AN: Thanks for the story alerts and favs for the prologue, guys! And special thanks to my reviewer, Lyxa!

Here's the first actual chapter. These first few chapters about their middle school years are going to go by pretty fast, but then the story starts to slow down in high school. Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter One

I'd been in Forks three days and I already needed to visit a bookstore. I'd finished the whole Chronicles of Narnia series the night before and I'd finally slept for the first time since I'd been in town. My first two nights I stayed up with the flashlight that Charlie didn't know I hid under my pillow to keep reading. I couldn't help it. Narnia was just so much cooler than Forks and I didn't want to leave, even for sleep.

So I was pretty tired and dangerously close to passing out in my bowl of Reese's cereal and drowning. Charlie always stocked up on Reese's cereal when I came to visit because when I was seven it was all I would eat. I kinda hated it now, but I loved that Charlie still bought it, so I ate it anyway.

Charlie had left to go on patrol before I was even awake, which wasn't surprising since I hadn't gotten up until noon to make up for my Narnia-induced sleep deprivation. I lifted the spoon to my mouth, hoping the sugar would wake me up, and was contemplating reheating the stale coffee still in the pot when the doorbell rang.

For a moment, I wondered where the weird sound came from. When my brain finally caught up with my ears, I leapt off the stool at the kitchen counter and raced for the door. I wasn't expecting anyone. The Cullen's weren't coming over until the weekend, so I wouldn't have to put up with Edward until then, and Harry and Billy never came by unless their was fish involved. I opened the door, expecting to see the UPS man or someone equally mundane.

Needless to say, I was shocked. Standing in my doorway was a girl even tinier and skinnier than I was. She was dressed head to toe in black. Black tank top, black pleated mini-skirt, black knee-high boots. Even her hair was a black, chin-length bob. The only color she displayed was a vibrant red streak dyed into her hair, kewpie lips painted to match, and bright blue eyes.

"Hi, I'm Alice. You're Bella. Can I come in?" her ringing, chipper voice was at odds with her somber dress, but before I'd even had a chance to process her words, she was pushing past me and making her way to the kitchen, still talking.

"I moved in next door last year. Charlie told me you'd be visiting this summer, so I decided to stop in and say hi. Oh! Are those Reese's? I love Reese's."

She hopped up on the stool I'd been occupying before her interruption and brought my spoon to her mouth, daintily swallowing a mouthful without touching her lipstick.

"Um, yeah, help yourself," I said. I was being sarcastic, but she didn't seem to notice, munching away at my breakfast while I poured another bowl.

"You're from Phoenix, right?" she asked between bites.

"Sort of," I said. "I lived there but I'm moving to Florida at the end of the summer."

"I love Disney World!" she said. It was the same response I'd had when Renee told me of the move, but it annoyed me for some reason. I'd discovered that Disney was over two hours from Jacksonville, where I was moving. But I decided I couldn't say that to the strange girl. It wouldn't be polite.

"I've never been." I shrugged.

"Oh, it's awesome. You have to go to Magic Kingdom. I mean, I know it's for little kids but Space Mountain makes up for everything. It's fucking awesome."

I nearly dropped the gallon of milk I was pouring into my new bowl of cereal. I'd never heard someone my age curse like that before. Alice caught it and laughed.

"Sorry! I have a filthy mouth. Mom says it's not ladylike, but whatever, right? I'm expressing myself."

"Renee would probably applaud you, then," I said. "She's all about 'expressing yourself.'"

"Who's Renee?"

"My mom," I said.

"That's so cool!" Alice squealed. "Your mom doesn't mind cursing and she lets you call her by her name? My mom would never let me do that."

I shrugged. I mean, I knew Renee would probably get over it quickly if I started cussing. And she'd never minded me calling her Renee. That just sort of happened. Whenever I talked to Charlie, he'd refer to her by her name. Whenever I talked to her, she always called him Charlie. I guess I'd just picked up the habit from them. I'd never really thought about it before.

"She is pretty cool," I admitted. I knew that much because my friends were always quick to point it out when Renee let us do things like stay up past midnight watching movies or eat ice cream for breakfast. I'd never really known otherwise, so I didn't really see why it was a big deal.

"It must be tough, going from such a cool mom to staying with your Dad. I mean, the Chief is awesome, don't get me wrong, but he can be a little square. He totally told me I looked better before I dyed my hair, which is obviously so not true," Alice said. I laughed thinking about how Charlie, or even Phil, would react if I dyed my hair a primary color.

"Charlie's cool in his own way," I said. "But yeah, I doubt he gets the goth look."

I bit my lip as soon as the words were out of my mouth, afraid I'd offended her. I mean, it was obvious Alice was too cheerful to be 'gothic' or whatever, even if she did look like she was planning a burglary. Thankfully, she just laughed.

And laughed. Like what I said was the funniest thing on earth. As the tinkling sound continued, I felt myself smiling and before I knew it, I was cracking up right along with her.

"I can just see his face," she said, wiping tears from her cheeks. "I should deck you out in fishnets and leather. He would die!"

And now I was laughing for real, also picturing the look on Charlie's face. Suddenly, Alice straightened up, looking serious.

"Let's do it," she said.

"What?" I had no idea what she meant.

"My mom's going to Port Angeles tomorrow anyway. I'm sure she'd drop us off at the mall. Let's go shopping and get you all gothed up!"

"I don't know," I said, feeling wary. "It's not really my style."

Alice checked me out, head to toe, taking in my comfy, baggy jeans and oversized sweatshirt. I immediately felt underdressed.

"Obviously," she said, but it didn't come out sounding harsh. "That's why it's going to be so awesome. Please?"

I looked at her pouting red lips and thought of Charlie's reaction to his quiet, responsible daughter in fishnets. I could feel the grin spreading over my face.

"Fine," I said with a huff, though I was secretly excited. I mean, it couldn't be worse than my Spice Girls phase. Right?


"I can't believe I'm doing this," I said for probably the hundredth time. The day before, I'd gone to 'PA,' as Alice called it, and spent my allowance in Hot Topic. Honestly, I would never have gone in the store before. Even the mannequins intimidated me, not to mention the cute, scary, tattooed guys that worked the register. But Alice had dragged me in without a second thought and then shoved me into the dressing room with an armload of clothes.

When I told her I didn't have enough money to cover it all, she smiled mischievously and sent me to check out with the black-and-red striped, off-the-shoulder tee and black mini skirt. It wasn't until she'd started dressing me this morning that I realized she'd shoplifted the fishnet hose.

"ALICE!" I screamed. "You can't steal! My dad is the Chief of Police! What were you thinking?"

Alice just laughed that tinkling, bell laugh and patted my arm. "God, Bella. Live a little!"

So here I was, standing outside of my own house, dressed in stolen merchandise and scandalous clothes I'd never have dreamed of wearing, trying to summon the courage to open my own damn door.

Yes, I said damn. Internally. Alice was already rubbing off on me. A little.

Alice rolled her heavily mascara-ed lashed (I'd refused any sort of make up) and pushed in ahead of me.

"Hey Chief!" she called out, "What's cookin'?"

I immediately laughed at her way of greeting Charlie. Turns out, they got along great. It was almost like he'd taken in Alice as a surrogate daughter, though I think it had more to do with his concern over her parents' lack of discipline than filling in my gap. I didn't mind.

"In here, girls," I heard Charlie call from the living room. Alice strode in proudly and I followed before I had a chance to think about it. As soon as I got there, I wished I'd thought harder.

Esme and Carlisle Cullen were sitting on the couch. I'd forgotten they were coming over today, even though Charlie had told me as soon as I got in. Edward was standing awkwardly next to them, across from where Charlie sat in his favorite armchair.

I forgot about the Cullens as soon as I saw Charlie's face. It was better than I'd imagined. You know those cartoons where the character's eyes shoot out a foot from their heads? Yeah. That was Charlie.

Once he'd regained his composure, slightly, Charlie spoke up. "Bella, what are you wearing?"

I shrugged, trying to be nonchalant, though my blush betrayed me.

"I told you, Alice and I went shopping yesterday. She dressed me up."

There was an awkward pause. Carlisle looked about the same as Charlie, like someone had missed a bone when cleaning the fish and it had gotten stuck in his throat. Esme was trying not to giggle and failing despite the hand clamped over her mouth. Finally, I glanced at Edward.

He had gotten taller since I'd last seen him, a good couple inches over me. He wasn't wearing his usual L.L. Bean attire but instead had on a pair of jeans and a baseball jersey. His hair had been cut shorter and spiked up from a widow's peak I didn't know was hidden under his bowl cut. The gel made his hair slightly darker than normal. But it was still funny colored. And his ears were still a bit too big.

But most importantly? His chin was practically touching the floor. He was gaping at Alice and me. And I suddenly felt more confident.

"Well?" I asked Charlie, spinning in a circle. "What do you think?"

He swallowed and shook his head. "Just don't dye your hair any strange colors, Bells. Renee would have my head."

I cocked an eyebrow at him, because we both knew that Renee would probably love it if I imitated Alice's hairstyle, but I didn't say anything.

"Why don't you kids run outside while we catch up?" Esme suggested, though there was a twinkle in her eye. I could tell Alice was eyeing Edward head-to-toe, as she'd done to me the first day, and he shifted his weight uncomfortably.

"Sure!" I said in my best chipper Alice imitation. I linked arms with her and then Edward and dragged them both out the back door. I didn't know why, but I suddenly didn't want him to feel uncomfortable.

As soon as the door closed, Alice cracked up.

"Did- you see- his face?" she asked between gasps for air. Pretty soon, Edward and I followed suit, laughing along with her.

"So I take it this isn't the new Bella?" Edward asked.

"God, no," I said. "But seriously, did you see Charlie?"

We all cracked up again. When we finally calmed down, I felt it was time for introductions.

"Alice," I said, "this is Edward.. We've known each other since we were infants. Edward, this is Alice. She lives next door."

"I'm Bella's new best friend," Alice said, sticking her hand out to him. I'd never thought of it that way, having only known her for two days, but before I had a chance, Edward took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

"A pleasure," he murmured.

I shouldn't have been surprised. It was exactly the kind of thing he would do if we were playing vampires. But we weren't playing now and he didn't let go of her hand too quick and she smiled at him weird and I felt strangely uncomfortable.

"So!" I said, trying to override the sudden churning in my stomach. "What do you guys want to do?"

They both looked startled, as if they'd forgotten I was there. But then Edward smiled at me and bounced on the balls of his feet and he suddenly looked like he always did.

"Do you girls know anything about baseball?" he asked.

---

"Good morning, sunshine!" Alice's perky voice shouted into my ear, jolting me into consciousness.

"Snickerdoodles! Alice, you scared the crud outta me," I said, sitting up and placing a hand over my racing heart. I heard a low chuckle come from the doorway of my bedroom and looked up to see Edward smirking at me.

"Snickerdoodles, Swan? Crud?"

"Oh shut up," I told him.

"No, no, no, Swan. You play baseball way too well to say something as lame as 'snickerdoodles.' Repeat after me. Shit." He waited expectantly, but I just blushed and shook my head.

"Oh come on, Bella. Say it. Shit!" Alice practically shouted.

"Shit," I whispered, blushing harder. They both started laughing.

"I could barely even hear you! You can do better than that," Edward goaded.

"Shit!" I said loudly and huffed. "Happy now?"

"Yes," he said, grinning cheekily and coming to sit across from me and Alice on the bed. He was wearing khaki cargo shorts today, and for some reason, I noticed the hair on his legs. It looked strangely grown up on his skinny calves. And it was funny-colored.

"You know, Swan, you could have warned me that you were such a good player. I would have picked you for my team if I'd known you'd grown out of your klutz stage."

I rolled my eyes. I'd been picked last for the baseball game we played the night before with some of Edward's friends. He'd been shocked when I actually knew how to play. He'd been even more shocked when I was good at it.

"Edward, my step-dad plays for the minor leagues. You should have guessed I'd be at least a little competent. Even though I am a klutz. Still."

"Whatever, you were awesome Bella," Alice said. "Those boys didn't know what hit them. Though next time, maybe we won't put you in a skirt."

"You think?" I asked sarcastically. "What are you guys doing here anyway?"

"Well, obviously, we're hanging out. Now get your ass out of bed and let's get you dressed," Alice said, going into my closet.

I hesitated. The baggy shirt I slept in came down to my knees, but it had bunched up around my waist during the night and I was only wearing underwear underneath. I slid my legs off the side of the bed and quickly pulled the shirt down before standing, but Edward got an eyeful of my thighs anyway. Mainly because he was looking for them.

I glanced over at him and blushed when he winked at me. When had he gotten so cocky? I mean, he was still pretty weird but he had this new confidence. I hadn't thought much about it until I saw him with the other guys last night. He'd goofed off like always, but everyone seemed to think it was funny. He had a way of being the center of attention that I'd never noticed before, since it was always just the two of us. I would have been embarrassed if everyone paid attention to me that way, but Edward seemed to thrive on it.

"Here," Alice said, shoving jeans and a tank top into my hands. I normally would have worn something over the tank because it was a bit revealing, but it was surprisingly warm in Forks, so I didn't complain.

"Okay, get out, Edward. I have to get changed."

"Do I have to?" he asked with a pout. I blushed again and glared at him.

"Out!"

He shrugged and headed out into the hall, closing the door behind him. Alice giggled.

"He so likes you," she said.

"What? No he doesn't! He's just Edward," I said, shocked.

"Yeah, okay," Alice said knowingly. "Is there anymore Reese's?"

"It's in the pantry. Help yourself."

Alice bounced out of my room, leaving me to get dressed in peace. When I got downstairs, they were both seated at the kitchen counter eating cereal.

"So what's the plan for the day?" I asked. Alice and Edward looked at each other and shrugged.

"Movie?" Alice suggested. "I just bought Fight Club. Oh! We could make it a marathon. Se7en, Thema and Louise. Brad Pitt all day!"

"No Thema and Louise. Please," Edward said. "What about Meet Joe Black?"

"Perfect!" Alice said. "But Fight Club first, because it's fucking awesome."

"What's it about?" I asked. Edward and Alice looked at me like I had three heads.

"You've never seen Fight Club?" Edward asked in a low, serious voice. I shook my head.

"This is a tragedy!" Alice squealed. "My house, now. We must remedy this."

I ran into the living room to tell Charlie where I was going and then we walked to Alice's house next door. She handed me the DVD cover so I could read the synopsis while she set up the surround sound on her expensive entertainment center.

"It's rated R?" I asked.

"Obviously," Edward snorted.

"I've never seen an R-rated movie," I confessed. Again, I got the three-heads look from both of them. Again, I blushed.

"You are so innocent!" Edward exclaimed. "I mean, I knew you were a goody-two-shoes, but really?"

"I am not a goody-two-shoes!" I said. Edward cocked an eyebrow at me.

"Say 'fuck.'"

"Edward!"

"Say it," he challenged.

"Fuck," I mumbled. I'd never said the word before and I felt the blood rushing to my cheeks. Alice and Edward laughed.

"Oh Bella, it is going to be so much fun corrupting you," Alice said. I bit my lip.

---

Two hours later, I was jumping up and down in front of the couch.

"That. Was. AWESOME. Oh my goodness, that was the best movie I've ever seen. Alice, hit me."

"Bella!"

"No, I'm serious. I've never been in a fight. I want to fight! Hit me!"

"We've created a monster," Edward muttered to Alice and then looked up at me. "No fighting until you can say 'fuck' without blushing."

"Fuck!" I said. And then blushed. "Darn it!" I stomped my foot. They laughed at me.

"The word is 'damn,' Bella," Alice said. I scowled at her, but she just smiled.

"Now, have you ever seen Se7en?"


It was the bottom of the seventh, which doesn't sound nearly so dramatic at the ninth, but it was the same thing since we only ever played seven innings. The bases weren't loaded, but Jasper had hit a double and stolen third. There was only one out, but the score was tied so the game was at least a little exhilarating.

Edward, as it turned out, was a phenomenal baseball player. I didn't see it coming, but then, I'd also been a surprise star the first time I'd played. I could only thank Phil for that. The only other girl who played in our pick-up games was Leah, Harry's daughter. She was an intimidating, cold girl who would have been beautiful it she ever stopped scowling.

The first game I'd been picked last. Blame the mini-skirt. But after that, I'd always been first or second, depending on how the coin landed. Jasper was always the rival captain, as he was the only one who could challenge Edward's natural ability. And Edward always picked Emmett first. They were cousins, and it was some family loyalty shit. Jasper always picked me.

So I was up to bat. And it was time to bring Jasper home. All I needed was one solid hit.

Edward's team was on the field, looking restless. They knew it came down to this. All our games this summer had gone one way or the other, with no clear victor. With me and Jas against Edward and Em, the talent was pretty much even. It came down to this game.

The last of the summer. The game where bragging rights for the rest of the year were claimed.

I'd never been a part of the Forks baseball scene. In fact, until Edward had suggested it, I didn't know there was one. I knew better now.

Edward cocked his arm and lifted his front leg in preparation of the throw. I gripped my bat. And then he winked at me.

This had been going on all summer. Edward was a pitcher, and while all the other players treated me like one of the guys, he always tried to throw me off my game. I gripped the bat harder and heard both Alice and Rose cheering me on. I was surprised by Rose, since she had a crush on Emmett on the other team, but it made me smile anyway,

My smile was cocky. I felt it spread further up one side of my jaw than the other. It felt like one of Edward's crooked grins, but I knew mine was just a smirk. The fleeting look in Edward's eye when he winked at me passed and was replaced with fierce determination.

This was war. This was personal. There was no time for friendship when we were on the diamond. And we both knew that.

Edward cocked his arm and brought it around his body in a fluid motion that seemed too natural to belong to a sporting event. I forced myself to keep my eye on the ball, not him, and when I swung and hit, the vibration of the impact with the bat numbed my hands.

No matter. I dropped it and began racing toward the plate at first. I ran through it and glanced up. I saw the ball was still in the outfield, making it's way home. I rounded first and ran flat out towards second. I could hear it when the ball made it to Mike's glove. He was the second baseman.

For a moment, I cursed the jeans and sweatshirt I'd insisted on Alice letting me wear rather than shorts. At this moment, it didn't matter if I was naked, so long as I made it to that plate. I let my leg slip out in front as Phil had taught me and let myself slide in.

"Safe!" Eric called, our somewhat impartial judge. I glanced over, making sure Jas had made it home. And sure enough, our team was on the field, lifting him on their shoulders. I couldn't help but be a little proud for my contribution, but when I pushed up to go join them, I winced.

My ankle was sprained, no doubt about it. If I planned on making it off-field to join in the celebration, I'd have to hobble.

Before I could even finish that thought, I was in mid-air.. I could tell from the large biceps that it had to be Emmett. He wasn't even on our team, but he lifted me over him until I was level with Jasper's crowd surfing. Jasper grabbed my hand and Emmett lifted me higher.

I felt like I'd won the World Series. And it was only a pick-up game to keep the guys in shape. I chanced a glance over at Edward, just to see if he was okay with the loss, and caught him grinning at me. He knew it was a job well done. He wasn't begrudging me.

So when Alice rushed the field, dragging Rosalie along, I hobbled over to hug them. This was our summer moment and I was high on it.

I didn't want to let it go.

---

I was sitting on the couch with my leg propped up on the coffee table, icing my swollen ankle. It was time to call Renee to check in like I did every few days. I was hesitating.

In a week, I was scheduled fly to Florida and start my new life. Summer was quickly ending, and for the first time in my life, I didn't want it to. I'd actually had fun this summer. A lot of fun.

It wasn't that I did anything special really. I hung out with Alice nearly every day. She played dress-up with me sometimes, decking me out in outrageous get-ups that never failed to shock Charlie. She forced me to watch her movie marathons in an attempt to rectify my "woeful lack of cinematic knowledge." I forced books on her, trying to get her to read something other than Stephen King for once.

Edward came over a lot too. When it was the three of us, we'd just chill, listening to music and forming so many inside jokes that our parents thought we were speaking another language. They tried to teach me to curse, since they both had "filthy" mouths, as Alice put it, but though my vocabulary had expanded, I still blushed any time I said the word "fuck." They thought it was hilarious.

Sometimes it was just Edward and me. We'd go hiking in the woods behind his house or bake ridiculously unhealthy creations because he shared my love of cooking. And my love of chocolate, peanut butter, and marshmallows. He still couldn't sit still, but I didn't mind it so much anymore. Like Alice, his energy was infectious.

And then there was baseball. I'd gotten really fond of the boys, especially Emmett and Jasper who always treated me like I was one of them. Even Rose, who came and watched the games with Alice, was pretty cool when she wasn't being a total bitch.

With all my new friends, I'd practically forgotten about my life in Phoenix. I still talked to my girls on occasion, but they were busy too and it was hard to put in much effort when we knew we wouldn't be seeing each other again. I didn't feel that bad about it. Truth be told, it hadn't been too hard to leave Phoenix, I realized now.

Leaving Forks was another matter. For the first time, I finally felt like I had found my place, like I really belonged somewhere. I knew what I had to do.

I picked up the cordless phone I'd brought with me from the kitchen and dialed Renee's number. She picked up on the second ring.

"Bella, sweetheart! How are you?" she asked. I smiled immediately at the sound of her voice.

"I'm fine," I said. "A little wiped out. We played a tough game tonight and I twisted my ankle."

"I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" She paused. "Did you win?"

I laughed. "Yeah, we won, and I'm okay. It was worth it."

She started to tell me about how things were going down there. She and Phil had almost finished with redecorating the new house, and she was loving Jacksonville.

"We haven't done anything to your room, though," she said. "I thought you might like to do it yourself."

And here it was. I knew I had to ask her, but I was afraid it would hurt her feelings.

"Mom, I was thinking…" I paused, gathering my courage. "Would it be okay if, um, I maybe… stayed here in Forks? I mean, I've just made so many friends here, and I'd really miss them, you know? I feel like I just got settled and I kinda don't want to move again."

I stopped my ramble and held my breath, waiting for her response, and released it in relief when I heard her chuckle.

"This doesn't have anything to do with that Edward boy you talk about so much, does it?"

"Mom! No, god! Edward's just a friend. I mean, gross!" I blushed furiously, shocked she could even think that.

"Okay, okay, calm down. If it's alright with Charlie, I guess it's okay with me too. I'm really going to miss you, though."

"I know, Mom. I'm going to miss you too. But I just really feel like I fit in here."

"Whatever makes you happy, hun."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Now, what is this I hear about you turning into some little goth girl? Your father sounded like he was about to lose it the last time we talked."

I laughed and filled her in on Alice's scheming, which of course Renee thought was hilarious. She wanted to meet "this Alice girl" and suggested that maybe next summer she could come with me to Florida. I thought it was a great idea, and I couldn't believe how well this was working out. For once, it seemed like everything was going right.

I was going to get to stay in Forks. I couldn't wait to tell Alice and Edward.