Dedication: I dedicate this chapter to my guinea pig in the hopes that she will never again pee on my pants. That's not a real fun one to explain: "No, really, I swear it was my guinea pig- not me."

Disclaimer: Not mine!

Bella stared at her closet for much longer than she should have given that fact that school started in a fifteen minutes. The biggest question of her morning routine hadn't been resolved yet. Should she dress in a way that makes her happy or a way that would please her mother? She had both outfits picked out. The one that suited her included flip-flops, Bermuda sweats, and a very comfy t-shirt. The other irritatingly fashionable ensemble was constructed of a thin blue top with an admittedly adorable flowing design, skinny jeans from some overpriced over appreciated store, and black ballet flats.

With a sigh, Bella grabbed the latter of the two. As she grudgingly pulled on the poison clothes, Bella reassured herself she wouldn't have to be such dashing diva every day. Most days Renee would still be asleep when Charlie drove Bella to school. Her job as the art teacher at the elementary school didn't start until an hour after the high school began. Renee had just woken up early to see Bella off to her first day of high school. Oh, what a treat it was too! Bella just loved starting the year off overhearing a one-way shouting match.

Bella looked at herself in the mirror and bitterly acknowledged that however annoying it was, the finished product was rather impressive. Renee did have the best of intentions. Her efforts were just off due to her depression.

Renee felt as though the family she was burdened with ruined her life. She had reiterated many times to Bella her belief that dating Charlie in high school had been the biggest mistake of her life. Dating him, then marrying him as the story Bella had heard more often than Cinderella went.

From this fairy tale without a happy ending Bella had learned several things. Most importantly- she should not date in high school or even college for that matter. Renee thought Bella waiting until she was twenty-five to date may be sufficient. Only on special circumstances though.

So far, Bella was having absolutely no problems with this rule. She did fear that her opinion on this would change and it would still be there- controlling as ever.

The lesson learned from her mother's woes Bella begrudged was to never trust anyone or give too much of yourself to them. Bella longed to have someone to trust with everything- by now she would rely on absolutely anyone.

With a shake of her head, Bella cleared it of anything that would make the day any more difficult. She had enough to deal with without trying to figure out how to get along with her mother and be happy. For now, she would just be who her mother needed her to be and worry about her own happiness later.

She could no longer put off what she had been avoiding with her musings. It was time to go to school and she somehow needed to break up her parents' argument to get Charlie to drive her to school.

Bella gathered her thoughts and courage and entered the lion's den. Both beasts were shocked to see their cub in their dwelling.

"Hey honey, we were just discuss-" Renee spoke calmly but Bella was well adjusted to the constant mood swings.

"My high school. I know. I heard you." Bella hated being late and while the words were spoken kindly, there was an edge of impatience her parents knew her well enough to pick up on. They both looked at the clock and were surprised to discover it was indeed time to go. Renee was the first to recover.

"Well we'd better take first day of school pictures before you're off."

"Mom, really, are you sure that's necessary?" Kodak moments had never truly been Bella's moments of glory.

"Well of course it is honey. Now smile." Renee picked up a disposable camera off of the end of her bed and Bella flashed a cheesy grin.

"Now I'll be out in the car, Dad are you ready?" Bella smiled then left the room and proceeded out of the house with her backpack and into the humiliatingly noticeable police car parked in the driveway.

After waiting for a good five minutes while she guessed Charlie was putting on his shoes and grabbing his gun and stuff, she saw Charlie emerge from the house. Taking the gun out took a long time because as oblivious as Charlie was, he still thought it wise to have it looked up at home so no one could get at it.

Bella yelled "Come on, come on, come on!" and made the hurry up gesture with her hands. While she knew he would not be able to see or hear her through the pouring rain that went with Forks as peanut butter goes to jelly, trying to hurry him made her feel better mentally.

As he made his way to the car at a pace a baby taking their first steps could beat, Bella wondered if she should slip some energy drink into his coffee tomorrow. He entered the car and started it while Bella was contemplating whether this would be unethical.

"So big day today huh?" Charlie's gruff voice cut through the silence none too gracefully. Bella had just decided that there was nothing wrong with giving someone a little extra boost to their day. But since he was a cop and her father. . .hmm well she'd still have to think about that one.

"Wha- oh yeah, big day. Yup." Bella hoped he wouldn't try to make anything more out of it.

Silence filled the car for a fairly good chunk of time. The school was in sight and they were oh so close to making it without broaching the subject she feared they would.

"You know, this isn't a bad school. Your mom and I went here and got a fine education."

"I know dad." There was that dreaded topic. If only she could think of some way to escape it now.

"Then why-" Bella knew Charlie was confused and like Renee- he only wanted the best for her. But, she had absolutely no desire to explain to him exactly how much of an outcast she was, or how she could get people to despise her after a single glance in her direction.

"Oh well look- we're here. Bye dad, see you later." In her desperation to get out of this situation, Bella looked meaningfully at her father and put her hand on the door handle. She wasn't really thinking it through and just wanted to get away.

"Bella, we aren't even in the parking lot yet." Charlie who knew nothing of the inner workings on a teenage girl's brain was utterly confused.

"Well, we're right in front of it and if we pulled into the parking lot there would be a lot of traffic and besides- exercise if good for you." With that, she opened the door and raced off to her first class leaving a thoroughly befuddled Charlie sitting in the car alone. It took a few seconds before he was able to gather his thoughts and turn the car around.

As Bella was racing to not be late to her class, she saw the same golden eyes that had held so much unprovoked hate staring at her with distinct curiosity from the front seat of a red jeep. Bella heard bass coming from the jeep so he was apparently sitting in his car listening to music and, if Bella wasn't mistaken- he was laughing about something. Bella wondered what could be so amusing to someone so cold-hearted.

Author's note: So I changed my mind. I am going to have all the chapters be at least this long if not much longer. It all depends on what is in my head at the time.

I shall try to update on Mondays but no guarantees.

Review please!