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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗

𝐉𝐎𝐆𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐒𝐍'𝐓 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐓 normally finds herself doing. She has never been one of those people who woke up at the brick of dawn and immediately decided that instead of drinking coffee and being a miserable morning person like a normal human being, she'll put on running shoes and sweats and go for a jog before the sun was fully up.

Alex used to jog all the time, always had since she was a baby. He was fifteen years old when she was born and he loved escaping in the morning because he knew that is when their father would be at his moodiest. For as long as Bridget can remember, though her memory with anything before she was five or six years old is very blurry, Alex would leave early in the morning to jog before heading to school, leaving Bridget with a Nanny.

But no matter how hard things got, Alex always found time to go for a quick jog. Especially when they were on the run, living under aliases, Alex always left at six in the morning almost everyday when he could. Bridget once asked him why he jogged so much. What kept him motivated, even as years went by and he got older and older? Alex's words still hit her hard to this day.

"Life can be a lot to handle at times. But we all need that special thing to escape to. Most people use jogging as an excuse to think through their problems... I do it to forget about them. It calms me. Makes me feel free. Everyone should do something that makes them feel that way."

Bridget thinks about that a lot and she understood his meaning instantly. That is what playing violin does for her. Bridget has many hobbies, but nothing could ever compare to how she feels when she plays her violin. It is freeing, just like jogging was freeing to Alex. He never let anything stop him, especially aging or his bad hip. Even when his jogging turned into simple walking. Alex Flores never let life get in the way of doing something he loved, not until the day he died.

Which is why Bridget found her turning down the path in the woods. Jogging helped her feel closer to her big brother, especially when she was missing him the most and was in a dark place.

Carlisle had warned her not to go too far before she left. Last week they informed her that there are nomad vampires in the area, they killed a beloved man of this town which was ruled as an animal attack. The fear Bridget felt at this news was undeniable and Carlisle knew that. He told her that nomads never stay in the same place for too long and they will pass, but if it becomes more of a problem, they will have to step in.

Bridget wasn't sure if that was supposed to make her feel better. There are vampires out there, actual blood thirsty murders that kill humans to survive. Not all of them are like the Cullens, trying to coexist with the humans and attempt to live normal lives as best as they possibly can. Carlisle said that Alice is keeping an eye on their movements, but still made sure Bridget knew to not go too far. She did not need to be told twice. She was making her way back to the house at this moment.

It has been a week since Bridget started school on the reservation and everything seems to be going great. Much to her relief, the constant stares have dialed down a bit and no one really bothered her, which is what she preferred. She gave off the loner vibe pretty well and the other students seem to take the hint. It was now Saturday afternoon, she didn't start work until later tonight so she had to find things to keep her busy. And since she was regretfully avoiding the beach, jogging was the next best thing.

Bridget hated that she was avoiding her favorite place in the whole world. She never missed the opportunity to go lay on the sand, reading or writing in her journal. She just feared if she was there, she'd run into Sam and that was the last thing she wanted to do.

She can't exactly get that interaction with Sam out of her head on Monday and the way he reacted when she told him about living with the Cullens. It was the first time in a little over four decades that she opened up to someone who wasn't the Cullens, and she doesn't really do that that often. She is not even sure why she did it in the first place. It went against everything she told herself not to do. Do not bond with anyone. Do not make friends. Do not get attached.

But for some reason, Bridget told Sam about her troubles with school and her feelings about the Cullens. At least, she was going to until he freaked out on her and stormed away. He looked so... angry for some reason. She didn't know what she said to him or what got him so upset, but it was an eye opener for her because it made her realize why she sets these strict rules and why she can't have friends. Because she will end up hurt and damn it, she was hurt by Sam's reaction. It was rude and dismissive.

Two days afterwards when Bridget went back to the beach, she was only there for an hour before she heard Sam calling out to her. Bridget only spared him a brief look before immediately gathering her book and blanket and going back to her car. Sam seemed to take the hint and did not follow her, just went back to his friends who were there with him. Now she was avoiding the beach in the chance she would run into him again.

Did that make her a coward? Yes, it did. But she has gotten used to being one. Every time she has run away from someone who she might like enough to want to be friends with made her a coward. She is better off alone. She always has been and always will be, no matter how much she hates it or how bad her depression gets and honestly, it can get pretty bad.

Which is why she is jogging. Whenever she was starting to feel weak and defeated, whenever she felt the need to give up and stop fighting, she would do things to make her feel connected to her brother. Because Alex was her reason to keep going. The promise she made to him repeated in her head on a constant loop. Sometimes it is very hard to keep that promise, which is why she did things to make her feel closer to him. Jogging or writing to him or watching 'Psycho', Alex's favorite movie of all time.

They saw it in the theaters about seven times.

The house came into view as well as Esme who had pulled up to the front door and not the house and was loading paper bags of what looks like groceries. Frowning, Bridget comes to a holt in front of the vehicle and pulls out her headphones, wrapping them around the back of her neck to hang off her shoulder. "Hey, Esme. Do you need help?"

The brunette female smiled at the blonde brightly. "That is so sweet. Yes, I would appreciate it. There is only one more bag."

Bridget grabbed the brown bag from the back seat and closed the door, following Esme inside and towards the kitchen. She peeked inside and noticed fresh basil and garlic and a couple other vegetables and spices, especially stuff they already have since Bridget is the only one who buys groceries and is the only one who uses them, which brought so many more questions.

"You can just set it down on the counter," Esme instructed, to which Bridget complied and placed the heavy bag on the counter.

"What is all this stuff? You suddenly realize you can eat human food or something?"

Esme chuckled and started unloading the bags. "Edward invited Bella over tonight to meet everyone officially and we decided to make her a nice dinner for her."

"Correction, you decided to do that." Rosalie states, joining them in the kitchen with Emmett close behind her.

Bridget was more stunned by the fact that Bella Swan was coming over here then anything else. Not even the fact that vampires who haven't touched the kitchen since long before they turned were going to attempt to cook a whole meal.

Bridget has managed to keep her head out of the whole situation with Edward and Bella, mainly because she couldn't get over her anger towards the idiot since that fight they had last week. It was bad enough that they were publicly 'dating' now but now he was getting her more involved by inviting her over here. Honestly she should have suspected it. Neither Edward nor Bella can see the logic of the fact that their relationship is pretty much insane.

Selfishly, Bridget can't help but worry about what Edward has told Bella about her situation. Edward clearly stated that he respected her enough not to tell Bella her secret, but they haven't exactly spoken since their little quarrel so who knows what he told her. Bella seemed to be the type to ask a lot of questions so she has definitely asked him. Bridget is not even sure if she cares that he told her or not.

Okay, that is a lie. She cares. She has spent decades running from law enforcement, living under aliases and isolating herself to keep this secret. That thought that Edward just simply told Bella without her consent boils her blood to the bone.

"I didn't."

Bridget jumped suddenly at the sound of Edward's voice as he walked into the kitchen, staring straight at the blonde with a neutral expression. She glared up at him, annoyed that he once again was invading her thoughts but his words seemed to calm her anger a tad bit.

"What didn't you do?" Esme asked, looking up at her son.

Edward never tore his gaze from Bridget. "I didn't tell Bella anything about you. I meant what I said, that is not my secret to tell. All she knows is you are a guest who stays with us for reasons she will learn if you and you alone decide to tell her."

Bridget felt immediate relief and a bit of gratitude. "Thank you, Edward. I appreciate that."

Edward simply nodded before turning towards Esme with an annoyed look. "Esme, seriously? I told you not to do this."

"You invited Bella over to meet us and we can't be rude and not at least make her dinner."

"It's really unnecessary." Edward stated annoyingly. If Bridget didn't know better, she'd say he was a bit embarrassed. It was amusing, to say the least.

"Hush," Esme said, patting his cheek and pulling out the pots and pans from the cabinet. "Rosalie, can you start the salad please?"

The blonde vampire's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? I don't even want her here and now I have to cater to her?"

"Rosalie," Esme said firmly. "We will not be disrespectful to guests in this house. When Bella comes, you better be on your best behavior."

Rosalie knew she was in a losing battle and grabbed the tomatoes and a knife from the drawer. Bridget, realizing she was about to cut on the countertop and immediately grabbed her wooden cutting board and handed it to her friend. "Thanks," Rosalie muttered under her breath.

"Uh, Rosalie," Bridget immediately stopped her before she started cutting. "You should really wash them before you cut them."

Rosalie narrowed her eyes at the blonde but Bridget just held her hands up and back away. "With that, I'm going to leave you all to cook. Good luck."

"Wait, where are you going?" Rosalie called out in a panic.

"I have to shower and get ready for work in a couple hours."

Rosalie immediately put her knife down and grabbed Bridget's arm, pulling her towards the staircase and away from the kitchen. "You can't leave me. You are probably the only one I can stand to be around at this moment."

Bridget knew Rosalie wasn't purposely trying to conceal that information from everyone since they could all hear her. It wasn't the first time she was annoyed with her family and only felt comfortable with Bridget. The two shared a lot of the same opinions and when it comes to the whole Bella situation, they were definitely on the same page.

"Rose, I can't miss work."

"Please, I'll do anything. Is it money? I'll pay you to help me cook this dinner and not leave me. Just don't leave me." Rosalie has never been one to beg, which is why Bridget knew she was serious. But the thing is, this is the last place she wants to be, especially 'meeting' Bella if you can technically call meeting her if you already know who she is and have talked to her before.

"You know I won't take money from you." Bridget reminded her, something she has said many, many times in the past eight years they've known each other.

Rosalie groaned and sighed. "Can I come to work with you?"

Her question wasn't meant to be funny but Bridget couldn't stop herself from chuckling. "Unfortunately you can't just hang around at the restaurant. Saturday's they are extremely busy. And it's reservation only."

Rosalie threw her head back and groaned loudly on purpose so everyone knew she was frustrated. "I absolutely hate Edward right now."

"Thanks Rose," Edward called from the kitchen, clearly listening to the entire conversation just like the rest were.

"Shut up." Rosalie snapped back, before turning towards her friend with a desperate look.

"I'm sorry, Rosalie."

"No you're not. You're thrilled you don't have to be here."

Bridget couldn't deny that she was correct. "True, but I am sorry."

"I know," Rosalie mumbled just as Esme called her back to the kitchen to help. "Wish me luck."

Bridget watched as Rosalie went back to the kitchen and she let out a heavy sigh. She most definitely could have called out of work if she wanted to, mainly because she never called out for anything so she wouldn't really be getting into any trouble with the boss. But the thought of being with Bella for an awkward family dinner for only two people? No, that is not something she is willing to do.

So Bridget goes to take a shower and get ready for work, happy she offered to work the night shift tonight.

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𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 her shift and Bridget was ready for a break. Mainly because it was so busy tonight and the fact that the orchestra has to play the same ten songs can get very boring after a while. Bridget knows this is a very socificated and fancy place, but damn there is other classical music out there besides Mozart and Beethoven.

When Helen, the conductor, dismissed everyone for the band's thirty minute break, Bridget was thrilled. She puts her violin in her case and is prepared to spend her break outside, eating the sandwich she packed with her. Normally everyone spends their break in their cars or in the back in the break room, but Bridget always preferred to sit outside whenever she could. It was not raining, so it was a perfect day for it.

She is currently on 'Voyager' in the Outlander series. She read through 'Dragonfly in Amber' fairly quickly and was excited to be on 'Voyager', mainly because it was her favorite in the series by far. She is so excited for 'A Breath of Snow and Ashes' which is coming out on September 27th of this year. Jamie and Claire's adventure continues.

Bridget was sitting outside for ten minutes, already finished her sandwich and was working on some peanut butter crackers she packed as well and was so entranced in her book that she didn't notice the two figures that approached her until a familiar voice said her name. "Bridget?"

Bridget glanced up and was taken back seeing Sam standing before her. Honestly she almost did not recognize him because he was dressed in a white collared shirt tucked into his black dress pants secured with a brown leather belt. He was not wearing a matching jacket, but mainly because it was draped over the shoulders of the woman standing next to him. She was gorgeous, wearing a forest green dress that went down to her ankles, top with silver strap heels. She had matching copper skin like Sam and long, straight black hair.

Something that really stuck out of Bridget were the three long scars that went across the left side of her face, but despite them, she was still a very beautiful woman. This is clearly Emily, Sam's fiancé he talked to fondly about.

After the brief moment of shock wore off, Bridget bookmarked her page and sat up straight. "Sam. Hi."

Sam looked awkward and didn't know what else to say. Emily seemed to sense this and stepped in, holding out her hand. "Hi, I'm Emily."

Bridget got to her feet and shook the woman's hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Bridget."

"I know. I've heard great things about you."

Bridget was taken back. "You have?"

Emily smiled kindly. "Well, you are the reason we actually just had an amazing dinner tonight, so that's pretty great in my opinion."

Oh right, the voucher. That makes more sense now.

"Right. Well, I'm glad you both enjoyed it."

A bit of awkward silence fell between them and Bridget tried hard to think of something to say, but honestly she really didn't have anything to say. She was avoiding him for a reason and here he was, before her and it's not like she can just walk away now, not if she wants to be rude to Emily like he was to her.

"We saw you performing in there with the band. You are very talented." Sam finally says, trying to break the silence.

"Thank you."

Emily nudged Sam with her elbow before clearing her throat. "Well, it was very nice to meet you, Bridget. Thank you again for your kind gift. I'm going to go wait in the car."

Emily didn't give either of them time to respond before she turned and headed towards the parking lot, leaving Sam with Bridget on purpose. Bridget turned to the male and gave an awkward smile. "Emily seems very lovely."

"Yeah, she's amazing." He said without hesitation which caused the blonde to smile for real. "Listen, I owe you an apology about the way I acted the other day."

"No, you don't. It's fine."

"It's not fine. I was very rude and you didn't deserve that." Sam explains, motioning for the both of them to sit down on the bench which she obliges. "I understand why you didn't want to speak to me after that."

"I appreciate that." Bridget knew she should just accept his apology and move on, but she felt herself compelled to ask the thing that has been bothering her. "Can I ask what exactly got you so angry?"

Sam sighed. "It's hard to explain."

Bridget raised her brow. "Like how it was hard to explain why you yelled at me on the beach when we first met?"

"Yes," Sam answered honestly. "It's the Cullens. I just get a bad vibe from them. When you said you live with them, I got angry because I don't trust them."

Bridget frowned in confusion. "But you don't even know them."

Sam simply shrugged. "Like I said, it's hard to explain."

"Alright," Bridget said, taking the reason to mean it was none of her business and glimpsed down at her watch. "I need to head back inside, my break is almost over."

"Yeah, of course." Sam said, the two getting up. "I'll see you on the beach?"

Bridget nodded hesitantly. "I promise I won't ignore you this time."

Sam chuckled and started making his way towards the parking lot when he paused and turned back. "We are having a party tomorrow for Emily's birthday at our place. There is going to be lots of food, drinks and it's basically just family and close friends. You should come."

Bridget crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head at the male across from her. "You're inviting me to a private party for your fiance? You don't know me that well."

"I know you well enough. Em won't mind and you already met Jared and Paul and Kim. There will be a few other people but you won't be intruding or anything."

Bridget was lost for words. She has been invited to plenty of parties and events in the past and she always had an easy excuse up her sleeve. In any other situation, she would have already declined. But for some reason, she found herself stuck and she isn't all that sure why. Maybe it was the fact that she woke up this morning not wanting to get out of bed. Maybe it was the fact that she didn't have the energy to read a book or play the violin. Maybe it's the fact that she had to mentally force herself to go for that run this morning in order to feel that connection to her brother so it would help her not go into her depressive state.

Being stuck young and beautiful forever is every young person's fantasy. But the constant fear of what someone would do if they discovered her unnatural phenomenon. The fear of actually befriending and getting close to someone only to lose them with time. It was the worst feeling in the world. Bridget always said time is her greatest enemy but fear might just trump it. She wants to protect herself from the pain and suffering, yet in order to achieve that she makes herself feel so much worse by isolating herself.

She was so lonely it made her want to cry.

Which is why she couldn't really give Sam an answer right there and then. Every reasoning in her head told her to decline his offer. To go to the library like she does every morning then maybe take a trip to the beach and read or even try some more ballet. To stick to the safest option and not set herself up for pain and heartache.

But then the longing set in and all she wanted was to interact with people who are not the Cullens. People who don't make her feel uncomfortable or nervous. Sam seemed like a good man and so does his fiance. They seemed like good people.

Finally, after the mental fight in her head, Bridget brushed the piece of her hair that hung out of her bun behind her ear. "Can I think about it?"

Sam smiled and nodded. "Yeah, definitely. Um, if you decide to come, we are meeting at First Beach at noon for a soccer game before heading over to the house for food. We'll be there for an hour, so it's totally up to you."

Bridget gave a timid nod and a small smile. "Okay. Thanks."

The two went their separate ways, Bridget back into the restaurant and Sam towards his truck where Emily was waiting patiently for him. Climbing into the driver's seat, Sam started the truck just as Emily turned to him with a questionable look. "Well?"

"She said she's going to think about it."

"Well, that's good. At least you got her to think about it."

Sam rubbed his face tiredly and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt. "I know. But the Elders really want to meet her."

"And you really don't understand why they want to meet her so badly?"

Sam just shook his head. "Harry said that they don't want to assume anything unless they are a hundred precent certain."

"Hundred percent certain on what though?" Emily mumbled, more to herself then to her fiancé but Sam responded anyway.

"I have no idea."

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Sorry this one is kind of boring. I don't know if I've mentioned this before but part one is going to be very short compare to the other parts. Things don't really start picking up for Paul and Bridget until New Moon so I'm just trying to work around the first movie by involving Bridget in the drama with Bella and the Cullens but not really involving her if that makes sense. This is one of those 'trust the process' kind of chapters.

Hoped you guys enjoyed!