UPDATE***10/13/2013

So, I don't even know where to start. I guess with an apology. I started this story 4 years ago, during the end of my college senior year. A lot has changed, and I'm at a more stable point in life. I recently got an email notifying me that someone "favorited" my story, and a wave of guilt passed over me. I abandoned this journey right at the climax, and that's a terrible thing to do. I WILL finish this for any one out there who still would like an ending. Again, I'm sorry! Enjoy!

Forks, Washington. Whoever discovered this small piece of land must have been depressed, or enjoyed being constantly wet. As I sat on my porch watching the rain fall, I couldn't help but feel a sharp flare of anxiety- summer was almost over. My junior year of high school was coming up fast and I still was the only person in the entire zip code without any friends. It wasn't that I was smelly, or socially challenged, I was just picky. I wanted an intelligent conversation, someone who could read a book, who was more than just a hormonal teen. It also didn't help that I lived with the Chief of police, Charlie. If finding friends wasn't hard enough, attracting boys was nonexistent. Not that I cared, boys were last on my list of priorities. Just as I was drifting off into my absent social life, I heard a car door slam. Charlie was home.

"Hey Bells, how was your day?" Why does he ask these questions; he knows the answers already.

"It was uneventful. How was work?" Same questions, same routine…

After dinner, Charlie called me down from my room, which was out of the ordinary.

"What's up dad?"

"Well, I was talking to Joey over at the station; he was talking about a new family moving into town. From what I found out, it's a pretty large family. The husband is going to start working over at the hospital, not sure what his wife does. But they have five children who were adopted. I'm told they are all around your age."

Oh god, what is he getting at?

"Umm, ok dad. That's…great." Just as I went to turn away, I heard the name that makes my ears cringe.

"Isabella!"

I slowly turned around, "Yes?" What is it? Why can't he just leave me in peace?

"I think that it would be a, umm, you know, a good idea if you umm, if you were to make some friends."

Is he serious right now? This is beyond belief- he has never showed any concern in my social life!

"Dad! What does it matter to you? I'm completely fine with being a loner. It's peaceful."

"I'm just worried Bella, you're going to be a junior this year, and you have yet to make any friends. It's not healthy; you need some interaction with other people. I was just thinking that these new kids would be the perfect chance for a fresh start."

Wow, he was serious. Unbelievable. Deep breathe…just tell him what he wants to hear so you can go back to your room.

"Alright dad, I will put forth the effort and try to find some friends." Lie.

Without another peep from Charlie, I went back up to my room. The more I thought about his intrusion on my friend making skills- the angrier I felt. My mind slowly drifted into thought about these new people. I felt bad for the children; starting Forks High School wasn't an easy obstacle. Living in a small town meant that nothing was kept private. I'm sure these kids would quickly pair off into the numerous clicks around school. Even if I wanted to, I would have no chance in getting a single word in. New students usually attracted crowds- and I strongly avoid crowds.

The next two weeks went by quickly, and before I knew it, the first day of school was here. I woke up at 6:00 to begin my dreaded first day of school. It was always the same, since I was little, I would walk into class, and it was like I never existed. Just the way I like it. School had always been effortless, especially since I never went out; there was plenty of time for homework and studying.

I went down stairs and ate the usual quiet breakfast with Charlie. Before he left, he awkwardly mentioned how I need to try and make friends. Was I really that bad? I never knew how much Charlie really minded me being alone. I suppose it was pretty pathetic. Maybe he was right; maybe I did need to join the world of the living.

As I crawled into the cab of my truck and started the engine, my anxiety slowly built. The closer I got to school, the more nervous I got. This was very odd for me, I usually never felt like this. Was I subconsciously preparing to make friends? No, I am just going to fall back into my old routine of arriving before the bell, and leave immediately after school let out. I never understood how most of the students lingered on campus after school was over. I suppose that's why you're friendless and socially deprived, I thought to myself. Why did Charlie have to bring up my lack of friends? Ever since he mentioned it, I felt guilty for being so inactive. I struggled internally with it ever since he made it an issue. Ugh! Just get over it and get out of your truck coward!

Just as I opened my truck door, I saw a car pulling into the parking lot. This was nothing out of the normal, except that it wasn't just any car. It was a brand new silver Volvo. I can't remember the last time I saw a new car in this parking lot. It stood out, and I wasn't the only one who noticed. As the driver smoothly pulled into the spot, I immediately remember that we were expecting new students. It made sense now- they were the children of a doctor, of course they would have a new, expensive car. Ha, sorry Charlie, these kids were already out of my social standings.

The Volvo engine was killed, and the doors slowly opened. I looked around and realized I was staring just like everyone else. Wow, this was rude; I couldn't believe how I was glaring at these new kids just like the rest of these people. I went to turn and walk into the court yard, but just as I did- I caught a glimpse of the driver exiting the vehicle. OH. MY. GOD. This was some kind of joke, right? As the slender figure turned around, I couldn't help but gawk. This had to be the most beautiful being I have ever seen. His body was tall and lean, built like a swimmer almost. But this wasn't the best part, his face was perfect- no, perfect didn't give justice to this guy. His lips were rose red, and nicely shaped; it was complemented with a strong, angular jaw. He had a straight nose that fit his face just right. Above that nose sat two bright honey yellow eyes that could burn holes into my soul. And to top that off, his hair was the most brilliant shade of bronze I had ever seen; it was messy, but every disordered strand was immaculate. His skin was the palest shade I have ever seen, but like everything else about him- it worked.

Snap out of it!

As I came out of my slight coma, I looked around and saw that everyone else had the same expression- Shock. Never in the history of Forks had five godlike beings attended this school system. I say five, because every one of them was just as outstanding as the driver. It was as if the doctor and his wife went to the orphanage and picked the best looking ones to take home. Slowly everyone else around me started to chatter quietly about our newcomers. I stood frozen in the same spot outside my truck door, trying to make my muscles move again. The group of five began to walk toward the school, and as they past me, the driver quickly caught my eye. For the millisecond he held my stare, a shock went through my entire body. I have never been attracted to any guy before; this was completely new to me. Is this what teenage hormones felt like? My god Bella, MOVE!

I finally pulled myself out of my lust filled daze and started walking toward school. I felt my mind start to wonder about our new students. Where did they come from, why would their parents want to live here? The more I thought, the more I wondered and wanted to know them. I have never been so intrigued by a group of individuals in my life. There was something about them; the way they looked. Each looked as though they were from a different time period. As though they have lived and knew things that no normal teenager understood. Who am I kidding; they would never speak to a lowly, small town girl like me. People of their stature socialized with others like themselves. I sucked in what little pride I had left and made my way to my first period class- math…wonderful.

Chapter 2

Aside from the newcomers, my school life started just like any other. My first couple of classes flew by, and the only thing that seemed to be on any one's mind was the five stunning creatures that arrived. So far I had no classes with them, and with four more chances of that happening, I was starting to hope they weren't in any of my subjects. As third period was winding down, I overheard Jessica Stanley telling one of her friends how hot she thought the slender, bronze haired boy was. Her description was sadly lacking all the right details. This is why I could never relate to normal teenagers, they never paid attention to the finer qualities.

Finally the bell rung and I was off to fourth period. At least it was English, my favorite subject. I walk with my head down, avoiding any eye contact and safely made it to the classroom. I walked through the door, and holy hell! There he was. The driver, I mean…the boy; the one with bronze colored hair, sitting in the front seat waiting for class to start. At this point, we were the only two in the classroom, and I felt my knees go weak, and out of nowhere I drop every book in my hand. The noise startled him, and he glanced at me just as I closed my gaping jaw. God, he was even more beautiful close up.

My face turned the darkest shade of red, and as I bent down to retrieve my books, he had beaten me there in one swift, graceful movement. He looked up at me and looked concerned.

I must have been staring too hard, because the angel's mouth opened and said, "Are you alright?"

"Oh, umm- yeah, I'm fine. Just…clumsy." Great Bella, now he thinks you're an idiot. "T-Thank you very much."

He nodded, and just like that, he was back at his seat. Like nothing ever happened.

Class soon filed in, and just as I thought, everyone stared and whispered over this guy. I couldn't blame them, he was so interesting, but not in the "hot new guy" sort of way. There was something more to him. I couldn't put my finger on it, but he was different.

English was the only subject I had with any of the new students. I heard lots of rumors at lunch time, nothing more than a bunch of teenage blabber. Some said they were a family of models; yeah right! Others thought they were European, or came from royalty. I couldn't believe the crap they were dishing. But like everyone else, I knew something was intriguing about them. They were very unordinary in every aspect.

The next couple of weeks flew by, and all the newness started wearing off of the family. Nobody really talked about them much anymore, and to my surprise, no one even bothered to try and make friends with them. The fact that they were a large group intimidated people not to make any kind of contact. The little I did see of them, they were always together, it was as if they didn't want any outsiders in on whatever they were about. I could appreciate that, I was pretty much the same. I did learn their names, at least the boy in my class. His name was Edward Cullen, and he had his adopted siblings: Rosalie and Jasper Hale, who were twins, and Emmett and Alice Cullen. At this point I didn't know which name belonged to which face except Edward.

Charlie kept asking me about them, and it made me upset. He thought they needed someone who was experienced in this town to show them around. Too bad your daughter is a poor, ordinary recluse, or she would have been the first one up to ask to give a town tour. Needless to say, his friendship lectures kept coming, and I kept assuring him I was working on it. He knew me well though, and I'm not much of a good liar.

It was a rainy Tuesday, much like any other Tuesday, and the day was moving quite slowly. I was looking forward to English today, because we were going to get into groups and discuss the book we were reading called, White Teeth by Zadie Smith. It wasn't a classic, but it was an interesting story about being the minority in a society that hasn't quite accepted who you are. Sound familiar? I walked into English, and just like clockwork Edward was sitting there, and just like every day, he looked completely in his own world. He looked miserable. If his body language wasn't enough, his facial expression said it all. I wondered what was up. He was such an enigma, that I couldn't even force an explanation. The bell rung, and the teacher, Mrs. Blount, started calling out our groups. After each group was called, people were separating into their own. When my name was called, I felt my heart give a jolt when I realized that I was in a group with Mike Newton and Edward Cullen. Did my ears deceive me, no, they didn't, because Mike was right there not four seconds later saying he never read any of the book. Great.

I saw Edward look around confused. Of Course Bella, he has no idea who you OR Mike are. Before I could get his attention, Mike was already gesturing him over. Breath Bella, I told myself, Don't start hyperventilating- it makes you look like an asthmatic. As he walked over, I had never seen a creature move so fluidly before. God, even his walk was perfect.

He sat down, and the teacher dished out our assignment: Talk about the book and why it's title "White Teeth." Well, this should be interesting.

"Alright," Mike started, "I didn't read any of this book, so I'll just copy whatever you guys say."

I peeked over at Edward and he seemed unfazed by Mike's behavior. OK, I guess I'll go along too.

I began to give my book rant, "Well, I thought the book concerned people who were different, people who try to function in a society that fails to accept them."

Just as I finished my sentence, a spark of interest flashed across Edward's face, and he looked up at me. Did I say something wrong?

The first words I heard him speak since the first day of school came from his lips, "And why do you think the book is titled 'White Teeth'?" Umm, breathe Bella.

"W-Well, umm, I think that, umm well, although we are all different, we all share the same white teeth."

His eyebrows raised, and he said, "I couldn't agree more with you." What!? He was agreeing with me. This had to be a dream.

Just as I went to look back up at him, I noticed something very strange- his eye color. His eyes the first day of school were honey yellow, and now they were the darkest shade of black ever. Caught in his gaze, I started feeling scared. But why? Why did an odd sense of fear just envelope my body. God I'm losing my mind. There is nothing to be afraid of, he's a just a new student, I had no right to be scared of his gaze. I should be thanking the gods that I am even worthy of being under his stare.

But the eye color, black was a strange and unnatural color for anybody. Maybe he wore contacts to hide the true color of his eyes. Again, this guy was an enigma- did it ever end? The more I knew, the less I understood.

The remainder of class went by awkwardly, and he never spoke to me or Mike again. In fact, his gaze was toward the window the rest of the class. He never looked at me once more.

It didn't hit me till I was sitting at my usual table at lunch that I wanted to know him. Not just know him, but really be his friend. He was unlike any one I had ever spoken to. This was the time; I was too old to be this gutless. If I was going to try and make friends, it was going to be with Edward Cullen. I was going to figure this guy out, and hope to make a friend in the process. Because like me, he seems to be screaming on the inside for some kind of human interaction.