The Power of Two


Summary: Bella moved to Forks, Washington. She was met by a nomadic vampire who changed her; two months later she returns to Forks, a vampire, to finish her schooling.


A/n: This chapter will be good. There will be more characters introduced so keep up and read carefully. This chapter is the longest one yet! Oh and I believe I made it clear that I really didn't want to hear about how my story isn't good enough. I'm writing for me. I love to hear that you like it, it makes my day, but I do this to better my writing skills by learning how to stay on topic and keep my characters straight. I really love it when you review, so keep it coming please!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. These characters belong to Stephanie Meyer as do most of the paraphrased passages in this chapter.


Chapter 2: Sadistic Schooling

Of course I didn't sleep at night being a vampire so I threw on some old clothes to hunt in. As I jumped out the window, the sound of the whooshing rain and wind across the roof disappeared. I walked through the fog and found plenty of wildlife to hunt near our house in the woods. I mostly had carnivores to satisfy myself before sending myself into a place full of humans. My red eyes had just disappeared a few days ago. Even though I didn't look like it, I was still a newborn.

Breakfast with Charlie was a quiet event. He wished me good luck at school. I thanked him, knowing his hope was wasted. Good luck tended to avoid me. Starting with me turning into a vampire and ending with me having to venture into a large group of humans for school. Charlie left first, thankfully with the idea that I would be finishing my breakfast. He was off to the police station—that was his wife and family now. After he left, I sat at the old square oak table in one of the three unmatching chairs and examined his small kitchen, with its dark paneled walls, bright yellow cabinets, and white linoleum floor. Nothing was changed. My mother had painted the cabinets eighteen years ago in an attempt to bring some sunshine into the house. Over the small fireplace in the adjoining family room was a row of pictures.

It was impossible, being in this house, not to realize that Charlie had never gotten over my mom. It made me uncomfortable.

I didn't want to be too early to school, but I couldn't stay in the house anymore. I donned my jacket — which had the feel of a biohazard suit — and headed out into the rain—again.

It was just drizzling still, not enough to soak me through immediately, as I reached for the house key that was always hidden under the eaves by the door, and locked up. The sloshing of my new waterproof boots was unnerving. I missed the normal crunch of gravel as I walked. I had lived with my mom for the past two months since I was changed, getting used to the smell of human blood. I couldn't pause and admire my truck again as I wanted; I was in a hurry to get out of the misty wet that swirled around my head and clung to my hair under my hood

Inside the truck, it was nice and dry. Either Billy or Charlie had obviously cleaned it up, but the tan upholstered seats still smelled faintly of tobacco, gasoline, and peppermint. The engine started quickly, to my relief, but loudly, roaring to life and then idling at top volume. Well, a truck this old was bound to have a flaw. The antique radio worked, a plus that I hadn't expected.

Finding the school wasn't difficult, though I'd never been there before. The school was, like most other things, just off the highway. It was not obvious that it was a school; only the sign, which declared it to be the Forks High School, made me stop. It looked like a collection of matching houses, built with maroon-colored bricks. There were so many trees and shrubs I couldn't see its size at first. Where was the feel of the institution? I wondered nostalgically. Where were the chain-link fences, the metal detectors?

I parked in front of the first building, which had a small sign over the door reading front office. No one else was parked there, so I was sure it was off limits, but I decided I would get directions inside instead of circling around in the rain like an idiot. I stepped unwillingly out of the toasty truck cab and walked down a little stone path lined with dark hedges. I took a deep breath before opening the door.

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

"I'm Isabella Swan," I informed her, and saw the immediate awareness light her eyes. I was expected, a topic of gossip no doubt. Daughter of the Chief's flighty ex-wife, come home at last.

"Of course," she said. She dug through a precariously stacked pile of documents on her desk till she found the ones she was looking for. "I have your schedule right here, and a map of the school." She brought several sheets to the counter to show me.

She went through my classes for me, highlighting the best route to each on the map, and gave me a slip to have each teacher sign, which I was to bring back at the end of the day. She smiled at me and hoped, like Charlie, that I would like it here in Forks. I smiled back as convincingly as I could.

When I went back out to my truck, other students were starting to arrive. I drove around the school, following the line of traffic. I was glad to see that most of the cars were older like mine, nothing flashy. At home I'd lived in one of the few lower-income neighborhoods that were included in the Paradise Valley District. It was a common thing to see a new Mercedes or Porsche in the student lot. The nicest car here was a shiny Volvo, and it stood out. Still, I cut the engine as soon as I was in a spot, so that the thunderous volume wouldn't draw attention to me.

I looked at the map in the truck, trying to memorize it now; hopefully I wouldn't have to walk around with it stuck in front of my nose all day. I stuffed everything in my bag, slung the strap over my shoulder, and sucked in a huge breath. I can do this, I lied to myself feebly. No one was going to bite me or the other way around...hopefully. I finally exhaled an unneeded breath and stepped out of the truck.

I walked past the cafeteria and into building three where my first class was English. This English class was taught by a tall, balding man whose nameplate identified him as Mr. Mason. He signed my slip and sent me to the empty chair at the back without an introduction—thank God. English class went smoothly and I had already read all of the book list. I stepped out of the class when an Asian guy with long hair and glasses came up to me.

"You're Isabella Swan, aren't you?" He looked like the overly helpful, chess club type.

"Bella," I corrected. Everyone within a three-feet radius turned to look at me.

"Where's your next class?" he asked.

I had to check in my bag. "Um, Government, with Jefferson, in building six."

The boy's name was Eric. He escorted me to my class while asking about Phoenix. I made it to building six and then to Trig with Mr. Varner and then to Spanish. I met a girl named Jessica and we walked to lunch together. I'd hoped to see Jacob before lunch, but just as the thought crossed my mind I smelled him in line for food. I remembered that I would have to fake eating and barley kept my look of disgust reigned in.

I told Jessica that I'd be back in a minute before I walked up to Jacob and hugged his back. He turned around confused and then his face smiled when his eyes recognized me. He picked me up and I hugged his neck thankful for something familiar. "Can I buy your lunch today Bella? It would be a good welcome on your first day."

I frowned, "Jake. No. I'm not going to take advantage of a friend like that."

He smiled, "Please Bella? It would make up for all the birthdays I've missed."

I pursed my lips, "No really Jake. I'm feeling kinda sick. I don't think I'll eat today."

He frowned and felt my wrist, "You're freezing Bella!" I'd forgotten about my body temperature or the lack thereof.

"No" I replied, "I just have poor circulation." I am glad I hunted this morning because if I hadn't I'd be a lot colder and not have been able to fool him.

He kissed my head and walked me to the table after paying for his meal. Too helpful Eric was sitting there along with a couple of guys that looked like Jacob and a few more people that looked like friends of Eric. Jacob introduced me to his two friends (the ones who were also giant and dark-skinned like Jacob). Quil and Embry were from the same Indian reservation Jacob was from and they had both come up to school here with Jacob after some incident that Jacob kept avoiding talking about. Jacob then introduced me to the other residents at the table just as Jessica walked up and sat down. I greeted her to let Jacob know he didn't need to waste and introduction. I sat down and decided to test the air. I immediately straightened and I had to act nonchalant as I smelled them.

There were five of them. They were sitting in the corner of the cafeteria. The only corner in fact that held no windows. It would be easy for them on a sunny day to hide out there. The air conditioner stood behind them, pushing the smell of the humans away. I looked up and studied them each closely. There were two girls and in the fist seat set a beautiful blonde with the body of a Sports Illustrated model. The other girl, her polar opposite, was small and pixie-like. The blonde's hair was straight while the smaller girl's hair was black. It stood up in every direction.

The three boys didn't look anything alike. One of the three was gigantic and muscly. He had brown curly hair and cute dimples. Another was extremely tall, more lean. He was honey blonde. The third boy was lanky, less bulky, and he had a mop of bronze colored hair. He was younger looking...or more so than the others who looked like the could be in college or even teachers here.

They were all different, but yet exactly alike. I got out of my seat, excused myself, and made my way over to them. This would be interesting.


A/N: Please review. The next chapter will be the other half of the day. There will be an interesting twist!

Diva!