DISCLAIMER: STEPHENIE MEYER'S OWNS TWILIGHT, AND IT'S CHARACTERS. (I just play with them **winks**)

THANK YOU HAYLEYHOO!!

I'LL GIVE IT A RATING WHEN I'M THROUGH WRITING IT. :]

______ChapterTwo________________________________________________________________

He was shocked that I only had one suitcase. I was shocked that he was a policeman.

The thought of my mom with a policeman would normally have me doubled over in laughter, but she wasn't here to share it with. So I just smiled at this new man.

We walked from the bus station to his police car. All in silence. Amazingly enough, it wasn't that awkward silence. It was more like we both knew how mom could be, and we were just trying to absorb it.

It took about an hour to get to Forks, and as much as I was trying to show my dislike for this place, I couldn't. It was all so beautiful, so green, and so colorful. I let out a few audible gasps, and immediately regretted it. Charlie was smirking in my periphery, which wasn't what I wanted, him to be smiling.

But I couldn't help it! It was like the redwood forests momma and I used to stay at in the spring. So natural, which made it's magnificence even stranger. It is so rare that you find a place in nature that could take your breath away so fully. I knew I should be remembering every moment, just so I could tell momma later. I knew all the questions she was going to ask me when I got back to her; How tall were the trees? How wide were the rivers? How did the air taste?

I was hoping she wouldn't ask anything about Charlie, because I didn't want to look at him for that long. He kinda freaked me out, to be honest with you. Not because he looked funny or anything, but because his eyes were my eyes. Looking into his for the first time was very unnerving, it was like looking in the mirror, only my eyes were attached to a middle aged mans face.

I wonder if that ever freaked my mom out, me having his eyes. It's strange to think that she must have seen it as me having his eyes, instead of him having my eyes. I suppose that's how it works, though. He was my sperm donor, I got parts of him, too.

____________________________________________________________________

Charlie pulled his cruiser into what seemed to be a little clearing. At first I was baffled, then I was scared. What if this is a bad situation? What if he turns out to be a bad guy, and he's taking me off into a clearing to have his way with me. Shit. I try and remember all of the self defense moves mom taught me. I go over all of the moves in my head, then I look up.

A quaint two-story house lay in front of me. It had a cute, little wrap around porch, and hanging plants.

Oh!! Right! I live in a building now. So weird.

A woman came out onto the porch and began waving. It was more at Charlie, but she made a point to throw me a smile. I gave her a little smirk back. I didn't know Charlie was with anyone, this was going to make things even stranger than they were bound to be. This changes everything.

I wonder how he told her I was coming. 'Hey honey, the bastard child of my old hippie girlfriend is coming to stay with us, that cool?' I hope she won't be one of those bitter ladies, the kind that think they are the only ones their man has been with.

"Isabella! Hello! We're so happy you're staying with us!" Nope. She seems pretty happy that I'm going to be staying here.

I open my door and step into the wet earth. "Thank you for letting me stay here, I hope it's not a huge inconvenience..." I was going to let more come out, give her a whole-hearted thanks because she seemed like a pretty warm person, but then she was around me. Literally. She enveloped me in this huge hug.

At first my arms were slack at my side. I'm not a big hugger. This would be strange for me even if she was my mom. I didn't want to make a bad first impression, so I gently patted her back. It was still awkward, but not as bad as if I had just stood there.

"Your dad has been so nervous, you wouldn't believe it!" She backed up then, and looked at my eyes. She was speechless for a second. "Oh Jesus, would you look at that? It looks like you just plucked your daddy's eyes right out of his head and stuck'em in yours. My word." I'm glad she seemed as startled as I did about this whole eyeball situation.

"It is strange, isn't it." A quiet baritone shook the atmosphere. It was so quiet on the way here that I hadn't realized Charlie hadn't spoken until right now. It took me off my guard, but I tried not to let it show.

"Yeah, uh...it is kinda freaky." I bit my lip a little to hold in a yawn. I'd been on a bus for a good eighteen hours, and haven't slept one bit. I was hoping no one would notice my eyes water due to my stifled yawn, but the woman saw it.

"Charlie, why don't you show Isabella to her room, eh?" She turned to look at me again. "You're just gonna adore your room! I picked out all of the the bedding, and the color of the walls. I hope you like it all." She ended on a sheepish note, I thought of the only thing I could say to make her feel confident in herself right now.

"I've never really had my own room before, so I'm sure that it will be lovely no matter what. Thank you." I watched her steal a glance at Charlie, it was questioning. This led me to believe he hadn't told her I was a floater. "Oh, you see, when I was with my mom we just kinda lived in her Trans Am." Her eyes got wide with despair. "Oh, no...um...it was good. My mom and I had fun. No worries...?" None of what I said seemed to settle her rattled maternal instinct, so I went with the easiest thing in this situation. "Why don't you show me my room? I can't wait to see it..."

This seemed to calm her down enough to stop staring at me in horror, and lead the way into the house. I turned to glance at Charlie, just to measure his level of confusion. He seemed to be getting a kick out of the whole situation, silently snickering to himself about ten paces behind me. I wanted to stick my tongue out at him. He wanted to witness this interaction. He wanted to see me clam up. Evil, evil man.

I walked in the door and saw how little this two story house was. The kitchen was, at most, five paces wide. It was old, too. Stained, yellow linoleum covered enough floor to hold a couple appliances, a small wooden table, two matching chairs, and one new chair. The yellow flowed, inharmoniously, into a dark green carpet. I turned my head to take in the tiny living room. I had to let out a giggle, because in this tiny, little place, was a giant flat screen TV. It seemed so out of place. It was like walking into an Amish house, and seeing a computer. It just seemed...wrong.

"I bought it for football." Charlie said automatically, which told me he gets this reaction a lot.

"Isabella?" The lady called from up the stairs. "Isabella! Your room is up here!" I look from the stairs back to Charlie. I guess I gave him a weird look, cause he uncrossed his arms and gave me an encouraging push towards the stairs.

I walked into a bright purple room. It was a bit of a shock.

"Woe." Oh crap! Did I let that out? I didn't mean to...did it sound bad?

"You don't like it?" I turned to look at the lady, who had a terrible look on her face. She looked like someone had actually slapped her across the face. "We can change it, return the stuff. I know the Stanley's, I'm sure they would be willing to trade everything back for something you would like better. I've never had children before." She pauses, looking even more horrified. If that was possible. "Not saying you're a child, of course. I...ummm...hmmm..."

"It's perfect. I love it." She looked up at me, not believing a word I said. "Thank you, for a first room, it's absolutely perfect." I smiled weakly, but honestly at the little woman. She seemed to understand that I was trying to say 'get the hell over it. It's just a room, and I won't be here that long anyway.'

"Okay, thanks for liking it." She smiled tentatively. "I'll leave you to get settled." She paused for a moment. Not leaving. "The bathroom is right down the hall to the right. Your father and I will be downstairs if you need anything." And with another quick, scared smile she departed out the little door.

I walked over to my bed, my real bed. I gently brushed my hand against the duvet cover. It was a shiny purple with little purple poof balls attached to it. It wasn't really me, but it would work as a bedspread. I put my yellow suitcase down, and began to take my clothes, and my hygiene products out. I lined everything up on my bed.

It surprised me how little I had. I had never had to really look at my stuff like this. All my stuff was always in my suitcase.

I laughed at the thought that mom would have called this an 'eye opening' experience.

____________________________________________________________________

I looked over at this new contraption that was determined to wake me up. I wasn't having any of this. There was no way in hell that I was waking up at six thirty in the morning.

"Isabella!!"

What is this strange hell?

"Isabella!! It's time to wake up for school! Come on!"

School. Shit.

I haven't been in school for a good six years. Never been to a high school. It honestly hadn't crossed my mind that I would be going to school now, which is completely moronic. I'm seventeen, living with my sperm donor. Of course I would be going to school.

I open my eyes groggily. "I'm up..." I respond. Not truly being awake, but enough to make my voice reach down stairs, I sit up slowly and reach for that still buzzing clock. I can't figure out how to turn it off, so I turn it upside down and take the batteries out.

"How'd you like that clock? Hmm?" It's silence answers the question for me. "That's what I thought, you demon breathing fire demon." It might not make sense, but it sounds intimidating, so I go with it.

"Bella? What do you want for breakfast?" Did she just call me Bella? Only mom calls me Bella. I suppose it makes sense, my name is Isabella. I swallow the shock at hearing my mom's name for me to respond with cheerios.

I slink out of bed and towards my closet to try and find something suitable for Forks weather.

The constant downpour is going to be a problem. I drove around California, which means that weather was nonexistent. A constant 75 degree day didn't really call for anything heavier than a cardigan. This is definitely going to be interesting.

_____________________________________________________________________

I can't believe I'm riding to my first day of high school in a police cruiser. I don't know that much about high school, but I know showing up like a fugitive is never good. No matter where you're going.

I ended up borrowing one of Charlie's girlfriend's coats. It wasn't bad either. A nice pea coat, sleek black. It surprised me when I saw what everyone else was wearing. It was a good surprise, because they were a good two years behind in the fashion area. I'm not saying I'm completely up to date, but I'm pretty sure nude stockings and overalls were out when we hit the age of seven.

"If you need anything, just go to the office and tell Janey who you are. She'll know to call me." Charlie said as he watched me glare out the window. "I know you haven't done this in a while, but I'm sure you'll do just fine. It might even be fun, ya know? Seeing people your own age.."

No. Having to interact with people my own age would be utterly horrific. I mean, I've been to a few college parties, but other than that it was just me and mom. I had no idea how to mesh with these people.

"Thanks, Charlie. I'll see you later?"

"Yeah, I'll be here right after school."

"I don't think that's really necessary. I can walk. Don't worry so much about me, Charlie. Do your job." I throw him a half smile as I sling my old leather backpack over my shoulders. I'm so glad I brought this old thing with me.

I step onto the wet sidewalk and look around for the office. It must have been known that I was coming, because everyone seemed to be staring at me. I felt awkward and humiliated all at once. It was like I was some kind of novelty. As I walked towards the building I assumed was the office I heard things like 'drifter', 'California', 'new'. I tried to keep my head up and my shoulders straight. Momma always told me that teenagers can smell fear. I bet they are just dying to pounce on me. I wasn't gonna let them smell my trepidation. I'm not gonna let them have the pleasure.

I opened the heavy glass door to the Forks High School Administration Building only to find three big desks pushed together behind what looked like a kitchen island.

"Hello. You must be Isabella." This must be Janey. She was significantly overweight, and her thinning red hair was tied up in a tight bun.

"Yes, that would be me."

"Well, don't be shy! Come on over here and get your schedule, and a map of the school. All your teachers are going to have copies of the books you need ready for you." Her warm smile broke the ice and pulled me away from my spot directly in front of the door.

She handed me everything I needed, then shooed me out when the first bell rang.

I slipped at least ten times on my way to English. My teachers name was Mr. Varner, and he was a character. His blond hair lay on his head like a skunks tail, it was just so bushy, and his eye's were obscured by the thickest glasses I have ever seen, the big horn rimmed kind to boot. Thankfully he let me scoot to the back of the class with out one word as he reenacted Romeo & Juliet, doing all the characters himself.

The rest of the day flew by without a hitch. That is, until lunch.

I sat down with my organic food, that must have looked very weird to these pizza-eaters. I was by myself at a little tiny table. I didn't mind being alone. I actually much preferred it after I heard the types of conversations the people at this school were having. It all revolved around make-up, and clothes, which nearly had me on the floor with laughter. They were a good two or three years behind, fashion wise, and they were still acting like they knew everything. I didn't want to take part in this, but it was very entertaining to listen to.

As I was chewing my sandwich and listening to a curly haired monster, in the form of a teenage girl, I was interrupted by the most beautiful voice I have ever heard.

"Hello, you're Isabella. Am I correct?"

Woe.

I turned to look up at what I thought would be a teacher, due to the vocabulary, only to find the most perfect creature evolution could cook up. He was flashing me a brilliant smile that went all the way to his eyes. His beautiful, piercing, green eyes.

"Uh...yeah...just Bella. I mean...yes...you are correct...and...umm..hi." I smiled back at him. I didn't know what else to do, or to say. He had me paralyzed. I must have had the silliest expression on my face, because he let out the most musical chuckle I have ever heard. I'm not exactly sure what swooning is, but I'm pretty sure I swooned right then and there.

"Yes, well, my name is Edward Cullen. I was new here a few years back. I know how these kids can be, not very welcoming, are they?" He shook his head a little, just to get a lock of hair out of his eyes, but it was glorious. His movements were so...so...regal. He looked like the statue of David, carved out of stone by some visionary. I'm gonna have to meet this guy's parents just to thank them for their contribution to society. He cleared his throat...reminding me that it was my turn to talk, not gape, I suppose.

"Oh...uh...yeah. Not very...cordial." I shook my head, trying to clear all the thoughts of me and this guy so I could form a coherent sentence. "But I don't mind, really. I've never really done all this before. Is this usually how the new kid is treated?" I manage to squeak out. I give myself a mental pat on the back for asking a question. A question means that someone has to give an answer, which means I get to look at him longer.

"Yeah, especially in a small town like this." He looked up quickly, to another table. I followed this to see a table full of shockingly beautiful people. Two girls and two more guys. Great. He was probably dating one of those girls. Probably the blond. She was perfect in every way, like Venus coming out of the clam shell, except with clothes on. "Would you like to sit with me today?"

…..

A good minute passed before I could answer.

"Yes?" It came out like a question, like I was waiting for him to give me permission to do something he had just asked me to do. "That would be fantastic...umm..thank you..." I began piling all my food back into my brown sack. I picked up my backpack, nearly throwing myself backwards trying to swing it gracefully onto my shoulders.

He waited patiently for me to get all my stuff together and then led me to the table with the beautiful people.

"Everyone this is Bella, the girl the whole town's been waiting for." He smiled down at me, and I giggled like an idiot. "Bella, this is everyone."

"Hi...everyone." I was going to say thank you to all of them, but it hadn't been all of them that had invited me over here, it had been Edward. I looked up at him tentatively. "Thank you." I whispered just loud enough for him to hear. He smiled back down at me and helped me into the poorly planned cafeteria table. There was no way anyone could do this, and still look good.

"Hello Bella! I'm Alice! And this is Jasper, Emmett, and Rose. It's great to add someone to the table! Will you be here everyday? I would so love it." Wow. She would definitely win the friendliest person award. Which confused me, because she was so drop dead gorgeous. It was an unconventional beauty, but that's what made it good. She was very short with unkempt black spikes for hair shooting out in every direction. Her warm eyes made me think 'Hell yeah, you want me, I'm here!' But I had to steal a glance at Edward first. He was, after all, the one who invited me over.

He just nodded, like he knew exactly what I was thinking. I loved it. It was like I had known him forever. He seemed to know me better than me, which was unsettling, but wonderful all at once.

I cleared my throat, and with the most conviction I had, stumbled "Yes, I'll be here, as long as you want me here." I smiled at everyone, trying to be as warm and open as they were being to me.

I had a feeling that seemed to flow through my whole body. It was a feeling of acceptance. The feeling of family.

Something was happening here. And I was a part of it. This new, wonderful life.

________________________________________________________________

RATED T FOR MILD LANGUAGE.

REVIEWS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! PLEASE! TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!!!!

MORE TO COME, I PROMISE!!!