Authors Note: Thanks to everyone who has read so far and is continuing to do so and thank you to my reviewers!!\

Disclaimer: Much to my dismay, I don't own twilight... :(

Three days until vacation was over and we had to return to school. Mine had been wasted – the beginning of it was spent around Phoenix at home, or occasionally going to the beach. I then spent a week in misery after Renee was in the accident and I couldn't stop thinking about how I was to blame and how I would never see my mother again. I wasn't able to think of anything else.

I was now in much better spirits though; I had spent every day of the last week with the Cullens and Hales, but even this wasn't enough to ease my thoughts. I hadn't told my friends about Renee's death and when they asked why I moved here I evaded the question. They knew something was wrong but I couldn't bring myself to tell them.

One day Edward had become quite panicked when I was thinking about Renee and didn't realize that he was trying to get my attention. I was apparently looking incredibly depressed and it worried him when I didn't emerge from my stupor for some time. He tried to ask what was wrong but I brushed him off saying I was just tired and then engaged Alice in a conversation about shopping which continued relentlessly for the next half hour.

As planned by Alice, we had shopping trips which consisted of us girls trying on clothes which the boys followed us for the day carrying our bags. It was quite amusing as Emmett complained for the whole day about carrying Rose's bags whereas Edward acted like a gentleman and seemed happy to carry mine.

I thought it would be awkward spending a lot of time with two couples, but Edward and I hung out together during these times and we got along well – conversation was easy and he was a good friend.

A lot of the time when we were together I noticed Alice looking between us with a cheeky grin on her face. It reminded me of the conversation we had when she drove me home after dinner at her house.

"So Bella…" Alice smirked at me before returning her eyes to the road.

"Yes, Alice?" I was dreading this conversation – I was pretty sure I knew what it was going to be about.

"So, you like my brother ay?"

"Sure Alice he's cool."

"Oh come on Bella! You like him, like him, right? Give me something please!" Alice was bouncing in her seat with enthusiasm.

"Um…" Was all I managed to say, blushing. Did I like Edward? I mean, I did have some trouble with incoherency around him which I had never had with other boys and he was incredibly attractive! But still, it was me, it's not like he'd ever go for someone as plain as me.

"Oh, I see!" Alice grinned at me.

"What are you talking about Alice? I didn't say anything."

"Bella! You didn't need to say a thing. I can see it when you look at him."

"What?! Is it really that obvious? Does anyone else know? Does he know? Alice!" She was giggling at me as I freaked out.

"Calm down, Bella. And yes it is obvious to me, but you are my sister and he is my brother. And I think that everyone knows but Edward!" Everyone knows? How embarrassing… How could I face them now?

"Alice, everyone? What am I going to do?" She had me freaking out here!

"Don't worry Bella. You and Edward are perfect for each other. And he likes you too."

Thinking back to this conversation I smiled as I thought of Alice's last comment – he likes me too. But then I considered how very unlikely this was – I'm sure Alice was just saying it to calm me down; I was having a bit of a mental breakdown at that time and she probably didn't want to deal with it.

But then, Alice and I were sisters. She wouldn't lie to me, would she? And maybe he really did like me. There were moments we had together that I might be able to think that. But it was probably just wishful thinking – how could a handsome, charming boy like him ever have feelings for a plain, average, boring girl like me.

Three days later I spent the night tossing and turning, unable to sleep in anticipation of the next day. I was nervous about finding my way around a new school, not that it was very large, and being the new object of interest. Rose had explained to me how I would probably be the topic of gossip for the next few weeks as the school was so small that a new student was a big deal.

Alice picked me up for school the next day with Edward and Emmett in her car. Edward, being the gentleman he is stepped out of the passenger seat and held the door open for me.

Rosalie was right of course, as soon as I stepped out of the car I was stared at. This continued as I walked to the office, although many of the boys stopped after they saw the intimidating glares Emmett was giving them.

"Um, Emmett. Don't you want me to make new friends? I think you may scare everyone off."

"Of course, Bella. But they have to learn that my little sister is off limits." He said this with a serious look on his face, which was unusual for him. He really did care about me.

"Thanks Emmett that's sweet of you, but what if I actually like a guy?"

"What?" Edward stared at me. "Honestly Bella, you don't want to know what goes on in these boys' heads. You won't like them." He looked like he was trying to convince himself more than me, I would usually think I was imagining that except Alice raised her eyebrows and gave me a pointed look.

At that moment Rosalie and Jasper arrived and our conversation ceased as the couples embraced passionately. Edward grimaced at me but still had a strange look in his eye after our earlier conversation. We walked off together, leaving our friends behind – I'm sure they didn't notice, as they were absorbed in each other.

"What classes do you have today?" Edward asked.

"AP Biology, English, History, Gym, French and then Trigonometry." Wow, what a fun day for me.

"Well you'll be happy to know that Alice and I are in quite a few of those classes. I'm I AP Biology and English, whereas Alice is in History and French."

I was relieved to know people in four classes but that still left me in two alone. Rose and Emmett were two years above us so they had no classes with us and it was the same with Jasper except he was only one year older.

Edward and I walked to Biology together and I introduced myself to the teacher trying to ignore the not so subtle stares of the other students. The teacher allowed me to sit wherever I wanted and fortunately there was an empty seat next to Edward.

A lot of the students introduced themselves to me and one persistent boy – Mike Newton – wouldn't leave me alone until Edward slung his arm around my shoulders and smirked at him.

Obviously Edward did this to get rid of Mike for which I was grateful, but he didn't realize how it made my heart stutter.

History was interesting as Mike was there but I didn't have Edward to frighten him off. Alice was good enough though with her taunting comments, and hints suggesting Edward and I were together. We received a disapproving look from the teacher as we giggled hysterically for most of the lesson.

The rest of the day went well; I made a friend, Angela, who luckily was in both Gym and Trig with me. It seemed that Mike Newton was everywhere I went but I ignored him and the rest of the stares I received all day – this was going to be a long week.

Authors Note:Hi guys! Thanks for reading - please review! I didn't have much time to write this but i wanted to get a chapter up as I won't be able to get to a computer for a while, so i didn't have a lot of time to recheck it - please tell me if you find spelling or grammar or any mistakes because i know how annoying it can be to read things that aren't written correctly.

Also - this is just a filler, i dont think its very good so please tell me what you think.

THANKS! xox Rose