Chapter 1

My Stinking Life!

My name is William Nicolas Black. Most people call me Billy. I live in Forks, Washington with my parents, Renesmee and Jacob Black, and my twin sister Sarah. I call her Sarahbelle, but it drives her crazy when I do. I am 14 in human standards, but 7 in real years. Sarahbelle and my birthday are in September. My sister and I are fraternal twins. We get along alright, but we bicker sometimes. We kind of have our own language. We can communicate telepathically, and have been able to since we were toddlers. We tend to compete for our father's attention. She always has my Dad's heart in her hands. Ever since I was a baby, she was always his favorite. Now that I'm a teenager my Dad and I tend to butt heads a lot. Sarahbelle is always the "goody-goody". She gets good grades in school, is popular, and is active in soccer and basketball. I, on the other hand, hate school. I rather be riding my dirt-bike, or fishing with Grandpa Charlie, or hunting with Uncle Emmett. I don't get along with too many kids at school. The guys were always trying to pick fights with me, and well, the girls just wanted to date me, which in turn would make some guys jealous. I wouldn't say I'm good looking. I have wavy brown hair that is kind of long now that I part on the side, and my bangs hang in my eyes. I have burgundy-brown eyes, and angular features. I am tall for my age at 6 feet tall, and I do stay fit, for someone that doesn't work out regularly. The girls seem to be smitten with me for some reason. I haven't really dated anyone. I've flirted with a few of them, but no one has really interested me, yet.

Sarahbelle and I were born in Forks and this fall we start the 10th grade at Forks High School. Sarahbelle has been playing in soccer tournaments all summer, and the last week before school she was away at soccer camp. I kind of miss Sis when she is away too long. We do kind of have a weird psychic connection. Sometimes it seems like she is my conscience, keeping me in line. A lot of times it is a way to keep tabs on me too. I tend to wander on my own a lot, in my own world, usually on my dirt-bike. Sometimes I would just walk. Sarahbelle was usually the one to call me home when I was being missed.

One time when I was three, I had wandered out of the yard, chasing my shadow, so it seemed. I ended up in the woods and got lost. My parents frantically searched for hours until after dark. Sarahbelle was the one to help find me, by asking me questions about my surroundings. I was located after dark by Seth, and a couple of Dad's other friends who were helping in the search. I tended to wander a lot, and usually when I wandered I always mad e the excuse that I was chasing my "shadow". As I grew older, my make believe shadow friend faded, and I tended to get in trouble with my parents with my lame excuses. My mother was constantly supportive of me, but my father would always yell at me and punish me. I ended up breaking my punishment and would sneak out of my room, just to get caught again. Sarahbelle would end up telling on me most of the time, and I would be mad at her at first, but I knew in my heart she was only looking after me. She didn't do it out of spite. Sarahbelle was the most loving sister I could ever want. I was just a wanderer and couldn't stay in one place for too long.

The summer had ended and Sarahbelle and I stared high school. We had 4 out of six classes together. We had English, Math, History, and Science together. She took Spanish, and I took French. She took Gym, and I took Shop Class. We happened to have the same lunch together. We weren't old enough to drive ourselves to school, so we usually rode the bus to and from school. High school was typical for me. The girls would hit on me, and the guys game me dirty looks. The classes dragged on. Lunch was lunch, which included more advances from girls. Many slipping me notes with their numbers. My sister would just laugh at their lame attempts to vie for my attention. Even some of her best friends would flirt with me, even when their boyfriends were around.

I can't believe those girls swooning over you, and you won't give even one the time of day. Sarahbelle would tell me telepathically smiling all the while.

I looked her and grinned my half sly smile. Well, what can I say, I'm irresistible. I joked with her.

"Ha!" She said aloud, and our whole lunch table looked at her funny. She embarrassingly looked at her plate of food. They are just attracted to that "bad boy" image you like to play so well.

Whatever "Miss Goody-Goody". I'm not going to be tied down to one person for the rest of my life. I won't imprint on my soul mate, unlike you. You're stuck with Seth for the rest of your life.

She pouted. I love Seth. He's a good guy. Why would you say that?

Sorry, sis. I didn't mean anything by it. Seth is a great guy, and you are lucky to have him. He is a good friend. But I'm not anything like him. I'm not going to be influenced by fate.

I know you are a free spirit, Billy. It's amazing you are my twin brother, being so different from me.

Maybe it's the vampire in me. I am ΒΌ vampire, you know.

She snickered. Maybe that is it.

The second week of school, and I was at lunch, as usual, sitting to the end of the table my sister usually sat at with her friends. I usually sat by myself far from them. One of her girlfriends, Lisa slipped me a note with her number to call her. Lisa was cute, but unavailable, and always blatantly flirting with me. I smiled at her. Her boyfriend, Dan, must have seen her slip me a note, because after lunch he confronted me at my locker.

"You have got some nerve, Billy!" He walked up to me and slammed my locker shut before I could get my books out. I turned toward him quickly taking a defensive stance. He wasn't intimidating to me. Dan was just a few inches shorter than me. He wasn't as broad shouldered at me, but he had unusually large biceps. He grabbed my t-shirt at the collar, and had his other arm behind him, like he was ready to haul back and punch me. I sensed he would, so when his arm came around to hit me, I ducked and he slammed his fist into the locker. As soon as he hit it he let to of my shirt and grabbed his hurt hand with his free hand. He yelled in agony. I tried not to snicker, but the look on his face was priceless. But my snickering only made him angrier, and he body slammed me against the lockers. He had his forearm pushed up against my neck. I started to get mad, so I hauled my fist back and punched him square in the gut. I knocked the wind out of him, and he doubled over in pain, trying to catch his breath. Then the vice principal came to break it up, just as I was about to kick Dan straight in the face. Sarahbelle came running up to me as a teacher held me against the locker, and Dan was being coddled by the vice principal. I struggled with the teacher, who had a hard time holding me back.

Billy what did you do? Sarahbelle asked.

That jerk tried to hit me!

You better calm down before they call the cops.

I stopped struggling with the teacher and put my hands up in a surrender position. The teacher grabbed me by the collar of my jean jacket, and pulled me down the hall toward the main office. I followed Dand who was still slumped over as he walked beside the vice principal. I could hear Sarahbelle following behind me. I followed Dan into the frosted glass office of the vice principal. Dan sat in the chair further away. The teacher forcefully sat me in the chair next to the door. I didn't even look at Dan but I could feel his glare.

"Alright boys, who wants to start?" The vice principal spoke. The teacher was still standing next to my chair in case I attacked Dan or something. Neither are of us spoke. I crossed my hands in my lap, and stared at them.

"Okay, so no one wants to talk? How 'bout 3 days in school suspension for both of you?"

Then we both spoke in unison. "He started it! No, he did!" We both pointed at each other.

"One at a time. Billy Black you start."

"He started it. He just came up to my locker and went to hit me, he missed and then slammed me against the locker, and was trying to choke me, so I punched him.

Dan looked at me dumbfounded.

"You didn't provoke Dan?" Vice principal asked.

'No. I didn't do anything."

"That's bull Mr. Nelson. He's been hitting on my girl friend for weeks now, and he knows it."

"Not true, sir. She's the one that's been hitting on me.

"Liar! I saw her slipping you a note." Dan was out of his seat, pointing at me. I barely gave him a glance.

"I can't help it if she has a thing for me, dude." I didn't even flinch.

Dan wanted to tackle me, and I felt it coming. The teacher got between us and sat him back in his seat.

"Alright that is enough for the both of you. 3 days in school suspension. I'm going to have to call your parents."

Oh, great! I thought.

"Billy, please stop out while I call Dan's parents." Mr. Nelson said.

I didn't and walked out to the outer office where my sister was waiting for me. She new by my look that I was in trouble.

Oh, no, are you in big trouble?

3 days suspension.

Dad is going to ring your neck.

No kidding.

I sat next to her in the waiting area, and 5 minutes later Dan came out and I was called to come in the office. Mr. Nelson was already on the phone.

"Mrs. Black? I'm sorry to tell you this but Billy has gotten into an altercation with another student and we'll have to suspend him for three days. School policy, sorry to say. No, I don't think he started it, but I have to take measures so this doesn't become a problem. Thank you Mrs. Black. If you'd like to come in for a conference you may. Oh, I see. Well, it is in school suspension, so he will be supervised at school. Okay. I will send the paperwork home with Billy. Thank you for your time Mrs. Black."

Mr. Nelson paused to fill our the paperwork.

"Okay. Billy you may retrun to class. Have your parents sign this slip, and return it into the ISS room tomorrow."

"Okay."

I took the paper and walked out. Dan had left and Sarahbelle still sitting waiting for me.

"You okay, Billy?"

"Yeah, until I get home."

I finished the rest of the school day, as droll as it was. The fight with Dan was the most exciting thing to happen at school in a long time. My last class was Shop Class which I enjoyed the most out of all my classes. I loved being able to tinker with machinery and taking it apart, and trying to figure out how to put it back together again. It was probably the most disciplined thing in my life. I met Sarahbelle outside the gym after school, and we walked to the bus. As soon as I walked in the house Mom immediately asked me what had happened at school. She gave me the stern "Mom" look.

"Mom, I didn't start it okay? Sarahbelle's friend Lisa was flirting with me again, and today she slipped me her phone number. Dan, her boyfriend, must have seen it, so when lunch let out I went to my locker, and he tried to hit me. He missed me, and then slammed me against my locker and had his arm on my neck trying to choke me. It was self defense."

"Why is it that trouble always seems to follow you, Billy?"

"I guess I'm just a danger magnet. I don't know."

"You did hit the boy, though, right?"

"He was choking me, Mom."

"You need to have a little more restraint. You know what your father's going to say."

"I know. I'm dreading it. Do we have to tell him?"

"You know he would find out eventually. He would only be more angry if I kept this from him."

"I guess you're right. I wouldn't want to cause problems between you two."

My father must have been working late, because he wasn't home at his usual 5 o'clock. Dad owns Black's Auto Repair shop in town. He's been owner/operator for 5 years. A couple of his friends, Embry and Quil work for him. Seth helps out on weekends sometimes, when he is not busy with his studies. Dad hasn't asked me to come to work for him yet, but I would love the chance to work on cars. I don't think he even knows I have an interest in repair work. We never really talked about it much. When 6 o'clock came around, I heard Dad's BMW drive up the gravel driveway. I stayed in my room. I didn't really want to have the wrath brought down just yet. I smelled that dinner was ready soon after. Lasagna it seemed, which was Dad's favorite. Mom must be using his favorite dinner as a distraction. A few minutes later, Mom called me down for dinner. I wanted so much to run away. I slowly came down the steps. Das was at the kitchen table ready to eat. Sarahbelle was there as well. I sat at my usual spot, and Mom served my plate in front of me. She patted my arm and smiled at me. I didn't look at Dad. I concentrated on dinner.

"So kids, how was school today?" He usually asked at dinnertime.

Sarahbelle chimed in first as usual. "Great Dad. I got an A on the Algebra quiz."

"Good job, Sarah." He smiled and patted her shoulder.

Sarahbelle looked over to me. I shook my head at her. Don't even think about it!

You have to tell him.

No!

"Billy I haven't heard from you, yet." Dad asked.

"School's school. Same stuff different day."

"You're being a bit vague." He sensed I was stalling. I could feel his stare. I didn't look at him. I looked to my Mom for support.

"Billy got in a fight today." Sarahbelle spat out. I glared at her.

"Sarahbelle!" I yelled to her.

I could see Dad's face turn red under his russet complexion. "Oh, really? Fighting again? I thought we were past all this last year. Haven't you ben in enough trouble in Middle School? Now you're starting all over again. What is it with you, Billy?" He started to yell.

Thanks a lot, Sarahbelle!

Sorry, Billy, it slipped.

"You have to get it together, Billy. You're in high school now. You want to be kicked out of school? You keep on this road and you will."

I started to get angry. "I don't care. I hate school! It's boring."

"Boring? We pay for a good education for you so you can make something of your life. You want to be a dropout and be a bum? YOu need to get your act together. You can't play the bad boy for too much longer. You'll only end up in worse trouble."

"I'm not going to be a bum, alright? Just lay off would you? As usual you don't even take the chance to listen to me."

"Okay. I'm listening. What is it?"

"It wasn't my fault. The guy came after me."

"Yeah, right, Billy. Make up another lame excuse."

"It's true Jake." Mom rang in. "The boy provoked Billy."

"Why are you always taking his side, Ness? You believe his crap? He's lying like he always does."

"I'm not lying!" I yelled and pushed away from the table. "Why can't you believe me for once?" I started to run off to my room.

"That's right, just run away, like you always do!"

I ran up to my room looking in my mirror at my reflection. Why was I so different from Dad? I looked nothing like him. I didn't look much like my mother either. How was it possible that he was my father when he disliked me so much? Are my parents keeping a deep dark secret from me? What if it were possible?

I put on my black hoodie and snuck out of my bedroom window. I lowered myself to the ground and ran off to the garage. It was almost dusk. I snuck in the garage and wheeled out my dirt bike. When I got to the clearing in the through the woods, I started up my bike, put on my helmet and took off. I barely heard my father call for me. Not stopping!

Billy, where are you going? Sarahbelle spoke in my head.

I need some air.

Mom's going to worry about you.

She always pulls the "Mom" card on me.

I'll be back soon. Don't worry.

The cool damp wind through the forest mad me feel free again. I raced up and down hills and swiftly across small brooks, splashing water and mud on my jeans. I loved spinning out in circles while revving the engine, kicking up mud and debris. This is the best feeling in the world!

It was almost dark, and I turned my headlight on and headed back home. When I pulled up into the garage, Dad was there smacking his palm with a wrench. I slowly got off the bike, and took my helmet off. As soon as I got off the bike, Dad quickly disassembled the distributor cap off my bike.

"What are you doing?" I yelled at him.

"From here on out you are grounded, indefinately. That means no bike either. I will take apart this whole thing if I have to. For now I'm taking this." He yanked the cap off, threw the wrench across the garage, and walked out.

"Thanks a lot, Dad! Just take away all my fun!"

I chased after him, and tried to grab the distributor cap out of his hand. We wrestled with it for a minute, but Dad was much bigger than me, and stronger. I fell backwards trying to pull too hard and slipped. I didn't hurt myself. Then I quickly got up and followed him into the house, yelling for my mother.

"Mom! He took the cap off my bike! Tell him to put it back!"

Mom came in and stood before us.

"Jake, what's going on?" She asked.

"I took the distributor cap off his bike, so he can't run off anymore. He has no respect for either one of us, and he needs to grow up a little and take his lumps. He can't go running off everytime he gets in a little trouble."

"But, Mom! Riding my bike is the only way I can relax and chill out."

Mom looked to my Dad. "Jake can't we try to trust his judgement? He always comes back."

"No. He's grounded. Riding his bike is a priveledge. Until I see a vast improvement in his attitude, grades adn mannerism, then we will see. I've had enough!"

"You never give him a chance. Why?" Mom asked.

"You know why?" He glared at her.

"That's not fair, Jake."

"We're not discussing this anymore. He's grounded until further notice."

He walked out of the house. I knew where he was going. Running with the wolves. Talk about me always running away!

My Mom sat down in a chair and started crying. I went to her, and knelt in front of her.

"Mom, don't cry. Please. I'm sorry."

She looked at me with tears in her eyes.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I'll try to do better. Don't cry okay?"

I tried wiping her tears. Then she hugged me.

"I love you, Billy. You sure can be sweet when you want to be."

"I love you too, Mom. Don't let Dad upset you. It's my fault." She stopped hugging me.

"No, Billy. It's who you are. I understand. You're father may not, but I do."

"Thanks Mom. But I'll try and do better."

"Okay. I know you will. You have a good heart, Billy."

"I just wish Dad could see that."