Claiming a Swan

One

Chapter One
Then...

Forks wasn't the same since the Cullens left. But everything seemed to come into focus once they were gone. I got my bearings - studied real hard and found I was an excellent student who knew the curriculum like the back of my hand. I was impressed as well as my teachers and Charlie.

And when graduation came and went - well I applied to the writing college - in Pennsylvania.

It was the complete opposite of Washington. But I knew I could succeed where the absence of him wasn't a reminder of what I'd lost.
Packing wasn't hard. Charlie even helped. It was bittersweet.

It was only 2 years ago I moved into Charlie's house. And now I am moving across the whole United States to start a new chapter in my life.

"Well that's the last of it, Bells."

"Thanks Dad. I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too, Bella. Still got that pepper spray?"

"Yeah Dad." A laugh escapes.

"Drive safe, Bella."

"Always."

"Let me know when you get into town? And if you get tired, stay at a hotel, and I can wire money to you for the night."

Oh Charlie. Overbearing just as Renee.

"Thanks Dad. I love you."

"Love you too, Bells."

I decided on road-tripping my way to Pennsylvania. See the sights and relax instead of flying and being there in a short few hours. Pulling out of the driveway, Charlie waved goodbye. And I set my sights on a new chapter of my life. And I was excited to see where it would lead me.

***

It was my first day in Pennsylvania. And I was utterly, totally lost...
I wasn't in a small town where everyone knew everyone. It definitely wasn't Forks...

I was in the big city, where hoots and hollers lasted as much as a taxi's car horn. "Great, my first day, and I'm going to be late to my job..."

"Taxi!" I wave one down, and immediately tell them the name of the publishing company I was interning for.

It was the first year of college and I needed an internship for my degree. And even before I moved, I worked full time, plus overtime at Newton's Sporting Goods to last me a good while.
It only took the taxi driver about 20 minutes to get me to the Publishing company. I thanked him and gave him a tip, before I left.

I hurried inside. And I was smacked with utter disbelief that I got an internship here of all places. It has been my dream to be a publisher, to write my own book, but to be near books all the time - I simply couldn't ask for anything better than that.

Checking in with the receptionist. She leads me to the publishing team. It was a lot of yelling and clatter - papers thrown every which way, it was chaos, but it was beautiful.

"You must be the new intern."

An older man in his mid-forties declares. He had on glasses and a grey suit, which had coffee stains imprinted on it from years of use.

"Yes, my name is Bella Swan, thank you so much for accepting me into the internship."

"It's great to add you to the team, Ms. Swan."

"Bella, please."

"Of course. Well Bella for the start of your internship, your first task is to run these copies downstairs to the editing room."

"Got it." He hands me a pile that's 5 inches tall, and weighs a ton, "I'm Gary. Gary Lancaster. Now go."

With that I make my way downstairs... yet it seems like this is my first day. I have no idea where the editing room is...

"You must be lost." A woman who wore a grey romper - her blonde hair was curled and passed gently down her shoulders, and her smile - her lips covered in pink lip gloss, lit up her world. I stuttered for a moment... completely blank.

"Y-yes.. I am."

"The editing room?" I nodded my head. She leads the way. I'm wondering who this woman is - she walks with such confidence...

"Here it is." She gestures to the room that was down the hallway to the right.

"By the way, my name is Aster Dahlia. And it's nice to meet you."

"Nice meeting you Aster. I'm Bella."
We smile at one another and she heads off in the opposite direction.

I pull at my hair forgetting I had a pile of copies in my hands - they are a mess on the floor. But really could I even be more or less embarrassing?

***

"Oh good, Bella! Thanks for dropping these off."

"No problem. Wait? How did you know my name?"

"Oh, well we make it a point to know all the intern names. But Gary called down and said you were on your way. My name is Cole by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Cole. I'm going to head back upstairs to see what else I'm supposed to do."

"Good luck!" Cole shouts in encouragement.

***

"Bella!" Aster shouts from behind.

"Wait up." I stop. I was on my way to the cafeteria for lunch. I didn't have much else to do when I went back upstairs.

This publishing house was a lot different than what I expected. I always imagined anxiety driven days that competed like a high fashion drama.

"Going to lunch, mind if I join you?"

"Not at all. "

I could tell already that Aster and I would be great friends.