A new world, I thought grimly to myself as I looked around the small town of Fork, Washington. I still hadn't known why my aunt chose here of all the places in the world. She said it was where she grew up and she wanted to settle down with Todd, her new husband. I had left my friends behind, knowing it would be easier, considering everything.

I wanted a simple, mysterious life in the small town. I wanted to go to an American school. I was glad to be out of London, though I had missed it so. I had just finished my tenth year of school. I was seventeen, and now what they called, a junior, at Forks High School.

"Tegan, you're going to be late!" My aunt's small voice yelled as I walked down the steps. "If you feel sick, just go to the nurse. The teachers have been informed about you. They know not to say anything… you know you don't have to go. You can stay home if you want."

"Annie, I'll be fine. I want to go. I want to make the best of this." I said softly, a small smile appearing on my face. "I want to live the rest of my days, as normal as possible." Sighing, I walked to the 1967 Chevy Impala that sat in my new driveway. A fresh coat of black paint shined, even in the gloomy weather. This would be interesting, I had no idea of what to expect from going to a new type of school. Before, it was easy. I knew I didn't have to hide there, but here…I'd have to hide my illness. It would be easier that way. If I just blended and didn't show that I was dying. I knew I'd miss a lot of school, but I didn't want to bring myself down. I had left my friends behind; it was better for them if they didn't have to watch me die.

Driving fast, I made it to my new school in no time. With my luck, I should have gotten a ticket. Luckily, fate was being nice to me today. At least I think it was. Grabbing the black messenger bag from the seat, I looked down at my clothes. I hope I didn't look too bad, but I also hoped I wouldn't be noticed. Of course, that was impossible. I was so pale, and if that weren't noticeable, I sure would be noticed by my bright lavender eyes. I finally pulled in the lot, and parked. I sat for only a moment to compose myself. If I were going to do this, I had to be the best actress I could.

This was certainly going to be an odd day; I knew no one, and of course, I was your saddest form of beauty. Blond hair fell wavy past my shoulders, my pale skin peeking from the nape of my neck. My slender curves were slowly starting to disappear. My body had been losing everything as it slowly withered away. I would be beautiful, had I not been dying. Leukemia was certainly a stubborn disease. I had tried to rid it from my body three times. Nothing worked. It kept coming back. I finally gave up. I had only six months, at the most. But I wasn't going to quit living.

It was hard not to be depressed. Knowing I only had six months, it didn't seem long. It wasn't long enough. I knew leaving my aunt behind would be the hardest thing, which is why I kept my bad days to myself. Some days were worse than others; the uncontrollable shaking, the cold sweats, and the throwing up. It was those days I felt like giving up. But I couldn't do that, for my aunts' sake, at the very least, I had to try.

I finally stepped out of the car, shutting and locking the door behind me. I walked slowly, counting each step. It was a nervous habit that distracted me from reality. I was looking at the schedule I was given. All of a sudden, a shimmering Volvo flew past me into the spot two spaces from me. I had to stop to catch my breath. It was hard enough to breath; I didn't need a gust of wind sucking the air from me. I looked at the car, not strong enough to glare. "Stupid shiny Volvo owner," I muttered under my breath as I began to walk again. I had made it inside before someone finally noticed me.

"Hi. I'm Eric. Welcome to Forks," he said with an eager smile.

I couldn't fight the smile that started to turn up from the corners of my lips. "Tegan," I said softly, my Welsh accent breaking through in my next words. "Umm…could you possibly direct me to the office?"

"Of course, this way," he said and began to walk. "Anything you need, I'm your guy, Tegan."

Overly helpful, I thought happily to myself. This was just what I needed. "Thank you, so much. You have no idea how hard this is."

"So where are you from?" he asked casually, feeling less intimidated as I smiled softly.

"Wales, originally, but I moved to London when I was ten." I shrugged at his other question.

"Wales?" He asked curiously. "Why would you leave London to come to our little town of Forks? This is front page news you know, you're the new girl, and from London!"

I tried to smile, but it was a pathetic one at that. "News? Please tell me your sodden joking?"

"Okay, no story. I got you, baby." He said excitedly, as he stopped at the office door. "Well, if you need anything else, just shout."

I smiled softly, "Thank you, Eric. I'll see you around, alright?"

He nodded, "Right…I'll save you a seat at lunch, Tegan."

"Tae is fine," I said before pushing open the door.

I had made a few friends during the school hours. Angela and Jessica were the friendliest. I moved through the lunch room as I saw many new faces, one had caught my attention. He had reddish brown hair, and alabaster skin. He sat at a table with the others that looked like they stepped out of a book, all of them perfect.

I watched him nod once, saying something under his breath as he looked at me. I wondered what he was thinking about… I was pushed in line as I was distracted, hearing Ang say she was sorry. I smiled, moving forward. "It's my own fault for not paying attention."

As I sat with them for the first time and looked over at the table of beautiful angels. He was staring, as was I. I smiled a small smile and then turned to look at Jess. "Who are they?" I asked as I turned to Jess. Surely, she would know the most information about them.

She looked to see who I was talking about, "That's Edward and Emmett Cullen, and Rosalie and Jasper Hale. The one on the left is Alice Cullen; they all live together with Dr. Cullen and his wife." She said in a hushed tone, as if they could hear us.

I pondered the thought, "The one with the reddish brown hair…who's he?" I asked after a small moment of silence.

"That's Edward. He's gorgeous, of course, but don't waste your time. He doesn't date. Apparently none of the girls here are good-looking enough for him," she scoffed. "Not that I care…"

I looked over at him again, meeting his gaze. He was staring at me again, this time with a small smile. I smiled back and stood up, going to get a salad, I had forgotten to purchase anything; instead I had watched those beautiful strangers' mere minutes before. I knew I needed to eat, I just hoped I could keep it down.

After lunch, it was time for Biology. I had been fairly interested in this class. I had already completed my year of Biology back home, but I decided to take it again, it would be easier for me. It was less troubling homework that wouldn't keep me up at night.

I walked into the class; all the eyes on mine were really starting to bug me. I really hated being center of attention. I rolled my eyes as I walked to the teacher and he waved to the only open seat in the class. I took a seat next to the pale, thoughtless, angel beside me. Mystified by his beauty, but his intense glare caused my thoughts to go else where.

He was tense, with some sort of anger that festered under the surface. I couldn't read him very well, and that made me curious. I smiled kindly at him, to reassure him that I was no harm. "Hello." I said quietly, class wouldn't start for a few minutes.

He just stared at me, eyes wide with secrets, and said nothing. His hand had covered his mouth and nose, did I smell bad? I unconsciously sniffed my hair. I smelt fine, like strawberries from my shampoo. My brows furrowed in confusion but I decided if he didn't want to talk, that was fine by me. He was rather strange as it was.

Soon as the bell rang, he flew out the door. Determined to get away…but was it really because of me? I had to distract myself from thinking of those dark onyx hues. My eyes started to blur as I walked slowly out of the class. Everyone had hurried off to their next class. This was bad and good. The bad thing was, if I fainted, someone would panic and call the ambulance and I'd be right back in a hospital. The good thing, I was alone and no one could see my weakness. I stumbled a bit as I tried to keep my consciousness in check; I leaned against a wall unwillingly, and slowly slid down. My head hung low and I saw foot steps out of the corner of my eye.

"Are you alright?" The voice was soothing as he kneeled down beside me. "You look gravely ill."

I looked to see Edward at my side and smiled weakly, "I'm just dizzy…that's all. I'll be fine in a minute."

"Can I help you to the nurse?" He asked softly, looking into my eyes.

"Umm…" Every part of me wanted to say no, but those eyes convinced me otherwise. "I don't think I'll be able to make it."

"I'll help you," He said and grasped my elbow gently, pulling me off way to fast.

All I remember after that was him catching me as I passed out. When I woke up, I was in the nurse's office. "What happened?"

"You passed out Mrs. Ashford. Edward here, found you and carried you here," she smiled happily as she looked at him. "You're lucky he found you. You've been out for an hour and he's refused to leave your side even though I assured him you'd be fine."

"Can I have a minute with him, please?" I asked through weak eyes, forcing a meek smile. "I'll be fine."

"I'll be back in five minutes to check your temperature. You might want to find a ride home, Tegan." She said softly and walked out.

"Thank you, Edward. I appreciate you helping me." I said as I sat up slowly, looking around as I stood. "Do you know where my bag is? I need to call home."

He quickly handed me my bag, taking hold of my elbow. "I could give you a ride home."

I smiled at his kindness, "Thank you, but I don't want to be a bother. You should return to class."

"It's nothing I haven't heard before." He said softly, "Please, I'd like to make sure you're okay."

"Look, love," I began, sighing softly, "I'll be alright. I assure you. I always am. I just get dizzy sometimes. No big deal."

"You're lying," he muttered. "You're sick."

I looked bewildered, "How would you know that?"

"You barely have a heart beat, and you have trouble breathing. I think you should go to a doctor. I can call my father if you'd like." He said, clearly concerned.

"I've seen enough doctors, thank you." I said defensively. "I don't need to see another one."

He raised a brow, "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," I said as I pulled away and stormed off.

He walked after me, "Please, Tegan. Let me drive you to see my father. He can help you."

"No, he can't. No one can help me." I said as my emotions started to get out of hand. "You don't even know me. Why do you care?"

"I'm not quite sure, but I know I'm worried about you. What were you diagnosed with?" He said as he grabbed hold of me, turning me to face him.

The tears couldn't have been held back any longer. "It's better if you don't care. Please. It'll only turn out bad for you."

"Please tell me the truth," he said with pain evident in his eyes.

"You want to what's wrong with me?" I said, getting louder astride pulling away. I must have been too weak to even do that, seeing as I didn't move an inch. "I'm dying. I have leukemia. I was having a good day, and then it hit me, like a thousand bricks. All I needed to do was sit until it passed, but no, you had to convince me to see the nurse."

He stared, his mouth agape. "I…" he couldn't finish.

Good, I thought. He felt bad. I didn't want to make him feel bad, but it was already coming out before I could stop myself. I was just so mad. "Are you happy now? I was trying to live a normal life for the rest of my days, but no, you just had to know. Thank you so much for ruining that for me."