I limped my way into my truck. The girls ran to the backseat. As I slammed the door shut specks of rust few out the door. I looked at Charlie with pure disgust as I reversed the truck. He stood at the door, smiling and waving at us in a fatherly way.

Neighbours looking across would think he was nice and affectionate and some pitied him, knowing that he raises three girls on his own but only we know the pain and suffering he puts us through. I knew that Charlie's hurtful words and cruel beatings was completely branded onto the back of my brain, the way he tortured my mother, all the memories I could recall without effort.

I was sad; however, knowing that those were the only memories I had of this place tat was my home. None of Renee's soft words and whispers were in my memory.

Only blood, pain…and torture.

I dropped the girls at nursery school and I parked in my usual parking spot in the parking lot of the only other place I went to other than home, Forks High.

Just as I was limping out, Alice drove in with her yellow Porsche. Everyone gawked at it. We looked like vultures eyeing a dead deer, only difference was, we weren't going to get the prize.

She stepped out and took off her shades. It was unnecessary to wear shades in Forks because we rarely go t sunlight. Persons only wore it here because…well, for show.

She smiled at me and I smiled back a bit too late. She immediately went over to, not to Lauren, Jess and Samantha, but to Rosalie, Emmett and their friends. I looked over to Katie, who was sitting on the bench with Conner. We both exchanged looks of satisfaction and curiosity.

I would have gone over to her but, one, my feet were killing me with pain, two, I was too gloomy to act cheerful and three, I had no idea how to explain my hurt leg. And besides, when I came in the morning I liked to imagine what my life would be like if Charlie wasn't an asshole.

After a while I decided to head inside. It seemed that today wasn't my day because I had forgotten that my assignment was on my lap and when I opened the door and got up, all the pages went scattering.

I cursed under my breath. I thought I would ask someone to catch some of the papers for me but suddenly the bell rang and everyone went inside.

I hobbled over to the closest paper but someone grabbed it before I could bend down.

"Are these yours?" I looked up and stared into the green eyes of…Edward.

Like the idiot I was I continued to stare. He cleared his throat and repeated the question. That's when I shook off the stupor and embarrassingly collected the now soiled papers.

I managed to mumble a thank you.

He smiled and said, "You're welcome. I make it a duty to be of service to ladies, especially when they're as cute as you."

I blushed and looked down. "Well, we're going to be late for class."

I didn't say anything. I turned to grab my book bag form the passenger seat, expecting him to be gone but…he wasn't.

Edward smiled at me. "Can I walk you to class?" he asked politely.

I really did like him and fought myself to say yes. Sure he was cute and…hot but I had to think of Paige and Hope. They had to remain the center of my life and attention. In many ways they were my children, more mine that Renee's and I didn't need any cute boy getting in the way. So as politely as I could manage I bluntly replied, "No thank you. I'm fine by myself."

Edward looked a bit surprised; probably he wasn't used to being turned down by a girl. Maybe he was nothing different from Mike. Good. That only made him, this Edward Cullen, more undesirable.

Edward nodded and jogged to class. I hit myself in the head in anger and felt a spasm of pain. What a smart ass I am. I hopped to class, placing almost all my weight on my good left leg. This resulted in me being over fifteen minutes late for class.

Mr. George looked at me disapprovingly as I staggered into class. No one paid any attention to me. They were used to me being injured in some way or another. Everyone thought I was a gigantic klutz. I walked over to my desk, which was always empty but today it wasn't.

Mr. George cleared his throat, "Miss Swan, Mr. Cullen will be your lab partner for the term. Now sit down quickly and take out your books everyone, we'll be looking at…."

I placed my bag on the floor and took out my books. Edward acknowledged my presence but didn't say a word. It seemed that my words had come out a bit rude. I felt a little guilty and used my hair as a curtain to shield his face from my view.

We worked in silence. I thanked God when the bell rang. In my haste to get out and I had dashed my books into my bag but I had forgotten my leg wasn't in perfect shape. So as soon as I placed the pressure on my hurt foot I toppled onto the floor.

Everyone laughed, especially Jessica who kept making smart remarks, causing everyone to laugh even harder.

Edward, though, didn't laugh and helped me to my feet. I clutched at my head. He sensed that something was wrong with my leg so he slung my arm around his neck and supported my weight.

"Are you alright Bella?" Edward asked me. Everyone had already filed out of class, excepting Mr. George, who was staring right at me.

"Take her to the hospital wing Edward." Mr. George ordered.

I was about to protest but Edward hushed me and carried me in his arms. I felt so ashamed and embarrassed. I struggled to get out of his grasp to no avail.

"Bella" He said impatiently when I accidentally knocked his head with my elbow. "Calm down, something's wrong with your leg. Would you like to crawl to the hospital wing?"

He took my silence for a no. "Exactly, so be still. I'm not going to eat you."

So I folded my arms and scowled.

I wondered why he was doing this. He could have laughed like everyone else and left me on the floor but instead he helped. Why? I had answered him so rudely. If the tables were turned I would have definitely laughed at me.

I was pathetic and lame. Many times Charlie's reminded me that I wasn't exotic or beautiful in any way and I knew it.

I had dull brown eyes and hair. My hair was pitiful. I let it grow and when it got too long I took Charlie's scissors and cut it a clumsy and jagged line straight across. . Sure, every week I washed it but that was the limit when it came to taking care of my hair. Because of Charlie most parts of my body showed signs of marks of violence. 50% of it was Charlie's fault, the other 50 was self inflicted.

I would stand in the mirror and, with my fingers, lightly trace the red marks where I had cut myself and the black and blue marks of Charlie's rage.

I had scared myself once when I looked up in the mirror one day and realized that if I had Renee's golden hair and blue eyes, I could pass for her younger sister. It scared me to know that my life was becoming the exact replica of my mother's but, unlike her, I wasn't very gullible and I knew that as soon as I was eighteen Paige, Hope and I were heading out of Forks, for good.

I didn't know I was crying until Edward said worriedly, "What's wrong Bella? Is you leg hurting?" Before I could reply he half walked to the hospital room in school and shouted for, "Mrs. Dean!"

Mrs. Dean looked laughable as she stood up frantically. "What's wrong Edward?" She half shouted; a smiled spread across her face.

Whoa! Did she have a…crush on Edward! My angry reaction startled me. What did I care? He wouldn't like her anyway. How old is she? 37, maybe 40?

When Mrs. Dean saw me she became relaxed. "What've you done now Bella darlin'?" I always liked Mrs. Dean's southern Texas accent. She shook her head.

"My foot's broken." I whispered softly. I half hoped Edward would go away and leave me alone but he sat on one of the four hospital beds, looking around.

"What've you there? I don't have supersonic ears you know." Then she giggled. "That's the exact same thin' my great uncle Earl told me when I was at his farm last summer. Only thing was, he's deaf."

Obviously she expected us to laugh. Edward chuckled. I was feeling very morose so I only, out of respect, gave a slight smile. "My foot's broken Mrs. Dean." I said.

"How'd that happen?" She asked, gathering the materials to check and bandage my foot.

Oops. I hadn't thought of that. "I…I f-" No I fell down the stairs last week. "I was run-" Nope, used that one. Oh! "I was playing with my sisters and…they left a…toy out and I…tripped."

She looked at me skeptically. "You broke your foot by falling from a toy?"

"Ugh, they were a lot…of toys. And…I think I may have hurt my head in the process."

She shrugged and, as usual, accepted my story. "Well be careful next time. My aunt Matilda broke her jaw when she was playin' wid her grandbabies. She tripped on a toy truck and landed head first onto her hard, wooden floor! "

She bandaged my leg and checked my head. Edward and I sat there in silence listening to Mrs. Dean told us the story of how she got her first pony, Merry-legs. Of course I had heard it numerous times.

By the time I left her office my temper was sky high in frustration and pure anger. Instead of heading back to my next class I walked to the parking lot. I thought Edward would've been offended by my silence and would've headed to his class but instead he followed.

I was already furious and I snapped at him. "What's wrong with you?" I shouted. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"

He remained calm and just stood looking at as if I was a crazy person under observation. That made my temper boil. "WHAT? WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME LKE THAT? DO YOU THINK I'M CRAZY?"

"Bella" He whispered softly, still nonchalant. "What really happened to your leg?"

That caught me off guard. I had been so caught up in finding some excuse that I didn't even care how it sounded when I lied. Usually, no matter how obvious it sounded, Mrs. Dean always accepted my reasons. She was lonely since her husband died, I guess, and seemed happy to talk to anyone, not caring why they were in her office. I hadn't remembered Edward was still in the room.

"What are you talking about? I fell over some toys. Don't you listen?" I used the crutches and went over to my truck to sit. I was really out of ideas. My foot was in crutches and my head was starting to throb. How was I going to get Paige and Hope from nursery school? Sure, Charlie wouldn't care, he probably wouldn't even notice but I had to get them.

I looked and saw Edward shake his head angrily and walk back to school. "Edward! Edward!" I shouted. He turned around and I saw his green eyes burning in fury. Even though I knew he hated my guts now I still mustered up some courage and asked, "Can you please give me a ride to Alpha bees on Washington Avenue later today?"

Icily he replied, "No" And continued walking.

What had I done?

"Look I'm sorry." I apologized. "I lost my temper just now. I just really need a ride there. It'll just take a few minutes and you can go back to ignoring me." I whispered softly.

He looked at me angrily. "What part of the word NO can't you understand? As you wished I am leaving you alone now you LEAVE ME ALONE."He shouted in my face and started mumbling to himself. "I thought that one Rose was a bit rude and that Samantha and Lauren. Oh and as to Jessica! But she beat them all."

I flinched and backed away slowly. How could I be such a bitch? I thought. I went back to my truck. I would wait for Katie or Angela or Eric to come outside at lunch and I ask them for a ride after school.

I looked at Edward. He was already at the door. He glanced at me bitterly before walking in. I cold have hit myself for that.

How could I have been so cold? Shouting at him as if he were some dog? All he wanted to do was help me but I had to be a bitch and just lose my temper.

I sighed and closed my eyes. My heart ached and burned for eternal sleep. A sleep that would wash my mind of, not just bad memories, but every memory. My soul would be lost, roaming among the other billions of souls.

I would be free and undoubtedly…happy.

Free of any burden that robbed me of my childhood, free of any thing that caused me pain and suffering. All I really wanted was…Death.

This was someone so easily summoned but once the decision was made there was no turning back. Your destiny was already on its path.

I shook my head and my mind. I wasn't selfish. I was here for two wonderful children that were so like my own.

I was here because…I WANTED TO BE.

I skipped through the halls to my locker for my Biology book. I was in a good mood. Charlie had found new play mates so I saw him at around eleven twelve at night; if I was up. And most of the time he was wasted and passed out on floor. In the mornings he was too hung over to comment on anything which saves me the trouble of making breakfast, lunch and dinner for his lazy ass.

I was so happy; my mind was lost in another world. But by the time I jumped into reality I had already crashed into…Alice Cullen.

"Ow!" We both exclaimed as our heads collided. I looked at her, even with a slightly throbbing pain in my head I could still see that Alice Cullen had a rare beauty that not many girls possessed. Rosalie wasn't beautiful, she was much more. She was exotic and glamorous to the fullest.

Alice was just beautiful and fashionable. I knew God never spited you twice. You were always pretty and poor or ugly and rich but his angels made a mistake in my department. (Just a story, God makes no mistakes. Oh and HAPPY READING! Hope you enjoy and don't forget, review, review, review!)

"I am so sorry Alice." I said. "I'm such an idiot. Here are your books." I got up and handed them to her. Alice was a bit slower in getting up, she seemed a bit puzzled.

"Um…do I know you?"

"Oh…no"

She raised her eyebrow. "Then how do you know my name?"

"Everyone knows your name." I said; puzzled myself. Didn't she know she was one of Forks High's social elite?

She held her books and cocked her head to the side. She cracked a smile. "Um, thanks. But…I don't know your name?"

"It's Bella." I was about to walk away when she held my elbow. She pulled me back to her and asked, "Well Bella do you have anyone special to see at lunch?"

I shook my head. "Well you can sit with me, at Rosalie's table. You know the table at the…"

I butt in. "I know where it is."

She looked at me strangely. "Good. Well see you then Bella!" She shouted, skipping towards her 'clique.' I didn't even get a chance to say no. This was Edward's sister. I'd already upset Edward. I didn't want to go around insulting the entire Cullen family so I decided I would go…

And sit and shut my trap for most of lunch.

I walked into the cafeteria quietly. I was hoping that Alice would tell Edward I was a freak and she would take back her invitation so that I could go back to being ignored in peace.

I had friends, no. Acquaintances, yes. Katie, Angela, Conner, Eric, Tyler and Ben were all people I just talked to. No one knew the real Bella Swan. Inside was someone waiting to be fee, wild and have fun. At school I was quiet and kept to myself. I guess that's why it wasn't hard for Jessica to abandon me. I wasn't hard to give up.

I was a bore; I never knew the latest on anything. Mom used to pay our internet bill and keep the computer in order so I could be updated but Charlie had taken a huge wooden bat and hit the computer, where I was hiding. I had burned dinner.
So it was never fixed, our television only showed one channel that couldn't even be seen clearly.

Alice saw me enter and she grabbed my arm. "Hurry Bella!"

I half ran as she dragged across the cafeteria. I bit my lip. The entire cafeteria was staring at us! I saw Katie open her mouth and a couple of fries dropped out. I was so self conscious that I forgot to smile smugly at Jessica and her crew.

When we reached the table Rosalie eyed me up and down. I had never been so close to her before! It was like…I don't know…If I was a mortal and I was meeting the Greek Goddess Aphrodite, who was said to be the goddess of beauty.

Rosalie was much more gorgeous up close…and much more intimidating.

"Everyone, this is Bella Swan! Bella this is everyone!" Edward looked up but if he was angry or sad or uncomfortable, he didn't show it. He merely smiled and said, "Hello, I'm Edward, Alice's twin brother." He shook my hand and continued eating his pizza.

I stared at him, puzzled. One of the reasons I didn't want to come was because I was afraid Edward would publicly embarrass me. But he seemed to just be ignoring my presence, I can't lie. His cold shoulder stung a bit but wasn't that what I wanted?

Rosalie was still looking me over as if checking to see if I was worthy to sit at the table, I guess I didn't pass the test. Her eyes looked disapprovingly at me, from my red, washed out, long sleeved shirt to my faded blue jeans. Even though I didn't watch much TV I still knew I was hopelessly out of style. My hair was like an untamed garden; growing wilder and wilder as the months progressed.

My only form of jewelry was my mother's heart shaped locket, inside was a picture of our family.

I felt so stupid for actually showing my face here. After Emmett shook my hand I said, "Well," I began nervously, "I…um…Alice invited me…over but I…I…I have something…something to do so…um…bye." I could feel the sweat on my face. I turned around but Emmett said, "C'mon and sit Bella. Aren't you hungry?"

Alice looked at me pleadingly, "Yeah, sit down. I'll help you with whatever you're doing later. Don't you want her to stay Rose?"

Rosalie grumbled something and gave a slight and clearly pretentious smile. She cleared her throat. "Sit Bella" She said my name as I if it was venom. Alice gave her a warning glance and quickly smiled at me.

I sat down reluctantly. I never had much money for lunch. So all I had was my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a bottle of fruit juice.

Rosalie looked at my paper bag. "That's all you eat?"She asked.

Alice looked at it and frowned but said nothing. They started conversations but I did as I said I would do. I sat there like a mute monkey for the entire hour. Alice always asked me direct questions and Emmett attempted at times but other than that everyone else completely ignored me.

I was starting to actually join the conversations, just to please Alice, but every time I said anything Rose would look at me as if I was a piece of garbage and continue talking as if I said nothing.

When the bell rang I said a formal good bye to everyone and nearly raced out of the cafeteria. I heard Alice say to Rose, "Why did you have to be such a bitch?"

I ran into the washroom and locked it. I started crying. Not long after someone rapped on the door. "It's me, Alice." I opened the door. She handed me a bag. "Here, I couldn't survive on a sandwich." I was about to reject it but she shoved it into my hands, "Take it Bella."

I took it and peeked inside. There were two burgers, a Coke and an apple.

"Thank you" I said hoarsely. She locked the washroom door and hugged me. No one, besides Renee, had hugged me in my life. I had been so emotionally drained that I didn't even shove her away; I hugged her back.

We let go a few minutes after. I dried my tears and started laughing. She laughed with me. "I don't know what's up with you Bella but all I can say is I want to be your friend and I'm here for you no matter what."

I nodded. "Do you want to visit my house today, after school I mean?"

I hesitated. "I've got to pick up my sisters."

"Ok, you can bring them too."

"Your parents will think I'm intruding."

"Already called 'em and asked"

"I look stupid."

"Oh Bella"

I bit my lip. She looked at me and said, "Pleeeeeeeeeease, please pretty please, will you come over to my house?"

"O-kaay"

"Yes!" She exclaimed.

"But I've got to get my sisters; they're a bit small, five and six, I hope your house's baby proof. I'm sure you've got fragile stuff."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh Bella, it'll be fun."

She kissed my cheek and walked out of the washroom. I washed my face and stared at my reflection in the mirror.

Oh God! What did I just get myself into?