I don't own Twilight.

I'm sitting at the lunch table, thinking about how I wanted to smash Fem Hale's head into the ground.

For the past two weeks, I've been trying to contact Hale for our first Art project. Every time I attempt to approach him after class, his sister is dragging him out the door. She throws a glare at me when she looks at me. I only sigh and turn away whenever she's near him, but today is different because the project is due soon.

Now, I'm glaring at Fem Hale from a distance, wishing for something to stab her in the heart.

As if sensing my hostility, she turned her head towards me, surprised at my glare. She glares at me back, causing my own to heighten ten times more furious. Again, she is stunned at my unwillingness to cease. I gritted my teeth and began to look at her with all the anger inside of me.

"That girl thinks I'm going to stop? She has another thing coming. Nobody is going to be the reason I get a bad grade on my academics."

At this moment, I noticed Hale stand and start to walk over to my table.

"Can I sit?" he asked politely.

"No, sit on the ground," I said while glaring at his sister.

He chuckled and took a seat next to me.

"You can stop glaring. I'm here."

I sighed and stopped glaring.

"Miss me, darling?" he said playfully with that annoying southern drawl.

"No, but if your sister hadn't been playing bodyguard, I could've told you that we have a project due next week," I said a little loudly.

It caught the girl's attention, making her shake her head.

"Your sister is always dragging you away, huh?"

"I know what you think, Bella, but she's just doing what she thinks is best," he tried to explain, "She means no harm."

"Just because a dog looks cute and friendly doesn't mean it won't bite," I said with a sigh.

I looked at Hale to see him look at me curiously.

"What?"

"You're interesting."

I only raised an eyebrow at him during the statement.

"That's a new one."

He looks at me with confusion.

"People usually say I'm a danger management or troubled child."

"I can see it," he laughed.

"Shut up, Hale," I said in a harsh tone.

"It's true. Look at how you have Kate and Emmett trying to talk with you all the time. It annoys Edward and Rosalie."

I glanced at the Cullen table to see Kate giving me a mischievous smile while Emmett gave me a toothy grin. Irina was looking at Kate with a warning while Rosalie glared daggers at me. Edward only glances at me in both frustration and curiosity.

"Are those two always like that?"

"Emmett is sometimes called childish by some of us, but he never socialized outside the family. Kate, on the other hand, has a reputation of being..."

"A dog in heat?" I offered him.

Hale gave me a look, but I only shrugged because I knew her type too well at this point.

"Curious would've been a better term," he said with a sigh.

"Anyways, let's not drift off-topic here," I said while taking out my phone and a notebook, "Let's talk about the project."

"I think we shouldn't stay after school," he said while looking at the nympho and mammoth, "Those two will interrupt us during our project."

"You can't have your bodyguard take care of that?" I quipped, " They did a good job making it hard to approach you."

He only shook his head.

"Edwards is going out of town with Angela tomorrow. As for Rosalie, I think she lost her will to care as much anymore. You are my partner; there is no changing that."

"Fine, what do you suggest?"

"My house," he said without a second to spare.

"Not happening. It's only going to have the same result. Plus, I don't do well with parents," I said without batting an eye. Most parents see me as either a nuisance or a hooligan. If they do too, Charlie might get an earful from them, just like Gran.

"My parents can take care of them," he tried again.

"What about my house? Charlie wouldn't mind since you have a girlfriend. It'll just be us, working," I tried to persuade.

"My parents might be more comfortable if you came over."

Tired of trying to win this debate, I decided to use another excuse.

"I think my house is better, Hale. I know you're hesitant about going because your parents don't know me, but I know that they'd understand. I mean, don't you get tired of being around your siblings sometimes?"

Then I saw it.

Hale is having an internal debate with himself.

"What about Charlie? I'm sure that despite what you say, he wouldn't want his daughter to be alone with a boy like me," he said with a smirk. I knew he was challenging me with that smug look in his eye.

"Oh, he thinks he won with that one?"

"No worries, Charlie is not coming back for four days since he's investigating the disappearances in Forks," I said with a dull face, "After all, he's passionate about keeping everyone safe."

"Are you not going to tell him?" he asked, surprised at my answer. I knew that Hale didn't think of me as the rebellious type of girl, but unfortunately, I'm worse than that.

"Why?"

He looked at me with a smirk and laughed.

"You're unique."

"Whatever."

"I think it's best we go to your house. I only said we should go to mine because everyone suggested it, but Alice told me that I should choose."

"At least you two have some brains," I muttered under my breath.

He smirked at me before handing me his phone. I make sure my contact name is Higginbotham before saving it. I texted him my address, waiting for him to check.

"You are riding with me for today, but your girlfriend can come to get you at my house once we're done. I can trust the small girl not to be a problem."

"What about Irina?"

"I'm sure Kate has gotten past her before," I said while eyeing the nympho.

"I'll be waiting near your motorcycle," he said while getting out a textbook.

For the rest of lunch, we studied in silence. Hale made some comments about how organized my notes looked from a distance.

Once the bell rang, I went to my Spanish class, where Mr. Denali and Fem Hale awaited.

I felt the fem Hale start to glare at me with an intense feeling while Mr. Denali called on her to pay attention to the class.

Unlike the other teachers on campus, I respected Mr. Denali for his mannerism and strict teachings. He always was fair to all the students in the class no matter what anyone says to him.

He acted civilized and always referred to the syllabus when a student tried to trick him into not doing his homework. If a student becomes disrespectful or a nuisance to his teachings, he always has a way of humiliating them without sending them to the principal's office.

"Miss Hale?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Denali," she said while looking at the board.

"One more time, I'll have to assign you detention."

"As I was saying..."

When the bell rang, Mr. Denali asked me to come after school for a quick talk.

I was confused as to why he asked me but realized it might have something to do with Fem Hale.

"He's probably wondering what's happening every time we're together in this damn class."

I paused in the middle of the hallway as the bell rang, signifying my next class had begun. I quickly went into the nearest restroom, not wanting to attract the attention of anyone near.

As I locked the door, I debated if I should skip class today.

I'd go to class, but I'm starting to bristle at the mere thought of spending the rest of my class period with the mammoth-like child for a few more minutes.

"Skipping one class won't cause harm. If the school calls Charlie, I can always tell him I got sick and threw up in the restroom. He'll believe me since I'm a good kid in his eyes."

With my decision made, I leaned against the restroom wall and started to formulate a new strategy for Charlie.

He's tried to push me out of the house to mingle with the people from La Push every opportunity that arises. However, I've been able to avoid these problems with mere excuses involving my morning for Gran.

I know that these excuses wouldn't last long enough to stop him, so I need better material.

La Push isn't something I can avoid for a year, so I plan on making an acquaintance there for when he drags me.

The only person that wouldn't get on my nerves is Clearwater. The girl is still annoying, but she is a better candidate than the others.

"I'll need to talk to her about some of these things, considering that she isn't a friendly person, despite our moment on the beach."

The night we returned to Wheel's house, she was hostile towards everyone except her family and Charlie. The Wolffie boy seemed annoyed to be around the girl, often telling her to calm down when the adults weren't listening to them.

She snaps at the boy, making him hold his head. It also affected making the boys uncomfortable, despite the distance between them and the arguing teens.

With her unapproachable nature, I knew she'd be the best to be with when Charlie suggested I make a friend.

I knew that Charlie wanted me to be friends with the dog boy, but I couldn't do that. There is something about the Black that doesn't sit right with me. He wasn't the only person I felt this way towards.

Some of the party guests from that night seemed to make me uneasy with their constant glances. The way they stared at me seemed to make me feel like I'm someone constantly under surveillance. It felt like they were trying to possess me.

I know I'm wrong about that, but I couldn't shake off the feeling since I left La Push.

I heard someone try to open the door but to no avail.

"Is something wrong?" asked someone from outside the door.

"No, let's go to the restroom near Tom's class. I hope the teacher doesn't mind since this one is closed."

I sighed in relief once the two girls walked away.

"Today, Hale is coming over, so I need to be a good host for him."

If I didn't make the promise to Gran, I knew that I'd be more of a bitch than I am now towards him. I'd probably already chewed out the mammoth and cursed Fem Hale. Not only that, but I'm pretty sure I would've already taken more drastic measures to avoid the nympho.

I never cared about people.

That is a fact that hasn't changed since I was younger. The only two people I cared about are now either missing or dead, meaning that the sole statement is accurate.

I don't care if Charlie feels happy for finally being able to meet me. I never care about people having any infatuation or curiosity towards me.

All I cared about is-

"So, this is where you are, Bella?"

I snapped my head towards the small window to see the blonde.

"What do you want?"

"Nothing, it's just that I didn't see you as the type to skip class, Bella," she said with a small smile.

I rolled my eyes as she slipped through the window and into the restroom.

"Wait, how did she get up there in the first place? Not even the boys can climb up without another person's assistance. Even then, they'd cause a stir that is bound to get the attention of a teacher."

"Where is your sister?"

"Irina is busy with classwork," she said with a seductive look in her eyes.

"Well, how did you climb up the window then? I doubt you got up there by yourself," I said as a sinking feeling started to envelop my stomach.

"Emmett," she answered with a chuckle.

I narrowed my eyes.

"Liar."

Emmett isn't allowed to leave the classroom. I know that because he tried it before with the teacher. He doesn't let him out due to his intolerable behavior outside the classroom.

I stared at the blonde in the eyes and noticed a shift in them. They became more earnest and less flirtatious.

"Don't worry. I'm not trying to bite you, for now," the nympho said with a small smile.

"What is it, Denali?"

"I want to know a bit more about you," she said, "Not for the purposes you think, I swear."

I thought for a moment.

This girl has never approached me with any other intention than desires. I can see that the girl is telling the truth with seriousness in her eyes. I also know that she won't take no for an answer. Even if I don't want to answer, I know how persistent the blonde can be when wanting something.

The safest thing to do is answer to avoid future dilemmas.

"I'll only answer three questions, nothing more," I told her while standing tall. I crossed my arms and looked at her with vigilance.

She nodded, impressed with me for some reason.

"Why do you always seem annoyed with anyone who tries to talk with you?"

"Because I don't like interacting with people," I answered frankly.

She looks at me with a raised eyebrow but doesn't comment.

"Emmett says you're from California. Do you still have family in California?"

"I do, six feet under."

She's surprised by my blunt remark at the question but didn't say anything about it.

"That makes your father your only living relative," she mumbled.

"You didn't ask if I have more," I deadpanned at her assumption.

"You're here in a small town with a father you haven't seen since you were a newborn. I think you would've gone to another place if you had an option."

I didn't falter at her words but waited for her last question.

"Have you ever seen someone with-"

The bell rang, causing the door to slam open.

"KATTTT," yelled a furious Rosalie. Behind her was a scared Angela and an irritated Irina.

"It's about time."

"Wait, I wasn't doing anything wrong! I only asked questions."

"Wait until Tanya and Carmen hear about this," said Irina with an annoyed tone.

"Rosalie glared at me, but I only rolled my eyes.

"Well, it looks like our conversation will wait for next time, Denali," I say with a dull voice, "Now, I need to go before Hale touches the handlebars of my bike."

I left the restroom, not turning back when I heard something resembling a loud hiss.

I paused for a moment, surprised at how animalistic it sounded.

Shaking my head, I went to Mr. Denali's class.

"I was wondering if you'd arrive, Miss Higginbotham," he said while stacking some papers on his desk.

"I'm here, Mr. Denali," I said with a sigh, "Is there something you want to talk about?"

He stopped stacking the papers on his desk as he stared at me.

"It's about Miss Hale's behavior towards you," he responded bluntly.

"You wanted to talk with me about that?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I only wanted to apologize for her hostility. Rosalie isn't aggressive with students, but you've managed to make her agitated. If she does something to you, please inform me. I will speak with her parents about it."

"Okay."

He offered me a handshake, but I turned away, stating that I needed to meet with my partner. He told me goodbye as I left the classroom.

When I finally reached the parking lot, I saw Hale admiring my bike with curiosity.

"Like what you see, Hale?"

He didn't answer, so I decided to ask, "You ride?"

"I own two motorcycles. I don't use them often."

"Here," I said, throwing my helmet at him. He caught it effortlessly and stared at it. He gave me a questioning look.

"Where's yours?"

"Put it on. Let's go already, Hale."

He tries to give it back to me, insisting that he doesn't need it, but I only ignore him. It doesn't matter if he wears the helmet, but I'm sure his family wants him safe, so I stay quiet and wait for him to relent.

It took time, but Hale managed to stop his argument and comply.

I heard the mammoth's booming laughter from a distance, but I paid no mind.

"See, that wasn't so hard, right?" I said with sarcasm.

I heard Hale mutter about something under his breath but couldn't make out the words.

"Something you'd like to say, Mr. Hale?" I said with a raised eyebrow as I straddled my bike. He stared at me in shock but shook his head.

He sat behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He made sure to hold on tight as I started the bike.

I tried my hardest not to flinch, considering that his grip is a bit harsh and his skin is freezing.

Before I could drive away, I heard the sound of a car screeching closely.

I turned my head to see Crowley's van lose control as it neared the car Roux and Yorkie were near.

"Watch out!"

I see Yorkie quickly getting Roux out of the way, but the van managed to smash her leg before she could escape. She screams in pain as she sees her left calf stuck between the vehicles. She vomits on the spot after seeing herself stuck.

As for Yorkie, he is either severely injured or dead.

I can hear the metal groaning as it tries to tip the car over the small hill but to no avail.

People started to rush towards the scene as they called out to the two students involved in the accident. I heard people making a commotion, trying to help as Crowley cries on the steering wheel.

Without a word, I drove out of school, ignoring everyone around me, except Hale, who strangely went quiet.