First real chapter of the story. Let me know what you think, please. Thanks for the reviews and reads so far, I'll try and reply to them when I can. I won't be updating this often, I just have a lot of time at the minute.

I do not own any recognizable characters, locations or anything related to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight.

Chapter 1

Rosalie heard Isabella Swan before she saw her. Very unlike their smooth and elegant entrance years before, Isabella Swan thundered into the car park in a rusty, faded chevy pickup. The whole car park stopped to stare at the source of the noise, mainly because they knew who was in the cab of truck. Isabella clambered out of the door, shutting it awkwardly behind her while she fumbled with her bag. She was small, Rosalie noted, and definitely thin beneath the layers of practical, but not exactly stylish, clothing. Her face was covered by her hood as she pulled it around herself hurried out of the drizzling rain and under the shelter of the main office, presumably trying not to draw any extra attention to herself.

Watching the rest of the students return to their normal state of socializing once the new girl was out of sight, Rosalie could not stop herself from breathing a sigh of relief. A small part of her, one that she had tried not to acknowledge for the past three weeks since she had heard of Isabella Swan's imminent appearance, had worried that it may bring her as much grief as they had. Now, though, she could see just how stupid her fears had been. What were the chances of the same thing happening again? That someone people believed to be as beautiful, as smart and as charming as the Hales would come to the town of Forks. Isabella was just another student she would have to charm.

She cut her eyes to her brother, sitting in the passenger seat of her bright red convertible, and she could see that the corners of his mouth were turned up. When he realized that she was looking at him he began to laugh, and pretty soon Rosalie joined in. They had both been so pathetic to think that this Swan girl was something to worry about, when it was already perfectly clear that she was completely ordinary, if not slightly awkward. Even though she knew Jasper had felt exactly the same as her about Isabella Swan, Rosalie would never admit how the thought of another female rival made her nauseous. She didn't want Jasper to think her weak, but it was not something Rosalie thought she'd be able to deal with again. For every underhand, manipulative or bitchy thought Rosalie had ever had, karma threw her for a loop with the introduction of Alice Cullen to her world. For years people had assured Rosalie that she was the most beautiful girl in the world. Naturally, it was their fault for cementing her self-assurance like they had. Alice had turned everything she had believed about herself upside down.

Jasper, still chuckling lightly, rubbed his hands through his hair and sank further into his seat, visibly relaxing. Rosalie felt herself do the same.

"Hey, baby," a deep voice growled into Rosalie's ear. She jumped at the sudden sound, hitting her head off the soft top of her car. Unfortunately, she had collided with one of the metal bars inside the material. Beside her, Jasper laughed louder.

"Shit, Emmett, look what you made me do!" she spat in a sudden burst of anger, at the same time shooting an evil look towards Jasper. The relief that the sight of Isabella Swan had caused by making him complacent. He was forgetting that it was not over, simply because she was plain. They still didn't know anything about her, and they needed to ensure that the Cullens did not get to her before they did. Emmett was still crouched beside her open window, holding on by his fingertips, his eyes apologetic. She'd been on edge the past few weeks and Emmett had bore the brunt of her frustration. Placing one of her hands over his, Rosalie leaned into him. "Don't sneak up on me like that," she warned him, lightly adding, "you know there's room for only one sneak in this relationship." She was very close to him now and she couldn't help but smile as his familiar scent drifted towards her. He smiled back at her, grasping the hand she's covered his with. His grin was infectious and Rosalie couldn't help it as her smile grew wider. As usual, Jasper broke the moment.

"And we all know that's you, Rosalie. How many times have you had Mr. Banner up in the bio store room now? And you've only been caught twice."

"Shut up, Jasper. You know that was just a rumor." Rosalie hit out at him. He narrowly avoided her fist by jerking his shoulder out of the way. Before she could take another shot, Emmett tugged on her hand.

"Everyone knows it was a rumor, Rose," he soothed, caressing the side of her face in his giant hand. "Banner should be so lucky. Now, what's the damage." Rosalie tilted her head forward, so Emmett could inspect the sore spot where her head had collided with the roof. He completely missed her action, however, and extended his arm right past her to feel the soft roof of the convertible. "Looks good. You could have ripped right through this, you know."

"My head is not that hard." Rosalie rolled her eyes at him in mock exasperation. In truth, she loved that Emmett had always understood her love for cars, in particular, her BMW soft top. She had bought it a few years ago and had recently acquired the skills, and funds, to fix it up. Now it even made the Cullens' Volvo look dull.

"I just know how much time you put into this car," he said, finally placing a kiss of the tender part of Rosalie's blonde hair. "Besides, with my input, I've seen that head break a few things before, or do not need to remind you about that headboard."

"God, I am not listening to this. See you at lunch, Rose. Emmett, you'd better hurry up or Mrs. Goff will report you for being late again." Jasper pulled himself from the car, grabbing his book bag as he went.

"Jasper," Rosalie called after him. She waited until his head appeared just underneath the door before continuing, "Just remember, we have a job to do." He nodded in agreement and Rosalie knew to trust him. He would do what he needed to do. She returned her attentions to Emmett. "He's right, hon," she said, kissing his lips gently, pulling away just as he began to move towards her with more enthusiasm, "we're going to be late."

*******

Jasper was right, and Rosalie arrived at the gym just in time. She had been half hoping that she would be late enough for Coach Clapp to straight to the principal's office. Not that she minded doing sports that much, she was actually better than good at most of them, but she hated having to play them first thing in the morning. If she wanted to keep her hair and make-up somewhat intact then she could never really try hard or she would break into a sweat, and that was out of the question. But she hated not putting her full effort into something, especially when she knew she could do better.

Another reason Rosalie hated gym was because it was the one of the two classes she shared with Alice Cullen.

"Good morning, Miss Hale. I was wondering when you'd show up," the Coach shouted across the gym as Rosalie ran across to join the cluster of students standing in their mandatory gear. The patronizing tone in which Coach Clapp spoke to her did not anger her as much as the small figure standing facing her. Alice Cullen, in all her gym glory, was clad like the rest of them, in the yellow shorts and purple t-shirt. Her socks were pulled right up above the knees of her short legs and her child-size feet were encased in yet another pair of new sneakers.

Rosalie looked her up and down, the familiar feeling of disgust washing through her as she did. Never one to disguise her feelings of animosity towards either of the Cullens, Rosalie was more than sure this disgust was evident on her face. When she finally met Alice's dark eyes, she found the same knowing glare there that she had seen every day for the past two years. The corner's of Alice's mouth twisted into a smile as she eyed Rosalie back. This was something Rosalie saw frequently, but never grew used to. With that smirk, Alice always made Rosalie feel as if she knew something Rosalie didn't, and Rosalie hated it. This unease, however, was one feeling she tried very hard to keep from showing on her face.

Keeping her eyes on Alice, Rosalie pulled her long hair up into a high ponytail. She felt the crowd behind her shift and she noticed that two girls standing near her had inched closer in an act of loyalty. Since the Cullens had changed the social hierarchy in Forks High School, both Rosalie and Jasper had been careful to each make two good friends in the classes when they were split, or when Emmett wasn't with them. The two girls in this case were Lauren Mallory and Nikki Johnson. Nikki was a soccer player, and her aptitude at sports came in handy when picking teams, and she knew Jasper well enough to stick with him. Lauren, on the other hand, was pretty hopeless at anything athletic, and Rosalie did not particularly care for her personality, but she had her own uses. Rosalie would be concentrating on being friendly to her today.

The class began and they were asked to separate into pairs. Throwing a pseudo-apologetic glance in Nikki's direction, Rosalie quickly snatched up Lauren as a partner; she looked thrilled, and a little surprised. Coach Clapp directed them towards a court each and the matches began. To her left and two courts down Alice Cullen and her partner, Ben Cheney, were playing. With the four extra pairs it meant that Alice and Rosalie would not be playing against each other today. This was no coincidence, and many teachers, aware of the feud between the Hales and Cullens, avoided putting them in direct competition.

After losing their first three matches, it was Rosalie and Laurens' turn to sit out. Crossing her legs, Rosalie sat on the first row of the bleachers, inviting Lauren to do the same. With her pale blonde hair and light eyes, Lauren was one of the prettier girls in their year, but she was also one who strived to be as beautiful as Rosalie. Jealously was one of her more prominent characteristics and it was something Rosalie disliked about her, but it made her the prime companion when Rosalie wanted some gossip, or, more often than not, needed some information on fellow students. They sat spectating in silence for a couple of minutes, Lauren no doubt working up the courage to say something. Eventually, she looked away from the games and attempted to engage Rosalie in conversation.

"So, have you seen Isabella Swan yet?" When she asked it was obvious she was aiming for a nonchalant tone, but a slight waver in her voice informed Rosalie of her nerves. This angered Rosalie; it meant that people thought it was a sore topic for her, no doubt remembering her reaction to the Cullens. Still, Rosalie needed some information from this girl, and she didn't want to scare her off by venting her long-lying anger. With some effort, she fixed her features into a look a natural curiosity and spoke in a light tone, achieving the indifference Lauren had been aiming for.

"No, well, I've only really seen the back of her head. She looked quite small though." When she said this, Lauren's eyebrows furrowed and her lips turned down very slightly. Clearly, Lauren already disliked Isabella Swan. "Looked like she could snap in half," she added, watching Lauren's eyes brighten.

"Yeah... she looked kind of weak," she mused, her smile growing. She flashed it in Rosalie's direction, becoming more comfortable by the second. "I haven't talked to her myself, but you know Tyler-" Rosalie nodded- "he thinks she's hot. Said she had a pretty face." This seemed to trouble Lauren and her jealously was already evident. "I suppose she was pretty enough, but I wouldn't call her hot. Her body is practically prepubescent."

Rosalie didn't answer outright, but she smiled slightly, giving the impression that she agreed. She needed more information. "What was he talking to her about?"

Lauren shrugged. "Just boring stuff, like where she's from and did she like it here. To be honest, she didn't seem very enthusiastic; said she hates the rain. I mean, who in their right mind would come to Forks if they hated rain?" She looked to Rosalie and Rosalie placated her with a noncommittal nod of her head, which was enough to prompt her further. "Well, I think that's about as far as he got, because Mike ran over and offered to walk her to class. It's ridiculous, they all seem to falling over her. I don't think she liked it. She almost passed out when Mike put his arm around her shoulders. They'll get over it soon." She drifted off into her recent memories, eyeing Tyler Crowley who was playing across the gym.

Eventually they were due to play again and they did not get another opportunity to talk about the new girl. Rosalie did not mind, she didn't like having to sustain conversations with Lauren and she had pulled enough information from her to do for now. She couldn't wait to get to her next class, as it was the one she had with Emmett, so she dressed in a hurry.

On her way out of the changing room she noticed Alice Cullen was watching her closely, worry clouding her face. Alice, being more preceptive than most of the students here, had known exactly what Rosalie was up to by choosing Lauren as a partner. Purposefully walking towards the door closest to Alice, Rosalie fixed a confident smile on her face.

"Something bothering you, Cullen?" she sneered. Alice's eyes narrowed into slits and the worry was replaced by malice.

"Just sorry I didn't get a chance to whip your ass today, Hale," she spat, folding her arms over her chest. " Seeing as I whipped every one else's, and an ass like yours isn't exactly hard to miss." Rosalie's smile faltered for a split second, but she quickly recovered. She took a step closer so she towered over Alice. With her lack of height and high pitched voice, most people described her as a pixie, but to Rosalie she was more like one of those small, whiny dogs who were always desperate for attention.

"Just because I let you beat me in Volleyball doesn't mean that you're going to win everything today." Sure that Alice knew what she meant, Rosalie did not wait around to hear her reply. Turning on her stiletto heels she marched out of the changing room and towards her next class.

English was Rosalie's least favorite subject, but she was still good at it. It was in this class when she sat next to Emmett. The teacher had not arrived yet when Rosalie slid into the seat beside Emmett, adorning the side of his neck with a quick kiss. Some who observed this sighed- the girls wistfully, the boys in exasperation- but Rosalie ignored it. She found it very easy to shut out other people when Emmett was around. He spun around in his chair and beamed at her.

"How was Gym?" he asked, as Mr. Mason entered the room.

"Informative," she whispered in reply, at the same time fishing her books from her bag and placing them on the table. Mr. Mason called for attention and they were forced to listen to him drone on about some literature that Rosalie had definitely read before, and Emmett would probably never even remember the same of. From their seat at the back they could sustain a broken, but substantial enough conversation.

Bella- which is what she preferred to be called- was in Emmett's Spanish class. She was the shy type, she moved with her head down and blushed furiously when Mrs. Geoff made her introduce herself in front of the class. According to Emmett, on her way to her seat, she slipped on the wet floor and Jasper had caught her. This piece of information boosted Rosalie's confidence in their task. The battle was as good as over; no warm-blooded female could resist Jasper, let alone a chivalrous Jasper. "She has no hope," Rosalie muttered to Emmett through her growing smile.

By the time lunch came around, Rosalie had still not had a face to face encounter with Bella Swan. All she knew was what Emmett and Lauren had relayed to her, and picking up on numerous other conversations, she had deduced that the whole school was fascinated Bella. This did not worry Rosalie in the same way as the reaction to the Cullens had. It was different, there was no sense of competition about it.

As soon as she strutted through the door of the cafeteria, Rosalie scoured the contained area for some sign of commotion. A wave of gratification washed over her when she noticed an unusually full table in the north end of the cafeteria. The Hale end of the cafeteria. In the middle of the clump of eager students, Rosalie could distinguish the unfamiliar face of Bella Swan, and she had to admit, there was something pretty amid those plain features. Bella looked very uncomfortable.

Over the heads of the crowd, Jasper and Emmett were waiting for Rosalie at their usual table. Emmett beamed, as usual, and Jasper had an extremely smug grin on his face. Even without a seeing her reflection Rosalie knew her new grin mirrored his. Bella was theirs now. Victory was theirs. For, at some point during the day Rosalie had figured out that the probability of another new student joining Forks High School was minimal. Therefore, Bella was their last fight, the last person how would have to choose between the Hales and the Cullens. Already, just halfway through her first day, she had chosen correctly.

Rosalie hurried over to where here brother and boyfriend waited for her. She could not wait to hear how Jasper had won this.

"Not need to thank me, Rose, darling," he said when Rosalie was close enough to hear him. She took her place on Emmett's right sitting to she was nearly facing Jasper but she still had a decent view of the room, and Bella Swan. "It really wasn't that difficult." His smooth voice was dripping with so much arrogance that it would have sickened Rosalie on a normal day, but she was too happy with him to care at the moment.

"Tell me, then, how exactly did you do it?" she asked, looping one of her arms through Emmett's and picking up a grape from the fruit salad he'd picked up for her to throw it into her mouth. Jasper raised a cocky eyebrow at her, sank back into his seat and stretched his arms out over his head. He yawned. Aiming the second grape she'd picked up to eat, Rosalie threw it at him instead. "No need to the theatrics. Emmett already told me how you stopped her from falling, it must have been pretty simple after that, once you're her hero. You're just lucky she can't walk five steps on her own feet."

Jasper leaned forward on the table, seemingly affronted by Rosalie's assumption. "Actually, that was the easiest part. I knew it was coming, Bella clearly doesn't have much balance," he smirked; she amused him. "Anyway, I couldn't just whisk her off into the sunset there and then, could I?" Emmett laughed at this; they always found the power Jasper had on hormonal girls a source of humor. "That was simply to pique her interest, lay the foundation. Then, I had to set up the scaffolding, structure the-"

"Seriously, Jasper, enough with the imagery. Get to the point," Rosalie pressed.

"Fine," he scowled, "but it's not going to sound as impressive now." Rosalie rolled her eyes. "After I introduced myself after class, I brought Jessica Stanley into the conversation, you know how easily led she is. In a fantastic coincidence, Bella and Jessica were in the next class together, so they got talking." His smile was returning. "I silently slipped away, with just a smile in Swan's direction. Next thing I know, she's eating lunch with Stanley and her friends, throwing the occasional glance in our direction. My direction," he added, his eyes sparkling. He scanned the room, passing over Bella with just a second of a pause.

Suddenly, his features grew hard and his eyes became menacing. Before she even looked up, Rosalie knew the Cullens were involved.

Sure enough, when she did look, Edward Cullen was shooting daggers at their table. Alice was watching Bella, curiosity filling her eyes. She muttered something to her brother and a small smile threatened the corner of his mouth. Alice smiled back, triumphantly. Without any further exchange, and without taking their eyes off Rosalie, Jasper and Emmetts' table, they picked up their things and strode out of the cafeteria.

For the second time that day, Alice had filled Rosalie with the dreaded suspicion that they knew something Rosalie and Jasper didn't. She couldn't bring herself to draw her eyes to the other side of the room where Bella was sitting. She didn't need to, for Jasper uttered her fears in his next sentence.

"She was watching them."

End of Chapter 1