Hello All,

Here is the first chapter. It only has one song, because this is a major information chapter, and I couldn't find another place to put one. From now on, I'm shooting for at least 2 songs a chapter. Wish me luck.

Switz

Song: On My Own by Three Days Grace

I guess I might as well give you some background information so you know who and what I'm talking about later. Do you want the long version or the short version? I feel like the long version, so here it goes. Wait, how far back should I go? Let's go really far...

My birthday is April 28, 1990. My dad's name is Charlie, he's the chief of police. Sounds impressive, huh? It's not that impressive seeing as we live in a small town like Forks. And no, Forks is not the Fork Capital of the World. That would be Spoonville in Kentucky. Moving on, my mom's name is Marie Fiser. I don't like to talk about her too much. All I'll say is that she left when I was 3. Because of that, I had to deal with 6 years of heartbreak songs from Dad. Not very fun.

As you probably guessed, my half-sister, Bella, and I share the same dad. She's really shy, and clumsy. Who could forget that time she managed to knock over the couch, the fridge, and throw an end table out the window in the course of 2 minutes? Even today no one knows how she managed to do that. She used to visit every summer, and we got along great. Together, we would go to La Push and hang out with Jacob Black. Those were fun days. Too bad Bella is no longer with us. Whoops. You did not just read that last sentence. Ignore it. It will make more sense when my story is done.

Anyway, Bella came to live with Charlie and me 3 years ago. I think I was around 14 then, just starting high school. Bella was a junior. I think that's enough information for now. I'll start my story now.

The day Bella arrived was a pretty quiet day. Dad had only sung one song so far. I think that might have been a record. I was practically bouncing around the house waiting for Bella. Dad already had Bella's super-old truck sitting in the driveway. I knew she'd love it.

When I heard Dad's cruiser in the driveway, I bolted outside and gave Bella a ginormous (A/N: yes, I use made up words) hug. Bella seemed happy enough to be at her new home.

"Yay!, You're here! I can't wait to show you the high school tomorrow, I just know you'll absolutely love it! Oh, and your room is right next to mine Bella, and we can sleepovers in each other's rooms every weekend and can we please please please have a sleepover tonight?"

"Calm down, Maddy!" Bella caught my arms and out them at my sides. I hadn't realized I had been jumping up and down. "We will have plenty of sleepovers, but not tonight; I want to get settled in first, ok?" She gave me a hopeful smile.

"Okay, then. Can I help you with your stuff?"

"Thanks Maddy," Oh, I love the way Bella smiles. It is just so heartwarming. "You lead the way." And off we went to Bella's room.

Dinner was quiet, thank goodness. It was a little awkward, and we didn't really talk about much. Bella and I made a little small talk, but Dad just kept his mouth full the whole time so he wouldn't be obligated to talk. Bella disappeared upstairs quickly after dinner, saying she was tired from traveling. I said goodnight to Dad and went to my room soon after. As I sat at my desk, attempting to concentrate on my Geometry homework, the music started. Oh, no, I thought, what is Bella going to sing now? Pushing aside my homework, I sat to listen in.

I walk alone, think of home

Memories of long ago

No one knows I lost

My soul long ago

Whoa, there. "Lost my soul"? What is Bella singing about? I listened more intently as she started belting out the chorus, she sounded on the verge of tears.

Lied too much

She said that she'd had enough

Am I too much

She said she'd had enough

Standing on my own

Remembering the one I left at home

Forget about the life I used to know

Forget about the one I left at home

I need to run far away

Can't go back to that place

Like she told me

I'm just a big disgrace

Even at 14, randomly breaking out into song annoyed me. It was still tolerable, but really, really, annoying. Despite that, there was only one reason I liked all of the songs. I get to hear everybody sing about their lives while everyone else is oblivious. I love being a know-it-all, and trust me, this was the best and easiest way to get information.

I didn't bother listening to the rest of Bella's song, because she was just repeating the chorus a lot. Now that I really thought about it, Dad had never told me why Bella had come to live with us in Forks. That was a good question. Over the years, Bella only had good stuff to say about her mom and Phoenix. Why would she want to leave that behind? Her song obviously meant something went wrong in Phoenix. Being the nosy person I am, I decided to investigate. For the record, part of me was concerned about Bella, but the rest was just curious.

I went downstairs to get a glass of water before I talked to Bella. Dad was already in bed. Bella came downstairs. She appeared to be in a normal mood; no evidence of the breakdown I just heard showed. Bella was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. Which was odd because she had arrived in and eaten dinner in a black and white polka-spot dress. Wouldn't you think she want to put on her pajamas?

"Oh, hi Maddy," Bella seemed surprised to find me up this late.

"Hey Bella. How come you changed?"

"Ehhh...I'm going for a walk," She did not sound like she was going for a walk.

"Can I go with you?" I could start to get to the bottom of that song if we went for a walk. That is, IF we went for a walk.

"You better not. It's late and you have school tomorrow, Maddy." Great, now she sounded like my mother.

"You have school, too. Please?" I couldn't help but whine a little.

"No." Bella used her that's-my-final-answer voice. I knew I had lost.

"Fine," I hung my head in defeat, "Have fun then."

"Ok. Night, Maddy,"

"Night," But she was already out the door, gone in the blink of an eye. Hmmm..., I thought, that was odd.

How was it? I love constructive criticism, so bring it on. Next chapter should be up by Sunday night, or Monday morning, depending.

Switz