Bader Hall

I do not own any of the characters in Twilight.

BPOV

Getting to Champlain College from the airport was pretty easy, even with someone as klutzy as I am. I only tripped getting out of the cab as it reached my final destination and fortunately my backpack didn't spill. Bader Hall, my new home was a beautiful 25-bed school housing facility and afforded me the ability to meet new people without being overwhelmed by too many new faces. I was never very good at meeting new people and now that I'm here this familiar characteristic threatened to overpower me. Shouldering my backpack and standing up straight I entered the building while admiring its façade. As I stepped across the main entrance I began to smile, maybe this really was a good idea.

Each residence hall at Champlain is unique; perhaps Bader Hall could make me happy. It was a Victorian-era mansion and featured a curved staircase to the room that will be my home for the next few years.

As I admired the hallway, a young girl approached extending her hand, "Hi, I'm Anne. I'm the live-in resident here at Bader and I'm here to help you settle in. You are…"

I quickly shood her hand and told her my name; I could tell we're would get along just fine. She seems really down to earth and doesn't make me feel awkward at all. Anne is about 5'5" with a round friendly face and russet colored hair. Her green eyes sparkle with mischief and kindness, yes we're going to get along just fine.

"Let me show you to your room Bella. I have a feeling you're going to love it here at Bader Hall. You have one of the better rooms, although any room here is great. Once one of the guys gets back from the quad I'll have them help you with your trunks. No sense in you and I trying to get them up the stairs when we can have them do it", she said laughing.

While we are walking up the stairs, I admired the woodwork, it appeared to be beautifully restored. Although this was college housing its apparent they are very proud of the building structures on campus. The entire house had been kept in pristine condition and didn't have the gloom of a typical dorm, nor did it show neglect from various people moving in and out. Anne opened the third door on the left and stood back so I could enter. I couldn't believe my eyes; the room featured a beautifully expansive window that overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack mountains. I realized that I'd been holding my breath and let it out with a big whoosh, Anne started laughing and said, "I'll never get tired of that reaction."

I continued looking around the room and was pleasantly surprised by the homey atmosphere. Even with the room being empty of personal belongings it still had a feeling of warmth. It was plenty big with two beds, two closets, two desks, two dressers and a private bath.

"Has my roommate arrived yet?" I asked Anne shyly. "I'm a little anxious to meet the person who I'll be sharing this wonderful room with in the coming year."

"No, not yet but don't worry. We match each resident up with their personal profiles, I'm sure you'll get along just fine. Her name is Roxanne and she shares your passion for literature and music. She should be arriving tomorrow afternoon, so you get first choice of the side of the room you want," she said encouragingly.

"Well Bella, I'll let you get settled in for now. The guys will be back soon, I'll make sure they bring your trunks up right away. Just head downstairs when you're ready to take a tour of the Hall." With that she closed the door and left me to get acclimated.

I couldn't believe my good fortune, I turned and gazed out the window again and smiled. The leaves on the trees hadn't started changing yet as it was too early in the season, but I could tell when fall arrived our view was going to be breathtaking. Placing my backpack on the bed closest to the windows, I turned towards the room and began imagining how it would look once two girls claimed it as their own.

My nerves started jumping around again as I anticipated the person that would be sharing space with me. So her name was Roxanne and she enjoyed literature and music, not a lot to go on but it would have to do until she arrived tomorrow. I sighed again for what felt like the millionth time today and picked up my backpack. Emptying it of everything I'd thrown inside, I remembered the photo again – funny how "he" is never very far from the forefront of my thoughts. I pulled out the photo and wondered what he would make of my new life. Oh well, so much for that thought.

May as well head downstairs and get a tour of the Hall before Anne started thinking I was a recluse. After all, it wasn't like I could unpack anything with my trunks still downstairs.

Walking out of my room I headed down the stairs just as 3 guys came rushing in the front entrance. I stopped short so I could get a quick look at them before they saw me. They all seemed to know one another as they were playfully punching and wrestling. Anne came walking from the back of the house and smiled, "Hey guys, one of our new residents has arrived and I was wondering if you could bring her trunks up to her room."

One of them said, "Sure, no problem. Which room?" Pulling himself away from the other two he walked over and gave her a big hug. She giggled, "Not now, bring Bella's trunks up to her room and introduce yourself."

At this point, I had to speak or look like a complete fool standing on the steps. So I said, "Hi, no need to rush. I was just coming down for a tour of the hall, if you want to hold off till after the tour that would be fine." I continued my way down the stairs as the other two guys stared at me. Just as luck would have it I was so nervous I tripped on the third to the last step and wound up in one of the their arms. Ugh, always the graceful entrance.

Pushing against him I straightening myself up and managed to say, "Um, thanks. Sorry about that, I tend to trip over my own feet quite a bit."

He smiled down at me, "Don't worry I could get used to catching you. I'm Ian and this," pointing behind him, "is Drake."

"Nice to meet you Ian, and you too Drake." At this point, I turned to Anne and she introduced me to Sam. "Well Bella, what do you say we give you the grand tour." She turned and began walking towards the back of the house.

I was amazed at how comfortable the common room was with a suede sectional facing a fireplace. A large flat screen LCD was on the other side of the room, complete with a Wii system. There was additional seating around the room in clusters to make it a comfortable environment for entertaining and relaxing. The room had floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lake and the mountains just as my room upstairs had. But these particular windows had a sliding door that led out to a deck where plenty of chaise lounges and a chiminea were situated. I couldn't believe this was college. It was like a bed and breakfast in the heart of Burlington instead of a residence hall amidst a college campus.

The kitchen was huge with plenty of space for all of the tenants to enjoy meals at once if necessary. Although with everyone having their own course schedules this was highly unlikely. There was a study room complete with a full library, 4 desks and 2 armchairs positioned in front of another fireplace. Anne proceeded to tell me that the hall was equipped with wireless Internet, so yeah…so much for my old dial-up from Forks. The last thing she showed me was the basement, which featured washers, dryers and a pool table. Yes, this would be a good start towards my new future. The fact that my residence hall felt so much like a home would make a huge impact on my future. Now if only I could sustain my nerves when meeting everyone else in the house.

Ian and Drake assisted in getting my trunks up to the room so I could unpack and truly get settled in. Ian was a nice enough guy, about 5'11'' with dark brown hair, green eyes and a goatee. Drake was shorter and heavier; he had reddish brown curly hair with brown eyes. They seemed very friendly.

After dropping one of my trunks, Drake left but Ian stayed behind in case I needed assistance moving the trunks. He was thin with a nice build, not too muscular yet not scrawny. As he lifted my trunk I noticed he did it with ease. He didn't push to find out all about me, but I noticed he did seem interested. Letting me know there was storage space in the attic, he volunteered to help remove them once I unpacked.

Drake came into the doorway just as Ian sat on one of the beds, "Hey Ian, ready for me to kick your butt in a little eight ball?"

"As if you could," he said rolling his eyes. "Excuse me Bella; I have to show this guy how to play pool. If you finish soon, head on down so I have a witness to the slaughtering." He chuckled as he stood to leave, closing the door behind him.

I figured it was as good a time as any to call Charlie and let him know everything was going well. With a 3-hour time difference he might still be at Billy's so I decided to try there first. Pulling my cell phone out of my backpack I once again saw the photo, I'd have to find a place to store that otherwise I'd spend too much time looking at it.

Dialing the speed dial number for Jake, I looked at my nails before sticking my finger in my mouth to begin my nervous habit of chewing on my nails. Jake answered after two rings, "Hey Bells, how's it going? Don't tell me you miss me already!"

"No silly, I figured Charlie was still hanging at your place since I wouldn't be home. My flight was uneventful and I made it all the way to my room with only 2 minor stumbles!" Jake chuckled at my klutziness as usual. "So Jake, is Charlie there or are he and Billy out fishing?"

"He's here, hold on. Charlie, Bella's on the phone. Bells, I really do miss you so make sure you call again when we can talk, okay?"

Using his favorite expression I said, "Sure, sure Jake. I'll take notes all week so I'm sure to let you know every little detail of the first week. Now let me talk to Charlie before my cell bill gets out of hand."

"Hey Bells, so how is everything so far?" Charlie asked.

"Great Charlie, the hall I'm in is amazing with a great view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack mountains. I can't wait for you to visit; maybe you could get in some fishing when you visit. I really just wanted you to know I landed safely and made it here without any incidents. I'll let you get back to Billy and Jake. The 3 hour time difference isn't so hard to get used to, I'm feeling tired already and I still have some unpacking to do." I was babbling like an idiot barely stopping to catch my breath, my nerves were on hyper drive. I hoped my anxiety didn't come across, otherwise Charlie would be upset.

"Okay Bella, be sure to stay out of trouble and make time for yourself. Make sure you don't get too caught up in schoolwork. Of course Renee would have my head if she heard me saying this, so don't let her know okay?"

"Sure Dad, no problem. I'm going to email her tomorrow and send her a few pictures too. You know how she needs every detail! Give Jake a hug from me. Night Dad." I hung up the phone and realized just how much I missed my life in Forks. It may have been missing what I really needed to feel complete, but it was secure and safe. I was going to have to get over my insecurities and start all over again. I turned back to face the room and opened my trunk to begin the chore of unpacking.