Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; all rights go to Stephanie Meyer.

Hello! This story is about Carlisle and Esme, as well as their friends. (: They are all about to start college and meet the greatest hardships of their lives, but also find out the true meaning of friendship and love. Maybe that was cheesy to say, but hey what can you do, I am just a cheesy type of person! Anyway I hope you enjoy this story.

Chapter one: Unexpected

Esme's POV:

"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls" ~ Pablo Picasso

Deep blues, violets, cranberry reds, candy cotton pink, burnt oranges, and a beautiful crisp yellow splatter my canvas; portraying my version of the thousands of sunset photographs I have laying around me. Sitting on the floor with a small wooden box holding my portable easel; it has become my makeshift studio in my bedroom. Photographs never capture the sun right, especially with my photography abilities, but I wanted many different colors and shapes the sun can portray when I attempted to recreate them with my own twist of creative reality. I have spent weeks recording, and snapping photos for this painting. I had my headphones in, listing to Brahms Hungarian Dances, slowly swaying to the music, moving my brush with the momentum of the instruments. A playful smile on my lips as I indulged in the music and watched beauty spreading across the canvas in front of me; not thinking, just relying on my senses to guide my brush. I never painted for perfection, I painted to let my imagination run wild; it was my oasis, the place where I am truly free.

As my own sunset came to life and soon began to hold its own without any more strokes, I set down my paint brush to hear the sound I had been pretending wouldn't come. But it always does, and it always will.

"ESSSHME!"

My father slurred my name as he walked in the door drunk. My oasis disappeared and I began to quickly put away my paints and brushes, gathering all of my photos before he could come and destroy anything with his unstable behavior.

"Coming!"

I hollered as I put the last of the photos back in my draw with my painting supplies, carefully picking up my easel and sat it up on my dresser. Hurrying down the hall to the living room where my father was swaying, sliding off his work shoes. I grabbed them off the floor and put them in the closet by the front door. Dad made his way on to the couch, knocking things over on the way.

"Fiveshh" He slurred.

"Five am?" I asked, even though already I knew the answer.

"Shyes!" He hollered.

He wanted me to wake him up at five for work. I looked my watch and noticed it was almost two am. I sighed as I walked into the kitchen. I knew better, I knew I wasn't going to be able to go to bed until after he left; because I couldn't risk the chance of oversleeping. But I was used to this. He would tear the house up if I was asleep before he got home, and he expected me to wake him up in the morning, or the consequences weren't good. But at least I only had a few months of this left before I could leave for good.

My dad has always been a heavy drinker, but somehow he has kept it hidden from everyone else. A year ago it had gotten worse, he missed work a lot and his friends started questioning his behavior. It's why mom left; she grew weary of dealing with his mess.
I grabbed a glass of water and a bag of Cheetos and sat down on the kitchen's blue and green tiled floor; my go-to comfort food. I smiled to myself as I sat on the floor, because a random thought had just popped into my head.

I wonder what that new boy across the street is dreaming about? I mean he must be asleep right? He looked like a studier though, so he may be awake…but probably not. He was crazy good at answering questions in our Physics class, I wonder if he will become a scientist, or maybe a doctor? He would be a cute doctor…

I was very smitten with this new boy; he was tall with blonde wavy hair and blue eyes. He looked so elegant and smart, everything that every average seventeen year old boy isn't. I didn't know his name because I had been late to class thanks to my father. Unfortunately Physics is my first period, and it's the only class I have with him, so I probably won't have a chance to speak with then. But I would sure like to get to know him, and before knew it I was lost in thought of the strange, smart, handsome boy in my Physics class.

~000~

"AAAAHHHHH!"

I hear a scream that jolts me awake. I spring up from the cold floor. Adrenaline mixed with panic causing me to run towards the noise. But when I entered into the living room it hit me…I forgot to wake him up! I fell asleep. My father's face was all red, and his hair was in all different directions. My body tensed for the chaos that was about to erupt.

"I ASKED YOU TO DO ONE THING! ONE THING!" he screamed at me walking towards me. His eyes were blood shot and his voice was hoarse.

"YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY YOUR MOTHER LEFT?"

I didn't respond, but I thought the answer bitterly: this is why.

He stopped arm's length away from me.

"YOU!" he spat. "YOU DROVE HER AWAY! YOU NEVER DID ANYTHING RIGHT! SHE LEFT ME BECAUSE OF YOU!" he yelled, throwing his hands up in the air.

I stepped back from him, biting down on my tongue to keep from replying. He opened his mouth again to yell but I turned away and ran up the stairs.

I quickly grabbed my overnight bag and my book bag, threw open my window and jumped out onto the roof. I only had about five minutes until he realized what I was doing.

"Shoot!" I whisper yelled.

The ladder that I usually had right below my window had fallen over. My brain buzzed with thoughts.

I could jump? No, I'd break my legs, it's too high up. I could try to climb down…but I'd have to put my shoes on first for a better grip.

I hurried to pull my tennis shoes from my bag, glancing at the watch on my wrist that read "6:45 am". As I was slipping on my shoes a voice called out to me.

"What are you doing up there?"

It was not the rough, crazed voice I was expecting. It was gentle, and was that amusement? I looked down to see the blonde haired boy. Whoa… His amused expression is divine; I could draw a million sketches from the inspiration of that smile alone. Surprised at my own thoughts, did I really just think that?

I smiled at my silly thoughts, hoping he couldn't read my thoughts.

"Uhm, it's a long story." I said with a grimace. I can't really explain this.

The boy looked around, "Are you stuck?"

Oh maybe he will put the ladder up!

"Uhm yes. Could you please possibly put that ladder up for me?" I asked, smiling at him.

The boy looked at me like I was crazy, but he dropped his back pack and walked into our yard. He put the ladder up for me and I quickly climbed down.

"Thanks! You're a God sent!" I said thankfully.

The boy's smile faltered. "Well I'm not sure about that." He said this is a tight voice.

Then he smiled at me, and chuckled. "You have a Cheeto in your hair." He pulled the Cheeto from my hair.

My cheeks grew hot. "Oh uhm. Uh, I…" I was at a loss for words.

The boy laughed, "Would you like to walk to school with me?"
Surprised at his words, "Uhm sure."

He turned around towards the side walk and started walking towards his book bag. I quickly ran my fingers through my hair, checking for any more food and trying to brush it out a little. Then a thought that paralyzed me came to mind. I'm wearing what I wore yesterday…oh no!

"So what classes are you taking?"

I looked up to see him looking at me with a curious expression.

He doesn't remember me.

I was taken aback by this.

Here I was fantasizing about who he is and what he is about and he doesn't even recognize me…I feel so stupid.

"Oh, uhm, my first period is physics with Mr. Banner" I said, but I stumbled a little through my words as I walked towards him.

Well at least he won't notice I'm wearing the same shirt and jeans as yesterday…I'll just have to put the sweatshirt on in my bag...hopefully no one will notice. And even those who I know will notice, they will at least know why.

The boy smiled, "Oh I'm in that class too."

I tried my best to look surprised, "Oh really? I was late to class so I must have missed your introduction."
The boy shrugged, "Well even if you were early, Mr. Banner didn't introduce me to the class."
I nodded. He grinned at me, stopping and sticking his hand towards me.

"Carlisle Cullen." He said in a voice that made me feel like this boy had all of the confidence in the world.

"Esme Platt."

I reached for his hand, which engulfed my small hand. I expected a firm shake, but he just gently cradled my hand. He grinned again, flashing his pearly white teeth.

"It's nice to meet you, Esme."

I mumbled, "You too."

We walked in silence for a few minutes when I finally plucked the courage to say what I have been thinking.

"So you guys just moved in across the street." I asked. No duh Esme! Of course they moved in, way to state the obvious. My mind screamed. I ignored it and tried to shake off the feeling of stupidity.

"Yep! We used to live in Oregon, but my dad got…transferred here for his job." Carlisle said.

"Transferred?" I asked because he had hesitated on the word.

"Yeah, well he is a Pastor. The local pastor here, Mr. Weber's son and my dad went to seminary school together. So when Mr. Weber decided to retire from preaching he called my dad to see if he wanted to come to this church. He had asked his son first, but he is living in Seattle and really liked his church." Carlisle answered me; he seemed like a very open person for telling me all of this.

"Oh that's neat. Did your dad not like his old church?" I asked, without thinking. I regretted the words as soon as I said them, but even more so when Carlisle's face fell.

"Oh no, uhm my mother past away last year, and he just really needed a fresh start." Carlisle said in a tight voice.

"Oh I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have asked, that was none of my business. I'm sorry my asking made you say something that made you so sad." I said apologetically. I felt awful for causing him pain.

Carlisle looked at me with a funny expression, and gave me a small smile. "You didn't make me bring it up, because I told you." He said gently.

I felt a little silly at his words, "I'm still sorry. I can't imagine your pain. Your mother must have been a really great lady."

Carlisle's eyes widened. "She was…but what makes you say so?"
Ah man, that probably sounded weird…I'm not sure how to explain this…

I took a deep breath, "Just the look in your eye as you told me that. You didn't look heartbroken per say, it was more of a longing." I shrugged, "It just made me get the feeling your mother and you were really close."

Carlisle looked at the ground, "I think so."

I suddenly felt even worse, he looked so sad. Good job Esme! He probably misses his mother, and here you are still talking about her.

Carlisle looked up at me, "So, what about you?"
"What about me?" I knew he was asking, but I didn't really want to answer.

He chuckled, "I want to know more about you, Esme Platt. I mean you already got me to tell you my mother has passed, and that my father is a pastor. I know nothing about you."

I shrugged, "Moved here when I was seven, and about a year ago my mom left divorcing my dad."

It's like we lost our mother's at the same time, I thought sullenly.
Carlisle looked sad, "I'm sorry were you close with your mom?"
I sighed, "I was, until the last five years or so."

Carlisle nodded, and was silent for a few moments.

He looked over at me and smiled, lifting the sad tension in the air, "Hobbies?"
I smiled, answering at once, "I love to paint." I said simply, but those words held a lot of meaning to me. Painting is my life.

He grinned at me, "Esme the artist." He chuckled, "Is there any way I could get to see one of those paintings?"
I contemplated it; I've never really shown anyone any of my paintings before. The only people who have seen them are my best friend Renee and Charlotte. Well, they are my only friends.

"Hmm, maybe." I said, smiling at him.

He smiled back, "I'll take a maybe."

"What about you, what are your hobbies?"

Carlisle thought for a moment, "Baseball." He said after a minute or so.
I smiled at him, "Let me guess, you were the star pitcher."
Carlisle stopped walking, "How did you know? I mean I wasn't a star or anything, but I am a pretty great pitcher." He looked at me with a mixture of awe and of confusion.

I laughed, "You just look like a pitcher."

Carlisle looked at me for a few moments, staring into my eyes. It was starting to make me feel uneasy, because I felt like he was looking into my soul. I tried to break our gaze but I couldn't do it. Something was growing in me, and I wasn't sure what it was. But it terrified me.

I finally got the strength to look away, and I realized we were in the parking lot of the school.

"ESME!" a familiar voice called out.

I looked over to see Renee running towards me.

"You will never believe it!" She said in a spastic tone.

"Uhm does it has something to do with Charlie?" This tone was normally reserved for him, so it was a likely guess.

Renee pouted, "I hate it when you do that!" But then her facial expression quickly changed into a grin. "Charlie asked me to go to prom with him!" She squealed.

I smiled at her, "When did he ask?"
Renee grimaced, "Last night. We stayed up talking too late and I wasn't allowed to call anyone else after my mom forced me off the phone." But then she smiled again, "But you're the first person I have told."

Renee looked over at Carlisle, and gasped, she apparently had just noticed his presence. Carlisle looked a little awkward watching the exchange between Renee and me.

"Oh Renee, this is Carlisle Cullen."

Renee nodded, "Ooh you're the new kid. Hey, you're in my history class! My name's Renee Higginbotham!" She said thrusting her hand towards him.

Carlisle smiled and shook her hand.

Charlotte walked over to us, smiling sweetly at everyone. "You must be the new kid. I'm Charlotte Hale."
Carlisle smiled at her, "Carlisle Cullen." He spoke kindly as he shook her hand.

I was beginning to think that Carlisle didn't have any other tone of voice than kind and confident.

~000~
"Hmmmhmmhmhmhhhmmhhmmmmhhhmmmmhmm" I hummed as I walked to lunch. I felt someone walk up beside me.

"I can't believe in a couple months we will be graduating. It definitely doesn't feel like it." Renee said sadly. "I love high school, but I am looking forward to college."

"Figure out what you are going for yet?" Charlotte asked, she appeared on my other side smiling at us.

Renee shrugged, "I don't know, maybe I will just try out a couple different things and see what sparks my interest! But I do know that I do not want to be a waitress ALL of my life." She said confidently.

I laughed at her tone, "Ah but you're such a great waitress."
Renee grinned, "Eh, the people tend to say so, but I have bigger dreams!" She spoke dramatically waving her arms around.

But as she did she smacked none other than Carlisle Cullen in the face.

"Ow!" Carlisle said quietly laughing, "You have some sharp finger nails!"

"Oops! My bad! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" Renee asked him.

He had a long, bright red scratch just about his right eyebrow.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He spoke surely and smiled at us. "I was wondering if I could join you guys for lunch? I met your friend Charlie in gym two periods ago and he said for me to sit with you guys."

Renee laughed, "Then why are you asking permission if you already have it?"
Carlisle's smile faltered and he looked a little embarrassed, "I was just making sure you guys were okay with it."

I spoke up before Renee could make him feel more embarrassed, "Thank you for asking! Those boys don't usually ask for our opinions when the group is going to do something. It is refreshing."

Charlottle smiled triumphantly, "Yeah but they get our opinions anyway."

Carlisle chuckled, "I'm sure they do."

We got our lunches and then went to our usual table.

"Hey Esme!" someone called as we walked by.

I turned around to see Garret McCarty; Renee, Charlotte, and Carlisle turned as well.

"Hey I was wondering if you wanted to go to prom with me?" He asked me, in what he probably thought was a seductive voice.

I frantically thought of something I could tell him, something that would be a kind but firm 'no'. I looked to Renee but she just gave me an apologetic smile. Charlotte gave me an amused smirk, she had bet going that Garret would ask me out soon.

"She's already been asked." Carlisle said in his usual, easy, confident tone.

I looked at him a little surprised.

Garret looked taken a back, "Who?"

Carlisle grinned, "Me."

I heard Renee gasp, "What! Esme! You didn't tell me!"

Charlotte looked confused, and slightly put out as she took in everyone's reactions to this news.

I stood there not knowing what to do. What…what just happened?

Carlisle's POV:

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Everyone was looking at me, and Renee had just freaked out.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING? My insides screamed at me.

But I didn't care. Ever since I saw this girl looking down at the ground from her window searching for a way done, I've wanted to help her. I was surprised that I could lie so easily.

BUT WHAT IF SHE DOESN'T LIKE WHAT YOU JUST DID! WHAT IF IT WASN'T HELPFUL!

I tried to ignore my inner monologue as I looked at Esme, who looked utterly stunned. The boy, who had asked her out, someone I don't even know, looked angry. Esme looked like she didn't want to go with him, and everything inside of me reacted. I was starting to feel nervous when Esme suddenly smiled.

"Yeah Garret, I'm going with Carlisle." Then she turned to her friend, "Sorry Renee, he asked me this morning and I was distracted with your news of Charlie asking you."

The smile on her face was worth the lie, worth the risk of her turning me down and making a fool of me. I smiled back at her, and we all enjoyed the rest of our lunch chatting about Prom. We were all planning to go together and get dinner beforehand. I was a great feeling being accepted into their group so quickly.
Charlie kept eyeing me suspiciously all throughout lunch. He knew that I hadn't asked Esme to prom before my little confession early. I only grinned at him when he would give me that look. I knew he was going to ask me next chance he gets. I'm not really sure how to explain the reaction I had.

~000~

"Hey Carlisle? Need a ride home?" Charlie said coming up beside me and grabbing my shoulder.

I had somehow managed avoiding him even though we had two other classes together after lunch. I sighed, "Sure, yeah, that would be great; thanks."

We walked over to a red Chevy truck, it looked a little old and rusty; but it seemed like it would run just fine. There were two other guys standing there, and one of them I recognized as Garret. The other one was tall and had wavy blonde hair; he looked as if he could read your soul when he looked into your eyes. I felt my insides twist at the sight of them.

This is why lying is bad… A little voice said mockingly from the back of my mind; and it sounded strangely like my father's.

Garret grinned at me, "Well, Carlisle isn't it?" he stuck out his hand, "Garret McCarthy."

The blonde guy next to Garret sighed and extended his hand to me too, "Peter Whitlock."

After I shook both of their hands, I looked around at all of them, trying to gage what they wanted.
"We're not going to kill you." Charlie said, smirking at me.

I lightened up at this, "Okay, but I can see that this is more than a car ride."
Garret rolled his eyes, "No, Charlie is going to take you home. Peter and I just wanted to let you know that we respect that you had the guts to ask out Esme."
Peter nodded his head, "She tends to turn down everyone, even if it is gently."
I smiled, "Speaking from experience?"
Peter chuckled, "Me?" He said pointing to himself, "No way. That would be Garret here, chasing her down for the majority of his life."

Charlie joined in on the laughter, and Garret glared towards the three of us.

Sighing Garret looked me full in the face, "This time Cullen, but next time I will break you." An amused smiling twitching on his lips, "You play baseball?"

I smiled at this, "Sure, I play sometimes."
~000~
After we set up a time for a game, Charlie drove me home. I found that he actually lives behind me, and after chatting with him for the short five minutes, I realized this guy will be a good friend. With everything that had happened today, I was really beginning to enjoy Forks. I was upset about moving here at first, but I think I will be just fine.

How unexpected? I mused as I finished up my homework.

"What's with the grin kid?" Dad said sitting down at the kitchen table across from me.
I shrugged, "Oh, just that school was good."
Dad smiled at this, "That's good to hear. I was a little worried about you coming in late in the semester."

I smiled back at my dad, "Honestly I was too, but I made a couple of good friends today, and all of the teachers were great."

Dad nodded his head, "Alright, goodnight son." He ruffled my hair, walking past me to head upstairs.

"Night dad." I said loudly so he could hear me as he reached the stairs.

My head was full of Esme, I wondered so many things about her. Like why she was on her roof, and wearing the same clothes as yesterday, and I was a little sad at the fact that she didn't remember me from class yesterday. I wondered about her paintings, and things like what her dreams and secrets are.

But once my father's footsteps went quiet, I quickly went into his office and turned on the computer. I checked my email, the whole while listening carefully for any noise to indicate he would be coming back down stairs.

Carlisle! How is Washington? I miss you! I cannot wait to hear about your first day at school, you have to tell me everything. Also, don't forget to send me some dates on when we can sneak to Seattle for a visit. (:

Love you soooo much, Kate.

A/N Please follow, review, and/or favorite. I love hearing from you!
Also, if you are interested, check out my other story (it's still in progress) about Jasper and Alice. (:
Those of you who have been reading that story, I just wanted to say you guys are awesome and I love you! And for those of you who are new, thank you so much for reading this. I hope you all liked the first chapter of this story! (: