Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Chapter One- Falling Down

(Karen's POV)

My name is Karen Miller and today I'm graduating from Forks High School, finally. I couldn't wait to get out of here. I can't take much more of this school. I'm about five-foot-six; I'm really pale, blue eyes, chin length chestnut hair, high cheekbones and a beauty mark right under my left eye, just above my cheek. I'm a little curvy, a size 9 in jeans. The thing is, I used to be a size 2, but since my mom's accident I just don't have time to work out like I used to.

My mom worked in metal factory, when she had an accident on a machine and now she's blind. She stays at home alone all day. I've never met my dad, he and my mom had a one-night stand and I was the result. I'm pretty sure he doesn't even know about me.

I have to work two jobs after school to pay bills, which is why I don't have time to work out. Now the girls at school talk about me, just whispers behind my back usually. Except for Lauren Mallory, who's a bit more vocal about her dislike for me.

I've never had a boyfriend before. I'm too shy to talk to a boy, and even if I did, I'm too scared of getting rejected to ask anyone out. So I try to just blend in with the crowd, not draw too much attention to myself. It's worked for most of my high school years.

Only Lauren notices me, and when she does it's usually to say something nasty to me. I wish I could get away from her at least for our graduation day, but her last name is Mallory and mine is Miller; which puts me right behind her in line.

I stood behind Lauren, quiet as can be, praying she wouldn't notice me or say anything mean to me. Our principal walked by us and told us to get ready.

Alice Cullen glided by me just then. She turned back and gave me a smile and a wink. Her adopted brother, Edward Cullen was behind her. He gave me a smile just as she had, and they went to their place in line.

"What was that about?" Lauren said in front of me. I didn't answer. I didn't even look up, just stared at the floor praying she would go back to ignoring me. Luckily, she did.

Finally, the ceremony began. Speeches were made and names were called. I couldn't help but feel a jealous when Alice and Edward's names were called and a group of people cheered for them.

No one would cheer for me. My mom wasn't even here. Lauren's name was called and she went up the stairs. I was next. Mr. Greene called my name and I went up. It was almost silent as I walked across the stage with my head down.

When the ceremony was over, we threw our caps in the air. I was walking down the stairs behind Lauren, when she stopped and turned to me.

"Go ahead, I need to say something to Jessica." She smiled at me.

I smiled a little nervously and went ahead. Then, I went tumbling down the stairs.

"Walk much, loser?" I heard Lauren sneer from above me. I pathetically laid on the ground, tears threatening to fall from my eyes. I thought about just lying there until Lauren walked away, but then two strong, but feminine, warm arms picked me up off the floor.

Alice Cullen's voice came from my left. "What is your problem?"

Lauren played innocent, "What do you mean? She fell, okay?"

I stared at the ground, not daring to look up at Alice, Lauren or the person who picked me up off the ground.

Alice said, "I saw you push her! So what's your problem are you jealous?"

"Why would I be jealous of that cow?" Lauren said. The words cut deep in my heart. I know I used to be smaller, so what if I've gone up seven dress sizes in a few years? Lauren had called me a cow before, but for some reason, it hurt so much more when she said it to Alice, who was so beautiful I could cry.

I heard the sound of a hand hitting someone's face and I finally looked up. A new girl with scars down her face had slapped Lauren.

The girl spoke, "How dare you speak of her that way. You're just jealous of her, I bet."

Lauren put her hand on her face and scoffed. "You don't even know her! She's the one jealous of me." I had never heard words so untrue in my life. I couldn't stand what Lauren was. The way she used people, talked about them behind her back, teasing anyone who was different; I didn't care that she was skinny and had boyfriends. She was a bad person, why would I ever be jealous of her?

It was at that moment, I noticed Bella Swan standing behind Alice. She had started going to school at the reservation ever since the Cullen's came back. I wonder why that was?

Bella looked at the girls standing around her and said, "Yeah, Lauren's right. This girl is just jealous that I punched Lauren in the face that one time. Remember that, I broke your nose right?" Bella looked over at me and smiled warmly.

I didn't remember Bella ever being this way. She was always so quiet and shy when she'd been at Forks High. Now she was spunky and telling Lauren off. I liked her more than I had before. Not that Bella ever knew me personally, she just took Lauren's mind off of me when she moved here and started dating Edward Cullen. Lauren had left me alone for a while. That is until Edward left and Bella became uninteresting to her so she'd gone back to teasing me.

The girl with the scarred face smiled and said, "I think it speaks volumes for her character that she did nothing when you pushed her down. It showed class and respect. You have neither." That's not true. I had wanted to get up and hit Lauren for doing that, I'm just clumsy and I was too afraid Lauren would push me again harder.

Lauren started to say something, but Bella cut her off. She held up her hand, "You know what, save it. We don't want to hear it." Then she turned her back on Lauren. I was internally cheering for Bella for standing up for me.

Lauren's eyes grew huge, then stormed down the steps away from me. The girl who had helped me up still had her arm around my shoulders. She tugged a little and spoke for the first time, "Come on." I turned with her and caught the eyes of a tall Native American boy. I couldn't really see his face since he was so far away, but something was pulling me to him.

The girl who had her arm around my shoulders turned to me, and I caught a glimpse of her face for the first time. She was even more beautiful than Alice. Even more beautiful than Rosalie Hale, Alice's adopted sister. She was Native American, and tall, nearly a foot taller than me. She had high cheekbones and black hair that was as short as mine. Her tear filled eyes were brown; they had a young and old air to them. Like she had seen a lot in her lifetime, but still had a young soul.

"What's your name?" She asked me softly.

I was so struck by her beauty and height that I said my name too low. At first I didn't think she heard me. I was about to repeat my name louder when she said, "My name is Nadi Cullen."

Cullen? There's another one? I thought. I looked at Alice, who stepped forward and said, "She's another adopted sibling."

I nodded, but didn't say anything. I didn't want to speak unless I absolutely had to. Nadi spoke again, "So, Karen this is Emily and Bella. You know Alice, I guess." I knew Bella, too. So that left Emily to be the scarred girl. Nadi smiled at me and I returned it. "Where's your family?" She asked.

I looked back at the floor. "My mother's not here." I said simply.

"Well, do you want to come to our graduation party? Bella and I graduated from La Push high last week, but we're having a joint grad party for all of us." Nadi said.

I shook my head. "I don't know if that's such a good idea. I have to get home to my mother."

Nadi didn't give up though. "Just for a little bit, then I'll take you home myself. Everyone deserves some fun, especially after graduation, don't you think?"

I thought about it. I did really want to go hang out with them. They all seemed like such sweet girls and I needed some friends. I whispered, "Sure. I need to check on my mother first though."

Emily said, "I'll go with you. It's hard to find the Cullen's house. You'll need some help."

I nodded and we went out the door. "Did you drive here?" I asked Emily.

She shook her head. Alice spoke up, "How about if I let Emily drive my car to your house? I can ride with Edward. When you get back, I'll get you some clothes if you'd like?"

I nodded. Alice handed Emily the keys to her car and whispered something in her ear. Alice ran off to Edward's car and Emily and I climbed into Alice's.

She has a freaking Porsche. Ridiculous, I thought. I told Emily where to go and we pulled up to my house since Alice's car was a monster. Emily was obviously having fun driving it.

I didn't want Emily to go in and see my mother, so I said, "You don't have to go inside you know."

Emily looked suspicious and said, "No, it's okay. I'll go with you. Better than waiting in the car." She winked at me.

I climbed out of Alice's Porsche and we went inside.

"Karen?" My mother called out. She came around the corner. She looked like me; same height and chestnut hair, and the same blue eyes, too. Not that anyone can see her eyes since she wears sunglasses.

I looked back at Emily and answered, "Yeah mom, it's me."

Emily smiled reassuringly at me. So she wasn't freaked out? She actually looked curious.

"Mom, I brought a friend home with me. Some of her friends are having a graduation party and she's asked me to go. Will you be alright alone?" I asked.

Mom came over with her hand extended, "Who is this friend?" She asked.

Emily reached out and gripped her hand. "Emily Young." She said.

"Betty Miller." My mom answered, shaking Emily's hand. I cleared my throat.

"Um, we should go now. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

Mom released Emily's hand and said, "No, go ahead. Have fun. You don't need to check up on me every ten minutes." She smiled.

I said goodbye to her and we left. On the way to the Cullen's, I was wondering why Emily hadn't asked about my mom, so I asked her, "Don't you want to know how my mother became blind?"

She looked at me. "Not unless you want to tell me."

"It's not that personal. She just used to work in a metal factory and then one day she had an accident trying to use one of the machines. Long story short, she's blinded permanently.

Emily asked, "Where is your father."

I looked at my hands. "I never met him. I'm the product of a one-night stand."

Emily didn't press the subject. We arrived at the Cullen's house a little while later. As soon as we were in the door, Alice appeared out of nowhere and dragged us upstairs. She picked out an outfit for me to wear, and then we went downstairs.

I actually felt pretty in the dress Alice had picked for me. It was brown and had one strap over my right shoulder. (Picture on profile.) I loved it and I actually felt beautiful. Alice had even told me I could keep it, which was the nicest thing anyone had done for me.

Alice had forced me to dance with her a few times. I was embarrassed at first, but Alice's personality soon made me join in and act crazy. After about five songs, I was thirsty. I started over to the table to get something to drink, when a voice from behind me.

"Get out of my way, I'm starving!" He demanded.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled and jumped out of his way as quick as I could. Nadi appeared out of nowhere, just as Alice had and said, "Outside. Now."

The man's eyes filled with terror and he rushed for the door. Emily and Edward came to my side.

Emily put her arm around me and said, "Karen, it's okay. He's an ass to everyone. He can be a really nice guy if he wants to be. Don't take it personally, and please don't cry."

I closed my eyes, trying to keep the tears in as Emily led me through the crowd and over to the couch.

A/N: So this chapter was a lot like the chapter from my main story "Break Down Here", but in the next chapter it will be different. This chapter is here just to tell you Karen's story.