A/N: So, I just finished Eclipse and I decided to introduce a few new characters. One of which you may or may not be delighted to see but considering he is just one of my many favorite Twilight characters, I couldn't resist. Please don't hate me for it!

5.

I rolled out of bed about a half past six and started getting ready for my first day at Forks High School. I was not too happy about starting in a new school in which the only person I knew was Derek Venturi and his Cullen friends. They were nice but I wasn't sure how anyone else would react to my presence. I mean, it's a new school in a small timber town. I'm from the big city, a whole new country. I'll be the new girl and I would never be able to escape the constant train of questions about what Canada was like and about me and about how I like Forks and about the Venturi family. It was enough to drive a person crazy!

I tried to push the thoughts out of my head and concentrate on getting ready. I knew the shower/bathroom situation would be brutal so I settled for a shower last night. My hair was already mostly done except for yanking it out of the messy bun I had anxiously and impatiently thrown it up in without bothering to ring it out. All I had to do after taking the bun out was dust some powder on my cheeks and pull on a shirt, jeans, and a jacket and I'd be ready to face the day.

As far as wardrobe went, I settled on my favorite long sleeve blue shirt with an undershirt underneath. I also chose a pair of jeans that fit comfortably and that I wouldn't mind getting wet and muddy. Last but not least, I grabbed my jacket. I was ready, or at least as ready as I'd ever be. After grabbing my backpack, I hurried downstairs. Derek was already waiting for me. It had been decided that Derek was to drive me to school from now on. I wasn't exactly looking forward to the whole awkwardness of the drive but at least I wouldn't have to walk through the halls alone. I decided against breakfast only because I didn't want to anger him by having to wait on me to finish munching on a Pop Tart.

"You ready?" He asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Mom was all excited about seeing me off. She made such a big deal about me leaving for my first day at FHS that it reminded me of my first day of Kindergarten. I put up with her fuss as much as I hated every second of it and finally said my goodbyes.

"Wow," Derek commented as soon as we were in his car. It was a very nice, shiny silver Volvo. I knew George was a lawyer but I never expected he would be able to afford a Volvo for his teenage son. I decided my thoughts were impolite and shook them from my head. It was, after all, none of my business.

I didn't reply to Derek, instead I just nodded. I didn't feel like talking to anyone, especially him. He was nice enough – odd – but nice. I just didn't want to open up too much to him about my first day jitters. I didn't like fuss of any kind. I'd put up with it from Mom but I couldn't take him fussing over me. It really wasn't that big of a deal, really. I mean, I've had lots of first days of school. At least Emily was always there for me. We'd spend hours the night before talking and discussing what to wear, where to sit, etc. The memories of Em saddened me and I hoped I'd meet a new friend who I could be just as close with. I didn't go for the whole clichéd best girl friend thing but it was nice having an ally, someone who I could look out for and her me. I'd miss the days of talking and opening my heart to her. Sure, there was still email and phone but it would never be the same. Forks was my home now and it didn't include Emily Davis.

"We're here," Derek nodded towards the school. It was very, very small and consisted of a group of several red-bricked buildings. They looked like houses grouped together rather than a high school but it would be mine for the next two years.

I yanked open the car door and was instantly greeted by wide, looming, and suspicious eyes. They all stared at me as if I was a new piece of meat or something. I glanced at Derek hoping for an answer to their behavior.

"I usually ride with the Cullens," he answered but said no more.

He walked me past the crowd of kids gaping at me and led me towards the guidance. He promised me he'd find me later and catch up but I doubted that. I waited around at the front desk of the guidance center until a woman with dyed red hair came out with a huge smile on her face. It seemed practically as if she had known me from somewhere and was glad to see me again. I was about to say something when…

"Casey! You must be Casey McDonald!"

"Um…yes?" Was all I could manage of a reply.

"I am so glad to finally meet you! We've talked – heard – we've heard so much about you! How are you liking Forks so far?"

"It's rainy," I replied, purposefully not answering her question.

"Well, here's your schedule. I worked it up personally for you. I hope you enjoy your first day here. I know it can be tough but…"

"Thank you," I interrupted, taking the schedule from her.

"If you need anything…"

"Thanks," I said again before opening the door and once again facing the crowd of gaping faces. I was amazed they seemed to be in such shock. Surely they'd seen someone who hadn't been born and raised in Forks their whole life before.

"You're Casey, right?" A chipper blonde in a pink t-shirt asked. I could already tell she wasn't really my type of person but she seemed nice enough, nice enough for me to at least spend a few seconds talking to.

"Yeah," I nodded, "I just moved here…"

"I know! And you're stepsiblings with Derek Venturi!" She said his name as if he was some kind of god, "We were all so shocked to see the two of you riding to school together. Usually he goes with the Cullens but at least he's expanding his horizons a bit. Not to sound mean towards the Cullens or anything but they aren't the type of people I'd pick to be friends with. They just act so…holier-than-thou, ya know? They only talk to themselves and Derek. It's odd."

"Yeah," I nod, "But they aren't as bad as you think…"

"You've met them?" Her voice was all but sparing. I was shocked by her tone.

"Yeah," I nodded again, "They invited me for dinner…"

"Did they eat?"

"No…"

"They never eat. It's a mystery."

"You seem to know a lot about them," I casually pried.

"Yeah well…if you ever need someone to give you a tour of FHS, I'd be more than happy to. Lemme see your schedule!" I relunctantly handed it to her, "We have three classes together! Great! Come find me at lunch! I'll introduce you to the whole gang."

I wasn't sure how excited I was about being introduced to the "whole gang" but I smiled politely. The day went by pretty slowly. I tried my best to avoid the chipper girl who still had failed to tell me her name or maybe she had and I had just forgotten or hadn't paid that much attention. My teachers were decent and didn't expect a lot from me. Most of them didn't even make me introduce myself to the class for which I was extremely grateful. I spent my lunch time in the library on Google looking up Forks. Sadly enough, there was a 97.9 percent chance of rain every day all year round and when it wasn't raining, it was snowing. Terrific! After my dreams of sunshine were shattered, the bell rang and I spent the last three periods trying to get through the constant questions and suspicions. One of these annoyances happened to be named Mike Newton.

"Hiya!" He smiled at me as I was about to take a seat beside him, the last seat in the classroom.

"Hi…"

"We had English, Math, and Biology together," he said as if reading my mind, "I'm Mike. Mike Newton. If you need anyone to give a tour of the school, I'd be happy to help."

"Thank you," I smiled, trying once again to be as polite as possible.

"Hey, some of us are going to the beach this weekend to hang out. Do you want to come?"

"Uh…sure."

"Great!" It was so easy to make Mike happy, "Meet us there around noon! We'll have a picnic."

"Sounds good."

"So tell me, what's it like having to live with Derek."

"Derek?"

"Yeah. I mean, he can be a real bugger of a guy, if you know what I mean?"

"He can be…difficult," I answered truthfully, "But he's nice. He introduced me to the Cullens the other day. It was really nice. I went over for dinner and…"

"You went to the Cullen's for dinner?"

"Yup," I nodded, "Why?"

"N-nothing. Just…never mind."

The teacher, Mr. Brewer came into the classroom so we had to stop talking for which I was grateful. After class, I promised Mike I'd go to the beach with them that Saturday. He was so excited, he practically burst. I laughed and excused myself to find Derek. I felt guilty for having to explain to Mike that Derek was my ride home. Once out in the parking lot, I found him leaning against his car with his arms folding across his chest. He looked impatient.

"Sorry I'm late…"

"How was your first day?" He asked smoothly.

"Good. A little annoying with all the questions. Lots of people wanted to know about you," I shrugged, "Funny, huh?"

"Yeah," he nodded, "Funny. So, you ready to go?"

"Sure."

After pilling into the car, I began to chatter about my day. For some reason, now I wanted to share every detail with Derek and besides that, I was a little mad at him for not finding me today.

"Mike Newton asked me to the beach this weekend with his friends."

"Hmm."

"He seems nice."

"Hmph."

"I was kind of lost today. I know the school isn't huge or anything but it's still new. I managed to get lost on my way to PE."

"Hmm."

"You promised we'd catch up."

"Hmph."

"And you deserted me."

"Sorry about that."

"What's wrong with you, anyway?" I asked, realizing the dark purple bruise-like shadows that had formed under his eyes, "Did…did you get in a fight?"

"Ha!" He laughed, "No. Just…tired."

"I didn't notice it today."

"Well I had a stressful day. Look, Casey, I'm sorry that I ditched you today. It's not something I usually do. I won't do it to you again. I just…I just had to talk with the Cullens for a moment. You know, the same time you're at the beach, we're going camping. Carlisle usually invites me on their family camping trips. It's a real blast. I best Nora and Dad will be happy to have us out of the house for awhile."

"That's nice of the Cullens," I smiled.

"Their family," he shrugged before pulling up into the driveway. There was a vehicle in the driveway and Derek groaned, "I can't believe they're here!"

"Who?" I asked.

"Them."

"But who are they?" I persisted.

"Just…just friends of my dad's. I've known them forever. The son is a real piece of work. He's trouble Casey. Stay away from him."

"I am sure he isn't that bad…"

"Trust me on this, Casey."

"Derek…"

"Trust me!" His voice was commanding and I knew better than to argue. Sighing, I grabbed my backpack and hopped out of the car. As I neared the garage, I saw George with two other people sitting out in folding chairs and talking and laughing.

"Casey!" George called, "Come here. I have some people I'd like you to meet."

"Hi," the man stuck his hand out to me and I shook it, "I'm Billy Black and this is my son Jacob."