Sadly, I do not own the characters but the story idea is mine.

My Beta is Kirifox

New beginnings

I woke up early and got dressed in my pink and white knee knockers with matching pink polo and tennis shoes. I was so excited! I was actually going to ride my bike to the park and go to the pool alone, with no supervision. This was a first and I was overwhelmed at the idea of doing what I want for a change.

It is funny how life plays its tricks on you. Something lost, something gained. I have made a decision to never plan too far a head again because you never know when life is going to throw you a curve ball out of left field.

This was definitely a curve ball with an extra twist.

I made my way to the kitchen. Mom had a quiche fixed for breakfast. After I ate, I told mom I was heading to the park. On my way out the door mom said, "I want you back home by 6 pm" in a low tone.

I could tell she had mixed feelings about me going. I could tell by her down-turned smile that she was trying not to show it. I hugged her and told her I loved her and I would be home by or before 6 o'clock. I almost half expected her to stop me.

The ride to the park was enjoyable. I really took in the scenery and smells of the city. I usually went the other way because school was on the other side of town. This was new territory for me and I loved it. I could not help but feel today was going to be exciting.

When I arrived at the pool, it was 10 am. The pool was already open. I made my way up to the pay window, paid my $5.00 and headed for the women's locker room. I opened my bag, changed and showered. I slipped my flip-flops and my sunglasses on, along with my wrap around my bikini and made my way out to the pool. I found a lounge chair near the center of the pool. I wanted to be in the line of traffic for obvious reasons. I wanted to meet new people.

I set my stuff down, slipped off my flip-flops, sunglasses and wrap and I started toward the far end of the pool where the diving board was.

There were about 30 people in the pool area by this time so I thought, I am going to go for it.

I had only ever swum in the pool at school, but a public pool is not much different.

I loved the pool at St Mary's Catholic School. I got lots of practice diving and I loved to watch the swim and diving team practice.

I made my way up the ladder to the diving board and walked out toward the end. I took a quick scan of the area and about this time, the epitome of a teenage girl's dream stepped out of the boys shower room.

I was in what I can only describe as shock, as his eyes met mine. Our eyes locked on each other and I stood there staring like a silly idiotic person. I was wondering why I could not look away. I watched as his eyes went up and down my body and I felt overly exposed.

Someone from behind me yelled "Jump!" and started jumping on the diving board, causing me to lose my footing and tumble into the pool. I was utterly embarrassed. I came up gasping for air after being rudely taken by surprise. Immediately, I was caught off guard when two arms wrapped around me and pulled me to the edge of the pool. After he made sure I had hold of the side he come around to my side and looked at me.

He said, "Miss, are you OK? It is not wise to stand on the diving board too long in front of Emmett. He has no patience and loves a chance to make a fool out of someone. You just made his day. Oh, I am sorry I have not introduced myself. 'Hi' I am Edward Cullen and that is my brother Emmett."

"Hi! I am Bella Swan". I replied. "It is nice to meet you, and thank you. However, I think Emmett is very rude."

Emmett yelled out, "I am sorry".

I thought, I bet you are.

There was no doubt that Edward was good looking but as I looked around, I did not see the dream I saw a few moments ago. Maybe I scared him off. I sure hope not.

What is wrong with me? I have never thought of a boy in any manner other than a friend. Now a person I have not met before has peaked my curiosity.

Edward started asking me questions I really did not want to answer right now, like 'do you live around here'. These were questions I would not answer to someone I just met.

As if on cue, the dreamy stranger came around the bend from the concession stand. Before I could stop my mouth, it betrayed me by saying, "Who is that?" in a more than eager voice.

Edward turned and said "That is Jasper. He is quiet and reserved, stays to himself most the time. He is kind of a geek."

"Oh" I shyly replied. What I saw was not geeky.

I turned to Edward and politely excused myself from my uncomfortable situation. I made my way to the ladder and climbed out of the pool. I could see Edward's eyes following me, which made me a little nervous. I was beginning to feel a little self-conscious in my bikini. I have never been so exposed in public before. Nevertheless, all the other girls were wearing bikinis too so I pushed those thoughts to the back of my head.

I walked over to my lounge chair, got my towel, dried off and spread it out on my chair. Just as I was about to sit down I heard a loud, very happy person come up behind me. I was beginning to wonder if everyone approaches you from behind around here. Does anyone know how to confront you face to face?

"Hi! I am Alice, What is your name? Are you new here? Do live around here? How old are you? What grade are you in? Where are you from? Do you like to shop? I love meeting new friends!"

"Whoa! Slow down Alice." When she said 'friend' I could not help but smile. I hoped I had just met my first new friend. She was jumping around as if she just had lunch at Willie Wonka's Chocolate factory. I have never seen anyone on a sugar high but if I had to guess, it would look like her.

"Hi! I am Bella. One question at a time. Please."

"Hi Bella Do you live around here?"

"Yes I do." I replied happily.

"What grade are you in?" Alice asks.

"I start high school this fall as a freshman." I replied.

"That is so great Bella. I will be a freshman too. We are going be best friends. I can feel it," she replied happily. "Do you like to shop?"

"Yes, I do, but I do not get to go very often," I replied.

"Why not?" she asks.

"Well, I have spent my whole life in private schools. I always wore uniforms so I never needed casual clothes much. I have plenty of fancy dresses, you know, for church, parties, balls, dinners and events with the Junior Cotillion."

"What! Parties and Balls! What in the world, are you talking about?" She asks confused.

"It is a long story so I would rather talk about it later. Maybe you could come over to my house tomorrow, meet my mom, and I can show you some of my things and tell you all about it." I replied happily.

"I would like that very much Bella. How is 10 o'clock in the morning?" She replied happily.

"Sounds like a plan. My address is 2014 Missouri Avenue" I replied.

Alice said, "I saw you and Edward after Emmett dumped you in the pool. Edward is a nice person. I have been trying to get his attention but he is always busy with his friends."

"I was uncomfortable with him grabbing me from behind even though I know it was to help me" I replied. "Hey Alice do you know that boy over there? Jasper?"

"Ha! Ha! Jasper? Why? Do you like him?" she asks only too eager to know.

"Well he is cute. There is just something about him..." I said shyly.

"I can introduce you!" she replied excited.

"What, you know him?" I asked, shocked.

"Sure do," she replied excitedly.

"I am not sure." I mumbled quietly.

"Oh! Come on! He will not bite," she replied pulling my arm.

"How do you know?"

"Because silly, he is my twin brother!"

I could feel my face turn three shades of red. I just told my new-found friend I was looking at her brother.

"It's OK Bella. I will not tell him you were staring at him if you do not want me to. But he will like you," she said happily.

"Oh! Really?" I replied questioning her.

"I know him better than anyone does." She said happily, while leading me around the pool.

I walked half way around the pool with Alice until we come upon my idea of a dream.

"Hey Jazz, I want you to meet Bella. She is new here and is starting school in the fall as a freshman."

I watched as he stood up and bowed slightly. "I am pleased to meet you Bella", he said politely.

"I am happy to make your acquaintance" I replied. His politeness did not escape me. Could he be anymore perfect? Again, our eyes were locked on each other until Alice said, "OK Bella, let's go get some lunch."

We ate lunch and then sunbathed for an hour. I occasionally would sneak a peak at Jasper and saw him watching me a couple of times. My stomach was feeling butterflies it has never felt before. This day was just getting started and I had already made two friends. I also met a couple more, Edward and, well not Emmett officially, but I am not sure if they are friends yet.

"Bella, let's get back in the pool. I am getting hot and I see Edward in there," she said happily

We made our way back into the pool. We swam side to side in the 7 ft. deep area. We were really enjoying ourselves, but when we were on our third time across, I was hit with a beach ball. I grabbed the beach ball and looked around to see where it came from. Alice was almost to the other side of the pool. I did not see anyone who was looking for a ball when suddenly, something pulled my leg and I bobbed down and came back up again. I turned to meet a light-brown-haired boy. Immediately I shouted "Who do you think you are? Why did you do that?"

He laughed, "Hi! I am James and you have my beach ball."

I threw it at him and said "you hit me with it."

He laughed again, as I turned to swim toward Alice, who was coming back for me. James grabbed me around my waist and said "come on baby do not be that way.

"For your information, I am not your baby, nor will I ever be your baby," I replied angrily. "I am not being any certain way. I am leaving a rude person. Has no one ever told you that you never touch a lady without her permission?" I stated angrily.

He stopped laughing. "I am sorry" he replied. "Can I start again?" as he released me. "Hi! I am James. Nice to meet you."

I said "Fine. I am Bella." Alice stopped me before I said anything else and grabbed my arm, pulling me away.

"Come on Bella. You do not want to know him."

James started to get angry but before he could say anything, Jasper came out of nowhere.

"James if you know what is good for you, you will leave my sister and our friend alone," Jasper said in an angry tone. James immediately backed off and left the pool. I could tell he was angry and could have sworn he said something like "this is not over".

Jasper asked if we were OK and we both said yes. Jasper looked at me and said "Bella, Alice is right. Avoid James. He is bad news," in a concerned and warning tone. He left the pool and went back to his laptop.

"Alice, does Jasper ever swim?"

"No. He comes more to keep an eye on me," she replied.

"Oh" I replied. "He looks smart."

"Oh, he is smart, and he is a black belt in karate." She said proudly. "That is why James left so quick. He knows what Jasper is capable of doing. He knows better than to mess with me. My brother would mess him up."

"I am curious. What is so bad about James?"

"He is 16 in 10th grade. He failed a year. And, rumor has it he dates girls until he gets what he wants and then moves on to the next girl. His parents are druggies, and I think he may be on drugs too. Everyone knows it." Alice replied smugly.

"So you are saying he has no one to help him? What about grandparents?" I replied.

"None that I know of," she replied.

"Nobody?"

"Nope, just him and his parents," she seemed unconcerned.

"Nobody tries to help him?" I was concerned.

"Nobody wants to deal with that. Why don't we talk about something else." She replied unconcerned.

I was really feeling blessed I have the parents I have. No wonder he acts the way he does, it was how he was raised. Where would he turn for help? I started to feel pity for this boy. However, I would not tell Alice this. She would get mad. "Alice, what does he want from the girls?"

"Bella, I know you did not just ask me that!" she replied awestruck.

"I am sorry. I do not know what you mean," I replied.

"Bella, where have you been? Outer space?" She replied confused.

"Huh!" I replied confused.

"Never mind, we will discuss it later," she replied.

"Ok," I replied

"Hey Alice, do you ever dive off the diving board?"

"Gosh No! Mostly only the boys dive," she replied.

"Well I am going to dive," I replied excitedly.

"What?" She replied loudly.

"I want to dive at least once before I leave today," I replied happily.

"You know how to dive?" she questioned me. "Because the last time you toppled into the pool. Which caused a good laugh from many of the spectators," she replied while laughing at me.

Well, I will have to show these boys how to dive properly and regain my dignity. "Watch and learn," I said happily. I made my way out of the pool and Alice watched me walk down to the diving board. She was shaking her head 'no', and she looked embarrassed as I climbed the ladder to the diving board. I looked around and saw Jasper, Edward, Emmett, Alice and others I did not know watching me. I started to walk toward the end of the board. I was getting excited.

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