A/N: Bonjour! This is my first attempt at a fanfiction by myself, so I'm hoping it's not too terrible. I'm not exactly sure where I'll be going with it, but I'm going to try my best to make it good! I hope you like it, and please review, review, review!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these lovely characters. The ever wonderful Stephenie Meyer owns the rights to all of them and most likely their souls.

Preface

I closed my eyes tightly, hoping that I could simply will it all away. I didn't want to open them again, because if I did, I would see the startling face of my captor. The one who I thought I could trust.

Slowly, they reached towards my neck holding a thick rope against it with their clammy, sweaty hands. "You ruined my life, bitch. Now I end yours." I heard, being hissed into my ear. This couldn't be happening.

Oh, but it was. Slowly, I was dying. I could feel all the air leaving my lungs. Then, everything went black.

Chapter One

"Bella! You're order's up!" called the cook from the back.

"Coming, coming!" I called, narrowly avoiding tripping over some small child's foot. He was laughing, a sure sign he had done it on purpose. I stuck my tongue out at the beast, and continued on my way to the back.

Another day on the job. I didn't really like working at the restaurant, but a job is a job. I'd be starting university soon, and Lord knows I need the money.

As of next week, I'd be beginning my education at the University of Seattle. I really hoped that becoming an English teacher would be a worthy career field. I love books, and I love kids…except when they attempt to trip me.

I looked over my shoulder to glare at the little monster. Of course, this meant my eyes weren't in front of me, so when I felt my feet give way, I shouldn't have been so surprised.

I tripped, over my own feet nonetheless, and went flying forward. With just my luck, the tray of food went everywhere. Including on a customer's shoes. Expensive shoes.

I lay on the floor for a moment, prolonging the inevitable. I had to ensure I was prepared to apologize my head off and get completely screamed at by the customer. Unfortunately, I was rather well practised with events such as these. It would have been a wonder that I hadn't been fired yet if it weren't for the fact that the restaurant was owned by my dad's old friend, Billy Black.

Jacob, his son, peaked his head out from the cooking area. Once he realized it was me who had caused such a noise, he simply shook his head, and got back to his cooking, silently shaking with laughter.

I narrowed my eyes at the wall he had just hid behind. Him and I would have to have a talk afterwards. I sighed, realizing that everyone was staring at me, and I probably just spent the past minute and a half lying on the floor and glaring. At least the carpet was nice.

I got up slowly, and looked into the face of the customer, waiting for the sea of rage to attack. Instead, I found two large and rather inquisitive eyes looking up at me with nothing but concern. "Are you alright?" she piped, in a chipper little voice.

"Oh…uh…yeah. I'm fine." I said, blinking twice. Maybe she didn't notice about her shoes. Generally, the concern vanishes once they realize their four hundred dollar Jimmy Choos are quite possibly are destroyed. "I'm so, so sorry about your shoes."

"What?" she asked, looking down at her feet. "Oh, that. It's fine. I have another pair just like it at home anyways." I felt my mouth pop open slightly.

"Um…are you sure it's alright? I mean, you can yell at me if you'd like to." I asked, completely confused by this bizarre little thing.

She laughed a delicate, tinkling laugh. "Of course not silly!" All the remaining people who had been staring now turned back around in their seats. If there would be no yelling involved, then we were no interest to them.

"Oh…okay." I looked down at the table, and saw a piece of paper similar to the one I received about a week ago. "Hey! Are you going to University of Seattle too?" I quickly realized how stupid that sounded, and felt the blush creeping onto my cheeks.

Oddly enough, she didn't tell me to get lost. Instead, she smiled and said "Yes. Will you be attending in September as well?"

"Oh. Yeah." Oh gosh, my first encounter will a fellow U of S student, and I act like a total dork.

"Want to go to lunch tomorrow?" she asked, the smile never wavering.

"What? Oh, yeah! Of course!" I just mentally smacked myself in the head in case you were wondering.

"Okay! Great! My name's Alice Brandon, by the way." she extended a small hand in my direction.

"Bella Swan." I replied, smiling and shaking her hand. Maybe things would turn out better than I thought they would after all.

Well, what do you think? The chapter itself is a little boring I suppose, but you know how these things go. Introductions must be made and such. I know it's a bit short, but I hope it's alright. Chapter title is Clumsy by Our Lady of Peace.