Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight or Vampire Diaries. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer and L.J. Smith. I do own the original characters made up for this storyline. Please support the original release. Thank you.

Writer's Notes: Welcome to Not the Good Guy!


[Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory. -Dr. Seuss]


[Mystic Falls, Virginia]


The greenery was alive and late summer flowers bloomed. The winding roads into the mountainous region of the Appalachian was surprisingly detailed. It seemed like there were trees for miles and Bella thought about how different it looked from Phoenix, Arizona.

"You'll love it Bells; I promise." Renee Dwyer, Bella's mom, sat in the passenger seat of the old Jeep liberty. Her hair was cut off to her shoulders, a ruddy brown color and her eyes were unmistakenly green. She was always smiling and so optimistic. Bella was the opposite from time to time. And Bella, looked nothing like her mother. She knew she favored her father or at least in the pictures her mom had of him. He died when she was just a small girl. Bella could barely remember the way her father looked, much less how he sounded, but he was an honorable man. Police Chief in the small town of Forks, Washington. Renee escaped there after Charlie died. Journeying all over the country on a newfound adventure.

Bella was used to moving around a lot. Renee would never sit still for long. This time, they were going to another small town or at least, small town for Bella. Bella was used to the hotter cities. Despite being fair skinned and thin, she enjoyed the sun. She rarely burned, which seemed like a weird superpower to have considering how milky her skin was.

Bella smiled for her mom, her dark chocolate eyes glancing over at her. "I'm sure." She said with a nod, before looking back out the window. She was eighteen and a Senior in high school now or at least, next week she would be when school started. She would be the new kid again. It didn't bother her. She was quiet and reserved anyways and rarely brought attention to herself. She would survive. At least this would be the last time she had to move schools. There was always a silver-lining to anything.

A sign welcoming them to Mystic Falls, caught Bella's eye. It reminded her of historical signs you saw in colonial areas of Georgia and Tennessee. She lived in Tennessee once… the big city of Nashville, just briefly before her mother's country music phase ended and the cowboy her mom was dating turned out to be a flake. At least this time, moving to a new town, her mom wasn't doing it for a man. Her mom was actually taking on a job as a secretary at the sheriff's station. It's the type of work her mom had experience in anyways. At least her mom had a job this time. No depending on another human to pay bills. Bella would likely have to work part-time somewhere.

Bella pulled up in town outside Mystic Bar and Grill and parked. Renee turned to Bella. "I say we eat something, then we go to the new house and meet the relator at two. I'm excited Bells, this is the first house I've ever bought."

Bella looked at her mom. When their aunt died last year, Renee got a small inheritance, so Bella was glad that her mom put it to good use in the very least. It was strange to see her mom wanting to settle somewhere, but perhaps it was just the name Mystic Falls that drew her mom in. "Sure, I could eat." She said and then opened her door. She grabbed her phone and wallet then stuck them in her back pocket, following her mom inside the quaint restaurant. It was like a focal point for the town. So, she assumed that this would be the go-to place for many people in the town.

When they went inside, there was a bar and a pool table area. There was music playing overhead, but it wasn't too loud. It was just to fill the empty air with something. They were greeted by a boy with dark blonde hair and blue eyes. He was broad shouldered, Bella felt like perhaps they were the same age and that he had been a jock of some sort with his size.

"Welcome to Mystic Grille. Go ahead and sit where you like, I'll be over in just a moment." He said, a perfect smile on his face. His name tag said 'Matt'.

Renee smiled at him, then lead Bella to a booth and slid in. "This place is nice, isn't it?"

Bella nodded, looking around. "Yeah, it's certainly charming." She said and then looked up at Matt when he approached the table.

"I'm Matt and I'll be serving you today. What can I get you two to drink?"

"Hmm, I'll have a lemonade." Renee said, her eyes twinkling and her lips turned up in a perfect smile.

"Coke." Bella said with a nod and looked over the menus that Matt set down in front of them.

"I'll be right back with those drinks." Matt said, his tone cheerful.

Renee smiled and looked at the menu. "He was cute." She said, teasing Bella slightly.

Bella sighed. "I'm thinking about the burger and fries. Seems safe to test out."

Renee just shook her head, grinning. Bella always dismissed boy talk. "Yeah, I think that sounds good too."

Matt returned a short while later with their drinks and smiled at Bella and Renee. "Do you need a few moments or are we ready?"

"Uh yeah, I'll do a hamburger no onion and fries on the side is fine." Bella said.

"Same for me." Renee said, smiling at Matt. "Thank you." She said politely and Matt took their menus.

"Coming right up." Matt said and then he was off to put in their order.

Renee looked around. "I think this is a great place to settle. Don't you think?"

"Yeah. Seems nice." Bella said with a shrug and then took a drink of her coke. The fact was, Bella didn't care where they were, as long as her mom was happy. Bella could always adapt. She would miss the sunshine, at least here, there was some variations in the seasons. She would get used to it.


After eating, Renee drove her and Bella to the new house, where they met the realtor. A woman a little younger than Renee, if Bella had to guess. Her hair was red, her eyes were a blue-green color and she was cheerful, just like her mom. The house that they pulled up at was surprisingly bigger than Bella thought, on the outside. Most of the houses in Mystic Falls seemed to be colonial in style and this house was no different.

"Jenna, thank you so much for meeting me here with the keys. You've been great, helping get everything done through email." Renee greeted.

Jenna smiled at Renee. "Of course. I'm happy to help." She said and handed Renee the keys. "If there's anything else that you guys need, just let me know. I'm happy to show you around."

Renee grabbed the keys and smiled. "Thanks." She said then opened the door and Bella followed her inside. The foyer wasn't overly large, but it was nice. There was a little nook for shoes, then a small hallway that led to the family room with a fireplace in the center wall, it was opened to the kitchen and instead of a dining room, there was a breakfast nook. The kitchen was nice, newer remodel with newer appliances, all in stainless steel. It was better than what Bella was used to. There was a bathroom off the foyer that was just a powder room and then there was a laundry room as well. The stairs that went up led to two bedrooms upstairs, with a bathroom and the master bedroom was downstairs off the family room. There was no carpet throughout, which Bella thought was nice.

"Do you like it?" Renee asked, as they walked through the house.

"It's great mom." Bella said with a smile. "So, air mattresses until furniture?"

"Yes, I have an order in at a furniture store here in Mystic Falls. The man was really nice, he gave me a good deal. He said he'd have it all delivered this weekend. Enough time before you start school."

Bella nodded. "Thanks mom." She said then went back out to the Jeep grabbing her duffle bag with clothing in it then her backpack with her laptop in it and notebooks. Her mom helped grab the air mattresses out of the back of the Jeep and they walked back in together. Bella could tell her mom was really happy. This was a whole new beginning for the two of them. Bella had to admit that despite moving around a lot and enduring the crazy antics of her mother, she was happy that they were here in this small town. She knew that she didn't care where she was, as long as she was with her mom. A new school wouldn't be too bad either. She's been the new kid more times than she can remember. She was a senior this year after all. Already 18 and should have graduated already, but because of moving around a lot, she had gotten behind.

It was late before Bella realized she was hungry and heard her mom calling up the stairs for her. She set her book to the side that she was reading, 'The Great Expectations' and slipped her shoes on before trotting down the stairs. "Dinner?"

"Yeah, at the Grille. No groceries still. Come on kiddo." Renee said, grabbing her keys. Bella followed her mom outside to the Jeep and got in. Her stomach rumbled again and she was glad they were going to eat now.

"So, I'm thinking. Monday, when you start school, you can take the Jeep. I'm going to go check out cars here. Get a new car for myself." Renee said.

Bella smiled. "You're giving me the Jeep?"

"Of course, you're a senior. You need a way to school." Renee smiled over at her daughter.

"Thanks mom, I really appreciate it." And it was true. Bella did appreciate her mom. Her mom was trying to be a good mom and Bella knew that.

They pulled up at the Grille and went inside. It was much livelier now that it was dark out. People were playing pool at the pool tables and the bar was crowded with people already. A girl with dark blonde hair nearly brown, approached, a nice smile on her face. "Hey, I'm Vicki. Let me get you seated. Booth, okay?"

"Sure." Renee said, smiling back at the girl. She seemed like she was Bella's age at least, maybe older and she seemed friendly.

Bella followed her mom and Vicki to the booth and they slid in across from one another.

"So, what can I get you both to drink?" Vicki asked, taking out her order pad.

"Coke." Renee and Bella said at the same time and Vicki smiled and wrote that down then disappeared to get drinks.

"You know, eating all this grease is bad for your heart." Bella teased her mom.

Renee chuckled a little. "Hey, we haven't had time for groceries. Plus, they serve more than just burgers."

"Yeah, I think I'm going to get the chicken sandwich. Less grease." Bella said, glancing at the menu.

"Ooh, that does sound good. Charbroiled from the looks of it." Renee said, reading the description on the menu.

Across the way, there were some teenagers laughing with each other. One was brightly blonde, dressed to perfection and she was seated with two other girls, one had dark skin with dark hair that was curly, like little springs and the other girl had dark hair and eyes, like Bella had. There was a sort of sadness in the girl's eyes, but she put on a smile for the other two girls. Bella wondered if they were Seniors as well at Mystic Falls High School.

"Promise me you'll make friends and not be a hermit." Renee said, breaking Bella out of her trance.

Bella looked at her mom, and smiled a small smile. "No promises. You know I don't mix well with preppy teens."

"Bella, there are more than just Prom queens that go to school." Renee pointed out, then smiled at Vicki when she returned with their drinks. She gave Vicki her order and so did Bella before Vicki ran away again. The Grille was busy, and Bella could see how hard Vicki was working to keep up with every one of her tables. Apparently, another waitress didn't show up, so they were a little short on a Saturday night, which royally sucked.


[Monday, Mystic Falls High School]


Bella pulled up at the high school in the old Jeep and grabbed her backpack, before getting out. She slung it on and grabbed her phone before closing the door on the Jeep and headed inside. She glanced down at her phone when her mom texted her.

[Renee] good luck sweetie!

Bella smiled then bumped into someone, flying backwards somewhat. A hand reached out and caught her before she could land on her butt. "I'm so sorry." She immediately apologized looking up at the person she just assaulted. He was handsome, his mahogany hair styled perfect on his head. His eyes were a sparkling green color, his perfect chiseled jaw was bare and his skin looked so milky and smooth. He wore simple clothing, just a t-shirt, with a light jacket and blue jeans.

"It's okay." He said, his voice sounded like velvet. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I uh… wasn't watching where I was going." She admitted and took a step back. "Um… the front office, it's just inside, right?"

The boy nodded. "Yeah. You're new here?"

"Yes. Just got here this weekend." Bella said and they started walking for the doors.

"Welcome to Mystic Falls then." He said with a nod then left her side, walking inside and disappearing.

Bella found him a little odd, but she shrugged it off and walked inside, heading straight for the office. When she got there, there was another boy there, wearing a leather jacket, blue jeans, and boots. His hair was a dark brown, and from behind, he looked like he could have been strong, his shoulders wide. She waited her turn then he turned and she got a look at him. His eyes were a deep forest green color, his bone structure prominent, his nose straight and his mouth was perfectly formed. He was wearing a dark t-shirt under his leather jacket and his hair, was sculpted just right. She blinked a few times, before she realized he spoke to her.

"You're next." He repeated.

"Oh, right. Sorry." She muttered then brushed past him and leaned on the front desk and the office clerk smiled at her. "Isabella Swan, picking up my schedule." She supplied and the lady checked the file folders on the desk and reached inside and grabbed a schedule and handed it to her. "Thanks." She said and took it and left the office. She glanced at her classes she had. World History, Math II, Biology, and PE. World History was first up on the list so, she looked at the attached school map to look for the classroom.

When she found it, she walked in and saw the teacher. He was younger, dark hair, dark eyes, and seemed to be a little gruff. She found a desk towards the back then sat down as other kids filed into the room. It was the start of the new year, so Bella was fortunate that this time she wasn't going to be a spectacle in the middle of a semester and have to be alone in introductions.

The bell rang and mostly everyone was in their seats now. The teacher wrote his name on the board. Coach Tanner. Bella thought that was original. A coach as a history teacher. She remained quiet when the teacher began to talk.

"Alright, this is World History, but we'll talk about various things, including this town's rich history. I'm Coach Tanner for those that don't know me and for the ones that do, remember I'm not just a coach on the football field, I'm your teacher, so don't get any grand ideas." He muttered.

Bella felt like this class was going to be the least important of them all, but she would still make an effort.


By lunch, Bella was already mentally exhausted for the day. So many students and it seemed that the queen of the school was Caroline Forbes, she wasn't the typical mean girl you would fine in a normal school. She was actually really nice, from what Bella could tell. There were rumors floating around all day about Elena Gilbert. She was the girl that Bella saw Saturday night at the Grille that sat with Caroline and the other girl, which Bella learned was named Bonnie Bennett. The sad girl, Bella mused. She lost both her parents in a car accident during the spring of Junior year and now she was living with her aunt, who just so happened to be the realtor that helped her mom with buying their house here in Mystic Falls. It seemed like a very small world, when you laid it all out on the table.

She sat down at the table with her lunch tray, setting her backpack on the floor when she did. She took one bite of her food before she was approached by Caroline Forbes.

"Hi there! I'm Caroline! You're one of the new students for this year's senior class!" Caroline was so bubbly and smiling, that it made Bella smile back at her a little.

"Bella Swan." Bella introduced with a nod.

Caroline took that as an invitation to sit with her now. "So, welcome to Mystic Falls, I would love to know more about you!" She bubbled again.

Bella nodded. "Uh, I move around a lot. We just moved here from Arizona."

"That's so cool! The desert. Is it really that hot there?" Caroline quizzed.

"Yeah, pretty warm." Bella said and lifted her water bottle and took a drink.

"So, I know that it can be so overwhelming starting at a new school, but just know that Mystic Falls High is amazing and I hope you love it here. I'm the cheer captain this year and the student body president. I can give you a tour during your PE class, so you have a better understanding of the layout of the school." Caroline offered.

Bella thought that was kind, but she didn't need to follow someone around to get to know the school. "Uh, that's okay. I can manage." She said and then glanced up when the boy from this morning walked into the cafeteria. The one she bumped into.

Caroline glanced over, catching Bella's line of sight. "Oh, that's Edward Cullen. He's been going here since last year."

Bella blinked and looked at Caroline. "I'm sorry?"

"The Cullen's. The two oldest graduated last year, but there are three that are still here and seniors this year." Caroline elaborated. "Edward Cullen and his sister Alice are twins. Then Jasper Hale was adopted with his older sister. They're supposed to be all adopted by Dr. Cullen and his wife."

Bella glanced over at Edward again, studying him. There was something about him that just seemed interesting. "Huh. That's good. Adoption."

"Yeah, they're all incredibly beautiful too. They stay to themselves. Edward is the sulking type, doesn't seem to care about anyone and no one here is good enough for him to date. Not that… I care at all." Caroline said. "Alice is a bit weird. She smiles a lot and it seems that even though they are technically siblings. Her and Jasper have some sort… of dating thing going. Jasper always looks like he's in pain, or maybe it's because he's been abused or something. You know, some kids get adopted or fostered because of home life."

Bella nodded. "Right." She said. "You know everything about everyone?"

"Sure do!" Caroline beamed. "I try to get to know everyone. The Cullen's are the ones I know the least about. Well… and you, but I would love to be friends!"

Just then Bonnie and Elena joined Caroline at the table Bella was sitting at. "Hello." Bonnie greeted.

"Hi." Bella said with a nod.

"I'm Bonnie, this is Elena. Is Caroline bothering you?" Bonnie said with a joking smile.

"I am not bothering her, just introducing myself."

Bella gave a small smile. "Yeah, you're great. Thanks for offering your help."

"Well, if she's ever annoying you too much, just tell her to leave you alone. It might work." Bonnie teased again.

Caroline rolled her eyes. "I'm not annoying."

Bella thought the friendship the two shared was special, because the two girls seemed to be at ease with each other. Elena just smiled and shook her head. "Um, I'm Bella." She introduced to Bonnie and Elena.

"Nice to meet you, Bella." Elena said and took a bite of her salad.

For the rest of lunch, Caroline bubbled on about homecoming, and cheer tryouts, while Bella sat and listened, much like Elena, while Bonnie and Caroline went back and forth. It was refreshing to listen to others talk without pressuring her for too much. She liked to stay in the background.

When the lunch bell rung, it was time to get on with the day, so she parted ways with the trio and went on to her next class.


The end of the day was Bella's favorite part. She walked out to her Jeep, fishing her keys out of her pocket as she did. She glanced down at her phone when it dinged and then dropped it. She sighed and stooped to pick it up at the same time someone else did, and they bumped heads. "Oh, I'm sorry." She apologized again, and then looked up at the person, helping her with her phone. "Oh, it's you."

Edward Cullen, he smiled right at her and handed her phone. "We seem to be bumping into each other a lot lately."

"Yeah. I'm sorry. I'm really clumsy. I don't really watch where I'm going most of the time." She admitted.

"It's alright. How was the first day?"

"It was good. Yeah, Mystic Falls is… nice." Bella said and offered a smile. She brushed a piece of her dark hair back, tucking it behind her ear as she looked at Edward. "Uh, thanks for helping me. Maybe I'll see you around." She said and Edward nodded. "Goodbye." She said lamely and then walked to her jeep and got in. The text from her mom was just telling her that she was going to be out late shopping and to grab food at the Grille.

Bella just smiled and shook her head. She started the Jeep and headed to the Grille for her early dinner.