Chapter 1

                                    

                                          
Bella P.O.V
                          
Welcome To Forks
                          
A sign I never thought I'd see. I'd heard of it over the many times my dad would tell me about his little town over the phone, about how the number changed every time a new family moved in or out, how often it was polished, where it was located. Just one of the few interesting details of Forks, Washington. But not once did I think I'd see it, let alone under these circumstances. 
                          
I look down to my locket as we drive past the sign and snap it open. 
                          
The picture of my mother smiles back at me. It's the only thing of her I have with me, at all times. I find it hard to believe it's only been two weeks since the accident. One day, I'm in Arizona, living with my mother and her new husband Phil, who travels a lot as part of a baseball league. The next, I get a phone call from our local hospital explaining that my mother and Phil died in a car accident. 
                          
Now? Here I am, in a town my mother ran away from when I was only two months old, with a father I only saw during the summers up until I was thirteen. And of course, as if being the daughter of a runaway mother didn't shine a spotlight on me enough, the fact that my father is the chief of police just made it brighter. 
                          
Our house is smaller than in remembered. Just nearing the edge of the woods, the small porch decorated with several plants. As if Forks wasn't already green enough, but I wouldn't figure Charlie to be the kind of person who would keep plants. The inside just screamed bachelor. A small couch, a recliner chair, a plasma tv and a kitchen full of take out food. 
                          
As we made our way upstairs, he points to the only bathroom we have and the two small bedrooms. My bedroom had a view to the forest and it was decorated with a small desk, a twin bed and a table stand with a lap. 
                          
"The clerk helped me pick it out," he said as he set my suitcase by the door. He points to the duvet. "You like purple, right?" 
                          
I nod. "Purple is fine, thank you." 
                          
Charlie nods, rubbing his hands up and down on the backside of his jeans. "Well... uh, I'll leave you to it. Um... I have some friends who will be coming over for dinner." 
                          
"Friends?" I ask. 
                          
"His name is Dr. Cullen, he and his wife are close friends of mine. They would love to meet you." 
                          
I nod, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "Oh?"
                          
"If you're okay with it, of course," he added nervously. "It's just that I've spoken to them so much about you that they want to finally meet you." 
                          
"It's fine, dad," I assure him. "I will like to meet your friends." 
                          
"Okay."
                          
With that said, he stepped out, hands on his hips, head down, as if he wasn't sure how exactly to act around me. The best thing about Charlie? He doesn't hover. 
                          
I wouldn't be surprised if Charlie was the one to ask them to come over for dinner to make this first night somewhat bearable. If our quiet drive from Seattle to Forks was any indication of how things were going to play out from here on out. Charlie was a man of very few words and I... well, I was more of a suffer in silence kind of person. 
                          
I spent the rest of the day settling in my room bedroom and by nightfall, I got ready to meet Charlie's friends. I honestly wanted the night over with. I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and perhaps cry myself to sleep. 
                          
Charlie called out my name at the same time the doorbell goes off. 
                          
With a deep breath, I give myself a silent pep talk.