II

"She's my twin sister..."

January 17, 2005

Bella has never truly understood her twin sister's pull to Forks, especially as she looked out at the gray skies. She was glad she already said her farewells to the sun. She'd just landed in Port Angeles and it was raining just as she expected. She wondered how Teddy, someone with such a sunny personality, survived without sunlight.

But then again, Bella and Teddy have always been opposites despite being twins. While the two took after Renee in looks, Teddy took Charlie's curls and Renee's eyes while Bella did the opposite with Renee's hair and Charlie's eyes. However, she hadn't seen Teddy in two years, so maybe they've changed even more physically.

As she waited for the plane to unload, she studied the dark skies once more. After greeting Charlie with an awkward one-armed hug when she came off, they made their way to Charlie's cruiser. They'd exchange the simple pleasantries of how Renee was and how she has been. It was only in the car ride that Bella really tuned in when Charlie mentioned getting her a car.

"What kind of car," she asked as she glanced at him from the passenger side.

Charlie smiled as she answered, eyes never leaving the road. "Well, it's a truck actually, a Chevy."

"Where did you find it?" Bella wasn't really a car person, but she knew that was a question to ask.

"Do you remember Billy Black down at La Push?"

Bella shook her head even as she frowned. Fingers clenching slightly on her pants, she licked her lips before replying, "is he related to Sarah Black?"

She watched as Charlie stiffened, his eyes glancing briefly at her before going back to the road. He nodded slowly.

"Yea. Sarah was his wife."

Bella nodded, taking in the words.

Sarah Black.

The only reason why Bella knew who she was, was because she'd passed away in a car accident involving Teddy. She looked out the passenger window, allowing for the sudden uncomfortable silence to fall. She knew Charlie was thinking about the accident too.

When Teddy first moved back to live with Charlie, she'd spent a lot of time with the Blacks. Sarah had been a stay-at-home mom and gladly took to watching her twin when Charlie was at work. From what she remembered, it had been a good setup.

But then the accident happened.

It'd been storming pretty badly in the area, but Sarah had needed to make a run to the grocery store. She'd taken Teddy along because she had planned to drop Teddy home after shopping. Except she never made it to the grocery store and the Teddy who returned home wasn't the Teddy everyone remembered. The Teddy that returned couldn't stand storms, having panic attacks at the mere sound of thunder and the Teddy that returned would hyperventilate whenever she was in or near a car.

It was truly only Teddy's sunny disposition and years of therapy that brought Teddy back to some sort of semblance. But everyone knew that she'd never truly recovered from the accident even when the panic attacks and hyperventilation stopped.

To this day, Bella knew that her twin couldn't sit anywhere in a car except for the passenger seat and that whenever it stormed, her sister would become closed off and quiet. Sometimes, the panic attacks would occur without warning. It's gotten better over the years, but Bella knew that Charlie and Teddy lived in fear of when the next attack would occur.

From what she knew, Teddy rode a bike everywhere, sometimes even when it rained or snowed, and if she couldn't bike, she jogged. Teddy was an avid morning jogger. It had been a therapeutic suggestion from one of her therapist.

Despite all the progress, everyone who knew the girl kept a close eye on her.

Breathing out softly, Bella turned back to Charlie.

"How is she," she asked quietly.

Charlie sighed, eyes softening. "Better. Teddy Bear is fine with car rides now, so long as she has the window open and sits in the passenger seat. She hasn't had an attack all year."

Bella nodded absently as she looked back to the road, taking in the childhood nickname and Charlie's words. The next hour drive was spent in silence with some comments here and there about the weather.

Bella took in the green. It was so green. A truly alien planet.

Sighing, she studied the familiar neighborhood. Growing up, whenever she came to visit Teddy and Charlie, her twin would always drag her around the neighborhood. She hated it, but could never say no to her twin. While Bella loved the indoors, Teddy was somewhat of a nature lover.

When they stopped in front of the two-bedroom house, Bella instantly caught sight of a faded red truck. As she studied it, rounded fenders and all, she knew she loved it.

"Wow, dad, I love it! Thanks!" As she got out of the car, the front door opened. A blur of orange and umber tackled into her. Bella caught her sister just in time but tripped and the two bumped into Charlie's cruiser. Bella couldn't help but laugh as she hugged her sister. "Hi Teddy."

"You're here, you're here, you're here!" Teddy's words, rushed and muffled, were said against her shoulder before the other girl pulled away, hands grabbing Bella's. "You're finally here, Bella Bear!"

At the childhood nickname, Bella grimaced. Bella has always blamed Charlie for that nickname because he started the whole Teddy Bear fiasco. Teddy said that Bella (who really didn't care, then and now) shouldn't be left out and took to calling Bella, Bella Bear. It wasn't just Bella, though. Teddy had called their parents Mama Bear and Papa Bear too.

It faded away when middle school came around, but Teddy continued calling her Bella Bear. And like everything else that involved her twin, Bella couldn't find it in her to tell Teddy to stop. She'd even come to like it. Not that she'll ever tell that to anyone.

"Yea." Bella tried to be as enthusiastic as Teddy. "I'm finally here, Teddy."

Teddy let her go, smiling all the while and quickly ushered Bella and her things up the stairs. Bella did a double take when Teddy took her to the east bedroom instead of the west bedroom.

"What," Bella began, but her question was quickly answered as Teddy put her stuff down, throwing open the door.

The east bedroom has always been slightly bigger than the west bedroom. It was big enough, Bella saw, for two twin beds, two dressers, and a work desk. Bella was surprised to see the separate twin beds. She'd never asked and just assumed that they would continue being bunkmates. The unmade side was obviously Teddy's side.

Her side, though, looked new and all tucked in. Her dresser, which stood at the foot of her bed, was bare. A desk sat between their beds in front of a wide window that revealed the backyard.

"When did this happen," Bella asked as she trailed her bags into the room.

"Well," Teddy jumped onto her unmade bed and faced Bella, eyes bright, "I told dad that we were teenagers now and couldn't continue to share a bunk bed. It took us a while with some help from Leah and them, but we were able to get everything by the end of last week." A pause as she leaned forward, arms crossing. "So, ah, do you like it?"

Bella's eyes widened a little at the mention of Leah, knowing the name well, but instead, she smiled as she looked at her side of the room. "I love it, Teddy. Thanks!"

"Well, it's the least I can do." Teddy tilted her head and sighed. "Especially since we're sharing a bathroom with dad."

At the reminder, Bella grimaced to which Teddy only laughed. Bella took the moment to study Teddy, taking in her twin's familiar laughter.

Physically, Bella and Teddy looked alike, similar facial features and everything except for the hair and eyes. They both had ivory skin, but unlike Bella, Teddy had a reason as she lived in a place without much sunlight. They've both always been slender. Except, Bella studied Teddy up and down, her twin has gotten quite toned from running and being at the gym.

"Do you still work part-time at the station's gym," Bella asked when Teddy stopped laughing.

Teddy nodded, arms uncrossing. "Yup! Every morning, I stop by and do a quick clean of the gym and sorting of things before heading to school." Jumping up, Teddy threw her hands up. "Oh, but not today! I can't miss your first day of school, Bella! And I also promised Jakey that I would make sure that old red ran well for you."

"Jakey?" Bella's eyes furrowed together even as Teddy came over to her and started helping her unpack. Bella moved without thinking, making room for her sister as Teddy reached over to help fold some of Bella's shirts.

"You remember Jacob Black, right?" At the name Black, Bella stiffened, but Teddy continued without notice. "We used to make mud pies with him when we were little. I still hang out with him here and there whenever I'm down at the res." Bella shook her head to which Teddy shrugged it off. "Oh, well. You'll meet him eventually. Maybe it'll spark something?"

Bella doubted that but just nodded along with Teddy. Another thing that made her different from Teddy: Bella didn't relate well to people. Her age or otherwise. Even their mom, whom Bella was very close too, was never truly in harmony with Bella.

In fact, Bella glanced at Teddy's face, the only person she has ever truly been in harmony with was Teddy. Maybe it was because they were twins, but despite the distance between them and the obvious difference in personality, Teddy and Bella have always just clicked. While Bella didn't get along with everyone else, Teddy always got her and she always got Teddy.

Looking at said twin, Bella began wondering if Forks truly didn't have a sun for her after all.

The next morning after a restless night (Teddy had silently slipped into her bed without a word when Bella began crying in the dark. She'd fallen asleep to Teddy humming a tune she didn't know), Bella awoke alone. And as soon as she looked out, sure enough, it was raining. She'd gotten ready and when she was downstairs, breakfast was already set but Teddy was nowhere in sight so only Charlie greeted her.

"She'll be back from her run soon," Charlie answered her silent question as she sat down across from him. "The rain doesn't stop her."

Bella frowned. "But I thought..." she couldn't finish her sentence, but at the sudden clenching of Charlie's face, Bella knew he understood.

He sighed before slipping some pancakes and eggs onto her plate. "She's fine with the rain now. Her music helps... just glad it isn't storming." He huffed a little and shook his head before digging back into his food.

Bella took in his words before nodding. Turning to her plate, she started with the pancakes, almost groaning as it melted into her mouth. She forgot how much she missed Teddy's cooking. There was a jingle of metal, something sliding in front of her. She looked up and saw as Charlie nudged a keychain at her.

"I was going to ask you yesterday, Bella, but can you keep these extra set of keys with you? They're for the house and Teddy's bike lock." Charlie smiled sheepishly at her.

Understanding crossed her face as she nodded and took the keys, slipping them into her pocket. Bella couldn't help but smile. Teddy's memory was on the same level as Bella's athletic skills which is to say that it wasn't much. Teddy often forgot or misplaced things.

It was only a moment later that Teddy came through the back door, earbuds on and head jamming to music as she sang the lyrics beneath her breath. The music was pretty loud, Bella noticed as a hint of something upbeat echoed to her ears. Her twin's rain jacket was soaked, sneakers squeaking wetly on the floor.

Teddy stopped at the sight of Bella and Charlie. She unhooked the buds, using a towel by the microwave to wipe off her face before patting her jacket and nudging off her wet shoes.

"Morning, Bella Bear and Papa Bear!" As she walked past them, she gave Charlie a kiss on the head to which their dad turned red and muttered a good morning. Bella mirrored his flush when Teddy dropped a kiss on her head, eyes wide in surprise. "Don't look like that, Bella! I don't have cooties."

Teddy left just as quickly as she came, twirling around the room as she grabbed an apple.

Bella blinked owlishly before finishing her breakfast. Just as she was about to get up, Teddy came back down. Twirling in circles, she took hers and Charlie's dishes to wash, earbuds on and singing loudly to something in Spanish. Charlie smiled sympathetically at Bella.

"Just go with it," he explained before putting everything else away.

Bella nodded slowly, eyes studying her sister even as she helped Charlie clear the table. "And the Spanish?"

Charlie shrugged.

As Bella waited for Teddy, she studied the house a bit more, noticing all the old pictures and mementos. She tried to fight the discomfort at all the evidence that Charlie had never gotten over Renee.

The rest of her day was just as weird and discomforting as her morning. Bella took extra care in observing her sister when they first got into the truck, but when Teddy only hesitated and showed no further sign of distress, the ride to school was fine. Bella didn't even complain as the rain splattered across her lap from Teddy's open window. Once they got to school, Teddy had her park in the student parking lot before she digging out Bella's schedule from her bright yellow backpack.

"How?" Bella took the slip from Teddy's hand.

Teddy grinned. "I know that you're uncomfortable with meeting office people so I went in and got your schedule. You just need to get this slipped signed by your teachers and turn it into the office before we go home. But it was no biggie." A pause before Teddy winked. "Plus Cheryl likes me and sorta has a crush on dad so I tend to find loopholes in things!"

Bella could only laugh at Teddy's antics before nodding. "Well, thanks, Teddy."

"Anytime, Bella Bear," came her twin's response.

That was the best part of her day because Bella soon realized that she and Teddy had absolutely no classes together which meant that the few times Bella saw Teddy was in passing. Although, much to Bella's surprise and discomfort, she was...more popular than she thought she would be in a small town high school.

She wondered what they all saw.

She wasn't sure how, but she ended up sitting at a full table with several strangers at lunch. She'd tried to find Teddy, but when it was obvious that Teddy wasn't going to show (did Teddy forget her?), she'd accepted an offer from a girl from Trig and Spanish. She truly hadn't wanted to because it meant conversations and answering questions.

"How are you related to Teddy again," asked Eric, a boy from English. Bella blinked at the question and saw as everyone else moved in to hear her answer.

"She's my twin sister," Bella said slowly, unsure if it was a trick question. At her answer, everyone nodded as if they already knew, even though there was clear surprise on their faces.

"That's what I heard," Eric said. He looked at her with narrowed eyes as if testing the validity of her answer. "You two don't look alike, though."

"We're fraternal twins," Bella explained even as she thought to herself, we do look alike. She wondered if hair and eyes truly threw people off that much. But she didn't say more because it was then that she noticed them.

Them turned out to be the Cullens. She listened as Jessica, the girl from Trig and Spanish, explain about Dr. Cullen and his foster children. When Bella realized that she wasn't the only outsiders in Forks, she felt some sort of kinship with the Cullens and some relief. It seems like she wasn't the only person of interest at Forks High.

Of all the Cullens, Edward grabbed her attention the most.

Even more so in biology. Her nervousness at sitting next to him in biology turned into confusion at his obvious discomfort and dislike of her presence. To make matters worse, when she went to turn in the slip Teddy gave her, Edward was already there. If it wasn't obvious before, it was then when Edward glared at her.

It was a big relief when Bella finally saw Teddy again. Her twin, upon seeing her, instantly started apologizing.

"I'm so sorry, Bella!" Teddy frowned, eyes swimming with unshed tears. "I lost track of time and forgot about meeting you for lunch! I was helping Sophie with our math project."

"Sophie?" Bella's eyes furrowed at the name. "Your friend, right? The one you always talk about."

"Yup!" Teddy instantly smiled, before frowning again. "I didn't mean to leave you at lunch. Who did you sit with?"

Bella didn't answer until they got into the car. "A girl from Trig and Spanish. Jessica, I believe."

"Wild curly dark hair and a bit shorter than us," Teddy replied instantly, eyes widening with surprise.

"Um, yea," Bella muttered as she turned out of the school parking lot.

"Oh, God." Teddy turned in her seat, the window only half-way down as she turned her attention to Bella. "How did you get a seat at the cool table?"

"Cool table?" Bella glanced briefly at Teddy in surprise before turning back to the road.

"Yea." Teddy turned around and went back to opening the window. "Well, I mean, they think they're cool which makes them cool, but really, they're not. Point being," Teddy turned back to her, "You got to sit with the cool kids."

"I guess?" Bella's eyes furrowed together. "They're friendly enough."

"Um," Teddy shook her head, "not really. The only friendly one is actually Angela. Did you meet her? She wears glasses, kinda tall. My friend Ben has a huge crush on her, but I think the whole school knows that she sorta has a thing for Eric so Ben spends most of his time at lunch moping in our corner. I mean, who would have thought, that you, on your first day would," and Bella's day was suddenly getting better as she listened to Teddy's gossip/rant.

If only she knew that her weeks, especially with a certain Cullen, will really test her.

A/N - No Bella bashing in this fic, sorry not sorry. At least, not much bashing... but thanks for the reviews, favorites, and follows!