bound to you 》 jasper hale [1]

one

From what I'd already seen from the mere two days I'd spent in Forks so far, I knew a few things for certain.

Firstly, it rained. Like, a lot. It hadn't stopped raining since I'd arrived, and based on the weather predictions for the next few days, it wasn't going to any time soon. This small, insignificant town had an average annual rainfall of 121 inches, completely eclipsing the standard of Pasadena, my previous home. I had been forced to buy an entirely new wardrobe because of it, as it rarely rained or snowed in California and I had no clothes suitable for the miserable weather in Forks because of it.

Secondly, the town was filled with busybodies and gossips. As I pulled my Mustang GT - a gift from my brother - into the parking lot of Forks High School, I was aware of it more than ever. I could feel the stares on me as I locked up and tugged the hood of my parka over my head. My shiny, new car stood out against the sea of hand-me-downs and vintage models, especially compared to the rusted old Chevy I was parked next to. But whether the attention was due to my car or my status as the "new kid", I didn't care. I wanted the attention gone.

I trudged past the students who were all lined up near the car park, and ignored the few people who tried to greet me. No doubt they were trying to stake their claim. Being the first person to talk to a new kid at a small school was probably bragging rights in and of itself.

As I pushed open the door marked "Office", I realised my third and final truth about Forks.

I hated the people, who acted like they knew me based on a conversation or a shared smile. I hated the weather and its perpetual gloom. But most of all, I knew with every inch of my being that I hated Forks.

+++++++

"Oh, you must be Elizabeth Reid! I've heard so much about you, my dear." Ms Cope, the office assistant bustled around the filing cabinets behind the desk pulling out a few sheets of paper at each one.

"Actually, I go by Lizzie." I shot the woman a short smile, adjusting the strap of my backpack. I glanced around the small, brightly-lit room, eyes darting from the clock to the door.

Collecting my timetable, map and locker codes, I said a hurried goodbye to Ms Cope and with my head down I barged through the door, straight into a body on the other side.

"Oh, I'm so, so sorry!" The brunette girl bent down to pick up the papers that scattered on the ground when I bumped into her.

"It's okay," I mumbled as I helped her. "I should've looked been watching where I was going."

We both stood up, and I passed her the sheets of paper and the book that I'd grabbed for her. She smiled shyly as I placed them on top of the pile she already had. The girl awkwardly placed her other hand in the pocket of her jeans, almost as if she didn't know what else to do with it.

"Hey, Arizona! You coming or what?" I heard a boy call from somewhere behind me. As the girl in front of me looked in that direction, I realised he meant her.

"So your name is Arizona?" I asked, curiously.

The brunette chuckled, before answering, "No, it's Bella. I'm from Arizona though."

"Well, I'm Lizzie. I'll let you get going then, see you around?"

I turned and watched as she walked away, stunned that I seemed to have made a friend with little to no effort. And with that one interaction, I hated Forks just a little bit less.

words : 638
last updated : 05 dec 18