a/n: Ok so i can't wait for all of my amazing reviewers and readers to read the next few chapters. I already have a lot of them written and i think that you will love them. I know i made a lot of bad things happen in Bella's past, but this story is about her journey away from her past and to finding a happier life. I have a lot of plans and there will be sadness as well as happiness. I really enjoy your input so keep the reviews coming.

XOXO :)

Bella had escaped all of these memories long ago. She didn't want to relive them every day. She thought she could make amends with her brother but she had been wrong. Her parents had poisoned his mind against her and there was nothing she could do to change that. She, also, knew that her daughter wouldn't recognize her, but could she really see her ever day without breaking down in tears? She didn't know. She could run away like she had planned, but she had nowhere to go. She felt like she was 16 again. She had made the wrong choice then. She couldn't make a wrong choice now. She would stick around and just take it all in stride.

Alaric sat in the living room at the Gilbert house drinking bourbon. What she had said couldn't be true. His father had told him that he was only so hard on her because of what she was. But then he had seen how his father had treated his mother. Arguments and thuds in the night when they thought that he had been asleep. He could remember walking in on his mom crying. He had been so naïve when she said she had run into the wall or fallen down the stairs. Why had he believed his father? He had asked his mom if the stories were true and she would just start crying. One night he had heard her crying louder than usual and his dad had been yelling for her to stop. Telling her that "that slut" didn't deserve her tears. She had yelled back for once. Screaming that their only daughter was dead. He had mourned her then. It was soon that he found out it was all a lie.

Elena knocked on Bella's door. Bella opened it and smiled sadly.

Elena walks in, "I was thinking that you needed a distraction and I know just the girls to help out."

Bella frowns, "I don't know…"

Elena looks in her closet, "I am not taking no for an answer. You need to see that you are wanted here and how much fun this town can be when people are trying to make you relive past memories."

Bella laughs, "Alright fine. What are you looking for?"

Elena smiles, "A hot outfit. Oh here you go. This is perfect."

They walk into the Grill and Elena looks around trying to find her friends.

She smiles and waves, "There they are. You will love them."

They walk over to their table and Bella smiles.

Elena introduces them, "Bella this is Caroline and Bonnie. They are my best friends."

Bella sits, "Nice to meet you."

Bonnie hesitates, "You are a…"

Bella laughs, "A vampire? Yes. And you are a witch. You don't have to worry about me. I am one of the good ones. Like Caroline here."

Caroline gasps, "You seem to know everything."

Bella grins, "That is my talent. Before I was turned I had a side job doing research for some really important people."

Bonnie frowns, "That sounds a little ominous."

They all laugh.

Caroline touches her hand, "Well it is good to have you here."

Bella nods, "So what are the big plans?"

Elena jumps up, "First we are going to do some Karaoke and then head to Caroline's house, drink some wine, gossip a little, and pamper ourselves."

They were all a little tipsy and laughing.

Caroline lies back on the couch, "So let me get this straight. We are getting drunk with our future teacher? That is so awesome."

Bella falls over laughing, "I didn't even think of that. I'm pretty sure there is a moral code that rules against this."

Bonnie makes the flames in the fireplace restart, "Don't worry we won't tell anyone. We are good with secrets."

They all start to laugh harder. Bella couldn't remember the last time she had laughed like this. She had a lot of obstacles to face, but with these friends she was sure she would be able to make it.

On Monday morning Bella prepares for her first class of the day. She was a little nervous about how the students will react to her. The bell for class rings and she smiles as the student start to walk in. Caroline, Bonnie, Stefan, and Elena walk and wave. She smiles, and then her heart stops. Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett and Edward walk in and sit down. She turns around and tries to breath. Someone touches her shoulder.

"Are you ok, Bella?"

It was just Stefan. She nods and turns back around.

She smiles, "Take a seat please. Hello class. I am Ms. Swan your new English teacher."

The Cullen's look up, shocked. She ignores them and continues with her lecture. The bell signals the end of her class and she sighs with relief.

Elena walks up to her, "You did great. And everyone loved you. Some of the boys even have a little crush on you."

Bella laughs, "My dream come true."

Elena looks behind her, "Why are those new weird pale students still here?"

Bella rolls her eyes, "Things are about to get extremely complicated."

Edward clears his throat, "So, Bella, what are you doing here and when did you become a teacher?"

Elena frowns, "Um, this is not the place for this. Why don't you meet us at the Mystic Grill and everything will be explained."

Bella sighs and mouths a 'thank you' to Elena, who nods.