Visitor

"Yo, Swan! How about you and me, one last fling, tonight at my house?"

I turned around and flipped off Mike Newton. If we weren't all robed and standing in line to receive our diplomas, I probably would have punched him. I wouldn't get near his dick even if he was the last man on Earth.

I was already in a foul mood, and having to deal with that fool was wearing on my last nerve. It was a week later, and I still hadn't heard back from Mr. Cullen. I agreed with Alice two days ago that if he hadn't called by the time graduation was done, I would contact him again.

The only comforting thought was I knew he couldn't literally bite my head off from across the country.

"You should come to the party tonight, Bella."

I looked up and tried not to shudder at the sound of Jessica Stanley's nasally voice.

"No thanks."

Spending the night getting puked on and groped by wasted idiots was not my idea of a good time.

"But we may never see each other again."

Thank God!

"I'm sure I'll live."

She huffed at me, and I resisted rolling my eyes at her.

I'd never quite forgiven-or forgotten-the cruelty of Jessica and Lauren's posse toward me during freshman year. The nickname "Little Orphan Bella" stuck around too long after Jessica accused me of trying to steal her boyfriend.

Puh-lease!

At least I came out of that mess a stronger, if not more solitary person.

"So, where are you going to college?"

As if she didn't know. Forks was a small town and everyone knew everything. Plus, add in the scholarship drama between Mike and me, and I knew she was only fishing for gossip.

"I'm going to go weave mats in Mexico." I loved seeing her mouth drop open. "You better pay attention. They're already through the 'M's and you don't want to miss your name being called."

Although, I didn't know how she was graduating with the shitty grades she always earned. She could have been the posterchild for "No child left behind".

Luckily for my sanity, she turned away from me. Alice was already in her seat, giving me a small wave as the line moved forward.

I peered at the crowd, a wave of sadness falling over me. It was difficult knowing I had no family of my own here to cheer me on.

I'd woken up this morning with an envelope from Phil on the kitchen table. He'd congratulated me, apologized for having to miss my graduation, and left me five hundred dollars as his parting gift. A second sheet of paper listed the date all my things needed to be moved out and where to leave my key.

I doubted I would ever see him again.

I supposed I should have been angry. I should have wanted to shout and rage about the unfairness of it all.

But what was the point?

Feeling sorry for myself wouldn't change anything, and I for damn sure wasn't going to beg Phil to stay when he clearly wanted to cut ties. I knew I would eventually find a spot in the world where I was wanted.

Where I was needed.

As I glanced over the faces of the crowd, my gaze landed on a pair of eyes staring right at me. It was a man in a suit, who could have been there for any of my classmates. Yet a strange feeling of déjà vu came over me. I could have sworn I'd seen him around town several times over the last few days. It was easy to spot strangers in this small community.

He was rather ordinary looking, light brown hair, nothing particularly distinguishable in his facial features. As I continued to look, I realized I'd seen him in the office at my school and he'd also come through my checkout line two nights before.

Why was he staring at me?

I shrugged off my curiosity and held my head up as my name was finally called. Shockingly, there was a small, but loud contingent applauding me as I strode across the stage to shake the principal's hand and receive my diploma. I gave Alice a wave and smiled at her parents and some of my co-workers from the Thrifty Mart, where I'd held a part-time job the last two years. At least there were a few people in this world who cared about me a little.

It wasn't long after I'd taken my seat that the ceremony was over and we were throwing our caps in the air. I didn't bother trying to find mine after the chaos ended. There was little sentimentality in me for my high school experience. The only thing I needed was my diploma.

"It's over!" Alice grabbed me up in a hug, before pulling me toward her waiting family.

"Congratulations, girls." Mrs. Brandon hugged us both and turned toward me. "Bella, are you going to join us for dinner?"

They were taking Alice out for a celebratory dinner, but I didn't feel much like joining.

There was something much more important I had to focus on.

"Thanks for inviting me, but I think I'm going to go home and start packing."

Her eyes were sad as she nodded her head. Before she could try to change my mind, I was swept up in well wishes from my co-workers, and even old Mr. Beatty, the owner of the store, handed me a card with fifty dollars in it.

"Thank you," I told him softly.

"We're going to miss you, Bella. Don't forget about us all back here when you're making a name for yourself in the big city."

I knew he was teasing, but I refrained from snorting.

Big name? Ha!

I'd be lucky if I found a menial job and had enough money to eat. I tamped down my anger from being ignored by Mr. Cullen.

Alice pulled me aside once more before she left with her family. "Are you sure you don't want to come?"

I nodded and squeezed her hand. "Yeah, I'm just not in the mood. I'm all right."

"Well, I'll be over after dinner and we can pack together."

"Okay."

It would be nice having some company tonight, rather than being alone in an empty house again. Not that it would take two people to pack up my meager belongings.

"Bella, we'll drop you off on our way to the restaurant," Alice's mom called out, interrupting our conversation.

"Thanks," I told her.

Alice pulled me close to whisper in my ear as we walked toward the exit. "Are you going to call him when you get home?"

"Yeah, I have to."

There was no more time to screw around; I had to talk to him.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

"If you want to wait for me until you call, I shouldn't be very long." She understood how nervous I was and how much was riding on Mr. Cullen's decision.

"We'll see how it goes." I remained noncommittal. Strength was something I needed to get where I wanted to go, and using Alice as a constant crutch wouldn't help me.

Conversation was light on the ride to my house, all of them knowing to stay away from the heavy discussion of my immediate future. I waved bye as I got out of the car, Alice yelling that she'd see me soon.

Once inside, I stripped off the robe and rushed to my phone. I rolled my eyes again at the school's rule that we hadn't been allowed to bring any electronic devices to our graduation ceremony. I swore some of the Fork's population was still living in the dark ages.

I screamed out in frustration when I saw there were no missed calls, texts, or messages.

Damn him.

I sat down on my bed, trying to calm myself down. Maybe he was just busy this past week and simply hadn't had time yet to call me.

I really wanted to believe he was a good guy, that he would see I deserved a chance.

I was broken from my thoughts when the doorbell rang.

"Just come in, Alice," I muttered to myself as I ran down the stairs.

I yanked the front door open, ready to yell at her for worrying too much.

Instead I was met with the mysterious stranger who had been eyeing me at graduation.

Stupid Bella! You should have used the peephole.

To say I was freaked out would have been a bit of an understatement. I wanted to slam the door closed again and run back to my room, but I stood there frozen.

"Isabella Swan?" His voice was low, non-threatening, but I was still scared.

Who was this guy? Was he stalking me?

He must have seen I was scared out of my wits, because he held his hands up as if in surrender and gave me a smile.

"I mean you no harm, Miss Swan. My name is Alec. I was sent to talk to you by Mr. Cullen."

What?

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I was instructed to tell you to call him if you were uncomfortable talking to me without confirming my identity first."

I shuffled my feet and glanced down at my phone. There was no way I was letting this stranger in my house on his word alone.

"Um…just wait here," I mumbled, partially closing the door.

He nodded and I walked into the kitchen. I pulled up Mr. Cullen's number and hit send.

"Hello, Miss Swan."

It was like he knew my call was coming. His voice dripped with arrogance; I could practically feel his smirk through the phone.

I took a deep breath so I didn't lose my cool.

"Mr. Cullen, there is some man at my door claiming you sent him here."

"Yes, that's Alec."

Anger seeped through the edges of my control.

"You couldn't have sent a text or made a short call to let me know you were sending a stranger to my house?"

"Now where would be the fun in that?"

Damn him!

I may have stomped my foot when he chuckled.

"It scared me, thank you very much."

"There's no reason to be scared. He can be quite a nice guy."

"Why is he following me around?"

He was silent for a moment. "He is complying with my orders. I had to investigate some things."

I didn't understand what he was talking about. He was speaking in riddles and I was growing tired of the uncertainty of my future.

"Mr. Cullen, you have kept me waiting anxiously for seven days. Can you please tell me your decision?"

"Patience, Bella. Let Alec talk to you, and if you have further questions afterward, you may call me back."

May?

The nerve of this man.

"I may call you back? Listen you…"

"What was that?" he interrupted.

I clenched my teeth, shutting myself up before I said something I'd regret.

"Nothing."

"Good. I do like your feistiness, Bella."

If I ever met the man, I'd shove some feistiness right in his face.

"You haven't seen anything yet," I said in a sarcastically sweet tone.

"I'm counting on it," he replied coolly, continuing on before I could reply, "Are you going to talk to Alec?"

"You promise he's not some sicko? Kidnapper? Rapist? Criminal? I don't like letting a stranger in my house."

"I assure you he's none of the above. Do you honestly believe I'd send someone across the country to harm you?"

He made a good point.

"I don't know. I guess not."

"Well, believe me when I say quite the opposite is true." He paused as if debating what he wanted to say next. "Just know that Alec is head of my security team and I trust him with my life."

For some reason I believed him. I blew out another breath.

"Okay, I'll talk to him. But I'm calling you back right after. I need to know what is going on since I'm currently in the process of packing everything I own."

"Trust me."

I barely contained a snort before we exchanged short goodbyes.

Trust him?

Arrogant bastard.

I walked back to the door, peering through the crack, and found Alec standing there waiting just like I'd left him.

"Uh…come in, I guess." I really had no idea what to say or what his intentions were.

He entered and stood in the hall, indulging me by keeping a distance.

"Perhaps you'd like to sit down, Miss Swan?"

I nodded and led him to the kitchen, taking a seat as he sat down across from me.

I kept my phone gripped in my hand, just in case I needed to make an emergency call to the police. Alec watched me for a few moments, before reaching into the pocket of his suit and pulling out a letter. He placed it on the table, pushing it slowly across towards me.

My eyes moved from the envelope up to meet his, and he smiled warmly again.

"I suppose I should get right to it. I know you're uncomfortable," he said.

I fidgeted in my seat a little. "I just want to know what's going on."

He nodded. "Well, I'm here to escort you to New York. We leave in the morning."

AN: Let me know what you think so far. I will post the next chapter within a week.