I don't own twilight.
I awoke inside the abyss for what felt like the millionth time. I attempt to move my head, but the tar beneath my body prevents any movement.
Laughter fills the void as I struggle to free my body. It's coming from random directions inside the abyss, causing me to glare everywhere my eyes allow me.
Then the laughter ceases abruptly.
A woman's laugh echoes around the abyss, making my glare so potent, it can cut steel.
"Don't fret, my Isabella," said a feminine voice, "Soon, we shall reunite."
I tried to make a snarky remark, but I felt something touch my ribs, making me shutter. The feeling of hands touching my body felt wrong. They slowly made their way up to the sides of my breasts, lingering there for a short time, then continued their journey until they reached my throat.
"Shhhh, my Isabella," she said with a vile voice, "Everything will end soon."
Before I could retort, I felt intense pressure on my throat. The hands are slowly squeezing around it, trying to suffocate me with their might. I couldn't breathe as the pain began to produce a burn.
The laughter of the people returned. Some of them were laughing while the others taunted me. I recognize some of the voices as people from my past, making my anger rise.
My eyes widened as I started to sink into the tar. I struggled to free myself, but soon the tar was covering the entire back of my head. The fire from my throat began to spread throughout my body, causing me to experience unimaginable discomfort. Even if I could scream, I wouldn't because it also felt bliss. It's hard to describe with mere words. The burning was hell, but it felt like a rebirth. The fire is cleansing me from my past pain and suffering as I form new skin.
When the tar came dangerously close to my face, my eyes widened further. I can feel someone was there watching me. The person's eyes felt like sharp blades, piercing my body from all angles.
I knew who the gaze belongs to because of the laughter that meets my ears so dangerously close.
The hands disappeared as I felt a revolting kiss on my forehead.
"Come to me," the voice says while red eyes gaze into mine.
As the tar finally covered my eyes, I heard the woman's last words.
"We shall be one. My love."
Beep Beep Beep
I abruptly sat up with sweat covering my face. I held my chest with my right hand, feeling my rapid heartbeat. Closing my eyes, I try to control my breathing.
Once my breathing is under control, I scowl at the barling alarm. I turned it off, trying not to throw it in annoyance. Checking the time, I rubbed the back of my neck.
"I've slept more than usual. Five hours; a new record."
I sighed as I sprawled limply on the bed.
The nightmare was different from the rest I had growing up. It felt too vivid. The woman that haunts my dreams felt so palpable that I can still feel her hands around my throat.
Walking towards the restroom, I let out a sigh.
The cold water caresses my back as I thought about the dream and how it ended differently than before.
It usually ends with me being able to escape the tar-like substance and wake up, but it ended with me being strangled by invisible hands as they tried to take my life. Never had I felt such fear since the incident in Arizona.
I felt my skin become wrinkled from the water and decided to step out of the shower.
Walking to my new room, I wonder about the student life Forks is doomed to have because of its small population.
These types of towns are bound to get excited when something new comes their way. Dull towns make anything new the center of attention for a long time.
In this town, the hero's daughter has returned to Forks.
I will be attending Forks High as a senior, one year above my old graduating grade.
I don't know if Charlie is the type of dad to tell his coworkers about how smart his daughter is, but I knew someone is bound to find out and spread gossip.
The mere thought of being the center of attention is both annoying and infuriating.
The students of the school will try to be friendly, which makes me agitated. They'll come to me with good and ill intentions, wanting to be with me because I'm new.
"Wait until they see my reclusive and gruff personality."
The worst part is that I need to behave. Which means I'd need to avoid everyone to keep my promise.
If Gran didn't tell me to be on my best behavior, I know I'd snap at someone the first day.
I sighed as I changed into my Arctic Monkeys shirt with a pair of tight jeans. I wear my signature plaid shirt with a black rain jacket. I stepped into my worn-out black converse. To finish everything off, I clean the silver seamless helix piercing.
"It's small and snug, so I hope Charlie doesn't mind it."
I'd never get anything else because this means so much to me.
Soon, I walk downstairs to make breakfast.
By the time I finish, I read the clock to see school starts in an hour.
"Perfect timing."
I quickly grabbed everything I needed and locked the door of the house.
I walk toward the shed to take off the chains, finding the motorcycle inside.
Once I turn it on, it purrs, causing the adrenaline to course through my veins. A rare smile appeared on my face as I drove to my new high school.
As I parked in the furthest parking space in the school, I felt their curious eyes staring at me from behind.
I dismounted my bike and started to head to the front office for the paper Charlie said I would receive.
"Nice ride," said a student leaning on his car.
I ignored him and continued my journey to the office.
Once I arrived, I saw the secretary typing away on her computer. The redhead glanced up from her computer screen and frowned at me.
"You aren't allowed to wear helmets on campus," she stated in a sincere tone. I can tell that she's curious to see my face already.
Once I took off my helmet, I saw her frown deepen. I followed her line of vision to notice that she was staring at my piercing. Judging from the look in her eyes, she doesn't like it.
Biting my tongue, I said, "Hi, I'm Bella Higginbotham. Charlie said that I need to come here before school starts. He said you were supposed to give me something."
Her frown turned into a smile at the mention of Charlie.
"You're the daughter of Charlie Swan?"
"Yes," I responded, trying not to roll my eyes.
She quickly started to give me the papers.
"Here is everything you need. I gave you a map, your locker number with the combination, and a slip that all your teachers must sign. Please bring it back after school. Remember, don't wear your helmet inside the campus."
The red-headed woman continued her work as I left the office.
The moment I set a foot out of the door, the student gossip began. I heard them whispering and staring as I walked to my locker.
I was turning the corner when I heard someone speak.
"Hey, new kid. Watch out!"
I turned in time to see a flying football that was about to descend on my face. Before it could even touch me, I caught it with my left hand. I looked at the skinned ball and then looked at the owners.
I saw four boys with letterman jackets.
Two of the boys are looking at me in shock while the other two glance at my body.
"Two boys and two pigs."
The blonde boy who was staring at my body suddenly snapped to attention when he noticed my glare. He smiled at me charmingly as he asked, "Can I have my football back?"
I looked at the football, debating on whether to humiliate the pig or toss it back to him. Deciding to be polite for Gran's sake, I prepared to throw the ball only for the boy to raise his hand.
"Hold on, new girl. I don't want you to get hurt throwing that football."
"He shouldn't have said that."
"Don't worry," I mumbled as I threw the football with half of my strength. Not expecting me to throw the ball, the boy is surprised by the quick throw. Before he has the opportunity to catch the ball, it hits him. He fell backward as a bruise started to form on his forehead.
I saw his friend start to help him up. Once he stood up, I walked past the corner, ignoring the looks I received from people.
Before I can open my locker, another boy approaches me.
"Hey, you must be the new girl, Bella, right?" he asked as he smiled at me.
"Yeah, you want something?" I asked, a bit annoyed. He continued smiling, which means that the boy didn't notice.
"I'm Eric, the eyes and ears of the school."
I stopped putting in my locker combination at the statement.
I looked at him and offered him a smirk, which caused his cheeks to turn pink.
"So, you're the go-to guy on campus?"
He nodded with a bit of enthusiasm, "Yes, ma'am. I am that guy."
"This might be easier than I thought."
"I'll give you two hundred dollars for one thing," I started with a solemn face.
Eric seemed surprised at the statement but smirked.
"You have two hundred dollars?"
I nodded at him as I grabbed my wallet.
"No need, Bella. I'll tell you what you want to know. In exchange, I want to know if it's true that you're Charlie Swan's daughter."
I raised an eyebrow at him and asked him to explain himself.
"Some students here help the people in the front office. One of them is my friend, Lauren. She wanted to know if Charlie's your real dad and if your mother is a whore."
I stayed silent for a bit, but I answered.
"Charlie is my biological dad. My mom divorced him. She never cheated."
"Okay, cool," he said awkwardly, "Now for my payment."
"I want to know who are the figures of the school. That includes the jerks, the gossip queens, everything," I said with a frown.
Eric looks surprised but nodded in understanding.
"Okay, I'll have a list ready for you, but I'm telling you now that some of the jocks and gossip girls are my friends," he said with a fake smile.
"Why are you with them?" I asked. It was apparent that Eric didn't like being around him. At the mention of his friends, he seems to have an annoyed look in his eyes.
"They keep me in the circle because I'm childhood friends with two of them. I also have someone in there I like a lot. She's one of the nice people in the school," he said with a shrug, "Plus, I get perks too."
I nodded in understanding, "High school sucks, doesn't it?"
"It does, but I get to make money from it," he said with a large grin.
"Meet me at Art 5 before you go to lunch. I want the information," I said while showing him the room number."
"I'll have the list by then. Good luck!"
He left with a smile on his face as he walked to his first class.
I looked at my schedule and felt relief when I discovered my first class is in the same hallway as my locker.
The bell rings, signifying the start of the first day of school.
When I entered the classroom, some of the students stared at me as they whisper to their friends. I only sighed as I gave the teacher my slip.
"I was wondering when I would get to see my new student," she said with a smile, "It's not every day someone with your brain comes through the door."
I only stared blankly at her and deadpanned, "You mean someone with a brain in general."
She looked at me curiously before cracking a wide smile.
"Just for that, I won't introduce you to the class. Welcome to AP English, Miss. Higginbotham. Here is your textbook and syllabus."
She assigned me to my new seat for the school year and started the class.
Throughout the classes, I felt people glance at me, trying not to make it obvious. The teachers would make me stand in front of the room and instructed me to introduce myself to the students. I can tell that many of them were disappointed when I only said that I'm from California.
When I entered my fourth class, an aged woman approached me.
"Oh, you must be Miss. Higginbotham. Take a seat anywhere you want. I'll explain everything when the class period starts."
The seats inside the classroom are in rows. In each row, one desk is facing another, grouping in two.
"I have a terrible feeling about this."
When the bell rang, everyone sat at a desk.
There was only one empty seat in the classroom.
"Good morning, everyone!" she said brightly, "Today is the day you've all been waiting for."
Two jocks in the back of the classroom hollered, causing many to chuckle.
"Since this is my last year of teaching, I wanted to make this year more suited for everyone. So, I decided you will have a partner for projects for the rest of the school year."
"Oh, no."
"These are also the people who will help you in your final project for the fall and spring semester."
People started to whisper amongst themselves until someone passed through the door.
"Oh, Mr. Hale. I assume you have an excuse for being late for my class?"
He gave the teacher a note, causing her to point at the empty seat in the classroom.
"Take your seat, please."
He nodded his head to the teacher and proceeded to sit at the desk in front of me.
"Now, as I was saying, these are your assigned partners for the school year. I will make no changes," she said while passing out a sheet of paper, "On this paper, you'll answer questions about your partner. This paper is your classwork for the day. Turn them in at the end of the school period."
Once she gave me the paper, I stared at Hale.
He has long-golden honey hair that falls gently to his chin, with some of his locks covering his eyes. His body appears too lean for someone in high school. His skin is deadly pale, making an itch appear in the back of my mind.
The most significant feature that caught my eyes are both his eyes and body language.
His body language is strange. He barely moved at all. An average person would've not seen it, but it was the first thing I noticed when he sat down. He only awkwardly moves every few seconds, making it seem forced and unnatural.
His eyes are the only thing that I could read clearly.
His golden eyes spoke more words than what his body could express.
At first, I saw only curiosity and gentleness, but the longer I looked into his eyes, the more I saw. His eyes showed something animalistic and restrained, but the most prominent emotion I saw startled me.
"Hunger? Starvation?"
"I'm Jasper Hale."
I was startled by his voice. It sounded so smooth.
"I'm Bella Higginbotham."
He tilted his head a little.
"What?" I asked, trying to reframe myself scowling.
"I don't think Higginbotham suits you," he said with a small smile.
I only rolled my eyes and started my classwork.
During our entire time, Hale and I started to learn more about each other, making both of us uncomfortable.
By the time we finished, I felt exposed. I do admit I lied to the boy a bit, but it doesn't matter. He'll never know that.
So far, I learned that Hale has four adopted siblings and three cousins from Alaska. He is dating his adopted sibling Alice and that only his sister, Rosalie, is his biological sister.
I narrowed my eyes at the mention of Rosalie because I saw a hint of a lie in his eyes. However, I didn't question it.
When the bell rang, I stayed in my seat and waited for Eric to arrive.
"Sorry I'm late, Bella. My friends tried to drag me to the cafeteria."
I shook my head and held out my hand.
"It's fine, but I'd appreciate it if you called me Higginbotham instead of Bella," I said with a frown. I never liked it when people called me by my first name.
"Oh, sorry, but here's the information," he said while handing me the paper, "But I have to tell you to be careful of my friends Mike and Tyler. Mike was talking about you during my third-period class."
"Who's Mike?"
"He's the guy you hit with a football. You're lucky he didn't snitch on you, or you'd be in the front office."
I nodded my head and started to leave the classroom. Before I left, I made sure to put some money into Eric's pocket.
No matter how generous a person acts, I don't take things for free. Paying him is the least I can do.
"Alright, I guess I'll see you, Higginbotham," he said while passing me in the hallways.
I couldn't help but groan at the prospect of seeing half of the school inside the cafeteria. For a brief moment, I wondered if I should avoid the lunchroom. Then I decided to face the inevitable sooner rather than later.
"This is going to be a pain."