American Honey Chapter 1

Prologue

She grew up on a side of the road

Where the church bells ring and strong love grows

She grew up good

She grew up slow

Like American honey

Steady as a preacher

Free as a weed

Couldn't wait to get goin

'But wasn't quite ready to leave

So innocent, pure and sweet

American honey

There's a wild, wild whisper

Blowin' in the wind

Callin' out my name like a long lost friend

Oh I miss those days as the years go by

Oh nothing's sweeter than summertime

And American honey

Get caught in the race

Of this crazy life

Tryin' to be everything can make you lose your mind

I just wanna go back in time

To American honey, yea

There's a wild, wild whisper

Blowin' in the wind

Callin' out my name like a long lost friend

Oh I miss those days as the years go by

Oh nothing's sweeter than summertime

And American honey

Gone for so long now

I gotta get back to her somehow

To American honey

Ooh There's a wild, wild whisper

Blowin' in the wind

Callin' out my name like a long lost friend

Oh I miss those days as the years go by

Oh nothin's sweeter than summertime

And American honey

And American honey

American Honey- Lady Antebellum

Chapter 1

"Bree did you send in the spread for the Gruel account" I asked my assistant as she stepped into my office.

"Yes Ms. Swan." she answered. I rolled my eyes.

"Bree, how many times must I tell you to call me Bella?" I moaned. Bree was ten years older than me and yet she still felt the need to call me ‘Miss Swan’. She looked at me sheepishly. I took her silence as a sign for me to continue.

"How about this, why don't you just leave? Everyone's gone, and it's summer time." I smiled at her.

"I don't know." she said hesitantly.

"Bree go." I pushed. She was really sweet and a hard worker; she needed the break.

"Are you sure? I'll feel like I'm useless." She responded. I shook my head.

"Well to ease your worries how about you type up that report for me and then you're free to go."

"Thanks Ms. Sw-…" she stopped when I glared at her.

"I mean Bella." she said and I laughed, waving her out.

She closed the door behind her. I slid down in my seat resting my legs on the desk. I was tired, and my feet ached from my 4 inch death traps. It felt like I was working for hours on end when in reality it was just two in the afternoon, but it was all worth it. At age 28, I had done a tremendous amount of work to get to the top.

It all started with my mom's decision to leave Tennessee when I was seventeen. We lived in a small town called Myersville. Myersville was located in the smack dab of nowhere and was home to a measly population of 3,145 citizens where everyone knew everybody and everything. I spent those years of my life there with my parents, friends, and grandfather.

My dad had been killed the year before in the line of fire. That left me, my mom and my grandfather; "Poppy" as everyone called him all alone. Once my dad died, I looked to Poppy as my second father. He was one of the most important men in my life. Of course my mom saw this as the perfect opportunity to leave Myersville, especially in the midst of my junior year. Having no choice but to leave, we moved to Los Angeles leaving my friends, extended family, and my beloved Poppy behind.

At first, I was angry at my mother for making us leave, but I couldn't regret it because I wouldn't be where I am, if it weren't for her decision. The only thing I do regret was not visiting my Poppy and my friends. I hadn't seen any of them since I left those years ago and I terribly missed them all. I had all the opportunity in the world to visit them, but life always ended up getting in the way.

Even my mom moved back after a few years of coercing, but I was too stubborn to leave my new home.

As soon as I had graduated college, I started applying for jobs that were looking for editors.

The first year was the hardest. I sent résumés to countless places which usually ended with the same results.

 "I'm sorry; you're just not what we're looking for." I couldn't blame them either. I was 21, young, naïve, and plain. I had brown hair, brown eyes and a thick southern accent. To them I was just some southerner, who was trying to make it big in the city. I was gladly ready to throw in the towel and relent to going home and that was when I met Galen.

Galen was my knight in shining honor with his sun kissed skin and hazel eyes. I had met him in a coffee shop one day filling in yet another application when he approached me. He worked as a photographer for Vogue magazine and told me that they were looking for an assistant to work under their current editor. I jumped at the opportunity and was able to intern until I got the job. I was so happy that I got the job that Galen actually had to go to the emergency room, because I had bruised his ribs from hugging him so hard. The first couple of months were rough, but soon working at Vogue became one of the best things to happen to me in my life. Working at Vogue though, had to come at a price. I had to change myself in the process. With the help of Galen and my co-workers, I was introduced to designer clothing, highlights, heels and I managed to mask my southern accent.

Galen and I had been dating for a while, and I was convinced that he was going to propose any day now. After working five years at Vogue, I found out the current editor was retiring and had offered me the job to take her place. I still wasn’t the senior editor, but I at least I would get my own floor and assistant. I eagerly accepted the job and rushed home to tell Galen the good news.

I nearly killed myself in my haste to get home. I bounded up the numerous stairs to our apartment and opened the door. I called out his name numerous times, but he didn’t answer. That’s when I heard the soft moaning coming from our bedroom.

Galen had claimed to be under the weather lately and being the naïve person that I am, feared he was moaning in pain. Opening the door and fearing the worst, there lay Galen in our bed not moaning from agony, but in sheer pleasure with another man. To say I was shocked was the understatement of the century. After nearly 5 years of being together, he cheats on me with a man. I mean I have nothing against homosexuality, but when your so called love of your life cheats on you with a man, it’s a hit to a girl’s self-esteem.

Let's just say that day ended with me having a migraine the size of Texas, and trying to fight the urge not to go Lorena Bobbitt on his ass. I quickly left and over the next few days, had to slowly build back up my confidence.

It took me a while to build myself up and I honestly thought I was fine until I had a mini breakdown and started wondering if I was good enough for any man.

 That was three years ago, and long story short I don't date. I knew I wasn't ugly, but that made me choosy when it came to guys, wondering if they only wanted me because the thought I looked good, or if they actually cared for my personality.

I was at a dry spell, and as much as I hate to admit it, I loved sex, and not having it for a while had definitely made me a prude. I could go out a pick up any prick, but I was not that girl. I was constantly agitated and there were only a few people in the office that I could tolerate; Bree being one of them. These were one of the moments when I wished I were back in Myersville.

I had just laid my head against my arms when I heard my door open and Bree's head pop in.

"Bella, I finished the report." Bree said timidly.

"Thank you so much. Now go get off your feet. Go tell that husband of yours I say hello and give your son a big sloppy kiss from his Auntie Bella." I grinned.

"Thank you. By the way, someone left a message for you. They said it was urgent and when I asked what the issue was, they claimed it was a private matter. The woman left a message for you. "Bree rendered, before waving goodbye.

"I’ll get to it. Enjoy your weekend." I smiled genuinely at her. Curiosity bubbled in my stomach and panic ushered itself into my head. What was wrong? Was it my mom? I hadn’t talked to my mom in a while and she would just call my cell phone if it was important. She was currently on one of her spontaneous trips to Jacksonville, doing god knows what. She was definitely flighty, but I loved the woman.

Taking a deep breath, I hit play on my answering machine and laid my head back down against my arms.

"I really hope I am talking to the right Bella Swan, I don't know…. I might be silly for even trying, but you may not remember me. I'm Esme Cullen: Alice, Edward, and Emmett's mother. I couldn't reach anyone and this was the only listing I could find, I'm sorry for interrupting you at your job….. I'm sorry I'm rambling, but your grandfather suffered a heart attack this morning. Your mother would have called herself, but she’s a little out of it right now and trying to find a way to get back down here. Um, he’s in critical condition and right now we don't know what's happening. I just thought you should know. I mean this is probably not even you… Just please Honey Bee...” she mumbled before hanging up.

My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach and the ringing in my ears amplified as I tried to even out my breathing. The old nickname he would call me seemed to echo off the walls. It just made it seem even more real.

 My Poppy had suffered a heart attack. The joyous, boisterous man that was a second father to me was probably in agony and scared in the darkness of his mind. I wasn't even aware of the tears free falling down my face until I felt something wet splash against the report Bree had typed up.

I sat there for a few more minutes trying to get myself together, when I saw a text from my mother pop up on my phone.

Get your but back to Myersville Bee. B back as soon as I can find a flight. Luv you!-Mom

I sighed. Her text had only solidified my exact thoughts. I had to go back home.

Hurrying up to find my laptop, I quickly searched various air times to see which flight would get me there faster. Luckily a plane left in hour and I realized I had no time to pack. Booking the last seat they had left, I grabbed my phone and messenger bag before locking up. Luckily I had all my credit cards on me and at least 500 dollars in cash.

Rushing out the door, I headed to my car and broke probably every traffic law to man. Soon, I arrived at the airport and jumped out of my car, not even bothering to check it in. I could have cared less if it was towed or not.

Bumping along passengers along the way, I managed to make it as soon as they were about close the doors. Entirely out of breath, I managed to make it to my seat before I collapsed.

The other passengers were looking at me like I was crazy. Heck, I probably looked the part.

My bun had come out of its twist; my wavy tresses halfway falling down my back. My heels felt like the were embedded to the back of my ankles, and even my black penciled skirt suddenly felt too tight and hot for me to wear. The flight was to be at least seven and a half hours since we had two connections and I anxiously waited till we took off and landed. All I could think of was my Poppy and hoped that he was okay. Tonight at 10 o clock and after eleven years of being away, I would be returning to the one place I thought I left and the people I once knew and loved.  I just hoped that this trip was worth it.