I hated the rain, it was cold and it was miserable and it was…wet.

And worse than all of this is was pounding down upon my window pane like it had never rained before.

Forks was officially the epitome of all things evil.

Charlie had left me to my own devices as soon as he'd shown me my room. Things were awkward, really awkward and I think he appreciated the fact that for today I just wanted to curl up into a ball on top of my new purple sheets and cry myself to sleep.

I didn't blame Renee for wanting to leave with Phil, not even slightly. I'd practically packed her bags for her and shoved her out the door, but wanting someone to be happy and trying to be happy yourself and two entirely different things. And at the minute I was trying; I was truly, deeply trying.

But heck it was hard.

I was called down for dinner sometime later, just as the rain had eased and if at all possible the non existent sun and sank even further into the clouds. As Charlie put down my plate of Mac and cheese I vowed to take over dinner duty from hereon out.

'All settled?'

'Yeah Dad, thanks,' I murmured forcing a forkful into my mouth.

We fell into a silence after that, it wasn't awkward but it was comfortable either. I had a feeling Charlie wanted to tell me something, but like me he never was great with voicing his thoughts.

I got up to rinse my plate and set it on the drainer to dry.

'Erm, Bells?'

Ah there we go. 'Yeah?'

'Your Mom told me you were looking into getting a car when you got here?'

I nodded, unsure of where he was going with this.

'Well I figured I'd have a look around you know before you arrived, just to see what was available.'

I nodded again, 'Find anything?'

'Well you know Billy Black?'

I shook my head; I had no idea who Billy Black was.

'Great guy lives down on the reservation; anyway he had this old truck…'

I looked at him waiting for him to continue.

'Its in great condition Bells, don't get me wrong.'

'Mhm, Dad….how old is it?'

'I'm not too sure, but I sort of got you it, as a home-coming gift.'

He bought me a truck?...HE BOUGHT ME A TRUCK!!! I did not have to ride to school tomorrow in the cruiser, I was ecstatic, I felt a smile creep onto my face. Probably the first that had made an appearance since I set my foot in the God awful town.

'Can I see it?'

'Sure, here,' he dug his hands into his pocket and produced a set of keys, 'it's out the back feel free to take it for a spin.'

I ran out into the backyard and saw my new, kind of, well new to me, truck. It was a huge iron affair, with big rounded fenders and faded red paint. I fell in love on the spot. Charlie, bless him and even brought it round the back so as to make it a surprise for me.

I couldn't believe how thoughtful he had been. He wanted to make me happy on the one day he knew I would be finding it hard to even contemplate cheerfulness. I ran to the door and hauled it open. It spelt like mint and air freshener, the inside, although old was clean and tidy. I started the engine and nearly jumped at the sound that came from it.

I glanced at the house and saw Charlie laughing at me from the back door.

As I hit the accelerator, I figured, heck this place might not be so bad after all.

Unfortunately that thought came crashing down as soon as I woke up the next day to, surprise surprise, more rain and an empty house. I started to feel a knot gather in my stomach as I chugged down a glass of milk and nibbled on a granola bar on my way out the door. I felt sick, physically sick. But I got into my truck, which I had left at the front of the house now that the jig was up and headed down the highway.

School was just how I'd picture it…torture. I got my class schedule and my 'visitors map' and headed off to first period. English – I wanted to die. The book list was filled with the usual, all stuff I'd studied in my AP classes back in Phoenix plus my obsession for reading meant I'd already read the classics a thousand times over anyway.

I'd taken the only empty seat at the back, while the teacher droned on I noticed some blonde beside me rather pointedly glaring in my direction while she murmured to her curly haired brunette friend.

'Miss Mallory, anything you wish to share?' Blondie's head jerked up to face the teacher, Mr. Mason.

'No I'm good.'

'Great, now can you stop harassing Miss Stanley and perhaps both of you can get a start on your assignment, which of course you can finish after school…in detention.'

I smirked, Blondie caught it and sent me another glare.

I got up as soon as the bell rang, attempting to exit the class unscathed. It was bad enough everyone kept staring at me in class, while I walked through the hall, even in the girls bathroom this morning. But luck was not on my side as I felt someone touch my arm to get my attention.

I spun round and found myself face to face with some sort of human pixie. They girl was small, a bit smaller than me, maybe an inch or two and very slim, petite. She had short black hair which reached around the middle of her neck and was styled into a cute bob. 'Hi I'm Alice,' she extended her hand which I shook. 'You're Isabella, right?' I nodded, 'Bella.'

'Cool, Bella. What have you got next period?' I looked down at my schedule, 'Government with Jefferson?' I don't know why I framed it as a question. 'Awesome, you're in 5, I'm in 4. I can point you in the right direction?' She was nice, and friendly, and helpful, and definitely not staring. I liked her.

'That would be great.'

We walked back around the back of building three making small talk about the whether and what other classes I had. Alice wasn't pushy or nosey, she seemed to just want me to feel as ease. I smiled at her as she guided me to building 5, 'Thanks!' I called after her.

'No problem, see you at lunch?'

'Sure.'

My heart rate picked up, I hadn't even thought about the utter humiliation that could occur in the high school cafeteria, I cringed and entered the class room.

Reviews are better than non-clingy Alice ;) (L)