Bella POV

After I was dragged around to almost every store in the mall by Rose and Alice, they invited me over to their house. You cannot imagine how thrilled I was about this. I was finally making friends! I am so glad I moved away.

While following behinds Rose's Porsche, which by the way was beautiful, I was lost in my fantasies of being the most popular girl in school. Oh, I just could not wait to go to school! Everything was going to wok out great. I had my new friends to help me, and some stylish (and very expensive) clothes to top it off.

I was torn away from my sweet imaginings when I was led up a long driveway. This must be the way to their house. When we finally reached the top, I gasped. There in front of me, was the most beautiful house I had ever laid eyes on. It was so big. I was so preoccupied with the house, that I missed Rose's car by inches. Gosh! Does it ever end?

"Nice one Bella. Maybe we should take you to a glass store and see how much stuff you can break without trying," she growled at me. I glared playfully back at her, although I got the feeling that she was not joking. I heard Alice try to cough back her laughs. I ignored them, still too amazed by the brilliant house before me. I go to the door and stopped. What if they don't like me? What if I make a fool out of myself and Rose and Alice are too embarrassed to keep me as a friend?

"Bella, don't worry. They don't bite." Rose smiled at me then glanced sideways at a laughing Alice . I didn't get the joke, but whatever.

She slowly opened the door and called out, "We're home!"

I stepped inside to find five gorgeous people sitting on the couches. One, especially, caught my eye. He had red, messy hair and golden eyes. He took a whiff of the air and his head automatically shot up. His eyes turned black as an evil smile spread across his face. Then he flew out of his seat; his teeth bared like a wolf; right at my throat.

He was on top of me in seconds, with that same smile on his face. I couldn't breathe. I was so scared. The smile vanished from his perfect face and was replaced with a vicious scowl. The big brawny one and the small blond one dragged him outside. I watched as they disappeared into the forest.

Edward POV

Yes.

Alice and Rosalie were at the mall for the day so I got to hang with the guys (and Esme, but I try to think of it as all guys). We had been wasting away all day long doing my favorite thing... playing video games. It helped me forget about how I was the only one in this family who was a loner; the one who was destined to be alone for eternity.

Ring! Ring! That was Carlisle 's phone. He flipped it open. It was Alice . She was bringing a human home with her.

"Okay. Thank you for the warning. Yeah, I'll tell them. Okay. Bye." He hung up the phone and resumed his position in the spot he had been sitting in. " Alice is bringing a human here," he said. Emmett paused the game to look at Jasper. He had automatically tensed.

"Don't worry guys, I'll be fine," he said un-pausing the game.

"Hey! You cheat!" Emmett screamed. Everyone in the room broke into laughter. Except me. This is how it always is. Everyone so full of love for each other, and me - The Outsider.

About two minutes later, Rosalie's Porsche pulled into the driveway, followed by an old truck. The girl in the truck almost hit Rose's car, but slammed on the breaks just inches away from the bumper. Rosalie made a low growl at her.

The girl stepped out of the truck. She was beautiful. Chocolate brown eyes and light brown, wavy hair that was cascading down her back. She looked sad and lonely. I suddenly felt the urge to run and hold her.

Edward, is Jasper OK? Alice thought.

"Yes," I muttered.

"Guys, act natural!" whispered Carlisle . We decided to go back to our game.

Rose opened the door and called out obnoxiously, "We're home!"

I was hit with the most fragrant and compelling scent I had ever smelled. My throat burst into flames.

I looked up to see the human girl. She was no longer beautiful to me. I needed her blood. I smiled as I thought of the blood that would soon be running through my veins, quenching my never ending thirst.

I bared my teeth to her and jumped. I was on top of her in an instant, I pulled away to look into those frightened eyes one last time, but was dragged away by my dumb brothers. I was bombarded with my family's thoughts.

Edward I can't believe you! She is our friend and I won't allow you to kill her! Alice shrieked.

Edward, you just gave away our secret. We may have to relocate or turn her now. -Carlise

Ugh, you are such an idiot. You have not had a drink from a human in almost a century, and you choose now, when I finally made a friend to succumb to your thirst? -Rosalie

Thank god that was not me' -Jasper

Dude, so not cool. -Emmet

Sweetheart, don't kill yourself over this. Nobody is perfect. -Esme

I found no comfort in these thoughts, but I was unable to escape them. There was one particular voice that I did not hear though, and that was the girl I just attacked.

Bella POV

I was sprawled out on the floor, shaking. What the hell had just happened? Why did this guy attack me? And why did his family seem even more frightened than I did?

"Bella, are you okay?" Alice asked me.

"Okay? Okay? No I am not okay!! I just got attacked by your psycho brother, FOR NO REASON!" I screamed at them. "Who the hell are you people?"

The older blond one sighed and took a cautious step towards me. He held out his hand. "Hi, my name is Carlisle Cullen. This is my wife, Esme." He pointed to the older brunette. "The one who attacked you is Edward, and I will introduce you to my other sons when they come back in. I think we need to sit down and talk. Do you mind if we go to my office upstairs?" He held out his arm as an escort. I was about to refuse, when I realized I might need someone to steady me if I began to fall down the stairs.

When we reached his office, he motioned for me to sit down in the seat across from him.

"Now, let's not beat around the bush here. That little display a few minutes ago was not something a human could pull off. Me, and my family are Vampires. Our diet consists of only animal blood, never humans. We don't sleep, and we do not eat. We also do not burn in the sun. Our existence is supposed to be a secret, and that law is enforced by a group called the Volturi. If they ever were to discover that you know our little secret, you would be forced to become one of us, or be destroyed. So... will you keep this a secret?" he smiled at me in a father-like way. He was so nice, and genuine.

How could I say no?