The sun was shining, the birds were singing and I had the mother of all migraines. It had been two days since I woke up from my nightmare and I had finally had a peaceful night sleep last night. I needed it too, in eight days school would be starting and I was going to be taking advanced classes. Another reason, other than my accent, for people to take the piss out of me.

Back to the present, it was 6 am and the dam birds wouldn't shut up. I had developed a habit of waking up on the floor, tangled in bed sheets, with a new minor bruise to show to the world.

Joy.

I scrambled up, grabbed my clothes and headed towards the bathroom for a much needed hot shower. About an hour later I was dressed in black skinny jeans, a navy blue top and a black hoodie. My hair was tamed into waves and I was ready to go. I had decided I had been way too cooped up lately so I had told my dad I was going to check out the woods round our house. As long as I'm back before he gets home from work, had my mobile on me and didn't go too far then it was fine with him. Pulling out my ipod I listened to music as I began my hike.


Even in trainers this hike was agony on my feet. I had been walking for about two hours and I was fairly sure I was lost. Great. I know what you're thinking, 'What about you're mobile?' If I phoned my dad he would have the whole town looking for me and would never let me live it down. This was a crap idea. What WAS I thinking? I sighed as I sat down on the trunk of a toppled tree.

Turning up the volume, I murmured the words to Within Temptations the howling.

"The world seems not the same
Though I know nothing has changed
It's all my state of mind
I can't leave it all behind
I have to stand up to be stronger..."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"I have to try
To break free
From the thoughts in my mind
Use the time that I have
I can say goodbye
Have to make it right
Have to fight
'Cause I know in the end it's worthwhile
That the pain that I feel slowly fades..."

All of the sudden I felt a presence with me; I turned round to be met by a pair of amber eyes……..

The strange pixie like girl stared at me and then let out a tinkering laugh. "You must be Nicole, I'm Alice Cullen, and I'm guessing you're lost." What? How did she now my name? "My dad told me that you had just moved here and I happen to have heard some of the stories your dad has been telling the rest of the staff at the hospital." Creepy, it's like she knew I was going to say that before I said it. Also, I did not like the idea of my dad spreading embarrassing stories round town.

Seeing the look on my face she let out another laugh and proceeded to tell me it was nothing to bad, "He was just telling everyone about your clumsy nature and tendency to get yourself lost. I guess it was a good idea that I decided to come and take a walk to clear my mind."

"I guess so. "I let out a long sigh, "So where exactly am I?"I asked curiously.

"Well I'll tell you something, since you live over a mile away from me I would say you're quite a way from your house seeing as mine is just though those trees and over the stream." She motioned to the small stream you could just make out though the trees.

"Ahh. Well I hate to ask but could you point me in the right direction home please?" I gave her my best innocent look and she giggled slightly.

"I told my family I wouldn't be back for a while anyway so I'll walk you home. I know the woods like the back of my hand." I gave her a look and asked her if she was sure that wouldn't be too much trouble.

"Never. Besides if I let you just walk of then your just going to get lost again and it will be nice to get to know you as we will be going to the same school next week."

"Fair point, and I probably would get lost again, and you're sure this wont be too much of a bother to you?" I really didn't want to inconvenience her as Alice seemed like a really nice person. "Course not come on we better get going." She smiled at me and grabbed my arm.

I couldn't help but notice the lack of temperature in her arm. It was freezing, not to mention hard as stone. "Bad circulation." She admitted. Wow, that girl must be a mind reader.

"Soooo….How 'bout a game of twenty questions?" I asked after several minutes of silence.

"Sure I'll start. Just give me a sec." She tapped her chin for a few moments before beginning the game, "Ok. I got it. How many boyfriends have you had and have you ever been in love?" She held a dreamy look on her face and sighed before quickly composing her posture. "I've only dated Jasper but I am most defiantly in love and we have been for a while now." She acquired a vague look again and her eyes seemed almost to gloss over.

"Earth to Alice." She turned to me before giving me an odd look. "Alice, one that was two questions and two I have most defiantly not been in love because I have never felt the need to have a boyfriend. Men are pigs." Alice murmured to herself and I briefly caught the words "Edward" and "don't be so sure".

Fourteen questions later and we had arrived back at my house." Thank you so much Alice and this is probably going to sound funny but could you not mention this to my dad or anyone that might tell him please? I mean, I wouldn't normally ask but he will never let me live it down." I grinned sheepishly at her and she smiled back at me.

"Don't worry I wont and it was fun getting to know you better on the way down here. I have a feeling we are going to be very good friends." She smiled again but a think it was more to herself than anyone else. "I better be off bye Nicole." She disappeared back into the trees and I went inside to make my dad and me some dinner.

Searching the fridge, I found it to be all but bare so I grabbed the phone book and ordered take out. The rest of the day was fairly boring and paled (Pun not intended) in comparison to my walk with Alice. I decided not to mention my walk to my dad and headed of to my room. I changed into my long guitar hero pyjama pants and a black tank top after my long shower, deciding to put on some music so my nightmares were less likely. I sighed as Within temptation slowly filled my room and closed my eyes.


A/N: I'll post again as soon as I can but school Is starting to catch up with me and I'm finding it harder to write new chapters. I have the next couple chapters written so they'll be up soon. Review please?