Thursday, January 13th.

Settling into life at Charlie's place was easier than I thought it would be, the small town life actually making me feel more secure and safer than I had in weeks. Getting to explore the town while Charlie was working was helping me adjust a lot quicker than I would have if I was just thrown into life as Bella after the move. The biggest issue that I've had so far was when Reneè found out that I had left. She had called and called for an entire day before I finally answered her.

"Swan residence, Bella speaking." I said into the phone, already having an idea of who was on the other side.

"Isabella Marie Swan! How dare you run away like that. Do you have any idea how worried I have been since I found your letter?" Reneè was hysterical on the other line. Guilt shot through me at the terror she most likely experienced finding her amnesiac daughter gone.

"I'm sorry that I worried you, I just couldn't take it anymore! You weren't listening to me, and you definitely don't understand what I'm going through!" I shouted into the phone. Hearing me raise my voice, Charlie started making his way into the kitchen. Standing in the doorway he looked at me and held his hand out.

"Hand me the phone Bells." I hesitantly handed him the phone, worried about how this was going to go down.

"Reneè. Isabella is going to be living with me for a while." I could hear her voice raising on the other side, and could make out a few words through all the yelling.

"From what I've heard from Bells, it doesn't seem like living with you is the best option anymore Renee."

Rolling his eyes at whatever she said to him Charlie looked at me and sighed. "Look, Reneè. Bella is almost 18. She can make these decisions for herself. Having amnesia doesn't change that. She decided she wanted to live here and I'm going to be supporting her decision in that."

Handing the phone back to me I hesitantly put it to my ear. Not really sure how to handle the situation I cleared my throat. "Look, Mom. This is something that I need to do for myself. I'll keep in touch, but I wont be moving back in with you."

I heard Reneè sigh on the other end, resignation coloring her voice, "I can't support this decision Bella. However, I'm willing to let you attempt living with Charlie. Just, promise me that you'll stay in touch with me. Please."

Closing my eyes to reign in my emotions, I took a deep breath and said. "Of course mom. I'll keep in touch. I love you."

"I love you too Bella."

Hearing the line go dead, I hang the phone back up on the receiver. Looking around at the dreadfully yellow kitchen, I square my shoulders and walk out to where Charlie is standing, a Rainier beer in his hand.

"So..." I start, getting his attention, "How would you feel about repainting the kitchen?"

Letting out a laugh he swings his arm around my shoulder, "It's good to have you here Bells." I smile and lean into his side, knowing that however I choose to handle my new life in Forks, at least Charlie will have my back.

The next big challenge for me will be getting enrolled into Forks High School. Wincing at the thought of repeating high school. Vampires or not, repeating high school once is enough. Walking downstairs I found Charlie sitting at the kitchen table cleaning his gun.

"Um. Hey Dad? I packed light when I left Moms and I was wondering if you could take me to get some more, winter-esque clothing. I don't think that camisoles and shorts will work to well in the winter here."

"Of course Bells, give me a few minutes and we'll head out. Port Angeles will most likely have what you're looking for better than some of the stores around here." He nodded as he started to clean up.

"Thanks dad. I'll go get my purse and shoes and then we can go." I headed back upstairs and grabbed my essentials for the trip. Excited to get some actual warm clothes and essentials that I didn't grab.

"You know, when I mentioned getting warmer clothes to Mom, she absolutely blew up at me and forbade me from coming here," I said as I descended the stairs to join Charlie at the front door so that we could leave, "I was planning to already have all my essentials before coming up here." Shrugging as I walked out the door, "I guess it all worked out in the end."

Getting into the cruiser as Charlie locked the door, I marveled at the inside as this was technically my first time being in a police vehicle. Looking over at Charlie as he got in the drivers seat I gave him the most serious look I could manage, "Dad. Can we turn the lights on?"

Laughing at me he pulls out and starts down the road, "Maybe later Bells."

Friday, January 14th.

Rolling out of bed at 8 am is never fun, but today is the day that Charlie is taking me to transfer into Forks High. Getting dressed in the new clothes that I had to buy yesterday, I feel way more comfortable in the thick, comfy sweatpants and oversized sweatshirt that Charlie loaned me that had Forks, WA embroidered on it. Pulling my hair up into a ponytail, I walk downstairs to get some breakfast before heading to the high school with Charlie.

"Morning Dad." I greet Charlie as I enter the kitchen, grabbing a slice of bread and some jam and sitting down at the table. Charlie looks up over his newspaper and sips his coffee.

"Sweatpants?" He asks, raising an eyebrow, "It's not even that cold out yet, Bells."

"I'm not used to the Washington weather yet Dad. The average temp in Phoenix is like 55F. The temperature here is basically freezing to me!" I say as I stand up to put the jam back in the fridge and grab my shoes

"Oh, I didnt think about it like that," He said with a pensive look on his face, "Also, I don't know if you remember Billy Black, down on the reservation, but hes selling his truck since he can't necessarily drive it anymore and I was planning on buying it for you, if thats something that you'd be okay with?"

Looking up while tying my laces I ask, even though I already know the answer, "What year is it?"

"Its uh, a '53 model." Stated Charlie, "A manual, but his son Jacob rebuilt the engine so it runs better than it used to."

"Oh, thats cool." I stood up and wiped my hands on my pants, "I uh, don't know how to drive a manual Dad."

He gives me a look and says, "Oh, well that puts a damper in buying it, I guess."

Trailing off he stands up and heads towards the door,

"Hey Dad," I call to him, "Just because I don't know how to drive a manual doesn't mean that I can't learn. Maybe we can take a weekend and you can teach me? Since I do need to re-learn how to drive."

I smile at him and walk towards the door.

He laughs and follows me out to the cruiser, and heads on to the High School.

Well. There's chapter 7 out the way. I hope yall enjoy it!!

edited for that little è once again, and changed some details to make it flow better.