"Bella, have you seen my shoes?" The yelling woke Bella up and she grimaced at that. She'd been living in this house for a month, and apparently Renee couldn't handle not 'being taken care of' herself for that long. Those damn shoes would be where the woman left them, again.

The book had hinted at the relationship between 'Bella Swan' and her mother, and it wasn't good, but this was ridiculous. This Bella was not amused. She'd had college roommates, drunken ones, that didn't demand as much attention. It was time to cut those apron strings, they were pulling her down. She was not the mother in this house, and the fact that while she was dealing with her own problems, which were huge, she had to remind that woman about bills, grocery shopping, getting gas, and the fact that Bella did not remember this or that story was bad enough. Now she had to help her get dressed in the morning?

Her dreams had been nice, she'd gotten the keys to the house she'd put an offer on, and the promotion. She'd been in her own life and waking up yet another morning at, Bella shifted to her side to see the clock, and her teeth gritted, waking up at 6 am to help someone get dressed so she could go play tennis was not her idea of fun.

"Bella? Bella?" Renee called out while coming closer and Bella wrapped her pillow over her head and tried to calm her temper. She was stuck in this, she had to make it work.

Was it sad that she was looking forward to moving to Forks and dealing with vampires trying to kill her? Bella grimaced at that thought, but Charlie seemed much easier to live with in the books. The Bella in the books didn't get to move in with him until the middle of her junior year, and she hadn't even started her sophomore year yet. A year and a half of Renee seemed like a long sentence to her now.

Perhaps if Renee wasn't such a pest of a morning person Bella wouldn't wake up so bitter every morning. It wasn't like she was lazy, she had trouble sleeping, understandably. Her quality sleep, if she was allowed to have it, would be the morning, but apparently in Phoenix, if you didn't play tennis early, you didn't play at all.

The door opened, and that was a pet peeve of Bella's. Even if she were Renee's daughter, at fifteen there should be a knock and a waiting for permission to enter. "Bella, did you hear me? Have you seen my shoes?"

She tried, she really did, and she kept herself from saying what she wanted to when she stared at Renee, but her face was expressive and the woman's eyes widened. Bella gritted her teeth and gripped her pillow tighter. "No, haven't seen your shoes." She didn't offer to get up and help look either, which was probably what Renee was after.

"I'm gonna be late." Renee complained and that was it. Bella sat up and glared at her.

"Then put your things where they belong from now on so it doesn't happen again." Bella's voice rose even as Renee's eyes widened even more. There was so much Bella could follow that statement up with, but she tried to calm down and let it go. Renee was one of those mothers, that no matter how bad you had it, she was still the center of attention. She was a drama queen, the exact type of woman Bella hated to have anything to do with. Renee believed her 'daughter' had amnesia, had lost fifteen years of her life, and still wanted to be the one taken care of. 'This' Bella Swan pitied the girl that had grown up in this. At least 'this' Bella hadn't had to raise her mother, take care of her, until the woman found a man to be her keeper. Renee needed a keeper, that was clear now.

"Don't talk to me like that, I am your mother!" Renee's voice rose after a shocked moment and Bella just stared at her. That woman was no mother, but was it worth the argument? No.

"Sorry." Bella muttered and stayed in bed stubbornly, as Renee waited for her to get up and help her. Finally the woman left the room.

"We will be talking about this later young lady. I don't need to be any later today, but when I get back." The threat hung in the air and Bella rolled the pillow over her head.

As the front door slammed, proving that Renee could in fact find her own shoes, Bella growled. "God damn drama queens." Sleep wasn't going to happen now.

She rolled out of bed and started toward her bathroom for a shower. She glared at the nearly empty bottle of shampoo, knowing that the last time Renee went shopping she'd been told they were nearly out of it. Bella would get it herself, but she had no job and was apparently too young to drive. She'd been driving almost twenty years and she didn't even have her learning permit yet.

She took a deep breath and tried to relax, while grabbing the bottle and filling it a quarter with water to try and get some shampoo out of it. She'd find a way to the store today and she'd get something other than the strawberry scented thing, she didn't like smelling like food.

While she was doing that, Bella started to think of other things she could do, even without money or a car. She had one month left before school started, and a few weeks past that for her to turn sixteen. It was time to think about getting a license. Bella nodded at that thought. It was time to throw in the towel of 'trying to remember' which is what Renee had her doing all month and start to live this life.

Renee was irritating, Bella couldn't deny that, but she'd been dying when she got this life. She needed to try and keep that in perspective. This life was better than being dead. She needed to see if she could make it work for her. She had a college degree, so high school shouldn't be too hard. Perhaps she should stop by the school and see what she could do about her schedule.

She reached for her razor and found it missing. Bella knew she'd left it there, so there was only one culprit possible. She grimaced and felt her legs to see if it was possible to go another day without shaving. Renee clearly forgot razors at the store as well and stole the last one from Bella.

It seemed strange that a razor was the last straw in helping Bella make up her mind, but it was. Vampires or not, Shifters or not, Bella was going to start preparing for a move. She wasn't likely going to be able to go right away, when it would be most convenient. No, she needed to convince Renee it was a good idea first and that would take time, but she was going to work on it. Everything she did was going to be working towards moving out of this house.

She didn't even really like the heat in Phoenix, and the pale skin she had now burned easily. Forks sounded lovely.

…..

"I don't know how I feel about giving you a learners permit now." Renee spoke up a week later, but the permit was in Bella's hands so it was a moot point. "You're still recovering and you haven't remembered anything yet."

"I might not. I can't stop living because I can't remember my past." Bella spoke calmly, she was learning to keep her temper. It was much easier now that she had a plan and didn't feel so helplessly lost.

Bella had really not been impressed with the high school she'd be attending in Phoenix, but they'd adjusted her schedule and she was in drivers ed, and to make sure things went well later, she went ahead and signed up for Biology this year. She wouldn't need it in her Junior year that way. It was all she could do to avoid taking that class with Edward, but there was a chance she'd end up with a different class with him.

The school tested her, after Renee explained the amnesia and her English scores were better, but her math took a little bit of a dive. Bella hadn't expected that, she was a college graduate after all, but apparently she'd forgotten, or never knew, some of the math they taught here.

In a move that confused both Renee and the counselor, Bella opted to take her state history class next year, even though it was supposed to be done this year. When she'd really been in high school before, her family had moved from Oregon to Idaho. She knew state history didn't transfer well, so with her plans to move it made more sense to focus on what might go with her.

When she tried to fill her schedule full, completely full with extra classes, neither Renee nor the counselor let her. They suggested she take it easier, since she was recovering and dealing with the amnesia. That was a set back. It would have been nice to work towards skipping Edward's grade completely and end up in Emmett's classes instead. Apparently that was overshooting. She still had three weeks before classes started, she'd try and convince Renee to let her add that zero hour class and remove the study hall for something else, but she was pretty sure that was a losing battle.

Renee tried to smile convincingly. "Well, you want to drive us to the mall? We could get you some new school clothes." She held the keys out to Bella and Bella tried to smile like it was a privilege and exciting. Renee gave her an odd look when she didn't say anything about the shopping portion, but just asked for directions to the mall. She was glad to see she wasn't nervous about driving, but the bridge she fell off of, she was never going near that one again. Luckily it wasn't in Arizona or Washington, because she flat out refused to drive over it.

"Wow, you're a natural." Renee muttered as they pulled into traffic easily. Bella smirked at that. Renee tried to give helpful advice as Bella drove them to the mall, and Bella politely pretended to be paying attention as if she were learning something.

…..

"His name's Phil?" Bella looked up from the pasta she was making to stare at Renee, who was sitting at the counter watching her cook. Renee had gotten back late from some hobby or other, Bella didn't keep track of the woman's distractions anymore. The woman had a sad look on her face as she studied Bella, but she ignored that for what Renee had been saying.

"Yes, Phil Dwyer, he's a bit younger than me, and a minor league baseball player. I'm beginning to regret saying I'd go." Renee said and Bella tilted her head and studied the woman. Phil was the name of 'Bella's' stepfather, this had to be the one. Renee had to go on that date, if Bella ever wanted to be free of her. The woman needed a keeper and in the book he'd been up to the task.

"Give it a chance." Bella smiled widely. "I mean, you aren't old by any stretch of the imagination." She paused. "How old are you anyway?"

Renee clearly didn't like that question. "I'm thirty-four Bella," her voice caught and Bella watched the tears start again. Renee did this once in a while, when Bella asked something she should 'know'. Renee excused herself and Bella sighed heavily, before focusing on the cooking again.

"I can't do this anymore." Bella heard Renee talking as she went down the hall to call her to the table. "It's like I live with a roommate I barely know, she isn't my Bella." Bella stopped walking and stood outside Renee's bedroom. "Charlie, she doesn't remember anything, but she can read and write and drive. She's great in school and remembers all her homework and does well on test, but she can't remember anything about me, about us, about her childhood. I don't understand it and the doctors are no help." There was a shuddering breath. "She isn't the same, she doesn't have the same personality or likes. I saw her dump her favorite book yesterday, she said it was boring."

Bella backed away from the door and felt the sting of tears in her own eyes. This wasn't drama queen Renee, that woman was mourning and Bella felt bad for not being more gentle with the woman now. She did treat her like a roommate; it was all she could think to do. It wasn't right, apparently. She may not like Renee, but the woman didn't deserve all of this.

Bella took her time setting the table and making the meal just a little bit more fancy. It gave her the excuse to hold off on calling Renee to the table for a while. It was also a small apology in her mind.

Renee came out just before Bella was going to have to call her to the table, and the woman had clearly done all she could to pull herself together. Bella gave Renee a small smile and pointed to the table. "I was thinking we could eat in the dining room today." They normally ate in the kitchen or in front of the television.

Renee looked a little pleasantly surprised as she took her seat. "How are classes going?" she asked and Bella suppressed the eye roll she wanted to do. High school and high school kids were even less fun the second time around. How the Cullens did it over and over again was a mystery, but then they had each other. That would have helped, to not be alone in knowing she was listening to this 'again'.

"We had to dissect a frog today." Bella grimaced at the memory of Biology class. "That really isn't dinner conversation." She made a joke of shuddering, but Renee looked just a bit concerned.

"We're you okay?"

"Yeah, I felt a little ill, but I got through it." Bella answered and then remembered how squeamish the 'other' Bella Swan was. She'd yet again reminded Renee that she was 'different'. Not good. "At least I won't have to do that again, ever. I was sure I might throw up." She exaggerated quickly.

"I know, I hated Biology too." Renee tried and they talked about Renee's high school years for a while. The woman seemed to calm while sharing something she, perhaps, didn't expect Bella to already know.

Bella was picking up the plates when she pause and looked at Renee again. "You know, I think you should go out with the Phil guy. If you have nothing in common, it is a free night out, and you could use that."

"Yeah, yeah." Renee nodded, agreeing with her. Bella was a little relieved to see Renee not brushing off the man she'd end up marrying. "It isn't like I'm an old fuddy duddy." Renee smiled and Bella returned it. No, Renee wasn't a fuddy duddy, as she said. She was far younger than her physical age, Phil would be a good match. "You're a little bit of a fuddy duddy though." Renee teased and Bella blushed. She was responsible, and on a mission to get a better roommate for her, she wasn't a 'fuddy duddy'.

….

"I could take you out for some of your practice driving hours." Phil mentioned hesitantly at dinner. He'd been out with Renee four times already, and Bella was well aware that Renee had snuck him out of the house the last time, in the morning, so things had progressed to 'meet the daughter' dinners. It landed on Thanksgiving, which was fitting. Bella was thankful for her second chance at life and she actually took the time to think that as they sat at the table, but she couldn't very well say it. She was also thankful that Phil was in their lives now, she had no idea if it was early, but it was needed. Bella wouldn't mind, at the very latest, starting her Junior year in Forks, rather than transferring midyear. In her heart she wanted to transfer in the middle of this year, but that left her with a month to make it happen. She eyed him speculatively, as she considered that, but when he squirmed she shook herself out of her own plotting.

Bella smiled at him gratefully and watched him relax a little. He was trying and Bella wasn't stupid enough to do anything to make him uncomfortable. She wanted Renee to keep this relationship going. "That would be great." She didn't need the practice personally, but the state required she log a certain number of 'practice hours' with a licensed driver. Bella noticed the happy look he gave Renee when Bella was supposedly looking away, or the encouraging look Renee gave him back. Phil wanted to do this right, in spite of the 'amnesia', it made him look like a pretty good guy to Bella. Renee was lucky.

They took off after dinner, as Renee stayed to wash the dishes. It was clear that she was giving Phil time with Bella, and Bella was glad to not have to clean up. She'd done most of the cooking after all, because Renee had whined that she wanted tonight to be perfect and it was clear she meant she knew she couldn't cook.

Phil made a teasing display of putting his seatbelt on and Bella played along with a pout. "I'm kidding," He spoke. "I hear you are really good at driving."

For a new driver maybe, Bella thought, but she just nodded and turned the car on. She didn't wait for him to tell her where to go, she just pulled out.

It was quiet for a while and Bella knew he was struggling with what to talk to her about. "Your mom is really special." He finally spoke and Bella glanced at his serious expression.

"I know." She didn't correct him.

"I heard about what happened, the amnesia." He spoke more hesitantly. "That must be really hard."

Bella waited for a moment, unsure what to say about it. He was going too fast, wanting to get too close, but it wouldn't be good to slow him down. "It's frustrating. I mean, it isn't possible to miss what you don't remember, but when people keep expecting things of you, that you just can't give, that's hard." Her mind was on Renee, who was the most guilty of this, but a few students in school acted like she was rude to not remember them. She doubted they were important to the other Bella either though, because Bella never mentioned real friends in the book. Those children just wanted drama at her expense and she wasn't giving it.

"I could see that." He muttered after a moment and they went back to silence. Bella turned into the school parking lot, it was a route of sorts they took. She'd parallel park for his amusement and they'd move to circle the mall and come back. Driving was teaching her the neighborhood.

As they drove passed Best Buy they both looked over at the crazy people camped outside waiting for Black Friday. "There is no deal they are having that is worth sitting outside and missing Thanksgiving." Bella muttered.

"I know!" Phil gave her an shaking head with his emphatic agreement. Trying too hard again, poor guy.

They made it down that street and turned, before Phil seemed to shrink in confidence again. "I was thinking of inviting you and your mother to my families cabin for Christmas. It would just be us and my brothers family, but it's in the mountains and there is a good chance of snow." He gave her hopeful eyes. "Do you think the two of you would like to go? There is skiing." Oh, he wasn't selling this well. If she was the 'other' Bella he'd lost her at snow and really lost her at skiing. Bella couldn't help but grin at little at that thought.

"Renee would love that!" She encouraged him and watched him brighten. She paused. "That would be great, but," She paused as a new plan formed. It was one she'd discarded earlier and an unlikely battle to be won, but now she could. "I kind of was going to ask her if I could go to Forks, you know, and see my dad." She could see him starting to deflate. "I don't ever remember seeing him, but I know I did. I just," She stammered like a teenager on purpose. "If you kept Renee busy, happy, then I could go and not feel guilty, and let's face it, I'll get in the way of romance." She gave him a weak smile.

"I don't want you to feel in the way." He said forcefully.

"It isn't that. I need to figure out who I am. I've been trying and maybe meeting him will help." She was sure she'd borrowed that line or idea from some movie, but she couldn't remember what.

"I understand." He said after a moment. "Do you want me to explain it to your mother?"

Her kneejerk reaction was no, but then she thought about it. "If you could warm her up it wouldn't hurt." She gave him a conspiring smile. He returned it.

After they got back they had desert and Bella wandered into the office to use the computer while Renee and Phil had some time alone. She Googled Forks, to see more about how little it really was. She also clicked on the link for Forks Hospital and to her surprise she found a listing for a Carlisle Cullen already there. She knew they'd been there before the other Bella's Junior year, but apparently they were there now.

She started to doubt her planned visit with Charlie, but she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was what she wanted, she wanted to meet the Cullens, and as long as she was careful this could be a good thing. What was the point in being in the Twilight world and not taking advantage of the chance to meet vampires? It would be stupid to pass this up.

"Bella, Phil's leaving." Renee's voice called up to her and Bella closed the web browser and got up to go and say goodbye. He was promising dinner in the future, all three of them as he left and then Bella was alone with Renee.

"I like him." Bella offered, since Renee clearly wanted an assessment.

"I know, he is pretty great, isn't he?" Renee smiled a little, but then it faded. "Phil told me you want to spend Christmas with Charlie."

"Well, Phil has such great plans for you and I've been wanting to meet Charlie." Bella explained while moving to lean against the wall. "And let's face it, Charlie isn't good over the phone." The man had talked with her a few times, but he was clearly not comfortable talking on phones. That comment got a hint of a smile from Renee.

"Thank you Bella." Renee's voice cracked, and Bella just smiled at her.

"Can you call Charlie and tell him, see if we can get a plane ticket for the longest possible stay?" Bella asked and when Renee nodded she added, "I'm ahead in all my classes, so if it saves money to leave a little early I'll be fine. Thanks." Thanksgiving ended with another thing to be grateful for, the start of her plan to move in with Charlie.

…