Lost Within the Shadows

Chapter Two

By the time lunch rolled around, I was carrying three textbooks as well as my binder and notebook. I made a mental note to carry around my tote bag tomorrow so my back won't give away. I swear, by the end of the year I had better be stronger muscle-wise.

I had no idea where to sit. I saw Raven with two other girls who had long black hair and hazel eyes, with the same pale skin and dark circles under their eyes. They all looked like triplets, except Raven's hair was cut differently. They sat in a table.

"Hi, you Danni, right?" a girl asked me. She had brown hair that went down to her belly button, brown eyes, and a fair, even complexion.

"Correct," I said. I couldn't remember where I had seen this girl's face before.

"I'm in your Spanish class," she beamed. "I'm Mallory, ok?"

"Nice to meet you," I said, smiling.

"Want to sit with me? I sit with Lauren, Katie, Vincent, and Lucas," she gestured toward a table near the middle, which also looked like it was at the center of attention.

"Sure," I said, eagerly. I needed a place to sit, and Mallory was offering. It was like I was being sent an apology from fate.

I followed Mallory, hoping I didn't seem like too much of a pathetic little dog, following people around. That would make me very uncomfortable.

Mallory introduced me to everybody. Lauren had long, thick, curly red hair and green eyes, Katie had a light blonde bob, Vincent had short, gelled brown hair, and Lucas had short brown hair. They all looked perfect, and like they belonged together. I mean, it is September, and they've probably been hanging out since school started last month, in August. It made me feel slightly left out, but each of them warmly welcomed me.

I got into line with Mallory and Katie, and it turned out that they were both trying out for cheerleading. I figured that a lot of freshman would tryout, because I know in California nearly half the girls in each grade level had tried out one time or another in their life. Some gave up after not making the squad. Each year since sixth grade when cheerleaders were needed, I made the squad. It made me feel special, for lack of a better word.

We were behind Raven and her friends in line. Raven was talking about her mom, which the other two called 'Bella.' According to their conversations, Bella was married to Edward and they were both young, and they had adopted Raven.

It was amazing what you could find out from a single eavesdropped conversation. It made me feel bad. I would've preferred to find out that information by being friends with Raven, but I knew I didn't fit in with her at all.

I grabbed lemonade and a sandwich, as well as an apple. I was trying not to make it seem like I'm trying too hard and even lunch counts when you're considering the girls who try too hard. Forks High was a whole new experience to me, and I was trying to soak up as much as I could. Sophomore year and so forth would be so much easier if I can soak up knowledge of Forks this year.

Also, considering this is my first year in high school, I really need the experience.

I paid for my lunch, and waited for Mallory to get out of line. She emerged with a diet coke and a cheeseburger, which surprised me. It had seemed in California, everybody ate well, and all the cheerleader-type girls ate near vegetarian meals. Oh well, I guess since its Washington state instead of sunny Cali, it's different. I'm not sure; I just know this is different.

I sat back down with Mallory, and the others got up to get in line.

"They're not being rude," Mallory filled in. "This is just our system. Some of us get lunch while the others make sure nobody else decides to get bold and take our table. Then when the first group gets their lunch and sits down, the second group gets up. We've been doing that since seventh grade, in Forks Middle."

Once the others got back, the conversation really started flowing.

"We should all go up to La Push this weekend. It's supposed to be sunny, and my older sister can take us. She's going with her senior friends Friday night, only they're staying for a week. They'll just be ditching school," Katie said.

"Sounds fun," Vincent replied.

Everybody else agreed. When there was a sunny weekend, it seemed like everyone was leaving.

"I can set it up so my brother can pick us up, since we can't get away with ditching for a week. A day, probably, but a full five days, probably not," Lauren said.

"I don't think the teachers could handle the loss," Lucas said, snickering.

Raven and her friends passed out table, and I couldn't help but notice how graceful their movements were.

"Who are they?" I asked Mallory.

"My older sister, Jessica, warned me about the Cullens'. Apparently, when she was still attending Forks, there were a group of kids who were all effortlessly beautiful and kept to themselves. There was Emmett Cullen, Jasper Cullen, Edward Cullen, Alice Cullen, and Rosalie Cullen. They were all together, except Edward. Well Edward started 'dating' Isabella Swan, better known as Bella Swan. You know, Chief Swan's daughter. This was all several years ago. Bella had a daughter, and then adopted another. Nobody has seen her biological daughter, and the adopted daughter is Raven Cullen. Raven's friends are Bailey and Victoria, and nobody really knows who they are except that they're twins. Emmett, Jasper, Alice, and Rosalie kind of disappeared after they all graduated," Mallory said, unwrapping her burger.

"There are a lot of stories about the Cullens'. In fact, they're all adopted. Their adoptive father, Dr. Cullen, is a doctor at the hospital and he looks really young, like he hasn't aged at all. It's eerie," Vincent said.

It took me awhile to get my head wrapped all around this nonsense. So Raven's adopted? I don't know why she's so… laid back like she could care less about things. She is so relaxed all the time. Doesn't her life get slightly hectic at times?

I mean, with two uncles and two aunts who aren't even blood related to you and young parents and grandparents… doesn't life get a tad unusual?

Maybe Raven is just immune to everything that is hectic. I mean, I moved to this town where nobody moves to, a month into the school year, and she didn't even flinch.

I opened up my lemonade and took a long drink. Life could get a little interesting.

I am sorry that most of my chapters are short; I guess that's just how I write. I promise that next chapter will be a longer one, meaning I'll probably take a while to update. It'll probably be tomorrow morning or late tonight when it gets updated. XD that's what I consider a long time to update.