Bella's point of view

Forks, Washington, was made of two different styles of people. There were the rich people, like the Cullen's, and there were people like us, poor. We were separated by a set of railroad tracks in the middle of town. The lawyers, doctors, and bankers lived on the north side of town. The teachers, farmers, and small business store owners lived on the south side. It didn't matter who you were as a person, you could be famous, the north and south siders didn't mix.

I didn't have a problem with the adults, they didn't flaunt their money, not like their kids. The Cullen, Hale, Newton, and Mallory's children were the absolute worse. The bitch squad, as my oldest brother Brent, liked to say.

I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Isabella Swan, but I prefer Bella. I'm the youngest child in the Swan family. I was adopted when I was two, by Charlie and Renee Swan. I have ten brothers and sisters, also adopted. Crazy right? Who in their right mind would adopt all those kids? Renee couldn't have children, and she wanted them more than anything. She's an elementary school teacher, so you can imagine she doesn't make much. Charlie is the police chief, also not the most well paying job. Thus, the reason we were on the south side.

All of us have worked since we were fourteen, mostly just little jobs around town. We did anything that would give us some money to get through the month. None of us minded though, we loved working, helping out. Most of the time we worked on jobs together, my siblings and I. Our family was very close, it's what kept us going our entire lives. All of my siblings are couples, it used to bother me, I used to feel like the odd one out, every once and a while I still feel that way. But my siblings have always included me. Of all my brothers I was closest to Tristan, he was the one who helped fight through everything I had been through, the one who fought for me when I gave up. Anyway, he always tells me that our family is a painting. All of our personalities are different colors, and without me, the painting would be incomplete. He's the poet of our family, I guess you could say.

He, Alyssa ( his girlfriend), and I were all seventeen, we were juniors at Forks High School. Nali, Mila, Danni, and John were all eighteen, seniors at Forks High. Brent, Kira, Danju, and Kai were all nineteen. None of them went to college, mainly because we couldn't afford it, and none of them really had any desire to go, so they said. Kira worked at the local diner, she's been a waitress there since she was sixteen. Brent, Danju, and Kai were mechanics at a car garage in Port Angeles. John and Tristan would go down and help them out when there was an overload. Danni worked at the bookstore in Port Angeles, the owner absolutely adored her, and appreciated her love of reading. During summer Alyssa worked at a day care center, perfect for her because they loved her. But during the school year she was the town babysitter. Nali, Mila, and I worked at this fancy Italian restaurant, La Bella Italia. During school we can only work on weekends though.

As I said earlier, all of my siblings are paired off. Tristan and Alyssa have been together the longest, since we were twelve. Danju and Danni were the next, then Brent and Kira, then Mila and Kai, and Nali and John were the last ones. I've only dated once, a guy named Jacob Black. We were fifteen, we dated for two months but decided it was best to stay friends. He lives in La Push, on the reservation. I see him pretty often.

That was sort of like a prologue. Here's the start of the story.

" Hey Bells," I heard Nali say from outside of the bathroom. I had been staring at my reflection without noticing.

" Yeah?" I answered a little absently.

" Speed it up, we have to get to work."

I cursed silently. Our boss, Mrs. Peter's, wouldn't be upset. She was an elderly woman of seventy-three, we loved her. She knew our situation at home, and wanted to help as much as possible.

I ran out of the bathroom and out of the house to the car holding all of my siblings. We owned two cars, not including Charlie's police cruiser. Renee was kind enough to take the smaller, older Camry. While all of us used the newer SUV, we needed the room. The drive to Port Angeles is only forty-five minutes, most of that was spent with all of us talking and laughing. We dropped Danni off first, then Alyssa, and then the boys dropped us off. We were still laughing when we walked in the door, where Mrs. Peter greeted us warmly.

" Kira thank goodness you're here," she to my sister, " would you mind filling in as a hostess, I'm afraid mine never showed up."

" Of course not," Kira replied with a smile.

We had the night shift which was never easy, especially since it's a Friday, and during summer too. But I have never seen the place as packed as it was tonight. And we were short two waitress, I was exhausted. I looked up and saw Kira seat a table of seven in the corner, I almost groaned, I had just cleared that table. She spotted me and walked over, her lips in a thin line.

" What's wrong?" I asked her, she didn't usually get angry easily.

" I'm sorry, but there was no other table big enough," she said wearily. I must have looked confused, because she smiled sadly. " It's the Cullens and Hales."

Now, I understood. I loved Esme and Carlisle, they were really good people, but I couldn't say the same for their children. I looked over again, I noticed that it was just Rosalie and Jasper, their parents were hardly ever around. Nali and Mila both came over, Nali with a tray of dishes and Mila with two empty cups. Kira told them was up and they gave me sympathetic looks.

" If they piss you off I'll switch tables with you," Nali said. I considered it, but I know Nali had no problem telling them off. But I was worried that she would lose her job, and we needed the money.

" I doubt they would say anything in front of their parents."

The manager came and told us to get back to work, rather rudely if I do say so. My sisters shot me one final sympathetic glance before scurrying off. I took a deep breath before I headed to the table of doom.

I saw Esme smile brightly when she saw me coming. " Bella," she greeted warmly.

" Good evening Mrs. Cullen," I nodded to Carlisle, " Doctor Cullen."

He smiled warmly at me, one I returned instantly. " Hello Bella, the kids miss you around the hospital."

I used to visit the kids in the hospital twice a week, but I had to take extra shifts so I couldn't make it anymore. " I miss them too," I said honestly, " I'll try and get a day off to go see them."

" I was actually going to call you tomorrow," Esme said, " there's a house that I'm furnishing. I was wondering if your brothers could help bring things in, and you and your sisters could maybe paint." I would love to help Esme, but all of our workloads were pretty heavy, and we couldn't risk the money or time. She must have seen this. " The family wants to pay you for your help."

I was very unaware of the eyes of her children, for the moment I didn't care. " When do you need us?" I asked.

She smiled happily. " We start the painting on Wednesday, we can't put the furniture in until that's done."

" I'll ask my sister's about there work schedule. But I have the morning shift so I can be there at two, and get as much done as possible," I agreed.

" Now that you're done given out a charity job," a smooth, arrogant voice said, " now can we get some drinks?"

" Edward," Esme said appalled.

I looked to their youngest son. Edward Cullen was the definition of the word gorgeous. He had sparkling emerald eyes, which he obviously got from his mother. His hair was copper colored that was always in a disarray. It was easy to see why every girl at school wanted him, I would be one of those girls, if I hadn't been the target of his shitty attitude. He was an arrogant jerk, who thought that the whole world was his. He could do whatever he wanted and never have to face the consequences. He was an all star jock, which just made his ego grow. As sick as it was, Forks was wrapped around his finger.

" What can I get you to drink?" I asked, I smiled stiffly.

He smirked. " What drinks do you have?" I took a deep breath, this was going to be a long night.

If I was exhausted before, I was dead on my feet now. That stupid piece of shit had me running back and forth all night. He needed more ice, his fork was dirty, his food wasn't cooked all the way! He drives me crazy! If Esme and Carlisle weren't here it would have been worse, and he sat their smiling the entire night. Not only him but his siblings and friends too. I waited until I was in the kitchen and I let out an annoyed shriek.

I heard Nali and Mila laugh behind me. " It's not funny," I said grumpily.

" I told you I'd switch," Nali said, laughter still in her voice.

" No," I sighed. " Esme has a job for us," I told them to distract myself, " painting. Starts on Wednesday."

They were both silent, going over their schedules. Nali spoke first, " I work all day Wednesday but I'll go on Thursday."

" I'm not off until Friday," Mila said.

I nodded. I would have to tell Esme. I straightened and took a breath to steady myself. I walked back out towards the table. I felt much calmer, I had a sneaky suspicion that my sisters were following me. I was concentrating on the feeling that I stumbled into the Cullen's table, causing Rosalie's drink to spill into her lap. I heard Mila try and conceal her laugh from not too far away. I wanted to snap at her but Rosalie stood up with a murderous glare.

" Look what you did," she hissed, " this dress cost more than your whole family makes in a year."

My eyes narrowed, that was a low blow. But only her little circle of friends would say something so rude. She sneered at my hurt expression, and raised her hand like she was going to back hand me. I wish she would, I had a very good knowledge of self defense. I may be sweet but if you piss me off I could easily kick Emmett's ass, and he was one big mother flipper.

" Try it Blondie," Mila said, I could feel her standing behind me. " I'll bet a hundred bucks that she'll kick your ass from here to Mexico."

Rosalie took a step forward so did Mila in response. Nali suddenly came out of no where and placed a hand on her shoulder, she didn't even look at Rosalie. " Peace sister," she said soothingly. Mila sighed, and I felt myself become calm. I opened my eyes to see Jasper, Rosalie's twin brother looking at us curiously. I was curious about the look on his face, like he recognized or realized something. He never took his eyes of Nali. I looked at her, she was smiling at Esme.

" Please excuse my sister Mrs. Cullen, she has a nasty temper," Nali smiled her charming smile, and Esme waved away the apology.

" They deserve it for being so rude," she glared at her children, then smiled back at us, " I was hoping you girls would help me out with the painting at the house."

" We would love to Mrs. Cullen," Mila said, anger under control, " I apologize for my lack of manners. Dr. Cullen, I was hoping I could speak to you about something. Do you mind me stopping by the hospital tomorrow morning?"

He looked at her a moment before smiling. " Of course not, there are things I need to speak to you about as well."

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She didn't say anything else, just turned and walked away. Nali smiled a goodbye and chased after Mila, I was tempted to do the same, but I have to get through fifteen more minutes of work. Instead I looked to Carlisle. I let my eyes ask the question. He saw it, and shook his head sadly.

My breath left me in a whoosh, I wanted more than anything to go comfort Mila. For months she's been trying to look for any information about her real father, her mother is in jail somewhere in California. Carlisle was are last hope at any kind of information. I felt tears come to my eyes. I excused myself, Nali was holding Mila as she sobbed quietly. I glanced and caught Kira's eye, she frowned at my expression, my eyes darted to Mila. She looked at her, and rushed over. I ran up at the same time Kira did, and wrapped my arms around her waist, hugging her tightly. Kira was stroking her hair gently. We were probably in full view of the entire restaurant, we didn't care. I dare anyone to mess with us.

" Our tables are clear," Nali told me quietly, " go clear yours. And call the boys please." I nodded, forcing myself to let Mila go.

I wiped my eyes, and walked towards the table. I handed the check to Carlisle, he grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly, I nodded, I would pass his sympathy along. Esme looked heart broken, we told her almost everything about our lives.

He handed it back, he always left exact change, for some odd reason, so I didn't bother to look inside. I tried to clear the table with shaky hands, but I felt someone staring at me. I looked up and saw Jasper, he had his head tilted to the side, like he was trying to figure something out. He frowned and shook his head a little, then he smiled at me. Not one of the smirks or sneers he usually shot at me, just a smile, a tiny one that made his eyes seem brighter. He laughed to himself and shook his head again, before he walked out the door.

I would think about that later. I pulled my phone out of my back pocket, and dialed Tristan's number. He picked up on the second ring. " Hey Bells," he greeted, " you guys ready?"

I would explain to him later. " Tristan put Kai on the phone."

He heard the urgency in my voice, and thankfully didn't ask questions. " What's wrong?" he asked, worry evident in his tone.

" Kai," I said slowly, " Mila needs you."

There was a moment's pause. " I'm on my way." And he hung up.

One thing I will always admire about the relationships of my siblings, they just knew. They knew when their partner needed them. They never asked questions, they never hesitated, they were just there. The couples aren't the only ones who feel this strange connection, it's all of us. It's weird because none of us are blood related, but we are closer than anyone I have ever met. We love each other, we need each other, we are a part of each other. Our family is one.

In ten minutes, my family was rushing into the restaurant, with Kai in front. There was no way that they could pick everyone up and be here in ten minutes, not without breaking a few laws of course. We waited by the door, Mila needed Kai right now, but we would wait until she needed us too.

Nali saw him approaching, and whispered that he was here. She looked behind her shoulder and saw him. She fell into his embrace no longer able to stand. He nodded to Nali that he had her. She kissed Mila on the forehead before walking over to us. " Dr. Cullen didn't find any information on Mila's father," she informed them.

Everyone let out sad noises, they knew how much this had hurt her. I saw Mrs. Peter waving me towards her. I walked over and tried to smile. " Oh dear," was all she said. After a few moments I had to look up and see if she was still there. She was looking at Mila with sympathy. She turned back to me, and held out three white envelopes. Our paychecks. " I added some for Kira helping out," she said distantly. I nodded and walked away.

Kai was carrying Mila like a small child. We parted and Brent held the door open. The drive home was the opposite than the drive up, no one spoke. When we got home Kai carried Mila to the girl's room and closed the door quietly. We would bunk with the boys tonight.

" I'll go call Charlie and Renee," Nali said. She grabbed John's hand and walked to the kitchen. The rest of us went to the living room, and waited until we could see Mila. About fifteen minutes later Nali and John came to wait with us. All of us fell asleep in the living room.

Ok, I've had this story idea in my head for a while and had to post it. Same characters as Hidden Fire, same background stories. Except I changed Sergio's name to John. This story is going to be very dramatic, at least as far as I can tell. Thanks for the support, I hope you like it. Any questions just message me.

Lot's of love,

Nisa