Again, I don't own Twilight.

Bella

Many people wonder why I chose this kind of life. Why chose to put myself in danger.

Truth is, I'm not sure.

When Mom and Dad got divorced when I was five, I lived with Mom, Renee, in the ever sunny Phoenix. Then she married this guy named Phil five years later, who's extremely cool but no one could ever replace my Dad. Then, because of Phil's job as an entrepreneur, we had to move a lot. Even at my young age, I could tell that I was being a burden to them, although they tried to hide it.

When I turned eleven, I decided to live with Charlie, who was Alice's bodyguard back then. Maybe living in the rainy town of Forks would be a good change. It's where Robert Brandon decided to live instead of New York. He thought it would be better if they were out of the public eye, and of course, for Alice's safety. Our first meeting was quite funny, and until now I still find it amusing.

"My name is Alice, what's yours?" she asked in a snobby tone, sizing me up. At six, she's really beautiful, like a porcelain doll, complete with black curls.

"Hell-o? Am I talking to thin air?" she tapped her foot impatiently, her fragile features turning to a frown.

"Oh. I'm Bella."

Then her face softened and she smiled widely.

"That's a pretty name. I think we're gonna be best friends. Come and play Barbie with me."

And best friends, we were.

Mr and Mrs Brandon thought it would be cute if I'd go to Alice's school, too. They liked the fact that Alice was very fond of somebody, which rarely happens. To them, I was a savior. Ever since I lived in their household, Alice's tantrums lessened.

Since I'm five years older than Alice, I entered high school before she did. And oh boy, it wasn't like any other high school. They sent me to one of those elite schools with the posh uniforms, not to mention obnoxious students. For this, I was very grateful. I couldn't thank them enough for everything they've done. I've earned a fairly good reputation in that school, but to be honest, I know for a fact that the kids there only shamelessly befriended me because they know I have the connections to the Brandon family. I don't mind at all, really. People lie to live, anyway.

They sent me to college as well. I declined because it was too much.

"Nonsense. You know you're already part of this family, Bella." Mrs Brandon said.

"I have money saved up for college. I really appreciate it, but I don't think I deserve this, Ma'am. You've been wonderful people, and I don't want to abuse your generosity."

Turns out, I'm not really good at debates. Especially when it's with any of the Brandon's.

It all went well, until that fateful night just before the day I'm leaving for Dartmouth.

Charlie had a heart attack, and needless to say, it took away his life just like that.

I was depressed. I refused to come out of my room and eat. I wouldn't talk to anyone, even Alice.

"Please talk to me, Bella." Her soprano voice was muffled through the thick door.

"Or at least, eat something." She added when I didn't respond. Her voice was on the verge of cracking.

No, they don't understand.

But I realized that what I'm doing was useless. Charlie died but I can't be like this forever. He wouldn't want me to be in this state.

"Are you serious, darling?" Mrs Brandon asked me, her eyes wide.

"Yes." I replied in a monotone. "Have me trained or something. I could get people to teach me to handle a gun and to drive. Anything." I was decided. And nothing won't change that.

"You know, English Literature sounds really good, Isabella. You're aware that this is a very dangerous job. Besides, I can hire a new bodyguard. Bella, we care about you. Alice cares about you. This is not a very good idea."

"I want to follow my father's footsteps. Cliché as that may sound but it's true. So please, Mrs Brandon, please give me the permission to be Alice's bodyguard."

She looked at me for a long time and sighed. "Alright, I'll think about it. You do the same. This is a very big decision, Bella. I hope you know that."

I thanked her and left.

I got what I wanted a few weeks later. But still, Mr and Mrs Brandon insisted on letting me finish college. I studied English Literature at the local university, and processed my permits and my requirements during my free time. I trained for four years. They taught me self defense, how to drive and how to use a gun and all that crap. It took away my clumsiness, another thing I'm grateful for.

It was weird for Alice at first. But she got used to it, somehow.

Emmett was hired last year. Because of his body built, he has a double purpose but for the most part, he's the driver. He and Alice immediately clicked well since he can tolerate her behavior very well better than me.

Alice threw a fit when she first saw my uniform. She didn't like the black suit, the shades and the black shoes. Which was weird because she was okay with my Dad's black outfit before.

"You are not wearing that! It looks horrible on you. Not mention downright boring." I swear, I saw someone hold a tranquilizer at the background.

"This is the standard uniform, Alice." I felt like I was explaining to four-year old.

"Mommy, you gotta make her strip off that thing. Otherwise, I'm not going anywhere with her." There goes the Bratinella mode.

And Alice gets everything she wants, which means, I have to suffer wearing heels. Again.

Looking back, when I was in high school, the times when she let me wear my Chucks can be counted. There are times when I wonder if I'm really five years older than her.

But beyond that, I feel like I belong. They're like my family, including Emmett who's like a big brother.

I still call Renee and Phil every now and then. They're doing very well, which I'm glad. They finally settled in Jacksonville. Attached in the e-mail Phil sent me last month was a picture of their new home.

"We're here." Emmett said, interrupting my thoughts. He stopped at the entrance of the building.

I got out and opened the door for Alice, since the guards were slow.

"I don't see the point why we have to have lunch at the Plaza with this guy. I mean, we could meet him at home. What's so special about him, anyway?" Alice asked while we walked to the door.

"Pixie has arrived." I said to my lapel. Mr and Mrs Brandon's bodyguards would hear it from theirs.

We entered the grand lobby and some of the staff greeted us.

The Brandon's were sitted at the far end of the large dining room. Mr and Mrs smiled and waved at us. The bodyguards were nowhere in sight. Unlike them, I join the Brandon's for meals like this.

Someone with bronze hair was sitting with them, his back to us.

"Ah, here they are." Mr Brandon said.

"Daddy." Alice said, skipping towards him and giving him a hug.

"Sit down, Isabella." Mrs Brandon said. I hate it when they use my real name. She gestured towards the chair next to who I assumed was Mr. Cullen.

And there, I saw Mr. Cullen for the first time. His bronze hair was messy but it looked good. His skin was pale but it made his emerald green. I would call myself a liar if I didn't find him attractive. No, that's an understatement. Gorgeous, yes, but so is Orlando Bloom. Right?

"Bella, this is Edward Cullen. You'd be working with him." Mrs Brandon said smiling as I sat down. I had to fight back a snort. Yes, I know.

"Very pleased to meet you Mr Cullen. I'm Bella Swan." I held out my hand for him to shake. I was surprised to find his hand soft.

"Pleased to meet you too, Miss Swan." He replied in a very smooth voice, his lips twitched to a smile.

"And this is Mary Alice, my daughter." Mrs Brandon said.

"Hi!" Alice said, who was sitting beside her father.

"It's very nice to meet you, Miss Alice."

And lunch went by. They asked a lot of questions from Edward. I didn't pay much attention, though. I was busy eating, one thing I rarely get to do when I'm with Alice. She and her pointless shopping trips starve me to death.

Edward rode with us back to the mansion. This time, he sat in the passenger's seat while I sat with Alice in the back.

"When are you moving in, Edward?" I asked him after a few minutes of silence. The two people I expected to make noise were busy. Alice was busy playing with her PSP (yes, she has one, in hot pink) while Emmett was thinking deep about something. Probably, about tomorrow night.

"Tonight." He said, turning to me, smiling.

Be nice, Bella. He's not stealing your job. He's only here to share it with you.

"Oh. And your clothes?" I kept my tone business-like.

"They're already in the mansion, Miss Swan." he answered politely.

"Oh."

"They carried it inside while you were still in Dreamland." Alice said, her eyes still glued on the screen.

Suddenly, Emmett spoke. "What if we hang out tonight? The three of us? Won't that be cool?"

"Can I come? Please? Please Emmett?" Alice asked, looking up.

"No, sweetheart." Emmett replied.

"Please? Bella?" She leaned in towards me, her eyes wide.

It won't work this time, kiddo. "I'm sorry Alice. Your mom won't allow you."

Amazingly, she obeyed.

"Oh, all right. I have to finish some homework, anyway."

And we rode home in silence, plus the annoying background music of Alice's PSP.