I was running through the trees as fast and silent as my legs would take me. Leaves and branches blurred by me as my heart raced in my chest. It was not currently raining but the ground was damp and the air smelled fresh and crisp. There was a chill in the autumn air that felt pleasant.

This was my first run in Forks having just arrived earlier this morning. I had just moved into a small hut on the outskirts of town that a cousin had built as a safe house. I wasn't in any danger, not immediately any ways. Just needed a change. Tennessee had become too familiar, too filled with sour memories. Every corner I turned I faced shadows best left behind me. Angsty, I know. But I was honestly looking forward to what life in Washington had to offer. One thing was for sure, it was beautiful here.

I stopped at the small pond not far from my hut to take a sip. Seeing my reflection, I paused to take it in. The fur on my face was mostly red except under my chin where it was white, My ear were a mix of red, white, and a hint of black. I was sleek and shiny, only about two and a half feet long and one and a half feet tall weighing in at about 25 pounds. My eyes faded from green to gold and were the one thing that didn't change between my human and fox forms.

I shifted and went inside. The hut was really only two rooms. The main room had a small mattress, coffee table, some bookshelves and other shelves for storage. In the corner was a very small stove and sink with a few cabinets I had already stalked with basic food staples. There were two big windows on opposite walls and I had put down a gray rug and hung up some tapestries to make the place a little cozier. The other room was a tiny bathroom with a shelf, toilet, and shower. I would have to use the sink in the main room which was fine by me. I guess I'm pretty low maintenance so the space really works for me. I may get a few house plants and then it'd really feel like home.

I started on dinner deciding to make a simple pasta then prepare myself for tomorrow. I wasn't dreaded starting at Forks High School tomorrow but I wasn't exactly excited either. I packed light, only bringing my favorite books, toiletries, kitchen necessities, and a few outfits so deciding what to wear would not be difficult.

I awoke with my alarm blaring bright and early. Turning it off, I stretched and hopped out of bed. My morning routine was quick and familiar: cook and eat breakfast, brush my teeth and hair, make tea, get dressed, and then read till it was time to leave. Today I donned a light pair of slightly ripped, tight fitting jeans that were rolled up just above the ankle, a big comfy sweater that had varying earth tone and a subtle pattern on it, and threw on my grey converse high tops. My light burnet hair had soft, natural red highlights in it and was wavy. I kept it cropped in-between my ears and chin. I looked ok and the only thing about my appearance I was less than excited about was the light dusting of freckles along my cheeks and the bridge of my nose and the fact that I was not even 5 feet tall. My size had earned me a lot of teasing throughout the years and I had no doubt Forks would not be different on that front.

The drive to school was pleasant on my Vespa Primavera. I loved my moped dearly. She was light blue and full of character and got me one place to another when I couldn't just shift and run there.

I pulled into the school parking lot and it was pretty much deserted. I had made sure to get here plenty early so I could scout the place out. I hate being late and I hate being lost so I was determined to not let either happen to me today.

I entered the building marked office and went up to the front desk where I kindly middle-aged woman sat, typing away on her computer.

"Hello ma'am. My name is Ripley Beddingfield. I'm new to the school and came to pick up my schedule?" I'm a little shy and the statement turned into a question under the older woman's gaze.

"Right, of course! We were expecting you, Ms. Beddingfield. Here is your schedule, a map of the campus, and please have your teachers sign this slip and bring it back at the end of the day." She handed me my papers, I said my thanks, and I was out the door.

My first three classes went well, I think. The teachers seemed nice, I was well ahead in course work, and the students had yet to approach me. They definitely were talking about me though. Being a fox shifter gifted me with excellent hearing. So good I could hear every conversation in the room, every mutter statement or whispered gossip. So far it sounds as though people are curious yet don't know what to make of me.

"She's so small. Do you think she skipped a few grades?"

"I heard that she doesn't have any parents. Like, she lives alone!"

"Aw man, she's pretty cute. Should I ask her out?"

I attempted to tune it all out in the hopes none of them would actually try to talk to me. Having only shifted three years ago, I am new to this whole immortal thing. This is my first move and I'm concerned I'll be bad at lying. My thoughts are interrupted by a guy flagging me down.

"Hey! New girl, need help finding the cafeteria?" The guy who spoke was kind of nerdy but seemed nice enough. "You finding things ok. How are you liking Forks so far? Would you be down for an interview for the school paper?"

"Oh, um, I'm finding things just fine. They gave me a map. Forks is good. I love the weather. And uh, no thank you to the interview." I say trying to answer all his questions in one breath. He chuckles at this and walks alongside me on the way to lunch.

"Do you want to sit with my friends and I at lunch? I promise we don't bite."

"S-Sure?" I was getting a little nervous at the prospect of being interrogated what should be the best part of the day but it sounded better than eating alone and listening to everyone talk about me.

We made our way to a table after going through the food line. I ended up only getting a salad because luckily as a fox, I didn't really need to eat much. There were a few people sitting at the table and introductions were made. Mike, Angela, Jessica, Ben, Lauren. Hopefully I'll remember them but I doubted. I could already tell these were not my people. They seemed loud, self-centered, and kind of shallow except for maybe Ben and Angela. I made it through round of personal questions, some of which I did not answer when a smell hit my nose.

It was sweet and soft and distinctly spike with danger. My instinct were telling me to run and the run fast. While foxes were predators, we mostly hunt very small mammals, fish, some little reptiles, all small things. In the food chain we were low enough to very strong instincts to warning us against prey and right now mine were going crazy. Deep breathes, in and out. I was in a school cafeteria for crying out loud. Nothing was going to attack me here. Not with all these humans.

"Hey Ripley, take a look at the Cullens over there." Jessica, or was it Lauren, stage whispered to me while nudging me with her elbow. I looked to where she pointed, to where the smell was coming from and saw them. They were gorgeous, well dressed, gracefully, and definitely not human.

I watched as they sat themselves down at a table that almost seemed to be reserved for them. No other student had gone over there despite all other tables being full. There were five of them, three guys and two girls. Something about them was off. Whether it was the extremely pale skin, golden eyes, or the way their bodies seem to move just differently that a human, I couldn't say. They talked low to each other, so low that even I couldn't make out what they were saying with all the other chatter going on around me. A couple of eyes flickered over to me in confusion. One of the guys, he had ridiculous bronze bed hair and boyish good looks, had a confused look on his stupidly perfect face. I also noticed a small burnet haired girl shake her head in my direction. Weird.

I had a few options here. I could just leave. Go outside, drive to the hut, pack my stuff, and go elsewhere or I could just completely ignore it and fingers crossed, I won't ended up dead by the end of the day. No, I just got here and I'm not harming anyone and maybe if I explain that they won't harm me. Yeah right, naïve optimism is going to work. But I liked that idea better than the first two and if I talked to them now it's extremely unlikely they will do anything here. So I've made up my mind, I'm going to confront them.

I mutter something to the rest of the table, some lame excuse about wanting to introduce myself and slip away. My heart is beating so hard it hurts and I'm starting to feel a little sweaty. My stomach is queasy and full of rapid butterflies. As I approach the table all five non-humans look up at me mostly curious, some hesitant, all confused. The blonde male, I think Jessica said his name was Jasper, looks just as anxious as I do. My throat tightens up so I cough a little and in a very soft voice I jump right in:

"So um, I don't know what you are bu-but I just want to s-say I don't mean any harm, or uh threat, or um anything like that. If you do not want me here I'll um, I can leave. Move again or something. I'd just appreciate n-not being killed, please." My breath rushes out of me at the end of my words, my chin is tuck to my chest as I stare intently at the ground to show I am being submissive. There is no response so I glance back up to the Cullens' table. They are all shocked, stunned even. The small girl recovers first, shaking her head and looking up to me in confusion.

"I don't know what you're talking about. We would not hurt you! You, um-" She suddenly sniffs the air, her eyes narrowing like she's trying to figure something out but can't. The guy sitting next to her with very short dark hair and the size of a bear speaks up. "Yeah, what Alice said."

"As interesting as this is maybe we shouldn't talk about it right here and now?" A beautiful blonde woman hissed, a scowl marring her perfect complexion. I don't know how I didn't realize her yet. She was the most gorgeous person I'd ever seen even with a bitter expression and sad eyes. Despite her harsh words I wasn't angry at her. Scared, yes, but not angry.

"Yes, please, if you could come over to our house this afternoon immediately after school? We can sort this out there. Just meet us in the parking lot after your last class and you can follow us there. Sound good" Bronze hair said having finally joined the conversation.

Shit. I didn't see this as an option. If I follow them home they were likely to just wait and kill me there where no one will see it. I really set myself up for this one, didn't I? Just as my heart rate was started to rise I felt a wave of calmness settle over me. Acceptance. They seemed surprise so maybe they don't want to kill me. Maybe I am mistaken and they are human? No, maybe they are just friendly supernatural being. Yeah, ok. "Sure, I'll be out there after I drop something off at the office"

They nodded, accepting my answer. Looking confident that I won't run away. I turn and leave knowing they probably have a lot to talk about and just hope they aren't planning my murder. The rest of the school day goes by absurdly slow. I have gym after lunch and two of the Cullens are in that class with me. Alice and Emmett, I find out are their names. Since it's my first day the coach lets me sit out and they both ignore me like nothing happened. For last period I have Art which I'm happy about because it's a nice and simple class. The beautiful blonde, Rosalie, is in the class with me but just like the others she ignores me completely.

The bell rings signaling that school is over and I return my slip to the office then head out to my Vespa. The Cullens are all standing by it and the rest of the parking lot is mostly empty by now. They all seem to have friendly enough expressions except for Rosalie who is mean mugging my moped. Alice steps forward with a smile. She just then seems to notice the height difference between us and starts beaming.

"Ready to go?"

"Um, yes. I believe so."

"We will have to take it slow to you can keep up with us on your little... scooter." Rosalie snarks before hopping into a jeep. They rest of them pile into the jeep or the silver Volvo while I start up my Vespa and we roll out of the parking lot like the oddest caravan ever. I have to wonder: Am I on my way to my death or maybe something else?