Learning to Breath

Disclaimer: None of these characters etc. belong to me. They all belong to the wonderful and amazing Stephanie Meyer. I don't think I could ever be that creative. Lol. Stephanie rules!

Author's Note : Hi, this is my first fanfic, so I'm pretty nervous. This is a story based off of Twilight, and the first draft of Midnight Sun that is on Stephanie Meyer's website. I didn't steal it, like the idiot that has made me wait FOREVER for the rest of Midnight Sun to come out. Anyway, a lot is the same, as far as Edward and his family goes. But, for those of you who love Bella, beware. I didn't get rid of her, per say, more just, gave her an alter ego I guess. An attitude makeover. She is now strong, independent, confident, and well… snarky. I named my Bella, Alexandra, or Alex. For those of you who have read the first part of Midnight Sun, you may remember Edward's day dream of a guardian angel that created Bella for him. He said that she made Bella with a potent scent to demand his attention, a silent mind to demand his curiosity, a quiet beauty to hold his eyes, and a selfless soul to earn his awe, and no sense of self preservation to make her able to be near him. Well I gave Alex a selfless soul, a silent mind, beauty, something to demand Edward's attention, and something to make her more than able to be with him. But, you'll have to wait to find out what that it. I have lots of big and little surprises that go with my alter ego of Bella that I hope you'll enjoy. Alex is fun, powerful, sexy, and has that stubborn streak we all loved about Bella. I hope you like it. This chapter introduces her, and her sisters (like I said, there are many differences between my Bella and Stephanie's), and describes Alex's first meeting with Edward. Please message, rate, and comment. I really want to hear what you have to say to make my story better. And sorry about the long note. Peace!!

New School

Ugh. Forks. It was just another new place, another new school, another dull day. At least I had had room to roam in Montana. And at least there had been that weird yellow ball of light in the sky. The one I hadn't seen in three weeks. What was it called again? Oh yeah, the SUN! I missed the sun. I wasn't that I didn't like the rain, but I wasn't fond of clouds. I mean, come on. Either be sunny, or rainy. Make up your mind here Mother Nature! I hadn't gone to school yet, because I'd been settling in, and getting a feel for the town. Which hadn't taken long, seeing as how the population of the town was half the population of some of my old schools. Everyone knew everyone, and there were absolutely no secrets. Heh, this town would have a hay day with everything I was hiding. The very thought made me grin.

I looked over to the passenger seat, and then in the rearview, where my sisters, for all intents and purposes, stared out their windows, watching the world of green and wet flew past them. I was speeding, but there were never any cops around here, and if there were, they'd never catch me. I sighed. "Tosh?" I called. My older sister, Natasha, who came from Russia when she was very young. That was many years ago though.

"Hmm?" she replied. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for my older sister. She was the strongest of us, as far as character went. She had long blonde hair, deep blue eyes, pale skin, and had a good four inches on my height. She had always been there for, and always would be.

"I start high school tomorrow, so I won't be home until two-thirty. Do you want me to pick Nikki up from her school?" I asked. My other sister, Nicole, who we'd found wandering around in Montana three years ago. She had long shoulder length brown hair, freckles, and big doe brown eyes. She was only twelve, and in her last year of elementary school. She'd be starting junior high next year.

"Sure. I'll make dinner, then head out to work." She said, smiling. Tosh worked tending the bar at the local bar and grill. The only, bar and grill. Nikki sighed. I glanced back her in rearview mirror.

"I know. I don't like new schools either. But look at it this way; you don't have to deal with high school." I reminded her. She smiled.

"Yeah. You're day's gonna suck even more than mine." She said softly. I laughed quietly. Yeah. As if high school wasn't bad enough. But a new high school, with a student population of a mere three hundred and fifty or so students, I was sure to be put in the spotlight. Oh goody.

I pulled into the driveway, and cut the engine of my beloved car. A supped up 1969 Ford Mustang, which purred like a kitten. I hoped it wouldn't stand out too much at my new school. I'd spent the three years perfecting it, and it would be a shame to have to leave it home. The three of us walked into the house that we were renting, and looked around. It was a nice, medium sized two story ranch style house that was perfect for our needs. It was brick, with a fireplace, and separate bedrooms and bathrooms for all of us, plus an extra bedroom that we could convert into whatever we wanted. A family room, a living and dining room, a good size kitchen, and a big back yard that led right into the woods. It was perfect. We had the basics as far a furniture, but it would be a while until it really felt like home.

"What's for dinner?" I asked as I flopped down on the couch. Tasha raised a brow, and looked pointedly at my feet. I sighed, took off my shoes, and then put them by the door. She was such a neat freak. She smiled in approval, and then her expression turned thoughtful.

"Well, I could make spaghetti." She said. Nikki and I cheered. Tasha laughed.

"Okay, okay, I'll go start it." She said, rolling her eyes. Nikki and I grinned at each other, and then settled down for some T.V.

After dinner, and performing my nightly grooming ritual, I settled into my bed. The sheets and pillows were soft, and the comforter was warm. But it smelled like fresh linen. Not like home. In Montana, my sheets had smelled like pine, from my nights sneaking out for moonlight runs. I had had many houses over the years, but Montana had been my first home. I supposed it would take time, to get used to things here. I just hoped it wouldn't take long. And that I would make at least one friend.

I woke up the next morning to another rainy day. At least there was real rain, and not just clouds threatening to rain. I put on a plain black tee and blue jeans, hiking boots, and a pullover hoody. Natasha would be asleep, since she worked nights. As would Nikki, since her school started later than mine. So I got ready quietly, and grabbed some money to buy breakfast. I kept my thick brown hair down, too lazy to do anything to it. I got in my beautiful car, and drove the three miles to school. I was early, so I parked and went into the office to get the appropriate forms for my first day of school. The school was exactly what I thought it would be. Small, brick, and very… small town. I smiled at the redhead behind the desk – the plate on the desk proclaimed her to be Mrs. Cope – trying to make a good first impression. She smiled back. "Hello. You're Alexandra Swan, right?" Ms. Cope asked. Christ. She already knew my name. I worked to keep the grimace out of my smile.

"Just Alex. I was told to come here first." I said. She nodded, and then pulled out several sheets of paper. She gave me a class schedule, and a map of the school, then wished me luck. Heh, like luck had anything to do with it. I memorized the map in a minute, seeing as how it wasn't all that complicated, and then made my way to the cafeteria.

I got looks from everyone, which was not particularly fun. I was nervous, but I walked tall, with my head up, and headed straight to the food. I bought myself a doughnut, and then sat by myself at a lunch table. I focused on eating the mediocre, sugar coated pastry, when suddenly someone walked up to me. I looked up to see a black haired, acne plagued teen smiled a smile that made my skin crawl. He looked so… weasel like.

"Hi, I'm Eric Yorkie. You're Alexandra Swan right?"

"Alex." I corrected. He held out his hand, and I reluctantly took it. "Nice to meet you." I said. I tried to keep in mind the old cliché, never judge a book by its cover. It wasn't his fault he looked creepy.

"How are you enjoying Forks?" he asked.

"It's fine." I said. Then the bell rang. I tossed my trash, and then smiled politely. "I should go. I don't want to be late to my first class."

"What's your first class?" he asked. I didn't need to look at the schedule.

"English. Building three." I said.

"I'm headed that way, I can show you the way." He said. I already knew the way, but I didn't want to be rude.

"Sure." I said. He walked next to me, and prattled on about teachers and classes. I only half listened, and nodded and 'uh huh' ed when necessary. When we reached building three, Eric waved, and left. I sighed, and stared at the door for a moment. Then I took a deep breath, and entered. When I walked in, every head turned. I hung up my coat, and walked to the front of the room, my face expressionless. I gave the teacher, Mr. Mason, the note and then went to the back where my new seat was located. At least it was in the back, where I thought I would be safe from stares. But, no. Apparently the common courtesy of 'no staring' was absent here, and people turned, honest to god turned, in their seats just to look at me. Ugh! These people really do have no lives!!

After my first three classes, I started recognizing faces. One girl, Jessica, had two of my first classes, and was nice enough to invite me to her table for lunch. I bought lunch, and went to sit with her and several other people, including Eric. Ugh. She introduced me around, and I noticed that two of the new guys, Mike and Tyler, were a bit overly friendly, and one of the girls, Lauren, was very cold. Jeez, three hours into the day and I already had three potential fans and one enemy. I was on a roll. Can you sense my sarcasm?

They made small talk around me, and I discreetly put in one earphone of my iPod, and half listened so I could answer when called upon. Most of them seemed nice enough, and I started to enjoy myself. I think they were surprised at my outgoingness. Apparently they expected a shy little girl. The very thought nearly made me laugh. I looked around the small cafeteria, people watching, when a group of students caught my eye. They sat at the extreme edge of the room, by themselves, looking at nothing and no one in particular, each with a tray of untouched food in front of them. But their aloof nature wasn't what held my attention. Each of them were different from each other, and yet the same. A tall blonde girl and boy, who might have been siblings, an extremely muscular curly haired brunette, a tiny little girl with short black spiky hair, and a bronze haired boy. They were different as far as hair coloring and build went, but the rest of them… All pale in the extreme, with dark eyes, and a beauty that was inhuman, and breathtaking. It was hard to decide who was the most beautiful. Perhaps the blonde haired girl, who looked rather full of herself, or maybe the bronze haired boy who looked ready to die of boredom.

"Who are they?" I asked suddenly. From the look on Jessica's face, she knew who I was talking about. She looked over her shoulder, just as the bronze haired god looked at our table. I suppose the natural thing to do was to look away. But I didn't. I found I couldn't. His dark eyes were full of secrets, and oddly enough full of questions that I felt directed at me. He seemed to be expecting something. Then he frowned slightly, as though I wasn't fulfilling this expectation.

"The Cullens." She replied with a breathy giggle. Ugh. Prep. "They moved here two years ago, with their foster parents Dr. and Mrs. Cullen." Foster parents? As in they all live together? Wow.

"Is the good doctor a plastic surgeon?" I asked. Jessica laughed.

"No. Just a plain surgeon. But don't waste your time with them. They don't like anyone from the outside of their little group." She said rudely. "The blondes, those are the Hale twins. Rosalie and Jasper. The little dark haired girl is Alice, and the big guy's Emmet. And then of course, there's Edward." She said. I bit back a snicker. No hidden resentment there. I wondered when he turned her down. "They all came here from Alaska, and their really outdoorsy. Whenever the weathers nice, they go on family camping trips. But, the weirdest thing about them," she said, leaning forward, wide eyed. "Is that they're all together. Like, together. Rosalie's with Emmet, and then Alice and Jasper. Isn't that weird?" she asked.

"You've obviously never been to New York or Vegas." I said wryly. She frowned in confusion. "Yeah, it's a bit weird," I said, answering her question. "But that's no reason to exclude them." I said. Jessica snorted.

"We don't. No one's here is good enough for them, apparently." She sneered. I rolled my eyes.

"Have you ever tried just talking to them?" I asked.

"Duh! I asked Edward out, and he just totally shot me down." She said. I sighed.

"Beside for romantic pursuits? Just as a friend?" I asked. She seemed honestly confused now.

"Why?" she asked. I exhaled in frustration.

"To be nice?" I asked. She looked positively dumbfounded. Okay, I was done here. I got up, and started to walk towards the Cullen's table.

"Where are you going?" she demanded.

"To be nice." I said. I took a deep breath, and started walking. They still weren't looking at anything, but I had the feeling they were watching me anyways…

God, did no one have anything better to do than fantasize about the new girl? I had seen her face in countless thoughts, which were getting harder and harder to block out. I groaned internally. Every male thought about how beautiful she was, in a romantic or explicit manner. It was disgusting. Sure she was beautiful, but many of the boys were already spinning fantasies about falling in love with her, when it was clear she had no interest in any of them. Eric's thoughts had intruded on my peace of mind that morning, and her emotions were spelled out clearly on her face. Reluctance, than patience, politeness, and then a genuine kindness that surprised me. Most of the girls that went to my school would have brushed him off, or been brusque and rude. But she just smiled, and accepted his offer to take her somewhere it was clear she knew the location of.

In the lunch room I waited as patiently as I could to go to class. I wasn't sure what was worse, having to pretend to pay attention, or having nothing to pay attention to. It wasn't like I could eat, and there was absolutely nothing to hold my interest in high school. When you lived as long as we did, and travel as much as we did, you pretty much memorized every detail of your high school existence. And I loved my siblings, but here there wasn't much we could talk about.

I was picking apart a beagle when I heard my name. No one had said it, but thought it. But, it was a reflex reaction, so I looked up towards the sound of the thought. It was Jessica Stanley, whose thoughts had long bothered me, with their unfortunately detailed fantasies about me. Thankfully those had stopped after I had politely told her I wasn't interested. My eyes skipped over her face to the one next to her. The new girl, Alex. She had corrected everyone who called her Alexandra. She was beautiful, I thought. Long, thick, reddish brown hair that waved to a slim waist; wide, deep bluish eyes that had flecks of gold. She looked at me curiously, her head tilted slightly. It was natural to look away when caught staring, but she did not. She met my gaze steadily, seemingly not embarrassed or frightened.

Most humans recognized the need to stay away from us, subconsciously at least. They noticed the differences, and the warning signs, but this girl seemed unbothered by our obvious difference from the rest of her kind. Odd. She seemed just curious, and confident. Even from across the room, I could sense her confidence. She was comfortable with herself, and though form what I saw that morning she hadn't liked being in the spotlight, she was very self confident. Jessica was talking to her, giving her the 'scoop' on the Cullen family. I turned to Emmet and told him for something to do. He laughed quietly.
"What's she think of all this?" he thought, teasingly flexing his muscles. I laughed as well, and focused on the girl to hear what she thought. It was a bit pertinent for me to listen, to make sure she didn't guess what we really were. But I heard nothing. I frowned. I could hear the double of Jessica's voice, her mental and verbal voices, but I heard not a whisper from the girl. I thought perhaps her voice was simply very quiet, so I listened harder. The voices I fought to block out rush around me, like a dam breaking. The boys thinking of the girl, some of the girls thinking of her too. Some were nice, and some not so nice. I didn't hear the girl still, so I hurriedly blocked the voices again. This was more than vaguely troublesome. I was worried. I felt off balance, but when Emmet asked what she thought, I merely shrugged. Thankfully he wasn't interested enough to press. I didn't want to worry them. But I would definitely have to keep an eye on this one. Suddenly, Alice gasped. The look on her face was all too familiar, and Jasper took her hand.

"What is it? What do you see?" he asked.

"What is she doing? " Alice exclaimed, seeming completely dumbfounded. That was a new expression for Alice. Then suddenly the girl stood, and began walking towards us…

I reached the Cullens' table, and smiled warmly. "Hello. I'm Alex. I'm new here, and I just thought I'd come over and introduce myself." I said. The little one, Alice I remembered, seemed to give me the once over. Then she smiled back.

"Hi, I'm Alice." She said. Wow. Her voice was high soprano, and musical. I reached my hand out, and Alice hesitated. Then she slowly offered her hand. I shook it, and didn't even flinch at the ice feel of her skin. The rest of the group seemed shocked at the contact. Just then the bell rang, and I flashed a quick grin.

"Well, I should get going. I hope to see you around." I said. Alice smiled, and nodded. I smiled back, and then, for some strange reason unbeknownst to me, I winked at Edward. Winked! I have no idea what came over me. I may have been confident, but I wasn't cocky, or flirtatious. I walked to my next, wondering what the heck had come over me.

Ending Note: So… I hope you liked the first chapter of my story. I know Alex is really different from Bella, including her apperance, but I love her anyway. I hope you'll love her too. There's more to come, so I hope you continue reading. Please message, rate, comment. I can't wait to hear what you have to say! Peace!! ~~~~~~~~:D~~~~~~~~