Disclaimer

Twilight and all affiliated characters are the property of Stephanie Meyer. I do not own any of the aforementioned characters except Beth and the plot of this story (that is, should it stray from the original Twilight). This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official storyline. I am not in any way, shape, or form benefiting financially from the publishing of this story on this site and am very grateful for Mrs. Meyer's creation. Besides, if I did own Twilight, I'd have been able to have a longstanding, proper sleep routine.

The thumping bass of the music reverberated through the crowded house, pulsing against Beth's eardrums like a relentless drumbeat. Each beat seemed to echo the rhythm of her racing heart, matching the erratic pace of her thoughts. She took a swig of her third beer that night, the bitter taste mingling with the scent of sweat and alcohol that hung heavy in the air. Sure, Charlie might've said she shouldn't be drinking, but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. And besides, Beth wasn't planning on getting blackout drunk, just slightly tipsy- something to get the edge off from the things that had been overtaking her mind and clogging her brain with thoughts.

The alcohol, already beginning to work its magic, sent a warm rush through her veins, dulling the edges of her anxiety. It was a familiar sensation, one she had sought out many times in another life in an attempt to drown the things that plagued her mind.

But tonight, as she stood in the midst of the chaotic party, she couldn't seem to shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her like a heavy fog. It clung to her skin, weighing her down with each passing moment, making it difficult to breathe amidst the suffocating atmosphere of the crowded house. She glanced around at the throngs of people, their faces obscured by the dim light and the haze of smoke that hung in the air. Laughter echoed off the walls, mingling with the pounding bass of the music in a cacophony of sound that only served to intensify her sense of isolation. Half of the people there probably weren't allowed to drink or smoke whatever contraband they'd gotten their hands on. To be honest, Beth was kind of surprised that the cops had yet to come and shut it all down.

She took another sip of her beer, the cool liquid sliding down her throat and momentarily soothing the raw edges of her nerves. But even as she tried to lose herself in the numbing embrace of alcohol, she couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't belong here, that she was merely a spectator in someone else's life. With a sigh, she pushed her way through the throng of partygoers, the press of bodies making her feel claustrophobic. Stepping outside onto the porch, she was greeted by the cool night air, a welcome relief from the stifling heat of the crowded house. She took a deep breath, letting the crisp night air fill her lungs as she tried to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

But even as she sat there, alone on the sidewalk, she couldn't shake the feelings that lingered like a shadow at the edge of her consciousness. It was a feeling she had become all too familiar with, a constant companion in her journey through life. As she stared out into the darkness of the sky, a sense of longing washed over her, mingling with the bitter taste of regret that lingered on her tongue. She wished, not for the first time, that things could be different, that she could find a place where she truly belonged. But deep down, she knew that such a place didn't exist, that she would always be searching for something just out of reach. And so, with a heavy heart and a half-empty beer in her hand, she resigned herself to the solitude of the night. But it seemed that whatever higher being above the ceiling (well, sky, in this case) had other plans.

The cool night air enveloped her, a welcome respite from the stifling heat of the crowded house. Beth took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill her lungs as she tried to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

When suddenly, a voice asked from behind her, "Mind if I join you?"

It was strange, then, when Beth turned to see a figure she'd never thought she'd see again. Lauren's old friend just a few feet behind her, stood Isabel, an unexpected and not entirely unwelcome figure she recognized. A moment passed, and despite the hair on the back of her neck beginning to raise in preparation of what could be a bad situation, Beth hesitated, before saying,

"...Sure."

And after another beat, Isabel joined her down by the sidewalk.

The sidewalk stretched out before them, cracked and weather-worn from years of neglect. Faint patches of grass struggled to grow between the concrete slabs, their vibrant green hues muted by the dim glow of the streetlights overhead. A slight breeze rustled through the leaves of nearby trees, carrying with it the scent of car exhaust and distant sea air.

Cars were parked haphazardly along the side of the road. Some were sleek and modern, while others showed signs of wear and tear, their paint chipped and faded from years of use.

The house itself stood slightly apart from its neighbors, its faded paint and peeling shutters a testament to its age. Despite its slightly run-down appearance, the windows were ablaze with light, casting a warm glow onto the sidewalk below. The sound of laughter and conversation drifted out through the open windows, mingling with the steady thump of bass that pulsed through the air. People moved about in clusters, their voices rising and falling in animated conversation as they made their way to the party or to throw up in some bush in Tyler's neighbors yard.

Despite the chaos of the scene before them, Beth and Isabel sat in quiet contemplation, their presence a stark contrast to the frenetic energy of the party behind them. As Isabel settled beside her, Beth couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort fluttering in the pit of her stomach.

"Why aren't you inside enjoying the party?" Isabel's voice cut through the silence, her tone casual but curious.

Beth shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flickering towards the open door of the house where the music blared and laughter echoed. " I thought I needed a little excitement in my life to distract myself a bit, but it wasn't working." she finally replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Isabel nodded in understanding, her eyes drifting upwards to the canopy of stars overhead. Beth couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as she watched Isabel's serene expression. How was it that she seemed so at ease, so effortlessly confident, while Beth felt like a fish out of water?

"I know the feeling," Isabel said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Beth couldn't help but feel a flicker of surprise at the sincerity in her tone. It was as if Isabel could see straight through her facade, straight to the heart of her insecurities.

As they sat side by side, enveloped in the quiet stillness of the night, Beth couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability creeping in. Here she was, baring her soul to a near stranger, her defenses crumbling in the face of Isabel's gentle understanding. And yet, despite her discomfort, there was a part of her that felt strangely grateful for Isabel's presence, for the glimpse of solace she offered amidst the chaos of the party.

As Beth took another sip of her beer, she felt a surge of boldness coursing through her veins, emboldened by the numbing effect of the alcohol. It was now or never, she thought. She had to ask.

"So, why are you talking to me? I mean, after everything with Lauren..." The words spilled out before she could second-guess herself, her voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

Isabel's response was immediate, her sigh heavy with resignation. "That was Lauren's grudge, not mine," she explained, her tone tinged with a hint of sadness. "Besides, I didn't really know you back then. I was too preoccupied with my own drama."

Beth nodded slowly, her mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. Relief flooded through her, mingling with a sense of disbelief. Had she really misjudged Isabel all this time? It seemed impossible, and yet, here she was, offering Beth a lifeline amidst the chaos.

As she studied Isabel's expression, Beth felt a flicker of gratitude stirring within her. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Isabel than met the eye. Beth carried on, emboldened by the liquid courage coursing through her body "Are you enjoying college life?" she asked.

Isabel let out a loud laugh, surprising Beth. "Who would?" she replied with a self depreciating giggle. "No, I've been having a hard time lately. College might not be the best fit for me, but I came because of my dad. He never got the chance to go to college and here I am, being given the opportunity and I just want to throw it all away.."

Beth studied Isabel for a moment, struck by the depth of her words. "You have an old soul," she said quietly. "You should tell them," she encouraged, nudging Isabel's knee with her own.

Then much to Beth's surprise, Isabel began to pull out her phone. "Do you really think so?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Well, I was thinking later, but-"

Isabel shook her head, placing her solo cup on the concrete beside her, "better now before I lose my nerve. Besides, they don't sleep this early anyways." It was already nearing two, Beth thought this whole thing was utterly bizarre and had to question to herself if this was really happening.

Beth watched in amazement as Isabel dialed her parents' number, her heart pounding in her chest. While the phone rang, the continuous dial tone rang throughout the air between them. Isabel turned to her and asked her to stay with her.

"Please? Just in case this goes bad?"

Once more, Beth hesitated, feeling like an intruder in such a personal moment. But she stayed nonetheless, her breath catching in her throat as she listened to Isabel's conversation with her parents. In all honesty, it could've gone better, after overhearing the heated voice of Isabel's dad coming through the phone before he undoubtedly passed the phone off to her mom, who was much calmer.

When the call ended with a quiet "I love you, Mom," Beth cheered lowly for Isabel, feeling a swell of pride in her chest. "Maybe you could catch a ride back to Forks with us," she suggested, feeling a tentative and honestly quite odd sense of kinship with Isabel.

"That'd be perfect!"

When Isabel got back from packing her things up, a clearly drunk brown haired boy, wearing dark jeans and a blue button down randomly stumbled out from some nearby bushes. His face was contorted in discomfort, having clearly either just thrown up or just woke up from a tumble with the begonias .

Isabel's eyes widened in alarm, and she called out to him, her voice piercing through the night air.

"Oh my gosh, Bear!" Isabel exclaimed, her tone a mixture of concern and exasperation. "Are you okay?"

The boy in question turned towards them, his expression sheepish as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he mumbled, his words slightly slurred. "Just had a bit too much to drink, you know?"

Isabel rushed over to him, her steps unsteady as she reached out to pat his back in a clumsy attempt at comfort. "Do you want some water?," she asked, her voice tinged with urgency.

"Nah," the boy, 'Bear' replied, rubbing the back of his neck before taking a seat on the grass. Beth stood off to the side, hoping to catch sight of Mike's beat up Prado, and the boy in question leaned against it, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Oh, right," Isabel facepalmed, "Bear, this is Beth. She's from Forks, like me." The brown haired girl pointed out, gesturing to the other girl who stood rather awkwardly watching the interaction take place. "Beth, this is Riley. We go- well, went- to U-o-W together."

"Wait, what?" Riley asked, eyebrows cinching, "We go to school together, right now. What do you mean, 'went'?"

And Isabel was sheepish as she explained the entire situation.

The boy's expression changed, eyes blowing wide in an exaggerated expression of shock, no doubt fueled by the amount of drinks the lanky boy had that night. And in truth, his cheeks were flush with a red hue that crawled beneath the collar of his now crumpled and stained button down shirt.

"Well, shit." He muttered, and then took notice of the two large bags beside Isabel. "You're leaving tonight?" He asked with a thin layer of skepticism, but the girl only nodded, a sad smile gracing her lips as she conversed with who seemed to be one of her good friends. The three spoke for a while, before Mike, the DD (who'd pulled the short straw on the ride over), walked out, towing a loudly complaining Jessica and an equally drunk Eric Yorkie by the shirt..

"But we didn't even get to say goodbye to Tyler!" Jessica yowled from her spot, looking dangerously close to falling to the ground and taking Mike and Eric with her.

"Yep," Beth affirmed, "that's our queue."

Mike finally caught sight of her then, flinging her pleading glance and gesturing to Eric who crumbled, face first into the grass when Jessica began her re-enactment of the Titanic with an all too unwilling Mike Newton. She grimaced, before rushing over, leaving Isabel and Riley to hug once more before she gathered her bags to place them in the car. Thankfully and blessedly, Mike had no issues with another passenger tagging along, as long as Isabel assisted with getting the two most drunk people off of Tyler's grass and into his car.