"Sharada? You home?" the words were slurred and muffled. "Yeah," I answered absentmindedly. I heard the familiar thumping, "Oh good, good. Say while you're at it, make me a sandywich," he bellowed with laughter at his lame joke. "At what?" I muttered to myself. Yes, this was my lame ass father. He's never been good at dealing with kids, ever since 'the incident' he drowns out the pain with alcohol and smoking. It's not like he's abusive of anything; in fact, he's a friendly drunk.

But that doesn't numb the memories of us post 'incident.' You're probably thinking, 'What the hell is 'the incident'?' Well, it was when my mom died. My mom was a good woman, but she was a bit…let's say…off her rocker. My mom claimed to be a psychic, and I believed her. She would tell me all these wonderful stories of vampires, werewolves, and witches. She used to tell me that one day I'd inherit her premonition powers.

Unfortunately, I haven't and probably won't. But anyways, she died in a freak accident. I was hiking with her along these very woods; I wasn't more than 5 years old. When something flashed about us. She froze, scooped me up and darted toward the outer edge of the woods. After that's where it gets a bit sketchy, I was pretty young and it all went so fast. I remember her yelling and screaming for help, there was a flash of white and red. I remember hearing a low snarl and a squeal. Before whatever it was got to my mom, she managed to push me away and whisper in my ear, "Cold ones…love you, baby. Run…get away."

I'm sure there was more to it, but I honestly can't remember. I ran and ran and eventually got to a police station. I remember my startled blue eyes and frantically calling for help.

A man rushed out of the station and I explained the situation. After that I passed out only to wake up in the hospital, scared and alone. Then I was told that a wild animal had killed my mother, of course, I knew that it was no wild animal. I kept my mouth shut knowing that if I tried to speak out, I'd probably be sent to a loony bin. I never quite understood what it meant when she said, "cold ones," but I've given up on trying to figure it out. Anywho, my dad took the news hard, I did too, but he was losing the love of his life. I've learned to cope my way and he's coping his.

But this is beside the point. I made my dad his 'sandywich' and ran upstairs. I took out my notebook and scribbled random notes and ideas into my book. As I said before, I'm a songwriter, and I was constantly being inspired. I was jotting down ideas that popped into my head when I heard a shrill scream.

I dropped my bag and rushed outside the house. I saw a petite black haired girl jumping around ecstatically. It finally processed that this was a happy squeal, not a terrified one. I huffed and turned to go back inside the house when I heard a high voice call, "Wait!" I pivoted to see that she was beckoning me. I shrugged and nonchalantly walked over to her. She bounced towards me, "You're Sharada right?" Her high-pitched voice was musical and alluring. I just answered with an "Mhm." I was suspicious of her sudden interest in me, because, I was just Sharada, outcast extraordinaire, and she was some beautiful popular mystery girl. My unwillingness escaped her and she continued by saying, "I've seen you around school! Are you in my history class? And I love your hair!"

For such a tiny person, she had an awful amount of energy. "Yeah, we're in the same grade. And I think you're in my history class…I'm not sure. And thanks." I lifted my hand to play with my blue bangs. She grinned and rocked back and forth on his heels. I, being a very blunt person, said, "Excuse me for my rudeness, but is something wrong? You've never spoken to me before, and not many people do." I crossed my arms across my chest and raised my eyebrow.

She blinked and seemed a little taken back. "I suppose I see where you're coming from…but let's just say, I had a feeling that I should talk to you today." Before I could further question her, Bella rushed out the front door. "Sharada?" Alice stepped up, "I invited her over…is that okay with you?" She pleaded silently with her eyes, and I was left there feeling rather awkward. I waved my hand, "That's fine, I'm going to go do something random." "Wait! It's fine, do you want to come with us?" "Where?" I responded suspiciously. Alice began to walk…more like dance around Bella. "Well, she's going to La Push, but you should go to. Bella's very uncoordinated and it'll put Edward more at ease if someone is with her."

I didn't buy it. "Yeah, sure, whatever." Bella looked up, "You really don't have to," she said through gritted teeth. I laughed and smirked, "Oh, but I want to." She scowled at the thought of having an escort. I sniggered to myself, "Lemme go inside and change." I rushed upstairs and dressed in black sweatpants and a black hoodie with skull and crossbones jeweled on the back. I yelled something to my dad and ran outside. Edward was now standing with Bella, his arm tightly wound around her. "Chill, I'm not going to hurt her or anything."

He seemed unsatisfied but loosened his grip. I turned to Alice, "You sure you want me going?" She nodded rapidly and glanced toward Edward, whose face was stern. "Just keep an eye out for her." I waved my hand, "Yeah, yeah. Let's go, I'm cold." I hated being cold, if it were up to me, I'd rather be tucked in a heat wave than a downpour. Alice gave me an odd look, "Are you planning on riding with us? Or walking?" Oh, I didn't think of that. "I can take my dad's car." I shrugged, Bella looked at me in disbelieving way, "Aren't you 16? It's illegal for you to drive, you know?" (Even if it's not…It is now :]) I smirked, "Doesn't mean I don't. What's a few rules when it comes to something you really want?"

Edward's eyes opened wide for a split second, but than returned to normal. Bella seemed half amused, "My dad's a cop." I raised one of my perfectly arched eyebrows, "And you're going to tell on me…?" She sighed aggravated and Alice, who was amused by this conversation laughed. "I win." I sang. For a first, I heard Edward laugh. I jumped into my dad's old dark blue pickup truck and yelled, "Lead the way!" I followed them twisting down the road, half alert half in dream mode.

Bella's POV

I sat in Edward's Volvo watching him and Alice communicate wordlessly, undoubtedly about Sharada. "Are you guys going to tell me? Because I will find out." Edward sighed loudly, "Sharada's different…" I laughed, "The whole school knows that." He rolled his topaz eyes, "I mean…we can't smell her blood. It's very strange." My eyes went wide and jaw dropped, "What does Carlisle know?"

Alice spoke, "We're going to tell him tonight." I was still entirely unsure what to make of the girl, "What…does that mean? How?" Edward's forehead creased, "Bella, my love, that's the thing we don't know." I frowned, "Why couldn't I have that gift?" He took his eye's off the street and petted my hair, "Bella, honey, you're perfect the way you are and I love you." I smiled. There was a moment of silence, "She's very amusing," Alice chimed. Edward's lips quirked, "Bella, I've never seen you be so impatient with anyone."

I gave a faint laugh, "Sharada knows everyone's weaknesses. She may be quirky but she's intelligent…and very pretty." Edward rolled his eyes once more, "She's attractive, I'll admit," my heart sank, "but she doesn't compare to you." Blush rushed to my cheeks and my spirit rose, I knew I'd never be good enough for him, but if I'm what he wanted who was I to deny him of it? "Sharada always has something to say, but normally, she's daydreaming and carelessly walking about. That girl's mind has no boundaries." Alice nodded, "And for some reason, I can't see her future," she pouted, "its all a blur and it's really annoying."

Edward chuckled, "And I think she knows more than she lets on." I nodded quietly thinking about the strange girl. Edward broke the silence, "Do you have to go tonight?" I bit my lip, I knew he didn't like me going to La Push, "Yes, I have to see Jake. He's my best friend…next to you, Alice. He needs me." And it was nice to be needed, even if it was by two very attractive men. Alice hummed, "And I'm sure Sharada will take good care of her." Edward's face remained a bit harsh, but nonetheless he still looked perfect. He gave a short nod and we drove there in comfortable silence.

Sharada's POV

We finally came to stop and I jumped out of my car. I sauntered toward the Cullens and Bella, "We ready here?" Edward gave Bella a final kiss and whispered something into her ear. He looked at me, "Take care of her." I did a mock bow, "Of course." I waved and went next to Bella, "Ready?" She gave a faint smile, "Last chance to back out."

I gave a crooked grin," I don't back out of a challenge." She pursed her lips into a small smile. We headed into the woods, "So where we going? And why?" She stumbled over a root, "Well, we're going to a La Push bonfire, and because one of my best friends is there." I nodded, "Cool…Hey, ever wonder why the sky is blue?"

She gave me the are-you-crazy-or-high look. I shrugged, "Just wondering." She quietly laughed, "Probably some scientific reason." I frowned, of course it was science, that had to be the worst subject in the history of the world. She lightly tugged on my arm, "Let me go make sure your welcome first." I nodded and toyed with a nearby twig.

She quickly reappeared and motioned for me to come forward. I stepped out of the darkness and into a circle of strangers. Bella gave a faint smile, "This is my friend, Sharada. Sharada, these are the La Push residents." I waved and flashed a grin. My eyes scanned over the group. They were all…well, tall, dark and handsome. Bella's cheeks tinted red, "That's Quil, Embry, and Paul," she pointed to three boys placing wood into the fire, they smiled and nodded, "Emily and Sam," she motioned toward a couple, "Leah and Seth," she waved to a young looking boy and a very angry looking girl, "and that's Jacob, or Jake."

The boy stared at me in an uncomfortable way. "Umm…hi? I'm Sharada, like she said." Bella and I took a seat, her next to Jacob and me next I believe it was Quil. After a short time of silence, Embry asked, "So Sharada, no offense, but you don't look like the type Bella hangs out with." She shot him an incredulous look, I laughed, "I don't mind. And yeah, we don't really hang out, I was kinda just asked to go with her." I felt their questioning gazes locked on me.

Bella blushed…again. "Um yeah," she let out a nervous laugh, "something about my clumsiness." I snorted and tugged my hoodie off revealing my white blonde hair. "Nice hair." I looked toward Embry, "Thanks, it's kinda weird, but it suits me." He chuckled and shook his head. After a good hour of talking and laughing, I hate to say it, but I sorta bonded with them, not like we're besties or anything, but I wouldn't mind hanging out with them. I talked with all of them, except for Leah, who came off as a rude bitch, and Jacob, who was strangely avoided me. This bothered me more than it should've.