ALL CHARACTERS AND SETTINGS BELONG TO THEIR RESPETIVE OWNERS. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.

So, Bella is now with Charlie, Sue, and Seth. But, unfortunately, being in such closer quarters will start opening Charlie and Sue's eyes to what Bella is trying to hide.

I heard two people screaming at each other and a few crashes that sounded like glass items hitting a wall.

I crawled from my bed peeked my head around the doorway to my room. I was back in Arizona. So, having a different family was all a dream...I took a moment to mourn that.

As I peeked around the corner, I saw a little girl with long, dark brown hair, slightly curled at the ends. She was very small, maybe only five or six. Though, I was going by size only, because she was sitting in the hallway with her back to me.

I heard another scream and crash and jerked against the wall, scared to get involved with whoever was fighting, though, by the screams, I could tell it was Phil and Renee.

Phil, started marching down the hallway, towards me and the little girl. He didn't seem to take notice of me though, he was going towards to the small child.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and she started to cry. That seemed to really upset him. He started screaming in her face then, "You little brat! Stop fucking crying! What the fuck is wrong with you!? You stupid little bitch!"

He slapped her little face, hard, and I let out a scream. He didn't even hear me. The little girl was sobbing as he threw her back down on the ground, hitting her head against the hallway wall.

He walked right past me then, and went into his bedroom and slammed the door. I crawled towards the little girl as her little body slumped on the ground. I finally made it to her and turned her little head to face me.

I was horrified.

There was a long gash under her eye, the watch on Phil's wrist must have gotten her. I'd been there.

But when she opened her eyes, I knew who she was. It was me.

I woke up, still screaming. Quickly, I grabbed a pillow and shoved it against my face hoping to quiet them down.

I heard my door burst open and I hid, praying that Phil would just leave me alone. I didn't mean to scream. But that wouldn't matter to him. He'd still punish me.

Someone sat on the bed and grabbed me. I tried to pull away, but I couldn't.

"Phil, please, I'm sorry! Please, don't hurt me!" I begged as I pushed against him.

"Baby, shh, baby, its Charlie." I sobbed even harder as I allowed him to cradle me in his arms.

I was safe. I wasn't with Phil and Renee, I was in Forks. Not Arizona.

I had to keep repeating that to myself because my head was still pounding and my heart was still racing. And my sobs weren't willing to stop yet.

That dream had been so real, and I knew why. Because, it wasn't really a dream at all. It was a memory.

Charlie continued to rock me and whisper that I was okay and that I was safe. I felt horrible. This man was sitting here comforting me, a stranger.

My breath began to even out a little and I opened my eyes to find the woman, Sue, wiping my face with a cold, wet cloth.

"Oh baby, you're shaking." whispered Charlie. He grabbed one of the blankets from my bed and laid it over me.

"I'm sorry" I croaked, unable to really make my voice sound decent. Charlie and Sue just shushed me again.

Sue sat on the bed next to where Charlie was holding me and she began to run her fingers through my long hair. And somehow, that simple touch, knocked me out. I don't remember anything after that.

I awoke again, but this time I hadn't been dreaming of a fight in Arizona, I was waking to a comfortable bed in Forks. The little light that shined from outside and into the room allowed me to look around the room a little more.

"This has always been your room." Sue had said.

And for some reason, I knew she was telling the truth. I felt safe in here. I felt comforted. I felt loved.

I sat up and stretched out my body, allowing my bones to pop and my muscles to flex. I stood up and glanced at the little clock on the bedside table. Eleven-thirty.

Geez!

I pulled off my pajamas and grabbed my bag to drag out some more clothes. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a blue long-sleeved shirt.

I grabbed my brush out of my bag and tore through the tangles. I grabbed my toothbrush and, as quietly as possible, drew open my bedroom door.

I could hear voices downstairs as I tiptoed to the further down the hall to the bathroom. I heard loud laughter and took that opportunity to enter the bathroom and shut the door.

I brushed my teeth quickly and went to walk out with it but then, decided, to leave the toothbrush in here. It'd be easier. But then, I thought again. I didn't want them to think I was moving in. I didn't want to intrude. This was their home, not mine. I grabbed my toothbrush and tiptoed back to my own bedroom.

Once I had put all my things back into my bag, I decided that I had to face them sometime.

I walked out of my bedroom and took a few steps down the stairs before I stopped and listened to the people I could hear.

"I can't believe you found her." Said an unrecognizable female voice. It was an enchanting voice, though, sweet like honey.

"I didn't find her. She found me." Said Charlie and I could actually hear the smile in his voice. That made me smile.

"What about...Renee?" asked a man's voice, I also didn't recognize.

There was a few moments of silence before Charlie let out a deep breath, "She's passed away..."

I heard a few gasps, probably from the two voices I didn't know, and then there was silence again.

"How?" asked the man.

"I...have no idea." said Charlie.

I took a seat on the steps of the staircase and leaned my head against the wall. I had forgotten to tell them it had been a car accident. More than likely a drunk one despite the early hour it happened at. Phil and Renee would drink at all hours of the day.

"Carlisle, she woke up screaming in the middle of the night." I heard Charlie whisper. Immediately, my blood ran straight up my neck and cheeks. I squeezed my eyes shut, tightly, "She was screaming for someone to stop. She kept begging someone named Phil to not hurt her." Charlie's voice had started to sound tortured and angry.

Carlisle? The man from the photographs? I smiled, but I didn't know why. Maybe the unrecognizable female voice is Esme! I began to get excited.

"Who's Phil?" the woman asked. I had just been about to stand up when I heard his name spoken once again. I slumped back down to the step and willed my eyes not to cry.

"I don't know." Whispered Charlie.

"Whatcha doing?" asked a voice behind me. I jumped about three feet in the air and held back a scream. Let's not frighten these people with my screams any more.

I turned around to face the boy from last night, Seth. I put my hand over my heart and tried to slow my breathing. Seth was laughing quietly and shaking his head.

"Didn't mean to give you a heart attack." he said jovially.

I found myself laughing a little with him and I shook my head to let him know it was okay.

"Why don't you go down there?" he asked.

I began to get nervous then. I bit my bottom lip and started to twirl the ends of my hair. Would they want me to come down? I mean, they had guests over. I didn't want to interrupt...

"Come on!" Said Seth excitedly.

He grabbed my arm and gently pulled me the rest of the way downstairs. I stopped right behind Seth as the kitchen, where everyone had been sitting, came into view. Everyone stopped talking, much like they had in the restaurant yesterday, and looked at Seth, though I knew they were trying to look at me.

"Good morning!" Said Seth as he pranced into the kitchen, still grabbing onto my arm and dragging me around. I kept my face hidden in my hair; a habit I had picked up over the years.

"Seth, let her go!" Said Sue as she laughed a little. Seth ignored her though and I kept my back turned to the people at the table.

"You like cereal?" asked Seth. Before I could answer he laughed, "Of course you do! Who doesn't!?" He grabbed a box of 'Lucky Charms' out and then dragged me to the other side of the kitchen to grab two bowls and spoons.

I couldn't help but smile as he dragged me carelessly around like a rag doll. I could tell I was older than him, but he was bigger. He was letting me know it.

He let go of me for a millisecond while he grabbed a carton of milk. He got back over to where he had left me and poured us two perfect bowls of cereal. He handed me a spoon. He grabbed his own spoon and clinked it with mine in a cheers motion. "Enjoy" he smiled as he took a big bite of his cereal.

I looked down at my cereal, unsure if this was okay. I looked at Seth and he smiled a big toothy grin, "Eat it!" he growled in a playful voice. I giggled softly and took a small bite of the cereal. Did I mention that I loved cereal?

No one spoke though, and that made me nervous. I faced Seth as we ate because, surprisingly, I didn't feel anxious around him. He was too happy.

I continued to glance around nervously and Seth nudged me a little. I looked at him and he rolled his eyes as he pointedly glared at the people who were seated behind me, obviously watching us since none of them had spoken since we entered.

I laughed a little and the big toothy smile returned to his face.

"You know, you could offer Bella a seat, dear." Said Sue to Seth. Seth let out a frustrated sigh and looked behind me towards the people behind us.

"Bella and I like to eat our cereal standing up, thank you."

He rolled his eyes to me again as if asking how stupid adults could be, before he went back to eating his cereal.

All too soon, Seth and I had finished our breakfast. He took my bowl and spoon from me and rinsed them out in the sink.

Seth grabbed my arm again, and I smiled. He was trying to save me from the adults. I assumed that Seth was Sue's son and I had already figured out that Charlie and Sue were married. So that would make Seth my step-brother. It was obvious that Seth wasn't Charlie's son, taking into account his features and everything. But, that would still make Seth my step-brother. I kind of like the sound of that.

Right before Seth could escape with me, he was stopped, "Not so fast." said Charlie. Seth stopped dead in his tracks so quickly that I actually ran into his back. Seth and I both laughed.

"Seth, you promised to clean your truck today. So, no going anywhere until that's done." Seth groaned and then nodded. He continued to keep a hold of my arm and seemed to determined to get me away from them. Unfortunately, he was stopped again.

"Leave Bella here. She doesn't need to help clean your truck."

It was Sue who spoke this time.

"Maybe she wants to help!" Said Seth in a mockingly angry voice that made me laugh...again. I hadn't laughed this much in a very long time.

Seth turned around to face the adults behind me, and must have seen something that freaked him out a little. He cringed and then looked at me, "Sorry shorty. I don't think they're going to let you escape."

He dropped my arm and whispered loudly to me, as a joke, so everyone could hear, "Don't be scared. They can smell fear!"

Charlie and Sue reprimanded Seth and told him to get out. He gave me an apologetic smile before he went out the front door.

I stood staring at the door for another moment, afraid to turn around. I was always so afraid.

"Dear? Would like you to sit with us?" asked Sue softly. I glared at the door begging for Seth to come back. He made me feel normal.

I decided that I needed to be polite so I took a deep breath and turned to face the people I had been avoiding all morning.

Sitting there was Sue and Charlie, but with the another couple. Definitely the couple from the old pictures I had found. It was Carlisle and Esme. I felt my heart give a little tug when I saw their beautiful faces.

Esme stood up and cocked her head to the side, staring at me. Before long her face had broken out into a big smile and she had tears in her eyes. She took another step towards me and shook her head, "My God, you're gorgeous, sweetheart."

I squinted my eyes in confusion and looked away. I was not gorgeous. I knew that.

Sue stood up then and made her way to me. She put her arm around my shoulders and gave me a little squeeze. "Don't worry dear, we don't bite."

She laughed a little and I did too, because of the honesty that was her answer. I was acting as if these wonderful people would attack me.

Sue led me to an empty chair that was in-between her and Charlie. She took the seat to my right with Charlie on my left. Charlie put his arm around me and pushed a new cup full of coffee towards me.

I hadn't even asked for it. He just seemed to know.

I grabbed the cup and took a small sip, anxious for this conversation to be over with.

Charlie cleared his throat and I glanced up at him, "Bells, this is Carlisle and Esme Cullen." He said as he pointed to the other couple. Little did he or they know, I had already figured that out, "Carlisle and Esme have been good friends of ours for a very long time. Carlisle is a doctor over at the hospital and Esme is an interior designer."

Well, I didn't know that. I looked over at Carlisle and Esme and gave them a small smile. They both smiled brightly back at me.

"You knew us when you were quite little, hun." said Carlisle. I nodded, already knowing that too.

"We have a few children around your age, dear. A son about five years older, another son just two and a half years older and then a daughter only mere months younger than you." Esme said, still shining with that bright smile.

So, she was speaking of Emmett, Edward, and then the child she had been pregnant with in one of the pictures I had found. It had been a girl. I immediately felt sad. I bet, had we stayed, the girl and I would have been friends like our mothers...

"You'll be meeting them soon." Said Carlisle.

My eyes widened a little. I wasn't sure what to expect. Meeting more people? Why? So I could get close to them and then end up having to leave them? I didn't want that. I was already dreading saying good-bye to the people I had met.

"So, Bella, dear, tell us about yourself." Said Esme excitedly.

What do I say? I couldn't really tell the whole truth. So I told the bare minimum. I'd be honest if they asked.

"I..um." I cleared my throat, hoping to get my voice to be just a little louder, "I'm eighteen. I'm from Phoenix, Arizona. I just got done with high school." There, that was good, right?

"How was your graduation, dear? My daughter, Alice, had a ball getting ready for hers." I licked my lips and swallowed another lump before I answered.

"I wasn't able to make graduation." I grabbed a few strands of my hair and started gently pulling at them. Anything for a distraction.

"Oh, why not?" Asked Carlisle. His voice had taken on a sad tone; more of a pity tone. He felt bad for me. He didn't need to.

"Um, well, when my mom and Phil passed, I had a lot of stuff to take care of. There wasn't any time."

There was an eerie silence then. I wasn't sure what to do about it so I took another drink of my hot coffee.

"Who's Phil, sweetheart?" asked Sue quietly.

I bit my lip again and squeezed my eyes shut. Who was Phil? How would I explain him? Could I really tell my true father that Phil was the man I had called dad up until a week ago? How would he take that?

"My mother's husband."

The adults remained quiet and I could literally feel Charlie tense next to me. I didn't even realize why until I actually thought about it. It wasn't from jealousy over my mother but from what had happened last night. I had been begging Phil not to hurt me...I shouldn't have said anything.

The silence was finally broken by the ring of the telephone. It took a few rings before Charlie stood up and answered it.

"Hello?"

His voice was low and...sad? I wasn't sure if that was the right emotion. Was he upset with me? Was I already causing this man problems?

"Yes, just a second, dear." Said Charlie. He stretched the phone towards Esme and she smiled as she took it.

"Hello?"

Her smile turned brighter and she laughed, "Yes, sweetheart. Come on over."

She gave the person on the other end a good-bye before she handed the phone back to Charlie to hang up. She turned back towards me, the smile still firmly planted on her face.

"That was my daughter, Alice, that I had been telling you about. She is on her way here. She is very excited to meet you. I hope you don't mind."

I began to feel more nervous, and frustrated with myself. I needed to be brave. These people were nice. I had nothing to worry about. God! I really loathed myself at the moment.

The adults continued talking about this and that, but Carlisle's eyes remained on me. He seemed to be trying to figure me out. I wouldn't let his eyes meet mine, though, I continued to look around the room.

"Dear, how did you get that scar under your eye?" asked Carlisle quietly. I was almost certain no one else had heard him, but then, why had everyone gone silent? Too many pairs of eyes landed on me, I could feel them burning on my face.

That scar, well, it wasn't very large, but if you looked, you'd notice it. I found it strange that I had actually dreamed of the night it had happened just last night. Was it a coincidence?

"It's a long story." I lied. It wasn't a long story at all. Phil was drunk, he hit me, his watch clawed my skin, the wound was never nursed properly. Not at all a long story. But I didn't want to tell it.

I looked up at Carlisle and his eyes were slightly narrowed...like he didn't believe me. Like he somehow knew I wasn't telling the truth. I hadn't ever been a good liar, one of the things I had been punished for. I needed to learn to fib better.

I heard the front door slam open then and I jumped slightly in my seat. The adults all laughed together, either at me or at the person coming in, I wasn't sure.

"Hello people!" said an excited female voice.

I had been hoping it was Seth, coming to rescue me again, but it wasn't. It was probably Esme's daughter.

I heard the light clacks of heels as she walked closer to where I was sitting. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her. She was tiny. I mean, she was definitely shorter than me,which was saying quite a bit since I was always known for being pretty short myself. I guessed that she didn't make it past my neck.

Her hair was jet-black, and spiky, but in a very fashionable way. And speaking of fashionable, her clothes looked completely designer worthy. Something told me they were.

"Mother." Said the girl, Alice, I assumed, as she kissed Esme's cheek. Another tug at my heart. I had never been able to do that with Renee...

"Hello sweetie. This is Bella." Esme said, raising her hand towards me. Alice turned around to face me and smiled; she looked terribly excited, and that frightened me a little bit.

"We're going to be the best of friends. I can already tell you that." Alice said as she winked at me. What are you supposed to say to something like that? Well, I didn't say anything. I just looked at her, completely dumbfounded.

Alice walked over to me and grabbed my hand, dragging me up from my seat.

"We'll see you oldies later!" She called out as she dragged me upstairs.

She went straight to the bedroom I had slept in and pulled me through the door. She only took a second to glance around before she grabbed my purse and tossed it over her shoulder.

"How did you know this was the room I was in?" I asked, shocking myself.

Alice laughed, "Because, this is your room, silly Bella. Where else would your stuff be?"

So, she knew that this was my room, too. Had I been talked about before I came around? Had they really been waiting for me like the said they were?

She led me back downstairs, waving off the adults as they told her to slow down with me. She pulled me outside, into the surprisingly mild air, and towards a bright yellow Porsche, that just screamed speed.

"Get in" said Alice. And I obeyed. While she looked small, I could tell she could be fierce if she wanted to. That made sense though, she had two older brothers. I imagine you'd have to learn to stick up for yourself if you were the baby and the smallest.

I buckled up as she started her car and she slammed on the gas, jerking us away from the little white house.

"So, Bella, do you like to shop?"

I cringed, "No, not really."

Alice sighed and looked over at me, "How did I already know that?"

I wanted to say that it was probably because I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but I bit my tongue, afraid that I'd be right.

"Well, we're going shopping." Said Alice as she smiled excitedly.

Oh no...

CHAPTER END NOTES

What do you think of Bella's dreams? Morbid, huh?

Thankfully, we have Alice to lighten up the mood a little! Gotta love the pixie

Reviews keep me writing and smiling. Let me know what you think.