Emerging Swan

Chapter 3 - Everything Has Changed

All I knew this morning when I woke
Is I know something now, know something now I didn't before.
And all I've seen since eighteen hours ago
Is green eyes and freckles and your smile
In the back of my mind making me feel like

I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you, know you, know you

'Cause all I know is we said, "Hello."
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name
Everything has changed
All I know is you held the door
You'll be mine and I'll be yours
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed

And all my walls stood tall painted blue
And I'll take them down, take them down and open up the door for you
And all I feel in my stomach is butterflies
The beautiful kind, making up for lost time,
Taking flight, making me feel right

Everything Has Changed ~ Taylor Swift feat. Ed Sheeran

***

Bella Swan, 2020

Events: 2014

My first week in Seattle dragged by slowly. Starting my new job was distinctly uninteresting, though it was the first time I'd been to work properly since what had happened that night. It was a bit of a relief to do something so normal for five days straight, though making up an excuse to some ten year old kid as to why I couldn't demonstrate a hand spring myself was slightly awkward.

I was slightly surprised to receive a phone call from Rose, the woman I'd met at the jewellery shop, the Sunday after I moved in, inviting me to a barbecue at her house, which, to me, sounded just like an extremely large party. I deemed it as good a way as any to make some friends in Seattle, so I agreed to go.

So, the following Saturday, I found myself pulling up outside a beautiful house that belonged to Rose and Emmett. The house was clearly new, as the windows were large, and there was lots of glass decorating the soft brown wood. I climbed out of my car and knocked on the front door.

To my surprise, it was neither Rose nor Emmett that answered the door. I was greeted by a hyper-looking, black-haired pixie of a girl, who squeaked in surprise when she saw me. She clapped her hands together, and suddenly threw herself at me, hugging me tightly. I had never liked strangers getting all touchy-feely with me, and while this girl wasn't reminding me in any way of that night, I was uncomfortable.

"Alice," said a deep, velvety voice, sounding utterly exasperated. I felt the insane woman - Alice - being pulled off of me, and I stepped backwards slightly to see who exactly I had to thank for saving me from Alice.

Oh my...

Before me, was what was generally known as the epitome of male beauty. The man looked to be around my own age, and he was gorgeous. His hair colour was an unusual coppery-bronze, and was in perfect disarray; the man's emerald eyes were sharp, as handsome as the rest of him, and the expression in them reminded me distinctly of Edward Rochester in 'Jane Eyre'. The film, of course. While I pegged myself as something of a book person, the classics tended to bore me no end. His jawline was defined, his nose straight, and his cheekbones high.

His handsome appearance was slightly tainted by the brooding, morose expression on his face. He looked irritated as he looked at Alice, and had his arms folded across his chest. He turned to me, a slight glare on his face, and I was hit by the full force of his eyes. Something about this man definitely reminded me of Mr Rochester.