Walking into the house with Dr. and Mrs. Cullen while all their kids stare at me through the large window on the side of the house was giving me anxiety. That would be classic, I freak out and have a panic attack before I even get to step into the beautiful house in front of me. They would call 911 first, then Social Services, claiming I was more work than anticipated. That's how my life works.

Dr. Cullen reached out and unlocked the front door, stepping aside to let Mrs. Cullen and me inside first.

A gentleman, lovely.

A small girl jumps out from behind the older kids, she looks like she's eaten too much sugar already today. "Hi! It's sooo great you're fiiinaly here! I'm Alice!" she then proceeded to squeal. Next, as if I didn't realize she was hyper, she sprang in front of me and tried to give me a hug.

"Alice, we talked about this, you need to calm down, not everyone likes hugs."

"She looks green."

"Why do her eyes look like that?"

"I think she's gonna puke."

Fuck me. I could feel myself losing my grip, my brain becoming foggy. I tried to focus on the countertop in the kitchen directly behind all the Cullen kids, but I was losing it. The fact that none of them would shut up wasn't helping either.

Deep breathes. Count. 1… 2…. 3… 4….. 5…. 6….. 7….. 8…. 9….

A hand reaches into my line of sight, stealing my attention. "Bella, can you hear me?"

I can only nod in response to Dr. Cullen.

"Good," he smiles, "can you look at me?"

I can't. He doesn't know this, but looking at him is only going to make this whole thing worse. I'll see his disappointment, his anger, he probably will toss me out. But if I disobey him, I don't know how he will react.

It's best just to listen to the doctor.

"Just try to meet my eyes, Bella."

I look over at him, he's kneeling by my side, everyone else has cleared the room.

"Good job. Now just take deep breaths. Do it with me, Bella." He begins to take exaggerated breaths, which is annoying because I know how to breathe by myself.

After another few minutes, I'm out of the mist of anxiety, and feel better now that I'm not about to faint, but still nervous because now all the other kids probably think I'm a total loser.

You don't need their undying devotion, just a place to stay. It doesn't matter what they think of you.

With that thought, Dr. Cullen guides me into the living room where everyone is seated and chatting in hushed tones.

"Alright everyone, now that we are all together, I'd like to introduce our newest member, Bella." I'm quickly realizing Dr. Cullen is one of those people that is all warm and fuzzy and probably loves rainbows and magic.

Instead of voicing my opinion of the good doctor, I look at all the new faces, and see Alice crying. Of course, she's also laying across Mrs. Cullen's lap, typical. Alice probably was adopted before she could even store memories. She doesn't know what it's like to live in the system your whole fucking life.

"Bella, you may call me Carlisle and my wife Esme," he remarks with a motherfucking smile.

Wow, thanks, Dad! I feel so included in this fucking family now.

Carlisle's intro prompts each kid to tell me their name and age.

"Hey, I'm Edward. 17." A tall lanky boy with reddish hair greets.

"Rosalie, 18." A picturesque blonde continues.

"Jasper, 16," the boy with long curly hair says with a nod in my direction.

"Alice, 14" she hiccups with both words.

Finally, the only one left is a giant of a man. I don't understand why he's living with the Cullens, he can't be younger than 20 years old. He takes up a lot of space, due to his obvious height, and his bulky muscles.

"And I'm Emmett, I'm 19 years old. I'm the best among all my siblings and Rosie, I like long walks on the beach and-" he's cut short when Rosalie hits him.

Sibling and Rosie….ok, then.

They look at me like I should know what comes next in this weird meeting.

"I think they would like you to introduce yourself, if you can." Oh. Thanks, Dr. C. Naturally, I'm supposed to share after they shared pieces of themselves with me.

"Belal, 16," I say barely over a whisper, because I'm awkward like that.

"What?" the giant booms, and everyone chuckles, and refocuses their gaze on me.

"Bella, 16," I say only a little louder than the first time.

I don't allow them to ask again, because I turn to Dr. C., and ask where I'm sleeping.