Destiny

~2~

'I'd never given much thought to how I would die... but dying in the place of someone I love seems like a good way to go...'
Isabella Swan had her eyes closed against the sunlight, absorbing its rays. She had long, dark hair framing alabaster skin. She's a vulnerable, introverted, imperfect beauty.                             
'... So I can't bring myself to regret the decision that brought me here to die...'
Bella stood at the end of a cul-de-sac on the desert's edge. The sun blazed behind her she bend down and carefully scooped a tiny barrel cactus into a clay pot.
'... The decision to leave home.'
She stared at the cactus in a state of reverie, until...
"Bye Bella!"                                                  
Three tanned, athletic, blonde girls hopped into a convertible Mercedes. Their flawless, bought-and-paid for beauty contrasted with Bella's pale naturalness. They waved.                             
"Good luck at your new school!"
"Don't forget to write!"
"We'll miss you!"
Bella waved back, sweetly, but halfheartedly as she stepped off the curb.                                       
"Have a good..." she began but tripped. When she righted herself, they were already gone.                       
"... life.
They were clearly not close friends. Bella's grown-up demeanor and innate intelligence became apparent as Bella's mother, Renée, a woman in her mid 30's, exited their house it was low rent for this ritzy neighborhood. Rene was eclectic, scattered, anxious and more a best friend than a parent. She thrusted a cell phone at Bella.                              
"It won't work again, baby."
"You put it on hold."
"I did?"
"Look. You also called Mexico."
Rene pushed her playfully and they laughed.         
"I'll figure it out. You gotta be able to reach me and Phil on the road, I love saying that, on the road."
"Very romantic."                 
Phil, a 31 years old man with an athlete's body, exited the house, carrying Bella's three suitcases with ease.      
"If you call crappy motels, backwater towns and ballpark hot dogs romantic."
He put his Phoenix Desert Dogs baseball hat on Renée's head with a kiss. Phil's love of Renée reassured Bella. Phil headed to the old station wagon to load the luggage, while Rene slipped her arm           through Bella's, clinging to her as they walk to the car.                             
"Now, you know if you change your mind, I'll race back here from wherever the game is."
But Rene's strained expression told Bella what a great sacrifice that would be. Bella forced a smile.     
"I won't change my mind, mom."
"You might. You've always hated Forks."
"It's not about Forks, it's about Dad. I mean we barely know each other.                              
"I want to go. I'll be fine."
But as Rene hugged Bella, nobody saw the truth on Bella's face: dread, doubt and regret. Bella was struggling to keep her facade up as she climbed into the back seat of the car. Bella, with her iPod earbuds in her ears, got a last glimpse of the sparkling malls, chic shoppers and manicured cactus gardens.

Time skip

Nothing but deep, dark, green forests for miles. Over the eerily dramatic Lake Crescent hung the mist from the ever-present cloudy grey sky. Everything was wet and green and drenched in shade. A police cruiser was driving on a two lane highway. Bella looked out of the passenger side's window, taking in her gloomy new surroundings. She sat next to her father, police chief Charlie Swan, 40's. Their strained silence contrasted Bella's relationship with her mother.
"Your hair's longer."
"I cut it since last time I saw you."
"Guess it grew out again.
She just nodded. Then there was silence.                    
"How's your mom?"
"Good."
There was more silence. They passed a sign, which said:
'The City Of Forks welcomes you - Pop. 3246.'
Bella sighed.                                        
As the cruiser drove through, Bella took in this logging town, every storefront had a wood carving. The Timber Museum's sign was two loggers sawing a stump. The police station was a small wooden           building across from City Hall.

Meanwhile

Jacob and Destinee were still at the beach when Billy called, that they should come back, because Charlie already took off to get Bella. So they slowly made their way back to Jacob's home. When they got there, Billy was already in a red, old truck.
"Why are we driving back with this?" Destinee asked.
Jacob laughed.
"It's a homecoming gift", he said.
They got on the seats in the back and Billy started to drive. When they got the street where Destinee's home was, her hands started to get sweaty and she was getting more nervous. Jacob noticed and put a hand on hers, an encouraging smile in his face. Destinee looked at him and smiled back. Billy saw the exchange between the two through the rearview mirror and cut in.
"Everything will be fine Desti", he said
A few moments later, they pulled into the driveway. Billy honked and from inside the truck, Destinee saw a girl at a window. The car stopped and she inhaled deeply before getting out after Jacob. Charlie came up to them, first greeting Jacob and then giving Destinee a hug. The three then helped Billy into the wheelchair, just when Bella came out.

Minutes earlier

The cruiser pulled up to Charlie's two-story house. A woodshed full of firewood. There's a small boat in the garage, fishing gear, an old buoy. Bella climbed out. Bella and Charlie carried her bags inside. Lots of fishing memorabilia was hanging on the walls; photos of Charlie fishing with the Quileute Indian Billy Black, also handmade cards to 'Daddy' and photos of Bella. She winced at herself, a photo where she was at the age of seven, in a tutu, sitting stubbornly on the ground.                              
"I put Grandpa's old desk in your room. And I cleared some shelves in the bathroom.                     "That's right. One bathroom", Bella mumbled grimacing.
Her eyes landed on a photo of a much younger Charlie and Renée, on a vacation, beaming with love.
"I'll just put these up in your room."                   
"I can do it."
They both reached for the bags, bumping one another awkwardly. Bella backed off, letting Charlie carry the bags upstairs. Her room was filled with childhood remnants. As she unpacked her CD case, loneliness finally overwhelmed her. She sat heavily on the edge of the bed, tears threatening. Then she heard a honk outside. Bella ran across the hall and looked out the window to a faded red truck, circa 1960 pulling up. Bella exited to find Charlie greeting the driver, Jacob, amiable with long black hair and hints of childish roundness in his face, and then hugging a young girl, Destinee. The three of them helped Jacob's father, which she recognized from the photos, into a wheelchair.                              
"Bella, you remember Billy Black."
"Glad you're finally here. Charlie hasn't shut up about it since you told him you were coming."
"Keep exaggerating, I'll wheel you down the hill. Right after I ram you in the ankles."
Billy took several rolls at Charlie, who dodged. Jacob and Destinee shook their heads at their two fathers as Jacob shyly approached Bella, while Destinee watched the two men.
"I'm Jacob. We made mud pies together when we were little kids."
Destinee tried to hold back an amused snort and turned to look at the two teens.
"Yeah... I think I remember."
She looked at the two men.
"Are they always like this?"
"It's getting worse with old age", Jacob answered.
Bella then turned to Destinee, who was looking at her.
"And who's this? I don't think that I remember her."
The two adults came back to the three teens. Charlie put a hand on Destinee's shoulder and introduced her to Bella.
"Bella, this is Destinee. Your new sister."
"Hi", Destinee said, waving her hand.
Bella scoffed lightly.
"What? I don't think that I have a related sister. My mom would've told me."
Destinee looked up at Charlie.
"Hey, I think I'm going to go upstairs and do some research. Jacob told me about a contest when we were at the beach and I would like to know some details about it. Maybe I could sign in too."
"Alright. I will call when diner is ready."
Destinee nodded and hugged Jacob and waved at Billy before she went inside. Charlie sighed and then patted the hood of the truck, addressing Bella.
"So what do you think of your homecoming gift?"
"No way. The truck is for me?"
"Just bought it off Billy, here."
"I rebuilt the engine and..."
"It's perfect", she interrupted, beaming.
She rushed to the truck. Jacob eagerly joined her.      
"Okay, so you gotta double pump the clutch when you shift, but..."
He handed her the keys as she climbed in.
"Maybe I can give you a ride to school."
"I go to school on the reservation."
"Too bad. Would've been nice to know at least one person."
"Eehm, well, you already know Destinee. She will go to the same school tomorrow like you. You can give her a drive to school, even when she doesn't want it and wants to walk the whole way there."
"My wanna-be sister?"
"Bella please."
Jacob shot her a pleading look.
"Please be nice to her. She always wanted a family that loves her. She was totally nervous because she didn't know how you would react to her. So, please. Do me the favor and try to be a sister to her, okay?"
"We'll see."