I'm sitting at the kitchen table doing my homework-as I always do-while my mom and dad are watching the six o'clock news in the living room, when the phone rings. My mom goes to answer it as my dad watches the highlights from the baseball game. I can hear her talking in the hall, she sounds excited. I wonder what it's about.

Hummmm….maybe it has something to do with the new doctor at the hospital?

My mom is a secretary at Forks General Hospital. This new doctor just started working there and all the nurses are crazy for him…. or at least that what my mom says. I hear her hang up and go back into the living room to talk to my dad. Now, my dad is not one to get excited over much or make a big deal of anything, so to hear him sound just as excited as mom is a shocker! They both come in to the kitchen to talk to me.

This must be big!

Mom sits across the table from me, but dad just leans against the counter beside the sink.

"Are you done doing your homework, honey?" she asks me.

"Almost." I nod.

"Well, you can finish later? We need to talk to you," she says placing her hand over mine.

I shove my papers into my folder. "Okay." I look back and forth between them. "What is it?"

"The Cullen's invited us to dinner this weekend."

"The Cullen's?"

"The new doctor at the hospital. That was his wife – Esme. She's a very sweet woman! We talked for a long time yesterday. Oh, and she even has a daughter your age. Isn't that great?"

"Esme?" What a weird name. "What's the doctor's name?"

"Carlisle. Their little girl's name is Alice. She's seven so she'll be in your class when they start school. They have two older sons: Edward, who is nine, and Emmett, he's fourteen. They have twin foster kids that have been living with them for about three years now, too."

"Wow, but why is this a big deal?"

"He's a doctor, honey," she says, like that should explain everything.

"I know," I told her even though it sounds like a question.

"I guess what I'm saying is, when you come home Friday, I want to do your hair and you put on your best dress with no fussing."

"Okay, no fighting, promise."

"Thank you, sweetie." She turns to dad. "This means you're going to have to dig up your old suit, Charlie."

I throw my folder into my backpack, jump off the stool, and walk to the stairs. I'm half way up when I hear him humph and say something like, "stupid monkey suit". I giggle all the way to my room. Later in the night I don't sleep well, though I'm not sure why.

My mom was like the energizer bunny all week, always going! I assumed it had to do with this weekend. She took me shopping Thursday after school for a new dress….or should I say a dress. I haven't worn a dress since I was four and I'd rather not, but she's all worked up over this, so I'll do it for her. My dad, who was looking forward to this on Tuesday, seemed to dread it by Thursday night. He couldn't fit into the old suit so he had to go shopping with us. I hate to shop and even more than that I hate to shop for dresses with my mom. No matter how much I beg or whine, she makes me try on at least twenty dresses. Ugh!! But I think my dad may just hate it more than I do. Poor guy, after trying on fifteen different suits mom, decided that none of them were right and we had to go to another store for him to try on dress shirts and pants which would "just have to work".

So, Friday is a normal day until I walk into my usually quite house. But instead, I hear my mom yelling at dad to get his butt in gear or we'll be late. I go upstairs to find my mom in the bathroom, rollers in her hair, make-up all over the counter, and trying her hardest not to fall and get into her little black dress at the same time.

"Oh, hey, honey. I'm glad you're here! Would you zip my dress please?"

I walk into the female product chaos we call a bathroom, zip up her dress, and try to hurry up and get out of there before she turns some of this stuff on me.

Right before I shut the door she says, "Bella, you need to get in the shower so I can do your hair."

Dang, I almost got away.

She leaves the bathroom so I can take my shower, but as soon as I turn the water off, she's in here again telling me to go put on my dress and hurry back. I get back to the bathroom and she puts me down in a chair to do my hair. First, she blow dries it straight then takes a curling iron to it to give me tight little - as I like to call them - Shirley Temple curls, but longer. I sit there for at least twenty minutes, having her pull and tug at my hair.

This is one thing I hate more than shopping!

She's finally done and sends me back to my room for my shoes while she does her make-up. I grab my new white sandals from my closet, put them on, and look in my mirror. Not bad, I guess. Simple brown dress with little tan flowers and white eyelet lace trim. I meet my dad at the bottom of the stairs to wait on Mom. He's wearing a dark blue button-up, khakis, brown dress shoes, and a slightly uncomfortable smile. My mom comes down the stairs looking beautiful as always, wearing a little black dress that stops just below her knees, flutter sleeves, empire waist, and a V-neck.

"It's already six. We need to go!" My mom hates to be late more than Dad and I hate shopping. We get into the car and head to the Cullen's house.

I think we're almost there…..

We're outside of Forks - surrounded by trees, I say we're lost, but then dad sees a part in the trees. It looks like a drive way, it is…..then a mailbox that reads Cullen. We found it! Dad turns the car into the drive way and that's when I see, possibly, the biggest house I'd ever seen: three stories, huge, and I see that some of the walls are replaced with glass.

"Wow!" we all say at the same time, which makes my mom and I laugh.

We finally park right outside of a three car garage; we get out and go up to the door. I take a deep breath as dad knocks on the door.

A handsome blonde man answers the door. "Hey, you must me the Swans. Come in, please."

We all walk in and are greeted by a beautiful, auburn haired women in a gorgeous purple satin dress.

"Renee, I'm so happy to see you again! Come in, come in! Sit! Would you like anything to drink?"

We walk in some more and see the living room with glass walls, two white couches, and a big screen TV.

"Kids, the Swans are here!" Esme, I'm assuming, yells up the stairs.

First, I see a girl my age come down the stairs, Alice, I suppose. She runs right to me and hugs me.

"I just know we'll be best friends!" she says, jumping up and down and clapping her hands together.

Then I see a tall, strong looking boy as he comes down the stairs and stands behind the girl.

"Sorry about her. She's the only nut case in the family. She's not used to having friends, you'll have to forgive her," he says, smirking and patting the tiny girl on the head.

"Enough, Emmett!" Esme scolds.

I watch as three more kids come down the stairs to join us. Two more blondes, the twins, but the boy in the middle stood out, his hair an odd bronze color.

"Isabella, this is Alice," Esme said, pointing to the tiny, black haired girl, then to the big guy next to her. "And Emmett." She gestures over to the twins. "That's Jasper and Rosalie." The boy stopped next to Alice as Esme introduced everyone. "And that is Edward."

Edward, Edward, wow!

Everyone is staring at me.

Oh, I'm supposed to talk aren't I?

I blush bright red and Emmett laughs at me.

"Hi," I say.

This is what my brilliant brain came up with?

Even the adults laugh a little at that, though they try to cover it. The girl, Esme said was Rosalie, snorts and shakes her blonde head. The adults go to the kitchen to talk.

"Well, you kids have fun. I have more important things to do," Rosalie says.

She grabs a little leather jacket by the door and walks out with Emmett following after her.

Alice sighs. "I keep telling them they should be together, but they won't believe me. Emmett gets all jealous when she goes out and she does the same thing with him but no one will listen to me. They think I'm crazy."

Emmett comes back in looking really sad. Jasper goes over to him.

"Hey, I know! Why don't we all go outside?" Alice says cheerfully.

Jasper and Emmett nod in agreement.

She turns to Edward and says, "I already know you're going. Isabella?"

"Sure, but, um, call me Bella."

She runs to the door, throws it open and runs out into the yard. Emmett and Jasper follow suit, which leaves me standing in the middle of the room with Edward. I look over at him; he bows his head and gestures for me to go first. I walk outside and sit on the porch to watch the other kids run around.

"Come on, Bella. We're playing tag!" Alice squeals excitedly.

There was no use trying to fight her as she pulls me up off the step and over to the group. She may be tiny but man is she strong! So, I play tag with them for while until I look over and Edward is going in the house. Alice sees, too, and tells me to go get him. I hop up the steps on the porch and dash through the front door.

"Edward!" I yell into the house.

I see him talking to Esme in the kitchen. Uh-oh, she looks mad. Edward hands her a phone and she walks up stairs angrily, punching numbers. He walks to me, or actually past me and back outside without saying a word.

Huh, I guess he doesn't like me or something.

He sits down on the same step I was on earlier, so I sit next to him.

"Hi." I say.

"Hello." Edward answers.

He looks at me for just a second but long enough for me to tell he has the brightest green eyes.

"You have really pretty eyes."

Oh my god!! Why did I just say that out loud?

"Th-thank you," he stutters.

"Um, yeah. I guess I'll go see what they're up to?"

I stood up, but he caught my arm and pulled me back down.

"You don't have to. I mean, I'm not trying to run you off, if you just want to sit here," he says to me, but still trying to avoid looking me in the eye.

"Okay. I tend to fall a lot when I run, so I'm not really into sports or anything."

Too much information there, Bella.

"I could tell." He crookedly smiles, which I found adorable.

I guess I made a face because he looked worried all of a sudden.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I just," He keeps going on but I cut him off.

"It's okay. It's no big deal; at least you're not like Emmett and making fun of me for it."

"Did he?" Edward shakes his head in disappointment. "I'm sorry he did that. I'm not making excuses, but that's the way Emmett is."

"It's okay. I'm used to it." I wave off his apology.

We sit there for what seems like a very long time before Alice comes over and sits on the other side of Edward.

"What cha doing?" she asks breathing heavily.

"Just sitting,"I tell her.

"Fun," she says sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "Why don't you play with us?"

"I'm not usually one for running, so. . ." I trailed off.

"Ugh, fine. Have fun sitting here with mister quiet."

"I like the quiet," I whisper.

She didn't hear me because she ran off to chase down Jasper. Edward smiles at me, stands up, and pulls me up with him.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"You don't want to play with them? Maybe you can play with me." He shrugs and pulls me into the house.

Okay, what does that mean? I am so confused!

He pulls me past the entree room, into a side room, and in the middle is a breath taking, sleek, black grand piano.

Oh god, he's not asking me to play that is he?

He sits us down on the bench then turns to me. "Can you play?"

"What?"

"Can you play the piano?" he says each word slowly.

Great! Now, he thinks I'm stupid.

"I can kind of play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

"You have to start somewhere."

He starts playing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star better than I've ever heard it. He stops, looks at me, and gestures with his head for me to play. I clumsily finish the song even though I hit wrong notes everywhere. I know I'm blushing when we look at each other, but he just smiles.

"Edward. Bella." We both look up to see Esme standing in the doorway. "Would you please go tell the others that dinner is ready?"

"Sure, Mom." He stands, once again pulling me with him. "Come on, Bella."

We go tell the others and head to the dining room to eat. Carlisle sits at the head of the table, Esme to his right. Next to her are my mom and dad. Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper sit on the left side of the table. Alice runs in and sits next to my dad.

"Alice, I'm sure Isabella would like to sit next to her parents," Carlisle says.

"It's okay, Mr. Cullen," I say.

"She can sit between me and Edward." Alice smiles.

Edward pulls out my chair so that I can sit at the end of the table, then he sits to my right. Everyone does the pass-me-this, pass-me-that routine until we all have full plates. We begin eating while the adults talk about work, politics, and a bunch of boring stuff. It looks like Emmett and Rosalie are quietly fighting while Jasper and Edward are talking about music. So, I look to Alice, I'm sure she has plenty to say.

"So. . ." I trail hoping Alice will find something to talk about.

"So, what grade are you in?" Alice asks.

"Second."

"Who's your teacher?"

"Mrs. Dessen."

"No way! Me too! Yay, we're going to be class mates!"

I laugh at the easily excited girl. "I'll introduce you to my friends on Monday."

She just squeals.

"So, Bella, Edward told me you play piano. Can u play anything else?" Jasper inquires. That is the first time I've heard him say anything all night.

"No. I mean, I can barely play one song on the piano, so I haven't really tried to play anything else."

"Oh, well, maybe he can teach you to play more."

"Jasper," Edward whispers and shakes his head once.

"I was just saying." Jasper goes back to eating.

Edward smiles a little, apologetically. We finish eating dinner, then Esme and my mom bring out a chocolate cake for dessert. Rosalie passes saying she has something to do and goes up stairs. I hear her slam a door and turn a radio on.

"I'm really sorry about that. I don't know what has gotten into her lately," Esme says.

"I'm sure Emmett does," Jasper says so softly that none of the adults hear.

Emmett looks mad, Edward chokes on his drink, and Alice looks just as confused as I am.

"Edward, honey, are you okay?" Esme asks sweetly.

Once he stops coughing, he answers with a smile. "I'm fine, Mom. It just went down the wrong way."

Edward looks furious as he turns to Jasper. "Don't make jokes like that in front of them!" he whisper-yells.

"They're clueless," Jasper analyzes.

"Yes, but jokes like that and guys like you and Emmett are what will make them grow up to fast."

"Stop being such a goodie two-shoes."

"I'm not; I'm just saying maybe you should watch what you say around the girls," Edward says.

"Whatever." He stops whispering and looks at his parents. "May I be excused?"

"Sure. Why don't you kids go upstairs and play for a while."

Jasper walks out first, Emmett follows behind him, and Alice right follows shortly after. Edward stands up as I do, but waits for me to walk before following.

"How about I show you around?" he asks me.

"That sounds great."I nod.

We walk out of the dining room into the living room.

"This is the living room."

"No way!" I say with fake surprise.

"You don't have to be sarcastic."

Is he mad at my joke?

Oopsie.

I guess he's not to mad since he pulls me into the hall.

"That's the music room or at least that's what it has become."

We continue down the hall, he points out the bathroom and kitchen. He continues pointing out everyone's rooms once we get to the second floor and making jokes while I follow along giggling.

"This is my room. I have the best view in the house, too. Here, let me show you." He opens the last door on the left and pushes me in.

"Welcome to my room." He bows as I laugh again.

"You're funny."

"I try." He gives a sideways smile.

I chuckle and look around. His room is the same white as the rest of the house, but the far right wall is solid glass overlooking a small river and the woods. Most of the left wall is covered in book shelves and filled with CDs, records, and books. In the middle of all that, is a nice looking stereo. He has a few posters of random bands and girls. Against the glass wall, he has a beautiful dark wood, four-post bed with- what looks like silk- gold sheets and a soft black comforter. The dresser and night stand are the same dark wood with gold accents.

"So, that's it for now. Upstairs is the parents' room and the game room is in the basement. I'll show you that later," he says, walking to his bed and plopping down then he pats the spot next to him.

As soon as I sit down, Alice comes busting in yelling "What are you going to do? Hog her all night, Edward? She's supposed to be my friend, not yours." She puts her hands on her hips.

"She can be my friend too, Ali," Edward reasons.

"Fine." She sighs, throwing herself on the bed next to me. "So, what have you being doing?"

"I was just showing her around," Edward tells her.

"And you didn't think of showing her my room?" she asks like it was an insult.

"She knows where it is. If she wanted to find you, I'm sure she would have said something. Right, Bella?"

"Ummm. . ." I trail off, dumbfounded.

I hate being put on the spot like that! Why are they fighting over who can I be friends with? I like both of them.

I continue,"I like both of you so please don't fight. Can't I be friends with both of you?"

"Yes," they say at the same time.

"Okay. That's all I want."

"Do you want to see my room?" Alice asks.

"Maybe later?"

"Why not now?"

"My parents are probably getting ready to go."

"Man, I wish you could stay. Will you come back next weekend?"

"I can ask."

"Do you think they would let you sleep over?"

Now she's all happy and over excited again. I'd love to stay over one night, but I don't know if they would let me with all the boys in the house. My dad, being the Chief of Police, has seen things even a young boy could do to a girl, so he's over protective of me. I mean he even watches me and Jacob like a hawk, though I've known Jake since I was born.

"All I can do is ask them. I can't say they'll let me." I say shrugging.

"Well, try your best!" She runs out of the room quickly.

"Ooookay?"

"Yeah, she's a mystery. I know she means well and everything but she can be a little much when you don't really know her. And if you don't want to stay, I'll make sure she knows it's not her," Edward says.

"Yeah."

"Unless it is her?"

"No! No, I like her. She's fun. It's not anybody really . . . just my parents."

"Not even Rose?"

"Yeah, it's all her fault." I smile and roll my eyes. He smiles back.

"I knew it." He snaps his fingers. We laugh together.

"So what's with your parents? I mean would they not let you stay?"

"They might, but my dad. He's a police officer and way over protective."

"You are his only daughter. Only child, which makes you special. Though, I don't really understand what that has to do with you staying here. I'm sure they know my parents well enough or they wouldn't have come over in the first place, right?"

"I don't think parents would be the issue."

He looks at me, very confused, but cute at the same time. A second later his face changes into a look of understanding. Like a light bulb went on in he's head.

"Oh. And I'm sure Alice and Rosalie wouldn't be a probably either, am I right?"

"Yeah."

"Will he be mad that you've spent most of the night with me?"

"No. . . Or I don't think. I have guy friends, just not anyone I do anything with outside of school."

"Oh, maybe I'll see you at school then."

"No, Edward. You're my friend and he'll have to get over it."

"I don't want to get you in trouble."

"You—" But I didn't get to finish because my dad comes walking in.

"Time to go, Bella," Charlie says.

"Okay, daddy. I'll be right there."

"No. Now."

"O-oh-okay."

I stand up and follow my dad out of Edward's room, down the hall, stairs, and back into the entree way. The adults say good bye and I say good-bye to Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett. Alice hugs me again and whispers, "please ask" in my ear. I hate to tell her that I'll probably never be aloud over here again so I just tell her I'd try. When I get to Edward he looks sad and guilty.

Daddy, I know you're going to get mad, but I have to let him know that he's not in trouble.

I go up to him and hug him. I could tell he-and everyone else in the room- was surprised. He lightly hugs me back.

"I got you in trouble, didn't I?" he whispers to me.

"No. He's not to mad. If he was I'd be in the car right now."

"I'm sorry."

We let go and as I step back, shaking my head to let him know there was nothing to be sorry for. Esme and Carlisle say good bye to me and we walk out.

Once we were in the car, my mom turns to me and starts asking questions.

"Did you have fun? Do you like Alice? Was everyone nice to you? Isn't their house beautiful?"

I just nod and uh-huh in the right places. I'm waiting for dad to talk. The longer he waits to talk, the worse it is. He, after about thirty questions from mom, starts talking.

"Isabella, what where you doing in a room alone with that boy?" Charlie questions,

"Oh, Charlie, they're just kids. Stop acting like she going to do something." My mom breaks in.

"Renee, please? I'm talking to our daughter."

"Nothing daddy. We were just talking and Alice was in there most of the time, too," I assure.

"He's two years older than you, Bells. He was thinking of things that you don't even know about yet."

"He's not thinking anything about what you are. Wait until he's 13 and she's 11, then you can freak out but until then, let them be kids,." Mom says.

"Why did you hug him at the door?" Dad asks, suspiciously.

"Because he thought he got me in trouble. I just wanted to let him know it's not his fault. He looked so sad. I-I don't know, okay? I just wanted to,." I say desperately.

"Okay."

I rest my head against the window and watch the trees pass. I know the fight is over between me and dad, but my parents will talk it out until my mom convinces him that I can be friends with Edward. I don't want to think of anything else but that hug. I know it wasn't planned, and a little awkward, but it was still nice. I think, as I fall asleep in the back seat, that I have new best friends and plan on keeping them for the rest of my life!