SM OWNS TWILIGHT! ( I wrote that in caps because I'm screaming it out telepathically, just to make sure there's no confusion. I don't like writing in caps, I hate it, but I had to make sure everyone knew.)


. . . Edward . . .

"Mr. Cullen! If you interrupt my class one more time-"

"Fuck, I didn't do anything!" I growled, glaring at Crowley, who just gave me a shit-eating grin.

"That's it! Take your foul language over to the principal," the old hag hissed at me. I grabbed my shit, glaring at her, before storming off and walking down the hall. I took my time, the longest route that was possible to take in this tiny building, so I could calm down before getting to the office. It's a reflex to turn when someone kicks your fucking chair, I hadn't even gotten a second to say a God damn thing.

She was still pissed at me for pointing out her sub-par education two years ago. But seriously, a math teacher should know that an equilateral triangle can be split evenly in three ways. Every damn side is the same.

I have no idea where they find the excuses for teachers in this school.

I walked into the office, and the receptionist told me he was busy and to take a seat. I dropped my bag in one chair before dropping myself in the other.

Mom is going to be pissed. I was going to kick Crowley's ass after school.

I sat up straighter when the door opened, and then even straighter when the Chief walked out.

And then I was just frozen, staring at the gorgeous brunette that trailed out behind him. She was a tiny thing, wearing light jeans that were painted to her amazing legs, and a classy, black turtle neck that hugged her, showing off her subtle yet gorgeous curves. And her face. God, her face. Smooth, porcelain skin, flushed cheeks, red, pouty lips, and a pair of big, gorgeous brown eyes.

I knew for a fact I had never seen her before, no way in hell I'd forget a face like that.

I jumped to my feet.

"Hey Chief! How's it going?" I asked excitedly, my eyes flickering to his friend. She looked like she was hiding behind him a little. Cute.

"Good, Edward. Thanks. Do I want to know why you're in this office?"

"Nope," I said with a smile, making him laugh.

"How are your folks?"

"Great, thanks. Mom's planning one of her giant barbeque things again."

Come on pretty girl, say something.

"Ah, I'm looking forward to it," he said. "Well, take care."

He didn't even fucking introduce her.

"Wait!" I called, maybe a little too loudly. He turned warily, glancing at her. She was looking everywhere but at me. "Who's your friend?"

He watched me evenly for a moment, giving me that look that made you feel like you did something wrong and he was going to kick your ass for it.

"Edward, this is my Goddaughter, Bella. She's come to stay with me. Bella, this is Edward Cullen."

"It's really nice to meet you," I said, stepping forward and holding out my hand.

Her eyes went wide as she sucked in a sharp breath, flinching away so quickly and so forcefully that she hit the counter behind her, which seemed to scare her even more.

Shit, I had not been expecting that reaction. I frowned, not quite sure what I was supposed to do. The Chief stepped in front of me, though, catching her eyes. She held his gaze, breathing heavily, but neither of them said anything. He nodded to her, and gave her a bright smile that I'd never seen on him before. She started to relax, and her cheeks flushed red as she looked down at her shoes.

Damn, that was a cute blush. Still, I was kind of concerned.

"Sorry," I said awkwardly. Curiously. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Her eyes flashed up to mine, and I could visibly see her apology in them as she shook her head, her face turning even redder.

She said nothing, though, not even a 'nice to meet you too.' That was fucking rude.

"So, you're starting school here?" I asked, almost hopefully. She shook her head, and I frowned in confusion.

"Cullen! What are you doing in my office?" Mr. Green hollered. I watched her for another few seconds before turning to the principal and giving him a giant smile.

"Nothing, just thought I'd see if you had any plans for lunch," I said with a smirk, and he rolled his eyes.

"Get in here. Miss Dwyer, I'll be talking to you again soon," he said in a soft voice, with a softer smile. She nodded, and our eyes met for another brief moment. She gave me a tiny wave before quickly fleeing with the Chief.

. . . Bella . . .

I couldn't get the image of those gorgeous green eyes out of my head. Or that crooked smile that made my stomach flutter. The messy sex hair, his strong jaw, his tall stature and broad shoulders…

It would have been nice to shake his hand. Or, you know, tackle him and kiss that charming, crooked smile right off his face.

But, of course, he tried to be polite and I ended up with a mild panic attack, right in the middle of the office. Yeah, I'm awesome at first impressions.

When we got in I ran to my room to take something to calm me down. I'd been bad going into the school, but now I was a trembling, panicked mess. My pills spilled out over my dresser from my shaking hands, and I quickly grabbed two of them, swallowing them down dry. They stuck to the inside of my throat and I dashed to my bathroom, drinking straight from the tap before slumping against the vanity. I stayed like that until I was breathing normally and no longer dizzy.

Charlie wasn't a hoverer. He was sitting patiently in the living room, waiting for me when I walked out forty minutes later. He tried to keep his face composed, but I could see the worry and pain in his eyes.

"Better?" He asked simply.

I nodded. And that was it. He didn't push, and I was so grateful.

"I think you've had enough excitement for one day. I don't work until tomorrow, want to just sit back and watch some TV?"

I gave him a relieved smile, nodding. I went and grabbed my school stuff first, then got comfy on one of his big couches. I started making up my own time table, but I didn't have the clarity or concentration to do any actual work. So I just vegged out, embracing the numbness as I tried to understand the rules of baseball without asking any questions.

I followed Charlie to work in my bug the next morning. I didn't like driving on my meds but I knew I'd need them.

He introduced me to about a dozen people, every single one of them offering their hands, and then looking at me like I was a horribly rude teenager when I wouldn't take them. Charlie told them bluntly that I couldn't speak when they stood waiting for answers to their questions, like it was completely normal. He hovered around as officer Crowley showed me their records room, I think to make sure that the man was careful about my space bubble. It was a little daunting. It would take a year or two for one person to do all of that. He gave me a laptop, and a scanner, both of which Charlie took and carried for me. I was to start at the most recent and work my way backwards, and he showed me how to work their software program that they'd updated to about a year ago.

He whispered too low for Charlie to hear, and told me he'd been procrastinating on getting this done until the idea of turning it into a break room was mentioned. I had to smile at that.

I was to scan the different types of documents, type up the ones that needed it, and then I was to bring them back when I finished and upload them into their network. Which Charlie said I could do in his office.

I had to sign non-disclosure and confidentiality forms, which I'd been expecting.

"So, I think that's everything," Officer Crowley said with a smile, then looked at me uneasily. "You think you got all that, Miss Dwyer?"

I gave him a bright smile, nodding, and caught him giving me a curious look as I turned the page and wrote something else.

Thank you very much for taking the time to show me everything. It looks easy enough; I think I can handle it. It was very nice meeting you, Officer Crowley.

I turned it to show him, but instead of just reading he reached forward to take it, and I instinctually dropped the book as I jumped back, pulling in a sharp breath.

He just stared at me, his mouth hanging open slightly with wide eyes.

My eyes instantly watered in embarrassment, shame, and anger. I knew he just wanted to read it, that he wouldn't…Damn it!

I'm sorry, I mouthed to him, hoping he'd understand.

"No, it's okay. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." I shook my head, not even able to bring myself to look at him. He ducked down and picked up my book, taking a moment to read it I think. "And the pleasure was all mine, it was very nice to meet you too, Bella. Just let me know if you have any questions, okay?"

I nodded, tensing when he held out my note book for me. I tried, I tried to move my hand, to reach the slightest bit, to maybe do what I did with Charlie, but it was like my arm refused to obey. The medication was supposed to help with this shit, and it was doing fuck-all it seemed.

Stupid, traitorous tears.

"Here, I'll take that," Charlie said, quickly plucking my book from his hands. "And thanks, Crowley, she'll be bringing this one back tomorrow."

I signed out the small file boxes of papers, and Charlie carried that too. I slipped on my sunglasses, not liking how conspicuous they made me look, not just in this rainy town but indoors as well. He put my things in the front seat with me and got my door as well, and I manually rolled down my window after he shut my door.

"You're doing great, Bells. I'm proud of you," he said with the sincerest smile. Not helping with my battle against my tears at all. "I'll be home around eight, and you can send me as many texts as you want, okay? It won't bother me at all."

I gave him a grateful smile, mouthing a thank you to him.

"You're very welcome. I just want you to sit here for fifteen minutes or so before you drive home. I don't want you to ever drive this car when you're stressed, okay?"

I nodded my promise; it was an easy one to make. He was going above and beyond himself to help me in every way, the least I could do was to be responsible. I had no doubt that if I was in a situation and needed to get out of it that he would come and get me.

"Good. I trust you, and as long as you're responsible I don't think we're going to have any problems." I nodded quickly, always loving it when someone just got my train of thought. Making me feel like we were communicating…normally? Maybe naturally, because I knew it still wasn't normal. "I love you, kid. See you tonight. And text me when you get home safe."

I nodded, telling him that I loved him too with my little hand gestures. He gave me a wave as he walked back to his building, and I waved back before slumping in my comfy seat. I just sat there, staring into the green forest in front of me, shutting off my mind and waiting for myself to calm down.

Damn, it was really green. The colours were so deep, sharp, gorgeous.

It was the same deep green as Edward Cullen's eyes.

I thought about those eyes, among other features, for much too long. When I snapped myself out of it I looked at the clock, and then started up the car. He told me to wait fifteen, not thirty. But he'd probably just think I'd needed longer to calm down, my car was visible from the front door.

I made my way back to his house, feeling pretty damn proud for not getting lost, and also remembering the code for the alarm system when I got in. I texted Charlie, letting him know that I got back safely before I took a couple trips to get all my stuff inside. I set up everything on my desk, and then I got my own laptop and stuff out of my bags, and set up my own little nerd station.

I felt like a super villain. I couldn't wait until the rest of my stuff got here.

Hmm. What to do first.

I put up the little scheduling system I'd made myself. I had until Monday to turn in my school work, and knowing it wouldn't take me too long to do it I decided to do work instead while my instructions were still fresh. It was both fortunate and unfortunate, that I'd been so far ahead in my last school. I'd wanted to graduate early, knowing I'd have a broader array of opportunities if I started out younger, and had been in all AP classes back in Phoenix. Fortunate that I wasn't behind my grade now, unfortunate because now I wouldn't finish a year early. Maybe if I tried hard enough I'd finish a couple months early, but it wasn't like I was working towards a post-secondary goal anymore. My dreams of Julliard were over. I put on some music to fill the silence, and opened up the box of documents. It was filled with file folders, and I put the stack of them down and started going through them. I timed myself, scanning, checking, labelling, repeating. It was easy work, and having my music playing prevented me from ever becoming bored. I actually enjoyed it. It was relaxing.

That one box took two hours to do. Jesus. And there had to be hundreds of these little black boxes crammed into that room. I texted Charlie, letting him know. He was apparently impressed by that, thinking it was quick, and we texted back and forth while he ate and I made myself some lunch. We decided that would be my pay rate, two hours per box, but he let me know that I could still wait until tomorrow to bring it back. And he gave me his Wi-Fi password, telling me he rarely used his data for anything other than Netflix and to go to town.

I ate in my room, getting started on some school work. I was doing three subjects right now, and they were the worst ever. Calculus, Government, and Sports History. In Washington, gym was mandatory, and I think they may have just made this subject up for me. That looked to be the most interesting, only having to do research and write essays, so I was going to save that for last. Instead, I fried my brain with Calculus. I had to take frequent breaks to go on YouTube to prevent my mind from melting.

It was weird, staying away from Facebook and Twitter, but I knew it was best that I'd deleted my accounts.


A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed, followed and faved! I really appreciate the feed back. What do you think so far? It's starting off kind of slow. (But hey, the more reviews, the more encouragement to post sooner you know ;)! )

Part of this chapter was based on a true story. I spent an entire hour in the eighth grade (Many eons ago...) arguing with my math teacher, who marked said question wrong on a test when I said an equilateral triangle could be split evenly in three ways. He said it could only be done in two. I had to cut a triangle out of paper to prove it to him. I'm still not sure if he was screwing with me, or if he was just an idiot. What's the stupidest or most frustrating thing a prof or teacher has ever done to you?