So this is my first fanfic and not that but the first story I have ever seriously written so any helpful advice is greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer – I don't own Twilight though I wish I did they belong to the talented SM

Conflict of Interest

Prologue

Beep Beep… Beep Beep… Beep Beep.

Groaning I rolled over and swatted blindly in the direction of my alarm clock trying to get the annoying buzzing in my ear to stop. Finally hitting the right button to shut the damn thing off I pulled the pillow over my head preparing myself for the inevitable invasion from my father in 3…2…1. Right on time I heard my ever predictable father tap on my door.

"Bella, Hun, you up?" he called through the door way to cheery for my liking at this time in the morning I mean how is it even possible to be that awake at this hour?

Groaning again I managed to drag myself out of bed knowing that if he didn't believe I was really getting up I would regret it when he barged in and dragged my ass out of bed.

"Yeah dad, I'm up." I managed to grunt out in reply shivering as the cool air hit my body.

"Okay, I'm heading out to work, have a good day at school." He replied.

"Okay, have a good day." I half-heartedly shouted back as I heard him walking down the stairs and out the front door.

After grabbing a quick shower and going through my morning routine I stood in front of my wardrobe trying to figure out what to wear to school today. My choices were kind of limited and it's not like I really cared, but Tanya would surely have something to say if I turned up in a hoodie and jeans for three days running and I couldn't be bothered to go through the same argument three days in a row.

Grabbing a black long-sleeved t-shirt and skinny jeans I quickly got dressed deciding the small change was going to have to be enough as I wasn't willing to get dolled up like the rest of the girls in school, I mean it's not like I was trying to impress anyone anyway so I wanted to be comfortable not worrying if my ass was falling out of my skirt. I gave my self a once over in the mirror with a resigned sigh at my plain reflection. I wasn't exactly the prettiest girl in the world or the school or my street to be honest, with my brown hair and dull brown eyes at least I had clear skin but it was so pale from this sunless town that I was too pale and looked almost ill.

Deciding there was nothing I could do about it or was willing to do about it I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and ran downstairs grabbing a cereal bar, bag and coat before heading out to school.

I pulled into the school parking lot in my run down 1000 year old rusty red truck and parked in my usual spot next to the brand spanking new silver Beetle cabriolet. I could see the blonde head of hair peeking up over the top of the seat meaning that waiting inside was my best friend, the ying to my yang. As I pulled up she got out the car and waited patiently by the curb as I gathered my bag.

"Oh my god my eyes must be deceiving me are you really here? I get the pleasure of your company this morning? " I called in a mocking voice as I got out of my truck and made my way over to her as she waiting near the entrance.

"Very funny," she muttered with a small very forced smile.

"What's wrong? Where's the boyfriend?" I asked taking in her glum expression and slumped shoulders as we entered the building.

"I dunno around." She shrugged. "You know how we are." So there we have it they've had one of their 'fights' I love her I really do but sometimes I just wanted to shake and tell her to snap out of it. They argued constantly I really had no idea as to why they were together I have never seen a couple that argued like they did.

"Right, what was it this time? He drove too fast? No wait I know he gave you a hickey." I laughed as we headed for class. Did I mention they argued about the stupidest things you could imagine? Pointless little things that didn't deserve the attention they gave them.

"Come on we're not that bad!" she laughed brightening up as she must have realized I was right and they would be making up by the start of school.

"Yeah right, last week you broke up because he ate a bite of your pizza." I chuckled as it was freaking hilarious to watch him walk in all smug and take a bite for her to snap and wipe that smirk off his face.

"Yeah, you're right. It's worth it when we make up though." She smirked as she moved out of the way of a stampede of students heading the opposite way down the hallway.

"Ew! Please I don't want to know." I grimaced grossed out at the mental images of them making up. We rounded the corner and stopped outside my first class.

"See ya later Tanya," I called with a small wave glad to be free from further mental torture as I entered the classroom claiming a seat in the back.

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Thanks to Mike Newton, the school leach trying to talk to me in the hallway on the way to lunch I was one of the last ones in my group of friends to arrive in the cafeteria, grabbing some lunch I made my way through the crowds to our table where most of the group was already sat. My cousin Emmett was sat at the table lost to the world as he devoured his huge lunch. Now to anyone who didn't know Em, he would be someone you avoided pissing off, he is built like a tank I'm not kidding he is seriously HUGE, he's is on most of the school teams and built of pure muscle but while he may look huge and scary he's one of the sweetest most loyal people you could ever meet and would never harm a fly and he's quite the charmer with the ladies with his rippling muscles, curly brown hair, big dimples and goofy smile but he only has eyes for one girl who happens to be his girlfriend Rosalie Hale.

Rose was sat next to Em holding his hand as she talked animatedly to Tanya. Rose is everything I am not, mainly beautiful, she is easily the most beautiful person I have ever seen both in real life and on TV she has the longest shiniest blonde hair that just falls perfectly around her face, her skin just glows and everything is just done perfectly from her nails to her makeup to the clothes she wears which were sexy as hell but not sluty or in your face and she has a body to die for with curves in all the right places. Every boy at school wants her so she sometimes gets a bit of hassle but she's confident and not afraid to tell them to piss off so usually tells them were to shove it and they never dare bother her again. We're not really that close of friends as I've only really spent time with Rose when Em's been there because she scares the hell out of me but I know she finds it difficult to connect with people so I don't take it personally.

Rosalie was talking to Tanya about the party tonight at Edward's house while Tanya looked up to smile at me on my approach. Tanya was similar to Rose in many ways she was equally beautiful and with the same long blonde hair and perfect figure, skin, nails, clothes etc, you name it, it was perfect, makes you sick right? Yeah me too. The one difference between them had to be their personalities. Rose was a force all of her own while Tanya was a bit more like me, don't get me wrong she wasn't a push over like me but she preferred to be in the background more. She is an amazing listener, I've lost count of the times I've rang her in tears when I would have a nightmare about my mother leaving me and my father. I could tell her anything and she would always be there for me to lean on. She always looked out for me even when the danger was myself, because I'm shy I tend to fade into the background and avoid anything that is out of my comfort zone but she doesn't stand for any of my crap and nudges me out of my comfort zone, alright she drags me kicking and screaming but I know it's because she loves me.

Jasper was sitting quietly, lost deep in thought and only looked up when my tray landed next to his head with a bang. Jasper, now he was more like me and after Tanya the person I could be most like myself around as he would lay back and watch the world go by around him, stepping in when he felt like it. Just observing the people around him and taking things as they come. I had only really started to get to know him properly over the last couple of months since Tanya started dating his best friend. The two of them would often go off together leaving the two of us to fend for ourselves so it's a good job we got along so well really. Jasper had stylishly dirty blonde hair, piercing blue eyes and built like a cat, sinewy and strong from working out. He was also the starring role in a lot of the girl's fantasies around here. What is it with me being friends with all the good looking people? Maybe it's another way for me to blend into the background, spend my time with the attractive people so no one notices the plain girl behind them.

"Hey Bells." He greeted as he sat up, giving me a lazy smile he was really good at those they always made my heart speed up.

"Hey Jazz, you okay you were looking very deep in thought there." I asked concerned as he didn't here my approach until I banged my tray down.

"Yeah just got something's on my mind." He muttered avoiding looking at me instead looking behind me at the crowded cafeteria.

"Anything you wanna talk about?"

"Maybe, not now though, maybe I could talk to you tonight at the party?" he looked at me looking hopeful; unsure why he was acting off I decided to let him tell me later if it made him more comfortable.

"Sure that's cool. Hope everything's okay." I looked at him with worry probably written all over my face.

"Yeah it's nothing too serious just need your opinion on something." He gave me what was probably supposed to be a reassuring smile but he didn't quite pull it off.

Suddenly the cafeteria noticeably quietened, that could only mean one thing. He was here, the most beautiful boy you will ever see. With his copper brown hair, clear perfect skin, sparkly emerald eyes and the build of a swimmer or runner, Slim but defined. He was so perfect he would look more at home as a model on a run way than in a high school cafeteria. He was also the bane of my existence. I hated him with every fibre of my being. He was arrogant, stuck up, cocky, rich, a player and my best friend's boyfriend.

Edward Cullen.

He walked over to our table or should I say strutted over and grabbed a chair from the next table not bothering to see if anyone was already say there and pulled it up next to Tanya.

"Hi babe." He greeted as he kissed her. Guess that means they made up.

"Eddie! What's the low down on the party?" Emmett asked knowing he hated that name but calling it him anyway which secretly pleased me as I loved anything that would piss Eddie off.

"Parents are leaving at five for Port Angeles so come over whenever. Official start time is eight, booze is sorted, I went to Port Angeles yesterday with my fake ID, so don't worry about that." I could see the tension in his face as he tried to ignore Emmett's jab, I was laughing inside with joy and mentally high fiving Em when it sunk in what he just said.

"Booze? It's not going to end up like last time is it?" I asked. My dad came and broke up the party after he received complaints from Edward's neighbours and considering his nearest neighbours live a mile away you can image what my walked dad into. Complete and utter destruction as far as the eye could see there were underage kids passed out everywhere and college kids that had heard about it shooting up in the woods, you name it, it was happening. Needless to say my dad was less than impressed to find me there.

"If you mean, is it gonna be a kick ass party then the answer is yes Isabella." He replied smirking at me, knowing I hated my full name probably guessing I was loving the fact that Emmett had called him Eddie 2 seconds ago and I was loving it.

I grasped my hands into fists and clenched my jaw. I always tried to rein in my temper but this boy just knew how to wind me up. I felt a hand rest on my arm and looked over to see Jasper send me a calming smile. He was Edward's best friend and knew what we could get like if it escalated. With a sigh I relaxed and gave him a small smile back, he could always calm me down right before I exploded and always at Edward.

Conversation drifted off as I worried about the party, no way was my dad going to let me go and I really didn't want to go anyway but I knew I would never hear the end of it if I didn't. Maybe Tanya could come up with a plan to get me out of the house I'd have to ask her next class.

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My dad was still at work when I arrived home from school. I had a few hours before Tanya was picking me up for the party. We didn't really have a plan to get out of the house I was just hoping that when he saw Tanya pick me up he wouldn't start asking me questions about where I was going and just let me suffer the consequences another day. I decided to throw a load of laundry in and cook my dad his dinner, knowing he wouldn't like me going to the party I decided to cook him his favourite, Chicken casserole.

By the time I finished cooking it was time to get ready. I grabbed a quick shower, taking the time to blow dry my hair. I grabbed my new black skinny jeans and strappy white top that Tanya made me buy last weekend and quickly got dressed. Since I was going to a party I made the extra effort of quickly applying some mascara and nude lip-gloss.

Looking at the clock I saw it was eight o'clock, Tanya must be running late she was supposed to pick me up at quarter to. I grabbed my phone sending a quick text.

Hurry up bitch. You on your way yet? – B x x

Twenty minutes later she still hadn't replied so I tried calling, after ringing out before going to voicemail I tried again but it went to voicemail again. After another twenty minutes passed and I started to get worried.

What's going on? You okay? Still going to the party? – B x x

Thinking she may have had an argument with Edward I decided to ring Jazz to see if he knew anything.

"Hey, where are you?" he greeting knowing it was me from the ringtone I set myself on his phone.

"Hey Jazz, is Tanya there she was supposed to pick me up on her way to the party but she's over an hour late and not replying to my texts or answering my calls." I said this all in one breath really panicking, what am I going to do if she isn't there?

"I haven't seen her." He replied, his calm voice starting to soothe my own nerves.

"Is she and Edward okay? Not fallen out again have they?" I'm sure that's the reason they're having a tiff and she's overreacting again.

"Not that I know but he has been acting a little weird so they could have. I'll find out, one second…." I waited for a couple of minutes the tension building back up as I heard him moving room to room and still not finding Edward. Or maybe that's a good thing and they are together although I'll be really pissed if she's ditched me for that douche bag. "…I can't find him anywhere, sorry."

"Alright then. Guess I'll try her phone again." I replied.

"You want me to come and get you? I've only had half a beer so I can still drive." He sounded really hopeful that I would agree to the idea but seeing this as an opportunity to get out of the party and an inevitable grounding I declined.

"No it's okay, stay, enjoy the party, I'm sure she's on her way."

"Okay see ya later. Hun." Hearing his defeated tone I remembered he wanted to talk to me about something but it was too late he had already put the phone down.

Hanging up I sent her another text the panic already starting to build away from Jazz's calming influence.

What's going on? Everything okay? Where are you? Please reply. – B x x

The longer I waited for a reply the more I felt it. Something wasn't feel right at all, this wasn't like Tanya she lived and breathed both parties and her phone, she always had it with her, and it was her that was dragging me to this stupid party. I didn't even want to go after last time. Then I heard my dad come in the front door and start up the stairs.

He tapped on the door softly, pausing before he came in my room I was about to tell him I thought something was wrong with Tanya and ask him to go over and check on her with me when I saw the look on his face and I knew that I had been right to worry.

He was still in his uniform, I usually took comfort in his uniform it made him appear stronger as childish as it sounded it was like he became a superhero, he became a different person a hero like Superman, Clark Kent disappeared and Superman appeared, nothing could harm me if I had the Chief of Police with me but now it did nothing, the comfort was gone. He looked deathly pale and his usually bright brown eyes were watery and sad. He couldn't look me in the eye, choosing instead to look over my shoulder, he looked broken. That's when I knew something was seriously wrong, we weren't talking a fall down the stairs and a couple of stitches this was serious.

"Dad?" I choked out, my eyes welling up at the bad news I knew was coming.

After what seamed like an eternity he finally looked at me.

"Tanya's been murdered." He choked out.

I new it was coming I tried to get a grip on myself but nothing could have prepared me for news as bad as that. My vision blurred and the floor rushed to my face as I blacked out.

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1 WEEK LATER

I stood looking at the coffin in front of me tears streaming down my face. How could this have happened? The low crime rates were one of the reasons my dad never wanted to leave the slow life of a small town. He liked the peace, to be able to walk down the street in the middle of the night and not have to be afraid of the shadows as you knew what was there. Everyone knew everyone and looked out for one another that was one of the reasons he stayed when my mother left but it was all for nothing. No where is save if it was we wouldn't be here right now. I wouldn't be standing with everyone who ever knew and loved Tanya, instead we would be in school moaning about trivial things that felt like the end of the world like who was kissing who at Edward's party last week or History assignments.

The rain is beating down but I barely even notice. Jasper walks over and grasps my hand tightly silently telling me he is here for me I absently squeeze it back acknowledging his presence. Tears stream down my face as I look around, the priest is saying prayers and everyone else is trying to pay attention but they are all lost in their own grief. Edward is stood opposite me with his parents, Tanya's father next to them with her sister Kate. Behind them and the faceless mourners I have never seen talking to Tanya I notice a lone figure dressed in a suit standing in the rain by the edge of the cemetery. I watch as they curl up into them self clutching their stomach as if trying to keep themselves in one piece. Squinting against the falling water I realise I know the man crying but I'm confused why he is here I've known him my entire life and never known him and Tanya talk let alone anything more to equal that amount of pain so what is Jacob Black doing here?

Turning back to the people surrounding Tanya's coffin I look at all their faces someone has to know something about what happened, I need to know what happened and why someone would take her away from me and everyone else that loved her. Someone killed Tanya and I am going to find out who and then I would make sure that they paid for what they did.

Let me know what you think and any ideas you may have that I could include I already have quite a few ideas to lined up but if you can think of something good I'm more than willing to put it in. Also if you're an Alice fan don't worry I haven't forgotten her she will be in it but not for a while.