AN
Me, being a bad parent, is being neglectful of my Dramione, but I just can't concentrate on it at the moment (or should I say year; I think it's been that long anyway!) I will try and get back to it; it's just not working with me.
Try this New Twilight fic out though while you're waiting. Not beta'ed.
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns the rights. Me; I own a copy of the books.
Talk to Me
Chapter 1: Enter Isabella Swan
"Bella, are you ready?"
A sulking girl entered the kitchen, a big frown marring her face.
"I don't want to go," she said dropping her backpack on the flooring and hopping up onto a kitchen chair.
"Bells, we've been through this many times. I've already let you miss a week; you can't keep putting this off."
Charlie placed a granola bar in front of his daughter, "Besides, it's time you started making some friends."
"I don't want any friends," she moaned.
He ruffled up her hair. "Eat your breakfast, kid."
The cruiser pulled up in front of a red bricked building; a sign labelled it as Forks Elementary School.
Bella hated it already.
It was surrounded by trees, its branches creating a canopied shelter of leaves, giving the feeling that it was about to be swallowed whole by the forest. A small playground lay to its right, within it stood a jungle gym, slide, swings, roundabout and painted games upon the floor. Many of the children were already making use of the facilities while parents caught up on the town's gossip.
Leaning her head forward, Bella hugged her bag to her chest. She wanted to go home.
Charlie turned towards her, "Ready?"
"No."
He sighed and got out the car and walked to the rear passenger's side. He opened the door.
"Come on, Bells."
"No."
"Bella, I'm really trying my best here."
She huffed, passed her bag to her dad and reluctantly stepped out of the car. The place felt even more intimidating when you don't have a hunk of metal to shield you. She self-consciously pulled her hair forward.
"See it's not so bad. Now let's go find your teacher."
She grudgingly took the hand offered to her and made their way towards the administration offices on the opposite side of the school; away from the others enjoying their morning play before lessons started. This suited her just fine; anything to put off the inevitable.
Charlie rang the security doorbell and waved at the woman behind the reception desk through the window. She smiled back.
"Hi there, Chief!" her amplified voice came through the speaker plate. "You got little Isabella there with you?"
Charlie's answering smile could not be seen through his thick moustache, but you could hear it in his voice. "Yes. Finally."
The speaker emitted a chuckle. "Better late than never I always say. Well come on in."
There was a sharp buzz from the speaker, Charlie pushed the door open and approached the desk.
"Hi Cynthia, busy?"
"Always, especially when we have new students," she said smiling at Bella. She in return hid behind her father's leg; this lady looked like she wanted to hug her. Cynthia looked towards the Chief, "You didn't tell me she was shy."
Charlie shrugged. "I wouldn't say that. But you know more about kids that I do."
"Well, we better get you settled then," again with the smiling. "I'll just get your paperwork, and then show Isabella where she will be spending her time here." She pushed her chair back from her desk and rolled across the floor to come to a stop at a filing cabinet. Opening a draw she flipped through the letters and pulled out a file labelled 'Swan, Isabella'.
Rolling back to her desk she flipped open the file and read through the papers, "Oh, here we are. Isabella you're going to be starting in the 3rd grade with Mrs Chamberlain. Charlie, I just need you to sign this and I will take Isabella to her classroom."
He signed the papers then turned to Bella, kneeling down to her level.
"Right kid, I know you don't want to be here but please try and make an effort to talk to the other kids. Can you do that for me?" he asked turning her around and putting on her backpack.
She turned to face him again.
"Bells?"
"I'll try," she mumbled, grasping the straps of bag.
"That's all I ask. Right," he coughed and stood up. "I'll be back to pick you up at three o'clock."
She nodded in affirmation.
"Good." He clasped her on the shoulder in goodbye and strode out of the door from where they entered. She watched him longingly.
"So, Isabella, you ready to meet your teacher and classmates?"
The inevitable was upon her.
Mrs Cope stood and walked around her desk to come stand by Bella. She held out her hand. Bella looked at it dubiously.
Eventually she took it and Mrs Cope gave her a big smile.
"Okay, this way."
She led Bella through a door at the right of her desk and down a series of corridors decorated in colourful pictures made by the students. Lions, tigers, bears, houses, sunshines and monsters.
"You are going to love it here. I just know it. The other children in your class are very friendly, you'll get on like a house on fire-" Bella didn't understand "-and there are always lots of fun things to do during recess."
Bella didn't agree.
The halls were empty but she could hear and see the children pulling out their chairs and books through the windows.
All of a sudden, a blur streaked passed the end of the hall and Mrs Cope gave a shout.
"Mary Alice Brandon! I hope that is not you running through the halls!"
The blur stopped and turned.
A short pixie like girl smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, Mrs Cope," she said gasping from her run and pushing her waist length hair from her eyes. She had big grey eyes framed by thick black eyelashes that blinked in forgiveness. "I didn't want to be late for class and you know that today is show and tell and I'm just ever so excited to share with everyone what I have brought in today."
The girl talked a mile a minute. Bella didn't know if she liked that or not.
"Tut tut. Breaking one rule does not mean you should break another to make up for it. Two wrongs don't make a right."
Mary scrapped the toe of her Mary Jane across the floor. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again."
"Very well, now you can walk with me and Isabella here. She just started today and will be your new classmate."
Mary looked at her and Bella felt like hiding.
She gave a curious glace and broke out into a huge grin.
"Oh, we are going to be the best of friends," she clapped and launched herself at Bella.
Bella was winded from the force of the hug and the shock of being hugged by a stranger. She didn't know if she liked this either.
Mrs Cope coughed, "That's enough, Mary. We don't want to frighten her on her first day."
"Sorry," she said pulling away quickly.
"Right, come on. We don't want to be any more late."
The three of them continued down the hall with Mary chirping by her side.
"So, my name's Mary and I'm in the 3rd grade; we are going to have so much fun. Just wait till you see what I bought in for show and tell. It's the best ever, no one else has one. What's your name?"
"Erm, Bell-"
"Oh, like the Disney Princess? I'm so jealous. I wish I had such a pretty name."
"Okay, girls we're here," Mrs Cope said pushing the door open.
Mary raced in to hang her coat and bag on her peg leaving Bella behind. "Sorry, I'm late Mrs Chamberlain. But me and Mrs Cope brought a new student for you."
"Thank you, Mary. Can you go and take your seat now."
The lady standing at the front of the class came to stand before Bella. "Hello there, you must be Isabella. I'm Mrs Chamberlain, your new teacher."
Bella looked between the two women. She so did not want to be here, and she dared not turn to look at the rest of the people in the room otherwise she may start crying.
"Well I'll leave you to it then," Mrs Cope said.
"Thanks, Cynthia."
Mrs Chamberlain led her to the front of the room.
Oh no she wasn't!
"Okay everyone, I would like you to meet your new classmate Isabella Swan. Why don't we give her a warm welcome?"
Oh yes she did.
Bella looked at all the staring faces and went bright red.
"Hello, Isabella," they chorused.
She really wanted to go home.
AN
It won't be too long – about 10 chapters.
See you soon.
Kylie