AN: this story starts in an alternate universe none of the Twilight books have happened but the story will stick as close as possible to the original characters. The story will also follow some of the story line of Twilight with my own twists put in. There will be changing so no worries I just wanted to build a back-story. I hope you all enjoy :D

I do not own Twilight or any of the saga, Wish I did. Stephanie Meyer is the genius behind that.

May 28th, 1917
Chicago IL.

Bella's POV

I fiddled Idly with the hem of my skirt as I waited for the bell to ring. I hated that they were staring at me. Then again that's how it went when you were the new girl in town. I could feel all 28 Pair of eyes on me as I attempt to just ignore them. I just wanted the pure torture to end. Luckily I'd come in just before the end of the year, which was a little comforting I guess, since I wouldn't have to bear this torture for long. As the bell let out its sharp chatter I jumped from the desk with a stumbling first few steps and I was out the door before you could say 'see you later'. Of course I should of known better than to actually move faster than a brisk walk since I ran smack dab into, what felt like it could of been a brick wall.

"I-I'm so sorry", I said picking up my bag as I struggled to my feet.

"That's fine dear", He said slowly in a soft baritone voice. I glanced up after shifting my book bag onto my shoulder and straightening out my skirt. The man before me had deep blond hair cut short and styled. He had rather dull brown eyes. His face was rather plain with rounded features but a rather smug look on his face. he was taller than me, he had broad strong chest and shoulders, the look in his eyes however made my insides shiver as the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

"I should have watched where I was going", I said taking a step back but he mimicked me by taking a step forward. I stepped to the side a few times.

"Really I-I'm sorry...I really should be going", I said trying to be polite as possible as I slipped around him.

An iron like grip closed around my wrist stopping me in my tracks. I gasped sharply in surprise.

"Now Isabella would you allow me to walk you home?", he said and my mouth opened and then closed like a fish gasping for air. His tone was demanding and more of an order than a request and I prayed I could worm my way out of his company.

"That's ok...I do not live far really.... I will be fine", I said and thankfully he let go as I hurriedly walk down the hall not wishing to dwell near him a moment longer. That guy really made a chill run up my spine. I made it out of the front door and sighed as the sun hit my face, I smiled. With the sun out I surely couldn't stay upset long.

I walked home in peace. I wondered silently to myself how the blond brick wall had known my name; then again most of the school knew my name. I guess that's how it is when you are the new kid.

I made it to my house in good time and hopped up the stone steps, without tripping and unlocked the front door and slipped into the small homey brick house.

The house was older but in good shape with smooth honey colored wood floors and bordered the nicer side of town. My parents, Renee and Charlie, wanted the best for me and they wanted us to live where.... as they said 'prim and proper ladies should live'. Right, I was just glad we didn't live in say, Canada though Chicago was cold enough to almost be considered Canada anyways. My feet squeaked as I walked over the wood floor of the hall and into the kitchen saying hello to my mom. I gave her a smile and a kiss on the cheek as she handed me an apple and told me dinner would be done in a little while.

I went into the living room and said hello to Charlie before heading back down the hall toward the stairs. I bit into the apple and walked up the stairs with my bag in hand.

I flopped on my bed to set to my homework so I would have all weekend to read & relax and of course not think about brick wall boy or the other staring baboons.

I was just finishing my math up, after dinner, when I heard the light rapping at my bedroom door.

"Come in", I said as I finished my last math problem and sat up.

My mom walked in smiling I raised a brow suspiciously.

"Hey", I said as I cleared my bed off and put my books back in my bag.

"Hey Honey, I have some great news", She said and my face fell and my lips drew into a tight line.

"What...", I said flatly knowing exactly what was coming, any sentence that started like that coming from my mom meant public torture. It was bad enough I had to wear skirts to this school.

"Well, We have just been invited to a formal gathering at Astair's estate.", she said brimming with excitement.

"Wow...That's Pretty exciting", I said trying to sound excited even a little but my tones fell flat and my mother's face fell.

"Look honey it will be a great way to get to know the right people, besides it would be rude to not accept", She said to me but all I heard is "Its ok to publicly embarrass yourself as long as the people are rich and good looking and think you are rich too"

"You know that I'm a lost cause when it comes to awkward social engagements", I said trying not to show my distaste for the occasion.

"It's tomorrow night, if you can make it out alive. I'll leave you alone for a while. No social interactions just you and your books", she said with a soft smile as she left the room. I sighed knowing full well she would never back down, so did I really have a choice?

* * * *

I wasn't pleased at all as my mother stood behind me now pinning my soft brown hair into a stylish bun, letting random curled tendrils stream down. My shoulders and torso were covered in a cream satin, which had black lace covering it. The dress accentuated what little cleavage I had and the slight curves of my body. My mom was now moving onto my make up. The soft pink lipstick went smoothly with my pale creamy skin. The blush she applied gently covered the color that had begun to rise in my cheeks. She then applied gray and blacks to my eyes giving a soft smoky look to the area around my eyes hiding the circles that had begun to gather from stress. The smoky effect of the make up made my eyes look so, creamy and warm brown. I don't know why I always was shocked my when my mother applied my make up. Then again it was needed to make someone plain like my self even remotely attractive in a dull sense of the word.

My Dad drove us to the party, I already felt out of place as he parked and got out. Others were getting out of their cars as their drivers went to park. I knew this feeling well, embarrassment, the other one that had come along for the ride was the foreboding feeling sloshed and ate away at my insides. This would not end well.

As we stepped into the rather over extravagant home I seen many people dressed in over priced clothing walking on the silly marble floor that I knew I would slip on before the end of the night. I walked slow and careful as we entered.

"OH, Isabella You made it", he said as his quick sweeping stride carried the human brick wall to me. He was decked out in a classic tux with a soft gray silk shirt.

"I thought you might not of got the invitation time", he said with a bright wide smile. I could spot a fake when I see one. Some giggling caught my attention and I looked to my right to a set of three girls giggling and whispering behind their hands, which were decked out in sparkly diamond bracelets. If I didn't know any better I would think they were talking about me.

"I never got to introduce myself before my name is James Astair welcome to my home", he said as he took my hand and pressed his lips to the coal black silk gloves I was wearing. I raised my brow and nodded.

"A pleasure", I said trying to be polite, more for my parent's sake than anything, but his eyes on me gave me chills and not the good kind. Soon an older lady with trim round features and long silky blond hair, I could only assume was his mother. She asked him to make sure the wait staff was not over cooking the hors d'oeuvres. I sighed in relief as I walked in making my way to a chair against the wall to keep attention off of myself. All I had to do was avoid eye contact to keep from encouraging a conversation and to avoid dancing, I would be safe but my luck never quite works out like that. My thoughts broke off at that moment as a hand was placed in front of me. For a moment I didn't want to look up fearing it would be James again. However upon further inspection of the hand the fingers were long and elegant, not the stubby thick digits of James.

"May I have a dance", a whispery and almost musical tenor voice asked, my eyes slowly wandered up the arm of the stranger to his face. His sharp jaw, his proud set cheekbones, set almost like gems were the greenest emerald eyes I've ever seen. His warm creamy skin was set of by a gentle and calm smile on his lips. His hair was in stunning disarray and even the bronze of his hair was unique to him. I was left speechless. Brain dead you could almost say.

Ok so that's it for chapter one I hope you all like it there is lot more to come and Ill be starting the second chapter right now. Also if you read please review. Reviews make me write faster. :D

Ps: This chapter was revised April 27th, I'm slowly beefing up and removing errors. :D happy reading