Chapter Text
Chapter One
I had just moved back to Forks when I got the letter. My mother had remarried a baseball player named Phil who traveled around a lot. It became unreasonable for me to continue living with them. I have switched schools more times than I can remember. It just got to be too much for my mother, even though she would never say this, so I told her I’d go back to Forks and live with Charlie until my stepdad could get on a team permanently.
Charlie is my dad. He’s the chief of the police department in Forks. He spends his time either at work, at the café eating steak, or watching baseball late into the night. Charlie and I aren’t really close. When he picked me up from the airport, we exchanged about 15 words combined. I clutched my cactus, my only remembrance of Arizona, the place I had called home for a bit, and sat in silence in the passenger seat of a patrol car.
When we got to his house, a place I haven’t seen in years, Billy Black and his son Jacob were waiting with a pack of Budweiser and big smiles on their faces. Jacob and I were childhood friends. His hair had gotten really long, it laid upon his shoulder blades in dark waves. His eyes were narrow and staring into mine. I blushed slightly. I hadn’t seen him since he was shorter than me. Now he towered over me, smiling down at me.
“Hey Bella, it’s good to see you” Billy said.
“You too” I replied while looking at Jacob.
“You look nice, Bella” Jacob said.
I was too shy to reply. I nodded, hoping he understood I was trying to return the sentiment.
“We’re here for the game, but I snooped in your mailbox before. Looks like the kingdom has sent you a letter, Charlie” Billy held out a cream-colored envelope.
Charlie frowned as he opened it.
“It’s for you, Isabella.”
“Just Bella,” I corrected, “How is it for me? I just got here…”
“I guess everyone is as excited to see you as we are” Jacob said. I bit my lip while looking at him and started to read the letter.
I hadn’t lived in Forks for so long that I had almost forgotten about The Selection.
The Selection is a once in a lifetime chance to become something more. Every time the Prince of the Kingdom reaches a certain age the Kingdom selects 35 random girls out of the entire population of Forks to come to the castle and compete for his hand in marriage. It’s been a Forks tradition for what seems like eons. And I have no desire to be a part of it.
“Is this mandatory?” I asked Charlie.
“Is what mandatory?” Jacob peered over my shoulder. His face dropped. “No way. She just got here, and they already want to force her to get married?”
“I’m not happy about it either,” Charlie said, “But yes, I think it is mandatory.”
“Look at it this way,” Billy started while opening a can of beer, “You go there and get dressed up. The Prince looks you up and down and realizes you’re not a noble or a princess and he sends you home with a consolation gift basket filled with castle goodies. How bad can it be?”
Charlie frowned at his friend. “No Prince would send my Is-” Charlie stopped, “My Bella away.”
I kicked a pebble around my feet. “I was kind of getting excited to go to school with Jacob.”
Jacob smiled sadly. “We couldn’t have anyways; I go to school on reservation.”
I looked down. “Right. Sorry.”
The silence that followed was deafening. I held my cactus and stood there, waiting for anyone to change the subject. Jacob inched toward me when he read the letter and I was trying really hard not to look embarrassed by the closeness.
“Well, this is unfortunate timing, but Bella I have a gift for you.” Charlie pulled out a pair of keys from his jacket. “This bad boy is all yours.”
I looked at him, confused. “The patrol car?”
“No,” Charlie said, “Turn around.”
Behind me I found the most beautiful orange truck I had ever seen. I turned back to him for a nod of approval. Charlie gave the keys to me, and I unlocked the front door as fast as I could. As I fidgeted with the wheel Jacob laughed.
“We fixed it up for you while you were gone. Want me to show you how to drive it?” Jacob asked.
I smirked. “I know how to drive stick, but thanks.” I turned to Charlie. “This is awesome, thank you so much!”
“Looks like the first place you’ll take it to is the castle. You’re supposed to be there tomorrow morning.” Charlie pointed at the letter still in my left hand. I grimaced.
“Right.”
Jacob perked up. “We can’t let that happen. Let’s take it for a spin first so this baby’s first time isn’t going to that stupid castle.”
I nodded. “Get in.”
We drove to La Push, the beach on the reservation where Jacob lives, leaving our dads behind to watch baseball and complain about their lives. I drive with the windows down even though it’s raining outside. I stick my left arm outside and feel the rain fall onto my pale skin. Even though I had been in Arizona for a bit I still hadn’t tanned. It was a source of common mockery from my mom. I hated the rain, but today I cherished it. If I went to The Selection I’d be stuck inside a wide and empty palace. For now, I decided to enjoy something I had hated my entire life as if I had forgotten my disposition against it.
I parked and we hopped out of the truck. My arm missed the door handle when getting out and I slipped, hitting my butt on the cold wet pavement. Jacob ran around and helped me up.
“Still as clumsy as ever, Bella.”
I bit my lip. “I guess people never change.”
While we walked to the shore Jacob pulled my hood over my head for me. I felt a surge of anger. How was I supposed to enter some competition for a Prince’s hand that I don’t want when I had just gotten here? I had been excited to spend nights like this with Jacob, walking along the waves and reminiscing about our childhood. He was the only reason I was adamant on moving back to Forks. I was excited to catch up with him and see what was new. Now my time was cut short.
I told myself to stop worrying. Jacob picked up on my silence.
“You okay?”
“I’ve been better,” I looked up at him, “It’s cold” I say, trying to change the subject.
“Look, I think you should go.”
I am stunned. “What? Why?”
“I just think you should.”
“What are you talking about?” I stopped walking and planted my feet in the sand. He sighed and looked down at my boots.
“It’s… I think it could be a good opportunity. Your dad isn’t exactly made of money, you know. You could make some connections or something. It’s a once in a lifetime chance.”
I frowned, dissatisfied with his answer. He grimaced and then stepped closer to me, pulling on the drawstring of my rain jacket.
“I was thinking about it on the way here. It’s too selfish of me to ask you to stay. No matter how badly I want to.”
“Jacob…”
“Bella, I’ll wait for you. I’ve been waiting for you. And now that you’re back, I’m the happiest I’ve felt in a while,” He cups my face while taking a breath, “Go and experience it all. Eat the best food, wear the best gowns. And when you’re done, I’ll be here. Waiting.”
His eyes examine my scattered expression. And then he leaned in and kissed me. His kiss was hot and heavy. He laced his fingers in my hair and my hood fell off my head. My hands sat at my sides not knowing what do to. His warmth kept me calm during the rain. His kiss, one I have been waiting for since childhood, calmed me. I sank into his chest, and he held me close as we watched the waves grow closer and closer to our feet.