your face…" He bent over and let out a loud guffaw before straightening up and wiping his eyes. "…was priceless." He finally managed to gasp out struggling to hold back his laughter.
I held my hand out expectantly and didn't remove my scowl as Charlie pulled me up. From his uncaring reaction it was easy for anyone to tell that incidents like these were a common occurrence.
Hobbling to the kitchen rubbing my bruised derriere I rifled through the cupboards until I found what I had seen yesterday night whilst making dinner.
When I had finally gotten as many 'fruit spells' into one bowl as possible I looked up at Charlie to tell him it was his cue to speak.
"First of all let me say that I hope you are ok after your accident back there." Charlie started off, still shaking with silent laughter. " Secondly let me just say a big good morning to my beautiful daughter! I trust you slept well?"
"Like a whale." I informed him, my mouth filled with cereal.
"So what's the plan for today?" Charlie asked, changing the subject.
I pondered this while absently rubbing a newly forming bruise on my upper arm.
"I'm probably going to go into town and do the groceries." I thought aloud. " And maybe pop into the library…" I trailed off distracted, seeing Charlie flicking open a small prescription bottle of pills before shaking two into his palm and swallowing them.
The practiced way he did it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
"Daddy?" I asked uncertainly.
"What?" Charlie looked confused.
"Why are you having to take medication? Are you ok? Why didn't you tell me?" I shot at him getting more and more upset.
"Bells calm down. I'm fine" He soothed putting the bottle down on the bench. "They're just for a headache I've been getting for a while now. Nothing to worry your pretty little head about."
He grinned at me but I didn't smile back.
"Just take care of yourself ok?" I told him, but it came out uncertain, like a question.
"Yes ma'am" Charlie chuckled as he ruffled my hair before walking out of the room and up the stairs.
A few minutes later I heard the shower start running and sighed.
Charlie may not be taking these things seriously but I sure as hell would be. He was my lifeline and if anything happened to him…
Stop it Isabella! I chided myself. Charlie is fine! Calm yourself woman!
I better keep an eye on him though. I made a mental note to myself. He usually underplays these things...
With that thought in mind I finished eating breakfast before having a nice, long shower and washing my hair, I then began the stressful task of deciding what to wear.
I apparently had 'pretty good taste' according to Angela but shopping was just not my thing. Maybe it was growing up with a single dad, or maybe I had a subconscious fear of malls, the fact remained that I had limited wardrobe options and didn't know what to wear.
Ten minutes and one messy room later I had settled on my trusty chucks, a slightly distressed, pair of light blue skinny jeans I had found cheap in a thrifty boutique in NY, along with a plain, white flowy tee and a worn leather jacket.
I spent another few minutes rummaging through my bag before I found my slightly squashed wide-brim, black felt fedora and a old pair of purple fingerless gloves that had been knitted by some older relative many, many, many, years ago.
Pulling my thick, wavy hair back into a low ponytail I sighed. Usually it was streaked gold in the summer, highlighting my olive skin. However having not seen the sun for sometime it was currently a muddy brown and my skin was shockingly pale.
Turning away from the mirror and grabbing my practical, worn leather messenger bag, I was ready to hit the town.
I grabbed my keys from the kitchen bench as I sauntered out.
Yelling to Charlie that I was going grocery shopping I shut the door behind me and made my way through the chilly morning air.
Looking around me I was hit with a wave of nostalgia again. The street was a peaceful quiet and the grass on the front lawns were coated in a layer of frost. The sun seemed to be shinning which was rare and I wondered how long that would last. The world seemed to be holding its breath.
Couldn't find a place more opposite to NYC than this. I thought wryly to myself as I unlocked the car.
Sliding inside I turned on the ignition and put the heater on full blast. A Kygo remix of Matt Corby's Brother was on the radio and I felt myself relaxing as I drove through the familiar, empty Forks streets.
The grocery store was just opening by the time I pulled into the near-deserted parking lot. I leaned over to the passenger seat to grab my purse and gave myself a final, discreet look in the rear-view mirror as I straightened up.
Ok, you can do this Bella. Think positively.
I gave myself a quick pep talk before reaching for the door handle and stepping out onto the concrete that was sparkling with early morning frost.
As I made my way through the sliding doors and into the heat-pump-warmed air I couldn't help but glance around, looking to see if I could spot anyone I recognised.
I spent the good part of fifteen minutes wandering lost among the aisles but eventually I had the provisions I needed and made my way to the checkout.
I was just rounding the corner when-
"CRASH!"
"Gah!" I yelped, leaping back in shock as my cart, piled high with food, bounced off someone else's trolley and careened down the slippery tiled floor.
"OMG we're so sorry!" I high pitched female voice squealed and I glanced around so quickly I heard my neck crack.
My eyes widened in shock as I realised the person that the person the voice belonged to was none other than-
"Jessica?"
My eyes then widened even further (if that was possible) when I saw who she was standing next to.
"Mike?" I questioned again. This time sounding a bit unbelieving.
Jessica smiled a bit blankly and I looked to Mike who was scrutinising me.
I shifted uncomfortably as the awkward silence grew.
"It's me, Bella." I finally blurted out and then mentally kicked myself for stating the obvious.
Another pause and then recognition dawned simultaneously on their faces, I would have laughed if I wasn't so uncomfortable.
"Ohmigodbella!" Jessica shrieked as she threw her skinny arms around me. Arms, I noted, that were a lot skinner and browner than when I had last seen them.
"Bella." Mike tipped his cap yet remained where he was standing, still staring at me in a way that was beginning to make me uncomfortable.
"HowhaveyoubeenIhaven'tseenyouinsolongwhatyoudoinghere?" Jessica asked in one breath and I winced and subtly distanced myself before giving her a quick look over.
Jessica had dyed her naturally red hair a sandy blonde with a few artful highlights here and there and seemed to have made a few new friends in the form of fake tanner and false eyelashes.
Her outfit completed the look with a too-tight pink t-shirt, painted-on skinny jeans and a pair of sky-high heels.
Who wears six-inch stilettos to a grocery store at 7:30 in the morning? I wondered to myself.
"Uh I've just come to visit Charlie for a few weeks over Christmas." Was my genius reply when I realised I hadn't answered her question.
Jessica didn't seem to notice my lack of enthusiasm and practically dragged me through the checkout; luckily Mike must have rescued my fleeing shopping cart while we were talking.
In a few short minutes I was once again standing outside in the chilly car park outside the grocery store. However this time with a woman who seemed to speak enough for both herself and the man next to her. Mike didn't seem to mind this and it didn't surprise me, even in high school he had been a guy of few words.
"Bella, wow! You're looking good! Are you on a diet? What shampoo are you using? Oh and I just love those gloves! So vintage!" Jessica cooed while I stood, slightly defensively under the onslaught of questions.
It turned out that Jessica hadn't been expecting a reply as she carried on. "Hey there's actually a wee get-together happening next week and you should totally come! No one's going to recognise you! It'll be hilarious!"
I hadn't noticed that Jessica had managed to whip her phone out while she was talking but she now waved it at me.
"What's your number so I can text you the details?" She asked.
This was all moving much to fast and after I had dutifully spouted off my digits I decided to make my hasty retreat.
"Well it was nice seeing you both but I'm afraid I've got to go get some other jobs done, so maybe I'll see you around?"
Then before either of them could say anything I jumped in my car and pulled out of my park yelling out the window for Jessica to 'text me'.
Mike was still staring after me as I turned onto the road and I felt goosebumps crawl across my skin, and they were definitely not the good kind.
I didn't want them to think I was that rude and I was truly grateful that Jessica had invited me.
I solemnly promised myself that I would seriously consider whether to go or not rather than immediately dismissing the idea, even though I was getting a bit of an odd vibe from Mike.
You're over thinking things again Bella!
After the confrontation I drove aimlessly around town for a while to slow my rapidly beating heart.
Well that could've been worse. I mused as I gave myself a mental pat-on-the-back.
I looked at the clock on the dashboard and saw that my grocery trip had taken longer than I thought.
Feeling slightly drained I cruised down one of the main streets until I found a decent looking café.
Finding a car park in front I hopped out and made my way through the front door of The Coffee Cure.
A bell tinkled as I stepped through in to the warm shop. The smell was familiar and comforting as were the clacks and whistles of hot beverages being efficiently made and served.
The café itself was cosy with high, pale wooden tables, chic stools and worn wooden floorboards that gave the place an rustic yet modern look.
Light bulbs hung down on long wires suspended from the high ceiling and the low hum of an air conditioner sounded in the background.
On the concrete walls hung beautiful landscape photographs that appeared to be of different places in and around Forks.
I recognised some that were of the cliffs and beach in La Push and another of a street I recognised that was covered in a light dusting of snow with the sun setting in the background.
I made my way to the counter looking up at the menu written on the chalkboard behind the counter.
"Hi there, what can I get for you this morning?" I heard a cheery voice ask me.
I looked down, and then looked down some more.
The girl serving me was tiny, with short blonde hair, big blue eyes and flawless skins most girls dreamed of. She looked about my age or perhaps a bit younger and reminded me of Tinker bell or a pixie with her delicate features and slim build.
"Um just a cappuccino please". I said, still stunned by this ethereal looking girl.
She looked at me for a heartbeat before winking and I decided that maybe Tinker bell had an evil twin sister as the smirk on the girl's face was pure mischief.
"Beeeeeennnnnnnnnnnnnnn" The girl called out in a sing-song voice.
"Oh for Christ's sake what now?" came the grumbled reply from somewhere behind the espresso machine.
A tall, finely boned Asian guy, who looked around my age, appeared from behind the piece of equipment.
I'm assuming this must be Ben.
"I just twinged my wrist again and it's really sore." Announced the girl gesturing at said body part, which I now noticed was wrapped in a bandage. She looked at Ben, and can I just say that this girl had her puppy eyes down. "Could I pleaseee take ten?"
Ben let out a loud noisy breath and I guessed that this sort of thing happened often.
"Fine. Whatever, but Alice, this is the last time I cover for you, are we clear?"
"Ahhhh thanks Ben you're the best!" Squealed 'Alice' who suddenly seemed a lot perkier than she had thirty seconds ago.
Ben turned to me with a resigned look on his face as he asked what I wanted. I repeated my order and went to sit down at a nearby table when I realised the girl called Alice was following me.
I sat down and couldn't contain my look of surprise as she sat on the stool across from me.
"Hi I'm Alice and yes my wrist was sprained and no it doesn't hurt anymore!" She informed me, sticking out her hand.
I tentatively shook it and the bewilderment on my face must have been obvious because she was quick to explain her somewhat weird actions.
"I'm sort of new in town and I just wondered if you would like to hang out or something? So far I haven't met many people my age and my brothers aren't the best substitutes…"
She trailed off while I remained mute at the bizarre situation.
This girl is beautiful! How could she not immediately be swamped with people 'wanting to be friends'?
"Oh if you don't want to that's ok too." She turned away to leave but not before I noticed the tears pooling in her eyes.
This broke me out of my daze and I mentally slapped myself.
Good job Bella, first day in Forks and you've already made someone cry.
"No stop!" I gasped reaching out and grabbing her arm. "I would love to be friends!" I smiled a bit uncertainly.
Why did I just do that? I don't even know the girl! She could be some crazy stalker!
Panicked thoughts raced through my head but I fought to remain calm on the outside.
Alice turned back around, a beatific smile lighting up her face.
"Really?" She asked.
I nodded my confirmation.
"Ah thank you thank you thank you!" She squeaked. Jumping up and down like an excited Chihuahua. It made me tired just looking at her.
She slumped rather ungracefully (if such a thing were possible) back down onto the stool before leaning forward, placing her elbows on the table and rubbing her hands together.
Uh oh.
"Ooooooo we are going to have a lot of fun." She giggled with a sparkle in her eye that I wasn't sure whether to be afraid of or not.
What on earth have I gotten myself into?
_o0o_
Soooooo what did everyone think? :)
Is Charlie's headache suspicious?
Is Jessica just being nice or does she have ulterior motives?
What do we think about Mike?
And Alice seems...well...
The song on the radio:
'Brother' by Matt Corby - Kygo remix.
Check it out, it'a beautiful version of a beautiful song! :)