Chapter 1

Bella

I havent been back to Forks in so long. I used to visit for a couple weeks every summer, but its been years since then. I know when I applied for online graduate school that it would be easier to be in one place. Mom is going on the road with Phil for his minor league baseball team and I dont want to worry about having a stable place to get work done. I also secured a job at a bookstore in Forks. Itll be interesting living with Charlie again.

Its august, the beginning of the semester. In Pheonix, its bearing down sun but here there is an almost constant cover of clouds. I will miss the warmth and the sun.

Charlie picks me up from the airport and its quiet in the car. I dont know how to start the conversation.

"Are you excited for school?" He asks me

"yeah, I am. I am excited to focus more on british literature"

The car falls back into silence but by now we have reached the house. I have few memories here. Charlie helps me bring my things up to my room, where he has set up a new desk and some new purple bedding. He has left up the artwork from when I was a child. Charlie doesnt hover while I unpack and I appreciate him for that. For dinner that night, Charlie and I make our way to the local diner. He orders the steak and I order the garden burger.

I start work at the bookstore today but I stop into the coffee shop near by for a pick-me-up. I am sitting at a table near the window when a group of the most people Ive ever seen walks by. Leading the group is a blonde woman walking on the arm of a tall, buff man with brown hair. There is also a short brunette walking next to a man with blonde hair. This woman looks like she is almost floating. Bringing up the rear, is a tall man with messy brown hair. He looks unbothered. The waittress comes over and asks if i want a refill. I say yes but to go because I need to get to work. As she is pouring, I ask her who this group is.

"oh those are the Cullens. They are the children of Dr. Cullen, the local surgeon. They just moved here a few years ago. They tend to stop into the local bookshop fairly often"

"I start there today"

"oh! Very nice! Well they are regulars so you'll see them a lot"

I make my way to the bookstore. The manager has me putting stock out while she rings the register. The Cullens have spread out throughout the store. The messy-haired man is looking at the classics.

As I am helping out a customer, I feel this strange tingle in the back if my mind. The hair on the back of my neck starts to raise and it honestly feels like someone is trying to find a way in.

Chapter 2

Edward

Her mind is walled up, as if an invisible force keeps me out. I find a small spot where I can enter but before I can breach it, I hear a voice echo throughout my mind.

You dont want to do that.

It feels like a door slamming in front of me and suddenly there is no more entry to her mind. Her mind is impenetrable. I look up and find her staring at me. Her large brown eyes are filled with a mix of curiousity and veiled anger. I look quickly to Alice and exit the store.

We make our way home and I cannot help the feeling of unease. I dont know what to make of this girl. How was she able to block me out? How did she know it was me?

I sit down in the living room (ironic) with everyone to tell them. They can tell something is wrong.

"Carlisle", I say, "have you ever known of a human who can resist our powers?"

"No, I cant say I have. Why?"

"The girl in the bookstore. I couldnt hear her thoughts"

"at all?" Alice seems uneasy as well but I don't know why.

"not just that, but it was like she physically shut me out. She also knew it was me who was trying"

"why do you think that?"

"she was staring at me"

Chapter 3

Bella

My shift goes by relatively quickly. As I am driving home, I cannot help but turn that man and that weird feeling over and over in my mind. Before I know it, I am driving up a road that I don't know. I am on the outskirts of town. How did I get here? It soon becomes a driveway and I come upon a large house with lots of windows. I dont know why but I feel a pull to the house. I walk up to the door and knock, realizing how strange this is.

That man from the bookstore opens the door. This must be the Cullen house. He seems shocked to see me. I am just as shocked.

"Hi, um, I'm Bella. We need to talk. Can I come in?" What am I doing?

"Sure"

He holds the door open so I can walk in. He seems uneasy but leads me upstairs to an open room filled with music. There is a futon on one wall next to a table filled with journals. On the far end of the room is a balconey opening up to the forest. He motions for me to sit on the futon and we both sit cautiously, keeping a sort of distance between us.

I start talking before I can think.

"This is going to sound crazy and I honestly thought I was imagining things but what was that at the bookstore?"

"what are you talking about?" He seems to not want to make eye contact with me.

"I had this weird sensation and it honestly felt like you were in my mind. Like it could feel it. Its hard to explain"

He doesnt answer but looks at me, almost incredulous.

"I dont think that is possible"

"I know and I honestly don't know what to make of it but I swear it happened"

"have you ever known anyone to read minds?

"no, but-"

"exactly, so lets drop this"

I dont really know what to say to that so I just get up and leave.

(add more)

Chapter 4

(car scene)