Hey guys. So, a new story. It's loosely based on something I'm writing independent of this site.
But I haven't forgotten about the last chapter of In The Mix. Or the two sequels to come.
But I hope you like this one!
-irishphoenix615

The start of a new school is always especially painful if your classmates consider you a genius freak. It was even worse when your older brother is, and had been for three years, Public Desire #1.

Maybe that's why Isabella Swan detested the social part of high school so much.

Her father died about two months before the beginning of her senior year, leaving Bella and her brother with a paid-off mortgage and a not-quite-full-enough bank account. She and Jasper, her older brother, were still searching for a roommate who actually understood how difficult it was to live on their own. They were hoping that, any day now, one of their more mature classmates would severely piss off their parents badly enough to need somewhere to stay.

Because it was the first day, naturally Bella woke up late. She sighed, feeling more like an irresponsible freshman than a supposedly brilliant senior. She sighed, and took the quickest shower ever known to mankind. There was, of course, not enough time to fully dry her hair. So she simply yanked on some clothes, pulled a brush through her long brown hair, and hurried down the staircase, in a rather bad mood. This was only fuelled by the sight of Jasper, lounging lazily on the couch waiting for their ride; the perfect picture of at-ease.

"Hey Bells," he greeted, running a hand through his gorgeous blonde hair. Why did I have to get all of the reject genes? "Ready for senior year?"

She wanted to rip that grin off of his face and gouge out his eyes. But the effort that was shining in his eyes, just to be pleasant to her, made her feel bad. Not bad enough, however, to keep her from snapping out, "No," viciously. Bella was not a morning person.

They sat in silence for only a few more minutes before he decided to try again. "Y'know, I've never seen you at lunch. Where do you go?"

If looks could kill, Jasper would've been six feet under. "The parking lot." He'd always done a brilliant job of looking clueless, and that distinctly showed when he peered at her, seemingly unknowing. "Rather than impose myself on some group, I just spend my lunch hour in the parking lot."

To his credit, Jasper looked genuinely shocked. His and Edward's jam-packed social schedules haven't allowed her to realize that he shares DNA with a social outcast, she snarked to herself. "You could always sit with Edward and me. You're always welcome with us." Bella couldn't help but throw back her head and laugh at that.

"Right; that'd go over so well with you two's groupies of the week: "Hey, this is my mutant-freak sister. She'll be sitting with us until further notice, or until we realize how truly socially unacceptable she it." Thanks, but no thanks Jazz. Really, I'm just fine." Jasper opened his mouth to counter my argument, but she'd quit paying attention. Because, at that moment, her own personal Adonis had walked through their front door.

He was gorgeous; six-three, six-fourish, built but not disgustingly so, with waves of bronze hair. All of that was wonderful, of course, and was enough to make any girl weak, but it was all secondary compared to those toffee-colored orbs that were perfect windows to his soul.

Windows that were, at present, fixed right on Bella.

"Who thinks they're a social leper, and why are you so defensive over the girls we sit with?" That voice… any girl with any smidge of hormones would be begging for him immediately. Sadly enough, I'm no exception, Bella mused, trying to calm down the erratic beating of her heart.

"Bella!" Jasper huffed, exasperated. He threw her a glare and grabbed his bag. Always a fucking drama queen. "And she called Alice and Angela groupies!" He whirled dramatically and flounced out. Bella just stared after him, wondering why she'd never pressured her brother into the drama program.

Deciding to suggest it later, she picked up her own bag, which was completely covered in patches, and turned towards the door. It seemed so natural to her not to say anything to Edward: he was Jasper's friend, not hers. Why would he talk to her? But, against all of her expectations, Edward reached out suddenly and placed his hand on her wrist. "You aren't a social leper, Bells." Startled, she turned and accidentally locked eyes with him. She was momentarily blinded, blinking flashbulbs out of her eyes. My God, his eyes are so beautiful. "You should come sit with us. Seriously. And," his eyes twinkled at her, and she felt her breath catch in her throat, "don't call Alice a groupie. He's really trying to catch her eye."

Their ride to school was very uneventful, even by their usual standards. Jasper and Edward joked around, punching each other and insulting everything. Bella was perfectly content to just lounge in the back seat, watching Edward laugh and drive, occasionally glancing in the rearview mirror and winking at her when he said something witty. Every single time, without fail, her breath would catch and she would be momentarily stunned before she remembered she was expected to laugh. Needless to say, she always sounded pathetically breathless.

Jasper, always the drama queen, heaved a great sigh as Edward glided effortlessly into a tiny space between two ancient SUVs. "Another day, another dollar-fifty," he said theatrically, climbing out. Edward rolled his eyes and followed, holding out his hand for Bella to grab.

"Careful, kid," he chuckled as she stumbled out of the car. "I don't want to have to take you to the hospital before you even get to gym."

"T-thank you," she stammered, blushing from the roots of her boring brown hair to the very tips of her fingers and toes. Jasper rolled his eyes, shifting his weight impatiently from foot to foot.

"This chivalry is making me puke. Come on, Edward." After making a face at Jasper's back, Edward shot Bella a smile and dutifully followed him into the throng of students milling around the parking lot.

Eager to skip the not-so-fabulous social scene, Bella hurried to the office, a small brick building, to retrieve her schedule. As usual, she had classes that seemed exceptionally boring: Economics, Government, Calculus, Health and the ever-dreaded Gym. However, she did have Brit Lit and Genetics, but those were second semester; for now, she was stuck with Government, Calculus, Health, and Gym. I absolutely despise school.

She slowly made her way to Building Two, dreading the next hour and a half. Mr Jenkins, the only Government teacher at Forks High School, was notoriously boring and bad-tempered. Granted, she reckoned she'd be slightly irritable if she had to deal with seniors all day.

Bella sighed and sat down in the back, pulling out her old, battered copy of Wuthering Heights. She didn't really want to reread it again, but being friendless gave her very limited options. She was halfway through the second chapter when students began to file in. She secretly stuffed her book back into her bag; everyone already thought she was a freak.

"Hey. Bella, right?"

Bella nearly jumped out of her skin. Her head snapped up and she locked eyes with another girl; she had short, black, pixie-cut hair, and rather pixie-like features in general. But what really made her freeze were the other girl's honey-colored eyes.

They were almost perfect replicas of Edward's. Not only in color and shape, but in the kind way they were focused on her as the small sprite set her bag down on the desk right next to Bella's.

"Y-yeah." Bella's cheeks burned brightly as she suddenly realized exactly who was speaking to her. "You're Alice, right? Jasper's friend?"

She nodded enthusiastically and slid into the seat next to her, eyes sparkling at the mention of Jasper. "Yeah. Alice Cullen."

Bella's eyebrows shot up into her hairline. If they were related, that would explain the freaky eyes. "Oh. Is Edward your brother?"

"Nah; cousin. But you are Jasper's sister." It wasn't a question. "Edward and Jazz told me about you. Why don't you hang out with the four of us?"

Bella planned on answering with her usual hurting-Jasper's-social-status response, she really did, until Alice's words really sunk in. Four. And Jasper's after Alice. So that leaves Angela for Edward.

She felt a fissure, as wide and deep as the Grand Canyon, split her heart. That would be why Edward got all defensive when I slammed them as groupies. His cousin and his girlfriend. Good job, Bell!

"Bella?" Alice sounded worried, snapping her out of her depressed funk. "You still with me?"

"Yeah," Bella answered unsteadily, trying to shake off her mounting depression. "I just don't want to be a fifth wheel. It's easier to hang out by myself." Alice opened her mouth to respond, but just then Jenkins walked in.

Of all the teachers at Forks High, Jenkins was the only one who could make a group of rowdy seniors go absolutely silent just by being in the same room. But that wasn't why he was so intimidating. He ad coal-black eyes, and presently they were narrowed in fury.

"Be quiet," he said, unnecessarily. "I don't expect you to ever understand the complexity of the American government, but the state of Washington says I have to try to make you. Don't make this more difficult than it has to be. Just sit there, shut up, and pass."

The or else went unsaid. He glared around the room once more before stalking out. "Psychotic bastard," Alice muttered, shaking her head. "I can't believe we're stuck with him. Is that Wuthering Heights in your bag?"

The rest of the period, thankfully Jenkins-free, passed in much the same way, with Alice questioning her, and then discussing whatever the questions brought up. Bella, by the time the bell rang, was almost completely at-ease talking to Alice. However, as soon as she walked away from the tiny pixie, she seemed to remember who she was. She berated herself all the way to Calculus.

How could you do that, Isabella?! You don't have time to be distracted by pity friendships from your brother's girlfriend. There's plenty of time for REAL friendships in college. Oh well, doesn't matter. One day is usually enough for most people. Fuck Jasper and his big mouth. She stewed all the way through Calculus, egged on by the already-complex subject. She hated math.

By the time she had to go to lunch, Bella was in a right foul state. She angrily stomped out of Building Six and toward the parking lot, heading toward her usual lunchtime haunt: the decrepit, ancient tennis courts, more specifically an old oak. However, the universe was against her. Someone was already sitting beneath her tree. No. Nonono! Drawing closer, she began to make out a thatch of golden hair and fair skin. Her heart nearly stopped, then began to thump against her ribcage frantically.

Edward Cullen was at her tree.

Her first instinct was to turn and run. She hadn't been alone with him since after her father's funeral. She was terrified of being foolish in his eyes. Hurry up, Isabella! Turn around and leave! He hasn't seen you yet! He glanced up, smiled, and beckoned her over. Shit. Too late now.

"Hey Bella," he smiled as she drew near. "Alice told me you probably wouldn't come hang with us. So I decided to come to you." He shot her a dazzling smile, and her heart stopped.

"Y-yeah. I didn't know she was your cousin. She's nice." As soon as she said it, Bella wanted to throw herself into oncoming traffic. What are you doing, you fool?! He. Doesn't. Care. He laughed, a deep, throaty sound that made her senses sing in a way that wasn't entirely unpleasant. "So, um, why did you and Jasper decide to meddle in my lack of friends?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Jazz kept worrying that you were lonely, and we both knew you'd never admit it, or accept 'help.' So we sent Alice to see if you were as lonely as Jasper thought."

Bella rolled her eyes. "Your prognosis, doctor?" she asked, making him laugh again.

"Wrong Cullen, sweetie." Bella swooned. "But, the situation is worse than we thought. And I've decided to do something about it."

She was perfectly prepared to make a snappy retort; to fire back. Until, of course, her brain brought back her and Alice's earlier conversation. Four. "What does Angela think about your desperate need to be a good Samaritan?"

"Angela?" he asked, sounding genuinely shocked. "Why would Angela care about my talking to you?"

It was like being slapped in the face. Of course Angela doesn't care. I'm no threat to them.

"Come sit by me, Bells. Quit dallying and just come here." He sounded frustrated, like she was being ridiculous. Her brain screamed at her to bolt; after all, he was a predator. It was only in predators that wonderful looks, high intelligence, and leadership could be found. Not to mention he was more alluring than water to plagued with thirst.

Perhaps that's why she found her legs walking over and then folding her neatly next to him.