AN: I'll be hoping for more reviews this chapter. I know the Prologue wasn't much, but I assure you it will get better. Here's the 1st chapter!

Age 13

Bella's POV

"Okay, what is the height of honesty?"

"Um… uh… a pregnant woman paying for one and a half tickets?"

I groaned. "No, Alice. I am talking about the height of honesty in the story we read in class," I said. "Not the Modern Height jokes."

She stuck her tongue out at me. "Okay Miss Smarty Pants," she pondered for a little while, and then after a while she sighed. "I don't know."

"Okay, the height of honesty is that Liz confessed to the teacher that she cheated on the test. Got it?" I asked her.

Alice repeated what I told her twice. "Yeah."

We continued doing our review questions for our English final tomorrow. It was the final for the grading period, so it was a big part of our final grade.

As I was in the middle of a critical thinking question, Alice disrupted my train of thought by saying, "Bella this isn't fair. You are in AP English and I am in regular classes. How am I supposed to know all of this?"

"Well Alice, all of the English classes, AP or not, have the same final to study for. Hence you are taking the same test as me tomorrow."

She rolled her eyes but then smiled. "Its not like you have to study. You'll ace it anyway."

I smiled. "Thanks Alice, but I just want to review. Just in case, you know. You should, too. Esme told me to make sure you do," I said.

Even though she could be annoying at times, Alice has been my best friend since childhood. She was shorter than me by about four inches and was a ball of energy. My mom said I referred to her as the Tinkerbelle with black hair when I was little, which was proven to be correct. Alice was very pretty and petite.

After a few hours of homework and studying in Alice's room, we were finally done. We were about to go downstairs when Alice tripped, which she has been doing a lot of lately. "Ugh, I hate these glasses. If I forget to put them on for a second, I fall over cause I can't see! I am so asking mom for contacts," she huffed.

I just laughed and handed her the glasses. "Its okay, Alice. We all have our nuisances. My braces, for example. They make me look like a geek."

"It's okay, Bella. We can be geeks together then!" She looped her hand through mine, and lead me out of the room with her.

As we walked down the stairs, I heard voices in the kitchen. When we walked in, I saw my mom and Esme conversing quietly.

"Hey mom," I said. "Hi Esme." I turned back to my mom, Renee. "We're all done. Where's Melanie?"

"She at soccer practice, honey." My mom replied.

"Oh. Okay," I said. "Do does that mean we can stay a while longer?"

My mom and Esme laughed in unison. "Yes Bella. But only for half and hour. Melanie's practice ends in an hour, and I need to head back to the clinic for an hour." My mother had two veterinary clinics. She had one in Forks, and another branch in Seattle.

"Okay mom, thanks." I said, and Alice squealed pulled me upstairs with her.

On our way up the familiar set of stairs, I saw Edward coming down the stairs with his basketball uniform and gym bag. "Hey Four Eyes. Hey Brace Face," he smirked.

Alice and I exchanged a glance. "Hey Eddie," we said in unison. I was our routine way of greeting each other every day. Edward was Alice's twin brother. They looked nothing alike, being fraternal twins. He was tall and muscular. He had messy auburn hair, and striking green eyes. Edward was very charismatic and charming, yet annoyingly perfect and irritable to me at the same time. All the girls at school were always swooning over him.

Ever since we were little kids, Edward and I had a love-hate relationship. At one moment we were in a heated argument over some academic thing at school, and the next moment we made up. Me being Bella, I couldn't stay mad at one person for too long, otherwise I was going down guilt road.

"I've got to go for a game," Edward said. "Bye Bella." And he dashed down the stairs.

Alice rolled her eyes. "Did you do your homework?" she yelled at him before he got to the bottom.

"Yeah, Alice," he said back. "I should be asking you that."

She did a more exaggerated eye roll this time. "Whatever, Brainiac."

Yes, Edward was smart. He was in all of the AP classes with me.

Alice's voice through me out of my train of thought. "Ugh, I hate that we have uniforms this year!"

Forks Community Schools had one of the best educational programs in Washington, so the state took over them and made them prep schools. So, even in middle schools, we had AP classes.

And we had uniforms, which consisted of polo's in any color of our choice. We had to wear khaki or plaid skirts to school. Knee high socks were mandatory with black or brown Mary Jane flats. I personally didn't have a problem with them except that girls had to wear skirts in the winter too, but they kept everyone looking equal.

Alice, however, loved fashion. And this was possibly the "worst thing that could ever happen" to her.

"I know Alice. You have told me that numerous times. At least you can wear any color polo you want." I tried to be optimistic.

"Yeah, I know. But no jewelry!"

"Don't worry, Alice. When we get out of high school, you'll be free wear what you like."

She looked at me incredulously. "That's in five years!"

I was about to calm her down when I hear my mother's voice. "Bella! We have to go now!"

"Okay, mom. Coming!"

Alice and I went downstairs again. We said our goodbyes and I got into my mom's Lexus's passenger seat after putting my backpack in the back seat.

While we were driving, my mom asked me, "How was school today?"

"It was good. Ms. Fox said I could take AP English at the high school next year," I smiled.

"Bella that's wonderful! This is a great opportunity!"

"I hope it isn't too hard though." I was a little worried.

"Bella, if your teacher thinks you are good enough to skip two years of English, then there is no reason to worry," she reassured me. "I bet there is no one else in your grade who can take an AP high school course next year in eighth grade."

"Actually there is," I sighed. "Edward is taking AP Bio at the high school next year."

"Oh Bella, its fine. Edward wants to be doctor like his father, and it is his strong subject." Our parents always wanted us to get along.

"Yeah, I'm happy for him." And the truth is, I really was.

When we got to Melanie's soccer practice, it was still going on. So my mom and I waited in the car, not wanting to go out in the chilly November air. I watched Melanie score a goal, and smiled.

Melanie was my ten year old sister. She is in fourth grade right now, three years younger than me. She was a great soccer player, it came naturally to her. She was very pretty with caramel colored hair with naturally soft curls. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of hazel and had gold specks in them.

Melanie was very strong and hard headed. She didn't take nonsense from anyone, and stood up for herself. There was really no reason for me to worry about her, except in studies. Melanie was smart, but her mind revolved completely around sports. She was a swimmer and runner too, and at fourth grade that was a lot of pressure. She won the best athlete award in school, too.

Melanie had a very close relationship with my dad, like I did with my mom. They were always talking about sports, and went on daily jogs together in the summer. My dad, Charlie, was a lawyer, he had a law firm in Seattle and a law office in Forks. He helped me a lot with History and Math when I had trouble with it, and my mom helped me with English and Science.

"Bella, dad's going to drop you off to tennis on Thursday, okay? I have a doctor's appointment." My mom broke me out of my train of thought.

"Oh, okay, mom," I said. Tennis was the only sport I played. But since we didn't have it in middle school, I was practicing to be on the Varsity team in ninth grade. My parents had told me when I was ten that I had to choose a sport for high school credits, so I chose tennis since it wouldn't interfere with my studies that much. It was really just an extra activity for me, not major like soccer was for Mel.

Suddenly I heard the back door open and Melanie got in. "Hey mom, hey Bella," she said.

"Hi sweetheart," my mom said. "You must be freezing. There's an extra sweater in the trunk."

"Okay," Melanie went and retrieved the sweater and got in.

While we were on our way home, I asked Melanie, "Did you finish your homework in study hall?"

"Yeah, I just need you to proofread my English paper."

"Okay, good," I said. Melanie needed some motivation when it came to studies, but she did quite well in school.

We reached the house a few minutes later, and Melanie dashed inside to take a shower. Our house was three stories, and made of brick. My mom had a bunch of Thanksgiving decorations put outside, which made the house look very colorful.

I went to the trunk of the car to get my backpack, and headed inside. My dad was home, so I went to go greet him. I saw him and my mom in the kitchen talking about work. "Hey dad," I went up to my dad and hugged him.

"Hey kiddo." He said. "How was school?"

"Pretty good…" and I told him the same thing I told my mom in the car today about AP classes.

"That's great Bells," he said, using the nickname he came up for me. "I'm really proud of you."

"We both are, Bella," my mom smiled and kissed my cheek. "Now go and change out of your uniform and wash up. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

"Okay mom," I said and went up the stairs to my room. On my way up the stairs, I hear my mom say to my dad, "You too, mister. I don't want you in your work clothes at the dinner table." She scolded.

"Yes ma'am." I bet he saluted her and received a smack upside his head.

My parents were very loving and fun. Except when it came to studies. They were very strict with us on that.

I went up to my room and set my backpack on the chair by my desk. My room had a green and blue theme, and it was very colorful. My mom loved decorating our rooms when we moved into this house.

I went to my chest of drawers and got my pajamas out. Melanie was done, so I went for a quick shower. Our rooms were connected by a bathroom that we both shared.

I got out and brushed my hair after making sure I did all of my homework for school tomorrow. I made sure my backpack was set, and then went to eat dinner.

I helped my mom lay the plates and then we all sat down to eat. While we were eating, my mom said, "Girls, Mrs. Smith came to the clinic for her dog's check up today. She said that she saw you two at the Community Center while you were doing the service project. She said you were the most well behaved there."

"Tell her thanks," Melanie said briskly.

"And tell her that it was kind of her to say that," I added. Melanie was never one for proper thank you's.

We talked with our parents while eating, and then everyone went to sleep after that.

--

Beep Beep Beep…

I rolled over and shut my alarm clock off. Melanie was still sleeping since she started school later than me. I got out my uniform for the day, a yellow polo and a khaki skirt. After taking my shower and putting on my clothes, I pinned up my wavy hair on both sides with bobby pins. After it was untangled and fresh looking, I got on my brown and off-white knee high argyle socks, and headed downstairs with my backpack.

"Hey mom," I said as I walked into the kitchen.

"Good morning Bella," she said. "You look pretty today. I'm almost done making your breakfast, would you go and wake up Melanie for me?"

"Sure," I went up the stairs and entered Melanie's room. It was painted dark pink and had blue accents around the room. I gently shook Melanie who was sleeping soundly.

"Melanie," I crooned softly. "Time to wake up."

She opened her eyes slowly, and smiled. "Hey Bella," she said and sat up.

"I guess I should get ready for school now," she said.

"Yeah. See you in the afternoon. I'll probably be gone by the time you are ready."

"Okay, Bella. Bye," she said and went into the bathroom.

I went back downstairs and my mom had my breakfast ready for me. Strawberry pancakes. "These are really good, mom," I said. "Where's dad?"

"He had to leave early for work today. He needs to be in the office for a meeting."

"Oh, okay."

I finished my breakfast, and there were about ten minutes to spare before I had to go out and wait for the bus. I brushed my teeth upstairs, wore my Mary Jane flats, got my suede coat on and came down to say bye to my mom.

"Have a great day!" Mom said from the kitchen.

"Thanks!" I said back and walked out the door with my backpack.

When I got to school, it seemed as if Alice and Edward's bus had already arrived. Alice was waiting bye the sidewalk so we could go in together.

"Hey Bella!" Alice said.

"Hi Alice," I replied. Our lockers were right next to each other, so Alice was talking the whole time uninterrupted about what she could do to accessorize her school uniform without breaking any school rules.

The beginning of the day went by as usual, even though I was a little nervous about my English final. In the end it was really easy, so I felt relieved after I took it.

The last period of the day was French. Edward sat next to me in that class. He was in most of my classes anyway. We had a substitute teacher, and he really wasn't keen on teaching us anything, so he just told us to have a free period.

After he said that, I got out my copy of Pride and Prejudice and started reading. Then a voice out of the very many talking people broke me out of my thoughts on the story. "How many times have you read that book, Bella?" It was Edward's voice.

I looked at him. "Numerous times."

"Why?"

"I don't know. It's a really good book. You should read it sometime," I waited for his answer. It would most probably be sarcastic or witty, as that's how we talked to each other a lot.

"Hah. I don't need to read. I'm naturally smart." No surprise there.

"Get over yourself, Romeo."

He laughed. "So who's Juliet?"

I was about to comeback with a witty reply, but the bell rang.

"Guess you'll never know." I said as we walked down the hall.

Edward's locker was on the other side of the hall so he said, "Bye Bella."

"Bye Romeo." I laughed.

--

The rest of the week went by normally, and my dad dropped me off to tennis practice Thursday since my mom had a doctor's appointment.

Angela's mom dropped me off home because my dad was in a meeting. Angela was a close friend of mine who played tennis with me, and was a good friend in school.

When I got home, I was surprised to see my dad's car in the garage. Then I heard someone crying from the living room. I rushed over to see who it was. It was my mom crying, curled into my father's chest. My father looked distressed.

"What happened?" I asked, extremely concerned. Melanie came down, too.

"Sit down girls, I have something to tell you." My mom said after wiping away her tears and sitting up straight.

"What is it?" I whispered.

"I…I have cancer."

AN: So there it is. I hate to put drama in the first chapter like this, but this is essential for the storyline. I really hope you enjoyed it. I haven't ever done a thirteen year old POV before, so this is my first time with that. Reviews are greatly appreciated, and they really motivate me to continue. So, feel free to ask questions and please review!