A/N: Thankyou so much guys for giving my story a chance and thankyou especially to those who left reviews! It is truly fantastic to get feedback! Next chapter will be up by Saturday night! Just note that this story will earn it's rating eventually. Once E & B are back to their old tricks there will be a few dark themes, as well as eventual lemons ;)

Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, sonosueplz.

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Chapter Two: Is it bright where you are, Have the people changed?

I switched off the rumbling engine with a sigh, having just managed to manoeuvre my truck around Forks High's car park and more than a little glad that no one had been around to witness my grand entry. I really did love the truck, but it was loud, as in 'I hope you don't value your eardrums' loud.

I leaned over to grab the thermos of coffee from the passenger seat and got comfortable, I was a little over twenty minutes early and had purposely picked the space with the best view of the front doors. The plan was to people-watch, I wanted the opportunity to study and hopefully recognise as many faces as possible before I actually got to class. Hopefully it would lessen the inevitable awkward ahead, Bella! Your here! I couldn't believe it when Mom told me you were moving back, Remember that time the teacher totally dragged us out of class for giggling? Uh, no. Actually I don't even remember your name.

The first waves of students were starting to drift from the other end of the car park towards the school. I sat up straighter, feeling like an undercover agent.

So, we have… Twelve O'clock, short guy with bleached blonde spikes gesturing enthusiastically at two girls. His arms flailed out wide and it looked like he was imitating an explosion, as he did so I got a good look at his face and... Oh. Instant recognition, that had to be Mike Newton.

He'd pushed Edward over in Fourth Grade; Edward had fallen hard and at an awkward angle, catching his forehead on the desk. Head wounds bleed a lot and even though his injury had only been a small gash there had been blood everywhere.

{Crimson puddles on the floor, rivulets running down Edwards arm, his hair matted and almost black with it. Blood.

I'd passed out and woken up in the nurse's office, she'd sat me on the chairs outside the principal's office next to Mike to wait for Renee. His Dad had arrived to collect him first and even though my loyalty to Edward was absolute, even though this slimeball had made my best friend bleed, I couldn't help but cringe for him. His fathers face had been thunder,

"Boy. Get to the car, Now!" and Mike had shuffled out behind him, head hung low.}

I peered at the two girls sauntering along beside Mike, both blondes but I couldn't really decipher anything familiar about either of them. Losing interest, I began scanning the lawn again, Ten O'clock. Brunette with her nose in a book. I couldn't help but wonder what she's reading, Classic? SciFi? Recreational or homework? A raven haired guy was running after her clearly shouting for her attention, she spun around and her face broke out in a genuine smile. Is it? Angela?

{"What's the matter Ange, are you crying?"

"Its nothing big Bells, I just, sometimes I wish my freckles would go away"

"Aww, Ange, I think their really pretty."

"Do you think Ben thinks so?"

"I dunno, but I'll go ask him"

"BELLA! NO!" and we'd collapsed in shrieks as she tried to keep me pinned to the bench and far away from Ben.}

The guy, that I kinda hoped was Ben, was now stroking her hair and her book lay forgotten on the grass. I grinned like an idiot, whether it was her childhood crush or not Angela was obviously happy.

There was a steady stream of students roaming across the lawns now and I was finding it hard to pick out anyone in particular. Oh well, Coffee's cold anyway. I reached over for my bag and saw her.

Four spaces across from me and leaning against the bonnet of a shiny yellow mini, Alice Cullen.

The straight black bob I remembered had been cut into shorter almost haphazard spikes, it suited her though, accentuating the graceful column of her neck. Her features were still delicate, almost elfin like and I wondered if she still danced around with the same boundless energy. At this moment she was stock still, her eyes trained on something in the distance.

I automatically followed her gaze, Ha! I knew it, a boy. A leonine blonde with shaggy blonde hair strolling across the lawns towards the school, I couldn't place him. The only blonde boy back in my day had been Newton. Ok, so at least one new kid, I groaned a little at the thought that I was the new kid again now.

Alice's blonde had just joined a large group and jumped on a guys back, clearly attempting to get him in a headlock. His victim struggled to push him off and my breath caught in my throat. I knew who the blonde was wrestling with beyond doubt, yet… that was definitely NOT the twelve year old boy from my memory.

Edward Cullen was gorgeous and he'd definitely had his growth spurt. I really tried no to let my mind take that thought too far.

I studied his pale arms, muscle definition clear as he pushed the blonde onto the ground and tilted his head back in laughter. His hair was still the same unusual bronze but the close tangle of curls I remembered was gone. It was as though he'd straightened the tight curls and teased them into, well… sex hair.

I slammed my head back on the headrest and groaned. Calm it down Bella, meeting him again will be awkward enough without you drooling all over his shirt.

Mmmmm. Nice, crisp, white shirt. Running my hands over the buttons, across those arms, down to the denim of his jeans, Bella. Stop.

Annoyance surfaced quickly, typical Cullen, always had better grades, better toys, had Alice for a sister and got to grow into Adonis too. I waited until he and his friends were through the front doors before throwing open the door and jumping out of the truck. I could feel my foot slipping as soon as it touched the ground, I groped for the door handle hoping to mitigate my fall somewhat but my fingers only grabbed uselessly at air. I landed face down on the wet gravel with my right cheek stinging.

"Are you alright?" a bell like voice full of concern cried out somewhere to my left.

"Yeah, happens a lot." I grunted, shuffling to my feet when I realised despite my wishes the ground wasn't about to swallow me up.

"Ow, your cheek! You should go to the Nurse, I'm sure she'll have salve and… Bella!?"

I met her eyes slowly, my face on fire "Hey Alice."

In less than a second her arms were around my neck in a fierce hug, cutting off my air supply. "Ohmygod Bella! We knew you were coming but not so soon"

"I got in on Tuesday and I missed you too Ali" I shifted her arms slightly to enable me to breathe and gave her a warm hug back.

She leapt back, eyes accusing "Tuesday? Tuesday! It's Thursday Bella, why didn't you call? And I would have loved to have met you at the airport, so would Mom and Dad, not to mention Edward"

I battled to keep my cheeks from flushing again "I'm sorry Ali, but Charlie wanted to get me and spend time together. I needed the last day to adjust a little; this is a big change for me."

"Aww Bells, I know, I'm sorry I just got overexcited and… Your cheek! We'll go to the Nurse and get your timetable from the office. What's Phoenix like? What brought you back here anyway? Was it your idea? Do you know what classes you're taking?'

I smiled as she grabbed my arm and rushed us off towards the school, it seemed like things with Alice would be easy at least.

By the time the nurse had patched me up and we'd visited Ms. Cope in reception Alice had given me a brief timeline on the Cullen's life since I'd left. She shot me a wicked smile, "Just wait until Edward see's you're here!"

I twisted my hands nervously as we walked into my first class of the day, I wished I had one iota of Alice's confidence when it came to my former 'bestest' friend.

The teacher raised his eyebrows as we walked into the English room, "Miss Cullen, to your seat and Isabella Swan, I presume?""

I nodded, eyes on the floor "I prefer Bella, thankyou" and please, please don't make me do the whole introduction.

He cleared his throat and raised his voice to address the room "Bella Swan, everyone, I trust you'll make her feel welcome."

I headed towards the back of the room, pleased I recognised quite a few faces on the way. Jessica, Tyler, Eric, Lauren… Easy.

I slid into the seat next to Alice, and once the teacher resumed the lesson, we resumed our earlier conversation on paper.

'Rose moved here two years ago, she's a little hard at first but she really is lovely and Emmet is in lurvvvee. Her brother Jasper = Dreamy.'

I giggled a little and scrawled back 'Is that the blonde I saw you perve on this morning?'

She ducked her head in embarrassment before turning to glare at me and flicking the note back with 'So not only didn't you ring me yesterday but you saw me this morning and didn't say hello? Starting to think you don't love me Bells'

'Change the subject all you want but I caught you! So, who in this class do I not know.'

The rest of the class passed quickly with Alice scribbling down the names and pointing out different members of the class.

Alice danced around me down the hall regaling me with stories about my new classmates before a hand reached out and caught my arm.

"Bella, right? I turned to see a tall strawberry blonde bombshell, with a wide smile that wasn't quite meeting her eyes.

"Um, Hi. Not too sure I know you?" I floundered, turning to Alice for support. She had her hand on her hips and was glaring at the bombshell, revulsion written all over her face.

"I'm Tanya Denali, I've heard a lot about you from Edward"

I laughed nervously, aware that several students were watching the exchange with interest. "All good I hope?"

"Nothing of much interest really." Tanya quipped her voice turning low and nasty.

"We're in a rush" Alice piped up suddenly, her voice dripping with venom. Though Tanya wasn't paying attention to her, her eyes were fixed on something over my shoulder and her entire demeanour had done a 180 and she chirped happily "Have you come to walk me to class? Your old friend Bella and I were just introducing ourselves!"

The knot in my stomach impossibly tightened again as a low attractive voice whispered in my ear. "Bella?"