A/N Fair warning, they'll be some hints to past events that weren't all pleasant. No gritty details as yet, just a few hints.

Bella's eyes were aflame with hurt and anger. "That's it? Edward doesn't mean anything to me?"

He merely shrugged. "Well, you'd only just met and what look what he does!"

"But that wasn't his fault. My blood calls to him! I'm his singer."

He snorted; as his voice took own a brooding tone. "Let me guess, you're his own brand of heroin!"

"What's wrong with that?"

"My dear, you consume heroin. You don't make a relationship with it."

She shook her head, hating him then. "You're twisting things."

"I'm stating a fact."

"Edward loved me."

"Oh my dear, you really are so naïve. What do you know of love?"

She turned away from him, unwilling to answer his taunts.

XxX

Bella was glad that Claire monopolised the conversation that evening. She loved Renee but if she had spoken how Edward had behaved, they would waste the evening trying to analyse the situation to death.

She already had more than enough.

XxX

Claire was finally in bed, giving Renee the chance to talk to her eldest.

"How did it go sweetheart?"

Bella was curled up in bed, watching a film when she heard her mother appear.

She shrugged.

"You know, you can talk to me."

"I know, it was fine."

"Fine? Okay, we'll play things your way but I'm here."

"I know."

"I'm here too."

They hadn't heard Charlie appear and she smiled, willing them to leave her be.

This parental concern was draining!

XxX

For the next two days, there was no sign of Edward Cullen. The same could not be said for his siblings.

They continued to participate in their floor show, dazzling the citizens of Forks and wooing their peers. Instead, Bella threw herself into her schoolwork, pleased she had covered some of the material.

It would take time to fully immerse herself into the school system once more but she was ready. The school was small enough that soon she began to recognise names as well as faces. Angela continued to be her go-to girl, along with Eric, Ben, Mike and Tyler.

They were all quite sweet really and completely different from her last classmates. They all hung out at lunch, sniggering at Jess and Lauren who lapped up the latest fashions and debated over the contents of the school lunches.

All in all, she was disappointed when that first weekend arrived. Charlie had woken early for his fishing fix and Renee was enjoying a lazy morning.

Angela had called about the assignment and Bella moped about the rest of the day, perking up only when Charlie returned with an invitation to the Black's for fish-fry and beers.

XxX

Billy was there to welcome the family and greeted Charlie as though they hadn't spent the morning and afternoon together.

Claire and Bella brought up the rear, bringing with them the dessert Bella had made after receiving the invitation.

Voices from the small home heralded the Clearwater and Atera clan. Bella wasn't expecting such a gathering.

Sensing her concern, Billy sought to reassure her. "I'm sorry Bella, when the others heard you were all coming over, they all turned up. You know how it is."

She didn't really.

Renee had never had many people over. She was too busy to socialise. Claire had been a natural at making friends, whereas she…

"You remember Jacob Black, right? Quil and Embry? You used to play together."

Charlie's hints were not so helpful. They hadn't been here in years.

Claire took her hand and eased her into the room. The game was on, yet another thing to discomfort her.

She mumbled about putting the desserts in the fridge. Placing her hands against the wall, she took a few deep breaths, attempting to central her nerves. These were Charlie's friends. They wouldn't hurt her.

Cool hands appeared by her side as the familiar presence of Renee pulled her back.

"I'm sorry honey, Charlie didn't know either."

Her breath hitched.

"Take all the time you need honey."

XxX

Renee shook her head at Charlie's silent queries. If Bella needed to, she would bring her home and the others would have to understand.

"What's wrong with her?"

"It's a bit much is all. You have to take things slow with Bella. She doesn't do well with surprises."

The adults of the room mumbled their concerns. Whilst it had been years since Renee and her daughter had lived here, they'd always remembered the shy, mischievous imp that Bella had been. To see her panic-stricken worried them.

XxX

Dinner was served buffet style, an alteration made for Bella's sake. When she appeared, the others smiled but made no more fuss. She'd come round in her own time.

The evening continued long into the night and it was a weary Renee who shepherded her family home.

They took it easy the next day, gearing themselves for the full week ahead.

XxX

It was a surprise to see that Edward had returned and he was sitting beside the only available chair in that morning's science class.

She heaved herself into the chair and attempted to prepare herself for his rudeness.

"Good morning. My name is Edward Cullen. You're Bella."

"Yes."

"What brings you to Forks?"

Mr Varner called the class to start and explained the morning's experiment.

Cell division.

Edward was waiting patiently for her to answer.

Rolling her eyes, "My mom moved in with her fiancé."

She started setting up the work, realising that Edward was still looking at her.

"What? Do I have something on my face?"

"You're not very forthcoming are you?"

She huffed. "I answered your question."

"Hm."

She made her notes and found that he checked her prognosis at every turn. It was a long hour.

This time, she was the first to leave the class, leaving Edward in a flurry.

He found her again later.

"I'm sorry that I was so rude on our first meeting. I have… allergies."

"So have I. At least I know not to scowl at them."

"I apologise."

"Whatever, I'm over it."

"No you're not."

"Excuse me?"

"You're unhappy with how I treated you. I understand, it's only natural."

What was he on about now?

"Well, I won't lose any sleep over your mood-swings. Take it easy Cullen."

"My name is Edward."

"I know."

XxX

Tyler sat nearby during lunch. Unsettled from earlier, she allowed the conversation to go over her head.

They were all on about some school dance planned for that week.

"You know it's supposed to be the girl's asking."

Ben grinned. "We're just making sure, you know we're interested. We don't want you ladies fretting that we won't say yes."

The girls rolled their eyes.

"So what say you Bella, do you fancy asking me to the dance?" Tyler winked. "We'll go as a group."

Bella blushed as everyone looked at her.

"Erm, I wasn't thinking of going…" she finished, hesitantly.

"But you have to go. Think of it as a welcome to Forks!"

She grinned. "I've already had my welcome."

"Oh let's all go Bella, it will be fun."

"I don't dance."

Lauren smirked. "Well what do you do Bella?"

She didn't like her tone. She knew if she wanted an easy life, she'd have to go with some things.

Turning to Tyler, she shyly asked if he would go to the dance and he smiled. "Why Bella, I thought you'd never ask!"

XxX

The rest of that week was spent getting ready for the dance, something Renee relished as it was the first time her socially awkward daughter chose to attend. Bella had left out the fact that Lauren had goaded her into it.

She chose a simple purple dress that was tight across her chest and had long flowing sleeves. Her hair was curled and her make-up was light with emphasis on the eyes.

Angela hardly recognised her when she arrived to collect her.

"You should dress up more often." She said when they were in the car. "You look really good."

Bella shook her head. "It's too much effort."

Tyler was speechless when he saw her. He'd wanted to pick her up but the girls had decided to meet the boys at the school and his comments were ignored.

Instead, he whispered to Bella, "There's always Prom!"

She'd nudged him and laughed, rolling her eyes.

As school events went, this was not too bad. This time, she wasn't squashed into a corner, on someone's arm or fraught with tension, lest she show she wasn't having a good time. At least this time, she wasn't on display, in fear of the night that was still to come.

She managed a few dances, a bit of conversation and indulged in the 'punch'. Tyler threw his arm around her, knocking the punch all over his suit.

"Damn Bella, we've just met and you're already trying to get into my pants!"

She scrunched her face. "You wish Crowley!"

He grinned. "Crowley, huh? I like that!"

She felt a prickle of tension pour her back. She could have sworn she heard that the Cullens were going camping.

Oh well.