I was the new girl in school. Alice Cullen. 5'2. Yes…short. I've been told. The new…"jewel". The shiny new object everyone notices and waits for, because this town is smaller than my backyard back in Biloxi. Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration. But it definitely is GREENER. It's sickening.

Long story short, I wasn't very happy to be in Forks, Washington. But I didn't have much of a choice. Ever since my father got transferred here, I was stuck in this shithole you call a town. Whining, stomping, temper tantrums…nothing had worked. Not even my prized "puppy dog eyes". My parents were adamant. And I was furious. Don't get me wrong, I love Esme and Carlisle. But this time...

It wouldn't have been too bad if I had my brother, Edward, with me. But he's still on his 5 month honeymoon with his wife, Bella Swan. Bella Cullen, now I guess. I smiled when I thought of me best friend and brother, so in love…I'd be lucky to find someone like that.

Psh. Yeah, right. Like anyone would even LOOK at me. I wasn't what you would call even remotely pretty. I had plain brown eyes, Chin length hair that curled up at the ends, and very, very pale. No tan. And I used to live in the south. Go figure.

Apparently, the guys here at forks high didn't seem to think I was all that plain. Or, perhaps maybe they were staring because I looked like a freak. I looked down at my clothes. A blue top with black spirals at the bottom, black skinny jeans and ballet flats didn't seem too bad.

I headed over to lunch when the bell rang and stood in line. I didn't really want to sit alone, but no one had asked me…

"Hi!!" I heard a musical voice chime.

I looked up, shocked.

The girl who just greeted me was beautiful, and I felt my already low self esteem drop into nothingness. She was thin, but not too much. She had beautiful wavy blond hair cascading down her shoulders, and it was literally shining. I absentmindedly pulled at my own short curls.

"Hi", I said shyly, "I'm Alice Cullen".

She smiled brilliantly. "I'm Rosalie. You can call me Rose, though. Listen…I know how it feels to be the new girl and everything and…I was wondering if you want to sit with me, my boyfriend and my brother for lunch?"

I blinked at her a few times. "No one invited you to sit with them at lunch on your first day at school??"

"No," she relied, laughing. The girls didn't want me anywhere near them because of my looks, and the guys did, but…"

"Ok, ok, I get it" I smiled at her. "I'll sit with you. Thanks a lot, Rose."

"No problem! Now, lets get some food, I'm starving!!"

I picked up a pizza, coke and some chocolate pudding, paid for them, and followed Rosalie to her table.

When we reached the table, a huge, scary-looking boy came over to Rose and hugged her. Hard. "Rosie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I missed you so much!!!" He screamed. I expected people to start staring at us, but it looks like they were used to what's-his-name's outburst like it happened every day.

"Aw, hun, I was only gone for five minutes to call Alice" she said gently.

What's-his-name turned to look at me curiously, Rosalie still in his arms.

"Oh! Alice, this is Emmett, by boyfriend. Emmett, Alice, the new girl, and my new best friend."

"Oh. In that case…Aliiccceee!!!!!" He dropped Rose on her feet and ran over to me and enveloped me in a massive bear hug. "Its awesome to meet you!!!"

Once he let go of me, I said "You too Emmett! Thanks for letting me sit here!!" I smiled.

We all sat down, and I soon became very comfortable with them, and returned to my normal, hyper self. "Geez Alice, you're almost as bad as Emmett" Rosale smirked, looking at me jump up and down on my seat.

"Yeah!!" Emmett replied enthusiastically, his faced stuffed with food.

"Emmett…that's gross. Even for a guy. Stop it" a deep bass voice chided.

I turned around, and came face to face with a gorgeous set of deep, blue eyes.