Hi, thank you for all the lovely reviews, its great that this story is getting some attention, so thank you for that!

Hope you all like this chapter, sorry that it took a little bit longer then I was planning. Next update will be quicker, and will be the part where things start getting a lot more interesting..

Anyway, this chapter is in Bella's POV. Please review and let me know what you think!

"Hide my head I want to drown my sorrows,
No tomorrow, No tomorrow.
Hello teacher, Tell me what's my lesson,
Look right through me Look right through me.
And I find it kind of funny I find it kind of sad,
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had."
~ Mad world, Gary Jules.

To Wish Impossible Things.
Chapter Three.

Isabella Swan.

September 2006.

Once upon a time I used to love school – as geeky as that sounds. It used to be a novelty to me, because I didn't get to go much. Due to my illness I missed the end of junior high and the first year of high school, and so all I ever wished was to be able to go like how all the other kids could.

So I could feel somewhat normal that is.

And when I did get to go at first it was great… I loved being able be with my friends and act the way a teenager should. However I soon learnt why people complained about it so much… classes were dull, there was far too much work to do outside of school, and if you didn't fit in with the 'popular' crowd things were even harder. But being determined I had of course I had set myself a target - to complete my senior year and graduate.

It's something that's so simple to a normal person, something that most people would consider as just another thing to do in their life. But not me… no, it would be a real achievement and proof that I had actually managed to do something in my life, and reach a big milestone so to speak.

And so far, it had been going great… I hadn't been feeling sick and I was easily keeping up with my classes' just fine. However, it was all weighing down on me today – suddenly it seems as if all my teachers have decided to set exams for the end of the week, causing me to be overloaded with studying to do. And now that two months had already passed since my diagnosis, I knew it was time to tell my friends Jessica and Angela about it all soon.

I knew it was probably horrible of me to keep lying to them… but I needed time to accept this myself before telling anyone else. I knew that telling them would only make it even more real… which I didn't want yet, I still had a while until it all had to change.

Besides, I was more focused on completing everything on my list. So far it hadn't been great – I had managed to stay up 24 hours straight, but I did it in the most boring way possible… by reading and drinking tons of energy drinks.

Yeah, way to be crazy huh?

I was getting my tattoo this weekend though… I hadn't quite decided what I wanted yet, but I was considering a Swan on my shoulder, or a Chinese symbol which meant something meaningful… but nothing had come to me just yet. I was hoping that it would.

I knew that if I told Jessica and Angela that they would help me with everything on my list, and that they would help me. I needed that help, because as much as I try to pretend I'm okay with all of this… I'm really not, I'm just kidding myself. I have to act like I'm okay for Charlie's sake, but whenever I'm alone the reality of my situation hits me. I know that if the timeline Dr. Snow gave me turns out to be correct, that I've now technically only got 10 months left… and how much of that will be spent healthily?

I had dreamt of it last night… what it will be like to die I mean. And even though it was a dream, it was like I could actually feel the pain and myself slipping away. Perhaps it was because it was all in my mind, or it was my fear somehow creeping into my dreams. It was horrible though… well, most of it was. Right at the end of the dream as everything faded away so did the pain, and instead it was replaced with a different feeling… almost like I was endlessly falling. It was peaceful, and not at all frightening, and I couldn't help but hope that it would really be like that, when my time came that is. There was also someone talking to me, telling me how much they loved me and that they would always be there for me… that was the best part of the dream. I didn't recognise the voice, but it still calmed me, and I believed everything he was saying.

Funny isn't it… it's always in my dreams that the best things happen to me. And its also a little sad that a dream where I'm dying is the best one I've had in a long, long time.

I knew it wasn't going to be like that in real life… I'm not that lucky.

I quickly pushed all the thoughts about my dream aside as I made my way to lunch. I was planning to invite Jessica and Angela around my house tonight which would provide the perfect place for me to tell them about my illness. I certainly didn't want to be at school when I did. I didn't know how they would react… we've hardly been the best friends in the world, but we had always been there for each other. They knew everything about my illness… but I hadn't told them that I was suspicious it had returned, let alone my diagnosis.

I had no clue how they would react… whether they would be really sad, or whether they would end up feeling betrayed, hurt… or accepting of it, they had known how long I'd had the disease for after all.

I know which one I was hoping for… and which one I was dreading. But I guess I would have my answer as to which response it would be soon enough.

The school corridors were alive with gossip as I walked through them, but I didn't tune in on any of the conversations. Normally I would be interested to hear what people were coming up with – previous rumours I had heard had either me laugh or left me shocked beyond belief – but today wasn't a good day for me, and I was determined to get to the cafeteria to make it a little better.

When I made it there, I queued up to get some food – I wasn't feeling particularly hungry today, but I knew I had to eat something. It would only raise questions if I didn't. I eventually decided on a sandwich, an apple and a bottle of water… it was hardly the most adventurous of foods, but it was all I could manage to eat right now.

I made my way to our usual lunch table, pleased to find Angela and Jessica were already there. I said hi to them and sat in my usual seat, smiling at my two friends that were so alike me and unalike me at the same time. Firstly there was Angela, who was quiet and shy, but the nicest person around. Then there was Jessica who was loud, excitable and nice… but not quite as nice as Angela it was fair to say.

They were both pretty, unlike me. But I always thought of myself as a mix of their personalities… so we all matched each other well.

I took a bite of my apple, barely listening to what Jessica was saying. She was talking about my birthday and what we should do to celebrate it. Yesterday I told them that I was willing to celebrate it this year, secretly planning to achieve another thing off my list. They were both very excited, unknowing the real reason behind my sudden enthusiasm, and Jessica immediately began begging me to have a party… something I wasn't interested in, hence my tuning her out right now.

She eventually lost interest in that and began talking about one of her class projects with Angela. I took that time to think about how to ask them about later, and was just about to say the words when Jessica suddenly squealed loudly, causing me to jump.

"Oh my god, that's them!" she told us, when we both gave her annoyed looks.

"Who…?" I asked, confused.

She looked at me as if I had just grown another head, "Duh, the new family!" she rolled her eyes.

"Oh," I told her, suddenly uninterested.

So what? I thought to myself. They were the main source of gossip today – in a small town it was always big when new people arrived - but they would be old news soon enough. They probably didn't want any attention anyway… it was their first day after all, I could imagine it was intimidating enough having to move to a new place, let alone having to put up with being the main source of gossip.

I looked down at my food, knowing I would have to wait a while for another chance to bring up them coming over my house later. I knew that the new family would occupy both of their interests for the rest of lunch now.

Oh well… if you can't beat them, join them. I thought to myself. I would get another chance to ask them later, so I might as well be sociable now and join in their conversation.

"Why did they move here now?" Angela asked Jessica.

Jessica shrugged as she chewed a bite of her salad, "I don't know, I heard something about their mom deciding she wanted to live in a small town. Apparently they all lived in New York before, but hated it."

"What else do you know?" I asked curiously – it always astounded me just how much Jessica always managed to find out, she was like a real life Gossip Girl or something like that.

"Well… they're not all related; apparently Mr and Mrs. Cullen adopted them all because they can't have children," Jessica explained.

"Oh no, that's awful," Angela gasped.

I nodded – it really was. It always seemed like the bad things happened to good people…

Jessica nodded, "Yeah, I guess. That's not the shocking part though… apparently they're all in couples even though they're siblings, isn't that weird?"

"Jess, they're not really related," I sighed.

"Yeah, but they live together… I think it's weird," she told me defiantly.

"So, who's who? Do you know?" Angela asked, changing the subject slightly.

"Of course," Jessica replied.

We all discreetly turned to look at the family, who were sitting practically motionless by the one of the large windows that overlooked the forest. I was stunned as soon as I saw them… because all of them were incredibly beautiful… inhumanly beautiful. They all looked different, but similar at the same time… I couldn't quite place it, but they did.

How was that even possible?

"You see the blonde girl… that's Rosalie. She's with the muscular one called Emmett, I've heard that they're both from really troubled backgrounds," Jessica began explaining.

I looked at the couple she was describing and noticed how they looked like they were arguing about something. Rosalie's incredibly beautiful face was pulled into a scowl which looked incredibly intimidating… I knew she was one I would never dare to cross.

"Then that girl with the black hair, she's with the blonde guy next to her. They look really weird together… he's really tall, about 6 foot something and. And she's like, really, really short… shorter then you, Bella. No offence," Jessica told me.

"None taken," I murmured – I wasn't short, well at least I wouldn't call 5 foot 4 short.

"I think they look cute together," Angela whispered quietly.

"I agree," I replied… the way they were looking into each other's eyes was making me feel something that strangely resembled jealousy. And suddenly I was wishing for someone who looked at me the way he looked at her…

Not that like was ever going to happen though, I thought bitterly.

… But that was when my eyes fell on him.

He was sitting on the same table as them but on the edge. He wasn't joining in the conversation, but instead was looking around the cafeteria, an almost desperate look in his eyes.

He looked the least happy, but he was by the far the most beautiful. He was incredible… absolutely perfect. He had hair that was a strange colour of bronze, pale skin, perfect features… I couldn't quite see the colour of his eyes from this distance but they looked just as beautiful as the rest of him.

"Who's he?" I asked breathlessly, unable to tear my eyes away from him.

"That's Edward Cullen," Jessica told me, "he's the only one who's not with anyone, apparently he prefers to keep to himself. Isn't he gorgeous?"

I nodded dumbly, unable to move much. However, as soon as she stopped talking, he looked up… right at me. I blushed instantly at being caught staring but I couldn't look away… even from this distance I could see that his eyes were boring right into my own. His expression looked lighter now, and a small crooked smile was tugging at the corner of his mouth.

It was something that just made him even more impossibly handsome.

"Oh my god, he's looking right at me!" Jessica squealed. "Do you think I should go and say hi?"

At her words, I felt myself snap out of my trance… how stupid of me to think he was looking at me. Of course he would prefer someone like Jessica, or in other words… someone who was far prettier than me.

I turned around so my back was facing him and instead watched Jessica touching up on her make-up, with an excited look on her face. Angela only gave me a sympathetic smile, and suggested that Jessica wait a while before talking to him to give him a chance to settle in first.

Jessica reluctantly agreed, but didn't keep her eyes off him for the rest of lunch, and when she went off to get a drink Angela told me he hadn't looked at the table again.

The bell rung and while we were walking to our next class I used that time to ask if they were okay with coming over later. They of course agreed, and I continued mentally preparing myself for whatever reaction they would have.

The rest of my classes after lunch dragged by at an extraordinarily slow place, and by this point I was seriously reconsidering my idea to finish senior year. Maybe I could get a job instead, or do some voluntary work or something…

No, stick to the plan - I told myself – it's just one bad day, it'll get better.

I made my way into my biology class, and began walking to my usual seat, when something or rather someone caught my eye.

It was the handsome, bronze haired boy from earlier, sitting in the seat next to mine which was usually empty. He already had my seat pulled out ready for me, and was watching me… with a soft, sweet smile on his face.

I frowned in confusion – wondering why on earth someone as beautiful as him would be smiling at me – before feeling my own smile forming, as well as a blush to match across my cheeks.

His smile didn't waver as I walked to my seat, feeling shy under his gaze… his golden eyes seemed to shine as they looked at me, whether it was with humour or something else I didn't know.

I somehow managed to sit down without tripping and immediately got my books out of my bag, trying not to look at him as I did. I was too shy to say anything, and internally I hoped that he would be the one to initiate conversation.

And luckily for me… he did.

"Hello," he murmured quietly, "My name's Edward Cullen, I just started here today; I hope you don't mind that I'm sitting here."

I turned to look at him to see him still smiling at me, and felt myself smiling back once again in return.

"Um… no, I don't mind, it will be nice to have someone to talk to," I told him softly, "I'm Bella, by the way."

"I know," he smiled crookedly, "it's very nice to meet you, Bella."

He then held his hand out then in an invitation. I smiled to myself, admiring how formal and polite he was being and decided to just go for it. Edward could be a friend right? There was no reason why not if he was going to be my lab partner for the rest of the year; in fact it would make things a lot more comfortable.

I then reached out and placed my hand in his, jumping slightly at how cold his hand was… it literally felt like ice. But weirdly, it was also comforting at the same time. His hold was gentle yet firm as he gently shook my hand, a wide smile on his face the entire time.

He held my hand in his for a while, before slowly letting go causing me to almost whimper at the loss of contact.

"It's nice to meet you too," I eventually managed to tell him.

His smile turned softer and he nodded once before turning round in his seat to face the front of the classroom… just in time for Mr. Banner to walk in.

Luckily for Edward's sake, Mr. Banner wasn't one of those teachers who insisted on new students introducing themselves to the class on their first day. I could only imagine how awkward it would be to have to do that – first days were probably bad enough without even more unnecessary attention – and I had a feeling Edward wouldn't like it either.

Mr. Banner quickly went ahead with the lesson and I made sure to listen intently – writing down notes with one hand, while nervously playing with my hair with the other. It was a habit I had picked up a while back. I knew that my face must have looked like it was on fire due to my blush, and that my heart was probably almost audible for everyone else in the class to hear.

But I didn't care… I had vowed not to care about things like that anymore, but to rather live in the moment… in other words be Edward's friend if he wanted to be.

Mr. Banner eventually told us to carry on with our work and that he would allow quiet conversation – which immediately led to everyone continuing with their gossiping again.

I rolled my eyes and opened up my textbook trying to find the page I was last on – but beside me Edward was motionless, and even though my side vision was blocked by my hair I was still certain he was watching me for some reason.

I could literally sense it, and for some reason it made me feel different… more alive as strange as that sounds.

After all, how could someone who's dying boast that they're feeling more alive?

It was a strange way to feel I'll give it that, but it was just something in his eyes… the way they looked at me almost as if they could see right through me… the look that was in them almost made me feel special, like I actually stood out for once.

I decided to be brave and look up to see if I was right, and to my delight he was looking at me… his golden eyes were even brighter than before. I smiled shyly, feeling my blush intensify even more and his smile only grew even more.

What on earth is happening here… is this for real? Am I dreaming?

I pray that I'm not…

He leant closer to me, so there was a lot less space in between us.

"So, Bella," he murmured, "now we're finally allowed to talk, tell me a little about yourself."

Next Chapter Preview:

(Edward)

As I listened to her, fascinated by every little detail she was telling me, I also took the time to just admire her.

Alice's visions didn't do her beauty justice that's for sure.

The euphoria from finding her still hadn't worn down and I knew that it never would, because luckily as I continued to talk to her - finding out more about her life - I was discovering that she was just as wonderful as I'd always hoped she would be.

And I knew without a doubt, that I was falling in love with her already.

Ah, Edward... so subtle huh?

Just to say before people ask... no, Bella isn't Edward's singer in this story. He is still attracted to her blood but no where near as much as he was in the books - its not difficult for him to control . I figured they've already got enough drama on their plate without adding that.

Anyway, good, bad? Like it?

Thanks for reading! x