Hi everyone.
So, here is my second attempt at this.
Right now I only have a vague idea of where this is going, I'm hoping to define it as we go.
Also, I have no idea how long it's going to be, how many words I'll be trying to keep to each chapter…it's just going to flow. Today might be a thousand words, four days later might be three thousand words…I'll try to get it more structured as we move along.
Anyway…hope you enjoy the first chapter…
"Stupid Girl," I mutter to myself as another freezing spray of sea air hits me from the side.
It is way past sunset and I shouldn't be out here. What was I thinking?
My Bayliner Discovery is holding up against the massive swells but inside…inside my body my heart is shattered beyond recognition.
I try to concentrate on the lighthouse from Dassen Island but my head reruns what happened a few hours ago like a bad episode of Golden Girls.
"I'm sorry Bella," Jacob said, his head in his hands. He looked up to me with what seemed to be pity and all I wanted to do was take that pity and shove it up his ass.
"Sorry?" I screamed. "Exactly what are you sorry for Jacob? For the five years of my life that you wasted? For making me believe that you loved me? Or are you sorry for jumping into bed with the new waitress not even a month after she started here. I'm not sure which one you're sorry for."
"For all of it," he cried softly. "I don't know what happened. When I saw her…I just knew we were meant to be together. She feels the same."
I looked up to the ceiling, trying to keep the tears from falling but they cascaded down my cheeks anyway so I fixed him in my gaze.
"Yeah, I'm sorry too," I whispered, my throat aching from the pain I feel deep in my soul. "I'm sorry I believed you. I'm sorry I gave you everything I could all the while believing that nothing would ever break us apart. I'm sorry for loving you too much."
I didn't stay after those words were spoken. I ended up driving around town like a stray dog until I ended up in the docks. I made a split decision.
Which is how I ended up here.
"Fuck," I whisper as I approach the island's dock cautiously, the swells pushing the boat as I try to her steady.
It's easier to come to the dock with the bow into the current or the wind, whichever is stronger so I stick to what I know.
As soon as I'm close enough I step onto the dock with the ends of both dock lines. I tie her down with icy fingers, the rain lashing my face, my bare arms and legs, eating into my skin and biting me there.
I look around helplessly for shelter but can't see much. I jog up the jetty towards the steps I see leading up through the bushy grass surrounding it. I've never been on the island. Very few people have. It's a nature conservation area and only marine biologists are allowed to stay over doing research.
Last I heard there was a weird old couple running the light house but that was years ago. I shiver even more at the thought of being stuck on an island nine miles from civilization with weird old people that no one knows anything about.
I stand still for a few moments, taking in my surroundings as I make it up the steps. To my right on the very far side of the small island is the light house, majestic and tall as it's beam lights the way for all to see.
Slightly to my left I see a small house in the distance, a flickering light in one of the windows. I take a deep breath before running towards it, my insides knotting with fear of the unknown.
My fingers throb as I knock on the door a little harder than I meant to.
The door is pulled open and I take a step back as I look into green pools of confusion. The man in front of me instantly takes my breath away, his jaw sculpted perfectly, the frown between his eyes…I want to touch it.
"I…" I don't know what to say.
"You must be freezing," his voice floats through my ears, all cold forgotten. His hand reaches for me and I let him pull me inside.
"How did you get here?"
"I…I was out on my boat and lost track of time and the weather. There was no way I would make it back to Yzerfontein. I really am sorry to intrude." My voice is low, shaking and breathless from the cold.
"Jeez," he says harshly as his hand touches my bare skin on my arm again. "You need to warm up."
I nod shakily as he pulls me through to the kitchen. I notice candles all along the way, confirming my suspicion that this little island has no electricity. The coal stove in the kitchen heats up the entire room and I make my way over to it, standing as close as I can get. I'm vaguely aware that I'm dripping all over the floor but the heat seems so much more important right now.
He leaves and comes back in a few seconds, holding a long sleeved Island Style shirt my way.
"Unfortunately there are no women clothes here but I guess this will cover you down to almost your knees. You need to get out of those wet clothes and warm up. I've left a wrap blanket on the stool just outside the bathroom for you."
"Thank you," I say gratefully. As I turn the corner I stick my head back into the kitchen. "I'm Bella," I say softly.
He turns my way and his dazzling smile heats up my centre and spreads languidly through the rest of my body.
"Nice to meet you Bella. I'm Edward."
We stare at each other a little longer than necessary before I turn and make my way down the passage as fast as I can.