Disclaimer: no I don't own twilight
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Previously...
"Alice I do want to attend brown not just get accepted in' she said, worrying lacing her tone.
"Bella relax, I predict you're in for one smooth super fast ride" Alice winked as she slammed onto the accelerator.
Chapter Two - Hope College
The yellow Porsche pulled up to the large white house that was nestled in a hidden clearing by a river; was Alice's home. Although Bella had been here too many time to count and considered it a second home, she couldn't stop admiring its simplistic beauty, it was timeless.
Bella's heart began to slow down; from the racing pace it beat just mere seconds ago whilst Alice was driving. Never again, she thought, shaking her head; unclipping the seatbelt and toppling out.
'Alice honestly, I swear I'm never riding with you again' Bella stated. Alice grinned as only Alice knew how. 'Admit it that was the damn smoothest, fastest ride you've ever had' Alice with a twinkle in her eye.
'Innuendo, Alice seriously, think before you speak,' Bella said walking up the front steps, 'or drive for that matter' she added as an afterthought. Alice just chuckled 'Bella Bella Bella, when will you learn, I don't need to think, I just know what to expect' grabbing Bella's hand and pulling her though the front door.
Bella loved coming to Alice's house, though it was like a small mansion there was thing feeling of home whether she walked through the front door, like she belonged here. Bella thought that in some sense this was true, she spent half her time sleeping in the spare bedroom. Alice actually claimed it as Bella's nowadays.
'Come on, we'll say a quick hello to mum and dad then I want to show you something!' Alice gushed out.
Bella raised her eyebrows, 'ok two questions, should I be worried, and is that cookies I smell' she sniffed the air, with a slight smile on her face. Esme made the best choc chip cookies, and unless her senses were failing her, a fresh batch just left the kitchen's oven.
Alice smiled 'answers to your questions, one – no you shouldn't' its exciting stuff' she grinned 'and two - '
'Yes that's cookies you smell' Alice's mother, Esme's grinned finishing her daughters sentence.
"Bella!" Esme opened her arms wide and Bella stepped swiftly into them to receive a bone crushing hug. 'Congratulations on getting Brown sweety, you deserve it' she smiled. Really Bella thought, Esme was such a warm person, one couldn't help but smile in her presence. Her auburn hair framing her heart shaped beautiful face, and her amazing green eyes held so much warmth, Bella's spirits just rose even higher.
"Yeh Esme I'm stoked! I squealed! I mean I actually squealed! I think I'm been spending too much time with Alice' Bella grinned mischievously looking at Alice, who had her mouth full with at least 3 cookies.
"Eyyy" Alice muffed.
'Manners missy' don't speak with your mouth full' Esme scolded and Bella chuckled, helping herself to a fresh warm cookie. 'I cannot believe you girls grew up so fast! Off to college already!' she turned to Alice 'at least your brothers will be there to look after you both. Speaking of which' she glanced at her wrist watch, you should call Emmett now, that bear should be out of hibernation by now' she chuckled. Turning back to the oven and taking out another batch of cookies.
'Ok come on, I have to show you this, your gonna be so excited! come on! Come on!' Alice skipped to the stairs. Bella hung back, helping herself to another cookie. Taking a thoughtful bite 'should I be worried?'
Esme smiled, 'I would be prepared, knowing Alice she probably has your clothes list ready for the first semester'
"Bella! NOW!' Alice's voice floated down the stairs.
Signing Bella started towards the staircase 'wish me luck'
'You'll be fine, but just in case' Esme handed Bella a plate of cookies with a wink'these should keep her occupied for a bit'
'Thanks' Bella grinned.
Apparently Bella need not have been worried. Alice in anticipation of both their acceptance letters has already placed their names down for Hope College, one of the best dorms on campus.
"Emmett lives just down the road at Minden Hall, apparently that's really luxurious, because before it used to be a hotel" she showed me a map of the campus, pointing out each building.
'Can I see that again for a sec?' she brought up the screen again and my eyes widened 'well at least we won't have to exercise too much when we get there' she threw me a questioning glance, her brow furrowed 'look at the size of the place' waving my hand to the screen' its huge, It'll really suck if the lecture halls are really far apart'
Alice did a looked from me to the screen, 'your right!' wow maybe they have those little golf caddies to drive people around in?" she questioned.
Bella just raised her eyebrows and laughed shaking her head 'oh Alice' she patted Alice on the head as she walked out the door, heading towards the stairs.
"What? I was being serious!'
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Whilst Alice got a new car has a "you got into uni present' Bella received something slightly more precious from her mother three months later.
Elizabeth Hayden's, her mum's mum, effectively Bella's grandmothers family cook book, which has been handed down generation to generation for the past 200 years.
'Sweety I never really used this, my cooking isn't quite up to that par as of yet' Bella smirked as her mum said this.
"Yet? Mum chocolate candles? Really? I raised an eyebrow grinning cheekily'
Renee mock glared at her before chuckling ' ok ok so I'm not the best cook in the world' she smiled softly ' but you my darling definitely are, the cooking genes just skipped my generation, so that's why I think you're ready for this.' She handed Bella the worn and torn book that was as thick a history book. Bella prised open the book carefully, the smell of old parchment drifting slowly in the air, the yellowing paper wrinkled but still visibly contained the very first recipe that was at least two centuries old. Bella ran her fingers gently across the page, the writing, a beautiful calligraphy. Bella closed her eyes and breathed in deeply as she touched the words, she felt a certain power course through her as if her ancestors had spoken to her. She opened her eyes again and her chest began to fell heavy as she reconnected with history. Bella found it hard to believe, someone; her own, her kin wrote this, touched this paper; over 200 years ago.
'That book contains 200 years of Hayden cooking secrets, and I know that you're ready to make them come alive again sweety' Bella felt her eye prickle as she hugged her mum. It may not seem like much but to Bella she was now a part of history, though small it is; she felt significant.
'But remember' Renee cupped her face, 'this is for your eyes only' she kissed Bella's forehead.
Bella walked out of the kitchen and headed towards her bedroom with a piece of history in her hands. She simply couldn't wait to try out some of the recipes in her, and she was eager to add her own, make her mark known. She handled the pages carefully and went to the end of the book, and there on the very last page, was Renee's handwriting
Beef stroganoff
And underneath that,
Chocolate candles
Bella stifled a laugh, shaking her head, typical mum she thought.
'Bells!' Bella heard her dad called from a distance. She placed the book carefully in drawer and headed down the stairs
"Dad!' she called.
'Out here!' she walked outside and there her dad stood, next to an old, red, rusty truck. Her mouth fell straight to the floor.
"SUPRISE!' He dad called out, arms stretched open. Bella ran straight into them hugging her dad as tight as she could.
'Dad you didn't!'
'I did' he smiled and dropped a pair of keys into her hand ' it's all yours Bells, I know you've wanted this car for so long, and were pretty bummed out when you couldn't buy it because it didn't run. So I got a mate of mine to fix her up for you. She's as good as new,' he leaned against the cab 'well as new as this can get, my congratulations present' he grinned
'Oh dad! Its absolutely fantastic! I love it! I love you!' she hugged him again and ran to the driver's side. 'I'm going to Alice's! I have to show her!'
Bella started the engine up and there was a big BANG and a cloud of dust flew out of the rear exhaust, Bella just grinned, it was too perfect. It was the car she wanted as her very first car; she fell in love with it as soon as she laid eyes on it at La Push Beach.
Alice on the other hand frowned.
"Bella, really? It looks like a piece of junk!' Alice exclaimed with her hand on her hips.
"Its my piece of junk!' Bella said, attempting to hug her truck, she sighed contently, closing her eyes.
She was startled when a booming laugh sounded right next to her.
"BELLA!"
Bella spun around and there right behind her was Emmett, tall, bulky with small curly brown hair and a large grin on his face; who, as soon as Bella faced him, grabbed her into one of his signature bear hugs,
"Emmett, need... to... breathe' she chocked the last bite out.
He just laughed and set her down again. 'aww bells, your red again" he chuckled, ruffling her hair.
"Its from lack of air Em" a beautiful voice sounded from behind Emmett, he stepped to the side and revealed, one of the most beautiful people Bella had laid eyes on, Rosalie, a natural beauty; and Emmett long time girlfriend, who with Emmett was an upperclassmen at Brown University.
Bella had met Rosalie on a few previous occasions, when she slept over at Alice's on holidays. At first she was just a friend of a friend, but when both discovered they shared a love for history, they hit it right off, often discussing topics like King Henry the Eighth into detail, usually boring and putting to sleep Emmett and Alice.
"Rosalie!" Bella exclaimed and gave her a quick hug and kiss on the check. "Its so good to see you! It's been so long!'
"I know! 5 months isn't it? How are you?'
"Oh great real-'
Bella was cut off by Emmett, 'Ok catch up later, what I want to know Bell's, is what is this beauty' clapping the bonnet of the truck
"My present from dad!' Bella grinned.
'How's the engine? Radiator? Have you checked the oil, because it is an old truck, so you want to stay informed.' Rosalie pointed out.
Bella frowned 'umm'
Rosalie grinned 'never fear, Rosalie is here!" and she disappeared under the hood.
' I think that gives us more reason to fear Rose' came another familiar voice from the porch steps.
They all turned and a "hey!"Could be heard from Rosalie, who was still under the hood, doing god knows what. Carlisle, blonde hair that looked like he ran his hand through it and warm smile on his face; walked down the steps, chuckling. Emmett simply nodded his head "its true" he said almost thoughtfully , tapping one finger on his chin. "OW' he exclaimed as Rosalie kicked him in the shins.
Carlisle walked over to Bella, and gave her a quick hug 'congratulations Bella! I'm very proud of you, and I do really love the present Charlie gave you", he walked over to wear Rosalie was standing and glanced at the engine
"Thanks Carlisle! I love it too! I've wanted it for so long, I can't believe I actually got it" she beamed
"aw Bells well you definitely deserve it' he smiled as Emmett nodded his head yet again.
'come on inside, let all get a spot of tea" he began heading toward the front door, with Emmett. Bella fell into step with Alice and walked behind them. Alice turned around 'Coming Rose?'
'I'll meet you's in there, I want to check this out first."
'Oh Bella I almost forgot to tell you, we got the dorm room at Hope College!' Alice beamed ' we begin term in a month and a half, so we better start packing! Oh I got to go shopping for you! Knowing you all you'll take is jeans and t-shirts –'
'What wrong with that!?'
"Style Bella, style, and seeing as I'm a majoring in fashion, you're going to be my model!"She grinned
Bella's face fell and filled with horror ' Oh lord! Save me now!"
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I don't know whether a lot of people say stoked, but I do know we say it quite a lot down under! :) and I don't know much about American universities, I did look up Brown Uni, if I get anything wrong please let me know ! :)
Hope you guys liked it. If yes, let me know, if no, let me know. Any suggestions, comments? Do review! :)