In the evening, Dad was a bit less standoffish. We had a sit-down dinner at his favorite restaurant, the Lodge. I remember ordering a pasta dish with some potatoes because when I tried to squirt ketchup on my potatoes, I almost splattered it on my favorite t-shirt.

"Careful there, Bells," Dad said, smiling affectionately.

"Will do," I replied.

"How was your first day?" Dad asked as he took a sip from the beer he ordered.

"Good," I said. "I met up with Jessica Stanley's group- such nice kids."

"Never had any trouble with them," Dad agreed. "Glad you found some good friends."

"Thanks," I said. I hesitated. "Hey Dad, do you know anything about the Cullens?"

"Never had any trouble with those kids either," Dad said, knitting his eyebrows together. "Some people are small-minded about them. They just don't like anything they don't understand."

"I see," I said.

"Why did you ask?" Dad asked.

"Just curious," I said.

When we got home, I checked my email again. One from Peter, which I immediately clicked on.

Hey Bella,

How's the rain and clouds? Bet you wish you were back here in New York! It's a little lonely, without you, Harry, or Gwen. MJ's cool though. She's actually taken me for a ride on her motorcycle- crazy, huh? Anyway, this Spider-guy's been a little bit busy with some guy called the Rhino. But I'll get him soon enough.

Anyway, how are you? Did you get to Forks safely? I hope your dad didn't ask too many questions about New York!

Welp, my Spidey-senses are tingling! Gotta go!

Your neighborhood-friendly web-slinging cousin,

Peter

I smiled and began typing out a response.

Hey, Peter,

It sucks. Hate the rain. But you've got snow, so I don't think I really wanna trade. Sorry to hear you're so lonely- at least MJ's keeping you company. Funny, because I've heard from Harry. Anyway, you better get on it, the people of NYC are counting on you!

I've been better, but at least I've been able to take my mind off things. I got here safe and sound, and I've been able to keep Dad away from my folder of incriminating evidence, so it's all good.

How have you been? Tell me more about college! You're going to be a physicist for crying out loud! Be a good hero of New York!

Your unfortunately mundane cousin,

Bella

I sat back and sighed, running a hand through my hair. I had to do a bit of reading for my homework, so I knew I had to get on it soon. I grabbed my earbuds and put on a Linkin Park playlist. I grabbed the textbook and began flipping through it. Once I was done, I kept the iPod playing, and sat in my rocking chair, watching the rain drip by. It was actually pretty calming. My mind began to wander. I guess I have a lot of things that cross my mind.

"Aunt May, I'm going off to visit Gwen and Harry!" Peter called from the living room.

"Take Bella with you, she could use another face to see other then ours and Mary-Jane's," Aunt May said. Peter sighed, and I sighed right along with him. Nonetheless, I grabbed my backpack, laced up my sneakers, and headed out the door. I wanted to take my bike, but Peter won that argument. We took his beat-up car. It was a gorgeous day, the birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and the sky was a perfect blue. The cliché perfect day.

We were taken into a parking garage, and then took an elevator up to the penthouse. I watched out the glass elevator at the many levels of research at Oscorp. It was incredible. I knew Gwen had to be through the roof working at a place like this. It was a nerdy girl's dream come true.

Then we arrived in the penthouse. It was dark with little sunlight coming through the entryway. Peter let himself in, and that's when I first met him.

"Hey, Pete," he said, grinning as he approached. He looked to me. "Who's this?"

"My cousin, Bella Swan," Peter said. "She's staying in New York for the summer."

"Hi," I said, giving a tiny wave.

"Nice to meet you, Bella," he said. "I'm Harry Osborn."

God, I should've known.

Realizing it was ten, I shut off my iPod, and flopped onto my bed, just kicking off my shoes before diving into a deep sleep, this time free of Harry Osborn.

The next week, Edward Cullen was gone from school. I didn't understand what his problem was, but it was none of my business. I made friends, exchanged email, and began to feel more sure that it would be okay in Forks.