2. New Home

It was a four-hour flight from Phoenix to Seattle, another hour in a small plane up to Port Angeles, and then an hour drive back down to Forks.

One word to describe my current mood—excited.

I was ecstatic to reunite with my dad—even if he'd spent two weeks up in Phoenix for the past three summers, it just wasn't enough for me.

Although I looked like my mom, I was closer to my dad. Bella was mom's baby girl while I was dad's princess. It had always been this way and I didn't mind it. Our family was a case of opposites attract.

Dad, Charlie, was genuinely pleased that Bella and I were coming to live with him and he didn't hide his joy at the fact that it was permanent. Or at least until high school was over for us and we went away to College. He'd already registered us for high school and was going to help us get a car.

Initially, I was hell-bent on getting my own car and I'd saved up a lot of money from part-time jobs and piano lessons to pay for it but dad managed to change my mind. Bella and I would most likely have the same classes at school, and while we would be sharing a car, it would only be for two years.

I was easily persuaded as Bella and I got along marvelously, even closer than most twins. We still fought quite often just like any other siblings, but only I was allowed to bully her. Wasn't that how siblings worked?

On the other hand, it was bound to be awkward between Bella and dad. Including the physical resemblance, they also shared the same personality.

Neither one of them was verbose and they never knew what to say to each other. Besides, dad was confused by Bella's decision to follow me to Forks as she had made her distaste for Forks as clear as our mom before her.

I would often caught myself sighing at this awkward father-daughter pair.

***

When we landed in Port Angeles, it was raining. Was it weird that I was excited about some rain?

I slipped my raincoat over my high-waisted blue jeans and red lace top as we walked out of the airport.

Dad was waiting for us just outside, his back against the cruiser.

To the good people of Forks, dad was Police Chief Swan so the vehicle was expected. It was one of the strongest reasons Bella and I clamored for our own cars. I, for one, refused to be driven around in a police car in such a small town. It totally broke the mysterious aura I was aiming for.

Dad gave Bella an awkward, one-armed hug as I pulled my two big suitcases behind them. Bella only had a few clothes with her but I couldn't help but go on a shopping spree for winter, rain-resistant clothes in Phoenix a few days ago.

"It's good to see you, Bells." He said, smiling as he flawlessly caught the ever-clumsy Bella Swan. "You haven't changed much."

Dad then turned to me, sweeping me into a huge embrace as I held on just as tight.

"Missed you, daddy." I whispered in his chest, tears of joy hitting my eyes.

"I missed you more, princess." Dad mumbled in my hair as he gave me one last squeeze and stepped back.

"Impossible." I laughed, helping him put our luggage in the trunk.

"How's Renée?" Dad asked as he closed the trunk.

"Mom's fine." Bella replied. "It's good to see you, dad."

I narrowed my eyes at Bella, I'd heard the hesitation in her voice—she'd almost called dad Charlie to his face.

That was one of the things we fought the most about in Arizona, and still to this day, I couldn't quite grasp her need to distance herself from our dad.

"I found a good car for you, really cheap." Dad announced as we hit the road.

"What kind of car?" Bella and I activated our wonder-twin ability as we asked in unison.

I was suspicious of any car dad would get for us.

It wasn't that I was ungrateful, it was more that I loved cars and had a ominous feeling we were getting a piece of junk.

"Well, it's a truck, actually, a Chevy." Dad replied, making me turn back and share a knowing glance with Bella.

We were getting a piece of junk alright.

"Thanks, Dad." I was grateful that he found us something. I couldn't ask for much in a small town anyway.

"Where did you find it?" Bella asked from the back.

"Do you remember Billy Black down at La Push?" Dad asked. La Push was a tiny Indian reservation on the coast.

"No/Yes." Bella and I replied at the same time.

"Your memory sucks." I rolled my eyes at her. It had only been three years since we'd last been to Forks, how could she forget so easily?

Bella stuck her tongue out at me as Dad continued to talk.

"He used to go fishing with us during the summer." He prompted.

"That would explain why Bella doesn't remember." I teased my twin for her goldfish memory.

Or rather, she was so clumsy that activities like fishing or even walking were a chore for her so she made a point to forget such painful life experiences—note the sarcasm.

I dodged Bella's slap with a snicker and turned my gaze to my surroundings.

Forks was beautiful, even Bella could admit of that fact—The green scenery was like a soothing balm for your mind.

Forks felt like freedom.

***

Not long after, we made it to dad's. He still lived in the small three-bedroom house that he'd bought with mom when they were still married. It was simple but homely.

There, in front of our home, was Bella and I's new truck. It was a faded red color, with big, rounded fenders and a bulbous cab.

"Holy—," Bella muttered under her breath, a joyful glint in her eyes.

My eyes were darting around, a helpless expression on my face. I really should have insisted to pay for my own car. I didn't hate the truck, it just wasn't my style. On the plus side, if I ever got into an accident, the other side was more likely to be the only injured on the scene.

"Wow, Dad! I love it, thanks." Bella was ecstatic, her face displaying the most emotions I'd seen since leaving sunny Arizona.

"Thanks, Dad." I squeezed his hand. I didn't care much for the car but I was happy at dad's efforts.

Nonetheless, I resolved to save even more money to afford one before I went to College.

"I'm glad you like it." Dad was smiling like a fool, content to see his girls happy.

It took two trips to get my suitcases inside the house, Bella having already moved to her room. She got the west bedroom that faced out over the front yard while my room was nearly on the other side, the view of the forest very pleasing to the eyes.

A smile teased my lips as I looked at the familiar room. The wooden floor, the dark purple walls, the blue lace curtains surrounding the big windows—everything was familiar. The room had belonged to me ever since I was born. The only change Dad made was the computer now sitting on my desk, which was bought by my mom for the last Christmas. Bella had the same model in her room.

The only downside to the house was the bathroom I was supposed to share with Bella as dad had his own in his room downstairs.

Bella wasn't as focused on her appearance as I was but damn could she take forever in the shower.

I closed the door behind me, another sense of giddiness engulfing my chest as I slightly raised my hand, prompting my two suitcases open without touching them and all my clothes levitated directly to my closet.

"Perfect." My smirk morphed into a real smile, I was finally freely using the ability I'd hidden all my life.

"Welcome home, Becca." I whispered softly, eager to start this new chapter of my life.