Almost two weeks later…. The day before school………..

My home is now complete. Dishes, linens and clothing have been purchased and are now in their appropriate homes. The furniture is placed, pictures hung and my hope chest is at the end of my bed. That is where I am now. I am sitting in front of my hope chest; its cedar made and intricately carved is a picture of a meadow. Craftsmanship like this can no longer be found, and it holds my oldest and dearest possessions. I run my hand over the flowers that are carved into the top, debating with myself on if I should open it and relive the years that have passed, but decided against it. There is no time for that now. I need to make sure everything is situated because tomorrow is my first day at Forks High. I'll be a senior, again, but it doesn't bother me. I'm able to alter my appearance subtly so I'm able to either complete all four years of high school without question, or I can be a college student. I can't really pass for anything over 25, and that's pushing it. I find myself at the 18/19 year area, I can't exactly remember my exact age.

I learned a long time ago, repeatedly through history actually, that my actual appearance causes me trouble. I'm 5'7", I have long mahogany hair that ends about lower back level, my chocolate cover eyes betray how I am feeling and my long lashes give me a certain look of innocence that draws others to me. My lips are pouty and are a dark pink. I'm lean and muscular and I'm fine with how I look. It's how others view me that become the problem. Ever hear the story of Helen of Troy? That was me. A great misunderstanding, not a love story. Tristan and Isolde? Another misunderstanding, and that's just naming a couple of the instances in history that you may know of. Men fighting over me like I was a prize and only for my beauty, they didn't even know who I really was. Talk about not knowing a person's worth! The incident that caused me to change my appearance though took place nearly 400 years ago in Europe. I thought I was falling in love with a gentle and handsome man and the last time I was supposed to meet with him he had disappeared. I don't know what happened to him, and I don't really want to sound conceited but that was the first time EVER that I had been stood up and I figured it was karma. Now that I had thought I found love, I the Goddess of love and war found love; the universe takes it from me for all the trouble I have caused throughout history. The morning after I boarded a ship for the new world and used my power to alter my appearance. Whereas before I was the world's greatest beauty I now appear slightly lanky, shy, and dull and dare I say geeky. I figured if I ever found love then it would be for who I was, not for how I appeared. Maybe when I find love I will alter back to my true self, but this way I'm sure to find less trouble.

Now many are probably wondering why I am not in love, or why I have let so many great tragedies befall our world and it's about balance. I may be able to offer some influence on a relationship between two people, but I cannot do so for myself. As for war, there are checks and balances that I am not able to touch. I can offer a pull in one direction or another as to help end a conflict, but I cannot keep one from happening. I'm not an all powerful being; love and war exist because I do. I embody them.

I guess I should decide what I am going to wear tomorrow and make sure my backpack is packed and in the car, then shower and to bed. I feel tomorrow will be a long day.

It's 7am. I have eaten, because though I maybe immortal I live like mortals. Food, water, air, the essentials are all part of my day to day routine. Though if I had to go without those my body would adapt and I would just be uncomfortable and bitchy. I am showered and dressed and just waiting a couple more minutes before climbing into my camaro and heading to school. I don't want to appear over eager and be the first person on campus. My hair is dried and straightened, mascara and lip gloss are the only cosmetics I wear day to day and I can't decide what purse to carry! It looks like a black Prada hobo to the rescue. It matches my dark wash skinny jeans and red and white striped ruffled blouse and red ballet flats. Maybe I should use my red Cole Haan ….. Ah! I'll stick with the hobo; I bought it for those days when I can't make up my mind. Crap, 7:30! Time to run out the door.

Pulling into the school parking lot I try to find a spot in the back to try to avoid being watched by the student body that is socializing out-front of the school. I see a spot and notice a silver Volvo a couple of spots down. I have owned several vehicles, but not once could I see myself drive a Volvo, I can't explain it, it just isn't me I guess.

I park and climb out tossing on my black pea coat and picking up my messenger bag and purse and head towards the front of the school. My schedule came to me in the mail but I need to pick up a map and a student calendar. So walking through the small throng of students, up the five steps and through the front door I notice that there are calendar books and maps outside of the office. Good. The less people I have to try to introduce myself to the better off I will be, so okay, technically I am older than dirt, but that doesn't mean I am overly outgoing. I'm still shy.

Finding my first class, AP American Lit, I walk inside and find myself a desk towards the back of the room and sit. I'm not worried about any of the reading assignments because I've read everything the teachers usually offer, but I will probably reread them just to keep myself occupied. I really need to team up with some sort of other immortal just so I could have a friend and keep them long term. Even friends, who are immortal, are hard to keep. I don't usually tell people who I am, just that I am immortal and leave it at that. It's all about keeping life easy and drama free. People do not bode well to make me angry. I may only be able to push or pull a conflict in a certain direction, but when I'm pissed I could literally end the world. It's a good thing that I can't bear children or experience PMS….

I did have a couple of girl friends who were immortal, vampires. One of them was in love with a human named Marc Anthony. The only problem was that Marc was an old world version of McSteamy, a total man whore. He chased me, and though he was extremely attractive I could betray my friend, Tanya, in that fashion. Tanya and her sisters shunned me shortly after I had pretty much told Marc to keep his hands to himself. He died in battle, and the sisters knowing who I actually was believed that I could have prevented his demise. I wish it was true, but I can't give life, nor can I declare the victory that would have kept his life. I have not seen the Denali sisters since. I don't even know if they are still alive, so to speak. I have thought about trying to find them to see if after all this time we could overcome this and resume our friendship but I'm too afraid to see their devastated faces. Oh well I guess…..

I guess while I was reliving my memories class had started because the teacher seemed to be half way through reading through the required reading list that was on my desk. Taking a look around the room I realized that this will be a full class so hopefully I wouldn't be called on too many times throughout the year. I love the first days of school. It's all reading syllabuses and getting to know your "neighbor". It makes for an easy first week usually. Looks like today won't be too different either. My next two classes, gym and geometry flew by and now I walking into the cafeteria trying to spot a table where I can sit by myself and read. I grab a salad and water and make my way to a table on the other side of the cafeteria. All the other tables are full; I wonder why no one is sitting here? Oh well, I'm new, that can be my excuse if someone has a problem with me here.

I've switched books for lunch today. Watership Down, a required read for my lit class, but a favorite of mine. I always found it hilarious, though I can't really explain why. I think it has to do with the fact that there are talking rabbits, but you tell me. I was about to turn the page when I noticed the lunch room became eerily quiet and as I glanced up and looked around me I realized that there were five pairs of golden honey eyes peering at me. I guess I know why no one sat here before. Then I look up again and realize just exactly what I am looking at. Five vegetarian vampires. Huh, just earlier today I was thinking I needed some immortal friends and poof, there's five immortals staring at me.

"I'm sorry; I didn't realize this was someone's table. I can move if you'd like." There, more bees with honey I say. If I'm not rude then maybe they will let me stay and introduce myself.

"Um… I guess we should ask you if you'd mind if we join you. Seeing as how you were here first." I looked up to the owner of the musical voice to realize the owner was a boy of about 17 with bronze hair. He was staring at me with his brow furrowed in concentration. The others with him were still staring at me so I nodded and they all pulled out a chair and sat down extremely slowly while continuing to stare at me. What was with the staring?

"You must be Isabella Swan; everyone is talking about the fact that there is a new kid." Smiling at me with a slight bounce was a girl about 5'4" and short, black, choppy hair. She offered a small wave and introduced herself as Alice Cullen.

She continued to introduce her "siblings" while bouncing in her seat, I wonder what was up with that. There was Emmett, a brawny, curly brown haired man about 6'1 and his girlfriend Rosalie. Now Rosalie was beautiful, and I know beauty being the genuine owner. She had the classic hour glass figure, long naturally curled blonde hair and she dressed her part in tight clothing. Edward, the 6'0 owner of the bronze bed head look who I guess was Alice's boyfriend. Last there was Jasper. Standing I'd say he was about 6'1 maybe even a little taller, less brawny than Emmett but diffidently not scrawny and a head of blond locks.

In return I introduced myself as Bella, which was less of a mouthful than Isabella and then proceeded to give them my cover story. When I finished Edward was looking at Jasper and nodded his head so minutely that I thought I may have imagined it. Everyone preceded making small talk and soon the bell rang. I stood to leave when Alice asked what class I had next.

"I have AP history next, how about you guys?"

"Oh, Jasper is in your class. Be careful because he's kind of a know it all when it comes to history." Alice added with a smirk. Oh really? Well than this should be interesting. I wonder how old they all are.

"Really? I consider myself well educated in the world's histories also. It will be nice to have someone to converse and exchange notes with then. I'll see you guys later." And with that I headed off to class but not before I heard Emmett trying to get one of his siblings to bet that I could put Jasper in his place. If he only knew.