This chapter is very predictable and I wasn't feeling very excited or suspenseful while writing this, so excuse me if this chapter isn't all of the sparks and fireworks you imagined. As always, continue to the bottom for more notes!

Chapter 2 Excerpt:

I was thinking of the Cullens, remembering an era from so long ago. I was thinking of Jasper and his abilities to calm, always calming. Of Rosalie and her beauty. This must be what it feels like to be her, I thought as I felt the involuntary stares of the students seated around me boring into my head. Carlisle and Esme and their compassion for everything living. Of Emmett and his joyful bantering. Of Alice and her bittersweet scent...

The scent filled my nostrils and a wave of nostalgia came over me. How I wished that I could see her again, talk to her, hold her hand.

I heard a loud stifled gasp and the entire classroom grew unusually quiet. I glanced up from my mindless drawings and froze.

There, standing not three feet away from me, was Alice Cullen.

Alice was still standing in front of me with a confused expression on her face and my "peers" sat all around me, staring. I didn't even notice when Ms. Turner walked to the front of the class and asked quietly if Alice would be seated. Keeping her eyes locked to mine, Alice casually walked to her seat, only one row behind, two seats over. I couldn't help but stare back as Ms. Turner started the class. It's not like I would have learned anything new, anyway.

As Alice's eyes bored into mine, the class eventually stopped staring at me and began to pay attention to Ms. Turner. All students with the exception of Alice and I.

Ms. Turner, in the end, concluded our staring contest. "Ms. Swan, would you like to share something with us?" I turned around sluggishly in my seat and faced my teacher, nonchalantly flicking the hair out of my face.

I blushed involuntarily. I could sense the shock on Alice's face. "No, please continue, Ms. Turner. I would love to hear more about our assignment." I tried my best to hide the heavy sarcasm.

With a tight grin, Ms. Turner swiveled around and bobbled back towards the front. "Your reading assignment for this week will be Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. After finishing the novel, you will take a test over all the characters and the general plot. You are all excused." Wuthering Heights, an old favorite. This class was going to be a piece of cake.

I eyed Alice, surprised at how fast the class had gone. She looked apologetically to me, and began to climb out of her seat to walk towards me. As she took her first step, the bell for the second class rang. I took the oppurtunity to walk brusquely out of the classroom. It's just your mind playing tricks on you, Bella, I thought. This can't be real.

I came into my Spanish classroom and sat down roughly in the back of the classroom and watched as students began to slowly pour in. I sat attentatively as I came to the sinking realization that the whole Cullen gang would probably be attending Forks High now, including the one Cullen who it still hurt to think about.

Splendid.

I didn't dare doodle. I was far too occupied in trying to identify the scents around me. Smelling only humans and hearing only the footsteps of normal people, I relaxed in my seat. The bell rang for second period, and I was more than relieved to find that there were no surprises in this class. I listened as my Spanish teacher droned on and on about how important the Spanish culture was to the Southern states of the U.S. as well as the Northern states. My mind began to drift once again, and I daydreamed of a bronze mane and smoldering topaz eyes...

BING! I jumped at the sound of the bell and glimpsed around fickishly. Lunchtime? Already? Nervous and somewhat anxious, I practically sprinted out of the classroom.

As I strolled gracefully into the cafeteria, I recognized Christian and Dylan together in the far corner where the Cullens had sat before. They caught my eyes and waved kindly in recognition. I nimbly walked towards the table and sat across from them.

"Okay. I know what you meant before, by 'We are not alone'. It's the Cullens."

Dylan smiled sheepishly as Christian ducked her head. "We... already knew that, Bella. They've been living in Forks for almost two years now. They had been 'homeschooled', so we had not the slightest idea that they'd be here."

It figured. They'd just happen to come to this exact highschool the same exact time I did.

Just as I was gathering my thoughts, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie strolled silently into the cafeteria, attracting no attention whatsoever. Where was he? I wondered. Rosalie stroked her blonde locks and gaped at me, her hands freezing mid-stroke as she silently realized who I was. I smiled and wiggled my fingers at all of them. Might as well get this over with.

They ambled towards our table and I notioned politely with my hands for them to sit. Christian threw me a worried glance, but I ignored it. This was no time for worrying. I only wanted them to get out of my hair.

Alice opened her mouth to speak, but I interrupted her. "I know, I know. This is... Strange. You all would have never guessed that I was a vampire now, huh?" I smiled bitterly as they all exchanged surprised glances. It was a long and awkward silence as I waited for one of them to reply.

"Bella." I looked at Emmett's usually optimistic face to find an intensely disturbed expression. I looked at all of their faces, and everyone seemed to be slightly discomposed.

"What is it?" I meant to sound curious, but I sounded defensive, as if there was something on my face.

"We... We thought you were dead."

I stared for a moment into Emmett's gloomy eyes and burst into an uncontrollable laughter.

"Ha! Emmett, are you serious? Alice? Jasper? ... Rosalie?" Even Rosalie had a slightly downcast look on her face. "You guys aren't... serious, are you?"

Alice looked at me darkly then. "This isn't the least bit funny, Bella. You're supposed to be dead."

"How?" I said this credulously and wiped the smile off my face. I really couldn't believe it. Wouldn't she have seen me change into a vampire?

"I saw you get bitten, by him." She nodded in Dylan's direction. I had just noticed that both Dylan and Christian were frozen in their seats. I noted that as Alice continued. "I didn't see you after that, Bella. You disappeared. We all figured you died then, we've been trying to hunt him down!"

I could see why my two friends were so distressed. Had they known this all along?

"Oh" was the only rational response I could think of. I was suddenly aware of a burning, sickly sweet smell in the distance. I turned my head unwillingly towards the entrance of the cafeteria to find what my hopes and my dreams had always feared.

Edward.

Oh yes, dum dum dummm. If only it wasn't so predictable. Again, I apologize if it doesn't make any sense, whatsoever. I'm not sure if I'm up to writing in detail what all happens... Maybe I will. But I want to get to the 'good' parts already! More writing soon... Review please :-)