TWILIGHT & IT'S CHARACTERS ARE ALL OWNED BY MS. MEYERS. I JUST BEND THEM TO MY WILL

BELLA

The school morning was tolerable, until English. Most people have gotten over the excitement of a new girl. Everyone knew my father, and his "get down-to business and I don't care about the rest of the crap" philosophy, so they easily accepted my lack of conversational skills. I never went out of my way to strike up conversations, but would join in if they were directed at me. All the while sporting my "Happy Bella" façade. I knew how small towns worked, word traveled fast. If I was too antisocial, it would get back to Charlie, who would report to Renee, who would freak out and my life exponentially more miserable. I don't think I could live through it. I already received weekly prodding's to "try harder" prompted by Charlie's reports of no girlie sleepovers or shopping excursions.

"ALICE!" all the boys rushed to the petite girl making her way into the classroom. Like a flock of birds converging on a stray French fry, the boys all fought for her attention but nearly knocked her over in the process. Elegantly she regained her ballerina-like posture and calmly waited, head cocked to the side and palm in the air, for them to make an aisle for her to proceed through to her seat. They were asking her a billion questions at once, all about someone named Emmett.

She made her way through the crowd; politely deflecting all inquires. Alice had to be one of the nicest people I had met since moving here. She didn't ambush me on my first day, unlike everyone else. She just looked at me sympathetically and smiled. I couldn't help thinking she looked like a pixie, or an angle, or some odd combination of the two. But heavenly beautiful either way. When I finally had a moment of peace from the hoard, she came over nonchalantly and introduced herself with a simple, "I'm Alice." I'd seen her around school though before that; her energy level was usually about equal with the energizer bunny on crack. But whenever she would talk to me, she seemed to mellow herself. It made me slightly uncomfortable. Almost like she could see through my act. And we couldn't have that.

Once she made her way through the Football-mad-high-school-boy inquisition, she sat down next to me with grace not usually seen in an irritated teenage girl. "Ugh. I hate football season. I'm so glad its Emmett's last year. Never again will I have to relay the details of his diet, workout schedule and sleeping habits to a gaggle of testosterone crazed hormone jockeys." I just stared back with a blank look on my face. "Oh, Em…I mean Emmett is my cousin. The big guy" Alice tightened up her biceps like a body builder, "with dark hair? Every time there is a big game, people are always bugging me to see if he's ready. So freaking annoying. Of course he's ready to knock the sense out of someone. He was born ready I think." She rolled her eyes and giggled. Her laugh was infectious; I actually cracked a real smile. A real smile. I was starting to genuinely like her.

""Hey, if you…."

"BELLA!" Alice was interrupted by a whiny, high pitched voice. I looked up to see a huge mess of curly brown hair and enough makeup for a Broadway play pushing her way through the crowd like an enraged rhinoceros; Jessica Stanley. It was clear she did not have the same effect on the crowd as Alice did. When she stopped to wait for everyone to move, hands on her hips and a snarl on her lips, no one even noticed. After standing there for what seemed like an uncomfortable amount of time shifting from side to side, Jessica finally just pushed her way rudely through the bodies making her way to where Alice and I were sitting.

"Bella, oh my Gawd! I'm so glad I got transferred from fifth hour to this class! Now we have a class together!"I swear I must have looked like a deer in headlights, but Jessica rushed on. "So, my mother works at the bank, and she overheard your father talking about how you were still waiting for you mother to send the rest of your clothes. That got me thinking, I should take you shopping! A girl can never have too many clothes, and…" her eyes rolled over my outfit and her nose crinkled, "you clearly need my expertise. It'll be so much fun. I will get you in style. You'll have all the Forks boys chasing you then! After me of course." She tried to smile in a seductive way, but it looked more like an evil clown smile. Alice was desperately trying not to burst into laughter; I could see her biting her lip out of the corner of my eye.

"Umm, thanks, but I'm not really…"

"Oh don't worry about a thing!" Damn! Can a person actually complete a sentence around this chic? "Charlie is great friends with my mom, I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I kidnapped you for a day!" Charlie wasn't great friends with anyone. "I'm so excited!" She squealed…she actually squealed. Thank God, Mr. Berty walked in, because I was starting to feel the need to throw up. "We'll work out the details at lunch." With a flip of her hair, she turned and walked to her desk that, by some miracle, was across the room. Everyone was staring at me. Some with a look of renewed interest, and some with a look of pity. I blushed furiously and started to sink down in my chair. So much for invisible.

As Mr. Berty droned on about Hemingway, a folded piece of paper, slid across my desk.

Don't worry. She's just doing this because her mom has a crush on your dad, and she's jealous of all the attention you've been getting. Jessica doesn't have a long enough attention span or enough brains to bother you for too long.

Alice*

The handwriting was neat but fancy and there was a tiny star just above the e in Alice. It was so middle school but looked really cute coming from her. I looked over at her and mouthed a "Thank You". The rest of the period passed without incident. After the bell rang, I avoided Jessica, barely, and made my way to the lunchroom. Normally, I ate by myself, but I knew she was going to try to trap me into sitting with her today.

I was so concerned with trying to escape, I ran right into my dad. I bounced back off his chest and stumbled backward. I hadn't realized I was almost running.

"Bells, is everything ok?" Charlie had me by the shoulders, catching me before I could fall… Like riding I bike I guess. He'd spent a good portion of my life catching me…..until the time he missed. He wore the all too common worried expression that told me "Happy Bella" better make an appearance.

"Oh, Dad, yea. Everything is fine. I just wasn't paying any attention."

"Ok, well. I don't have the time to stay for lunch. I'm sorry."

"Oh. Ok. That's fine." I didn't really expect him to stay and each lunch with me. I knew it had just been a warning.

"See you at dinner then." He let go of my shoulders and turned to walk away. Unfortunately, that turn put him in the direct sights of Jessica.

Goddamnit. Here comes piggy, squeal and all.

"Eeee! Chief Swan, How nice to see you! Did you come to each lunch with Bell? Awwh…that's so sweet! We were just talking about you." She was like a viper. Sneaking up behind her prey and striking fast.

"Jessica. Yes, nice to see you. How is your mother?" Charlie was shifting his weight. He was clearly as uncomfortable around her as I was.

"She's great, sir. Looking forward to seeing you again for sure." Jessica tilted her head and gave my father a sly little wink that made my stomach turn. Charlie looked sharply away…maybe his stomach couldn't handle it either. "Has Bell told you that great news? I've decided to take her shopping! Port Angeles, this weekend. Won't that be great? I think she really needs to get out of the house. Don't you? I haven't seen her around town since she got here!" This was all rushed out her mouth in a single breath. I'm pretty sure Charlie only caught every other word; he had a look of utter confusion on his face, or maybe it was indigestion.

"Umm, Jessica, I don't think…"

"Oh don't worry about a thing! I will drive of course. It's going to be so much fun!" She was getting ready to do that damn squealing thing, I could feel it coming. I was going to have to sacrifice myself to end this.

"Dad, umm, I guess we're going on Saturday. Right…Jess?"I really hoped my smile looked real because it was fake as hell. "It'll be fun." My poor dad, He had no idea what the hell was going on. He just wanted out. I don't think his police training covered obnoxious teenage girls.

"Bella, if you really want to go…" Charlie paused and looked at me with one eyebrow raised and one lowered the way people do when they don't know whether to play along or cause a fuss "…I guess that would be ok."

"EEEK! I'm so happy!" and there it is, the squeal we'd all been not waiting for. "Bella, let's go plan all the stores we're going to hit! Oh… I have to figure what colors are good for you. I wonder if you're a fall or winter? With that complexion, definitely not a winter, you'd blend straight into the white walls." She started pulling my arm towards a table in the middle of the lunchroom. "Bye Chief Swan!"

I looked over my shoulder and waved at Charlie, who just looked utterly relieved that the conversation had ended. I sat through the rest of lunch trying to tune out Jessica who was talking non-stop to me, about me. She analyzed my clothes, my hair, my make-up or lack thereof, and my horrid lack of style. When she was done with that she babbled on about what stores are in Port Angeles, and what colors wouldn't wash me out, and some other crap that I couldn't even comprehend……it seemed like the woman didn't even need air. I only had to give an occasional, "uh huh" and she was content to continue her squawking. Her friend with the weird haircut, Lori…Laura….Lauren, that's it Lauren, was apparently going with us as well. Wonderful. I looked around the room and locked eyes with Alice. She mouthed "Sorry!" and I responded with a weak smile. She was sitting with a very nice looking blonde guy, who had his arm around her shoulders. The two of them looked like they came straight out of a trendy magazine. Either one could have easily been a famous movie star or even a model. She was leaning into him, and seemed very comfortable. The blonde guy was having what looked like an intense conversation with a big guy across the table. That must be her cousin, Emmett. Even from the back I could tell that Emmett was very athletic. He had broad shoulders, a thick back and very muscular arms. I could see the sleeves of his shirt straining against his bulging biceps. Apparently he was proud of this because, didn't they make that shirt in a bigger size? Emmett was sitting next to a bored looking girl with beautiful champagne-colored hair. She looked similar to the guy next to Alice who took his arm off her shoulder and started playing with her hair. There was another boy sitting at the table, I couldn't see his face because he was facing away from me apparently looking out the window. I could see that he had wild bronze hair that was all tousled up going this way and that. It was the kind of hair that was both very trendy and intentional or tragically not. They all looked so happy, like they have never experienced real pain. I was oddly jealous of their obviously tight knit group. I started envisioning myself as Alice. That my hair was being played with. That I was happy and leaning into someone I loved. It was too painful to even continue the vision. It reminded me too much of before…I felt a tear slide down my cheek.

"Bella, Hello! Earth to Bella." I jerked my head to the voice. I had completely forgotten I was still sitting with Jessica and her friends. "Oh my God, Bella, are you crying?" She curled her lip when she said the last word. As though crying at school was a social faux pas that she was not willing to be a part of.

"Oh, uh, no. I just have something in my eye." I quickly swiped at the offending tear. I was going to have to take better care to stay in "character" and watch my emotions. "I'm sorry; continue with what you were talking about."

"Wow, you are really out of it. Lunch is over, didn't you hear the bell?" I glanced around the room and saw that half the tables were empty. This was not good, I was slipping. Jessica just stood there, staring at me and tapping her foot.

"Oh. OK. Let's go then." Getting up after her, my feet got tangled in the straps of my backpack that I had placed under the table at the start of lunch. Before I could catch myself, I landed face first on the floor with a loud smack. Flat on my stomach. If the sound of my body hitting the floor didn't announce my gracefulness then the sound of the chair screeching across the floor with me certainly did. I froze as I felt every remaining eye in the lunchroom burning my back. Neither Jessica nor Lauren made any move to help me. They just joined the crowd and stared at the feeble imbecile laying face down on the disgusting cafeteria floor. I could feel the heat in my cheeks from blushing and the bile rising in my throat. Would it make it worse if I suddenly gave the cafeteria back its lunch?

Two pairs of hands suddenly grabbed each arm and gently pulled me to my feet. I looked up to see the boy I assumed as Emmett and the blonde boy from Alice's table, towering over me. They both wore concerned smiles. Alice appeared out of nowhere, speaking so fast it took me a second to realize what she was saying.

"Are you ok? Did you hurt yourself? Is anything broken? Do you feel any pain? Jasper, help her to a chair! Do you need the school nurse? Somebody get the nurse!" she was flitting around me checking every inch for damage like a butterfly searching for the perfect place to perch. "Emmett, untangle her feet. Are you sure nothing is broken? That's gonna leave a nasty bruise, do you want an icepack? Did anyone call the nurse?!" That last remark made her voice sound more like a drill sergeant then the angel she looked like. She looked so scared it was almost comical. This was not even close to the worse thing my body went through. More like a sweet caress compared to that. It was just a fall. It happened to me all the time. I almost laughed at her frantic reaction, but decided that would probably really hurt her feelings. I don't think I could be so callous with someone so considerate.

"Alice, I'm alright. Really, I don't think I broke anything. The nurse won't be necessary." For a second she looked as though she was going to object, but she relented. Emmett and Jasper let go and took a step back. They seemed to be waiting on Alice's OK. The girl with the beautiful hair came up behind Emmet and peeked around his massive frame snaking her arm around his waist, looking a little less bored, but not by much. Lauren and Jessica were still fixed in the same spot mouth gaping; looking annoyed by the fact I was getting all the attention. Those bitches; leave it to them to envy a face-plant in the middle of a high school cafeteria, the very incarnation of hell for most teenage girls. I sent an evil thought in their direction.

"If you say so, I guess we should all get to class then." That seemed to be everyone's cue as they all dissipated toward the direction of their next class. Alice gave me one more evaluating look just to make sure nothing was broken and joined the crowd of dispersing students. I started gathering my things, less my pride, when I heard the clicking of very expensive heels on the tile floor. Alice was returning to the scene of the crime. "Do you need help getting to your next class?" I could have felt really stupid and clumsy and so uncool that Jessica and Lauren would be hard-pressed to associate with me, but I didn't. Alice never made me feel that way.

I really wanted to return to the land of the invisibles, but after my face plant, I knew I was going to be the ungrateful star of all the gossip today. Lauren and Jessica had left, never even raising an eyebrow to help me, probably retelling the tale to anyone not in the room to witness it. God only knows what details they were adding. I'm sure by the end of the day I'll have lacerated my liver and lost an eyeball.

"Uh, I guess. I'm just going down the hall though." As much as I wanted to be alone and invisible I wanted to hurt Alice even less.

"That's fine. We're all going in the same direction then! She linked her arm through mine, and started walking toward the door. I wonder if this gesture was a friendly one or more of an attempt to keep me from falling again. I settled on the friendly one. "Oh, first," she paused then turned and pointed to each person following her. "That's my Jasper, Emmett, Rose and .....Oh, I guess he left already. Everyone, this is my friend, Bella." We all left the lunchroom as a group. Jasper was happily trailing behind Alice, Emmett and Rose bringing up the tail, making some sickening kissy noises. I think at one point she referred to him as her "monkey man." Ew. I didn't even want to know where that nickname came from.

"What class are we dropping you off at?"

"Biology."

"With Mr. Banner?" something flashed across her face, but I couldn't tell the exact emotion. I just nodded. "Here we are! Sure you are ok?"

"Alice, really, I'm not hurt." I tried to put on my "Happy Bella" smile and sound convincing. Now it was her turn to nod.

"Maybe I'll see you after school or something. See if I can run Jessica interference." She gave me her best Jessica-smile impression and I was smiling again. Twice in one day, wow, I really am going to owe her big.

Jasper wrapped his arm around Alice's waist and gave her a gentle tug as she waved good bye and they walked off. Emmett and Rose went in the opposite direction.

"Try to stay on your feet Bella. If not, I'll come rescue you from the tile in about an hour." Emmett called over his shoulder. He started to laugh when Rose shoved him away.

The Biology room was full already. I could tell by the voice levels that class hadn't started yet. Mr. Banner was writing notes for today on the board. I heard a few references about my fall, but I still had all my body parts, no exaggerations yet. Mike Newton was sitting in his seat at the table next to mine. He winked at me from across the room. Mike was Jessica's boy….something. Jessica supposedly treated him like her lap dog, and he supposedly cheated on her with anything that moved. What a loving relationship.

Being invisible is my preferred state of being but it does have some downfalls. It often means people will talk about anything in front of you. By my third hour at Forks High I'd heard some pretty gory details about their relationship. I think Jessica could write a manual on sloppy blow jobs and Mike seems to have some sort of school record for the number of girls you can get to let you shove your dick up their ass. I wonder if he made himself a plaque? He already tried his moves on me, my second day. Even if my whole world wasn't completely fucked up, his blonde pretty boy looks and "I'm-Gods-gift-to-women" attitude wouldn't have worked on me. He was just disgusting. Nothing, let alone skanky Mike's crotch-rod, was going up my ass.

As I was getting over the Newton creepiness, I noticed my table wasn't empty. My first week I was blissfully alone in biology. Mr. Banner had mentioned something about a lab partner, but to be honest, I hadn't been paying attention so I missed the who and the when. I saw an unruly mess of bronze hair sitting in the other chair at my table. The same bronze hair I had seen at Alice's table. He was hovering over the table, duteously writing what looked like the notes that were on the board. He seemed so focused; I debated on whether or not to interrupt him by introducing myself. A little out of character for me to speak first, but my Alice contact buzz was still in full effect. I think it was the fact that he had on a black Staind shirt that peeked my interest. Seeing him wearing my favorite band gave me a strange amount of courage.

I plastered on the Happy Bella smile, took a deep breath and tried to sound friendly.

"Hi, I'm Bella, your new…"

"I know who you are." He didn't even so much as glance at me. I started blushing, should have known better than to speak first. I just sat down and stared at the board. Alice buzz gone.

"Look, Bella" he was still writing, not looking at me "I have the top grade in this class, and I intend to keep it that way. I don't need you slowing me down and fucking up my concentration. I think you would do better with Newton over there. He's a little on the slow side."

"What, uh, what? Excuse me?" I was totally confused. It's the first time he's ever met me and he assumes I'm fucking brain-dead. What the fuck was his problem? He wasn't actually insulting my intelligence, was he? I might be an emotional train wreck, but I could still hold my own in the area of academia. In Arizona I was top of my class. I really did have plaques, not for ass-fucking, but for spelling bees, writing contests, quiz bowls, and honor roll every frickin' year since elementary school. I was turning beet red, a mixture of blushing and rage. Just when I got the nerve to tell him off, he lifted his head and finally looked at me. My irate rampage came out as a muffled "Hmph". His eyes caught me off guard. They were an intense green, and full of hatred. I had no idea what to think. I was frozen. No one had looked at me that way since Billy….the memories were starting to creep up, when the bronze haired asshole spoke again.

"Sit your ass down and shut up. I'll get the teacher to switch you tomorrow." He turned back to the front just as Mr. Banner started class. I sat through the rest of class fighting back tears with my hair as my hiding place. Thank God today was just a lecture and I didn't have to speak to my lab partner again. When the bell rang, he quickly brushed past me.

"See if you can manage to stay vertical without assistance this time." And he was gone. He despised me for some unknown reason, and I didn't even know his name.

A/N: More Chapters to come!
Reviews make us happy. Almost as happy as seeing RPattz Naked