Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing...

CHAPTER 3: THE RAIN COMETH

BPOV

I awoke to the sound of a car pulling out of the driveway. I had just missed Charlie. Seconds later the memory of last night ran through my mind, bringing red blush to my cheeks. After making myself breakfast in the kitchen, just the fruits on the counter, I decided to unpack, then shower, and perhaps go outside and read, if it was sunny. I headed back upstairs, tripping on a step somewhere in the middle and landing on my knee. At least no one saw, I thought.

I made it up to my room and started with my clothing in the closet. I after emptying my first duffel bag, I opened the second to find my junior prom dress on the top. I knew my mother must've packed it. I remember going to that prom. I didn't really want a date expecting to score just because he bought me a flower, so I went with my girl friends. The dress was perfect. It was strapless and blue, sort of what I figured a modern-day Cinderella would choose. It fit all my curves until I reached my hips where it became loose and puffed out with additional layers in various shades of blue. I went to just above my knees and I silently wondered if I could get away with wearing it to prom again this year, if I decided to go.

I unpacked the rest of my clothing and the books and movies I had brought with me and stored my duffels and suitcase in the closet. I am probably the only girl I know who couldn't fill a closet. It was big, a walk-in, but I doubt that I will ever have enough to fill it with. With that I pulled out a pair of black shorts and a light green tee shirt and headed to the shower. Once again, I was happy my bathroom had no window as I stepped into the shower. The water…was different. It wasn't like taking a shower back home. The water was harder, it came out a lot faster. It's not that I didn't like it, but it surprised me a little. I finished up quickly, got dressed, and brushed my hair into a ponytail. I didn't really wear makeup often, so I wasn't going to do it just go outside and read. I picked up my book and headed out to the patio, first making sure that the door was unlocked behind me. I pulled myself into the chair and started reading. I silently decided while turning the page that I wouldn't need to dress for warm weather here like I did before. I continued to read for a while, every so often changing my position on the lounge chair.

After what seemed like some time, I felt something cold hit my arm. I looked to see that there was a raindrop on my arm. I wasn't worried about one drop so I continued reading.

Drop.

There was another one landing on my book. I stood up and made my way to the middle of the yard, trying to see if there were rain clouds, or rather, what rain clouds looked like so I would know for next time. This was obviously a mistake, for as soon as I had made my way out into the yard, what would've been considered a food-causing rain back in Phoenix started falling. In about 10 seconds, I knew I was wet from head to toe. I started to move inside when I tripped on Charlie's garden hose. Crap I thought, seeing that my book was now in a freshly forming puddle. I started to get up when I noticed the rain wasn't hitting me anymore. I turned my face up to see a girl in a black raincoat and polka-dotted rain boots standing above me with an umbrella. She had short, dark, hair, which came to little spikes framing her face and around her chin. Her eyes were light brown and I noticed a few freckles across her nose as she smiled at me.

"Hi, I'm Alice Cullen," she said extending a hand to help me off the ground. "I live right there." She pointed to the house where I had seen my peeping tom last night. "I'm guessing you're Bella, Charlie's daughter. He said you were coming to live here and that you're my age! He also left a message with my parents this morning saying that you might want to go shopping sometime soon! This is so great!"

I wasn't sure how she had said so much in one breath, but I smiled at her as I got up from the ground. "Yes, I'm Bella. It's nice to meet you Alice."

"Oh Bella you are soaked! Come in to my house we can hang out and you can borrow some of my clothes for now! Oh, you have to come over!"

I nodded and she took my arm and led me towards the back door of her house. We stepped in and she took of her boots and coat while I stood outside and closed the umbrella. I stepped in her home and immediately felt warmer. We were in her kitchen. Chopping vegetables on the counter nearby was a woman who must have been Mrs. Cullen. She had long brown hair as well and a big smile.

"Hi," I said, hoping that I didn't look like too much of a wet rat. "I'm Bella Swan. You must be Mrs. Cullen. It's nice to meet you." I put out my hand to her.

"Oh, honey," said walking towards me. "You can call me Esme, but yes that is me. It's so nice to have you here." She left my hand hanging and reached in to hug me. I felt awful that I was all wet, but she didn't seem to mind. "Alice, go get her some clothing she's going to freeze!"

Alice pulled me up the stairs and into her room. It was exactly as I had expected. Pink, everywhere. She ran over to her closet and found me purple sweatpants and a black shirt and left the room so I could change. I hurried, not wanting to displace her. I opened the door and she ran back in jumping onto her bed. She moved over and we sat together for what felt like hours. She had told me all about school, herself, and her boyfriend, Jasper, and in return I told her all about Phoenix, my friends, and my lack of boyfriend. She sat with wide eyes as I told her I had never really seen snow.

"Never ever?!" she said, as if I had told her I never needed to blink. "Oh I can't wait until this year we are gonna have so much fun! It snows so much, but don't worry about driving in it. I know Charlie bought you a truck, but my brother can totally drive you to school!" I smiled at her, knowing that I was lucky to have her around.

We had just finished exchanging phone numbers when she hopped off her bed and headed towards the door. "I'm gonna grab us some snacks! I'll be right back. Make yourself comfortable!" She skipped out the door and I laughed to myself as I fell back onto the bed. I stared at the ceiling until I heard someone coming through the door.

"Alice, I can't find my phone. Have you seen-" he stopped mid sentence when he saw me on Alice's bed. His face changed into a crooked smile and I sat up taking in this boy. His hair was almost bronze and was disheveled. His eyes were a green color that I couldn't even name. His nose was perfectly straight and he stood in front of me in jeans and a beige shirt.

"Hi," I said, breaking the silence. "I'm Bella. You're-"

"Edward," he said, putting out his hand. His eyes danced as he looked at me, still grinning. "You're new?"

"Uh, yes. I just moved in with my dad, Charlie Swan."

"Oh, I see," he said, shifting his face towards the floor and letting some of his hair falling front of his eyes. "So are you going to Forks High? What year are you?"

"Yeah, I'm going to be a senior. I think Alice said you both were going to be seniors too, right?" He started to move towards me and sat at the foot of Alice's bed.

"Yep, that's right. What else did she say about me?"

"Well, not much else. That you would drive me to school this winter." I smiled at him, he was cute after all.

"Is that so?" He said, his face close to mine. I began to get nervous until he said, "I would be more than happy too."

I smiled at him and his grin seemed to widen as he opened his mouth and said, "You know, you're really pretty."

I blushed and looked down, until he said, "with or without a shirt."

Oh no. I had almost forgotten what had happened and then BOOM right in my face. I looked up and he winked at me I couldn't not believe this. I got off the bed and headed to the door, only to feel him grab my wrist.

"That was a compliment you know," he said.

"You were spying on me!" I replied, pulling wrist from his loose grip.

"Would it help if I apologized?" He was still grinning.

"No it would not! I don't even know and I know your apology would be a lie!"

"Well I can't help that you're beautiful."

"I can't believe this!" I shouted, heading out the door. I flew down the stairs, thankful I didn't trip as I could hear him following me. Alice was in the kitchen with what seemed like a buffet of snacks.

"Alice, I'm sorry, I have to go. I forgot I had promised to make my dad dinner tonight. Call me okay?" She ran over to me and gave me a hug as I headed out the door.

"Okay," she said, letting me go. "You should come over tomorrow though, my friend Rose is coming to hang out and you could meet her too! You would love her!"

I nodded at her, all the while thinking I would not head back to that house with Edward there. I could not believe he had said something about last night! I slammed the door behind me and went up to my room, blinds still closed and sat on my bed. What am I supposed to do now?!