My cheeks are flamed red as I rush into English class. I apologise profusely, claiming I got lost and the English teacher, who I learn is Mr Mason immediately lets me off the hook. He's a middle aged man, his eyes a warm brown. He seemed old, his hair balding.

I ignore the looks I'm getting as I make my way towards a seat. I find one at the back of the class, next to a gothic looking chick and a boy about my height with specs sitting on his face. His eyes are a wild blue as he stares surprised at me, and everyone is staring. I'm immediately confused. Was this a forbidden seat or something? Does it belong to someone already?

Questions plague my mind.

But it's not for long as Mr Mason gets started on his class. Thank Goodness he doesn't make me introduce myself to the class, and already I grow a liking towards him. He places a hard copy of Withering Heights on my desk as he passes by.

"Let's get started. Go to the last page we were at, page 12," he recalls.

I'm relieved because I've probably read this book about three times now, counting the time we did the book at my previous school. I'm surprised we're doing it so late as I already finished the book first semester, but I don't complain as I do as he says.

"Jasper, you can read for us," Mr Mason says.

And a fair boy with blond hair groans. I'm assuming he's Jasper. His shoulders are hunched as he reaches for someone else's book.

"Where is your book, Mr Hale?" Mr Mason's tone is anything but the soft one I was met with. His voice is calm and collected but anyone can tell he's about to lose his wits with the boy.

Jasper, I recall his name.

"I left it in my locker," Jasper lies smoothly. I can tell he's lying by the way he shifts in his seat and the brief smirk on his face.

Okay so I've been watching Lie to Me again. Be jealous.

Mr Mason grits his teeth with impatience as he walks to the front of the class.

"I'm letting you off with a warning, Jasper. It's a new semester, don't behave this way already," Mr Mason says.

Jasper just nods, shifting in his seat again. Nerves, I assume.

"Begin."

I zone out immediately as he starts reading, my gaze finding the window on my left.

I notice a few guys outside, puffs of smoke trickling around them. The teacher doesn't even notice. I frown. Back in my old school, had we been caught doing something so publicly, we'd be hung by our necks.

Figuratively speaking, of course. We're not a bunch of savages.

Although, the kids here don't seem to care about rules.

I'm not quite sure if I should be worried or not.

"Thank you, Jasper," Mr Mason says and I snap to attention. I didn't realize Jasper had stopped reading already.

"Isabella, right?"

My eyes widen as I hear my name.

Surely he's not talking to me, right?

"Yes, you."

"Bella," I say.

"Page 13, please."

I immediately begin reading and I'm pretty sure the class zones out but when I'm done I find a few looking quite interested in the book and I feel half proud of myself.

"That was well done. Are you familiar with Withering Heights?" Mr Mason asks.

"Personal favorite," I say nonchalantly.

"Hm. Well, then I expect a good essay on it. Half the class have completed theirs. Two weeks. I'll give you the topics after class."

I groan internally.

Nice going, Bella.

Jasper laughs under his breath, his southern drawl prominent. "Not too shabby are you?"

I smile a little, tucking my hair behind my ear.

I feel eyes boring holes into my back and when I turn I notice a girl about my height, she's petite too. Her black hair is short and spiked but it suits her well. The dark eyeliner on her eyes scare me though.

She nods at me.

I nod back awkwardly.

The bell rings signalling recess and I get out of my seat cautiously. Falling onto my face on my first day is a big no-no.

I'm reminded of the hallway incident and my cheeks flame with recognition.

"Hi."

I gasp a little at her sudden appearance.

"Hey," I say after I gather my wits.

"I'm Alice," she introduces herself, shaking my hand, her cold hand a major contrast between my warm ones.

"I'm Bella." I smile.

"Awesome. Pleasure to make your acquaintance," she says jokingly, looping her arm through mine. In a smooth movement, she grabs my essay topics from the teacher and drags us out of the classroom.

"I'll help if you like," Alice offers as she notices me frowning at the essay topics.

"No, it's okay. Thanks. I'm just surprised. These are the exact same topics from-"

"From?"

"Nevermind."

Would I get in trouble if I took notes from my previous essay?

Probably.

"So, you're new. Just recently moved or have you been to Forks before?" Alice asks as an attempt to make small talk.

"Just recently. Never been. My dad stays here though. Hopefully he can show me around."

"I'll show you around," Alice offers. "Like anyone yet?"

I blush.

"No."

"Hm. Well, there are your fairshare of good guys here thankfully. Although, I must warn you, the girls here are like sharks, girl, so becareful which meat you decide to feast on," she warns.

I blink. That's disgusting.

"Oh. Okay. Thanks for the heads up."

"You're welcome. So, what do you get next?"

I realize we've been aimlessly walking down the hall.

"Math," I say and she beams.

"Cool, me too. C'mon, it's right this way," Alice exclaims before dragging me to a classroom in our general direction.

Okay, so not aimlessly walking down the hall?

Second period and I've already made a friend.

Not too 'shabby' right?

The next three periods go fairly quickly and it's as unconventional as my morning. I notice Riley in the hallway with a bunch of guys and I sigh. He's already made a bunch of friends and by the looks of it, they seem quite popular as I'd predicted.

"Who's that?" Alice wonders as she notices me looking. "Your boyfriend?"

I scoff in disgust as I slam my locker close.

"Ew, no. That's Riley. My brother."

"Ooh. He's hot. You should introduce us," Alice says suggestively.

I laugh. I'm surprised at her taste to the say least but I'm even more surprised at the fact that she's acknowledging the opposite species.

"That's your type?"

"No. I haven't got a type," Alice says a bit too quickly.

"You sure? You're drooling," I tease.

She grumbles. "He's cute whatever. You're just blind cause you're his sister."

"He's gross."

"Whatever."

"I'll see what I can do."

Her eyes light up. "You're the best, too."

I chuckle, rolling my eyes. "Yep, that I am."

The cafeteria isn't as full as I'd expected. I'm almost grateful, aside from the fact that I don't notice the guy from earlier and now I'm a bit miffed.

"You lied."

My eyes widen, and I wonder if I said that out loud.

"About?"

"You said he's gross." I follow her gaze and she's looking at Riley.

I laugh. "Really?"

"He eats like a God." And I can't tell if she's lovestruck or just blind.

"I believe the term you're looking for is pig," I disagree.

She pouts. "But-"

I'm amused at her obvious crush on Riley, I'd have to see what I can do.

"You're just having an apple?" Alice asks with disbelief evident in her tone.

"Yeah?" I say.

"That's horrible. You should eat something more filling. We've got gym after fifth period," Alice says.

"Who's Jim?" I ask.

She gapes.

It's obvious I'm being sarcastic but Alice doesn't realize it.

I burst into laughter. "I'm being sarcastic you dumbo."

She grasps her chest. "Good. You nearly scared me half to death."

I roll my eyes.

"So dramatic."

She just sticks out her tongue at me.