Note: Once again, don't own anything Twilight associated. Anything un-Twilight is mine!

And as a side note, any good, helpful critiques are appriciated, or even just a kind word about the story so far. Anything is encouraging! :)

Enjoy!

Four

Posse

The next week, Carlisle decided that we needed to start work on solving my life's problems. For some reason, this included enrolling me in Forks High School, home of the Spartans.

Monday morning, Carlisle dropped me off with a smile, lunch money, and a promise that the day would go well. I sighed, grudgingly limping towards the school, a hand-me-down bag slung on my shoulder. I held a death grip on my crutches, eying the icy side walk with disdain. Really? It just had to be winter? I sighed, watching my breath fog in the air. I looked around as kids started milling around me, some were staring and I bit my lip and continued to gimp towards the front door. I'd lived in small towns before, where everyone knew everyone else and having some one new was like a novelty and a game; who would talk to the new kid first? Who would she be friends with? What pranks could we pull on her? Would she pull them back?

I turned to glance once more at Carlisle before he waved and drove away. Oh, I was going to regret ever agreeing to this . . .

Boldly, I went forward anyway, slipping through the doors as students went through so that I wouldn't have to try and open them on my own. A few glanced at me but I didn't give them time to speak. Instead, I "bolted" as fast as I could down the packed hallways, which, I must say, wasn't exactly all that easy on crutches and a slippery floor. I stopped hesitantly when I arrived at a crossway in the hall, looking down row after row of lockers. I must have looked as lost as I felt because finally some kind soul stopped in the middle of traffic (a very dangerous thing to do in morning rush hour) and asked if I needed anything.

"Main office."

"Take a right and then a left." He said with a smile. "Want me to walk you there?"

"Thanks, and no, I got this." I looked up at him; he was entirely too tall for his own good. "I'm handicapped, not on my death bed."

He laughed and continued to follow me. Great; it was already starting.

"So what's your name, Gimpy?"

I swung around, nearly catching him with my bag as it, too, swung around. I glared and he took a surprised step back. I got a good look at him; round face, bright, amber eyes, dark hair that reached his ears. I knew his type. He was cocky, be he jock or otherwise.

"Alright . . . alright . . . it's not Gimpy . . ."

I sighed. Play nice . . . my inner voice said.

"My name's Brielle."

"Nice. I'm Dante."

"Unique."

"Yours too."

We walked in silence for a while, pushing our way through packed hallways and slow walking students. That was one of my greatest pet peeves; other students that thought they owned the hallway. Seriously; the huge vast black hole that is our universe has one tiny focus point and it isn't them! Then there are the freshmen who go swimming in their perfume or cologne. But at least there weren't any stairs here . . . nice small school, one level only. At one point, however, the herd was stalled and I wasn't sure it would be good on my first day to take a swing at other kid's ankles with my crutches; I promised Carlisle I'd behave, which also meant I had to refrain from making a "mooing" noise as we all became back packed together.

And so, this gave Dante time enough to ask the inevitable.

"So, where are you from?"

Oh boy, where to start?

"Depends; how many foster homes do want to count?"

His eyes got huge and I rolled my eyes.

"You're a foster kid? That's . . .that's . . . so . . . cool!"

I raised an eyebrow at him as the herd started to move again.

"You're kidding right? It means no one wants me. I feel like a dog."

"Oh . . ." his tone of voice said it all; he blew and he knew it. "Well . . . I meant . . . I mean . . . Never mind, here's the office."

I looked up and then entered through the doorway. I grumbled as the bell rang and pretended I didn't hear Dante as said a short good bye and scurried off to class. I had to clear my throat once before the lady behind the desk realized I was there. She was grumpy. It was Monday. It was cold. And now she had a new student to contend with. I glanced at her name tag and managed my best smile.

"Hello, ."

She adjusted her glasses, took a good look at me while my ears rang with annoying Monday morning announcements on a sound system that hadn't been changed since who knows when and then shuffled through some papers.

"Ah . . . our new student . . . your name?"

"Brielle August."

"Class?"

"Sophomore."

"Ah here we are . . . middle name Hope?"

"Yep . . ." I said lowly. I wasn't exactly fond of my middle name. It really sort of clashed with everything else when you yelled it; didn't work well for getting in trouble. Not that I got into trouble much . . . anymore.

She handed me some papers and I shifted my bag slightly, flexing my fingers before I took them. The crutches were really starting to hurt my under arms.

"You're first class will be out in the other building, fifth door to your right. The rest are all in this building. Lunch is after 4th. Wednesday's are shortened schedule."

"Great . . ." I muttered, glancing out to where the snow was starting to swirl out the side door. I took a quick look at the schedules, shaking my head at why Wednesday would be so special . . . but I wasn't one to argue with a shortened school day.

"Best get along, Miss. August. Mr. Alsop is rather testy on Mondays." And she returned to her work.

Great. A teacher I could easily make fun of just by his name and he was one that was likely not to take a joke. I was done for.

The halls were clear now, which was rather eerie. Getting a firmer grip on my crutches, I swung around and went disdainfully towards the doors. I knew I should have brought a jacket . . .

I quickly rediscovered my intense dislike for geometry as I stepped into class. I hadn't even looked at my class list to see where I was going. I beady eyed man with a hawk like nose turned to look at me as I stepped through the threshold. So did ten other pairs of eyes . . . except for one. I spied Dante sitting at the far end in the front row.

You're kidding me . . .

The bell rang as soon as I handed my class sign-in sheet to Mr. Alsop.

"Hm . . . Miss August, is it?"

I looked up in time to see Dante raise his head and smirk at me. I huffed and waited for Mr. Alsop to finish signing and hand me a book.

"You're late." He concluded, turning his back to me.

"What?"

"You're still standing after the bell has rung." He turned around again, pointing a long ruler at me. "Late!"

"Wait! Hey . . . crutches . . . I was in the office, I'm new! Okay, I just . . ."

"I suggest sitting down, Miss August, before I see you standing again and give you your first noon detention at a new school."

I grumbled and bit my tongue. There was no way this day was going to end well. I turned to face the class. Some whispered behind their hands, others simply stared; one nervous looking geeky boy managed a meek smile. I heard a whistle and looked over at Dante who was patting a chair beside him.

The only available chair left, unless I wanted to sit next to the peppy fake blond in corner who smelled like she walked through a flower field and then showered in hairspray. Grudgingly, I went towards the chair Dante had ready for me. I let my book fall on the desk and dropped my crutches down next to me. I looked up when he took my bag and set it down so I could get in easier.

"Hey, math buddy." He said in quiet, smooth voice.

"Don't get to cozy," I growled, looking him in the eye. Mr. Alsop said something about turning to a page in the book but I was distracted, currently. I pointed meaningfully down at my crutches. "I still have weapons."

Dante chuckled softly.

"So defensive. I was only being a gentleman."

"Yeah." I sighed, leaning back in my desk.

Sadly, I had nothing in response to that.

* * *

Lunch came all too soon. I was starting to get used to the layout of the school already, and I knew where my last two classes would be, having walked past them several times today. I didn't have to much trouble navigating; everyone wanted to rush past me so they could get a look before scurrying off to class. And the best part, Dante and his cocky self hadn't appeared in any of the rest of my classes . . . so far.

I walked into the lunch room, trying to figure out how this system worked. So, like a good sheep, I followed the crowd and soon found myself standing behind some very tall, blond, and bearing a school sweat-shirt with a big Spartan logo on the back. I tried to peek around her to see what was up for lunch today when I heard two, synced voices call out from around me.

"Kirby!"

I jumped and she turned and I fell back against the metal rail, catching myself on one crutch so I was in a rather haphazard position.

"Jesus!" I hissed.

"Not quite," laughed one of the two; blond hair that was cut to a little past her ears.

"How'd you get here so fast?" asked the other; this one had dark brown hair, straight, a ways past her shoulders. "Jeeze the bell just rang."

"Mrs. Keyna likes me." Said the tall one; Kirby. Never heard that name before either. She smiled innocently.

The other blond stuck her tongue out and the brown haired girl turned towards me. I regained my balance and tried to smile.

"Hi! I'm Jennifer! You can call me Jenn; but that's with two 'n's'." she said brightly. "And that's Kim!"

The blond looked at me, smiled widely and waved frantically. I gave a short wave back.

Weirdo.

"We're also known as Jim and Kenn!"

"Or," said Jenn. "Kenn and Jim."

"What are you guys?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Twins?"

"Only on Tuesdays!" they said at the same time.

"Okay . . ." I muttered, turning back around to face the other girl. I had to look up to see her.

"I'm Kirby." She said sweetly. "You must Brielle."

"Um . . . yeah, Brie, actually. Word travels fast around here I take it?"

"Yep!" said Kim from my left shoulder.

Jennifer magically appeared at my right. "Get used to it! You're in a place where everybody knows your name!"

I glanced around nervously as she started humming the Cheers theme song. Kirby giggled and shook her head.

"You'll be just like them in a few weeks; they are incredibly hyper today."

"Any particular reason?" I asked quietly, scooting closer.

"Biology!" the sang in unison.

I glanced at them offhandedly and nodded. They broke into a giggle fit and I continued to move with the line. After I grabbed whatever the special was (some sort of sloppy-joe . . . thing) and nervously made a salad, avoiding the crowd as much as possible. With today's weather conditions, it didn't look like anyone was too anxious to leave campus for lunch. I looked up when Kirby stepped next to me.

"Hey, do you want to sit with us?"

I hesitated, looking up at her rather dumbly. I hadn't talked to anyone besides Dante all day; I had found him sitting in the corner of the lunch room by himself. I bit my lip and looked around a bit longer and then nodded.

"Sure. Thanks."

"No problem!" she led me over to the table where Kenn and Jim; no! Kim and Jenn (those two were going to give me a headache. . .) sat already, poking at the pile of green beans on their plate. "We take in strays all the time."

They both looked up and smiled. I smirked when she used the term "stray."

"Yeah! She used to be one of them." Jenn said, pointing to Kirby.

"Yes," Kirby said, a grimace on her face as she looked at Kim. "I remember. You got tomato guts all over me."

"Initiation sucks!" she said dismissively and then she gasped, pointing at me. "You can't sit there! That's Mariah's chair!"

I froze, which was very hard to do considering I was trying to balance a tray in my hands while on crutches with my bag still strapped to my back, which had gotten steadily heavier throughout the day, considering I hadn't gotten a locker assigned to me yet. I set my tray down and looked into her serious face with confusion. Who was Mariah and would she beat me up if I sat there? Jenn was on her feet quickly, forcing Kim down.

"If she sits there, the whole universe will shift and the natural order of things will CHANGE thus bringing Armageddon onto us all too soon!"

"Yes, almighty profit, the spawn of Satan has finally arrived and sent his adversary to Forks Washington High." Jenn said, shaking her head. "Now sit down, you dork, before you tip your tray over."

"But I don't believe in Satan?"

Jenn sighed.

"Like I said," Kirby mumbled. "You'll get used to it."

Once I was seated, I merely poked at my food while they talked about something that happened in the biology class until someone else sat to my right. She was a darker skinned girl with long dark hair and had a look of irritation.

"Sorry I took so long, I was finishing up a lab."

"Mariah!" squealed Jenn and Kim.

"Posse's all here!" Kirby said, leaning behind me to hug the girl that just arrived.

"Great," I muttered through a nervous laugh.

Mariah turned to me then.

"Oh hey! You must be the new kid."

The new kid . . . yep, that's me. That's what my name is . . .

"Brie," I said. "Is this your spot? I could –"

"Psh no!" she waved a hand. "I don't care where you sit. So where're you from?"

Ugh . . . I hated this question already. I shrugged.

"Depends on how many foster homes you want to count." I mumbled into my tray.

"You're a foster kid? Well, where was your last home?" Jenn asked.

I paused. I didn't really want my whereabouts known to well, at least, not until Carlisle figured out what he was going to do with me. The last thing I wanted was to be found and moved by child services again. Switching homes was hard enough, switching schools just plain sucked.

"Southern California." I said vaguely. "I don't want to talk about it."

Hearing the tone in my voice, they all went into an awkward quite mode for a second and then Kirby gave everyone a sideways glance that I didn't quite understand.

"Hey," she said with a sly grin. "Maybe she'll be adopted by the Cullens."

I nearly choked on my grape.

"What?" I asked through heaving breaths.

"Ooo!" Kim looked up excitedly. "I would be so jealous!"

"Ha yeah . . . if I could be so lucky!" Jenn said. "Who are you staying with anyway? If you say Carlisle Cullen . . ."

I was saved from having to say I was staying with Carlisle and his family when Mariah scoffed and rolled her eyes at them.

"God you guys are pathetic; all their kids are graduated now; not to mention they are all dating and one is married."

Married? I wrinkled my nose and hoped she was talking about Carlisle. Thankfully, the action went unnoticed and I jumped as the bell rang.

Without another word about my current foster family, I staggered out of my chair, threw my bag onto my back and grabbed my crutches. I looked up to see Dante smiling from across the room and a glowered at him.

"Hey, I'll grab your tray Brie," one of them offered. I wasn't sure who, but I nodded.

"Thanks," I muttered. "See you guys tomorrow."

And I raced out the door as fast as I could, trying to beat the crowd, which was very hard considering my currant physical status.

* * *

Well, it turned out that the "posse" also had English with me next period. I sat in front of Kirby and with Mariah to left and Jenn to my right, while Kim sat in front of Mariah. The last period I had was Gym which turned out to be rather boring, thanks to my crutches and cast.

A feeling of relief came over me as the last bell of the day rang and I turned in my class sign-in sheet to the office. I waited a while to let the 3:30 rush die and then made my ways to the double doors at the end of the hall. The snow wasn't as bad now, but it was still very cold and coming down in big flakes. I waited, looking for Carlisle's car and I started to grow worried when it didn't appear. Most of the student cars were out of the parking lot. With a sigh, I decided to see if maybe he was around the corner or just a little late; he was a doctor after all. I pushed the doors open, shuddering as the biting wind hit my face. I was not born for this weather at all . . .

I carried my self across the silent walk way, careful of the ice, my stomach dropping as I continued to see no sign of Carlisle. Maybe I could go in and call, if the office was still open. I had been standing at the door a long time . . . with a groan I turned and went against the wind and up to the door – only to find it locked.

"Damn it . . ." I cursed, wanting to stamp my foot.

Then I heard a distinguished "beep" behind me and I turned.

Pulling up beside me was a bright yellow Porsche, very unfamiliar and very, very bright against the snow. I shielded my eyes as the tinted window rolled down on the driver's side.

"Alice?" I said. I couldn't believe she had a car like this!

Her laughter rang like little bells and she motioned with her head to get in.

"Come on, you're going to get the flu if you stay out there much longer!"

I went as quickly as I could to the passenger side. I threw my bag and crutches in the back and slid into the seat, the car's warmth spreading over me. Once I was buckled in, Alice turned the car like a pro in the TV commercials and then turned to smile at me while we waited for traffic.

"So how was your first day?"

"Fine." I said a little awkwardly. "I met five . . .new . . people . . . why are we going this way?"

It wasn't hard to notice that we weren't heading towards the Cullen's . . . instead, we were going past the town. I looked behind me.

"Great!" she said, jacking up the speed. I wondered if people always went this fast on icy roads. "And you and I . . . are going to Port Angeles!"

"Port what? Why?" God, I was being kidnapped again?

"Port Angeles!" she sang happily. I smiled at her; I couldn't help it. She was so happy. "You and I are going on a shopping spree!"