Chapter two

It's been about three months since the incident, now Jeb Total and I were in a taxi on the way to the airport. I had not been asked if I wanted to move, it was a choice Jeb made on his own, much to my annoyance. I hated it when he acted like a parent, I wasn't a child he should no that more than anyone. We had been living in Washington D.C because Jeb had to finish up some business with the government, I didn't know the details and frankly I didn't want to.

We were moving to Washington, State, you'd think D.C would be in Washington like New York city's in New York State but it's not, that was explained to me by a smug looking Total. After extensive googleing I've decided I'm going to like Washington; it's quite rainy and cloudy so I should get to fly every night.

The flight to Port Angeles was boring and uneventful, I had a minor claustrophobia issue but that passed when I fell asleep an hour into the flight, it wasn't a calm sleep but it was good felt slightly wrong to be in a plane, like me rightful place was on the outside next to the plane not inside of it. The only thing about whole moving thing I enjoyed was when Total was told he would have to be in a cage, he bit three people before they finally got him in there.

When we arrived I found out Jeb had brought a car and it was waiting for us outside of the airport. The car was big and black, it reminded me of the cars government agents have in all of those movies, it made me wondered briefly whether Jeb was still working for the government, he told me he didn't anymore but Jeb's told me alot of things. I chose to file that thought away under 'keep for further assessment' as I got into the car.

I got a lot of time to take in the scenery as we drove to the little town we were going to be living in, I concluded that it was very green. There wasn't much else to say about it. I didn't know if I liked the green or not; on one hand the forest meant I had losts of room but on the other it gave the place a sort of mysterious feel, I mean anyone could be hiding in the trees.

Our new house wasn't anything special, it was on a road where all of the houses were identicle, maybe Jeb would let me paint the house orange.

When we got inside Total was horrified to find that he wasn't getting his own room and then declared the living room was his, I would have complained but after getting out of the cage he'd been a bit agressive.

Walking into my room I was filled with relief, finally some time on my own. I set up the ancient computer my mom had given me in the corner, I knew I probably wouldn't us it much, it was mom's old one and it took forever to turn on. I looked around my room, it was the biggest room I'd ever had, which wasn't saying much, the walls were a faded purple cololur and had cracks and stains on them, the bed and draws looked old and used, there wasn't any other furniture in the room, not that it mattered to me anything was better than the forest floor. The thought made me slightly sad; this room was full of the discarded stuff of the person before me but it was the best room I've ever had, isn't my life great.

I didn't sleep well that night; I haven't slept well since…well you know. The rain seemed to make it worse thought. The constant whooshing of the rain and wind across the roof wouldn't fade into the background.

Thick fog was all I could see out my window and I could feel the claustrophobia creeping up on me. You could never see the sky here; it was like a cage. I shuddered at the thought.

I quickly dressed and ran down stairs. Looking around the kitchen I was shocked Jeb wasn't there.

"He's already gone to work." Total was standing on one of the chairs with his front paws on the table.

"What are you a mind reader now too?" The second I said it I wished I hadn't. Instantly my chest felt like it was being ripped open. Angel. My little girl.

I tried desperately to gain control over my facial expression so that Total wouldn't worry. Should have known he'd see through it.

"You don't have to pretend Max, I'm hurting too."

"I know, I'm sorry for taking you away from…her" I couldn't even say her name. How pathetic.

"Well I guess I should get to school."

I had no car so I had to walk, in the rain. I was not a happy camper.

After walking the 2 miles to the school I walked to the building which had the sign FRONT OFFICE. I looked around and no one else was there, please please let it not be an inset day (A/N-I'm from England. When I went to school if the school was closed without it being a holiday it was called an inset day, I don't know if that's what it is called in America sorry if its not).

Inside, it was brightly lit, and warmer than I'd hoped. The office was small; a little waiting area with padded folding chairs, orange-flecked commercial carpet, notices and awards cluttering the walls, a big clock ticking loudly. Plants grew everywhere in large plastic pots, as if there wasn't enough greenery outside. The room was cut in half by a long counter. There were three desks behind the counter; one of them was managed by a large red-haired woman wearing glasses.

The red-haired woman looked up. "Can I help you?"

"I'm Max Ride." I refused to take Jeb's last name.

I saw immediate awareness light her eyes. It seems I was expected. The thought brought dread.

"Of course" she said. She dug through a pile of documents on her desk till she found what she was looking for. "I have your schedule right here, and a map of the school." She handed me the papers and highlighted the path to my first class. Her eagerness to help was irritating, I just wanted to get on with this as quickly and anonymously as possible.

She wanted to go through my classes with me but I was fed up with her. Before I left she gave me a sheet of paper I needed my teachers to sign. Why? And said she hoped I liked it here in Forks. I tried to smile at her but failed miserably.

I looked around the parking lot to see that students had started to arrive. All in cars. Was I the only one at this school who has to walk?

I walked into the closest building for shelter and took out the map, trying to memorise it. The bell rang. Oh shit. I sucked in a huge breath. I can do this, I lied feebly. No one is going to bite me. I finally exhaled and step out into the rain.

I kept my face pulled back into my hood and moved my shoulders, I didn't get to fly yesterday so I was agitated. I walked to the sidewalk which was crowded with teenagers. Finding the class room was pretty easy.

I took the slip up to a tall, balding man I assumed was the teacher. He gawked at me, making my already limited patience strained. He sent me to the back. I was thankful because the other students couldn't stare if I was at the back of the room. I read through the list the teacher had given me, it was full of names I had never heard of before. I'll have to ask Jeb for help when I get home. I sighed, I'm loosing more and more of my pride every day.

When the bell finally rang a gangly boy with skin problems came up to me.

Why? I don't know. Surely they know that if I wanted to talk to them I would.

"Your Max Ride, aren't you?" he asked.

"Yes"

"Every one thought you'd be a boy." Why would you tell me that? He said it like it was surposed to be charming, as if to say 'oh those feather head'.

"Oh" Was all I said, I didn't want to talk to this boy and I figured responding would only encourage him.

"Where's your next class?" Leave me alone.

"Government. Building six" I know, I know, I responded but it just slipped out. Putting me in a class on government was Jeb's idea of a joke.

"I'm headed towards building four I could show you the way." I don't want your help. I probably needed it but I didn't want it.

"I'm Eric" Good for you.

I didn't say anything. I just kept walking. Unfortunately he followed.

"So, this is a lot different than D.C, huh?"

"Yes"

"How much does it rain there?" I was only there for a few months.

"Less than here"

We walked back around the cafeteria, to the south buildings by the gym. Eric walked me right to the door, though it was clearly marked and I refused to talk anymore.

"Well, good luck." He said as I touched the handle "maybe we'll have some other classes together" he sounded hopeful. Idiot. I just ignored him.

The rest of the morning passed basically the same. One girl insisted I sit with her and her friends at lunch. I didn't know her name and I didn't want to. I just nodded as she prattled on. We sat at a full table with several of her friends, who she introduced me to. I forgot their names as soon as she spoke them. For some reason they seemed impressed she had the courage to speak to me. The boy, Eric, waved at me from across the room.

Then I saw them.

The first thing I felt when I saw them was my fight or flight instinct kicking in. Just by looking at them I knew they were dangerous. Predators. I kept staring, no not staring, analysing.

They were sitting in of the corner of the cafeteria, as far away from where I was sitting possible. There were five of them. They weren't talking, and they weren't eating, though they all had a tray of untouched food.

There were three boys; one was massive with dark hair. Another was less muscular with blond hair. The last was lanky and a red-head. There were also two girls; a tall blond and the other was a tiny girl with short black hair.(A/N- I would have gone into more detail but you all know what they look like)

I would have found them attractive if I wasn't so suspicious. They are like those poisonous butterflies that look beautiful but can kill with a single bite.

The only thing they had in common was their really white skin and their eyes, which were black. As I watched the little female got up and walked away. I wondered for a minute if I should ask who they were but just as I was about to whats-her-name spoke.

"There the Cullen's and the Hale's." She said following my gaze.

Suddenly the ginger male one looked over to us, but quickly looked away.

"They all live together with Dr Cullen and his wife. There all together. The big guy, Emmett, and the blond girl, Rosalie. And the blond boy, Jasper, and the small girl, Alice. And they live together."

I wanted to get all the information I could get so I kept the conversation on them.

"Which ones are the Cullen's? They don't look related."

"Oh, there not. Dr Cullen is really young. They're all adopted. The Hale's are brother and sister, the blonds, they're foster children." That didn't really help me. I needed information that might come in handy if I have to fight them.

"Have they always lived here?"

"No" she said as though it was obvious. "They moved down two years ago from Alaska." Two years? So they didn't come for me. That didn't mean they weren't a threat.

I decided I wouldn't look at them for the rest of lunch but couldn't help asking "Who's the ginger one?"

"That's Edward. He's gorgeous, and he's more of a copper colour," I almost laughed at that "but don't waste your time. He doesn't date. Apparently none of the girls here are good-looking enough for him."

"He turned you down then?" I didn't care if she was insulted; she made it obvious that's what had happened.

The bell finally rang and I walked to biology. Turns out luck wasn't with me today since a quick scan of the room showed the only seat left was next to one of the Cullen's.

I got the teacher to sign the slip and took my seat. I looked over to Cullen to see he had tensed and was staring at me with a confused and hostile expression. Whatever. I turned away.

I could feel his stare and it was seriously starting to piss me off. In anger I turn to him glaring. We were now having a glaring contest. What was wrong with this guy? Why do all red heads hate me? I did notice that he wasn't as lanky as I thought he was, he actually had some muscle.

The bell rang, had it really been an hour, damn I hadn't listened to one word the teacher said. Before I could yell at him he had run away. What a wimp. I collected my stuff and headed to gym.

Jeb had given me strict instructions on how much strength I could use in gym. Before I even got out of the class room a boy blocked my path.

"Aren't you Max Ride?" The boy asked. He was blond, blue-eyed and grinning like a nutter.

"Yes" Didn't I have this conversation with Eric?

"I'm Mike" I don't care.

"Do you need help finding your next class?"

"No"

"What do you have?"

"Gym"

"That's my next class too". So?

He seemed so thrilled, though it wasn't that big of a coincidence in a school this small. We walked to class, well I walked he followed, he was a talker; and I hated it.

I had to sit out since it was my first day. Which sucked I was looking forward to exercising a bit, my limbs hadn't had much of a workout since the day before we came here.

As I was going to give in the slip with the teacher signatures I saw Cullen stomping out of the office. He sent me a glare before getting in his car. Weird.

When I got home I was starving. I wasn't allowed to have a lot of food at school because it would attract attention and I didn't have much breakfast.

"Total, is there any food here?"

"No, you ate it all last night." Damn.

"Is there any money maybe we could order something?"

"Nope. How was school?"

"Hell."

Total signed. "Max you have to try." Total was trying to be an adult, as if I need another one.

"Yeah. I know, but those kids are just so…" I couldn't think of a word. To be honest there wasn't really anything wrong with them. "Never mind."

I watched TV with Total until Jeb came home. And guess what? He brought take out!

"So how was your first day at school?" he asked.

"fmhhmfmd" Was my answer

"Max. Swallow then speak."

I swallowed the huge piece of burger that was in my mouth and tried again.

"Fine." Jeb just smiled and shook his head, I hate it when he does that, it makes me feel like...a teenager.