Chapter Two
"Attention passengers, we are now beginning our descent into the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Please grab your belongings and thank you for flying with American Airlines."
I was happy to be going home but also nervous. I knew the Cullen's weren't there. They left when I decided not to be with Edward anymore. They also left a healthy sum of cash and the house in Forks to me. I call it the "sorry my son beat you and tried to trick you into becoming a vampire" guilt fund.
As we exited the plane I instantly felt relief. I closed my eyes and breathed in the scent of fresh rain. I missed Washington and everything about it. Even the rain. This is my home and it always will be. I opened my eyes to see my dad smiling at me, "Let's get going, Bells."
After fighting through the crowd and wrestling up luggage we finally were ready to go. Just as I was about to ask my dad how we were getting home I was tackled.
"Bella! Oh my god Bella!" Was all I heard. I knew that voice anywhere. It was Emily and I hugged her back just as tight.
Emily also helped get me through leaving Edward. She protected me like a wolf would it's cub. No one was allowed to say anything about me or my affiliation with vampires. I pretty much lived with Emily and Sam after the break up. If my dad was working late, which was most days, and Leah had to patrol, I would stay with them. Sam, Leah, and Emily came together to make sure I was safe and that I knew I wasn't alone. Sam or Leah would take me to school and pick me up. When Edward wouldn't stop harassing me at school Sam pushed to get me included in the treaty using the fact that my dad was marrying a tribal elder making me one of her children and I would soon be moving onto the reservation. They helped me heal before I left for college so I could fully embrace the experience that was ripped away from most of the pack and I will be forever grateful for them.
Sam swept me in his arms next and I held onto like my life depended on it, "Welcome home sister. We missed you."
I gave him a watery smile, "I missed you too brother."
Seth being the teenage boy he was, he decided he was ready to go home so we all loaded up into the cars and headed home. I rode with Emily and Leah. We talked about everything under the sun.
Later that night I was unpacking my room. Nothing had changed since I left. My desk was still a mess, my pictures and posters hadn't moved. I think my bed was still made from all those years ago.
I laid down and was struck by a smell I've craved for years. It shocked me and made me breathless. He had been here in my bed. I went to my closet and there was a faint smell of him on some of my clothes.
I went down stairs and yelled for my dad, "Is my old truck still here?"
"Yeah, it's in the shop behind the house."
I walked to the back of the house and saw the old beast. I opened the door and just as I expected my favorite sweatshirt was inside and so was his intoxicating scent. So many emotions overwhelmed me. I knew I would eventually have to confront the situation but I didn't expect to have a reminder thrown in my face the day I got home.
I reached under the seat and felt for the ziplock bag. Sure enough it was still taped to it. I pulled the memories out of the bag and it was like going back into a time capsule. I let myself feel everything I refused to feel the four years I was at OU. I missed his beautiful smile, the way his bronze skin looked against mine, the way he held me, oh man, the way he kissed me.
I heard footsteps and my name being called. I hurriedly shoved the pictures back in the bag and slammed the door to my truck.
"Bells, what are you doing out here?" Good, it was Seth. Even if he saw me looking at photos he wouldn't pry.
"I was looking for my favorite sweatshirt and I found it in my truck. Has anyone been out here? A couple of things were moved from where I left them?" I asked.I knew it was very possible he could smell him but I also knew he wouldn't say anything.
"Oh yeah. A couple of the pack come out here to borrow the truck sometimes. Mom has dinner ready. Let's go get some grub Belly Bean."
At dinner mom made the announcement that the elders wanted to throw a welcome home bonfire for me. I smiled and said it was a great idea but I was secretly freaking out. I knew I would see him and I didn't know if I was ready for that but now I didn't have a choice. I wasn't the weak Bella who left and soon he would see that.
The next day was full of me unpacking. I cleaned, rearranged, and organized. I decided to go into Forks and see if anything had changed. Sure enough nothing had. I parked my car outside of the diner and went in to grab some coffee. As I was paying for my coffee I heard someone call my name.
"Bella?" I turned around to see my friends Angela Weber and Katie Martin from high school. I smiled and hugged them.
"When did you get back? You look so good. Come sit with us." Katie rushed out.
I sat down and started talking, "I just got home yesterday. How are you guys? How long have you been back."
They told me everything and we talked for a while. It felt nice to catch up with people from high school. These were two people who actually were my friends. We stayed in touch throughout college, Angela actually visited me often and vice versa. She went to the University of Texas in Austin but with Katie being in California at USC I rarely saw her and I didn't come home for holidays because my family came to see me. Jessica Stanley eventually joined us.
"Lauren is pregnant again. This time with twins."
Angela's mouth dropped open, "Holy crap that's four kids."
"I'm just glad that I'm not with Tyler anymore. I hated them for a while but she did me a favor. I don't want to be some housewife who spends most of the time pregnant and has to wait on him hand and foot. There's not anything wrong with it, it's just not for me. I can't believe I almost left USC for him." Katie said.
"Remember when Edward Cullen almost talked me into marrying him." We all busted out laughing.
"Jeez I don't understand why I was so jealous of you. He was so broody and always serious. I don't think I ever saw him smile." Jessica barely got her words out because she was laughing so hard.
"Angela thought her and Ben Cheney were a match made in heaven." I teased through my giggles to defend myself.
"Then me with Mike! Man, we were dumb." Jessica sighed.
Katie got a mischievous smile and when Katie got that look nine times out of ten we were gonna get in trouble, "Well now we're 21, it's Friday night, and a new club just opened in PA."
We all agreed to meet at Angela's condo in Port Angeles to get ready. I was excited to go out with my friends but I had a feeling tonight was going to be very interesting and I didn't know if that was good or bad.
