1 * Seth

It was a typical boring day. Leah was in the bathroom, taking forever, as usual. I pounded loudly on the door. "You're going to look like that no matter what, hurry up!" It's not like she went to school. She graduated already.

To my immense surprise, she only took ten minutes after that, scowling at me as she opened the bathroom door, gliding to her own room.

After I was fully ready, I slung my backpack on my shoulder, grabbed the keys off the counter, and headed out the door, into my car.

The drive from the La Push reservation to Forks Highschool was rainy, as always. We hardly ever saw the sun, which was how I liked it. I liked the damp air, and the rain splattering against my face. Most people complained, but to me it was . . . Familiar. Natural.

As soon as I walked through the doors, the first thing I heard was the hushed whisper of different highschool students. I could make out some of the words in the conversations.

"Did you see them? Palest people I've ever se-"

"Did you get a look at the blonde? . . . No, the taller one. She's hot."

"There's only one single guy in the family. I think his name's Edwa- "

Of course. They were all talking about the new kids at school. I could tell they were a family. How many new students can you get in one day?

Well, I for one wouldn't be sucked into it. I actually was one of the more popular ones, and that's all the kids in my group seemed to want to talk about.

"Hey! Seth! Dude, did you getta look at the Cullens yet?"

That was my best friend, Collin. He had switched to Forks Highschool with me, when I decided I didn't want to go to school on the Reservation.

"The Cullens?"

"Yeah, man. You didn't hear? There're like, six of them. And there's only one single chick in the whole bunch."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Collin would already be thinking about hitting on the new girl. "Collin, give it a rest. In case you haven't noticed, most girls aren't into players." I punched him playfully on the shoulder and laughed.

"Really? And when's the last date you've been on?" he asked, smirking.

So I hadn't had a girlfriend yet. So what? Lots of girls were into me, but I haven't been into any girls yet. They're all too whiney, or wear too much makeup or something along those lines. I didn't answer him, because he was very well aware of why I hadn't gone out yet.

"Trust me, when you get a look at them, you'll see why I want to rush."

Doubt it. "Alright. Show me at lunch, okay? At least one of them is bound to have the same lunch as us."

He smirked again. "Sounds good. See ya, bro." And with that, the bell rang.

Dammit, I thought angrily, hurrying off to class, my backpack still on my shoulder. If I was late again, it'd be a lunch detention.

Lucky for me, kids were still piling in when I got to Algebra. I took a seat in my usual spot at the back, hanging my backpack on the chair. This had always been my least favorite class.

There was only one seat left open, and it was the one next to me. None of my friends were in this class with me, so it left me alone. I didn't really mind, because it gave me time to think.

There was one more person coming into class. But, wait . . . I hadn't seen that hair before, had I?

The way she was turned toward the teacher made it impossible for me to see her face. This had to be one of the Cullens.

She handed the teacher a slip, which he signed. He smiled politely at her. "Welcome to Forks Highschool. Why don't you sit - " He looked around the classroom for an empty seat. " - in the back there, next to Mr. Clearwater?"

She didn't say anything, but did as he said. I still couldn't see her face, because it was covered up by her hair. But as she came back to sit next to me, she moved so gracefully, so . . . inhumanly, it made my heart thump violently.

She took a seat next to me, without making a sound. As she sat down, she looked at me, smiling lightly. Her face was so pale. White as paper. But that wasn't why I couldn't look away. . .

"Well, class, today we will be continuing with - "

As soon as the teacher started talking, she turned her extraordinarily beautiful face towards him. I could still see part of it, though. A sideview of her profile.

Her cheeks, white as snow, looked as if they had been carved of the finest marble, into a perfectly smooth surface. Her lips were as red as rubies, despite her skin tone. Her hair was wavy, and in some parts, perfectly curly, shaping around her face.

She was easily the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

The teacher kept on talking, and talking, and talking. I couldn't consentrate though, and I saw her look at me from the corner of her eye.

Dammit, I thought, she knows I'm staring at her.

I quickly looked at the front of the room, towards the teacher.

Eventually the bell rang, and as she gathered her things up quickly, I found it a perfect opportunity to talk to her.

"Hey," I said, trying to get my heart to slow down. My cheeks felt like flames as she looked at me, smiling again.

"Hello," she said, in a perfect voice. Clear and beautiful, like crystal.

I reached my hand forward to shake hers, trying to get it to stop shaking. She paused, and I saw panick flick through her eyes. Why was she panicked? But after a second, she took my hand, shaking it. And I noticed another unusual thing about her.

Her skin was cold as ice.

"I'm Seth," I said casually, still shaking her hand. I didn't want to let go.

She smiled politely again, then slipped her hand out of mine. "I'm Jessica."

Jessica. As if I'd never heard that name before. Still, it seemed to fit her, somehow. "You're new here, right?" I asked, though it was obvious she was. I bit down on my tongue, ignoring the urge to ask why her hand was so cold.

"Yeah, I just moved her from Alaska with the rest of my family," her crystal voice rang. It was hard to imagine that this was an actual speaking voice, because it sounded so clear . . . so beautiful.

She turned her body, and started walking, but she was still looking at me . . . Like she was waiting for me to come before she left.

I followed her, trying to mimick her graceful movements. It was impossible.

"So, what's your next class?"

"Biology II," she said, without looking at her schedual. She looked like she didn't like the idea of biology.

"Ah. Well, good luck, then. Mr. Banner is pretty nice, though, so you won't need it." I said, smiling lightly. "Do you need help finding it?"

She looked at me, then smiled lightly again. Her lips always went to the same smile, both ends curving into a perfectly beautiful smile. "No, I think I can find it. It was nice meeting you, Seth. I'll see you."

I was slightly disappointed. I was sort of hoping to make more conversation. But then, she wasn't going anywhere, right? I'd be able to talk to her again soon enough.

I walked to the art room, which was my favorite subject. It was the only thing I was good at, but today I couldn't concentrate. She wasn't sitting next to me anymore, but her face kept appearing in my mind.

The day went on and on and on, until finally lunch came, when I'd meet up with Collin. Maybe Jessica Cullen would be in the same lunch as us.

I caught sight of him as soon as I entered the cafeteria.

Walking over to him, I also saw Jessica, sitting alone at a big empty lunch table. It looked like she was saving some seats -

BAM.

I accidently walked right into Collin, not looking where I was going. The rest of our group - Brad, Drew, Alex and Matt - laughed along with Collin.

"Hey, bro. Watch where your goin'," he said, smirking. "Did you see her?"

"Yeah. I actually talked to her in algebra . . . she seems nice . . . "

"And hot," he added. I never really called girls things like that, but, yeah. In Collin's words, she was "hot" except for the fact that her skin was ice-cold. Which I doubt he knew that.

"I'm going for it," he said, turning towards her. But now she was surrounded by more people, each of them impossibly pale and . . . well, gorgeous.

"Dammit. Guess not." He smirked. "Oh well, there's always later," he said, sitting down at our table. I took a seat next to him, and I had a perfect view of the Cullen table.

They all looked like they were older than her. The tall blonde was the only one that could come close to looking as beautiful as her, though. They looked sort of alike, but not like sisters. In fact, apart from the skin and the eyes, they all looked like they were from seperate families.

There was Jessica, short and young. Maybe a little younger than me. She had dirty blonde hair, and black eyes. Under and around those eyes were dark shadows, as if she hadn't slept in days.

Next to her was a tall, musculer man. He looked much older, as though he could be in college rather than highschool. He had dark, curly hair, and, like Jessica, dark eyes. He was leaning toward the taller blonde girl, talking to her. Only, it didn't seem brother - sisterly at all, the way he was leaning toward her . . .

The blonde girl was immensly beautiful. Most would probably say she was more beautiful than Jessica, but in my mind, she wasn't. Her hair went all the way down to her waist, and there was something . . . twisted about her. She, as well, had pitch black eyes, and dark bruises around them.

Next to them were another pair talking to each other. They, as well, looked like they were a couple rather than brother and sister. The girl had black, spikey hair, and she was even shorter than Jessica, but still looked older than her. The man she was talking to also looked older, like a college student. He had straight, blonde hair, and looked like he was in pain.

Finally, the one on the other side of Jessica was a redhead. He looked like he could be sixteen or seventeen. Slightly older than me. And he had reddish-brown hair. He was talking to Jessica normally, not like a couple, but like a friend. Like a sister. And he, just like all of them, had pale-white skin, black eyes, and darkness under and around those eyes.

I stared at them, unable to move my gaze. They were all so attractive. How come they were here, in the gloomy small-town of Forks? They looked like they belonged in L.A., where the sun shines. They looked like people on the airbrushed cover of a magazine. . .

"Earth to Seth!"

I looked up and saw that I had my elbow in my salad, which already had dressing on it. "Shit," I hissed to myself, grabbing a napkin.

The rest of them laughed as I wiped my arm, and even I had to admit it was funny, so I laughed with them.

"Looks like Seth here's finally interested in girls!" said Collin, wrapping an arm around my neck, snickering. I shoved him off of me.

"Dude, they're way, way out of your league," said Brad, smirking. "I mean, really, do you expect any of them to be virgins like you?" And with that, the rest of the table laughed. I felt my cheeks burn under my skin.

Collin finally came to my rescue. Sort of. "Hey, hey, now. Seth's just slow, alright, man? I mean, it's not his fault no girls are interested."

Whatever. I didn't get mad, like most guys would've. Just really irritated, but I didn't show it. I was usually calm when no one else would be, and I liked that about myself.

"When she's alone, I'm going for it," said Collin, smirking, and looking at Jessica.

As soon as the words came out of his mouth, the one who was talking to Jessica, the Cullen with the reddish-brown hair gave him the most frighteningly protective look I've ever seen. It sort of looked like how I felt. I didn't like the idea of Collin playing with girls' hearts, but Jessica's especially, if I was being honest with myself. It was all I could do not to burst out laughing at the look of horror on Collin's face.

The redhead went back to talking to Jessica as if nothing happened, and I saw her laugh. When she laughed, the most beautiful smile appeared on her face. Not the same closed smile she gave me, which now almost looked fake compared to the one I saw now. Her mouth opened to laugh, and her eyes were twinkling with happiness. Her teeth showed. She looked so happy it hurt.

I saw her eyes slide to mine for a mere second, but in that second, she looked even happier. I knew I could survive the rest of the day now.

Lunch ended quicker than I wished it would. I knew Collin was still going to try, no matter what, but I wished he wouldn't. I knew the chances of me getting her for myself were slim to none, but I couldn't help but want her. Like every other guy in school that's seen her, probably. She's probably been hit on already. But then, why was she still standing up alone?

Jessica made her way toward the garbage cans alone, throwing away a full tray of food -

Wait. She was throwing away a full tray a food. Didn't she eat anything?

Collin made his way to her. She looked up at him before he was even in her sight range. I couldn't help but watch.

Collin seemed to be starting out in his normal way. Asking them about themselves. Maybe he could show her around or something . . . I'd bet anything that he was saying something along those lines. Jessica smiled politely, said something, then walked back to her table. She didn't sit down, but said something to her family, then left the cafeteria.

Collin looked slightly irritated when he came back to me. I couldn't help but grin. "How'd that work out for ya?"

"Shut up. Have you ever known me to give up, Seth?" he said, laughing, and looking happier.

"No way, dude. You've already had your chance. Let me try."

As soon as the words came out of my mouth, even I was surprised. Collin gave me a look as if I'd just told him I was bringing a bomb into the school. "What?"

"You heard me . . . "

"I saw her first, man. That automatically means I have dibbs on her."

I was suddenly very, very angry. Just like that. I'd never really fought with Collin before. We restled sometimes, but never really got angry at each other. "You can't dibb a human being."

"Okay, not dibbs, but . . . You get it. I just want another shot, okay?"

"Alls you want is to get into her pants, then move on to some other girl!" I couldn't help it. I'd seen Collin hurt so many girls before, none of which I'd been interested in. I didn't even know Jessica, but I already felt completely protective of her.

"You're about to let a girl come between us, man?"

I paused. Was I willing for this girl, the one I'd never met, to come between me and my best friend?

The answer was obvious.

I sighed. "No. I just . . . I don't want her to get hurt." I looked at him, then started walking toward the garbage, dumping my remaints in it. I set off, walking toward the door.

I was surprised and startled when I felt a cold grasp on my shoulder. I turned to see the redhead, Jessica's brother.

"Hello . . . ," he said awkwardly. I didn't know why he was talking to me, but I didn't care. I don't know why, but I got a good vibe from him. Probably because he was Jessica's brother.

"Hey," I said, smiling politely.

"I'm Edward, Jessica's brother. You're . . . Seth, right?"

"Yeah. Nice to meet you, Edward," I greeted him, shaking his hand. His skin was ice cold just like hers. There was definently something up with the Cullen family . . .

"I sort of overheard you talking to Collin. Thank you for sticking up for my sister."

This was sort of strange . . . First, how did he overhear us when he was at least twenty feet away from us? Second, since when did guys around his age thank people for such small reasons? That was more like something people did, like, a long time ago . . .

"Er . . . You're welcome, Edward. It's really nothing." Wait, so if he really did overhear, then he'd know that I wanted a chance, too . . . But he probably didn't know if I was like Collin or not. I'd never hurt her, if I did get a chance.

Edward smiled lightly, as if he could read my thoughts. "Still, it means a lot to me. Let me know if you need anything, all right?"

"Yeah . . . sure," I said, smiling again.

And with that, he went off to class.

I headed off to gym. I always liked gym. I loved getting a chance to run around, especially in school.

When I walked through the door, Coach Clapp was talking to a student, signing a slip, handing her gym clothes . . .

Jessica.

I gazed at her, then went to the locker room, pulling my gym clothes on.

As soon as I came out, she was already dressed. One of the few girls ready to start gym class.

I sat down next to her, while we waited for the rest of the kids to come out of the locker rooms. She grinned as I sat down.

"Hello again," she said, still grinning in a way that made my heart pound and my face flush. Why did she have to be so perfect? It only made it harder.

"Hi," was all I said, afraid my voice would break. She didn't seem as reluctant to talk to me as before. Did Edward tell her? The thought made me blush even harder . . .

"So, um . . . How're you?"

I smiled at her, and she seemed to have the reaction I have when she smiles at me. Then again, it was probably my imagination. "I'm good. And you? How was your first day?"

"Alright, I suppose." She smiled lightly, then pointed in front of us. Gym was starting, and we wouldn't be able to talk anymore.