Seasons of Change

Senior year.

I've always pictured how things would look for me. I would be queen bee, a fashion designer, top of my class… maybe with a cute boy at my side, who knows. Everyone would love me, my friends would worship me, and my parents would praise me. And then graduation day, the most glorious day in a teenager's life, better than puberty or any "first kiss", or even my first slow dance. After graduation, a whole new chapter in my life… college! Studying abroad, experiencing new things, and making new friends! Growing up in Brooklyn never prohibited me from having any of these dreams. Everything was perfectly in my reach.

Until I hit rock bottom.

It wasn't the false friends, the jealousy, or the rivalry that did it for me. Not the parties, drinking, drugs and clichés. It wasn't New York, it wasn't divorce or separation, no, it was rooted deep inside of me… A sad and tragic depression that sent me spiraling out of control. I used to be so good, so pure. I can't blame the Upper East Side for my mishaps. I can't blame Constance, or its rich and often snobby inhabitants. I can't blame all of the guys that made me cry, or the guys that made me feel whole… even if only for a moment. It was my constant need for attention, the way that I craved it and wanted so badly to be somebody that I was not. I just wanted to feel… needed.

Now I sit here on this plane, occasionally gazing out the window and hoping— no, praying for my life to start over…

I just never thought it'd start over in Forks. Washington is the last place I would've ever expected my mom to want to live, but after her last visit there and an unfortunate rescue from a suave police officer, love was in the air… and apparently so am I. If I could write a farewell letter to Manhattan, I'd tell them that there really is a difference between flying coach and flying first class.

Jenny Humphrey closed her journal and sighed heavily, just as the seatbelt sign lit up above her. A deep voice came on over the intercom, announcing that the plane would arrive in Seattle shortly and that everyone should turn off all electronics and get into their seats with belts buckled properly. Alison, Jenny's mom, wrapped up a meeting she was doing over the internet, and shut off her laptop. "Are you belted in honey?" Jenny rolled her eyes. "I have to go to the bathroom mom, I'll be right back." Jenny squeezed past her mom and hurried towards the lavatory in the back of the plane.

Great, the door's locked. Shit.

Jenny did the potty dance, until the door unlocked and man stumbled out of the bathroom. His face was greener than grass, and he had regurgitated peanuts on his left cheek. "Gross."

Locking the door behind her, Jenny struggled with her fishnet stockings and Betsey Johnson skirt before slamming her ass down onto the tiny airplane toilet. Nothing happened. "C'mon, c'mon… this can't be happening right now, damnit!" She reached for the sink and turned it on full blast.

Waterfalls, rivers, lakes, waterfalls.

Finally hearing the fine tuned trickle of urine, she smiled sheepishly. Jenny had refused to use the disgusting bathroom during their whole flight from Denver, but knew she couldn't hold it any longer. There was a quiet knock at the door that startled Jenny, causing her to jump and not only pee on the seat, but rip her fishnets all at the same time.

"Hold on a minute!" A gentle ladies voice spoke softly "I'm sorry ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to wrap it up. We're about to land and you really need to be in your seat."

Jenny wiped up the mess, and desperately pulled at her skirt. "Yeah, okay, be right out." She could still hear the woman breathing and realized she had no choice but to leave without washing her hands. This is disgusting… Jenny thought, fleeing from the prying flight attendant and returning to her seat. She pulled the seatbelt over her lap and closed her eyes. Landing was the worst part about a plane. Taking off wasn't so bad, nor was the horrible little snacks and tiny cups of ginger ale the stewardesses passed out.

Landing made her head spin and her ears pop. As the plane finally came to a stop, Jenny lurched forward, hit her head on the seat in front of her, and barfed all over her lap. Ouch… you've got to be kidding me.

Jenny sat in the airport terminal with a bag of ice held to her head by her mother. "Really mom, I'm okay… I just got a little woozy, that's all. You don't have to baby me like this. In public mom, we're in public." She knew that by arguing with her mother, she was only drawing attention to herself and making things even more embarrassing.

"Charlie will be here soon to get us, and we can get you home so you can rest. You look exhausted sweetie…" Alison brushed the hair from her daughters' eyes.

"Mom! What're you trying to say?" Jenny dug through her leather bag, searching for a mirror so she could see the kind of damage that poor person travel had inflicted on her. "Nothing honey, put the mirror away, you look fine. I'm just saying… the flight over was a long one and I know that I'm tired. You can't tell me you aren't." Alison smiled sweetly and took the compact mirror from Jenny, who yawned in return.

"Alison!" They both spun around to see a tan, dark haired man standing in the terminal, holding a sign that said Humphrey-Swan on it. Jenny eyed up the man, and laughed at the sign. What, was he some sort of every day comedian or something? "Charlie! Oh thank goodness! You won't believe what happened on the plane, poor Jenny…"

Alison ran off and Jenny sat alone, tossing the ice pack onto the seat next to her. If she got her dramatics from anyone, it was definitely her mother. A deep voice startled her. "Hey there kiddo, you alright?" Wow, kiddo… this guy is a regular chip of the ole block. Jenny scratched at the bump on her skull. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm Jenny." She extended her free hand for a shake and instead was pulled up into a bear hug. "No handshakes here, we're family now!" Jenny whimpered, causing a quick reaction in Charlie, who set her back down. "Oh! I'm so sorry… forgot you were a wounded officer. Let's get you to the car and get home so you can meet Bella."

Up until now, Jenny had forgotten about her newly inherited step sister. Bella Swan… who, according to the internet, was also a senior in school, drove an orange pick-up truck and had an incredibly sexy boyfriend. Oh the joys of google.

The drive to Forks was long and boring. Not only did Jenny have to sit in Charlie's cop car, but she also had to sit on a ferry, before doing more driving. As they came into town, rain began to pound down and lighting whipped through the sky. Jenny felt like she was in a mysterious sci-fi thriller, and the weather was affecting her mood. It was incredibly warm in the cruiser, no thanks to Charlie blasting the heat, and Jenny rolled down her window. She stuck her hand out and felt the cool rain against her skin.

"Are you sure you want to do that Jen? You felt like you had a fever earlier and I really don't need you getting sick before school starts." Alison looked back at Jenny, who shook her head. "I'm really hot mom, and the air feels good on my face." And it did, it felt incredible and smelt incredible. Brooklyn never smelt so nice; there was always trash and rat shit and other unmentionables stinking up the atmosphere. This air was fresh and crisp and clean. Jenny blinked away the little water droplets that were beginning to form on her eyelashes.

She wished it were light outside so she could make out her surroundings, but it was nearly September and daylight died down quickly. Tomorrow, Jenny thought, her eyelids getting heavy. Before she drifted off to sleep, she heard a faint howl in the wind. Jenny was too tired to make anything out of the sound, but something about it gave her a chill…