Chapter 1

First Sight

"Bella, Bella!" I felt my body shake and opened my eyes. I thought I might be in a hospital or still on the pavement with Marianna, but instead I was in a big building with lots of people bustling around. I took a shaky breath and focused on the woman who had been shaking me. "Bella?" I frowned and just stared. I had no idea what was happening or where I was.

"Bella, you don't have to do this." I tried to focus, tried to think, this was all familiar to me. I've never experienced anything like this before, I spent my life in one street after all, but I felt like I had seen, or most likely read, something like this before.

I relaxed my mind trying to find this scene, within a few seconds the page was in my mind's eye. Great, was this Twilight? I examined the woman in front of me, wide cheekbones, narrow chin, and she was tanned with long brown hair and brown eyes.

I was lost and confused; I had no idea if this was real or just a dream, so rather play it safe right? I took a deep breath and smiled. "I'm going, spending time with Dad will be good for him and for me, besides, now you'll get all the time you want to be with Phil, right Mom?"

The woman nodded a frown forming between her brows. I didn't give her a chance to answer, merely hugged her, which was awkward since it was technically the first hug I've ever experienced and turned to leave. I looked down and found that I was holding a ticket and an ugly brown parka.

I tossed the parka and followed the flow of people, every now and then I was stopped by someone who worked here and they kindly told me where to go. Within ten minutes I was seated on the plane that would take me to Seattle.

I sat in my assigned seat just breathing, my whole body was shaking and I felt light-headed. I didn't know if it was because of this strange dream or because I was sitting in a plane for the first time in my life. I had read enough to know how the mechanics of this machine worked but in this moment my mind was empty.

My mouth dried up as the plane filled up, people bustled on with their lives, unaware that I wasn't supposed to be here, they continued to pack away their luggage and found their seats. I was seated by the window, the seats next to me occupied by a couple with matching shirts, they were too occupied with one another that they didn't even realize that I was in distress.

Everyone seemed to be seated as the flight attendants demonstrated the various safety procedures, one of them came over to fasten my seatbelt she gave me a wide smile and told me to relax. Yeah, my body felt so stiff, it was like I had swallowed a stick. Nausea had settled in my stomach and my hands were clenched together.

I was trying to relax, trying to just breathe, my mind was still empty, I couldn't think. I heard people talking but couldn't understand their words because the plane had started moving, we were picking up speed and I shut my eyes tightly. My stomach churned, and a strange sensation spread through my body as I fell back into the chair.

Suddenly everything changed; my body relaxed on its own as the plane steadied in the air. Okay, that wasn't as bad, right? I opened my eyes and took a few shaky breaths. Everything was fine, people were walking around and laughing, the attendants were serving people drinks and I could clearly hear and understand the captain.

Good, my mind could actually form coherent thoughts. I unclenched my hands and let my head fall into them. This was all way too real to be a dream. What was happening? Why was this happening? Did I just suddenly take over Bella's life?

I dug the ID out of my pocket; there was her name, her age and her birth date, but the rest, it was me, my brown eyes stared back at me from the picture. Was I being given a second chance at a normal life then? I grimaced, her life turned supernatural after she moved.

Oh wow, I realized that I haven't even thought about the vampires that would become Bella's obsession. Were they in Forks, waiting for the human girl who would become a part of their family? I wondered if Alice had seen Bella beforehand. It was never really explained.

The problem here was I was not Bella. I did not want anything to do with the vampires or the wolves for that matter. Maybe I could just avoid them, act normal, and ignore them like everyone else, but, could the mind reader read my mind? I was in my body after all and I was not a mental shield like Bella.

I blanched. My powers! They had completely slipped my mind; did I still even have them? They were such a part of me, how could I just forget? I looked around; luckily no one was paying any attention to me. I opened my palm and focused. "Money" there was a crack, just like always and a new fifty rand note lay in my palm.

I breathed a sigh of relief. And then I laughed a little. I forgot that I was in America now, my money wouldn't work here. I tossed the note down and it vanished into thin air, right where it had come from. So much for that then, at least I knew that my powers worked.

Now I still had the problem with the vampires and their powers. Could I materialize a shield for myself? It shouldn't be too difficult. It might just take a lot of energy. I had never pushed my boundaries before, the reason they were there was to protect me from overuse, or at least that was what I thought.

The seatbelt sign went on just as the attendants announced our landing in Seattle. This time I was prepared, I kept my eyes open and my body relaxed, the strange sensation still moved through my body, but I readily accepted it and was ecstatic when I felt no churning in my stomach.

I quickly moved along with some of the passengers who were also flying to Port Angeles in the smaller plane. With my eyes open this time, I saw out the window as the plane took off. It was breathtaking, and once we were up in the clouds, it was like nothing I've ever seen before.

I spent the hour just looking outside at clouds and the sky, sometimes it was so white, it looked like we might actually be entering heaven. I felt liberated as the plane set down and once I claimed Bella's luggage I realized that it was time to meet her father Charlie, my father.

Bella seemed to have a strained relationship with her father; I had always thought that she didn't respect him; she was lying to him and just doing whatever she wanted like running off to Italy and leaving him just like her mother had. It all felt horrible to me.

I couldn't condone that; I would not do anything like that to Charlie. I definitely won't call him by his name. I felt rather giddy; I didn't feel like this towards Bella's mother, because she wasn't really a mother in the first place. Charlie loved Bella, would he love me too? I hoped so, I felt reborn, and realized that I wanted a family, and that I could have one here. Charlie could be my family.

The book described him as awkward and non talkative, but it also said he was a Chief of Police. I really hoped it was just because of Bella that he was awkward, because a Police Chief who wasn't 'talkative' couldn't do his job right.

I spotted him immediately; he kinda stood out from everyone else in his dark grey police jacket. I approached him cautiously, he had short dark brown hair, you could see it was turning grey already; his brows were furrowed as he searched for me. When his eyes settled on me his thin lips stretched into a smile and his chocolate brown eyes glistened with excitement.

I stopped walking. A sudden wave of emotion crashed around me and I felt the tears sting my eyes before they traveled down my cheeks. My throat had tightened and a broken sob escaped from my mouth. Charlie was in front of me almost immediately and enveloped me in a warm hug, which only made me cry even more.

"Shhhh, Bells, it's alright," he patted my back as he tried to soothe me and I found it so comforting that my sobs grew even louder. "Ah, Bells, I'm so sorry. I know you didn't really want to come here. It's alright; I'll call Renée and have her waiting to pick you back up in Phoenix, okay? Let's go."

My sobs died down as Charlie pulled me to the ticket counter and I found myself getting angry. Bella Swan did so not deserve a father like this; she obviously didn't care much for him if he thought that the reason for my outburst was that I didn't want to be here, which if I were the real Bella would be an accurate assumption.

I pulled back before he could speak and hugged him tightly, this was heaven. This feeling, warmth and love, this was a father's love for his daughter. It was amazing. "Dad!" he grunted in complete surprise and I pulled away to smile at him.

I saw his eyes widen at the complete joy that I knew was evident on my face. "No, Dad, please, I don't want to go back. Let me stay here, please?" I waited for him, he was letting it all sink in. "But, Bells, I know you don't like it here..." I pulled him towards the exit of the building interrupting his sentence.

"Those summers that I spent here with you, I was a different person back then, Dad," Literally a different person, "I've changed a lot, and I realized that I was only staying with Mom, because she needed someone to look after her, she doesn't need me anymore, so now I can get what I need."

We stopped a few feet away from the doors and I turned to him. "I need my Dad." Because I've never had one, "I've missed you so much, Dad, I really want to get to know you better, I want to be a daughter for you, one that will make you proud."

This time, it was Charlie who burst out in tears, and before I knew it I was cradled in his arms again. I held on to him, embracing the warmth of his love. This was wonderful, this was something I had always secretly yearned for, and in this moment I hoped that this was all real, because in this moment I had a father.

Dad pulled me out into the rain and towards his police cruiser. I threw Bella's luggage into the trunk and went to open the passenger door. Dad stopped me though and led me to the other side. I had forgotten that I was in America again; they drove on the other side of the road. Strange.

Dad opened the door, but stopped me before I could get in. "Isabella, aren't you cold? Here take my jacket." With a smile I put on his jacket and climbed into the car. Unlike Bella, I really liked the name Isabella. So in making this my life, in taking my second chance, I was going to be Isabella Marie Swan and not Bella.

The hour trip was filled with comfortable conversation. Dad told me about Forks and the people who lived there; he mentioned the new doctor and his family, which didn't surprise me that much since he had liked them at the start of the book.

I didn't ask many questions, just took it all in. Dad was talking enthusiastically, especially about his friends at the reservation. He told me about the truck he had bought me and I had to stifle my laughter when he admitted that it was an ugly monster.

The truck brought me out of my head and I couldn't keep my mouth shut any longer. I told him that I didn't know how to drive, claiming that my license was a fluke. Somehow they passed me without me even touching a car.

Luckily, he didn't question too much, just promised to teach me how to drive during the weekends, unless we were going fishing that is. I had excitingly told him that I'd love to learn how to fish, and he had jumped on immediately.

Too soon we stopped in front of the house. I was almost vibrating in my seat from excitement and Dad, who was smiling with glee as well, told me to go ahead, that he'd bring in the luggage. I laughed and grabbed the keys he offered.

I stopped just before the steps of the porch and just took in every detail of my new home. Home. It was a foreign concept to me, but now finally after twenty odd years I had one to call my own. I memorized every detail.

I unlocked the deadbolt and walked inside. I came face to face with the stairs that led to our bedrooms and a bathroom we would share; to my right through a door was the family room, there was a big television standing in the corner surrounded by a lounge chair, which I assumed was Dad's chair and another sofa that seated three people. On the other side of the room was a small fireplace, with lots and lots of pictures.

I surveyed the images and what they contained; there was one of Dad and Renée at their wedding and the others were of Bella as she spent her summers here with him. I suddenly felt like an intruder here, these weren't me, but then again, these photos didn't really speak with any type of emotion.

I resolved then to replace every single photo on this mantel with new warm and loving memories, and I eyed Dad's wedding photo as the first one to go. I would help him get over his ex wife; she easily left him, taking their daughter as well, so she had zero points with me.

I backed out and entered the kitchen just as Dad walked down the stairs. "I set your bags in your room, Bells." Before he could say anything else I hugged him once again.

"Thanks, Dad! So I was thinking, since you already bought me a car, we could use some of the money I was saving for one to paint the house and maybe get some new furniture, what do you say?" he seemed reluctant, but when he looked into my hopeful and excited eyes he just nodded.

"Great! I need some winter clothes as well," I added gesturing to the jacket he had given me to wear. "It will be a nice father-daughter outing." At this he smiled as well.

For the next few hours, Dad and I simply stood around talking, I had asked for a first hand tour of my new home, making it sound more like a joke than that I actually needed it. The tour ended at my bedroom, where Dad left me to unpack alone with the promise to get us some dinner.

The two bags were on the bed, along with some new covers as well. I slowly unpacked Bella's clothes and other necessities, examining them as I did. The room looked pretty much the same as it was described in the book.

After tossing all of her clothes, I went to the pine dresser to start my own collection of clothing. When I had lived in the library I had used my power to conjure and dispose of clothing each day. Now I had a place where I could keep them so I only had to conjure new clothes for myself.

I focused my mind and started. I only wanted a winter wardrobe for now, so only warm clothes, but first would be my underwear. I conjured about twenty pairs of bras and panties all in my size and all in different colors. I didn't even really need to concentrate that hard, conjuring clothes was a natural thing to me now.

I packed the underwear away in a drawer and conjured some socks as well. Even though no one would see them I had them each individually printed with cute pictures. Next up was bottoms, I mostly wore skinny jeans, which fit with anything, but for the point of selection I conjured some leggings as well.

Next were t-shirts, all with some word or picture that was popular in 2005 and some were simply plain. Blouses, sweaters and coats were next, and lastly were a few knitted dresses.

I disposed of Bella's clothes, throwing them into the air like I usually did with my conjuring and to my surprise it worked, they vanished. Relieved I walked out with a bag of my own bathroom necessities.

I had packed it all when I was younger, it contained a toothbrush, some toothpaste, and lavender scented shampoo and conditioner, and body wash. I packed all my stuff away in the bathroom and settled on my bed.

Now that my packing was over, I had to think of a way to keep the vampires at school from using their powers on me, I also had to remember to conjure with thoughts and not words, lest they hear me speaking Latin.

I closed my eyes and delved, I couldn't conjure up a shield like Bella's, it would be impossible to change the way my brain worked, and I didn't want to try in case my powers vanished completely. Maybe I could simply conjure an object that would block their abilities. I'd have to make sure that Alice and Jasper's powers wouldn't work either.

I cupped my hands together and pictured a bracelet in my mind; I made it red with a yellow and green pattern and added a little bell just because. Next I thought of its purpose. To stop ALL vampiric powers from affecting me. I chanted it over and over in my head until I heard the telltale crack.

When I opened my hands the bracelet laid in my palm. With a smile I put it on and with a small shake the tiny bell sang softly. Hopefully it would work. I had never before tried anything like this. With one last look at the bracelet I made my way downstairs for dinner with my Dad.

After one of the large pizzas Dad had ordered was devoured we spent some time just watching television in the family room. Dad was in his lounge chair and I was cuddled up on the big sofa with a thick blanket I had conjured for myself.

After the show had finished Dad said goodnight and we both retired to our rooms. I was still awake when midnight rolled by, since I never really slept more than four or five hours at a time. You had to be vigilant when you mostly slept on the streets or in places you weren't allowed. I could manage though; some people just didn't need that much sleep to function.

When I did finally decide to slip into my bed I slept like a baby, cuddled up in the covers. The light tapping of the rain made my sleep all the more peaceful and I silently wished it would never end.

I awoke in the morning with a sigh and immediately hopped in the shower to start my day. I was excited, very much so. Today was my very first day of school. I knew what to expect, having read the book, but still I'd make this day special for myself.

I put on a solid blue, slim fit, above the knee-length sweater dress, some black wool tights and a pair of black chunky ankle boots. I kept my mahogany colored hair loose, hanging straight below my shoulders.

I admired my outfit for a second and grabbed my black jacket, just because I was supposed to feel the cold. I had, brilliantly of course, conjured my shoes to stay dry at all times. I didn't want to be trudging around in ugly boots.

My bracelet was secure on my wrist and I had my sling bag filled with my school necessities. I grabbed my new camera and its stand and headed downstairs to join Dad for breakfast.

We chatted for a while as we ate and just before we were about to leave I made Dad pose with me for a first day of school photo. He had happily smiled next to me and patiently waited for me to put the camera back in my room.

As Dad drove to Forks High, I memorized the way, saving the route for when I'd be driving myself. We made it just as the first wave of students arrived. He dropped me off inside the office, giving Miss Cope a quick wave and promising to pick me up once the day was done.

When I turned towards the red headed woman she was smiling, papers already ready in front of her. I walked up to the counter, smiled and introduced myself. "Hello, my name is Isabella Swan, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss."

Her smile seemed to intensify. We went through my schedule and she highlighted all the routes I'd have to take. She also handed me the slip I had to have the teachers sign. I thanked her and made my way out of her office, my sling bag securely by my side.

I made it to building three merely by following the map I had memorized. My perfect recall was a mayor plus. I hung up my jacket and gave my slip to Mr. Mason, introducing myself with a big smile. He signed the slip with a returning grin and sent me to sit in the back with all the information I'd need for this class.

Every student I passed who made eye contact received a smile and a nod from me as I made my way to my seat. I followed intently as Mr. Mason spoke, noting that I'd only read some of the books on the list.

Too soon the bell rang and Eric, who had been sitting next to me, leaned over to introduce himself. "You're Isabella Swan, aren't you?" I smiled and nodded.

A few other students turned to look at me and I simply waved at them. "What's your next class?"

He was definitely over helpful, but harmless all the same. "I have Government, with Mr. Jefferson."

"I'm headed toward building four, I could show you the way…I'm Eric," I kept my friendly smile in place as I nodded my head.

"Please, that would be very helpful, thank you."

Once outside the classroom the questions started. And of course, everyone was listening in. "So this is a lot different than Phoenix, huh?"

I nodded my head, "Yeah, it is very different. It's a lot greener here than where I lived."

"Oh, and the rain..." We were already passed building four, so I stopped and turned to him. "Well, not as much as here, but it did rain, mostly at the start of spring. I'll find building six, thanks anyway Eric; I wouldn't want you to be late for class. See you!"

Before he could speak I walked away, finding my class very easily. It went pretty well the rest of the morning; I found that I loved interacting with these people. They were all so nice. I wondered idly why I never talked to anybody before, but soon realized that the people where I had grown up weren't like these people.

These were small town people, everyone knew everyone. I grew up in the city on a street occupied mostly by criminals, big difference.

Once I met Jessica though, everyone else seemed to cool down with their curiosity, probably since what Jessica knew everyone would eventually know. I accepted her offer to sit together at lunch and listened to her talk nonstop about life in Forks and the people at school.

She got her tray and filled it with food and led me to the table she shared with all her friends. I smiled at each one of them, noting that I've met and spoke to all of them before. Eric caught my eye and waved from another table a few feet away.

From the corner of my eye I spotted the five still bodies that belonged to the Cullen's. I didn't want to even look at them, didn't want Jessica to talk about them either, but I really was curious about what vampires looked like.

Seeing them in real life was a lot different than reading about them after all. I turned in my seat for the best inconspicuous view, even though I knew that once Jessica caught a glimpse of who I was looking at she'd start talking. I took my packed lunch out of my sling bag and started eating the left over pizza.

My gaze drifted to the eldest of the five first. With his arm around his wife and a smile on his face, you could clearly see that Emmett Cullen really was the more playful one in the bunch. Even though his rugged exterior and strong features showed that he was extremely strong, his demeanor was open and childlike. He was also by far the most attractive man I have ever seen, his curly hair and dimples made him quite irresistible.

Too bad for most girls, he only had eyes for Rosalie, who was tucked in at his side. I almost choked on my bite of food when my eyes raked over her and for the first time I was questioning my sexuality. I would switch teams for this girl, not that I had been on either team before. You could see she was young, only changed at the age of eighteen; but she seemed so much more mature. She would glare at any passerby who dared look at Emmett and her full lips were pursed in an angry pout. But it was her eyes that drew me in completely, those big black eyes that narrowed as she glowered, but when her gaze drifted towards Emmett I could see them soften and glow.

I reluctantly dragged my eyes away from her and met a curious pair that was looking right at me. Alice Cullen met my gaze with a mixture of curiosity and excitement, her brows were furrowed and I wondered if she was trying to keep her telepathic brother from reading her mind. I smiled at her, waving my hand that still had a piece of half eaten pizza in it. She was just as beautiful as her sister, but unlike Rosalie's perfect beauty, Alice was cute and petite, I hated to admit it, but pixie really did suite her quite well.

Before I could move on to Jasper, Jessica spoke up behind me. I turned my head to listen to her. "I see you've noticed the Cullen's." She seemed to become even more avid as the topic of the Cullen's came into play. I simply nodded and continued to eat my pizza.

I knew that Edward had looked our way before Jessica even spoke, but I realized that I didn't really care. I wasn't going to be having any sort of relationship with him at all, so it didn't matter.

Jessica continued on as I knew she would. "They just moved down two years ago from somewhere in Alaska. That's Alice, the short haired girl, Edward, with the bronze hair and Emmett Cullen is the big guy, and the two blondes are Rosalie and Jasper Hale, they're twins."

I smiled as she talked about them; my eyes were on Jasper though, since I already got a good look at the other three. Jasper was leaner than Emmett, but still just as strong. In contrast to his boy band appearance, his character screamed danger; his face was contorted in distaste, his eyes glaring at nothing. I felt really bad for him, since I knew why he seemed so unpleasant. He was sitting in a room filled with angst ridden teens; that must be hell for him. I wondered idly if there was anything I could possibly do for him, but instantly decided not to interfere, lest I get involved in their lives.

Jessica was still talking about them, "...they all live together with Dr. Cullen and his wife, Dr. Cullen is really young, in his twenties or early thirties, so he adopted them."

I smiled at her, looking straight into her eyes I stopped her from talking any further, "Wow, that's really amazing." Jessica simply nodded and turned to her friends again, seemingly getting my hint for her to stop.

I turned back to the Cullen's to finish my examination. I met another pair of curious eyes, these ones belonging to Edward Cullen. Ah, the youngest one, only seventeen when he was turned, Edward looked exactly his age, seventeen. He was tall and thin, and oh so boyish, but you could tell that he, just like his family, was strong and dangerous. Hell, even the girls gave off this dangerous vibe. I could feel it ingrained into my very core.

He was staring at me with the same unmet expression that Bella had described in the book. He couldn't read my mind, thank goodness. I continued to look into his eyes as his expression grew frustrated. I simply smiled at him. Seeing his dark eyes made me aware of the fact that I might be his singer as well.

Even though I was me, this was my body, not Bella's, there was that moot possibility that my blood would sing for him like hers did. With an idea forming I pulled a face and clutched my stomach, Edward seemed surprised and quickly looked away.

"Oh, man, I think my lunch is trying to kill me." Angela was the first one to reply. "Are you alright, Isabella, do you want to go see the nurse?"

I shook my head and smiled meekly. "Thanks, Angela, but I'll see if I can't make it through the rest of the day. It's not that long after all."

The rest of lunch seemed to fly by. I didn't really talk to anyone besides Angela, who was very shy. I encouraged her to tell me about herself and after a few awkward remarks I steered the conversation towards schoolwork instead. When lunch was finally over, Angela and I walked to Biology together, me moaning in pain a few times to really sell it.

I immediately spotted the bronze hair of the telepathic vampire as I walked into the room, and made sure to keep my eyes on him as I made my way up to Mr. Banner to get my book and my slip signed.

As I made my way, I saw him go rigid and an unfamiliar feeling overtook me. I felt my power; it was brimming on the surface, begging to come out, to protect me from Edward. It recognized the danger that he posed.

I pushed it down as hard as I could, but it simply pushed back even harder. Finally I just let it envelope me in a tight embrace, a cocoon that appeared to be a plastic-like cover, it was luckily not visible to anyone else nearby and Edward also hadn't noticed it form around me.

I took a deep breath and put the book into my sling bag. Edward was still staring at me with an animalistic fury in his black eyes. I felt weak, for the first time in my life I felt really tired. My grip was fading and I knew I had to get as far away from Edward Cullen as I possibly could.

Thankfully Angela stepped up and I mentally kissed her for being the kind person that she was. "Mr. Banner, I think I should take Isabella to the nurse, she had been complaining about stomach pains since lunch."

I nodded my head in agreement my eyes finally moving away from Edward's black ones and instead rested on Angela, who was pulling me out of the room. As we made our way further and further away from the class my power suddenly snapped back where it had come from.

But it had already taken its toll and once my head touched the pillow in Nurse Julia's office I blacked out completely. My last thought a wish that tomorrow would be better.