Downhill

My stomach roared in frustration. I hadn't eaten anything since lunch the day before so I decided to check the kitchen. I crept silently down the hall, not wanting to wake Emily.

Jackpot, I thought, opening the refrigerator. Emily had graciously saved my plate from dinner. I grabbed it and sat down at the table, not bothering to heat it up.

After scarfing everything down in a matter of seconds, I cleaned my dish and made sure everything was put back in its rightful place. Glancing over at the clock I realized it was almost time for school to let out. On a whim I found a scrap sheet of paper and wrote Emily a note.

Em,
Going to see the 'gang' at school.
I'll be back soon,
Bella

Stepping out in the cool September breeze, I noticed it was a rare sunny day. My thoughts ventured to the Cullens as I pondered what they could be up to. I continued walking down the road, enjoying the rays of sunlight and the various, vibrant green colors of the landscape.

I had never been to their school before, but I knew the general direction and I figured it wouldn't be too hard to spot. Sure enough, five minutes later, a long, clay building surrounded by yellow buses came into view. It was larger than I had expected but small all the same. There were lots of students, apparently there was only one school and it housed students from Kindergarten all the way through Seniors in high school.

I spotted three bulky figures near the center of the crowd, their heads sticking out a foot taller than the rest of the student body.

"Jake, Embry, Quil," I called out to them, waving.

A few heads turned in my direction, curious stares plastered on their faces. The trio grinned and ambled over my way. Jacob reached me first and wrapped his massive arms around me.

"Bella, Bella, Bella. What do we owe this pleasure," he asked in a sing-song tone.

"Only a lifetime of servitude," I countered without missing a beat.

"Oh, is that all," he teased.

Our banter was cut short when Embry and Quil finally reached us.

"Hey Bella," Embry greeted.

"Jake bolted so fast you'd think someone lit his tail on fire," joked Quil, laughing loudly. "I haven't even seen him move that quick when he's phased."

"Quil! Any louder and the whole school will be able to guess our secret," an exasperated Jared exclaimed irritably as he joined the group.

"Oh, get your panties out of a bunch," boomed Quil. "He's just mad because he hasn't got the guts to talk to his imprint yet," he explained to me.

"Aw Jared, who is she," I asked curiously, glancing over the crowd.

"Her name is Kim and she's over by the entrance, the one in the yellow sundress," he sighed blissfully.

Kim was plain at first glance but then she let out a melodious laugh that lit up her features.

"Oh, she's gorgeous Jared, you lucky dog! Why haven't you spoken to her yet? When we phased, your thoughts seemed to portray that you were already in a relationship."

"No, that's just in his dreams. In reality he pines over her like a love sick puppy. He hasn't told her yet because he worries that she'll refuse him," sneered Leah, joining in the conversation followed by her younger brother Seth.

"Don't be mean Leah."

"I'm not being mean Seth. It's stupid. He'll never be happy if he keeps on like this. Eventually, someone else will take interest and then he'll be all alone."

"Stop talking about me like I'm not even here," Jared growled.

Leah did have a point. Maybe he just needed a little shove. "Jared, I'm going to go speak with her."

"Wait, what? No," he gasped mortified. "You can't!"

"Of course I can, besides, you obviously can't do it yourself," I challenged, taking a few steps in her direction.

"Wait! Yes I can, I'll do it myself," he said. Setting his jaw determinedly, he took several paces forward. The pack's expressions were of shock. However, halfway there he halted and turned back. I ran to his side, whispering words of encouragement.

A few moments later he was in front of a curious Kim and her three friends. The girls giggled as he asked to speak with her alone. He was blushing furiously but held his own. She followed him away from her group and they were talking with each other easily now. He asked if she'd like to take a walk with him on the beach and she smiled, genuinely happy he had asked.

Whoa, Jared just asked me to walk with him on the beach. Tell me I'm not dreaming again...

"Wouldn't you know, he finally did it," Embry said in awe.

"What was she thinking," Jacob asked me.

"It seems Jared wasn't' the only one smitten," I answered happily. "I think they'll be happy together."

Jacob's eyes flashed. "Oh, are you still up for this weekend," he asked eagerly.

"That reminds me, a couple of people from school said they were coming down to the beach this weekend and they invited me along. Do you guys care to join us. I don't know them all that well and having a few familiar faces might make it more enjoyable," I explained.

"Sure, sure," Jake agreed. "We normally crash their parties anyways."

"I'm in," Quil shouted.

"Me too," piped up Seth and Embry at the same time.

I sighed, thankful my attempt to distract Jacob worked for the time being. I wasn't ready to tell him everything just yet and going to the springs with him would only lead him on, which wouldn't be fair to him.

Leah brightened considerably when I had mentioned the party. "Oh," she gushed. "I hope there are some hot guys there! The ones in La Push just don't do anything for me. What do you think of the guys coming Bella?"

I only have eyes for one, I thought silently. "I think it's safe to say that you will be satisfied," I told her.

Leah carried on the conversation as we walked down the road. Shortly after, Sam and Paul emerged from the woods and greeted us.

"Let's go running," Paul demanded.

"Where's Jared," asked Sam.

"He's talking to Kim," Seth answered.

"Well good for him," Sam beamed proudly.

"It was Bella's doing. I don't think he would of gone through with it had it not been for her persuasion," boasted Jake.

"Whoopie, Jared talked to a girl! Now that we're done celebrating let's go running, please," Paul begged.

"I'm still a little tired. I think I'm going to go back to Emily's and get some more rest," I explained. "You guys have fun though!"

Before anyone could object I spun on my heels and made my way back to Emily's. If I wasn't ready to tell Jacob my little secret, I sure wasn't ready to let the whole pack know, so that meant no phasing with them until then.

Footsteps crunched on the dirt behind me. "Bella! Wait up," Jake called.

Groaning inwardly I turned to face him.

"Your run in with the vampires. Did they break the treaty," he questioned eagerly. "I've been wanting to have a go with one for awhile. It should be fun."

"No they didn't break the treaty Jake, and don't be so eager to fight one either. Always remember that you're still new to all of this, and they are strong creatures with tough skin. Yes, you may have instinct but sometimes that's not enough," I stated.

"I can handle them," he exclaimed boldly.

"Whatever you say Jake," I sighed, walking away.

"Wait, are you mad," he asked, his eyes wide.

"Just disappointed. You shouldn't... never mind. Just don't go looking for any fights Jake. It's not safe, or healthy."

"Boy, you worry too much," he laughed. "Go get some rest and tell Emily I said hello."

"See ya Jacob."

"Later," he called.

Emily was waiting for me when I got back. Her expression was anxious and she studied me warily. "You haven't told them yet, have you," she sighed. "Bella, they need to know. It's only going to get harder as more time passes."

"I know Emily. I just need to prepare a bit more. I think you'd have to agree when I say that it's not something that comes up in casual conversation..."

She nodded expectantly, then launched on to brighter, carefree topics for the remainder of the evening. I helped her cook dinner. She had taken it upon herself to teach me since I lacked in that area, never having to do it myself. She claimed it came naturally for me, since I loved food so much.

By the time my head hit the pillow I was out cold, not even disturbing dreams made an appearance.

The following morning I was sitting in the parking lot, extremely nervous. Perhaps I should of left when I first met the pack. If I had just followed my own rules then none of this would have ever happened. But then you would of never found Edward, I argued with myself silently.

Sighing, I took a deep breath and walked to English. Alice was in the same seat in front of me but something was wrong. She had her head bent low, picking at her manicured nails intently. I walked by and took my seat.

"Good morning Alice," I greeted.

"Morning Bella," she said softly, continuing with her intensive nail staring. I had a feeling she was avoiding my gaze.

I don't know what I had been expecting, but when I left on Monday she had been excited about us becoming friends and now she wouldn't even look at me. I was, to say the least, thoroughly confused. What if she remembered, she probably doesn't want to have anything to do with me now. Tears sprang into my eyes and rejection settled in. You've turned into a sap, I growled to myself silently.

When the bell rang I had mustered up the courage to question her. "Alice," she kept walking. "Alice," I asked louder.

"Yes," she replied, still avoiding my eyes.

I chickened out at the last moment, deciding that I'd ask something different. "Maybe we could go to the mall later. I hear the shopping in Port Angeles isn't so bad," I cringed at the thought. I wasn't the shopping type and I had no money but anything for Alice.

"Um... I can't Bella," she said backing towards the door.

"Okay, well then what about tomorrow," I asked hopefully. "Or, maybe we should wait until Friday so we can do something else over the weekend," I rambled on.

"Listen Bella. You are a sweet girl and all, but I made a mistake the other day. I can't be friends with you... I truly am so very sorry," she finished. Before I could register her words she had already disappeared through the door in a flash.

Someone cleared their throat awkwardly behind me. Eric was handing me a tissue. I reached up and touched my face, feeling the salty tears that stained my cheeks.

"Don't worry about the Cullens Bella. They don't really get along well with people outside of their family. It's nothing against you, I think you're a great person. I'd be proud to call you a friend," he said loyally, as he patted my shoulder awkwardly.

"Thank you Eric."

The hours went by painfully slow. Thankfully I didn't have any more classes with Alice. Skipping lunch, I decided to wait in my truck until biology. I turned on the radio and surprisingly it worked well for being an antique. I fiddled with the dial before stopping on an alternative rock station. It was perfect, and matched my dark and heavy mood.

Leaning my head against the steering wheel, I closed my eyes and listened to the lyrics so my mind wouldn't be able to focus on anything but the pounding of the music. Halfway through the third song, the hair on the back of my neck stood on end, alerting my senses. I kept my eyes closed, listening. Another car was running idly in the lot.

Trying not to look suspicious, I placed my chin on top of the steering wheel and looked around. There, two rows over, was Edward Cullen. He was staring straight at me with a look of frustration frozen on his face. I tore my gaze away and quickly got out of the truck, heading towards the science building.

I was ten minutes early but Mr. Banner didn't seem to mind my presence. I handed him my slip and he pointed me to my assigned seat. I hoped I didn't end up with another ditz as a lab partner. At the last school, my partner burnt our table to a crisp because she didn't realize that her hairspray was flammable.

To pass the time I started to fill up an empty page with random doodles. Not long after, the class began filling up with students. The chair beside me scraped as it's occupant sat down. An aroma, sweet, yet spicy, floated around me. My eyelids drooped dreamily as my body involuntarily leaned toward the source. His posture immediately went rigid, his body leaning as far from mine as possible. My eyes snapped open and I sat straight, peeking from the corner of my eye.

Only one could effect me like that. Edward. His eyes were black, glaring at me with disgust. His posture was stiff and he wasn't breathing anymore. His grip on the ledge underneath the desk was so strong I could hear the wood splintering from the sheer force.

I had made him uncomfortable, more than uncomfortable. He seemed repulsed by me. Do I smell bad, I wondered. I tried making things easier for him by mirroring his position. He obviously didn't want to be near me. It dawned on me then that Alice probably had remembered and that's why he was acting this way towards me. No wonder he was glaring at me in revulsion.

Just then the bell rang, jarring me out of my thoughts. Edward had been the first to leave and I sate frozen in my seat.

"Bella, earth to Bella," Mike called.

"Oh, hey Mike."

"Were you sick yesterday and after lunch Monday? You dashed out of there so fast no one got to ask you and then nobody saw you the rest of the day, and then you didn't show up for lunch today. You had me worried."

"Yeah, I was sick, it was probably new girl jitters too," I added.

"No worries, I'll protect you," he proclaimed gallantly. "So uh, what did you do to Cullen?"

"Honestly, I don't know," I admitted.

"Hmm... well he's a weird guy. I wouldn't worry too much, if it were any other guy, me especially, I wouldn't have wasted the whole period ignoring you," he added sheepishly. "What's your next class, I could show you the way."

"It's gym, but I think I can find it."

"Good, you're in luck! That's my next class too," he beamed, obviously thrilled.

Walking to the gym, Mike chattered incessantly. I was only halfway paying attention and I was relieved to see him walking towards the locker rooms. As he waved farewell, I went to find the coach. Luckily he didn't expect me to participate today. My hand-eye coordination was lacking and usually I would get injured, bringing a few others down with me in the process.

When the period was over, I ducked out before the rest of the students left the changing rooms. I headed towards the front office so I could turn in my slip. Stepping inside my stomach did multiple flips and I almost turned back around, but Edward had already caught my scent.

"Never mind, I can see it's impossible," he said stiffly, turning to make his way hastily out of the confined office.

I wish I could change his schedule, the receptionist thought, but he really needs that biology credit to graduate.

He definitely didn't want to be near me, I thought sadly.

"Can I help you dear," she asked.

"I'm just returning my slip from Monday. I got sick so I had to finish up the signatures today. I hope that's okay."

"That's quite alright," she said sympathetically. "It's been a rough start for you, hasn't it," she observed.

"You could say that," I admitted.

If she only knew. My best friend and soul mate are probably out plotting my death with the rest of their coven. Things couldn't possibly get any worse...

Author's Note: I sort of rushed through this, and it's lengthy. Next chapter is already written, I just have to type it up but I'm lacking the enthusiasm at the moment. Hopefully it will be up by tomorrow.

I know some of you are going to ask me why Bella doesn't read Alice and Edward's thoughts. Bella does not like her gift. Yes, it's useful, but she considers it an invasion of personal privacy so she tries not to use it on those she cares for and respects. Unlike Edward, she has the ability to read thoughts when she wills to do so, otherwise it's silent up there in her noggin. (:

Disclaimer: Yeah, still not Stephenie Meyer. Where's that Polyjuice Potion?!