A/N: What if Edward and Bella met at Dartmouth? The characters are a little OOC, especially since they are all human, but it bugs me a little how fast Bella and Edward get together. This story is definitely a BxE but don't kill me when there is drama. Let me know if you like it! =)

Disclaimer- Anyone you recognize is not mine. They are Stephanie Meyer's. I am not creative enough to come up with all my own characters.

Chapter 1 – New School

'Sometimes I really hate going to a new school. It doesn't matter how old I am, it is still a little scary', Bella thought to herself as she looked in the mirror, checking to see if she would look presentable on her first day at Dartmouth. She looked more than presentable, although she would never agree to such a statement. Her long brown hair had small waves in it from an oversized curling iron, and her chocolate brown eyes sparkled out from a pale face that did nothing to hurt her overall effect. At this moment, she wasn't really even looking at herself, but more thinking back to last winter and spring when she made this decision in the first place.

Flashback

Bella was lying on her bed in her dorm room with her head buried into her pillow. "I don't know what to do," she murmured outloud. Lately she had been having trouble deciding her next course of action. When applying for colleges with her mom during her senior year, all she wanted to do was stay in Arizona, so she wouldn't be far and could still take care of Renee when she needed it. Phil did a good job, but really, sometimes it is just a girl's thing.

Now, she was thinking about going all the way across the country, to Dartmouth of all places! In New Hampshire! It gets really cold in New Hampshire!! The idea would never have occurred to her if she had not been visiting her dad in Forks, Washington, or 'Sunless, Washington' and Bella always thought of it, for Christmas break. He had asked how school was going and mentioned that if she really wanted to study Political Science and Government that she should probably do it in New England, since they had all the premier schools.

"Right Dad," she had told him. "Now how in the world am I going to pay to go to some fancy New England school? The only way I could go to University of Phoenix anyway was because it's free since I was the Valedictorian."

"Well, I was thinking about that, and you see, I have some money saved up. And I talked to Renee about it, and since Phil signed with the Cardinals, well…" Charlie was never really very good with words.

Bella was flabbergasted. Charlie and Renee were in on this? And Phil? "Oh, well it is nice of you to bring it up. I don't know why mom didn't say anything to me when I was there last week." Bella was not feeling very gracious at that moment.

"Well, you see, I asked her if I could try to talk you into it. I know how you feel about protecting your mom. But Bella, really, she will be ok. You can go to a good school if you want. I just don't want you to feel like there are doors closed to you since you didn't grow up with a lot of money," Charlie was starting to get very uncomfortable, but he pressed on with determination.

"Listen Dad, I don't need a lot of things, and I never have. This is ok for me. I don't mind not having a lot of stuff. I can finish up at U of A and I will still be able to get a good job."

"But honey, politics? The best jobs for that are on the east coast, and you should go to an east coast school to get your education." Now Bella was starting to get why Charlie brought this up and not Renee. Renee could hold her own for awhile, but Bella got her stubborn side from Charlie, and when either of them wanted something, that is what they got. Right now Charlie was adamant about Bella going to an east coast school, and unfortunately for Bella, she didn't care enough. She already felt the losing struggle.

"Dad, I don't understand why you care so much," whining was about all Bella could come up at this point.

"Because I do! It is important for your future. Besides, you don't want to end up like me do you? Stuck in the same place your whole life?"

Bella was shocked he would ever bring something like that up. True, Renee had moved them to Arizona not long after Bella was born for pretty much that exact reason, but Charlie must be truly serious to bring up such a topic. She knew how much it hurt him, and for him to bring it up almost hurt Bella just as much. All she could do now was give in to his request. Charlie was just not playing fairly. "Ok Dad. But I don't know what school to go to, or even which ones to look at."

That was three months before, and now the acceptance papers were sitting on her desk to attend Dartmouth in the fall. Just because she had the papers, didn't mean she was ready to go. She had no idea how she was going to tell her friends here, and her professors, and her roommate. She got on so well with her roommate, Jenna, and now she had to tell her that she was moving to New Hampshire! "I don't think I can do this," more mumbles came from somewhere under her pillow. Bella had never been too great at making friends, but she liked the few that she had. And her life was actually good here. Not great, but she would never expect that. Bella was convinced she didn't fit in anywhere.

End flashback

"Well, here goes nothing," Bella tried to be upbeat as she smiled, hopefully encouragingly, at herself before leaving her bathroom to grab her bag for turned out to be relatively easy to get into Dartmouth, at least for Bella. She had excellent grades, and a recommendation from Senator John Kyl, apparently Phil has met some people since becoming big time in the pros. She was actually looking forward to her new school, and especially being a part of Student Assembly.

Being active in Student Assembly was a big deal at Dartmouth. The school elected their representatives every year, so Bella had no idea she would be able to join this year. But, as it turns out, there is a transfer student in each class for Assembly, presumably for diverse reasons, and she was chosen out of all the transfers for second years. She felt honored.

Checking the time again, she snatched up her keys as she walked out the door and locked up. Dartmouth was very particular that all first years and transfers live in the doors. Bella was just happy she lucked out with a single on the first floor of Russell Sage Hall, which was right down the street from her two politics classes and the Student Assembly hall. 'Thank God, I don't have to walk very far to my classes this term,' she thought to herself as she walked out into the breeze, zipping up her jacket. It was the end of August and already the weather was starting to turn. "Oh, I miss Arizona and the lovely warm weather," she sighed.

As promised, the walk to Rockefeller was very swift. Bella arrived to her 10:00 class, Lying & Secrecy in Politics, Law and Society, with fifteen minutes to spare. There were only four other people in the classroom when she walked up to a seat towards the front and off to the left. Not being the most friendly of people, Bella just set down her bag and took out her laptop, turning it on, so there would be no hesitation to take notes. As her computer warmed up, more people began to show up to her class.

Bella surreptitiously peeked at her classmates behind her hair as they trickled in one by one. On one such glance, a very large man with curly dark hair walked in, laughing at something someone had said who remained in the walkway. "Good one Jazz!" He roared. "I'll see you after lecture for lunch." Bella couldn't believe her eyes. That man was HUGE! He had the most and largest muscles she had ever seen. She was pleased when he stopped screaming and took a seat three rows behind and to the right of her. At least he wouldn't be too near her.

There was a small chime just as a man in his early-thirties waltzed into the classroom. He had brown hair and a mischievous smirk on his face. At first, Bella thought he was the professor, but he just sat down in one of the tables, four chairs down from her. The students had all gathered, some were talking to each other as they waited for their professor to show up. Five minutes passed, and still no one walked in through the door. Finally, after another few minutes, after the students began to get more restless, in walked an older man, probably in his fifties. This man continued up to the white board and put down his briefcase. "Welcome to Lying & Secrecy in Politics, Law and Society. I am Dr. Eickelman and I will be instructing you this semester."

"You're not Eiickelman!" Someone yelled from the back. Everyone in the class turned around to look at him. Why would anyone tell a professor that he was not who he said he was?

"And why, young man, would you ever make that comment? Am I not who I appear to be?" Strangely, Dr. Eickelman did not look angry as the boy who had essentially just called him a liar.

"No way dude. Dr. Eickelman is a young guy. He's not fifty."

The older man looked amused. "Do you know me then?"

"No, I know Dr. Eickelman though. Or at least, I know he is a young guy 'cause… well, I just do." The whole class looked very interested now and they were a little curious how that student knew the professor.

"You are right Mr…."

"Newton. Mike Newton."

"Well, Mr. Newton. I am not in fact your teacher, but I am Dr. Eickelman. Your professor is my son. Dale…" at this point the whole class was a little confused, but smiling through it. The man who Bella originally thought was the professor stood up and walked the few steps to the front of the classroom.

"Thanks Dad. Always fun for you to help." Both of the men were smiling now, each of their eyes twinkling, clearly amused. "That is my father, and this class is about lying and secrecy. We will have fun this semester." Bella was thrilled. This class was a welcome way to start her Mondays every week.

Two hours later when the chimes sounded again, the whole class was slightly reluctant to leave. The class was so entertaining that no one even realized that two hours had just gone by. Bella quickly packed up her things so she could walk down the hall to her next class, Quantitative Political Analysis, which, thanks to her excellent planning, was in the adjacent building.

There were more students in the classroom this time. Not long after she sat down and took out her things for class one girl sat down next to her and began her own preparations for the lecture. When she was finished, she looked over at Bella. "Hello," the dark haired girl greeted. "My name is Angela. I don't remember you from any of my classes last year."

"No," Bella answered quietly. "I just transferred in. I'm Bella by the way."

"Nice to meet you. Are you excited about the start of term? Where did you transfer from?"

These seemed like very not threatening questions, and Angela was actually the first person to talk to her at this new school. Bella had no problem answering with "yeah. I am pretty happy to be starting here. I had my first year at University of Arizona. I grew up in Phoenix." Angela then proceeded to ask about Bella's schedule until the professor, Mr. Herron, walked in the door.

"Hello class. Welcome to Quantitative Political Analysis. I hope everyone is in the correct place. Please take one of each of these and pass the rest around," he began handing out stacks of papers.

The rest of class passed uneventfully. Bella was thrilled to notice that none of the concepts were too difficult. She had been apprehensive that her introductory classes at University of Arizona would not be satisfactory to this big Ivy League school. She was very pleased to discover that she had worried for no reason.

Bella had one more class, just after Quant. Analysis: Race and Ethnicity Inside and Outside the US. That class was in Kemeny Hall, which was just across the street and to the right. It also seemed interesting, but Bella was pretty disappointed when she found out she would have to read the whole text that bought. No teacher ever assigned every page right? Well, Tony, as the students were told to call him, did.

"Six hours is a lot of class in a row," Bella was telling herself as she walked down the street to Collis Center. She was tired after her long day of classes, but she was getting excited that she was heading to her first time meeting the people on Student Assembly.

She finally found the room, 205, and walked in to quite a bit of activity. "Hello," she was greeted upon entering the double doors. "Can I help you with something?" The spritely girl who spoke to Bella was about 5'2 with short spiky, black hair. She looked like she was glowing.

"Um, yeah. My name is Bella Swan and I just transferred in. I was told to come here after my classes today. Dean McKellen told me that I would be the transfer for the second year class."

"Oh goody! Yeah. My name is Alice Cullen. I'm the Student Assembly secretary. Most people say that second years never get staff jobs, but the school elected me last spring 'cause no one has my energy. Haha." She started laughing at herself. "That and the faculty don't stand a chance of ignoring anything I have to say. I'm too cute." Bella thought that anyone who talked that much about themselves should be annoying and arrogant, but this Alice really was just too cute. She was simply stating facts.

"Ok, let's see," Alice continued. "You will need a key, and we have weekly meetings every Friday at 4:30. You will be working closely with Edward, he is the at-large for second years." At Bella's slightly confused face she explained, "oh that is like the second year representative. We have an at-large for each class and a transfer, that would be you. Sometimes we have two transfers, but this year we only have one. Um, and we have a president, vice and secretary. There are other people that work here, they are kind of like lobbyists. You will directly deal with all the transfers this year, but that doesn't mean you can't interact with the other students. Um, I think that is it. Edward is coming in soon, so he should be able to tell you more." Alice relayed all this information so quickly, Bella had trouble hearing all of it, but she managed.

"Ok. So, should I just hang around and wait for this Edward? I don't really know what to do yet." Bella was slightly embarrassed that she didn't have anything specific to do.

"Yeah, that's fine. " She cocked her head a little. "I think I hear him now."

Sure enough, Bella began to hear a velvet voice coming from down the hall. "I'm telling you Rose, that is not going to work for us. It is just the first day of school, but I have already have twenty emails to sift through and report to Steve. He is going to chew my butt for not getting this stuff to him before school started."

Before 'Rose' could answer two people walked in through the doors to Bella's left. They were both gorgeous. That didn't even begin to cover them though. They were perfect. No one that didn't live in Hollywood looked like that surely. The woman was tall, with long beautiful blond hair. Her face was flawless around glowing blue eyes.

Bella only noticed her first because she walked in the door first, but when she saw the man, she had no idea how she could not have possibly seen him first. No one else existed in the moment it took for Bella to first gaze on Edward. He had the most perfect messy bronze hair with green eyes smoldering from his godlike face. These two people were, without comparison, the most attractive people Bella had ever seen.

At that point, Edward saw Bella. "Well, hello there. And who might you be little lady?" Rose rolled her eyes and walked over to a desk that Bella assumed was hers. Alice laughed.

"Um, hi," Bella was embarrassed by this attention. "I'm Bella. I am the transfer liaison."

"Perfect! Looks like we will be seeing a lot of each other," he added a wink to the end which almost pushed Bella over the edge. His charisma was coming off him in waves.

"Oh geez, Edward. Some of us have work to get done. Can you tone it down a little?" Rose was smiling even through her exasperation.

"Yeah, ok. Come on. I guess you don't have anything to do yet?" The transition from the charm to business was strange for a minute. Bella was having difficulty keeping up, but she followed Edward over to his desk. "Oh, I'm Edward by the way. Edward Mason. I will kinda' just be showing you the ropes. Don't feel bad about being stuck with me. It is just 'cause we are in the same class. You have your own desk, over there," he pointed right next to his desk, "and you can come in and work here any time. The conference room is down the hall, just there. We usually have different meetings going on in there, but not yet since it is just the first day. Do you have a list of all the transfers yet?" At Bella negative response he continued, "ok. Well, you can get it from the Dean. You should probably do that first. You are their representation after all. Why don't you head on over to his office, you know where that is?" Bella had another negative response, which caused Edward to sigh in frustration and Bella to get upset from her seemingly endless ignorance. "Fine, Alice! Will you tell…"

"Bella."

"Bella where Dean McKellen's office is? I have to start on this report."

"Sure. Bella come on. It isn't far."

Bella turned around to follow Alice as she bounded out the door. "So I will see you when you come back?" Edward's charm was turned back up and his eyes smoldered as Bella turned back when she heard his voice. This boy was the most confusing person she had ever met!

A/N- I hope you like it! I know Edward is a little different, and the beginning was a little slow, but I wanted to put in the back story. Please review! I want to know if this story sucks or not! Oh, and from now on the story will be in Bella's POV unless I tell otherwise. It just made more sense to me to tell the story from a narrator's POV for the back story. I will update soon! =)