SEPTEMBER 3 (STORY)

I do not own the characters of Twilight.

"Bella. Come on, kid. Time to get up. You've got school this morning."

"Ah, dad, come on." I yawned. "I just got here. Give a girl a break."

"Bells, you've been here three days. You've had enough time. Now get up and get ready for school."

I saluted my dad. "Yes, sir."

He chuckled. "I don't understand you sometimes."

I knew what he was talking about. Mom had sent me here. She claimed she couldn't control me anymore. Well, maybe that was kinda true. But my behavior wasn't all my fault. I couldn't, no, wouldn't take all the blame.

I shook my head. I was in a new place, trying to make a new start for myself. I jumped out of bed and raced for the bathroom, grabbing my bathroom bag along the way. In a house this small, one bathroom didn't have the best storage area. I figured after the first day that it was easier to leave everything on my dresser in my room.

I stepped out of the shower once the water went cold. Good thing dad took a shower first in the morning. That would be funny to hear him scream murder about the cold water. I wrapped the towel around my hair and another around my body and peeked out the door.

With the coast clear, I slipped into my bedroom and shut the door. I brushed my hair dry with the towel and then started the blow dryer. I looked and realized it was time to dye the hair again. Some of my original chestnut brown was beginning to show. It didn't show that much in contrast to the midnight black but it was enough for me to notice.

After I finished drying it, I plugged in the straightener. As it heated up, I hit play on my stereo. As Linkin Park's In The End played, I applied my make-up. Even playing the whole Gothic character I didn't like applying a lot of make-up. I loved the idea of having black eyes which was a scary contrast to my pale skin.

Once the face was done, I straightened my hair, flipping it this way and that to give it some volume. I had dad's lack of hair and mom's curls. Hated them both.

After I had put away the equipment, it was time to finish the ensemble. I grabbed a few clothes from the closet and laid them out. I walked over to the dresser and grabbed the necessary garments from there. After I dressed, I looked myself over in the mirror.

Black skinny jeans with a black tank top and a black zippered hoody. I grabbed my skater shoes and headed out the door, snatching my backpack as I went.

I flew down the stairs in time to see dad heading for the door. "Dad, you leaving?"

Dad turned and looked at me. His smiling face immediately went sour. "Bella, why the look? Come on, do you want everyone to think your depressed or something?"

"Do you really want an answer to that question or should I just say have a good day?" I asked sceptically.

Charlie just sighed and said, "Have a good day, Bella, and don't forget to see Mrs. Cullen. Okay?"

God, why did he have to mention her. "I will, dad. God, give it up."

I headed to the kitchen and poured myself a bowl of cereal. That was only because I still hadn't gotten to the grocery store yet. Dad was certainly the bachelor type. I was gonna have to transform him and find him a woman.

I headed out the door, swinging my backpack over my shoulder. I headed out to the old truck dad had purchased from old Billy Black. His son, Jacob, had redone the engine for me. There sure is something weird about that boy. I think he has some sort of crush. God, that's sick. He's only something like 15. Two years younger than me.

I turned the key and listened to the truck come to life. I missed my bike. Dad wouldn't let me bring it cause "It's too dangerous, Bells". I will have my bike whether dad likes it or not. That's the only thing I have in this world that didn't let me down. I can't just abandon my girl.

I roared down the road knowing any animals within a ten mile radius were laughing their asses off. This old truck was noisy and gutless. Just to try and keep the peace with dad, I slowed the truck down to the speed limit as I came into the downtown core of the town.

Forks. The capital of pitiful. The downtown core consisted of one street with a corner store, barber shop and coffee shop. Till I arrived, dad used all of them religiously. Well, somewhere was a few other stores but at this point I didn't know where they were. Hence, no food in the house yet.

I pulled into the small high school. It was about one-tenth the size of my old school. I didn't care. Jail was jail. Sure I was a straight A student but I couldn't wait till I could graduate and never have to step inside another school.

I shut off the engine. I could see people staring at me. Great, the freak has arrived. That's probably what they're thinking. I threw the keys in my bag and jumped out of the truck. As I slammed the door, some creepy little guy approached.

"Hey, you're Chief Swan's daughter, right?"

"Yeah." I wasn't here to socialize so I had decided yes/no answers was all that was required.

"I'm Mike, Mike Newton. I can give you the grand tour if you'd like."

"No."

"Do you know where the office is? You're going to need your schedule in order to get to the classes on time." God, this guy's pushy.

"I don't make classes on time."

"Aren't you worried about getting detention?"

"No." That was the truth. Once the teachers realized how my grades brought up the GPA for the school, they allowed me to come and go as I pleased.

"Mike Newton! Why are you bothering the new girl?" A blond asked approaching.

I didn't like the way she said the word "new" and I certainly didn't like the way she looked at me. Keep looking bitch and I'll shut your eyes permanently. I did it in my old school. There were too many of the girls there whose daddies bought half their fake bodies, had tans and the fake attitudes to go along with it. Dodging daggers was easier as the misfit than dodging the looks. No one would actually talk to me there just look with some "I'm so much better than you" look.

These girls in this school were kittens compared to those ones. I had no intentions of allowing this bitch to start that shit on me. "He's not bothering me. He's being very friendly. A walk to the office and then my first class may not be such a bad idea, Mike."

Mike now looked like a mouse being cornered by the two cats. He wasn't sure which direction to turn. He looked at me and then at the girl. "Jess, I was just trying to be nice. Remember she is the chief's daughter."

What the hell did that mean? Another guy who wanted to use me. Great. I watched a thought of realization creep across the girl's face. Oh no, this was not happening. I wouldn't let it happen. If I was going to cause mischief I would do it on my own. I decided that making an enemy of the bitch would be the best way out of this issue. "So, Mike, why don't we dump the dead weight and you can show me the office."

I could see the girl's face turn beet red. I laughed. "What's wrong little miss thing? Did I hit too close to the truth?"

"As a matter of fact, I am Mike's girlfriend and if I catch you making eyes with him again......." She trailed off. Wonderful. Empty head full of empty threats.

"You'll what? Hit me like I did to bimbos like you back in my old school. Go away little girl. For your information, he approached me with those love struck eyes of his. Maybe you should put out and he wouldn't be eying other girls." That did it.

The girl grabbed Mike roughly by the arm and stomped away. I could see her whispering under her breath. Mike, on the other hand, snuck peeks back in my direction. All I could do was sighed. Why me?

I noticed a few guys staring at me as I found my way to the office. Why would any of them be interested in someone like me? I was plain. Ordinary. My hair was ugly, too thin and too curly. My skin was pale. I was, for all intensive purposes, a nerd. I didn't have the flirty way about me that other girls had. Till recently I didn't even have a voice that would scare any man. It was my non-existent voice that seemed to make me plain and uninteresting. This new voice should be scaring the boys away. Well, that wasn't happening.

I didn't want this attention. I didn't want these boys looking at me. It made me uncomfortable. In reality I was scared of the attention. I thought turning Gothic would make everyone stay away from me. It seemed like it was having the opposite effect in this town. This place was strange and sad.

I walked into the office and sat in the only open chair left. There couldn't be that many new students in the pathetic little school. I waited patiently. I wasn't in a hurry to get to any of my classes. How I achieved the grades I did was a miracle since I hated school. I hated everything about it. Classes. Lectures. The smell. The people. The teachers. The attitudes. I mentally shook my head. Wondering off in to my own little world was one of my major issues in life.

The girl sitting next to me looked like she was about to cry. I was curious what her deal was but kept to my no socializing rule. She continued to crinkle the paper that was hostage in her hands. I just couldn't help myself. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, thank you." she answered in a small voice.

"Bullshit, I have a sixth sense for these things and you're not okay. What's wrong?" Mental check for ten lashes later for breaking my own rule.

"I....I needed a class for my university applications. I asked for the course early last year.....I was promised." This poor fragile little girl was about to melt down.

"What's the class?" I truly didn't think I could help. I wasn't suppose to want to help but here I was being the old Bella. Again.

"Advanced English."

My head shot up. This girl had applied over a half a year ago. How the hell did dad get me in that class if she didn't. Dad had only hit the school about two weeks ago to register me. He did it the same day he'd been told I was moving here. "Did they guarantee the class in the mail?"

"Yes, now I'm not in it. How could they ruin my future?" She asked defeated.

"Hey......um....what's your name, anyways?" I asked as I thought about how this girl's future had been ruined. One word. Dad. He pushed his badge at the school and they threw this girl out to get the chief of police's daughter in.

"Angela Webber. What's yours?"

I looked at her shocked. Was there actually one person in this town who didn't know who I was? No, it couldn't be true. "Bella."

"Hi, Bella."

"Hi." I said as I smiled. She didn't know. It was either that or this girl would bring out the claws in a few moments. That wouldn't be good cause I was beginning to like the girl.

"Angela, dear. You may come up now." The woman behind the counter called. She reminded me of the secretary in the movie Grease. I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.

I listened as Angela explained her situation and when the lady said that somehow Angela's request must have been mixed up and there was nothing that could be done because the class was full, I stood and walked to the counter.

"Miss, I'll be right with you."

"But I think I can help with this problem. I actually want to drop that class."

"Excuse me? No one ever wants to drop this course." The woman said sceptically.

"Well, I do. The name is Swan. Bella Swan." God, I sound like James Bond.

"I'm sorry Miss. Swan. You're not allowed to drop the course. Your father would never approve."

"I'll handle my father. I didn't want the class and I believe as I am the one taking the course, I have the right to drop it. So either you give my spot to Angela or you will find an empty seat for the whole semester." Bella said defiantly. This woman had confirmed my suspicions. My father had seen to it that Angela's name was yanked off the list so I could be in the class.

This was going to be the first of many defiant moves against my father. I would continue to build them up until the bike arrived.

"You do have a point, Miss. Swan. Well, Miss. Webber, it looks like you have your class. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"No, thank you." Angela replied and turned towards me. "Come sit with me at lunch, okay?"

"Sure." I could sit with her but socializing was now back onto the top of my list. I looked back at the woman and asked flatly. "Could I have my schedule now, please?"

The morning classes seemed to take forever to be over. As soon as the bell rang, I headed from the class and followed the bulk of the students. I knew they would lead the way to the cafeteria. I was right. I walked in and looked around. It seemed like a typical room. The jocks. The cheerleaders. The preppies. The nerds. The.....what the hell do you call them? Strange looking group. If it wasn't for the designer clothes, I would almost say they were Gothic.

I heard a voice calling my name and twisted my head to see Angela sitting at a table in the middle of the room. The whole "center of attention" thing must have been the blonde's idea. The bitch sitting next to Angela.

I walked confidently over to the table and shot a smile at Angela. I ignored the rest which included the bitch, her "boyfriend", and two other guys.

Angela rose and gave me a hug, whispering in my ear, "Thank you."

I liked this happy Angela. She was like a magnet. Anyone near her felt comfortable and excited about life. Maybe she wasn't a bad person but the fact that she was sitting at the same table as the bitch made me wonder. I would have to watch her for a while before trust would be built.

"Bella, I would like you to meet Eric and Tyler. And this girl coming is Lauren." Angela said politely.

"Hi." I sat and started to eat the rabbit food in front of me. I could feel someone staring at me and casually looked around the room. Off in the corner was the so-called "Gothic" group as I had named them. There was a small woman staring at me. Her eyes. There was something very different about them. Her hair was short, spiky and pitch black. She stared for a moment and then ducked her head back down. I watched a second longer as she picked at her food and turned back to my own.

During the whole lunch hour I felt like a merry-go-round. Between the Gothic-type woman and bitch and her friend, Laura, I wasn't sure who did the most staring. It was very sickening and unnerving but I wasn't going to allow any of them to know that. Also, it didn't help having the three boys fighting for my attention.

After lunch was over, I headed to see Mrs. Cullen. This would be the worst shit I was going to deal with all year. I couldn't believe dad had made this mandatory for me. My father can be such an asshole sometimes. This was so unnecessary. I didn't need a therapist. Hey, one good thing, she's not a shrink.

I knocked on the door and waited. The door opened silently and I stared into the face of a goddess. She was beautiful. There were no words that would do this woman justice. "Hi."

"You must be Isabella. Please, come in." She answered as she float back to the desk near the window.

"It's Bella. Just Bella." I said slightly annoyed. My parents my have hated me when I was born to give me such an old woman name.

"Well, Bella. Come in and sit. Let's get to know each other."

I shut the door and turned to stare directly in the eyes of the woman. I noticed she had the same eyes as the black haired girl in the cafeteria. She was also pale and gave off the same strange.....I couldn't describe it. It wasn't something physical but something that could just be felt like a presence but not hers. It was weird.

"I should let you know that I'm here against my will. This was part of the agreement for my dad's sanity. He thinks that talking to a stranger about my problems would be good for me."

"What do you think?"

"I think it's bullshit. I don't need to offload problems I don't have."

"Is there a reason for the way you dress or how you refuse to admit that as a teenagers you have problems like everyone else?"

"My problems are not like everyone else's."

"I thought you said you don't have problems."

I stared dumbfounded at the woman. She's good, I have to give her credit. But my thoughts, fears and, yes, problems are mine. She won't be able to get me to crack and talk about them. Ever.