Hey! So, I apologise in advance for the poor quality of writing. I know how much it annoys me when the writing bad. Anyway, on with the show. I hope you enjoy this.

C. x

Disclaimer: I OWN TWILIGHT! in my dreams. :{D

APOV

I glanced around the room, looking at each of the beds with disinterest. Next to each Ikea-make bed was an Ikea bedside table on wheels and an Ikea wardrobe. One of these areas was mine. One of these spaces was to be my home for the next nine months or so.

So God help me.

I wandered back to the front hallway at a leisurely speed, deliberately taking my time just to make Carlisle and Esme wait, after all it's they're the ones that are sending me here.

I got back just in time to see a large group of girls bound in the front door, all lugging heavy-looking suitcases and trunks behind them. They were chattering in loud voices, all obviously excited to see each other after the long Summer break. They all looked so happy and content, and I wished that I could be like them, be like the rest of my family back in Forks. Unfortunately this was not possible, after the incident, anyway.

One of the girls broke away from the group and walked up to me.

'Hi, I'm Anna Watson. You're new this year, right? What's your name? What year are you in?' She paused for a second, obviously considering her questions. She flushed, 'Sorry – this must seem like the Spanish Inquisition!'

I smiled at her and replied.

'Hey. Yeah, I'm new. My name's Alice Cullen and I'm in…' I checked the sheet that the head of boarding, Miss Pellier, had given to me earlier on. 'Upper Five.'

Anna grinned and pointed behind her head towards the others, who were at this point watching this exchange with interest.

'Us, we're all in Upper Five too. Head of uniform! You'll probably be sharing with one or two of us.'

Anna was quite pretty, and looked a little like Rosalie: she had golden hair that tumbled down to her mid-back in large, soft waves. Her eyes were large and almond shaped, Pacific Ocean blue. Her lips were full and pale red. Actually, I thought, she was really quite stunning.

Two of the other girls ambled over to us and introduced themselves as Georgia and Catherine. I introduced myself too and politely excused myself so that I could go and talk to the people I call my parents.

Carlisle and Esme were standing patiently by the hire car, a burgundy coloured Renault Espace - not their kind of car. It was slow, not fast; dark red, not black; under £20,000, not over. I stalked over to them, blatantly annoyed.

They smiled at me kindly and my resolve crumbled like an overcooked cake. I felt a tingling in my nose and then in my eyes. I squeezed them shut, determined not to show any weakness. I failed. The tears flew out of my eyes before I could stop them and I fell into Esme's arms. She folded me into her soft body and rocked me back and forth.

I didn't want to be here, I didn't want to go to this place that was also known as a school. I didn't want to be the only American in the boarding house. But most of all, I didn't want to not see my family for nine months: that would be the hardest thing to endure out of it all.

Life without Rosalie's tenacity, Emmett's laughter, Edward's music, Jasper's love, Esme's caring and Carlisle's leadership would be unbearable. It would be as if a huge part of me was missing. I was already feeling the pain now, and my parents hadn't even left the school grounds.

Just at that moment a shrill voice called out over a tannoy system.

'Welcome back, girls. It's about time for you all to be settling in and your parents to be leaving. Now, could you all please go to your rooms and vacate the whole house areas? Thank you.'

It was the 'wonderful' Miss Pellier. She was annoying the pants off of me already. Her high-pitched voice, perfect hairstyle and pink clothes were just the things that would get on my nerves constantly. That, as well as her condescending manner.

I looked at Carlisle and Esme and had to hold back the tears once again. Esme didn't even attempt to. She looked at my red puffy face, tear stained and streaky, and apologised. Apologised for sending me away, for the incident that was entirely not her fault, for everything. Carlisle gave me a quiet hug that expressed everything that he felt perfectly.

As I walked away, back into the boarding house – Houldsworth - I glanced backwards to see Carlisle holding Esme like she held me mere minutes before. We locked eyes, and a moment of silent communication passed between us. He would help me, in any way possible.

Any way other than getting me out of here.

So. There it is. Can't guarantee I'll continue with this. Thanks for reading!