Disclaimer: Don't own Twilight. At All. No copyright infringement intended btw.

Chapter 1

At noon, my mother announced that we would pay a call to our new neighbors, the Cullens. I've heard of them before, and I've heard they were all attractive. It was local custom to pay new neighbors calls. Just like when we moved, four years ago.

I nodded and said, "Yes, Mother," and we continued eating.

Father had gone to town for a business meeting, so mother and I were alone for lunch. I tired not to think too much about business. We owned a fishing industry, one that has just steadied itself recently. Before that, it had endured, financially, in rocky places.

When the plates had been cleared away, Mother whisked me up to the staircase up to my bedroom. She wished for me to be a bit more precentable and decent as we pay a call. "Imagine as if you are to visit the nobles." Meticulously, she picked out pale yellow dress for me to wear, whilst lecturing me of public behavior."Mrs. Stanley tells me that they are all quite attractive! Most are married, but there's a son, whom which most admire! And, he's just out to look for a wife. . . " She trailed off suggestively. I do hope she isn't scheming of a way to get me married again! The last time was catastrophic!

"Oh Bella!" She says, exasperated too. "Do not become like one of those spinster-maids that bear their caps and. . . " she pauses, realizing that while she is teaching me good manners, she is breaking them herself, this very instant. She knows I know this. So, Mother sighs, "You know I only want the best for you. I assure you that you won't delight in taking care of elderly, such as your father and I. I'm already getting cranky, as it is!"

I come over my mother's side. "I would never tire of taking care of you," I cooed reassuringly.

She smiles and replies, "It has happened once, Bella. I don't wish to see you broken-hearted again. As if my poor, weary, worn heart can take it!" She exclaims.

I know exactly of the things she's gone through as a mother, same for my father. So for her, I put on the rest of the things she has set for me and with effort tried to tame my wild hair. I did as best as I could and Mother saw it, she beamed.

At first, I thought our coachman was lost! We were driving into a snaky path into the woods. But just as I thought we would never find our way back, an ample, yet charming, house came to sight. It's pale color, which seemed enhanced by the dim-white light shinning through the clearing, brightens the dark wooded place. Rare flowers grew, and it made me smile. Anything growing that wasn't green made me smile.

I stared in awe, as my mother, at the building in front of us. Another chaise had just been carried off. I stepped off as gracefully as I could manage with the help of our coachman, and into the steps of the house. There, we were greeted by a lovely woman who compared beauty with the latest rising actresses! Her caramel hair which flowed into soft waves to her shoulder; her skin pale and bright, just like mine -although hers would be more tanned, than my luminous one.

She smiled brightly at us, and we politely introduced each other. "I've receive calls most of the afternoon! But I love to chat, and it's a warm welcome. Please, do come in!'

We were ushered into a foyer containing a large marble staircase. Like it's exterior, the walls were papered in light colors. I've never seen anything like it in Forks! It felt so bright, so airy, so different. And when we entered the parlour which in the back wall was a large glass wall, the green land seemed fit. Splashes of greens were found around the room as she sat us in a cream sofa.

In the parlor sat a couple of couples. The brawn and builded man, beside an elegant posh looking lady, and the petite girl resembled Esme.

"Why don't you take Ms. Swan her to your games' room?" Mrs. Cullen suggested.

Mrs. Whitlock smiled and answered in a chime-y voice, "Yes, mother."

Just then, I hear another set of footprints, coming towards us. A tall stately, but lanky, boy entered the parlor. His jade eyes swept over the room and stopped for a second on me.

"Edward! So glad you could join us," Mrs. Cullen addressed. "Your siblings were just leading Ms. Swan here to the games' room to keep her company. You should join them also."

Polite as they all were, he answered, "Yes, mother."

With one last encouraging look from my mother, which definitely looked more like an order. They led me near the rear of the house. Unlike the pale parlor, this room was more warm and inviting. As they all sat in what seemed like their placements, Mr. Whitlock asked me to sit beside him, in an armchair. Have I just been fed to the lion's den? With their beauty, they could all afford to be arrogant if they'd like! But are they? Who knows? The most beautiful of people-or so they tell themselves- Ms. Mallory and Ms. Stanley are quite unagreeable, for my taste. I looked at them, feeling, rather ironically, like I was new. There were five of them, and one of me.

Suddenly, Alice, I mean Mrs. Whitlock, let out a high chimey laugh. We all turned to look quizically at her.

"What's the matter, Ms. Swan? You seem to be. . . cautious of us." Had they detected that I felt rather uncomfortable? They must have, because there looks omly agreed with her statement.

"Pardon, I'm not very sociable," I responded and gave a shy smile.

"Will have to change that, won't we? You see, Ms. Swan, we're very sociable." She leaned in.

Mrs. Cullen joined in, "Yes. We see we're not quite as. . . formal, as you are."

I wondered what that meant. Does it mean I'm agreeable, or not? They're quite cautious themselves also. See, I've never actually given to the town. Or anywhere else, for the matter. I lacked intimate friends to share stories, gossips and secrets with. I wasn't very well acquainted, albeit residing in this town for four years.

Then Mr. Cullen, the. . . bulky one, I dare say, raucously said, "Well, Ms. Swan, do you know the meaning of fun?"He was reprimanded by most in response, actually.

"And by fun, what do you exactly mean, Mr. Cullen? Do you, I dare say speak, of addiction? Immoral parties and gamblings?" I, too quite shocked myself. But instead of a heap of scolding, they smiled and cast glances at each other.

"So, the girl has wit. Nice to know, since any aquiantance of ours needs at least a percent of sarcasm."

Aquaintance?

"By that do you mean you find me agreeable?" I inquired.

"Considering you possess all qualities that may not bore us to tears, and the fact that your not aroggant, as girls we've meet in this town as beautiful as you are, then yes, we've made aquaintances." Mrs. Cullen said.

"Ha! Beautiful! I beg your pardon, but you really do need spectacles for your lovely blue eyes, Mrs. Cullen." She must be crazy. I am by no means beautiful. But plain Jane draws no attention, benefits or assets alike.

But instead of laughing, they looked at me curiosly. "Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? And by the way, it's Rosalie."

"No, I avoid mirrors as much as possible."

But just as I said it, relaxing in the soft velvet armchair, something cracked. I was slmost positive what it was. It was when my body relaxed and expanded a bit that Rosalie and Alice, as they'd come to tell me to call them, brought me out of the room. Into another room we went into. This one was filled of luxurious fabrics, undergarments, pieces of clothing, lace, velvet, silk, pelt, fur. . . All were strewn about in a cluttered way. But it wasn't messy like a pig's. It cluttered perfectly.

They sat me up and from a trunk they produced a corset, new and much more comfortable than mine. I later learned that Alice fancied fashion, as so did Rosalie. They groomed me, and fitted me with things so fine and delicate. But at last, we returned to the game's room where the gentlemen were talking idly. With great joy and sarcasm did they welcome us.

"Finally you have arrived!" Emmett, as usual, teased. A banter of love wars errupted and I went to sit by a piano. Beside me, something moved in the piano bench. It was Edward. "They do this always. It's just jesting, really, but it irritates me."

I smiled at him. "Now I take pity on you."

He rolled his eyes at me, "Thank goodness that you haven't enjured this for approximately your whole lifetime."

"Really? They've been sweet on each other that long?" I asked. He nodded in reply. Now, they've seemed to reconcile with each other. Not that Alice and Jasper really did much fighting. Now the two were looking at each other, seeming in their own world. Emmett and Rosalie were still bantering, but in a dainty and lovely way. Thinking all this, I whispered aloud, " I wish someday I'd find someone like them..." Edward, as I've learned to call him, agreed quietly and smiled at me-interestingly, I might add.

As we were about to take our leave, Mrs. Cullen inquired, "I trust you've heard of the ball the Mallory's are holding, would you like to join us before and we could proceed then?"

"Yes, we've been invited. In fact, Bella here is acquainted with Mr. and Ms. Mallory," mother answered. Acquainted, after all, doesn't mean intimate friends, does it?

"How pleasant!"

We bid goodbyes and went home.

Yes, I redid it. I'm sorry, but please bear with me! I'm a newbie, technically, and not quite experienced with stories! I am well hoping that your comments will inspire and educate me.

So please, please review!!

-Alice