Chapter One

Darrington Preparatory Academy.

I had arrived, or perhaps, I should be saying "we" had arrived. Jonas and Stefan had followed me in the staff Lexus for the five hour trek to my new boarding school, but I had decided to have Martin drive me in my black Range Rover Sport because I didn't feel like driving for five hours straight alone, or at all, for that matter.

It was a beautiful campus, I must admit. And apparently, the school itself was ranked as one of the top five most prestigious prep schools in the country and only the most elite were accepted for attendance. I guess it helps when your father foots the bill for a multi-million dollar athletics center thats the size of two and a half football fields and three stories high equipped with eight elevators, four cafes, and two spa areas.. One for the girls and one for the boys, of course.

I watched from the passenger side of my SUV as the flocks of students were unloading their belongings and moving into their assigned boarding halls. There were people and luggage every where.. many students had staff carrying theirs bags and trunks for them, so at least I didn't feel out of place by too much.

Martin carefully opened my door and greeted me pleasantly, "Welcome to your new school, Miss." He smiled softly and held out a hand to guide me out of the vehicle.

I sighed as my feet landed on the cobblestoned driveway. "I'll be right back, Martin. I'm going to go get my rooming assignment," I said quickly as I walked up the large steps.

The Main Hall was breathtaking, although I was easily distracted from the beauty of the architecture by the boisterous noise of the large crowd inside. I pushed my way through to the Admissions Secretary and relieved that the line in front of her desk was not long at all.

"May I help you, Miss?" She spoke quietly, but I could understand her fully even over the noise.

"Yes, I'm Isabella Swan. I would like my rooming assignment and whatever else I will need, please."

"Ah, yes.. Miss Swan," she murmured as she ruffled through a large box of Darrington Prep labeled envelopes. She pulled two thick packets from the box and handed them to me. "You are in the co-ed dormitory, Winchester Hall. Here is your schedule and all the information you will need."

I looked down at the crisp white envelopes. Suite 416, I read. "Thank you," I said softly and made my way towards the doors.

I must not have been paying attention to where I was walking as I looked over my schedule because before I knew it, I was on my ass. I had ran into someone and he was holding his hand out to help me up with a crooked smile. Graciously, I accepted his hand and he pulled me up swiftly.

He reached down to pick up my papers and placed them softly into my arms. "I'm Edward, Edward Masen." He held out his hand again to shake mine.

I took it and smiled slighty. "I'm Isabella Swan, but do call me Bella."

I watched him as he ran his hand through his coppery hair. "Well, it was nice bumping into you, Miss Bella. I hope to see you around," he said with the same crooked smile and walked off towards the Main Hall's doors. He was almost to them when he turned to look back at me, his bright green eyes burning into me, before he pushed open the large wooden doors and disappeared.


"Just put the suitcases on the bed, Jonas," I directed, "and just leave the trunks on the floor. I'll unpack them myself."

Jonas nodded and did as I had instructed. I hugged him and Stefan goodbye before they left me with Martin in my suite. I did not want to say goodbye to him again. I had to do this every year once summer had concluded and every year, it was harder.

"You have everything correct, Isabella?" Martin asked. He was practically a father to me, especially since he had been around my family since my birth.. and with Daddy always gone off on business, he was who tended to me all these years.

I smiled lightly. "Of course, I do. Thank you for driving me.. please be careful on your trip back home with Jonas and Stefan."

"I will, Miss. Behave yourself."

I wrapped my arms around him in a hug and sniffled a little. "I'll see you at Thanksgiving."

"Yes, Miss," he said as he kissed my forehead and walked out of my suite.

I had almost given up on unpacking when I heard a sharp tapping on my door. I quickly opened it to find a short dark-haired girl standing on the other side.

"Knock, knock!" She cheered with a bright smile. "I'm Alice, your neighbor."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Bella. Would you like to come in?"

"I'd love to," she said as I ushered her into my room. She looked around, examining my things. "Look, I notice you still have a lot of unpacking to do.. but I was wondering if you were heading down to the docks to the party tonight?"

"I didn't know about a party.. I'd love to, but I don't know anyone here. I would have no one to go with." I explained as I sat down on the edge of my bed.

She giggled quietly. "Don't be silly, I know everyone! You will go with me, you'll fit in just fine. Trust me."

I smiled and let out a sigh of relief. "Okay, I'm in." I looked to my closet and frowned.. so many clothes, but not a clue where to start. "What does one wear to a party at the docks, Alice?" I pointed to my large closet. "Any ideas?"

"Yes!" She squealed as she began to rummage through my clothes. "I will make sure you look amazing, you are fresh meat and all."

After making me change eighteen times, Alice was finally satisfied with her work. She handed me my brown Dolce & Gabbana riding boots. "Wear these, they are amazing!"

I stood in front of my mirror and turned from side to side to admire my outfit.. Rock&Republic denim mini, Twenty8Twelve ruffle tank, and my favorite boots. Perfect for a dock party, I suppose. I loved the outfit that Alice had put together for me. "Toss me the Chanel lipgloss on the vanity."

Her eyes lit up when I admitted I was done and ready to go. "You look awesome! Now, grab your bag and meet me in my room.. I'll be ready in ten." She smiled as she walked out the door. "Suite 414!" She called back to me.

Maybe Edward will be there tonight, I thought. I tried to push him to the back of my mind since I had crashed into him in the Main Hall earlier. There was just something about him.. I definitely wanted to see him again. Maybe Alice could be some help, she did say that she knew every one.

After pushing my hair behind my ears, I decided to look myself over one last time. I shoved my keys into my Dior tote and grabbed my Ed Hardy leather jacket, just in case it got chilly later, before locking my door and heading to Alice's room.