Bella POV

Walking into her second class of the day, it became apparent to Bella that she was a hot topic at the small high school. Heads turned and tracked her path from door to teacher to desk with unwavering intensity. It was only when the teacher called attendance and broke the spell that had settled over the room that Bella felt like she could finally take a breath. The brunettes reprieve didn't last long however as Eric sat behind her and started whisper yelling at her.

"Hey Is- Bella, I want you to meet my friend Angela! She's right beside you. Ang meet Bella, Bella, Ang."

Turning to a lightly chuckling Asian girl, Bella waved a small greeting.

"I'm really sorry about him," Angela whispered as she copied the notes from the board. "He gets a little overzealous when he gets excited, kind of like a puppy." Eric broke in with a faux disgruntled 'hey' before she continued, giggling. "Funnily enough though, my puppy is much more calm than he is." She gestured to a small multicolored furred Australian sheepdog that out of the corner of her eye, Bella had assumed was her bag.

"Oh," Bella was amused at Angela's gentle ribbing of her classmate but genuinely confused as to the presence of the little pup. "Hi there little fluff ball." The greeting came out sounding almost like a question which had Angela laughing again.

"He's a detection dog, if you were wondering- I don't mind really." She hastily continued before Bella could get out a refusal of needing to know. "I have Mastocytosis- you have no idea how long it was before I could remember that name- but sometimes it gets bad and I need to use an epi pen... This amazing little guy can smell when it's getting to that point so I can preemptively use a pen so I don't go into anaphylactic shock."

Animals are absolutely wondrous. "That is amazing, I've heard of dogs being able to sense changes in their owners but to know they can be trained to smell something specific is crazy." Bella's eyes held wonder and Angela seemed to puff up in pride as she looked to the small dog at her side.

"Yeah, he's amazing. I don't know what we would have done without him really. He made school and trips a possibility." She reached down to pet the scruff at his neck, smiling affectionately when he licked her hand. "His name is Isaac. He's a sweetie, you can meet him proper after this during lunch if you want." Bella nodded eagerly.

"Hey why weren't you all excited when I invited you to lunch with us!" Eric exclaimed which earned him a reprimand from the teacher.

"Mister Yorkie, would you like to share anything with the class?" He sounded stern but a small smile curving his mouth belied his true nature.

"Sir, no sir!" Coupled with a salute had the teacher shaking his head and getting back to writing notes on the whiteboard.

"Keep it that way please."

The remainder of the class passed in relative silence and when he finally dismissed them for lunch, it was to everyone's relief that he hadn't set any homework. Seeing as how it was the first day back at classes Bella wasn't too surprised. Lets just hope the rest of the teachers feel this way.

The trio of teenagers wandered slowly down the locker lined halls. Bella was having questions fired at her from all sides, though some she knew better than to respond to. Isaac had regarded her with suspicion at first before flouncing forward, ignoring the outstretched hand and going straight to licking her face. Small yips and yaps escaping his mouth proclaimed his approval of the shy girl and the way she didn't tease or look funny at his human ward.

A small growl seeped through Isaac's clench jaw as Eric got too close to Angela. "The funny dresser better stay away from mine." Bella couldn't help the laugh at what the puppy was growling and earned herself odd looks from her more bipedal companions.

"He really doesn't like you so close to Ang," She explained. "I really wouldn't get any closer if I were you."

Almost as if his masculinity had been offended, Eric got boastful. He abruptly spun on his heel and knelt down next to the scruffy dog. "What are you going to do about huh Isaac. You're a tiny little puppy and look at me, I'm a strapping young vision of manhood." So busy was Eric flexing his biceps and grinning cheekily at Angela and Bella that he didn't notice the Asian girls gasp or the anticipation in Bella's eyes. Isaac had seen his moment and without a thought, took it. He lunged at the wiry male teen and landed heavily on his chest, sending him sprawling, a very feminine squeal emanating from his mouth.

"Isaac! What are you doing! Heel!" Angela admonished while giving Eric a hand up, which he shakily took. He looks like he's wet himself, Bella thought with glee. Isaac, she noticed, looked proud and very pleased with himself.

"That'll teach you." Isaac yipped out happily, bouncing lightly beside Angela as the group continued through to the doors of the cafeteria.

Angela laid a gentle hand on Bella's shoulder as they waited in line for their turn to get food. "I feel like I should warn you. Jessica, a girl we sit with at lunch... She can be a bit.." She paused, struggling for a word while Bella felt a growing trepidation in the pit of her stomach. "Forward." Angela finally finished, though she didn't seem too happy with the word she'd been able to come up with. "She loves knowing about people, and while she really does mean the best, she doesn't know boundaries... Or when to stop either." When Bella didn't respond for a while Angela grew scared that she'd frightened Bella away from sitting with them. No, stupid Angela, why did you say anything, now Bella won't sit with us and she's the first person to treat me like I'm not contagious. Ang sighed but before she could speak Bella alleviated her fears.

"Damn, I was hoping to avoid the Spanish inquisition but I think I can handle it if you promise to help me? You're the only person in this place so far that seems like a normal human being. I like hanging out with you." Bella felt embarrassed putting herself out like that but she felt Angela needed to hear that she liked her. The blinding grin she received for her efforts were good reward in Bella's mind. She needs to smile more often, it's very pretty... Where on earth did that come from? The shy teen grew quiet as a small blush appeared on her ears. She was saved as a small bundle of fur leaped at her knees in jubilation, yipping excitedly.

"You need to stick around kind lady, mine doesn't smile like that enough."

As soon as Bella hit the bench and placed her meal on the table it started. Jessica was off like a shot, asking her this and that. Some innocent enough (how are you liking this totally terrible weather, I have to pay for this tan) and some left her blushing and stuttering incompetently (you're quite pretty Bella, I'm sure you had to beat them off with a stick in Arizona, did you leave a hunky lover boy back home?).

The majority of the questions could be answered fairly simply and it didn't take much to keep Jess occupied and talkative. Bella didn't mind so much, she didn't have to carry the conversation and as it turned towards gossip on the other people there she found she learnt an awful lot.

Bella's gaze kept getting drawn to a group of teenagers sitting in the corner, mostly because she kept getting the feeling from there that she was being watched.


Edward POV

So what do you think Edward? Is this one as stupid as the others. The question had come from Rosalie and made Edward smirk. He hadn't yet delved into her thoughts but could only imagine how asinine and juvenile they would be. He wouldn't admit it to anyone but he was determined to think and find out the worst of this human who would apparently - according to his sister - be a terrible test of his determination and will.

"I haven't heard anything yet that I think is her, I don't know what her voice sounds like and with it being the first day of school, everyone else's thoughts are very distracting. Loud." When he did finally hear something in a voice he didn't recognize he was puzzled. She was mentally responding to something, a question or statement made, but he couldn't determine where what she was responding to was coming from. He made a concerned effort to listen more to the actual voices around him for a moment, but nothing was matching with what was coming from her head. His confusion was evident on his face and caused some alarm among his family. Jasper could feel the hesitation and fear rolling off of everyone bar Alice, she felt mildly annoyed and positively exuberant.

Yes, we get it you got laid! Woop de freaking do you stupid bird. Please shut your damned beak! The frustration was clear on the new girls face and Edward, against his will, chuckled lightly. He listened out for the bird noise she was hearing but didn't understand why she thought it was mating. It sounded like a generic coo to him. He shrugged, maybe she has a fascination with birds. Her previous, schizophrenic thoughts still troubled him though. It felt familiar.

"Well Edward, what do you think, could she be more than just trouble to you." Edward growled at Rosalie at that. Everyone, of course knew of Alice's premonition. Should he be seated in the same classroom as her, no one was ever going to leave alive. Her blood would be such a temptation that all his hard fought control would be out the metaphorical window and thirty murders would taint his hands.

"I don't know..." He hesitated but at Rosalie's glare continued, wary. "She was responding to someone, in her thoughts. I listened though, and it matching nothing that was being said around her. Or in the cafeteria. Or even in anyone's thoughts. She's hearing something I can't and it worries me. It could allow her to find out our family's secret perhaps." It was a complete and total lie that ending he tacked on but he couldn't help it. He wanted to leave. To get away from this creature who was destined to torment him so. Alice knew all this, and called her brother on it.

"That's bull and you know it Eddie," Alice used the much detested name, hoping to get under his skin. "You're just scared of her, scared of what I saw her doing to you. We switched classes, you don't have to be near her. You won't go near her." Alice growled, surprising everyone. Including herself.

Before anyone could mention her aggressive stance, Alice sprung to her feet lightly and seemingly danced out of the cafeteria. Dammit Alice, you're just doing this to keep Edward from killing someone, nothing more. The raven haired vampire was so preoccupied with her self chastisement that she missed the eyes that watched her exit.


Bella POV

Jessica however, noticed emphatically that Bella was paying her absolutely no mind and also where her attention had gone to. "Oh that's Alice Cullen." Bella whipped her head around so quickly Angela winced as she distinctly heard the small pop. Bella absently rubbed at the sore spot and queried Jessica further.

"It's kinda incestuous, their whole family, really. That big guy with the gorgeous muscles, that's Emmett. He's dating the blonde one who thinks she's better than everyone, Rosalie. Don't even think about asking Edward out, that's the other dark haired guy, he thinks he's better than everyone here too-" Bella internally snickered at that, wondering how many times she's asked him out on a date. "The last guy there is Jasper, he's really shy and never talks to anyone unless Alice is there with him and of course... "She paused for effect. "They're dating too!" Her eyes widened dramatically. "See? How family, incest everywhere."

"Jess, stop being judgmental. Bella, they're all adopted. There's no blood relation between them, though it is a bit strange that they're all dating each other I say power to them. Love is love in my opinion." Angela finished off the story, giving Bella some much needed information. I knew there was a reason I liked Angela, she's very sweet. Bella smiled at Ange, trying to distract herself from the desolation that she felt in hearing that Alice was already accounted for.


I think that is a nice enough place to end it for tonight. Next up: A very Cullen class for Bella. First real Alice Bella interaction comin' atcha. Also a bit more of our favorite feathered friend!

The attention this story has received so far has totally blew my mind, I can't believe all the kind words you've all given me. You can't even begin to know how much it all means to me and I hope beyond hope that you find the time to continue being the awesome individuals you've proven yourselves as.

I want to apologize for the delay in posting this chapter, I don't think it's been too long but I've just been ridiculously busy with a surprise move, college work and an upcoming surgery to think about. I've completely lost track of how many days have passed. I hope this sates you all until the next chapter.

ShadowCub, I hope you like what I did to Eric in this chapter.

I also want to thank tremendously everyone who gave me ideas and inspiration in reviews. I'm terribly excited to implement some of the amazing thoughts you all put forward. Grouped with my own ideas I think this is going to be a great ride guys!

Cheers dudes, stay awesome!