A/N: I don't own Twilight, Stephenie Meyer does. I like to take apart her characters and have fun with them. No copyright infringement is intended. Thank you to my PTB Betas Lisa89 and marlena516. Thanks to my pre-reader, Padme-And-Anakin-4-Ever for all the advice. This is a continuation of the O/S—enjoy!

Chapter 2-Isabella Marie Swan

BPOV

Five Years Ago

High school—I hate it, but it's unavoidable. My education is very important to me, thanks to my parents. They're always telling me that school is like my job, and I need to perform to the best of my abilities. So that's what I do. I spend most of my time studying, aiming to be the best student I can be.

I decided early on that I wanted out of high school as quickly as possible. For the first three years, I filled my schedule with academic courses and quickly fulfilled my graduation requirements. Now that I'm in my junior year, I'll be graduating a year early—with honors.

I've been able to maintain straight A's throughout and still have time for a couple of extra-curricular activities. Dad always told me those were important if I wanted to get into college. I spend every Saturday at the convalescent home talking to and spending time with the elderly people of Forks. I also spend my afternoons volunteering at the middle school, tutoring kids.

The time I spend with the kids each afternoon is what made me decide to be a teacher. I'm helping them become what they dream of being. I want to teach middle-school kids who have learning problems. It's so easy for them to fall behind and get lost in the system, and I want to do everything I can to give these kids a chance. I want them to have all the opportunities I had.

Of course, there is a fallback to doing well and applying yourself. I'm willing to do without a social life in order to give myself a better future. Being a social leper is the result of that choice, but it's been a decision I've yet to regret. Sometimes it hurts being made fun of, but in the long run I will get what I want.

There are times where a teacher would compliment me for doing a good job, and the class would snicker. I get tripped in the hall almost every day; I am thankful we don't have stairs here. My fellow classmates find it funny to spray-paint my locker, throw food at me, and knock my books out of my hands.

I really don't think I'm missing out on a whole lot. I don't get invited to parties, but I don't really miss them, either. Who needs to sit around in a crowded room and drink themselves into a state of unconsciousness? I sure don't.

Sometimes I miss being part of a group, but then again, would I really be myself, or would I be struggling to maintain some stupid image? I don't feel like trying to be what other people want me to be. I like who I am, and that is what's most important. I do have one friend; her name is Angela Weber, and we've been friends since kindergarten.

Angela and I spend most afternoons and some weekends studying together. We do the regular girlie things like spend the night at each other's houses or give one another mini-makeovers. We even go to Port Angeles once a month and visit the library there—it's so much bigger than the one we have here in Forks. Our dreams and goals are the same. We both want to go to college and to have a career that we can be proud of, and hopefully, one where we can actually do some good.

There is one thing that Angela and I differ on and that is our love lives. She has one and I do not—it's that simple.

Angela and Ben have been an item for two years now, while I continue to pine away for the same boy. That boy is the one and only Edward Cullen.

Star football player, ladies' man, prom king—what more could you ask for in life? The boy has it all. A beautiful angular face, perfect reddish-brown hair, deep green eyes, and a body you could bounce quarters off of. Well, that last part I'm just assuming, since I haven't seen his body without clothes, but it appears that he takes care of himself.

Edward Cullen, who continues to be unaware of my existence, will be my undoing. I've known him since sixth grade, but he has no idea who I am or what my name is. I know the names of every single student at Forks High and every girl he dates. I shudder at the number of girls he's dated that I don't even know about. I have heard that Edward is no virgin, and that he's been able to take the virginity of every pretty girl in this school—even some that aren't pretty.

Honestly, what has pretty got to do with it? I'll never understand it. He's so good looking, but it's not all about the looks with him. He's smart. I know that because I have a few classes with him, and he always knows the answers to the questions the teachers ask. I know he has a good heart because he helps out with the disabled students twice a week. I like Edward Cullen for a lot of reasons. If only he would notice me.

I remember a couple months ago, he was standing by my locker. I stood down the hall and just stared at him as he conversed with a buddy. He was dressed nicely that day; he had on navy blue slacks, a white-and-blue striped button-down, and dress shoes. I still remember everything about that moment. I was going to finally tell Edward how I felt about him. I took a couple steps toward him, and he smiled at me. His smile always made my heart melt. Actually, it was more of a smirk. One corner of his mouth would turn up as he smiled crookedly. It was to die for.

Edward Cullen—prom king, quarterback, and soon-to-be ex-player—was smiling at me. He'd finally taken notice of me, and I was about to open my heart and tell him how much I loved him. I took a few more steps, but stopped when he started walking towards me, arms open wide. As I geared up for an awkward hug, he walked right past me and into the arms of another girl. I was completely mortified and ran down the hall to my next class.

I moved on to bigger and better things after that disastrous encounter with Edward Cullen.

After weeks of waiting for acceptance letters from colleges that I'd applied to, the letters start flying in. I've been accepted to a number of schools all over the country. I slowly whittle down my list to five schools—all within a day's drive of Forks. After careful consideration, I choose the University of Portland.

U of P is a smaller school, but they offer the training program that I want to focus on for my education. Another reason I accept their offer is that they've offered me a full scholarship. This is good, considering my parents aren't wealthy. They've managed to save some money throughout the years, and they insist I take it for living expenses. My parents are very proud of me, and I'm proud of myself as well.

Graduation is coming up, and I've been selected as valedictorian. I'm honored that I've been chosen, but I feel bad about it, since I'm only a junior. Mom and Dad tell me I've earned it by working so hard, and I suppose they're right. It's going to be awkward, leading the students a grade above me through to the next step in our lives, but I'm determined to make it an awesome experience for all. I don't waste any time, going straight to work on writing my speech. It's going to be epic.

A week later, my speech is written and memorized. School is officially over, and again, I've gotten straight A's. Now that I have college all figured out, there's only one thing left for me to do—tell Edward how I feel. Only this time, I will not screw it up.

Telling him how I feel is sure to be difficult. I've known him for so long yet he still hasn't noticed me. Maybe I'm more invisible than I thought. I've considered that possibly I think more of Edward than he deserves, but I just can't shake the adoration I have for him. Now I just need to figure out how to tell him.

I consider driving out to his house, but that seems too stalkerish. I think about calling him, but what would I say? "Hi, you don't know me, but I love you" just doesn't seem like the right way to go. Maybe I'll run into him at our practice graduation. Yeah, I'll tell him today before we actually graduate.

Tonight is graduation, and of course, I haven't told Edward how I feel. My parents and I spend the day celebrating and talking about my future and what my plans are. I suddenly become nervous when they mention me moving away. I have always known this to be the case, but I guess it just really hit me. I won't know anyone in Portland, and my parents won't be right there for me. I suck it up, telling myself I can deal with it another time. Right now I have more important things to worry about; it's time to leave for my graduation.

The ceremony is pretty basic. A couple of old guys talk, the faculty tells us how proud they are, and then it's my turn. As I approach the microphone, I look at my parents, and they both have tears in their eyes. This is what they have always wanted for me, and I've done it. I've accomplished my goal and am moving forward in life. I have never felt as good about myself as I do right now. Without hesitation, I give my speech.

"When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were things like astronaut, president, or in my case…a princess.

"When we were ten they asked again, and we answered rock star, cowboy, or in my case…a gold medalist.

"But now that we've grown up, they want a serious answer. Well, how 'bout this. Who the hell knows?

"This isn't the time to make hard and fast decisions; it's time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Chill. Fall in love—a lot.

"Major in philosophy, 'cause there's no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind. Then change it again, because nothing is permanent.

"So make as many mistakes as you can. That way, someday, when they ask again what we want to be, we won't have to guess. We'll know."

Most of my speech is written for the graduates rather than myself. There are some truths to it, though. I did want to be a princess, and Dad always tells me that I am his very own personal princess. I did want to be a gold medalist; I just don't tell them it was for a spelling bee. While I know what I want to be, most of them don't, so that part is for them. When I talk about falling in love, I look directly at Edward, but he isn't even watching—he's too busy feeling up Lauren Mallory. That's when I realize that I've already made my first mistake…falling in love with Edward Cullen.

There's a huge graduation party at Edward's house, and supposedly all seniors are invited. I decide not to go for three reasons. One, I'm not technically a senior. Two, he doesn't know me from Adam. Three, I chicken out. Instead, I spend the night at Angela's house.

We hang out and talk all night long. We paint each other's toenails, we braid our hair, and we even watch romantic comedies in our t-shirts and underwear, laughing and crying together. We talk about college and our dreams. Angela and Ben are both going to some Christian college on the East Coast. It doesn't really surprise me, since her father is a minister. I realize for the first time how lonely I really am going be.

Summer is almost over. I spend the last moments getting prepared to leave for college and trying to forget about Edward. My parents and I made a trip a couple of weeks ago down to Portland to find an apartment near the school. I'm sharing it with two other girls who play soccer. Apparently U of P has a kickin' soccer team, no pun intended. I'm looking forward to what will come. The possibilities are endless, and I'm in complete control of where life takes me.

I have the money Mom and Dad saved for me in my checking account. My supplies are purchased and packed, both school and housing necessities. My truck is running in tip-top shape; Dad and I worked over a weekend to get it fixed up. There isn't much left to do except leave.

I said goodbye to Angela last week, just before they left for school. I'm going to miss my best friend, but good things await both of us where we're going.

I give my parents one more goodbye, and I drive away—out of my neighborhood, out of Forks, out of Washington, and into my new life.

I am officially a college student.

A/N: I know it's a little short, but this felt like a good place to end it. Next week we learn about Edward. Let me know what you think! I love hearing from you! As usual, you can find me on Twitter... twitter (dot) com / melonscraps *Graduation speech is a direct quote from the movie, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. I am in the process of getting this story re-beta'd by PTB and will be reposting the chapters as they come in. Until they get caught up, updates may be delayed. I hope you continue to enjoy this little story.