Chapter 1: Those Hazy Crazy Days

You know how there are those indie girls that just love to say things like "I love walking in the rain" or "I love watching the darkened sky"?

Yeah, those girls need some shock therapy and a slap in the face.

Me, personally, I like being dry. And I like wearing shorts and walking down the street like I'm on the beach. I enjoy high temperatures. The kinds that make you want to take your skin off. And I couldn't live without the old hammock in the back yard. Take Arizona from me and you take away all the fun.

No wonder that, when mum's hormones started raging and she decided to spend more time with that pack of muscles she calls boyfriend, thus banishing me to the rainy lands of Washington, I got pretty pissed.

Banish might sound like a strong word, but how can I describe her actions? One day she thinks that I need to bond with my dad and the next she's already bought me a plane ticket. It would've been nice to have a say in this, maybe even get a chance to declare my obvious no to the entire scheme, but then again who listens to teenagers? When I try and talk to her about these things, she puts on the invisible earplugs. All adults seem to think we're all very confused and what we just need is to come to terms with reality. Now, their definition of reality is very weak. If you ask any of them, they will give you a bland, vague peppy answer, which goes to show they have no idea what they're talking about. And they don't have a clear idea about life either. Or why they live it.

But what can you do?

I had to move to the small town of Forks and stay with my dad for a while. He's a cheerful fellow. He's the town sheriff. Exciting, eh?

I have to admit my father is a lot more likeable than my artsy mother that just rediscovered the age of fifteen. He's a redneck that drives a wicked car and eats only fast food and sugary products. What's not to love?

Catching up with my dad wouldn't be such a bad thing, you see, if only we didn't have to live in this town.

Forks is one of those small towns that give Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) a run for its money. Not only is it inhabited by the biggest kooks in the world, it's also most likely a natural reservation. I swear every inch of this place is green.

And I do love nature and forests and frolicking in the middle of the night, but when you've got so many plants around you, you tend to feel like you're Poisoned Ivy.

And it always rains. I mean it. It's not the English rain that sort of gets you in a mellow mood, writing poetry, listening to Radiohead and eating curry.

No, this rain makes you want to smash a guitar in someone's face. It's chaotic and it's very cold.

It doesn't allow you to get out of the house without having three sweaters on. It also makes you yell at the sky to go screw himself, literally. Not very ladylike I know.

But, that's what I did the first day I arrived there.

Charlie, my dad, was really excited about this little project. He had prepared my own room, had even bought some vegetables and had rented, God knows why, Runaway Bride, in the hope that we would definitely make a connection after watching a girly romance.

The house was comfy and warm, but once you stepped outside, you were attacked by outlandish, blazing winds that wanted to rip your face apart.

The back garden was beautiful, but I couldn't imagine spending a minute there on this weather.

So I spent most of my time inside. My dad was a man full of anecdotes.

'So, how is your mum doing? Still with that jock boy?'

'Dad, she writes to you monthly…'

'Yeah, yeah, but I just wanted to check. Besides, I can't read those damn emails.'

'Well, she's still hung up on that douchebag.'

'Hey, let's not talk like that about your mum's boyfriend. It was her choice after all. And if he makes her happy, then that should be enough,' he was telling me at dinner. We were eating broccoli and chicken.

'See, that's what you guys are conditioned to think. That's never enough. Don't you know women always want more? If you give them happiness, they're going to look for drama. You watch mum invent an excuse to break up with him just so she could have a change in her life,' I commented.

'Isabel, I doubt it's going to happen like that. Your mother just wants something stable. And if a sports guy is giving her that…'

'Oh, he's giving her something else,' I replied. He was about to get upset, but I quickly changed the subject.

'So, dad, got any schools around here? Not that I'm dying to sit in a classroom with a bunch of boring people, but I have to finish my education so I can perform as an exotic dancer.'

'That's…that's a joke right?'

'Maybe,' I said, smiling.

'Well, your mum and I already took care of that. You'll be going to the only high school in town. You start the following week, I think. It's a decent place, you know, quiet, nothing happens. The kids are all average Joes that do no harm. I think you'll fit in.'

'Yeah, it sounds like a good place for neurotics. And Sylvia Plath,' I said.

'Isn't better to be away from all that hustle and bustle in those big cities?'

'Well dad, since you still use expressions such as 'hustle and bustle' I have to tell you I am missing the gas fumes right about now. No, really now, this place is very neat, but have you noticed it rains and it rains and it rains and…oh yeah, it rains?'

'It barely thaws,' he protested.

'Yeah and the tornadoes from 1967 were just summer breezes,' I joked.

I couldn't convince him the weather wasn't quite spectacular. He loved the place. And I had to admire his fortitude.

I didn't know how I'd survive here, no matter how nice and peaceful it was.

First day of high school, I walked all the way to school. And let me tell you, it took me a good ten minutes until I found the place. It looked like a seniors' home. I was expecting to see old ladies pop out and wave at me with their silky handkerchiefs, but I digress. I did find the front door. What ticked me off was a poster that wrote "Gym Room holding Star Factory auditions." I recoiled slightly. Who would want to do that? I saw a girl inspect the poster with interest.

I guess some people never learn.

Everyone around me looked just as normal and bland as in my old high. The only difference was that I was the new girl.

You know what that means, right? All these shmucks wanted to know my 'life story.'

'Where do you come from?'

'Do you miss Baywatch?'

'Is the Death Valley in Arizona or Nevada?'

'What's your sign?'

'Did you ever run away with a biker?'

Yeah, that never gets old. And you have no way of avoiding these questions. You just have to take a deep breath and give them some crappy answers that won't matter anyway. Because you don't get to know people this way.

First girl I talked to was a blonde bombshell called Jessica. She reminded me of Cameron Diaz, thankfully without the annoying verbose. She was quite nice and fun to be around. She was bubbly and full of life. Reminded me of my old friends. She showed me around school and was kind enough not to ask me whether I had seen the cast of Baywatch or had autographs of every member.

Of course, her male friends on the other hand started bombarding me with questions the minute I sat down at lunch next to her.

'So did you meet any famous people?'

'If Joe DiMaggio's nephew counts as one…' I replied bored.

'Who?' the guy called Mike asked confused.

'You wouldn't know him unless you had arthritis.'

'What's that, some kind of disease?' he asked laughing.

I decided to keep quiet on that one. The more I looked at him, the more I realized he was one of those NSYNC boys.

'So Isabella? What a pretty name… was it inspired by anything?' another guy asked me.

'Nah, not really. Or maybe just my mum's Southern pride kicking in. I hated her for about three years till I got over it,' I explained.

'Wow, you really mean that?' the guy asked.

This was clearly my entourage.

'Yes, I almost became an arsonist all because of my name. Just call me Bells, okay?' I said.

'Bells, huh? Can I ring your bell then?' another Asian guy asked, smirking.

'No and if you throw more punch lines like that you're gonna wish you had a bell,' I replied sweetly.

'Told you she's awesome!' Jessica said, punching me playfully in the shoulder. 'She totally owned you!'

Just then I saw the door of the cafeteria fly open and a pair of pasty-white kids came in. They all had this vague, mysterious aura about them, but mostly, it was the fact that they looked as if some bright spotlights were turned on them. That or they appeared in Sports Illustrated.

There were two couples; a very pretty blonde girl and a bulky, unfriendly looking guy, then this airhead girl that twirled more than walked, holding the hand of a very feminine-looking male whose hair had suffered some malfunctioning since it looked like a wild raccoon and finally there was this other guy that walked behind them like he wanted to be anywhere else but there. He looked pretty sad. Like he was bored out of his mind.

He also looked like he was going to vomit. Or maybe that was just his complexion.

'What's up with those guys?' I asked.

'Oh, they're the Cullens,' Jessica told me, looking away.

'The Cullens? Like the Brady's Bunch or what?'

'No, they're just brothers, in a way. I mean, they were adopted by Doctor Cullen who works at the clinic, but they're pretty strange. They sure don't act like brothers and sisters. They're all up in their face, 24/7. They don't sit with us. They're more like an elite. Sitting alone and all that crap.'

'Oh, I see. Snobs and the like?'

'Well, they're not arrogant, they're just very withdrawn. They prefer only their company. I mean even Edward, the youngest, is so isolated and quiet. I tried getting a date with him cuz he's pretty hot but all he did was stare at me like I was a ghost or something. I don't think he's even into girls. He's never been seen dating one. I bet they're all emos or something.'

'Well, they sure have the fashion to back that up,' I commented staring back at them.

For some reason, that weird kid Edward stared back too. I had to stifle a laugh. He looked so ridiculous! He reminded me of those brooding guys in Anne Rice's novels.

I think he saw me giggle, because he turned away a bit annoyed.

'So, Bells, ready for classes?' Jessica asked.

'I've got Biology now, I think,' I said looking over the schedule.

'Oh, lucky you, you'll get to spend some quality time with Edward,' she said laughing.

'Yeah, I get the pasty kid,' I said rolling my eyes.

When I reached the Biology class almost all the students were there. Mr. Angst was there too, sulking over something. I really don't get these kids that always have a reason to look morose.

I had nowhere else to sit so I headed towards his desk. He looked up annoyed and for a moment, I could swear a flicker of disgust crossed his face.

Well, I wouldn't let him off the hook now.

'Hi there, mind if I sit here?'

He nodded coldly. And there it was! The disgust vehemently crossing his face again.

'Thanks. I'm Isabella, actually Bells. I'm new, I mean I just moved here. You must be Edward.'

I extended my hand but he didn't take it.

'Promise I washed it,' I joked but he still didn't take it.

'No thanks, I'm not big on physical contact. But it's nice meeting you,' he replied.

First impression: what a douche.

'Same here. Do you have a skin condition or something or do you use powder? Because let me tell you, even my mum, who just stuffs a makeup kit on her face, doesn't look like that.'

He stared at me condescendingly.

'I'm just paler than most. Not a big thing. Certainly not makeup.'

'Just wondering, you know, cuz around here they call you the weird kid. And no wonder, I mean what with your complexion and smoldering gaze. Makes you think twice…'

He stared at me in shock this time.

'Just messing with you,' I said chuckling. 'That's just the way I get to know people. By freaking them out.'

'You didn't really succeed. You're just rude and looking for attention most likely.'

'Well, snap! You figured me out! But you're probably a snob so it's a good fit,' I replied smiling.

'Let's just get over this lab work, okay?' he asked.

'Hey, you're the boss,' I said pushing the microscope towards him.

As I looked around the class, I realized people were staring at me. The new girl scent was still on me. Plus, I was sitting with Captain Intensity over here so I didn't make quite an impression, did I?

But watching this guy sit next to me, bothered by my presence, made me feel a little bit better about being here, in this school, in this town.

It started raining outside. Fantastic.