45
Bella woke with a start and sat up, looking around her bedroom. There were a stack of boxes against the wall, boxes she hadn't gotten around to unpacking since they arrived in Forks five days ago. She threw the blankets off and scrambled out of bed, hurrying over to the long, cheval mirror in the corner. She wasn't sure what shew as expecting when she looked at her reflection. Red eyes, her skin glowing, fangs, something, but there was nothing. Just her with her normal long brown hair and eyes as brown as chocolates.
"Bella, you need to get up. You're going to be late for your first day!"
She turned and looked at the door to her bedroom just before her mother hurried in. With long blond hair that had been pulled up into a ponytail and bright blue eyes, Renee looked from her to the bed and back. And for a reason she couldn't explain, her eyes filled with tears at just the sight of her mother, like she hadn't seen her in weeks, or months. It was silly, but a feeling she couldn't shake.
"Are you just now getting out of bed? I swear, you are just like your father," she added with a laugh. "Hurry, Bella, before you really are late."
"Yeah, okay," Bella whimpered.
"Hey, are you okay?" Renee asked, walking over to her and wrapping her arm around her shoulder and the familiar feeling had the tears in her eyes falling down her face. "I know starting over is hard, honey. Especially at the start of your senior year, but I have a good feeling about Forks. Even if it does rain all the time. Just feels like this was the right move for us. For all of us."
"Just . . . I'm fine, Mom. Like you said, just nervous."
"Okay, well, hurry." Renee leaned over and kissed the side of her temple. "Dad cooked all of your favorites."
"I'll hurry."
Renee gave her shoulder a squeeze before she walked out of her bedroom, leaving her alone. Maybe her mother was right and she was just nervous about a new school. Forks, Washington was a lot different than Phoenix, Arizona after all. Bella quickly dressed, adding a sweater over her jeans and T-shirt.
When she walked downstairs, she found her parents sitting at the table in the kitchen, which was filled with her favorite foods: caramel pecan waffles with strawberries and whip cream on top, bacon, hash browns, and an English muffins. It was a tradition for him to make her breakfast on the first day of school, had done it since her first day of Kindergarten.
"Good morning, sleepy head," Charlie laughed, twisting in his chair so that he was looking back at her. He smiled, his dark brown eyes full of amusement, and once again, she felt the prickle of tears burning her eyes. "Did you sleep okay?"
"I did. Though, I had the weirdest dream." She walked over and sat across from him, picking up the glass of orange juice. "It was . . . so realistic."
"What was it about?" he asked, picking up his coffee cup.
"I . . ." She shook her head. "I was standing in this field, and there was someone who . . ." Bella leaned back. "I don't know. She looked like me, yet she wasn't me. She like an angel or something. I can't really remember the details, but it felt so real. I can almost remember the smell of the wildflowers."
Renee laughed. "I hate when that happens."
"Yeah, me too."
Bella picked up her plate and started filling it with food. As they ate, they talked about everything still needed to do: unpacking the rest of the house, setting up the internet, etc. Charlie would be joining the Forks Police Department as their new Commander and Chief. He'd grown up in Forks, but left when he and Renee got married. She wanted to live somewhere warm and dry, and he loved her enough to give up everything. Then, a month ago, his best friend from high school — a man named Billy Black — called and said they needed him to come home, so it was Renee's turn to give up everything. Hers and Bella.
"Are you sure you're okay, Bella?" Charlie asked, reaching across the table for her hand, which she gave. "You seem kind of quiet."
"Yeah, I . . ." Bella shook her head. "I don't know. Nervous, I guess. That dream . . . that dream just, kind of, shook me a little." She pushed away from the table. "I should probably get going. Don't want to be late on my first day."
"I can take you, if you want," Charlie offered.
"No, I'll walk." She stood up and walked around the table, giving both her parents a hug. "I love you."
"We love you, too, Bella." Renee brought her hand up to the back of her head. "Are you sure you're okay? If you need another day off, you can stay home."
"No, I'm okay. Just . . . being silly," she said with a smile. "Yeah, I think I'm good. I'll see you later."
Bella grabbed her backpack and started the walk to the school. It wasn't very far, only five blocks. When she reached the school, she found herself standing across the street, staring at the tall, square building. It seemed so familiar for a reason she couldn't understand. She had never been there before, yet at the same time, she felt like she had.
"You're new, aren't you?"
Bella looked behind her, finding a tall, thin girl with long black hair and glasses smiling at her. "Am I that obvious?"
"No, just a small school. Kind of know everyone." She held her hand out. "I'm Angela. Angela Weber."
She wrapped her fingers around Angela's, but before she could introduce herself, she heard someone across the street yell, "Ang, hurry up!"
"Sorry," Angela laughed, gesturing to where a thin boy with dark hair and glasses stood, waiting for her. "That's my boyfriend Ben. Come on, and I'll introduce you."
"Oh, okay. I'm Bella, by the way."
"It's nice to meet you, Bella.
She followed Angela across the street, where the boy named Ben swooped her into his arms and kissed her. They were lost in their own little world until those standing behind them started laughing, pulling them out of their isolated little bubble. It was sweet and romantic and reminded Bella of someone . . . she just wasn't sure who.
"Bella, this is Ben," Angela said, placing her hand on the middle of her boyfriend's chest and then gestured to those around them. "That's Mike and Jessica, Tyler and Lauren. Guys, this is Bella."
"It's nice to meet you," she murmured, quietly. "I had better get to the office. See you, Angela."
Bella hurried across the parking lot and into the building. People stopped and stared at her for a moment, but then turned and looked away. She found the office and checked in with the dark haired woman behind the counter. She had long black hair and large black eyes and a kind, reassuring smile.
"You must be Bella. We've been waiting for you," the woman said, smiling. "I'm Carmen Denali. Sorry, not supposed to let the kids use my first name, but I don't really care."
"Oh, okay. Yes, I'm Bella."
"Here is your schedule, and you need to have all your teachers sign this slip. I've asked one of our students to show you around. She should be here in a minute. You have almost all the same classes as her." Carmen reached out and grabbed her hand. "We are so glad you are here."
"Thank you."
"Oh, hello, dear." The door to the office opened and when Bella looked back, she saw a tall dark haired man with the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen. He smiled, his eyes flickering to Carmen. "You must be our new students. Bella, wasn't it?"
"Yeah. I'm Bella."
"I'm the principal. Name's Eleazar Denali."
Bella nodded, her eyes flickering to Carmen, who laughed and nodded. "My husband."
"Have I met you before?" Eleazar asked, putting his hand up. "You seem so familiar."
"I don't think so."
"Oh, okay. Well, you had better get to class. Don't want to be late on your first day."
Bella laughed and grabbed her schedule from Carmen and walked back into the hallway, finding herself face to face with a small, pixie like girl with large grey eyes and long, dark hair. She laughed, the sound causing Bella to smile. And once again, the feeling of familiarity filled her.
"Oh, my God, you must be Bella. I'm Alice. Alice Cullen. I'm supposed to show you around."
"Yeah, I'm . . . I'm Bella. Thanks. I was sure I was going to be on my own today."
"Nope, not as long as I'm here." Alice looped her arm in with hers. "I remember what it's like being the new kid, too. So hard, am I right?"
"Yeah," Bella laughed. "How long have you been going to school here?"
"We moved here at the end of last year, a couple weeks before school ended. Me and my two brothers moved here when our father got a job at the hospital. It was kind of sudden."
"What year are you in, Alice?"
"All three of us are seniors." And when Bella raised an eyebrow, she laughed and said, "We were all adopted last year."
"Oh."
"Oh, don't feel sorry for us," Alice scoffed. "My dad was a dick, who didn't like who God made me. I'm better off without him. Besides, if they hadn't adopted me, I never would have met the love of my life."
"You talkin' about me again, darlin'?" As an arm wrapped around Alice, she squealed and fell against him, and when Bella looked backward, she saw a tall, thin boy with wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes. He shifted his eyes to Bella and he smiled a crooked smile. "You're the new girl, ain't you?"
"Bella," she said, nodding.
"It's nice to meet you, Bella. Name's Jasper Whitlock, otherwise known as the love of this girl's life."
Bella and Alice laughed.
"Nice to meet you, Jasper."
"You too." He leaned in and kissed Alice's cheek. "Better get to class, babe. Make sure she sits with us at lunch."
"Duh," Alice snickered and they waited as Jasper hurried down the hallway before Alice, pulled on her arm. "We'd better get to class. History with Mr. Greene. He's a real dick sometimes."
Alice led Bella further down the hallway and into the classroom on the left. Standing behind his desk was a tall, thin man with brown hair and a scowl on his face. He looked over at Alice and Bella, his scowl somehow growing just at the sight of her. He looked like a man who hated his very existence.
"Ignore him," Alice whispered just loud enough for her to hear before they walked over to the desk. "Mr. Greene, this is Bella. She's new."
"I figured as much seeing as I've never seen her before," he quipped, thrusting his hand out toward her. "Alistair Greene."
"Bella," she said, placing her hand in his.
He tilted his head to the side. "Have we met? You seem awfully familiar."
"Nope."
"Hmm, well, have a seat, and we'll get started."
Bella followed Alice to the back of the classroom, sitting in the corner and feeling awkward and uneasy as everyone filled into the room. Angela and Ben were the last two, both of them greeting her with a smile before they settled into the two desks next to her and Alice.
Class dragged on and by the time the bell rang and Alistair Greene dismissed them, Bella felt like everyone had been looking at her, whispering about the new girl. It was oddly uncomfortable, yet she didn't mind it, either. The strangest feeling of déjà vu overcame her, and for a moment, she was reminded of her dream. Once she and Alice bid Angela and Ben goodbye, seeing as they didn't have other class with them, Bella followed Alice down the hallway toward their next class.
However, before she could follow Alice into the room, she saw two boys standing at the end of the hallway. One was tall, brawny and too big, if you asked her, but he had curly brown hair. He was standing with a tall boy with the most beautiful auburn hair she had ever seen. The boy with the auburn hair looked in her direction, pushing off the lockers behind him and took a step in her direction, but the curly haired boy grabbed his arm and pulled him out of her view.
"We're in here, Bella," Alice said, pulling her into their next classroom, trig with Mr. Varner.
Bella laughed to herself as she shook her head and followed Alice, slipping her arm out of Alice's tiny fingers.
"Hey, Rosalie."
"Hey, Alice," a tall, curvy blond girl said, smiling as she looked from Alice to Bella, her perfectly sculpted eyebrow rising in question. "Have we met?"
"No. I'm Bella."
"She's new."
"Clearly she's new." Rosalie gestured to the two empty desks around her. "I'm Rosalie Hale."
"Nice to meet you, Rosalie."
A deep guffaw filled the room and when Bella looked over at the doorway, she saw Jacob Black standing in the doorway with a gorgeous strawberry blond with brown eyes. "Bella? What the hell are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me you were moving to Forks?"
"Figured Billy would have told you." Bella hurried over and hugged Jacob before looking at the girl next to him, the girl who was glaring at her. "Introduce us, Jake, before she thinks you like me or something."
Jacob gagged, his arm tightening around the girl next to him. "Babe, this is Bella."
"Oh, my God, Bella!" she squealed and practically threw herself around her. "Jake has told me all about you."
"Well, he hadn't told me shit about you," Bella laughed. "Kidding of course. You're —"
"Tanya Denali. Yes, Mr. Denali is my father." Tanya rolled her eyes but smiled. "It's really nice to meet you finally. Seriously, with the way Jake talks about you, you'd think you sparkled in the sunlight or some bullshit."
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Bella Swan."
Jacob grimaced as he turned and they saw Sam Uley standing behind him with Paul LaHote and Jared Cameron. Jacob had told her how they had closed the school on the reservation, forcing all the kids from La Push to integrate themselves at Forks High School. When Bella was little and she, Charlie, and Renee would come visit, they used to hang out together, but Bella had never really cared for Sam Uley, or his gang of misfit friends. They were assholes, bullies, who made a point of picking on them, until Bella kicked their ass when they were ten. That was the last year they came to visit, though Jacob and Bella still talked on the phone.
"Out of the way, Uley," Emily Young scoffed, elbowing him in the gut as she, Leah Clearwater, Quil Ateara, and Embry Call pushed themselves into the room. "Aren't you late for your probation meeting? Hate to see you end up in juvie."
"Again," Leah smirked and behind them, Bella heard her little brother Seth laughing on his way to his next class with Brady Fuller and Collin Littlesea next to him.
"Whatever," Sam scoffed, but at that moment, Mr. Varner entered the classroom and everyone settled into their seats.
The rest of the morning was a blur and Bella was starting to get overwhelmed with meeting so many new people. After trig, she had Spanish and she'd met Tanya's sisters Irina and Kate, along with Kate's boyfriend, Garrett. Next to him was Peter and Charlotte, both of whom simply nodded and ignored her, which was a relief to be honest.
She was overwhelmed and overstimulated, and instead of sitting in the cafeteria with Alice, Jasper, and Rosalie, Bella snuck outside, needing a minute to just take a deep breath. However, her moment of peace and quiet was interrupted when the door to the school opened and she looked back to see a tall, strikingly handsome man with blond hair and blue eyes walked out of the school with a woman with long, soft caramel colored hair and bright hazel eyes. They paused and looked over at her, their eyes filling with concern that reminded her of her parents.
"Are you okay, dear?" the woman asked, leaning toward the man with his arm wrapped around her. "Shouldn't you be with the others in the cafeteria?"
"Probably," Bella admitted. "I'm new."
"Awe, suppose that explains it," the man said. "We moved here not that long ago ourselves. Our children had a difficult time at first."
"You're Alice's parents?"
They smiled and nodded.
"You've met Alice already?" he asked.
"She's, um, been showing me around all morning."
"That's nice of her," she replied. "I'm Esme Cullen, and this is my husband Carlisle."
"I'm Bella. Bella Swan."
"Ah, yes, the new Chief of Police's daughter," Carlisle said, smiling. "I met your mother and father this morning. That's actually why we're here."
"Oh?"
"I mean, kind of, not really. We thought we might stop in and check on everyone. It wasn't easy for them when we moved here. Kind of just felt like we woke up here one day. Our youngest son has really struggled here. Had a hard time connecting to anyone, unlike Alice and our other son. I guess knowing that you were new here, too, just made us feel the need to check on him, even if it annoys him."
"Yeah, I kind of know what that feels like."
"Well, we should get going." Carlisle paused. "Hope we see you around."
"You, too, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen."
"It's Carlisle and Esme, Bella."
And giving her a friendly smile, Carlisle and Esme hurried down to their car, climbing in and driving away. The warning bell rang, and with a sigh, Bella stood up and headed inside, running into the large, brawny boy with curly brown hair and dark brown eyes she had seen earlier. He smiled as he grabbed her around the waist, keeping her from falling on her ass, and two dimples sunk into his cheeks.
"You alright there?"
Bella laughed. "Yeah, thanks. I think I'm good now."
He pulled his hands back. "You must be the new girl my sister was talking about at lunch."
"You're Alice's brother?"
"I am," he said with a cheeky grin. "Name is Emmett Cullen. And you're Betty?"
"Bella."
"Bella, that's right," he said, nodding. "You were supposed to join us for lunch. What happened?"
She sucked a deep breath through her teeth and shook her head. "I know I was, but. . ."
"Kind of been a lot, hasn't it?"
She nodded.
"That's fair, that's fair. Not like we don't have plenty of time to get to know you, right?"
Bella hoisted her backpack on her shoulder. "Right? Just been a lot of new faces, new names."
"Look, we have a plenty of time to find out who the real Bella is." The bell rang again and he gave her a look. "Better hurry before we're late for class."
Bella laughed and headed toward her biology classroom, thankful that Alice wasn't in this class, too. She liked Alice, but she was feeling a little smothered, and needed a minute to just breathe. She found the biology class just as the final bell rang and as she walked into the room, her eyes landed immediately on the auburn haired boy from earlier. The way he stared at her as she walked over and handed her slip of paper to Dr. Banner had her heart racing, and she felt anxious and nervous and enthusiastic all at the same time.
Dr. Banner directed her toward the empty seat next to the auburn haired boy with eyes as green as emeralds. Everyone around them faded into the background as she walked over and sat on the stool, dropping her backpack onto the floor.
He turned and faced her, his hand reaching for hers, his lips curving into a tantalizing smile that had her inside tingling as he said, "Hello, I'm Edward Cullen."
She returned the smile, wrapping her fingers around his and the strangest feeling filled her, a feeling of peace and contentment, belonging that she had never felt before. A warmth that had tears prickling at the corners of her eyes, yet she found herself smiling as she said, "Hi. I'm Bella Swan."
—The Beginning—
THANK YOU for all the AMAZING reviews to Stay. I had this idea for this story years ago, five or six, at least, but I was so nervous to attempt it, because I knew I would be taking a lot of risks when it came to integrating the bible and biblical characters into the storyline, but I am so in love with this story. Thank you for all of the amazing support.