Chapter 1;
Bella POV:

I sighed quietly, while i absentmindedly tugged at the soft, marine-blue ruffles on the edges of my shirt - why did i agree to this? I was currently on a midnight flight to an 'unknown destination' with my bestfriend, Alice Brandon. Why it was a mystery as to where i was heading, I had no idea whatsoever and why our flight was at 12 o'clock at night - once again - NO IDEA!

- 8 Hours Earlier That Day -

I groaned as I was pushed into yet another changing room, by my extremely hyper bestfriend. "Argh, Alice!"

"Oh, stop complaining. You should know by now that it gets you nowhere," I dressed quickly, but decided - instead of going out there and being dragged around relentlessly - to have a slight rest, I turned silently and moved to the back wall.

"Besides, I actually have a different reason for playing 'Bella-Barbie' - as you like to call it - today..." she continued, trailing off in a sing-song kind of voice.

I leaned my head back against the wall, "And that reason would be?" I asked, trying to avoid the wrath of Alice for as long as i could whilst she was in crazy-shopper mode.

"Well... Do you remember how I entered that competition, for certain people that had received really good grades, and the winner got to be transferred to any corresponding High School in the nation?" I nodded, before realising she couldn't see me.

"Yeah..." I stated slowly nodding my head, walking out of the dressing room.

"I won," she squealed, I walked towards her and hugged her tightly.

"Wow, Alice, Congratulations!" I exclaimed, watching her jump up and down, then i added, "Hold up. When are you leaving?"

"Weeeell, since I kind of, just got told about this and chose my destination on such short notice... Our flight leaves at midnight."

"WHAT?" I demanded loudly, wondering why the fuck her huge-grin was still clear on her face, "Why are you still smiling & what do you mean 'our flight'?"

"Umm, see... they told me earlier on today that I was able to take someone else with me, as long as their grades were just as good & i've already talked to the people i'm staying with and they're all fine with it & Jasper didn't want me to go so he's coming too! He's staying with some of his family down there, and so, it's all arranged..." Great - now she's rambling, "So, I was kind of wondering... If you wanted to come?"

"Ali, i'm glad that you want me to come along - but you know I couldn't afford something like that."

"Don't be ridiculous Bells, it's just a little extra and you know i'm fully capable of paying for it."

"I don't know Alice..."

"Oh, COME ON! Please, Pretty, Pretty Please?" she begged.

"I'm 17 Alice! I can't just move out of home to live with my bestfriend and a bunch of strangers! Charlie would never allow it," I told her matter-of-factly, crossing my arms tightly over my chest.

My father, Charlie, was the Chief of Police and ever since my mother left us he has been rather protective of me and very prone to over reacting to just about everything. I wouldn't even need to ask to know exactly what his answer would be. But then again, he did happen to have a soft spot for Alice. Shit. Hopefully he'll need a little more persuassion than usual.

"Exactly, Bella! You're 17! You need to live a little, get out there and explore the world!" Alice yelled at me, pouting. Aww, she knows I can't resist that face.

"I agree, Alice. I do need to live a little and explore the world! But I have my entire life to do so, after I graduate from High School." It's not that I don't want to go, it's just that I've experienced being the 'new, weird kid' and it's not a nice sensation. I don't get along with people too well, of course Alice was an exception. And I somehow doubt this time will be any different.

She must have realised she was losing this argument because she pulled out the big guns. I watched as she clasped both of her hands together, bringing them up to her chest, jutting out her full bottom lip and widened her eyes. Pleading with me silently. My resolve wavered.

"Ali!" I whined, "It sounds like fun & you've apparently got it all figured out but-"

"E-e-e-e-e-e-e-p!" Alice interrupted me, with without a doubt the loudest squeal i have ever heard. "Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou! It's going to be so much fun!"

Knowing there was no point in arguing any further I sighed, "Geez. Alice, Fine..." huffing loudly, I added, "But, your telling Charlie!"

"Oh My God! This is going to be fantastic! Just let me go and pay for all of this and then we can go back to my place and get ready for our flight..." Alice's wildly excited voice drifting into an annoying buzz in the back of my mind. Leaving me to think about how pathetic my attempt at rejecting her offer seemed to have been.

*END FLASHBACK*

Rolling my head to the side, sighing, I whispered quietly, "Alice?" noticing she had her eyes closed and a massive grin on her face.

"Yes, oh lovely bestie?" she replied, opening her eyes, grinning like a mad-woman.

"I know I agreed to let you choose my outfit but was this," motioning to my clothes, "Really necessary?"

She giggled musically before answering, "Bella, Honey. Firstly, Yes it's 100%, absolutely necessary. Secondly, you are on plane with your bestfriend and her boyfriend flying to a mystery location, where you are going to be living with complete strangers and you will have your first day at a totally new school, where you'll know maybe 3? people. But, your not worried about that, your worrying about your clothing," she told me simply, whilst rolling her eyes.

"I'm wearing clothes worth hundreds of dollars. On a plane. I mean, seriously, stilettos? Are you trying to kill me!" I whisper-yelled.

"Bells, you look hot. Don't you want to make a good first-impression on the people picking us up at the airport?" she asked, twisting a lock of hair around her finger.

"Well, I suppose, although I don't see how my outfit will help that. But, who exactly is picking us up?"

"Umm, Carlisle will be working when we get there so he won't be, Esme is preparing a buffet, practically for breakfast, she's pretty big on the whole 'family meals' thing, so be ready for that. So, Rosalie, Emmett... and maybe Edward -" she stated, ticking each name of with her fingers.

"Carlisle, Esme, right. Who's Rosalie?" I cut her off with my questions.

"Umm.. Cousin?" she looked deep in thought as she answered, "She's even more gorgeous than last time we visited, wait til' you see her."

"Emmett?" I didn't understand why she said 'Cousin' as though it was a question.

"Rosalie's boyfriend, but i've known him forever. He's like a brother to me."

"Got it. And Edwin?"

Chuckling quietly she answered, "It's Edward, he's a family friend and Emmett's brother."

"Oh, joy..." I responded. Drowsily, closing my eyes, trying to get some sleep before we landed. On the presipice of sleep - not knowing if I was hearing correctly - Alice muttered something like 'Aren't you in for a treat,' storing that statement away for future questioning, I let the darkness consume me.

Author's Note:

Well? How did you guys like it? *crosses my fingers* I've posted this story before, but, after reading through it, I realised how shit it was. So, instead of just editing it all out, I decided to delete it & start fresh! Please, let me know what you think; I've already got everything else all written, up until Chapter 18.

The more reviews the better! & the sooner I'll update again! :D

-cmg. xx