A/N: The first half of this chapter is basically unchanged, only minor adjustments. I changed Bella's skin colour back to pale instead of olive toned. It suddenly seemed silly, to me. However, you can keep it tan in your heads if ya want :p
C h a p t e r O N E
This is starting to get irritating, I thought as my mother glanced worriedly at me for the umpteenth time. I sighed and rolled my eyes at her, knowing I'd never convince her that this was what I wanted. It wasn't, of course, but I'd never admit that to her. Moving from sunny, pleasant Phoenix, Arizona to cold, dreary Forks, Washington was something that I really detested doing. But I knew it would be easier for my two parents, who were, as a matter of fact, vampires
"Bella, darling," my mom started in her still strong Italian-Greek accent, "you don't have to do this if it is not what you want. You needn't give up your life here for us." I sighed again as I replied, "Mother. I want this. I want to be able to walk around in the daytime with you and dad. It isn't fair that you two have to resort to only coming out at night, like real vampires." I smiled wryly as I added on that last part. As if to prove my point, the sun broke out from the clouds, hitting my mothers exposed wrist. Instantly, it started glittering like no human's ever would. Glancing at it, my mother quickly adjusted the sleeve of her deep red blouse, completely disregarding the road as it flew by at nearly 103 miles an hour. Not that any of us really needed to pay attention to roads, as our quick minds and reflexes would never allow any of us to get into an accident.
Continuing with the topic at hand, I said "Besides, I'm pretty sure my friends and teachers were starting to get suspicious. We would've had to move soon anyways. It was inevitable, and I'm happy with my decision. Please stop worrying."
Before my mom had a chance to argue, my dad spoke. "Caprice, let her be. Even though we both know that doing this doesn't make her happy- and don't say that it does, Isabella Marie Swan- it will allow us to be able to act like a proper family, and that will provide happiness for all of us." My mother pursed her lips but let it go…for now.
We arrived at Forks around nightfall. As if on cue, it started to downpour the moment we pulled first to my house, then theirs. Mine was the beautifully restored old fashioned two-storied red barn; theirs the rather modern cream house a few blocks down the otherwise empty road. I grabbed my many bags and ran swiftly into my new home. As I entered, I couldn't help but appreciate the lovely job my parents did with it.
The paint varied from bright yellows and greens, to deep blues and reds. Contrary to each other, yet still harmonious. I hurriedly put away my extensive wardrobe and other assorted essentials, and then ran to the garage I shared with my parents. I sighed happily as I reached my cherry red Aston Martin Vanquish, which made the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP and my two restored vintage motorcycles, a 1963 BSA Super Rocket and a 1955 Vincent "D" Black Shadow look downright plain. I smothered another sigh as I realized that I'd have to be contented with my Pontiac, as my other vehicles would be too grandiose in a town where rusted beasts were the norm.
My parents soon left to go hunting, their eyes dangerously approaching black. Despite their incredible self-control, it wouldn't do to look too menacing as they went to the local hospital to visit an old friend. I wondered idly how Dr. Carlisle Cullen would take it, my dad suddenly reappearing with his formerly human wife, and a half vampire daughter. It was probably still odd to him, that my dad had did something no over vampire ever had: fallen in love with a human. He knew the complete story…to an extent. He knew nothing of me, which was odd because I knew everything of him. I knew he had acquired a sort of surrogate family. Edward, Alice, and Emmett Cullen, Jasper and Rosalie Hale were his allegedly adopted children. He also found a wife, Esme. From my knowledge, I knew that three of his "children" had that rare extra gift; Edward could read minds, Alice could see the future, sort of, and Jasper had the ability to control the emotions of those around him. I smiled as I recalled my own special gift, and began to anticipate using it on this Edward as soon as I could.
I went to bed early, and awoke at dawn. Swiftly putting on my pair of tightly fitted skinny jeans and an equally fitting long sleeved, black knitted sweater, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. Suddenly, I wished that I was more plain looking. Instead, I had dark brown, layered, and wavy hair that tumbled past my shoulders and unusually bright green eyes peering out behind my too long bangs that I swept to the side. My skin is pale, but not atrociously so. I was of medium height, a little over five foot, with a slim but still curvy figure. And I was, of course, more than exceptionally beautiful. But my beauty was only a lure to attract my natural prey: humans. It would be useful, maybe, if I hunted them. I didn't though, and my physical attractions only made life inconvenient.
When I finished getting ready, I went over to see my parents. Charles, my father, was never a man of many words, and simply smiled warmly and hugged me. My mother, on the other hand, couldn't seem to shut up.
"Oh, darling, I hope you like this school. It's small, I know, but I'm sure you'll find it pleasant enough. And besides, the Cullen children will be there, and as soon as your…unique situation is explained I'm sure you'll find friends in them." She continued to chatter on in the same fashion until I got in the car, blew her a kiss, and drove off. Finding the school wasn't difficult as it was just off the highway, like most things in this dismal town. I was, however, caught off guard; it looked like a collection of matching houses surrounded by so much vegetation it was almost completely obscured. I parked near what appeared to be the office, deciding to get directions to the student parking lot later.
Stepping into the bright and warm room, I realized it was like any other office. It shouldn't be surprising, but somehow I was almost expecting a living room type area. Approaching a large, red-haired woman I introduced myself using my mother's maiden name as my own surname. Confusion, instantly followed by recognition flashed in her eyes. Newcomers were rare here, especially myself. I was listed as an independently living student. "Oh, yes, of course," she said, grabbing several sheets of paper and handing them to me. "Here's your schedule and a map of the school." After assuring her I would have no problems finding my way, she gave me a kindly smile which I returned.
When I went back to my car, I found that most of the students had arrived. I followed the line of traffic and parked my car in the appropriate lot. Like I suspected, most of the cars here were rusty and secondhand. The only other nice car was a shiny Volvo. Grabbing my standard issue white backpack that was covered in some not so standard paintings of mine, I easily found my first class. I handed my slip to a tall and balding Mr. Mason, who gawked but quickly sent me to an empty seat in the back. I let my thoughts drift as the teacher droned on about the prerequisite reading list that I already read. What with my being over two hundred years old, I've read a lot of books in my time, and met most of the authors.
When the bell rang, a gangly teenage boy whose name I later found was Eric offered to walk me to my next class. I accepted, and he led the way to building four.
"So where are you from?" he asked.
"Phoenix," I replied with a slight pang of homesickness.
"Wow, that's a lot different from here, huh?"
"Very. It only rains there about two or three times a year."
"What must that be like?" he wondered aloud.
"Sunny," I responded with a smile. We arrived at the building, and he walked me right to the door, looking hopeful. "Well, here it is. I guess I'll see you later. Maybe we'll have another class together," he said, still looking too eager. I smiled vaguely and went inside.
The rest of my classes went by pretty much the same. One girl, Jessica, who sat next to my in both Trig and Spanish walked with me to the cafeteria. Ugh, time to pretend to enjoy human food, I thought sullenly. Okay, that's not completely true. There are certain foods and drinks that I enjoy, although blood will always be preferable.
We sat down with some of her friends, and I noticed Eric waving at me from across the room. It was then that I first saw the Cullen family. They had the typical vampiric beauty; unusually pale, perfect features with dark rings under their eyes.
Not knowing which was which, I asked Jessica, "Who are they?" She looked straight to them, obviously knowing who I was talking about. Instantly, I saw the boy with reddish brown hair glance up. I knew they could hear me, and I could here them as well. She explained to me the mystery of who was who, and continued to explain their cover story. As she talked I heard the beautiful bronze-haired Edward speak, "Jessica Stanley is giving the new Swan girl all the dirty laundry on the Cullen clan." At this I had to laugh, which made Jessica give me a weird look. I stared at Edward, wondering when he'd finally realize he wouldn't hear my thoughts. As if in answer, he looked at me with a frustrated look in his eyes. I smirked at him, enjoying his irritation. The others noticed his frustration at his inability to invade my head and, presumably, gave him a mental "What's up?" He merely stared at me a moment longer, then shook his head. I looked away, satisfied. There was no point in revealing to much about myself so soon.
I walked to my next class, Biology II, with a shy, yet kind girl named Angela. When we entered she went off to a black-topped lab table. I glanced around and noticed that the only other free seat was next to Edward. Grinning at the thought of teasing him a bit more, I handed my slip to Mr. Banner and sauntered, almost skipped, over to the table. As I approached, though, he stiffened slightly. Probably just reacting to my smell, which I knew was pretty peculiar. The combination of delicious human blood and the perfume of a vampire must be quite new to him. But when I looked into his eyes I saw no curiosity. His eyes were coal black with thirst. Understanding dawned on me. But could he really be so uncontrolled that even I would be appealing? He shifted his stool slightly away from me, and I noticed he wasn't breathing.
Apparently so.
Completely ignoring the teacher, I resolved to talk with him after class. I wasn't going to drop the "look at me, I'm half vampire!" bomb quite yet, but maybe some light mental teasing and a few hints at his nature. I spared a peek at him. The tension in his limbs had eased a fraction and I noticed he'd been glancing at me. Probably trying to break my mental barrier. My lips turned up a tad. Keep trying, buddy. It ain't gonna work, I thought smugly.
The bell rang, class ended, and Edward was gone before I managed to talk with him. Disappointed, I headed of gym accompanied by the ever helpful Mike Newton.
The final bell rang. Getting into my car, I noticed Edward&co getting into Volvo. They seemed to be arguing. I listened in.
"Edward," Jasper said quietly, "that's just a legend. There's no way to know if it's true or not."
Edward sighed, looking resigned. "I'll guess I'll just ask Carlisle. He might know something about it."
The conversation ended, and they drove away. I cocked my head, curious. Were they talking about me?
Okay, so some of you may be disappointed by how I changed this. I re-read the chapter and realized I messed with the Cullens way too much and made them seem kind of stupid. Fictional characters, I know, but I already made Bella pretty OOC and I didn't want to get completely carried away. Don't worry, they will be teased and but at a more believable level.
Reviews, of course, are love. Also, very much encouraging.