FIRST DAY

Location: Mystic Falls High School, Virginia

Time: 08:28:17

Once I stepped out of the car, I pulled at the brown satchel bag, slinging it onto my shoulder and breathing in when catching sight of the place I'd be spending the next few months in.

Taking a deep breath, I controlled my expression, hoping that I didn't show I was tired. We had only gotten four hours of sleep due to a delay and being struck in mid-turbulence, but somehow, I was still standing. Actually, it was probably less than four because of the drive from the airport and the fact that me and Jake had spent half an hour bugging the entire house.

After that, we both collapsed on the bed and when we woke up, words were not spent. We simply showered, changed and prepared ourselves for the first day.

Now, here it was.

Conveniently, my Harley had somehow not arrived but my new car did. It must've been dropped while we slept because I found it parked outside. The keys had been in a small brown envelope, dropped in with the rest of the mail and I only found it because of the anonymous text.

It was a small blue Kia Rio Si.

It was cute…I didn't exactly like cute.

Sure, it served its purpose and if my dear Harley didn't arrive soon enough, I would buy a new one. Though, I'm sure Charlie knew that he couldn't wait too long.

Anyway, I needed to get my head back in the game and focus.

Well, at least I was prepared.

For one, after research informed me that these types of vampires were easier to kill as their skin was less penetrable, I readied myself. This was why I now had a Glock 17 in the garter. My other thigh conveniently held my silver engraved dagger. It was how I learnt of the benefits of wearing a sundress – probably the only benefit.

Jacob joined my side and slung his arm over my shoulder. "Ready?" he asked and pecked my cheek.

I glanced at the more cliché high school in contrast to dreary Forks. Cheerleaders were streaming in and guys in jocks were huddled together. All the while, they had turned their curious and prying eyes onto us.

"As I'll ever be" I murmured in reply and rested my head onto his shoulder, giving me comfort that only he could offer.

Jake straightened up and placed one gentler kiss onto my forehead. His fingers trailing down my hair as he continued his attempt in soothing me. "Come on" he urged.

However, as we both took a step forward, we were stopped when something pink flashed before us. "Hi!" Malibu Barbie had materialised before us in a pink and white flower patterned dress. "New guys right" she piped up with a small wave towards us.

"That's us" I cheered, the mask already slipping into place. "I'm Bella" I gestured towards myself before accepting her outstretched hand.

"Jake" my best friend replied in a cool and calm demeanour that made me want to roll my eyes.

She grinned happily and her head bobbed slightly causing her golden locks to bounce. "I'm Caroline" she informed us with a lightened tone that told me what I needed to know.

Caroline – pom poms in hand, peppy attitude; Queen Bee detected.

"I'm chairman of the dance committee, captain of the cheerleader team, head of the recycling program…" she continued rambling, strangely reminding me of Alice which annoyed me. Then again, my frustration may have derived from the fact that the mission was quite difficult.

The book stated; …bound by the moon... cursed into shadows of the night…

That didn't mean that I would stop suspecting everyone I met.

If they could easily be mistaken for being human, there was a chance that they had worked a way around walking around in daylight. Regardless of how farfetched it may be and there was a strong possibility I was wrong, I had to be open to any surprises. I had to be one step ahead.

My assessing gaze faltered when finding the silver necklace with an unfamiliar blue stone pendant.

It was pretty.

"…Go Green club, so you know who to come to" she winked at me suggestively and giggled.

After forcing a tight lipped smile, I realised that I shouldn't piss her off. For one, it would be a good idea to make friends and get into all the circles that I could – just try to fit in with everyone and build as many connections as I could. That way, I could be one step ahead and be prepared after being on the inside.

That being done, I said the first thing that came to mind. "Golly, that sure is quite list" I grinned.

"I do what I can" she waved me off, while I silently tried to battle against the pure humiliation of using the dorky word – 'golly'. I don't even know where that came from. "Anyway, my friends are waiting so I'll see you at lunch" Caroline closed before walking away from us while I cheerfully waved back.

Jake turned to me and hitched an eyebrow, "Golly?" he chuckled.

"Channelling my inner step ford" I defended myself, nudging his arm with an amused smirk.

He took my arm and pulled me back. "Dial it back down" he warned me but with another pleasant laugh. "You act like you never went to high school" he teased, draping his arm over my shoulder as we walked towards the school's reception. "Using worlds like golly will get you to the bottom of the food chain" he warned.

"So, what do I do?" I pleaded, hoping for some sense of direction. High school was never somewhere to help with my social life because I never thought of it like that.

Now, I was twenty two and back in high school…

"Just do what other girls do - talk about hair and shit" he advised and I lazily turned to him.

With jaded eyes, I sarcastically answered, "Thank you oh wise one"

"You're going to be fine" he insisted, kissing my forehead once again while pulling me along. "Remember, never lost a mission" he recalled and I nodded with a deep breath intake.

I nodded, finding courage within the words. "Never have and never will" I agreed.

"Just know, I got your back" he vowed, so I returned the favour.

"And I have yours"

A/N: So we met Caroline…

Has anyone else said a word(s) that they never thought they would say? Mine was – "the bees knees" and "happy as a clam"