It's cold.

Ice cold.

Grrrr.

So cold that I can feel my fingers turning blue, swelling up with frostbite.

Shoot. I really should have put on thicker gloves this morning.

It was so stupid what I was trying to do. I had completely failed my promise to my mother to not get into any crazy mess while I was visiting Charlie, my father. But how could I not resist? I mean, they were just way too interesting to ignore. I would start school next week and hopefully know as much as I can about them.

The Cullens.

I had spotted them one day as I was unpacking my clothes. They were just hanging out like the normal average family. But I had noticed that they were all inhumanly beautiful. No way was that normal.

The Cullens lived next door to Charlie and I couldn't be more excited. Well, elated actually.

I already knew all of their names. Charlie told me. I'm not that much of an advanced stalker. Come on. I'm only fifteen.

But there were a lot of people in one house. Of course, it helped that their home was just about a mansion.

Geeze.

There was Dr. Cullen and his wife Esme. Then their children Alice, Edward, and Emmett Cullen. Alice was a tiny little thing. I had seen her flit through the yard a few times, mostly dancing to her own music. Emmett always had a couple of weights in his hands. He had huge muscles and sort of scared me shitless. And lastly was Edward. He was the most beautiful Cullen. He sort of seemed like the depressed type, you know, one who always wears black and never smiles? But he was still amazingly handsome. And from what I'd heard from Charlie's praise, they were all very smart. Could all skip to college if they wanted to.

Now, I was being the biggest idiot ever.

I was standing outside in 0 degree weather with little clothing on. I'd expected to stay out for a few minutes but not a whole hour!

I wanted to see what the Cullens were really like. Most people shied away from them. Except for me. I was fascinated with them, sick as that sounds. I just couldn't make myself afraid of them. Not really.

The door finally opened! I hid behind a huge bush on the side of the house.

Edward Cullen walked out, a phone pressed to his ear.

"No, no, that's fine. I mean, if that's impossible...well, of course. Not now though, I can't. Maybe...? Alright, that's reasonable. Fine." His voice became colder as he spoke.

I smiled hugely, for his voice was like the sofest velvet. It warmed me up, as cold as I was.

And then, clumsy me, I stepped on a branch.

A huge one.

And of course my perfect Edward heard it.

Wait, my perfect...? Where did that come from?

I gasped silently as he turned towards me. He narrowed his eyes and began to walk.

"Yes. No. I'll see you later...I thought I...heard something...No, it's nothing to worry about. I swear, I'm fine!" He was almost yelling now.

Whatever the person answered, he didn't seem to like it. He pressed the end button without answering and threw it on the porch.

"I know you're out there. Might as well show yourself before I find you." He announced.

I shuddered. Ooh. Hide and seek with Edward.

This might be fun.

But I decided not to risk it. He seemed to be very angry and I'm sure I would just make it worse by hiding and not revealing myself.

"OK, ok. You got me." I said, standing with my hands up.

He rose an eyebrow. "Who are you?"

I winced. For him to not be aware of me, and I only too aware of him...it was pretty pathetic.

"Um, well I'm your next door neighbor..."

"No you're not." He interrupted.

I frowned, putting my hands on my hips. "Yeah, I am. Charlie's my dad alright? I'm here to stay, for now." I couldn't help that my voice became suddenly wistful.

I cleared it and charged on.

"And it just so happens that I think I lost something over here. I've been looking but can't seem to find it...and then you appeared and I was scared that I was trespassing."

I snorted to myself. Yeah, trespassing, let him swallow that one. I was not one to be afraid of breaking the rules.

Edward looked at me like I was a retard. "OK, sure. Let's go with that. And did you find what you lost?"

What? Oh! "Um, not yet. It's so cold out here and my fingers are numb..." Care to invite me in Mr. Cullen?

"Oh." Hmph. Apparently not.

Then the savior of all saviors came out.

"Edward? Are you through with the phone? I...oh! Hello dear."

I smiled at Esme Cullen. "Hi Mrs. Cullen."

"My goodness it's cold! Why don't you come in? I'm sure Edward here was about to invite you..." Esme looked at Edward questionably. He just shrugged and picked up the phone before returning into the warm house.

Esme sighed. "I'm sorry. He's a little...moody sometimes. He'll warm up to you. Come in."

I followed Esme gratefully. Charlie wouldn't miss me, he was working at the police department. Probably playing cards or something.

She closed the door behind me and took my coat. "I didn't catch your name dear..."

"Oh! Sorry. I live next door with Charlie, my father. I'm Isabella Swan. Call me Bella."

Esme smiled, it lit up her heart shaped face. "Pleased to meet you Bella. I'm..."

"Mrs. Esme Cullen...right? Charlie told me about you all. You seem to be a nice family."

Esme laughed. "We certainly try. What brings you over here Bella?" She asked, honestly curious.

I shrugged. "Well, I lost something and I thought it might have blown away. It's just a little letter written to me. It's kind of important. But it flew out my window and towards your house. I don't suppose...?"

Esme shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'll look for it though. I just hate loosing things."

I nodded in agreement. Edward just stared at me from his little corner he stood in.

Esme seemed to notice him too.

"Edward, be a dear and get Bella here some tea. I'm sure she'd love some."

Tea..."Um well, you see, I'm fine actually. Not that I wouldn't love your tea but I'm...deathly allergic to many things. It's sort of a curse. Charlie has it too. So, you see, I can't go out eating stuff...normally." I laughed. Let them figure that one out.

"Oh! Sorry then..."

Huge booms of laughter came from upstairs. Edward's frown deepened as he turned to face the stairs.

Big heavy footsteps were coming down quickly followed by light ones.

"I told you! Now, Jasper will never speak to me again!" Someone cried out.

"Oh please Alice. He loves you so he'll definently forgive you." I deep voice replied with glee.

"Argh! That was not funny!" Alice pouted.

Both of them came into the room, looking drastically different from the other. Alice Cullen was tiny, petite with short spiked black hair. Emmett Cullen was huge, muscular with soft blonde hair slightly covering his eyes. Alice looked angry and upset while Emmett was joyful. And of course they were both amazingly beautiful.

Esme sighed as she waved her hand at her children. "These are Alice and Emmett, my other son and my daughter. I have no idea what trouble they have gotten into and Lord knows I don't want to know!"

Emmett laughed as Alice rolled her eyes.

"Ok, what happened?" Esme stood up, sounding like a referee.

Alice pointed up at Emmett. "He called Jasper up and told him that I was going out with Mike Newton! That pig! I hate him! And worse part is, Jazz believed...! I really like him and I know he likes me too...but we're not even official and Emmett might have ruined that!"

Esme shook her head. "Is that true Emmett?"

Emmett shrugged his too big shoulders. "Maybe. I really couldn't say whether or not Jasper actually believed me. But I'm his best friend...why would I lie to him?"

Edward glared at me as I started to giggle. OK, so sue me Edward! It's funny!

Both of the now quarreling Cullens turned to look at me.

"Who the heck are you?" Emmett asked, curious.

"Emmett!" Esme reprimanded him.

He ducked his head. "Sorry mom."

I laughed and stood up. "I'm Isabella Swan and am officially your neighbor and pleased to meet you."

"So, you're like...related to Officer Swan?" Alice asked, her little eyes bright.

"I'm his daughter." I grinned.

Emmett walked over to me and shook my hand with enough force to...I don't know what but wow was he strong!

"Nice to meet you, Isabella!" Emmett grinned hugely.

I winced. "Call me Bella."

"Oh." Emmett blinked. "Same to you, Bella!"

What? Never mind.

I smiled all the same at him.

Edward turned to face me.

"So, what you are looking for is something somewhere on our property?" He asked snidely. Oh who cares? His voice is still beautiful...and his face...snap out of it Bella! He's staring at you, dummy!

I shrugged. "More or less."

Edward clenched his hands into tight fists and stomped up the stairs far away from me.

I frowned. "OK, now that was rude." And incredibly hot!

Esme huffed. "Well! I hope he stays up there. I've had enough of his attitude."

Alice sighed and shook his head. "He's always been like this, Mom. Ever since Mr. and Mrs. Masen died he's closed himself up to everyone. Edward doesn't even play the piano anymore and you know how much he loved that thing."

I blinked. Masen? Who was that?

Emmett noticed my bewildered expression. "Oh yeah. Eddie boy's adopted. His parents died a long time ago, so don't be too sad. Esme and Carlisle are really his aunt and uncle. So now he's like, double-y tied to them! He's their nephew and son! Ha hah ha!"

I giggled with him. Then I remembered that it wasn't funny.

"Oh. How unfortunate." I said solemnly. No one, much less Edward, should have to go through that pain.

Esme and Alice's eyes sparkled.

"Oh no. Not really. See, it's been a joy to have Edward in our family...eh, more. But I do wish he'd act like himself again." Esme told me.

OK, so Edward's a bum. Right?

Alice jumped up and down.

Ugh, sugar rush?

"Hey Bella! I have a question!" She squealed.

I looked at Esme and Emmett. Their faces were suspiciously blank. Emmett seemed to be inching away from Alice.

"Uh, yes Ali--"

"DO YOU LIKE TO GO SHOPPING?!" She practically screamed right in my ear.

I blinked, then shuddered.

"NO! I ABSOLUTELY LOATHE IT!" I shouted back.

Alice's mouth dropped open and her eyes grew wide.

"Wha--wha--?" She blubbered.

I frowned. Then I couldn't take it anymore.

I busted out laughing with tears. "HAHAHAHAHA! Alice! Seriously, your face was hilarious!"

"Huh?!" Alice cried, majorly confused.

I grinned at her. "I don't hate shopping. I just don't do it a lot, only when I really need to."

Alice gaped. "Who needs to shop? Shopping is for fun Bella! Oh, I have so much to teach you! Don't I, Esme?"

Esme looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Um, well, if Bella's ok with that..." She fumbled.

"Well BELLA?!" Alice was all up in my face, smiling hugely.

"Gah!" I backed up quickly. She was starting to scare me.

Emmett squealed like a little girl and ran into the kitchen.

I quirked an eyebrow at his weird antics. Surely Alice couldn't be so bad...

The next day...

"BELLA!! ISABELLA!! COME HERE, I HAVE THE CUTEST TOP FOR YOU TO TRY ON! NOOOOWWWWWW!!" Alice screamed as loud as she could causing a few shoppers to jump, stop and stare.

I ran as fast as I could through the mall, pushing everyone and everything out of my way.

"No! No more! She's going to kill me!" I panted, trying to find a place to hide. I had taken up Alice's offer to go shopping with her today and man was I starting to regret it. It had felt like centuries in here. Alice had dragged me everywhere and anywhere. I was fairly certain that if Charlie let Alice in the house, and I'm sure he will, she will burn and destroy all of my belongings. They are all 'off the rack' which Alice absolutely disapproved.

Mom, why did I let you talk me into coming here?! I thought in despair. Forks, Washington was going to be the death of me and I had just gotten here weeks ago!

Please don't catch me, please don't catch me, please don't ca--

"Bella." Alice stepped in front of me, glaring.

I swear my heart stopped beating.

I gulped and took a step back, preparing to run again.

"Why Alice! Good to see you! I thought that I'd lost you back there!" I giggled uncontrollably, the way I usually did when I was nervous or freakishly scared.

Alice grabbed my left forearm and pulled me to her.

"Bella, if you dare try that little stunt again I will force you to shop for high heels next in high heels." She whispered menacingly in my ear.

I shook my head quickly. "No! No!! Please, Alice." I begged, almost on the verge of sobbing.

Alice smiled and laughed, her sudden anger blown away by my absolute helplessness. "Ok, good! Let's go Bella! I saw the cutest winter jackets..."

Winter jackets? What happened to the top...? Oh never mind.

I groaned, dragging my poor, tortured, tired, and defenseless feet slowly after her.