Disclaimer: Twilight's not mine. Boooo. 

A/N: This is the fourth chapter. It's not the best chapter, or the most interesting, but it's a necessary chapter. I can't just skip ahead to the good stuff without all the background, you know? Things get very interesting very soon, I promise. Review if you like it, or if you don't. I've gotta know if you guys want more! XD

When I woke up the next morning, I wasn't surprised to find that it was raining. After all, Forks is the rainiest place in the US. Besides, we'd been pretty lucky lately. It had rained on Saturday for awhile, but Sunday and Monday had both been unusually sunny. But I knew the nice weather wouldn't last long in Forks.

I hurried to get ready for school, anxious to meet the Cullens at school. While I was eating my cereal, I idly wondered why they were starting school on a Tuesday.

By the time I had washed my breakfast dishes, enough time had passed that I could leave for school and arrive at a reasonable time. So I did.

As usual, Mike was waiting for me on a bench in the courtyard. His face lit up when he saw me.

"Bella! Good morning."

"Good morning, Mike," I said cheerfully, giving him a quick peck.

He grinned and grabbed my hand.

"You're in an especially good mood today," he noted.

"Oh, am I? I hadn't noticed," I laughed.

His grin widened and he shook his head. "Bella, you're always so happy. That's just one of the things I love about you."

I shrugged and grinned back at him. "I know."

I'd decided not to mention the Cullens to Mike. Not yet, anyway, not until I saw them. He was already uneasy about my eagerness. I saw no reason to confuse him any further.

We got to English right before the final bell. Holding my hand the whole time, Mike led the way to our seats in the back. We were lucky enough to sit right next to each other.

"Mike, you gotta let go sometime," I pointed out with a laugh.

He smiled and sighed. "I know, but I really don't want to."

He did, though, and we sat down.

Jessica, who sat on the other side of me, leaned across the aisle to talk to me.

"Hey, my mom told me the family's name last night," she whispered harshly, as if this news was the best she'd ever gotten.

"Oh, really?" I feigned interest. I couldn't let Jess know that I'd already found out. It might lead her to believe that I really cared. I did, but I didn't want her to know that.

"Yeah. The Cullens! Kind of sultry, don't you think? The Cullens."

I smirked and shook my head. "Oh, Jess. You take pride in your gossip, don't you?"

She smiled proudly. "Of course!"

The teacher entered the classroom, and she leaned away from then, sitting in her seat with her head held high.

All through class, I thought about the Cullens. I wondered if I would have any classes with any of them, and hoped like crazy that I would. My curiosity just refused to be silenced.

That morning, my classes went by very slowly, but at last it was time for lunch. I entered the cafeteria with Lauren, Ben, and Angela, like usual. But today, my eyes were scanning the seats for new kids, different kids. It seemed that even Jessica was yet to see the Cullens.

I had scanned practically the entire cafeteria and was about to give up when I saw them. They were sitting at a table in the corner, together, but alone. They looked calm and relaxed, but they were not eating. And they were gorgeous. Drop dead gorgeous.

Just as rumors served, there were five of them. Three boys and two girls. I couldn't pull my eyes away from them. There was something different about them. They were all extremely pale. But it seemed that their paleness just added to their beauty. The most beautiful, by far, was the boy with reddish-brown hair. The other boys were far bigger, and had very defined muscles…gorgeous, of course. But this boy, the youngest, perhaps, was the best-looking, for a reason I couldn't pinpoint.

"Bella," Lauren hissed, "quit staring!"

I finally managed to look away. Lauren was glaring at me.

"Are you trying to make them uncomfortable?"

"No," I muttered.

She smiled sympathetically. "Sorry. I was staring, too, actually. They're just so gorgeous!" she squealed.

"I know!"

We got our food and went to sit at our table. Jessica, of course, was talking up a storm.

"They just got here, a few minutes ago. They didn't go to any morning classes, isn't that weird? I hope I have classes with them, especially the boys, wouldn't that be awesome? The girls look kind of conceited, though; I bet they're not very nice. Look at the blonde. She's sitting awfully close to the other boy. Much closer than siblings should be sitting, don't you think? Does anyone else think maybe they're dating? I mean, I bet the blondes are the twins, so they're not related to the other adopted kids. The blonde girl and the really big guy might be dating, and I think the blonde boy and the small girl are dating. That's what I think, anyway, it looks like they're especially close."

I sighed and gazed at the five new kids.

The "couples" did see to be sitting rather close, and sharing rather intimate looks, and the gorgeous boy with the reddish-brown hair did seem a little lonely. As if on cue, he snapped his head up and nudged one of the boys, the one with the curly brown hair and the huge muscles. He and the beautiful blonde girl pulled apart a bit, and soon the blonde boy and the small girl with short, dark hair were also separating.

"Did anyone just see that? He made them move apart. He was uncomfortable! Poor kid, he's all by himself!" Jessica exclaimed.

"You still think we should sit with them, Bella?" Mike asked with an eyebrow raised.

I managed a small, pathetic smile and shook my head. "No, I think they seem quite happy to be alone."

Mike smiled triumphantly.

Almost too happy, I added to myself. They were all alone, and they didn't seem to mind in the least. They were so gorgeous that they could walk up to any table and be accepted, that was for sure. They could easily make friends without even trying, if they wanted.

So why didn't they?

A/N: Haha, another author's note. I won't be offended if you just skip this part. But I just want to say that I really, truly appreciate all my reviews. I've been doing my best to reply to them, I hope I didn't miss yours. It truly does mean a lot to me when you review, even if it's to give me some constructive criticism. I thought replying would be the least I can do for you guys. You're amazing!