Hey guys! New story and it's going to be awesome. Just so you know, it won't be like any of those other stories because when you read the summary it might sound the same. Don't worry; I've got a lot of unique ideas. For the chapters, I've added songs to listen to, to enhance your reading experience. :P I might not have one for every chapter, but I'll do my best. Anyway, go ahead and read.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. (The characters are just my little puppets!)

Summary:

Bella Swan enrols in the prestigious boarding school, River Heights Academy, after things stopped working at home. Carrying a hard past with her, Bella struggles to make new friends and fit in. Little does she know, running with the elite can have its drawbacks. Edward Cullen, the basketball star and biggest jerk on campus immediately sets eyes on her, causing much drama. How far will he go to change the 'frienemy' status Bella has with him? When will be enough? Will the parties, fun, friends, boys and, of course, healthy learning environments (sure…) be just what Bella needs? Or will the immature high school drama become too much for her to take? Learning to trust and love again will be harder than she ever imagined…

Song: Misguided Ghosts – Paramore

I am going away for a while but I'll be back

Don't try and follow me 'cause I'll return as soon as possible

See, I'm trying to find my place but it might not be here, where I feel safe

And we all learn to make mistakes

And run from them, from them

With no direction

We'll run from them, from them

With no conviction

Bella POV

I sighed again as we drove through the busy streets of Chicago, Illinois. A new place. Another one. It wasn't seeing new places that I was tired of, it was moving around, having to start over again and again. How tedious it could be.

My father, Charlie, is a big time movie director and wherever a new project takes him, we go. It used to be fun, exciting. I was good at making friends, always the popular one. I went on dates with all the hot guys. I hung out with my friends and had sleepovers all the time. Being rich really had its advantages.

Wherever we went, whatever we did, Daddy always made sure I had the best of the best. I was envied and respected by everyone. Yeah, it was great. Of course, that was before the kids…

Now, it all disgusts me. I can hardly stand Charlie buying me birthday gifts anymore.

Charlie had offered a limo to take me to my new school, but I declined right away. I know he was trying to be a good dad. He wants to make me happy, but doesn't know how. Not to mention, me being truly happy seems impossible at this point.

That's why they sent me here in the first place…

I used to live in Phoenix with my mother, Renée, after she divorced my dad when I was a baby. My dad visited, but because of his job, I didn't see him often.

When I was ten, I decided I wanted a change of scenery. I started living with Charlie. That was about the time when I became 'popular, rich girl'. Every school I went to, I was admired and well-liked. I knew that and took advantage of it. Charlie would even fly me out to Phoenix to visit Renée and her new husband, Phil - a minor league baseball player - as often as I wanted.

I lived untroubled and shallow with my dad until I was 15. That was when life became a nightmare.

My mother had a sister, Victoria. They were very close, best friends. One night, Victoria and her husband, James, were driving home from dinner. It was their anniversary. All of the sudden, a car from the opposite lane swerved onto their side. A drunk driver. James veered off the road, trying to avoid the intoxicated person. They ended up in a ditch and were killed instantly.

They had three kids waiting at home for them with a babysitter.

When I heard the news, I came home immediately to comfort my grieving mother.

But what I hadn't been told was that Renée was the children's godmother. They were under her care now.

I made the decision to stay in Phoenix to help in whatever way I could. It would be hard enough for her to handle three kids so young, even with Phil around. The oldest, Ashley was only 6, Katie, 4 and Anthony just 18 months when their parents passed away.

Even through her grieving, all through that summer, Renée did her best and took care of the kids with my help.

But when school started up again - I was enrolled in a high school in Phoenix, keeping my promise to stay – everything changed.

Things started to slack on Renée's part and I was stuck with extra responsibility, much more than usual. It happened more and more until I was basically all by myself. It was my job to take care of three kids when I was just a child myself. I did though, because I couldn't bear to see these mourning children being shipped off to live in a stranger's home. It wouldn't be fair. They deserved better than that when their entire lives had just been stripped from them.

But I had never felt more alone in my life.

I had to grow up so quickly that it was dizzying. I'd turned from happy and friendly to depressed and distant. I closed myself off from the world. Balancing 3 kids and school was hard enough. I didn't have time for friends.

Phil would help occasionally, when I look overworked or too stressed. But I couldn't always count on him being there.

It was hell, but with the love of those kids, and the bit of help once in a while, I could still somehow call it home.

But, by the time school ended, I had become hate-filled and bitter. I lashed out at Renée often, yelling a lot. It didn't matter that I still called the place I lived home, when I felt so unsafe and angry there all the time. I hated her for doing that to me. I didn't deserve a life like that. I still hate her for making me feel this way.

Apparently, she'd had enough of my behaviour. And when school did end, she made Charlie come and take me to live with him again, saying that I needed to learn some manners and how to be a better person.

Even though I fought it, I ended up living in Seattle with my dad. They'd intended for me to go to school there as well.

But things didn't work out with Charlie. I wasn't the same person anymore. I didn't want all the material things. I didn't want anything from him. He took money for granted and I learned that everything is valuable. I'd been on my own for too long now. Taking help felt… weak.

I was depressed being away from the ones I really cared about. I was mad. My bouts of rebellion became too much for Charlie to handle. He concluded that I wouldn't be staying with him. I needed some time to myself.

That's what has brought me here today.

It was decided that I would attend River Heights Academy, a costly boarding school.

And, to my surprise, I almost wanted this. I hate being away from Phoenix for so long, but having the opportunity to be a girl, to be human again is too hard to pass up.

I want to know what it's like to have friends again. I want to have fun and be carefree. And that fact makes me feel extremely guilty.

I was scared about leaving the kids, but Phil had promised me they'd be taken care of. I guess I just have to trust him and have a little faith. My life is in his hands now… I hoped Renée had enough of a heart to look after them while Phil was playing away games.

"Well, Bells, here we are," Charlie said, breaking the long silence.

When we drove onto the campus, I gasped in shock. The school was huge and the campus was dotted with restaurants and stores. It was crowded with kids saying goodbye to loved ones, chatting with old friends and gaping at the massive school before them.

"Wow," I breathed. My stomach flipped when I thought actually having to live there.

"Yeah, it's something, isn't it?"

"It's amazing," I said.

He seemed delighted by my response.

"Glad you like it, kiddo. Now let's get your stuff," Charlie said, getting out of the car.

I didn't have too many suitcases. I told Charlie that I could carry them myself. Better to make a good impression with my peers sooner.

"You sure?" he asked. I nodded.

"Alright. Love you, kid," he said, pulling me into a hug.

"Love you, too, Dad." The words burned my throat as I said them. It was still hard to say that when I had felt so unloved in the past. He didn't seem to notice my struggle.

"Call me this weekend and tell me all about your new campus life." He grinned.

I smiled, too. "Sure thing, Dad."

"Bye, Bells."

"Bye." I waved. When his car disappeared around the corner, I looked the sheets with all my dorm information. I would be staying in room 146 with two other girls.

I took a deep breath, grabbed my luggage and headed toward the dorms.

A group of boys came from the building just as I was about to go in. One clearly wasn't watching where he was going and walked right into me.

"Hey!" I protested. I looked up at the tall form and gasped quietly.

He was, without a doubt, the most beautiful person I had ever seen. He had unruly bronze coloured hair. You could see the hard muscles under the black t-shirt he wore. Chiselled jaw and bright green eyes that you could get lost in.

Green eyes that, at first, filled with annoyance, then sparked with interest.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. His voice was beautiful, like velvet. "I wasn't watching where I was going. Please forgive me… I'm sorry, what's your name?"

"Bella Swan," I answered.

"Well, I'm sorry, Bella… You're new here, right?" he asked. I nodded.

"I thought so. I mean, if you were here last year, I'm sure I would've remembered you," he said, smiling crookedly. His smile was so breathtaking; it almost hurt to look at him.

I blushed at his comment and tried to regain my now scattered thoughts. I knew how to do this. It had just been a while.

"Look… um…"

"Edward."

"Okay, look Edward, I've got to go, but maybe I'll see you later." I started walking away.

"Bella!" he called, stopping me. I turned and he came to stand in front of me, much closer than I would've liked.

"Tell me something, Bella," he said seductively.

"What?" I asked unimpressed and uncomfortable.

"If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?" he asked me, smirking.

I processed what he was saying for a half second, then a fierce scowl lit my face.

"You are such a pig!" I hissed, pushing him away from me. I grabbed my things angrily and walked inside.

"Wait, Bella!" he yelled. I ignored him, leaving him and his laughing friends behind me.

If the first person I meet is such an egotistical jerk, that doesn't say much for the school.

I was at least hoping for decent roommates.

I passed the lounge, not stopping to admire it and took the elevator to the first floor of dorms.

I stopped when I got to 146 and stuck my key in the door.

It flew open and I was suddenly in the arms of a stranger. I cringed away from the thin arms that wrapped around me. Such closeness from a stranger made me extremely uneasy.

"Oh, sorry," a chipper voice apologized. I looked down to find the face that matched the high, soprano voice.

She was tiny, several inches shorter than me. She had inky, black hair that was cropped short and spiky and striking, blue eyes. There was a distinct pixie-like quality to all of her features that made her especially beautiful.

Now the girl was grinning madly at me.

"Calm down, Alice. You're going to freak her out," a voice came from inside the room. It was just as appealing as Edward's and the girl in front of me who I assumed was Alice.

Why did they all have to have such attractive voices, dammit?

"Uh, sorry," I said, finally speaking. "I'm just a bit… sorry." A faint blush filled my cheeks.

"No, it's okay. You're not the hugging type. I get it… But how about a handshake?" she proposed.

I smiled a bit ruefully. "Sure."

She held out a tiny, delicate hand.

"Hi, I'm Mary Alice Cullen, but I like Alice," she said, still beaming at me.

I shook her hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Alice. I'm Isabella Swan. Call me Bella."

"It's fantastic meeting you, Bella. Welcome to River Heights Academy. You're going to love it here. And I have a feeling we're going to be the best of friends!" she trilled excitedly.

I had to smile at her enthusiasm and energy.

"Here, let me get that for you," she said, grabbing a couple of my bags.

"Thanks." I realized we were still in the hallway and I had yet to see my new living quarters.

"They redid the entire place. It looks amazing," she told me.

I was stunned when I walked into my new home.

On the far right was a small kitchen, complete with a mini-fridge, microwave, and an island counter top.

It led straight into the living room area where one of my roommates had already taken the liberty of putting up a large flat screen television.

On the left were four doors, three leading to small bedrooms and one to a bathroom.

"This is unreal. No wonder it costs a fortune to get in this school," I mumbled in awe.

"Yeah," Alice agreed. Then she paused. "Wait. Bella Swan. As in, your dad's Charlie Swan? The movie director?"

"Yes," I admitted.

"Wow," she breathed, eyes wide. "Your dad is like a gazillionaire. No wonder you can afford this school."

Just then, another girl came from one of the bedrooms. To say she was pretty is a complete understatement. She had long gently waving golden hair, sharp blue eyes and a beautiful, statuesque figure.

Being in the room with the two made me feel like an absolute troll. My long brown hair looked like Medusa's snakes. My face looked to pale and washed out, almost sickly and my eyes were dull and boring in comparison.

"Hi," said the girl smiling kindly at me. "You must be Bella. I'm Rosalie Hale."

"Hi."

"Okay, okay, now everybody knows everybody and it's time to start unpacking!" Alice squealed, clapping her hands animatedly.

I sidestepped toward Rosalie and murmured, "Is she always like this?"

Rosalie laughed lightly.

"Pretty much."

Unpacking my things was easy with Alice whipping around like a tornado. That kind of energy is unnatural in someone so small. It confused me.

We talked while we worked and that made things go faster.

I'd learned that they'd been friends since they were young. They went to the same schools and when high school came, Alice, her two brothers, Rosalie and another friend, Jasper all came here. Alice was now dating Jasper and Rosalie, one of Alice's brothers.

I became a bit cautious when they asked me about my home. I only told them that my parents divorced. I had said that I lived in Phoenix, and then stayed with my dad for a while and ended up back with Renée and Phil again. I didn't give them any reasons as to why any of it happened, though. I needed to be able to trust them and know them before I told them anything about my real life. I could only imagine what would happen if that kind of information got into the wrong hands. They didn't seem to mind, though and didn't pry.

By the time we finished, it was nearly dinner time. Alice and Rosalie had made plans to meet up with their group and go to one of the restaurants on campus. They asked me to join them and I agreed. Things were happening so fast, but I was elated by the prospect of having two new friends on the first day.

"One more thing I wanna tell you," Alice said before we left.

"Go ahead," I encouraged.

"Well, there's this one person you should really stay away from. He's cruel and horrible and I don't want to see someone I care about get hurt."

"Alice. We've only known each other for a couple of hours," I said.

"Yes, I know that. But I also know that we're going to be really close. You're a great person, Bella." I could see no façade or lies in her genuine smile and my throat felt thick. I looked down as my stupid, uncontrollable blush crept up to my cheeks. My lips curved slightly upward. I hadn't, for the longest time, gotten a compliment like that. My own mother rarely said anything that kind to me anymore. This is what I had craved. This kind of human interaction is what I'd needed for so long.

"Thanks, Alice. That really means a lot to me," I murmured.

"Anytime, Bella."

"Anyway, back to this horrible someone… Does he happen to have a name?" I asked.

She sighed in defeat, her smile fading. "Edward Cullen."

Both the first and last name sounded familiar, but so much had occured today and I was a bit muddled.

"Edward," I repeated to myself. Then, the name clicked into place. I felt my face fall.

"This Edward… tall, bronze hair, obnoxious… does that fit his description?" I asked hesitantly.

Her eyes narrowed.

"That's him exactly. How do you know that?"

"Because," I sighed, "I had a nice little 'chat' with him already."

"WHAT?" she shrieked, making Rosalie and me cover our ears. "Ohmigod! Tell me everything!"

I went over my run-in with Edward Cullen. Their faces darkened simultaneously as I explained his actions.

"I swear to God, I am going to kick his ass," Rosalie hissed when I finished. Her beautiful face was distorted with rage.

Alice said nothing, for once. Her teeth were grinding together and she looked like she wanted to hit something… or someone. But behind the anger, there was ancient sadness in her deep blue eyes.

"You guys, it's no big deal," I said, trying to calm them. "I know how to handle him."

"You do." Rosalie's face had turned from angry to thoughtful. "I'm surprised. He usually doesn't take rejection."

"Yeah, well, I'm not about to fall for someone so repulsive and arrogant. Who would?"

"Just about every other girl in this school," Rosalie answered bleakly.

Finally Alice spoke, her voice dejected. "The thing is, Bella, he doesn't do that. I mean, he's not a player, man-whore… whatever you want to call it. It's an act. His image says, 'I'm better than you and this proves it'. He gets everything he wants and thinks he can treat everyone else like shit because he's the best.

But he's really not a player. He doesn't go from girl to girl at all. Once in a while he'll pick up a girl. It's to keep up that image. Every girl is falling at his feet, begging for attention and he won't look twice at them. He can treat them like that and they don't even care. Then, a few weeks will go by and he'll pick a girl at random. They get with him without question."

Rosalie spoke up then. "After a while, he'll drop them and won't even think about it. But it's still all a part of his act. He thinks he's better than everyone because he's got girls dropping to their knees for him. He proves it because when he feels like dating, there's no question that he'll have the girl he wants in seconds."

"That is so… pathetic," I said. It was disgusting, awful and degrading. And he didn't see any of that.

"That is so Edward," Alice said, hopelessly. I wondered why she looked that way until finally I matched Edward's last name.

"Oh, Alice. Alice, please tell me Edward is not your brother," I begged, horrified.

"Well, he's really my cousin, but basically…"

"Your cousin?" I asked, confused and still appalled.

"I'm not really at liberty to explain. He might tell you, but you probably don't want to speak to him much."

"You've got that right."

"Uh, Bella… Edward is coming with us tonight…" Alice trailed off, waiting for my reaction.

"What?"

"He might not show," Alice said, a little sad. Rosalie nodded.

I sighed. I had really wanted this to be easy. I thought I'd already made two friends with no trouble along the way. Turns out, I was so wrong.

"I'm sorry, but I really don't want to take my chances," I said.

They nodded. "We get it," Rosalie said in understanding.

"Tell you what, tomorrow, if you're not busy, we'll spend the whole day together. No Edward." Alice tried to become more cheerful. I wasn't fooled.

I smiled. "Sure. Sounds fun. But can I ask something?"

"Yeah."

"Why is he like that?" It made no sense to me. Why would someone choose to be that way?

Alice hesitated. "Only he can tell you. Sorry."

"S'okay," I said. I wasn't that curious. I wanted as little to do with Edward Cullen as possible. "You guys have fun."

"Are you sure? He might not come…" Rosalie persuaded.

"Completely. Just have fun. I wanted to check out the lounge anyway."

"'Kay. Bye, Bella," Alice said uncertainly. It cut at me slightly to see the sorrow and regret on her face.

They left and I slumped down on the couch sadly.

Alone. How fun…

I decided to go to the lounge anyway. Might as well have something to do. I picked up my Ipod and headed out the door.

When the elevator doors opened, I took in all of the glory that was the lounge. Leather couches, plasma televisions, a smoothie bar, pool tables. It had everything.

I decided on an empty couch in a secluded area, away from all the noise and people. I sat down and put in my earphones, switching to some Linkin Park. I closed my eyes and let the music take me…

I felt a tap on my arm and opened my eyes slowly. When I saw who was standing before me, I wanted to run and hide.

The infamous Edward Cullen.

He was smiling cheekily with one eyebrow raised. I turned off my music and glared at him.

"What?" I said angrily.

He didn't seem surprised by my tone. "We didn't get to finish our conversation earlier. You had somewhere to go…?"

"Yeah. Away from you."

"Oh come on, Bella. Be nice. Is this seat empty?" he asked.

"Yes, but this one will be if you sit down," I warned.

"Ooh, touchy, are we?"

I didn't answer, just continued to glower. His insolent tone was extremely aggravating.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" I hinted finally. I couldn't stand him any longer.

"Nope." He popped his lips on the 'p'. Ditching out on spending time with his family. How kind…

"Then, just let me be, Edward." I closed my eyes again.

Suddenly, I felt warm breath on my neck. My eyes flew open and I saw that Edward was no longer in front of me. I flinched away from his crouching figure behind me.

"You can't honestly say that you're not attracted to me, Bella," he whispered.

"Not in the least," I answered honestly.

"Well, I can fix that…"

I was facing him and once his fingers touched my face, I lost it.

"What kind of shit are you trying to pull here, Edward?" I said furiously, flinching away from his touch. "I'm not one of those girls begging for your attention. I just want to be away from you. Why can't you see that? Are you so blinded by your arrogance?"

"I just want-"

I cut him off. "No! I don't care what you want! I want you gone! Okay?"

"Fine," his tone was rebellious. Then it changed. "I just wanted to know you."

I laughed bitterly. "I've been there, Edward. I know what you want."

He stared at me for long while. His furrowed brow slowly smoothed out. Then he turned silently and walked in the other direction.

I sat for a moment before getting up and walking to the elevator.

When I got to my hall, I ran to my room and threw open the door.

I dumped myself on the couch and felt the sobs rack through my chest. Would the pain, hurt and anger ever end? When would I get the life I wanted? Or had I already lived it?

It's so hard to find a place in this world. Somewhere where I actually fit in. It feels like it's a lost cause for me. I had been broken and battered so much.

But coming to River Heights Academy was supposed to be starting over for me. I was frail, but I was still changed and different. I had healed just a bit.

But I was still fragile, breakable. If anyone were to hurt me, handle me wrong, I might just shatter into a million pieces.

Rosalie and Alice were the first to receive me. They had been watchful. They made me feel welcome and happy.

Next to hold me was Edward Cullen.

And Edward had just given me my first crack.

Would someone care to classify our broken hearts and twisted minds

So I can find someone to rely on

And run to them, to them full speed ahead

Oh, you are not useless

We are just misguided ghosts travelin' endlessly

The ones we trusted the most

Pushed us far away

And there's no one road and we should not be the same

But I'm just a ghost and still they echo me

They echo me in circles

Okey dokey. First chapter is done! Review if you want it continued because I can always trash it if it's not good. There are a lot more twists to this story. You might really like it.

Review

~Kara