The Ultimate Twilight Rewrite!

A Fanfiction by Lyn Essency

Chapter 1: First Sight

My mother, Renée, drove me to the airport. The sky was a perfect, cloudless blue, very much like my mom's eyes. She's really beautiful, always smiling with that gold-brown hair with red hints when the sun hits it. I was fortunate to get the red, but that's the most obvious trait I inherited from her. We kind of have the same face shape, but mine has less smile lines than hers.

Anyway, I was leaving this beautiful and slightly magical land to a drizzly and dreary one, but that was exactly the kind of cure I was hoping for. Forks, Washington was to become my escape from this beautiful land that was unfortunately full of painful memories. I was going to try to start over. I would learn from the mistakes I made and begin a life different from the one I had before. No more vampires, no more hunting, and no more letting my partners down.

Of course, Renée believed it was to give her time with Phil, her new husband and my stepfather. She has no knowledge of the world of vampires and I pray that she won't ever learn of it. Anyway let's focus on her right now; she stayed with me in the beginning but I could see she desperately wanted to be traveling with him (Phil). After the "accident", I couldn't bear to stay in Phoenix. So now I was going to live with my father, Charlie, in Forks.

"Bella," said Renée for the thousandth time. "You don't have to do this."

"I want to go," I meant it. I really did want to go; maybe find that peace I could only ever sample during the summers I spent up there.

"Alright, tell Charlie I said hi."

"I will."

"Remember, you can come home anytime you want. I can come back as soon as you need me."

"Don't worry. I'll be fine. It'll be good for me. I love you."

I got on the plane then. It took four hours to get to Seattle and another hour to Port Angeles. From there it was another hour in the car with my dad. He told me about the high school, the only high school in Forks, I would be going to. He had registered me weeks before I even arrived. He was nearly ecstatic about my coming to live with him. He was even going to help me get a car too. That's one of the things I love about my dad, he's not like all those dead-beat dads you hear about. Despite being divorced and not having primary custody, he's constantly there for me. At times a bit over-protective, but that's in the job description. I couldn't ask for a better father.

"It's really good to see you again, Bells," he said as I pretended to stumble off the plane. "You haven't changed much. How's Renée?"

"Renée doing well, she's thinking about switching jobs. It's good to see you too, dad." My father and I, despite the long distance, had a very good relationship. We exchanged some small talk, mostly just updating each other on the few things that hadn't made it into the emails we typically sent each other every week or so.

"I found a good car for you," he said when we were on the road. "Really cheap."

"What kind of car?" I was a bit suspicious of "a good car for you."

"Well, it's a truck, a Chevy."

"Where'd you find it?"

"Do you remember Billy Black down at La Push?" La Push was the tiny Indian reservation on the coast.

"Yeah, and I remember Jacob. We used to make mud pies on the lakeshore while you were fishing."

"He's in a wheelchair now and can't drive anymore, and he offered to sell me his truck, cheap."

I felt my stomach drop at that. I realized that had I not been so isolationist after the "accident" that I'd probably already know why Billy was in a wheelchair. "What happened?"

"Well, Billy never really had strong legs. They just decided to give out on him one day a couple months back."

"Oh…" I looked down at my feet and wondered what it would be like to live life in a wheelchair. I also berated myself a bit before realized the sad mood that had filled the air. In an attempt to lift it, I blurted out, "So what year's the car?" I could tell by the change in his expression he didn't want me to ask that. Never a good sign.

"Well, Billy's done a lot of work on the engine—it's a few years old really."

I hoped he didn't think so little of me as to believe I would give up so easily. "When did he buy it?"

"He bought is in 1984, I think."

"Was it new?"

"Well…no…I think it was new in the early sixties—or late fifties at the earliest."

Oh boy, it was an old car. I probably wouldn't go very fast. "Dad, I'd like to find something that won't break down on me in the mid—"

"Really, Bella," he cut me off. "The thing runs great. They don't make'em like that anymore."

The Thing…..it had possibilities—a nickname at the very least.

"How cheap is cheap?" After all, I didn't want to spend my money on something I didn't really want. I preferred fast cars, and high-speed motorcycles to speedy cars. Although if he knew I had ridden a motorcycle, much less learned to drive one, I was sure he'd have a heart attack.

"Well…I kinda, sorta, already bought it for you…You know, as a homecoming gift."

Wow. He had actually bought me a car. I couldn't believe it.

"You didn't need to do that. I was going to by myself a car." Somehow.

"I wanted to. I want you to be happy here." He stared straight ahead. Charlie wasn't very good, or comfortable with, expressing his emotions out loud. I inherited that from him.

"Thanks dad. That's really nice of you. I'd hug you, but I'd rather we not run off the road."

We both laughed at that and then settled down into a comfortable silence. I stared out the window. Everything was green and stunningly beautiful. It was so different from the city I had grown up in. I loved the change of scenery.

We made it to dad's. He still lived in the small, two-bedroom house that he'd bought with mom in the early days of their marriage. Those were the only kind of days their marriage had—the early ones. (They had gotten married right out of high school and I was born a year later. Soon afterwards, however, Renèe left and took me with her to Phoenix. Renèe's the kind of person who really needed to be around the sun. A practically consistent forecast of rain and clouds didn't sit well with her. She had wanted to leave Forks, but Charlie was comfortable here. That's where they didn't get along and what ultimately broke apart their marriage. There were other things, though. They had only been together for a year before they got married and that didn't help them in the long run.)

There, parked on the street in front of the house, was my new—well, new to me—truck. It was faded red with big, rounded fenders and a bulbous cab. I tried to keep my face emotionless; I could tell Charlie was gauging my reaction. I didn't really like the truck, but it wasn't too bad, and the fact that it was his gift to me was kinda crazy. I mean, my family has never had much money, and something like this was like a fairy tale to me. And there were some positives to this too. I wouldn't have to walk two miles to school in this weather, or accept a ride in the cruiser, and if I ever got in a wreck I could totally sell it for spare parts!

"Thanks Charlie," I said with (slightly warped) enthusiasm. I was very touched by the notion that he would do something like this for me. "It's great."

He smiled, "I'm glad you like it, Bells."

It only took one trip to get everything into my room. The room was familiar; it had been mine since I was born. The wooden floor, the light blue walls, the yellowed lace curtains around the window—they were all part of my childhood. The only changes that had occurred were switching the crib for a bed and adding a desk as I grew. The desk held a secondhand computer, something my mother demanded so we could stay in touch easily. The rocking chair from my baby days was still in the corner.

One of the other things I love about Charlie is he doesn't hover. He left me alone to unpack and get settled. It was nice to be alone, to not have to pretend I was fine. Now don't get me wrong, I would love to tell someone about what really happened, but I'm sure if I did they would have me locked up in a padded cell with a jacket that makes me hug myself. I stared out the window and began to imagine the new life that would help provide an escape for me. An escape from vampire hunting at the very least. I had already planned on keeping up the clumsy pretense I typically favored out here. I've decided to focus on my studies and not even try to branch out. Wouldn't do me much good anyways. Call me a coward, but I really didn't want any more relationships. No more friends going and leaving me all on my own. I couldn't handle that again. (So as you can tell, I'm not a big relationships person.)

Forks High School had a total of three hundred and fifty-seven—now fifty-eight—students; there were more than seven hundred people in my junior class alone back in Phoenix. It would be difficult to slip in unnoticed. I'll probably be the center of attention for a few days but then everyone will move on, I hope. Being the new girl from a big city I'd probably have to suffer the attention. I'm not big on attention, I actually have issues with it. I hate parties and most social events. I have a huge fear of public speaking. I just can't handle a ton of people all at once. But put me in a back alley with my stakes and flash bombs, being stalked by a vampire and I'll come out just fine.

In Phoenix I was ignored, just how I liked it. Once or twice people would ask me why I was so white and I would promptly tell them to go mind their own business. My skin was like ivory. It always paled in comparison with everyone else, especially Zed, my best friend and former vampire hunting partner. (But then again, Zed had a great deal of Native American blood in him.) My hair fell down to my lower back and had a dark brownish color to it. In the sun you could see the red that, when the sun wasn't shining, distorted the look.

The only attention I wanted, and had ever wanted since seventh grade, was from Zed, but he was back home, in a coma. That was why I was here. I couldn't bear the sight of him laying in that hospital bed, practically lifeless. I also found it impossible to hunt vampires without Zed as my partner.

So here I was, putting away my clothes in this darkening room, in this seemingly perpetually wet town. I could already feel the cold sinking into my skin, taking residence there. I was fairly certain it would never leave. The last time I felt warm was when Zed was still awake back in September.

I didn't sleep well that night. I wasn't used to the constant whooshing of the rain and wind across the roof that just refused fade into the background. I pulled the old quilt over my head and latter added the pillow, but I couldn't fall asleep until after midnight when the rain finally became a quieter drizzle.

Thick fog was all I could see out my window in the morning. I didn't really like the fog, it blocked my senses a bit too much for my taste. (But hey, what am I going to do about it? It's not like I'm some weather goddess and can just say, "no fog today!" and it'll be gone.)

Breakfast with Charlie was quiet, as expected. Before he left he wished me good luck today at school and that I'd make some friends quickly. I nearly rolled my eyes at that but was able to stop the reaction. I thanked him and he left.

After a while I couldn't stand to be in the house alone anymore, so donning my jacket I ventured out into the rain. I got in my truck and started it. To my surprise it started right away, but to my dismay it was loud and idled at top volume. Well, I suppose it was bound to have some flaws. At least the radio worked.

I found a station pounding out death metal and started driving to the school. I wasn't a big fan of death metal but it did a good job of being so loud it was impossible to think which was one of the things I was using as a distraction.

The high school was just off the highway like pretty much everything was. I pulled in and parked in front of the building marked Front Office. I got out and went inside. It was well lit and very cozy, there was a red-haired woman sitting behind a desk.

She looked up. "Can I help you?"

"I'm Isabella Swan," I saw the immediate alertness in her eyes. I was expected, as I very well knew I would be.

"Of course," she said. She flipped through a large file cabinet and pulled a few papers from a purple folder. "There you are. Here's a map of the school and a list of all your classes. Also here is a slip you're to have all your teachers sign and then return to me at the end of the day. I hope you have a wonderful first day."

"Thanks."

I went back to my truck and tried memorizing the map. I was fairly certain I had it down when other students started trickling in. I turned on the truck and followed them to find the student parking. I was slightly relieved to find that the newest car there was a shiny silver Volvo. Everything else was as old as or on occasion even older than my vehicle. I shut off the engine as soon as I was in a spot. No need to draw any more unnecessary attention to myself.

Thankfully, I was able to find my first class easily. The class was small, as was the classroom. I went up to the teacher and handed him the slip. His desk's nameplate identified him as Mr. Mason. He sent me to an empty seat in the back without introducing me to the class. I thought that the other students would have some difficulty seeing me in the back but, and I'm not sure how, they managed. I tried to focus on the list of everything that we would read this year. I had already read everything on that list, twice. It was a little encouraging, and boring. I had hoped to actually learn something so I'd have an excuse for not going to any social events. I wondered if I could get my mom to send me my folder of old essays I'd already written when, or if, she got the chance.

The bell rang, if you could call it a bell. A boy with black hair leaned across the aisle to talk to me. Oh joy.

"You're Isabella Swan, aren't you?"

Isabella burned. Only Zed could call me that. "Bella." I corrected him in a low monotone. I still was unsure about this place, but so far people had been nice to me. I made a mental note not to think of the people here like the people back in Phoenix.

"Where's your next class?'

"Government, building six, with someone called Jefferson."

"I'm headed to building four, I could show you the way….." He was being very nice, I had to remind myself. I wanted to believe it was just for the sake of kindness, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he had some ulterior motive. "I'm Eric by the way."

"No thanks, Eric. I'm sure I can find the way by myself. I wouldn't want to make you late." I started to gather my stuff.

"It's no problem. Really." He insisted. "I'm headed that way myself."

"Fine." I didn't feel like arguing. If he wanted to follow me then fine.

"So," he asked after a few moments of silence. "This is a lot different than Phoenix, huh?"

"Very." I kept my voice in a monotone hoping he would get the message. I really didn't want to talk to him or anyone else. I just wanted to stand in the background and take in these new surroundings before trying anything.

"It doesn't rain much there, does it?"

"Three or four times a year." Apparently my little "friend" wasn't too quick on the uptake here.

"Wow, what's that like?"

"Sunny." And not to bright either.

"You don't look very tan…"

"My mother is part albino."

He was studying me, I could tell. I sighed and kept on going. I didn't like being studied. It brought back bad memories from when I'd faced a vampire that had a peculiar taste for science.

"That was just building four. Isn't that your stop?"

"Ah, well, I was just gonna make sure you got to your class all right."

"I'm sure I can make it to building six. Go on to your class or you'll be late."

"Oh, ok. Hey, maybe we'll have some classes together." He sounded hopeful.

He turned and left. I continued on to building six and was there a good two minutes before class. The rest of the morning passed with as much torture as I expected. My Trigonometry teacher, Mr. Varner, who I would have most likely disliked anyway simply because of the subject he taught, made me stand up in front of the whole class and introduce myself. I left the monologue and used my normal voice since I wasn't trying to get rid of anybody, yet. I remembered I didn't want to be thought of as well balanced on my way to my seat and pretended to stumble a bit.

After a while I was able to recognize a few people in my classes. I didn't know their names or anything simply because I didn't take the time to learn them. I was being led to cafeteria by a girl who insisted upon being my friend. I was fairly certain it was because I was the new girl and for some unknown reason this gave me and anyone who hung out with me a large amount of popularity. I went along with it for now. They would figure out soon enough that I didn't want to know them and they wouldn't want to know me either.

The girl sat me down at a table full of her friends and introduced me to them. I only looked like I was paying attention. I was more focused on figuring out a way to get them to leave me alone soon. There were a lot of them crowded at the table and in all honestly my stomach was starting to churn. That's when they arrived.

My whole body started tingling. My vampire hunting senses awoke again with brilliant fire. I felt them, there were five of them. I knew without turning to look that they were here. Walking into the cafeteria like it was normal. They sat at a table where I had a clear view of them. Three of them were male. One was tall and muscular, he had dark curly hair. The one sitting across from him was taller, leaner but still muscular with pale blonde hair. The next was less bulky and a bit lankier. He had bronze hair and was a bit more….boyish is the only way I can put it.

The females on the other hand were opposites. The one was tall and statuesque. She had light blonde wavy hair that fell to her lower back. The other was short and pixie like. She had black hair that was cropped short and pointed in every direction.

All of them bore the characteristics of vampires. Each was chalky pale, paler than me, the albino. That was one of the first signs. They all had dark eyes, meaning they hadn't eaten in a while, there were dark purplish bruise like circles around their eyes, and they looked perfect.

They were beautiful in every way, shape, and form. I could smell them from where I was sitting. They were sweet and perfume like. It made me want to gag.

The pixie one got up, walked over to the trash can, dumped her tray, and glided out the back door. Her step was elegant and graceful, just like a vampire's—at least a very sophisticated one. Another thing that was giving them away.

It was definite that they were vampires. Now the big question was, what were they doing here? Going to high school. Pretending to be human.

"Who are they?" I asked the girl who had brought me here. Old habits kicking in as I felt the need to gather as much information on them as possible.

As she looked up to see who I meant—even though it was obvious—the bronze-haired one looked at her. Then he looked at me. I was caught by his eyes. The first thing I had ever learned was to never show a vampire fear, ever. So I stared back and we both sat staring at each other. He looked like he was getting frustrated, then he looked away.

I dropped my eyes back to my less appetizing tray of food. From the way he was looking at me I had a sneaking suspicion he had some talent or another that wouldn't work on me. I felt a smirk cross my face. I was a special case. Several vampires I had faced back in Phoenix had had some sort of talent, but when they attempted to use that talent on me it wouldn't work.

"That's Edward and Emmett Cullen, Jasper and Rosalie Hale. The one that left was Alice Cullen; they all live together with Dr. Cullen and his wife," she said under her breath.

So there were seven vampires, huh? Even their names made it obvious they were much older than they seemed. This reminded me that the girl's name was Jessica. I looked over to them again. The bronze-haired one I'd had the staring contest with was picking at a bagel, whispering to the others. I was sitting too far away to make out any distinct words though.

"They're really…" I struggled for words, "…really….nice-looking."

"Yes!" Jessica agreed with a bit too much enthusiasm. "They're all together though—Emmett and Rosalie, and Jasper and Alice, I mean. And they live together." Her voice held all the shock and disapproval of the small town. But if I was being honest, even in Phoenix it would cause some gossip.

"Which ones are the Cullens?" I asked. Then, trying to draw out more information, "They don't look related….."

"Oh, they're not. Dr. Cullen is really young, in his twenties or early thirties. They're all adopted. The Hales are brother and sister, twins—the blondes—and they're foster children."

"They look a little old for foster children."

"They are now, Jasper and Rosalie are both eighteen, but they've been with Mrs. Cullen since they were eight. She's their aunt or something."

"That's nice of her."

"I guess." From her tone I assumed she didn't like the doctor and his wife. With the glances she was throwing at their "children" I guessed it was jealousy.

"How long have they been in Forks?" This might shed some light on a few questions I had.

"They just moved down about two years ago from somewhere in Alaska."

Two years, huh? Well, I suppose they're different then. If they've been here for two years and haven't annihilated the town yet.

I was examining them when the youngest looked at me once more. I held his stare just like before. But now his look was more curious, like he wanted to know something. His look turned to one of frustration and he looked away.

"Who's the one with the bronze colored hair?" I asked turning back to Jessica.

"That's Edward. He's gorgeous, of course, but don't waste your time. Apparently none of the girls here are good-looking enough for him." She sniffed. She had obviously liked him once upon a time. And it sounded like she thought I liked him too.

I bit my lip to keep myself from smirking at her uninformed ways. I looked at Edward again. He was looking away this time but he looked like he was fighting a smirk too. Then they all left with the same gracefulness the first one had.

I sat at the table with Jessica and her friends who I didn't bother to remember the names of longer than I wanted. One girl, who reminded me her name was Angela, had Biology II with me next hour. We walked together in silence and I already began to like her.

We entered the room and I found a very unpleasant surprise waiting for me. The vampire that had been staring at me throughout lunch was sitting next to the only open seat.

Great, just great. I, the ex-vampire hunter, had to sit next to him, the vampire, for an entire fifty-two minutes. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad. He didn't know I was an ex-vampire hunter. So I tried to forget about it. I walked up to the teacher and handed him the slip, but when I passed Edward he flinched and pulled back. He stared at me with coal black eyes. He hadn't eaten in a long while.

The teacher gave me my book and motioned me to sit next to the vampire. As I sat down I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. He was scooting away from me as far as possible. Every muscle in his body seemed to be tensed. He had caught my scent and it was apparently alluring to him as it was to many others of his kind. Although his attraction seemed stronger than any other I had experienced before. He puzzled me though; I didn't understand why he didn't start attacking me. Maybe, just maybe, he was different from the rest of his kind.

The class seemed to last forever, but it must have been even longer for Edward. I would have to ask him why he wasn't trying to drink my blood later, when I could get him alone. The bell rang and before I had time to say a word he was gone.

I stared after him but was soon distracted by a boy's voice.

"Aren't you Isabella Swan?" he asked.

"Bella." I automatically corrected.

"I'm Mike."

"Hi."

"Where's your next class?"

"It's in the gym, I can find it."

"That's mine too!"

We walked to the next class together. He talked and talked, I simply pretended to listen. Before we split off to the separate locker rooms he asked, "So did you stab Cullen with a pencil or something? I've never seen him act like that."

Ah, the plot thickens. So that isn't his normal behavior around humans.

"Was that the boy I was sitting next to?" I asked attempting my best at playing dumb to gather information.

"Yeah, he looked like he was in pain or something."

"I wouldn't know. I never even spoke to him."

"Well, he's a weird guy," Mike said. Then he added, "If I'd been lucky enough to sit by you I would've talked to you."

I smiled at him but left it at that. I didn't want him to think this would be some sort of lasting relationship. He didn't seem to know much. Although, I mostly just didn't like the look in his eyes. It gave me a bad feeling. And I don't mean boogy man bad, more like...unsettling? I dunno, just not right. Like he's gonna cause me problems in the future or something. Bah, oh well, whatever happens, happens. No use worrying about it. Anyway, onto gym class.

The coach found me a uniform, but didn't make me dress out for the day. Back home I only had to take two years of P.E. but here it was mandatory for all four years. It wasn't that I didn't like P.E. it was just that it was going to be torture because I couldn't play to the best of my ability. At least, not if I wanted to be ignored by the coaches of sports teams or anything. Of course I couldn't play my very best anywhere, in Phoenix I had been a star athlete in P.E. Unfortunately that came at a price. I was constantly asked to join every sports team or club in the school. Since I didn't want to be part of a team or anything, I wouldn't play well and then no one would want me. (Let me make it clear that I don't hate sports, I really like them, it's just that I have team issues. Yes, I have a lot of issues, but can you really blame me? I'm sure you would have a ton of issues too if you started hunting vampires in seventh grade.)

I watched four volleyball games that hour. I remembered skipping gym class with Zed often back in Phoenix. The teacher didn't mind though. He knew how well we played. The dimwit that had walked me here smiled and waved at me whenever he got the chance.

The bell rang before I knew it and I was out of that new hell-to-be and to the front office.

To my surprise and delight(?) Edward Cullen was there, he was just the person I wanted to see (Should I be worried that I'm excited to see a vamp?). He didn't seem to notice my arrival though. He was too busy arguing with the front receptionist. In this small quiet area I could hear what they were saying. Basically, he was trying to trade sixth hour for something, anything. So he was trying to keep himself from killing me….but why? I longed to know this.

The door opened again and a cold wind blew into the cozy office as a girl walked in. She placed a note in a wire basket and left. But Edward noticed me now. The wind had brought my scent to him. He turned and glared at me. I simply stared back. Then he turned back to the receptionist.

"Never mind, then," he said hastily, "I can see that it's impossible. Thank you so much for your help." He turned on his heel and was about to leave when I caught him by the sleeve.

"I need to ask you something. Wait outside the office for me. Please." I barely whispered to him. I knew he heard me though. He stared at me like I was an idiot then quickly pulled away and left.

"How was your first day, dear?" asked the receptionist.

"It was very interesting." I said. I gave her the slip and headed out.

But Edward wasn't there.

There really wasn't anyone there. Almost everyone had left, except for a few teachers. He had left me there, alone, with many questions, but no answers.