Sorry I took so long to update, but there is something to be said about crazy schedules. I've been completely swamped.

Disclaimer: Don't own twilight

Isabella awoke the next morning to a hard bed she certainly wasn't used to. It took her several long moments to determine exactly where she was. Then Angela scurried out from behind the tiny change stall in their room. She was already dressed in a uniform gray dress, the letters F and H sewed into a sleeve. Angela smiled at Isabella while reaching for her black shoes and blue cape the color of her dress the evening before. Isabella went to her wardrobe to find the same dress. She also picked out her own petticoats and corset but found she couldn't get dressed on her own. Back at Swan Manor, she had had her personal maid to help her with such things as tying her corset.

"I beg your pardon," Isabella said to Angela, "But if you do not mind, could you possibly help me with the strings?"

Angela laughed as she helped the new girl, "Haven't you dressed on your own, before?"

"No," Isabella admitted, "My maid was always there to help me. I do suppose I shall have to learn now, though. Unless Fang Hall has personal maids attend each room?"

Isabella finished pulling up her dress and started to attach her blue cape as Angela replied, "If you were a Duchess of Forks, perhaps. The rest of us that do not have connections in the school are required to dress ourselves. My mother was quite firm in the belief that a woman should be able to dress herself, so I expected help. Quite an advantage when she sent me here."
"How long ago did they send you, if you don't mind my asking?" Isabella said, beginning to wrap up her hair in the uniform bun that Angela supported.

"Just after I had turned ten years and one. Such a shock it was to me, at the time. I trust it won't be too difficult for you to adjust. After all, it won't be too long until your season. Surely you will leave at the time? My mother will send for me soon enough."

The girls allowed themselves one last look in the mirror and then continued on towards the room with the great tables, "Yes, I do believe so. My mother didn't intend for me to leave home, rather she abhorred the idea of it. If not for the fact that Miss Stanley has chosen to have her coming out on the same day I had prepared for, I wouldn't be here."

Angela chortled, "The daughter of Admiral and Mrs. Stanley? Such gossip there was at a time, it was horrible. It is too bad about your delayed season, though."

"Hardly," Isabella said, "I was rather pleased to have it postponed."

Angela merely raised an eyebrow while Isabella explained, "I was proposed to by Lord Michael Newton, youngest son of Countess Newton. He has chosen to propose again at my coming out. To say I was relieved at the delay is quite an understatement."

Both girls giggled, and once again took their places at the breakfast table. They were quite early, as not even half of the normally almost full table was there. The late risers trickled in at a slowed pace. To everyone's surprise, there were more students that morning then had been at dinner.

"The Cullens and Hales." the girl sitting beside Isabella whispered, "Has it finally suited their presence to join us?"

The nobles who joined them were absolutely beautiful. The first was little Alice Cullen, who bounced along to the table with great mirth, holding the hand of the blond and emotionless Jasper Hale. Behind them was the most positively exquisite girl to be seen, with long flowing blond hair, icy golden eyes, and perfect aristocratic features. Behind her was an enormous boy with curly brown hair. All four of them had their trademark pale skin and bagged-golden eyes. From the gossip surrounding her, Isabella concluded that the blond girl was Rosalie Hale and the boy was Emmett Cullen.

"You may commence," Miss Cope announced to everyone, barely managing to get the room's attention.

All the students rushed at their breakfast, their hunger forcing them to forget their mannerism. Isabella observed the table for a moment and then cut up an apple into tiny wasn't very hungry after the dinner the night prior. Isabella noticed that the Cullens and Hales also weren't eating, just cutting up their food and then choosing to ignore it.

"They never eat," the girl beside Isabella whispered, seeing where her glance went.

Isabella frowned at the gossip but didn't say anything, and the girl continued, "But I wonder where Edward is?"

Apparently Alice overheard, because she called down, "Edward is corresponding to a letter he received this morning. He did however announce his agreement to join us. He shall have joined us in but a minute, I'm sure." Alice laughed, though Rosalie Hale glowered at the much smaller girl, and not one other thought it amusing.

After Alice spoke, it seemed that every girl straightened up and wiped their mouth off with increased interest. Isabella had no doubt they had in mind the perfect looks of the Cullens and Hales. That level of beauty was assured its attention.

To be expected, exactly a minute later, one of the doors was opening and the most beautiful person Isabella had ever seen strolled in. He had perfect messy bronze locks, striking features, and more poise then the entire room combined. He also wore impeccably fashionable and expensive clothing; perfectly ironed and crisp black trousers and a silver tailcoat. He couldn't have possibly stood out from the other boys more if he had tried. All the girls took a minute to control their breathing.

The Duke Edward Cullen of Forks took his expected seat next to his family, ignoring curious eyes around him. He obviously had to know the reverence his peers held for him, and didn't seem obliged to acknowledge anyone. He simply chose a few delicacies to place on his plate, which he picked at the entire breakfast. The Duke didn't speak to anyone, though many tried for his attention. His own family ignored him; well used to his antics.

Isabella continued to watch him throughout breakfast, though very sure no one saw her doing so. In any case, it seemed the entire table was attempting the same thing, so it wouldn't be fair to quarrel with her. At long last, Miss Cope excused the table of noble youth for their day of classes. However, she stopped Isabella to discuss her schedule.

"You will join classes with all the other young ladies your age. I have asked Alice, Duchess of Forks, to accompany you to class."

Isabella thanked her, and met up with the excited Alice Cullen for her first day of classes. The girl smiled and talked on as she led Isabella to their class. Just before they were to go into a door, though, Alice stopped and considered Isabella.

"And I advise you to not pull attention to yourself, Isabella. The music teacher is known for his, ah, teaching antics, but he isn't a conversationalist. Perhaps it would be best to try and... blend in?"

Isabella nodded as if she understood, though she was dreadfully confused, "Thank you for your advise, Duchess Alice. I really do appreciate it."

Alice smiled, almost shyly, "I don't mean to be forward, but then would you like to be friends?"

There simply was no question to it, "Of course." Lady Isabella assured her new friend.

Update

Okay, I've been really busy lately, and haven't been able to update any of my stories, but i'm trying to change that. Currently, I'm putting Political Rivalry on hold, and am going to work on Fang Hall. As well, I've just thought of an idea for a sequel to Celebrity Crushed, which I will begin after finishing one of my current stories.