CHARLIE

Charlie Swan was not only the home room teacher for a group of seniors, he also taught English Literature, an old passion of his. He was thirty five years old and still a bachelor. It wasn't that he couldn't get any women, he caught much attention but he could not get himself to commit fully not since Renee left.

"Renee," He thought, whispering her name softly in his head. He hadn't thought of her in years, for nearly eighteen years. And yet strangely, with the arrival of the new girl, he couldn't help but think of her. The same delicate face, the long brown locks and those deep eyes. "Dammit!" He hissed and instantly closed his eyes shut, taking a couple of deep breaths.

Why now!?

He was just a miserable man, and a harsh teacher. He didn't care for what people had to say, because no one even mattered any more. Long gone was the man who was the epitome meaning of romance, now he was just the man who used and threw away. Truth be told, he was anything less than a man.

As he glanced around the classroom, everyone silent, waiting for him to start his announcements, he couldn't help but smirk a bit. Everyone despised him to the point where no one dared to talk over him or misbehave; even the mischievous jock, Mike Newton or the trouble seeking Tyler Crowley were on their best behaviour in front of Charlie Swan. Yet as he looked around, his eyes made contact with hers, as if she was analysing him just like he was analysing her.

"Renee." Her name came into his mind again. Except it wasn't. It wasn't Renee. It was Bella. Bella! Why couldn't he just remember that? Renee was long gone: the love and destroyer of his life had left him years back. "Stupid Renee." He thought as he looked away from Bella.

"Right class. As we all know there's a new student here with us." Charlie began to speak, carefully making sure that he doesn't look at Bella directly. Instantly, the students began to shuffle around, turning back to glance at the new girl as she gave them a quick wave and an embarrassed smile. "Anyway…" Everyone turned straight back towards Charlie as soon as he spoke: the perks of being a hated teacher. "That's not all. It's your final year at Forks High, your senior year and pretty soon you'll be going off to colleges somewhere around the country. And Mr Greene had specifically said that everyone should concentrate on their studies as obviously you won't get anywhere without a job, and without a job, well... you might as well not bother with your life."

The class listened carefully as he spoke, enunciating each word sharply. Harold Greene, the Headmaster had conducted a staff meeting an hour ago as he gave strict instructions on the students having to gain their grades. "No other chances, it's their final chance to exceed." He had told the room of teachers. Charlie Swan was not one to back against rules; he was an abider of the law and therefore would do anything to ensure Harold Greene's words were adhered.

"Which is why I've decided to pair everyone up with a partner where you will help the other study. You will keep a reference book on the hours in which you study and what you have learnt. Each partner will set the other a question for their respective subjects and will be expected to complete that. At the end of the week, I will be checking everyone's work to make sure they are up to date, and if not I will personally set you work myself. Is that understood?" He asked with a sharp tone as everyone muttered out a "Yes".

He nodded as he took out a plain piece of paper and a pen as he started to jot down names. "Okay, let's see..." He pointed towards the two students at the front. "Austin and Hayley, pair up." The two got up and sat next to each other as Charlie wrote their names down. He looked around the room, picking two students at random. "Angela and Ben, you both are partners." Angela gave Ben a shy smile as they moved closer.

"Robb and Jenny, you two." Robb let out a silent groan as he got up and changed seats. Robb was a member of the basketball team whilst Jenny was the red-haired member of the music club. He had been hoping to pair up with either Jessica Stanley or Lauren Mallory, the hottest girls at Forks High. But of course, Charlie Swan knew very well what Robb Scott was thinking of, and Jenny Anderson was a bright girl, she would keep Robb in check, providing that he doesn't take her down as well, but risks were meant to be taken. Charlie quickly scribbled their names down as he continued calling out more names. "Mike and Jessica, Lauren and Eric, Tyler and Ashley, and finally Alice and Jasper." Lauren let out a gasp as Eric, the pimpled nerd sat next to her. She let out a short cry of disgust before she caught Charlie's glare and quickly became quiet. Mike and Jessica sat together awkwardly after previously dated each other but failed. Alice beamed as she and her boyfriend Jasper sat together, clearly happy to be chosen.

"So that just leaves..." Charlie glanced back at Bella who was the only one without a partner. He looked away, not able to look into Renee's - he hissed - Bella's! Bella's eyes! "...the new girl." He said.

Robb held his hand up, trying to get Charlie's attention. "Edward isn't here." He blurted out without even being asked to commence by the teacher.

Charlie let out a glare before replying, "Mr Mason isn't here? And do you know why?" Robb shrugged, looking away. Charlie frowned. Robb and Edward had been close friends since he had first taught them, if there was anything wrong, if anything at all, Robb would know. But that was another matter. Charlie nodded and carefully looked at Bella. "You'll partner up with Edward Mason when he attends." Bella nodded as Charlie wrote down their names.

The bell for first period began to ring and the students started to pack their bags and rush out for their next class. Angela smiled as she walked towards Bella and both walked out leaving Charlie slightly bewildered. He looked down at the list, "Bella and Edward." He thought to himself. He wondered where Edward was, it was unlike him to be absent.

Edward Mason was in Charlie's eyes, the perfect role model for anyone. He was smart and intelligent, respective and honest. He was also, Edward's Godfather and Edward occasionally stayed at Charlie's house whenever he needed to. Edward's parents, John and Elizabeth became Charlie's best friends since Renee left. Soon after, Charlie had gotten Edward's custody after his parents died in a car accident when Edward was fourteen. He stayed with Charlie until he was sixteen and became emancipated. He managed to get a job working as a bell boy in Beverly Hotels at the Port Angeles branch which meant Edward was always travelling from one place to the other. Though Charlie helped him a couple of times, Edward was the sort of person who wanted to earn for himself. And truthfully, Charlie admired that about him.

He had just turned eighteen and had bought a cheap, old 1953 Chevrolet truck he found at a dump. Charlie had instantly told him that he'll buy him a better car but Edward would have none of it. It was his and the only thing he could afford right now. And although the truck annoyed him to the extreme, Edward was still proud of it. These days, Edward resided at a small inn, owned by an elderly woman, Mary. Mary had given Edward a place to stay for a small fee after his truck broke down and he wasn't able to travel back to Forks. It was raining and he was beginning to come down with a fever when the elderly woman took pity on him. Charlie had thanked her from the bottom of his heart but she just brushed it off, saying Edward was like the grandson she never had.

Charlie Swan wondered about Edward. He usually came back to Forks during the weekends but this week he hadn't. Charlie hadn't thought much of it until recently. Did something happen to Edward?


Dun, dun, duuuuuuuuuuuuuun! Okay, I think you understand how this story is completely in an alternate universe right? So, you've got a bit of an info about Charlie and Edward's backstory! I'm sorry there hasn't been much on Bella specifically, but I'll be writing chapters from a third person's perspective of a point of view, so this was Charlie's the next may be Bella's, Edward's or any others. Each chapter will only be about one person and their thoughts and view, so this is why you learn so much about Edward because Charlie knows Edward and why he knows Robb. Review please! =D