"Do we have to do this?"

Bella and Angela were standing in front of an entrance that belonged to a big house compared to Forks standards.

"Yes, Bella. You said you'd come. So let's get in," responded Angela while pressing the doorbell. Someone answered it, and they were in. Bella saw a lot of faces from school and she thought they were about 50 people. The living room was clearly a lot bigger than her own's and its predominant element was wood. It was a nice house as Lauren's parents seemed to have good taste. The surround system was playing some pop music, the kind one would expect Lauren to listen. Jessica and Lauren got up from the couch to greet the girls.

"Angela, you came!" Jessica sounded rather ecstatic. "And you brought Bella. How nice!"

"Jess, we're so happy to be here," Angela responded in a tone Bella thought slightly insincere. She didn't really know why she accepted to go. Maybe curiosity, maybe because her father heard about the party and encouraged her to go. But she knew upon seeing Jessica, that she would rather be at home reading. Angela interrupted her thoughts, "Right, Bella? We are so–"

"Yes. First party in Forks! Yay," but as she said it, she knew it probably sounded not so excited.

Jessica smiled sweetly at her and said, "I'm sure it can't compare with your parties in Phoenix, but we try." She left without waiting for an answer.

Bella wasn't sure of the answer she might have given. She might have said Jessica was mocking her, but that was before she heard about the "Queen" snooping around her life in Phoenix. Her friend, Roxie, called her earlier that evening to ask her who's the entitled bitch calling people and asking questions. Bella was slightly surprised, but in hindsight she should have expected it as Jessica wanted to know all about her. At least, Roxie had a good laugh about the situation and said she's there for her if she needs help. Roxie was probably the only one who partially understood why she left.

Angela tugged her to meet several other people and then went off to talk with some other girl. Bella retreated to get a better look at the room. She spotted Mike and some other jocks going outside through the sliding glass door to the backyard. Some people were at ease, dancing and talking, but others were kind of a nervous, glancing around.

"Trying to figure it all out?" a male voice said behind her. She turned slightly to get a better look at him. He was Asian, with dark hair and eyes, and he wore glasses.

"Maybe," Bella responded while watching him.

He held out his hand. "Ben Cheney. Angela might have mentioned me."

"Oh, yes, Spanish guy." Ben seemed confused by that description, so Bella continued, "You do the Spanish homework."

He seemed slightly embarrassed, but he confirmed. They sat in silence, both watching the crowd. Eventually, he spoke again. "That's Andy–", and he pointed to a red-headed guy, "– the guy who does the Chemistry homework. Helen–", a shy petite girl in the corner, "– does Government essays." He continued pointing to other people doing homework, but Bella was interested in something else.

"How does all this work?"

Ben frowned. "The homework part?"

She nodded. "Doesn't she ever get caught? Or ask a question in class and fail to respond to it?"

"I've never thought about it." He stared into the distance, his eyes unfocused. "She just goes to people and ask to do her homework, or else something unpleasant might happen. She doesn't always choose people from her class, but she knows the teachers are always the same, so the homework is the same. She knows to answer questions, so I believe she must read the homework before handing it in. And she varies the people who do a particular homework."

"What do you mean?" asked Bella.

"Well, for example, I started by doing English. Then, after 2 months, she gave me Government. Some time passed, and I got stuck with Spanish. And I'm due for another change now."

Bella contemplated for a few minutes. "Weird. It's like a sort of game for her. And why do you do her homework?"

His cheeks reddened and he averted his eyes. "I don't want to say." What could possibly be so embarrassing Bella didn't know and she decided not to push. Maybe Angela knew more and was willing to share.

"Maybe there's someone who knows why is she doing this," Bella said.

"Nope, no one. Her innermost clique is oblivious. Angela tried to find out more a few weeks ago."

"Her innermost clique?"

"Yes. Lauren, Mike, Tyler. Then comes the rest. Friends of Mike's and Tyler's from the team. A few girls that worship Jessica and Lauren. Some people that are mainly used for sharing gossip. Then there's us, the homework providers. And you see some aspirers here too."

"Who are those? People who want to be like them?"

"Essentially, yes."

"You are very well informed," said Bella with a hint of admiration in her voice.

Ben shrugged. "These parties are so boring, I need an occupation. I think this one is actually for you." Bella raised her brows, so he continued. "You know, to see how things work around here."

"Lucky me, having a party," she said. "I think I'm gonna go outside and get some air."

Bella went to the backyard and she was intrigued to see that the yard opened into some sort of forest. Maybe Lauren's parent enjoyed nature, although her daughter didn't seem the type. There was a garden table with chair and she decided to seat on one of the chairs. It was dark, a lone wolf was howling far, far away, and yet she felt more safely there than inside. Jessica was a problem, but she wasn't sure how to deal with it. Suddenly, she was startled by some noises, but she recovered quickly when she saw the jocks coming from the forest and heading back inside. Unfortunately, she caught the attention of a certain someone who came to sit in the chair closest to her.

"Hello, Bella," he said dragging the first word longer.

She tried to look cool. "Hi, Mike. How's it going?"

"Better and better," he responded with a wink Bella found repulsive. Mike's type was definitely not her type. He produced a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lighten one up, not before offering Bella one's as well, which she politely refused.

"I thought jocks shouldn't smoke," she said coolly.

"No harm in having fun from time to time. Wouldn't you like to have some fun, Bella?"

"I'm having plenty, thank you."

"Then, why are you outside?" he asked with a smirk. But he didn't let Bella talk. "I think I know why." He paused to huff some smoke circles. From his previous relaxed posture, he leaned closer to Bella chair. "You saw me going outside, so you decided to come after me."

Bella was positively flabbergasted. How can they be so egocentric was beyond her imagination. "Actually, I came for the view," she responded and tried finding a position leaning away from him.

He smirked, but he continued undisturbed. "So, when do you want to go out?"

Fortunately, someone came outside from the house, interrupting the conversation. Unluckily for Bella, it was Jessica, who strolled towards them, fake smile plastered all over her face.

"Here you are, Mike! I was beginning to think the guys forgot you in the forest."

He laughed loudly. "Neah, just chatting with Bella here."

"How thoughtful of you. But you should go back inside, Tyler's asking for you."

He quickly finished his cigarette and got up. "See you later, Bella. Jessica," and he bowed to her.

Jessica waited for him to go inside the house. Her expression changed to a harsher one and she took the seat in front of Bella who felt even more uncomfortable.

"Enjoying the party?" Jessica asked.

"Great. Illuminating I would say." Bella watched her as she checked her perfectly made mint green nails. She was probably enjoying this and thought she had Bella in her pocket.

"So, do you know what I want from you?"

Bella sighed. "Trig homework."

Jessica glanced at her. "You learn quickly. One more thing though."

"What?" Bella asked confused.

"Stay away from Mike." And with that said, she left.

Bella was feeling drained, so she decided to leave the party. She should have taken Angela home as they both came in Bella's truck, but she managed to arrange for Ben to take her. The drive home was quiet enough, but she found Charlie waiting for her.

"You're home early," Charlie said. "You had at least one more hour left."

Charlie wanted nothing more than for her to like Forks and she knew it. "It was a bit boring, Dad. I still have to get to know people. And I'm tired."

Bella hesitated going upstairs, but decided to ask her dad, "What do you think of Jessica Stanley?"

Her father seemed surprised about the question. "Jessica? She's a nice girl. A bit intense though. Why are you asking?"

Bella was not sure what to tell him next: that Jessica is a horrible person who make people do stuff they don't want, that she spreads gossip and make people suffer? So, she settled for something else. "I don't think she likes me so much. I get this negative vibe from her."

But Charlie was already paying less attention, "I'm sure she'll like you, once she knows you better." He started flipping through the channels, so Bella wished him good night and went to her room.

She was glad that she survived her first week of school and even got a job. She was a bit troubled about Jessica, and she had to find out more about her controlling ways. She wasn't pleased with the idea of doing her Trig homework, but if that's the price she had to pay to find out more, she'd do it. And there was another thing on her mind. Edward Cullen, the school counselor, who seemed really strange. She wondered if he was ill as he was standing as far away from her as possible during their talk and looked too pale for a living person. But what she found the oddest were his green eyes, darkening to a shade so close to black. It was unnatural. She must learn more about this man as she knew nothing of him, but now it was time for sleep.


A/N: One thing to clarify: in this AU, vampires maintain their eye color after transformation. The shade just darkens or lightens depending on thirst. I really wanted to include Ben as he doesn't appear much in the series. Mike might seem a little OOC, but I think he was portrayed as such a creep in "Midnight Sun", I just added some boldness to his character. Next chapter will be interesting as it will introduce a new story line.