Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

Chapter 4

I quietly went out the front door and grabbed my board. As soon as I got on my board and began boarding away did I breathe a sigh of relief. I boarded and did tricks all the way to school. When I was about halfway to school I could hear a car slowly driving past me; the person driving was probably watching me board. I didn't care; I was having too much fun. I did a spin and flip and then did my special, homemade trick. The Bella Ball I called it. I loved my trick. I sped up for it and when I reached a fence line I railed on it and at the end I stepped on the back of the board, propelling myself into the air and doing a sideways spinning flip, landing with perfection.

It was amazing. I was having so much fun, and school was just ahead, along with my awaiting ramp. I glanced to the side of me to look at the car that had been following me and watching me board.

It was the Cullen's and the Hale's. They were all staring at me openmouthed. Emmett was smiling hugely and giving me the thumbs up, and little Alice looked all excited, her eyes wide with anticipation. The other three were just staring with their mouths open. I shrugged and sped up towards my ramp, knowing they were watching me. I waved at the kind old man, who was as always sitting on his front porch, watching me. I sped up the ramp, flipped, and landed on the sidewalk in the school grounds.

I jumped off my board and carried it at my side as I went into school. Before I went inside I glanced back at the parking lot. The Cullen's and Hale's had pulled in and parked, and they were all staring at me. I could hear Emmett's booming laugh as they were talking. I turned around and went into the hallways, towards my locker. I threw my board in my locker and, after locking it up, went to first hour English. I remembered I had this class with Rosalie and grimaced at what might happen.

I sat in my seat in the back of the room and grabbed my finished typed essay and all my other work and laid it on Miss Greer's desk. I sat back down in my seat and sketched in my sketchbook again. I decided I'd sketch the classroom while it was vacant. I was finished with the sketch by the time the class started to come in, and I had to say, I couldn't tell much of the difference between my sketch and the classroom itself. I sat in my seat and watched as the students and the teacher entered.

When Miss Greer reached her desk she sat down and began looking over all my work. She smiled up at me and held out my notebook with my notes and stuff in it for me to take back. I got up and quietly made my way up front to grab my notebook.

As I sat back in my seat Rosalie walked through the door and her eyes immediately fell to me. She sat down next to me and a moment later I felt a sheet of paper hit my arm. I sighed and glanced down, reading it for a moment.

Hey, nice boarding out there this morning. - Rosalie

I sighed and responded to her. I really didn't want to have a conversation with Rosalie, since by the looks of it she'd be a top dog at messing with me later on. I responded to her anyways.

Thanks . I like boarding, its one of those spirit freers, you know? She probably thought I was crazy and would probably ask if I was mentally retarded or something. I didn't care. She slid the paper back and I read what she said in surprise.

Yeah, I know how you feel. That's me only with fixing and working on cars. I love cars.

If it weren't for the fact that she'll probably be teasing me in a week or so, we could probably be good friends. She liked cars. A lot. That was awesome.

Really? You like cars too? I never would've guessed. Wow. That's awesome. What's your favorite car, and what car project are you working on right now?

She smiled and spent a minute writing about the car she was working on and stuff like that. We had a nice conversation all and all. When the bell rang I stood up to leave but she put a hand on my arm.

"Hey, you should come sit by us at lunch, you would get along great with Emmett, he likes cars and sports and stuff. So whadd'ya say? " Rosalie asked. I couldn't believe this. Rosalie wanted me to sit by her at lunch. Me. Of all people. I nodded my head to her and turned away to go to math class.

Math class was one place where I was alone and could work in peace and feel happy about everything. I turned in all my math work to Mister Dreemon and went to my seat in the back of the room. I copied everything on the board and had no problems keeping up with the lecture, and was always the first in the class to have my work done. I sat back in my seat and watched the clock time tick by.

I counted down the seconds until the bell rang and packed up my stuff. The moment the bell rang I was already out of my seat and making my way out of the room. As I entered the Art room, I inhaled. Ah, the wonderful smell of fresh paints. I was hoping I'd get to paint today. I went over to Miss Streek and asked if I could get an easel and a canvas to paint on. She told me yes and went to get the canvas and easel for me while I grabbed my paints. I set the paints at my desk and set up the easel and canvas she brought back.

As I was sitting there, everyone else filed into the room, and I still hadn't thought of what to paint. Suddenly inspiration hit me, and I began painting away. I felt the presence of someone standing behind me, watching me paint. I ignored it; I was enjoying this too much. I was too deep in my work to care. I painted a small meadow, with the most beautiful flowers throughout it, and trees surrounding it on all sides. I painted the multiple shades of gray and white along the sky and added all the details to the trees and grass, so it looked like you were actually there, and it just had that beautiful, mysterious look to it.

When I was almost done I added the final touches; I painted a little girl. I painted a little girl, of a bout five years old, sitting in the center of the meadow. She had her knees brought up to her chest and she looked like she was crying. Her light brown hair had fallen down around her shoulders and back, and she looked so fragile, so special. She was facing away from me, curled up and crying. I added some rays of sunlight that shined down on her and finished off the painting. I loved it. It looked amazing.

I heard someone whistle lowly at my painting from behind me and I turned around. Edward Cullen was standing there looking at my painting. I was a little shocked at first; I didn't realize he was in this class too. But I guess that's to be expected in a school this tiny. I decided I'd ignore him for the time being and grabbed the easel and canvas, putting the easel away and showing the canvas to Miss Streek.

She looked overjoyed at my painting and told me how proud I should be of it. She said I could take this one home if I wanted. I was overjoyed. I knew it would go in my closet, but that was okay. I would pull it out to look at it sometimes. I put the canvas away for later and went back to my seat. Edward was sitting next to it, but I ignored him. I opened my sketchbook and immediately forgot about his presence as I flipped to the first available blank page. I thought for a moment, then began to sketch. Edward was looking over my shoulder, watching the sketched image begin to appear, and I heard him gasp quietly at the image, but I ignored it, not remembering he was there.

I was sketching his family from lunch yesterday. I sketched them all sitting there, laughing and having a good time. They were in their circle on the grass, Emmett was in the process of messing with Jasper's hair, and Alice was laughing with Rosalie at the sight. Edward was smiling his crooked smile and laughing with them. That was the moment I had smiled yesterday, for no reason at all. Just because I felt pure joy from watching them.

I suppose this would mean I had a photographic memory, which was probably true. But I didn't care, as long as I got my pictures right, I was content. I finished sketching the group of them and then made the background with all the other students and what they were doing. When I was finished I admired my work and then remembered that Edward was sitting right there, looking at my picture, and I froze. I saw a pale hand reach out in front of me and grab my sketchbook, and I didn't move. I only thawed out when the sketchbook was out of my sight, and I could hear Edward going through my sketches.

I glanced over his shoulder at all the sketches he was looking at. The only other person in the world who had seen those sketches besides me was Miss Streek, and she never saw the meaning of the pictures, just the beauty. But I could tell from Edward's eyes that he understood the meaning and feelings behind every picture. Maybe the feelings more than the meanings, but they were apparently clear enough. When he was done he slid the sketchbook back to me and just sat there in deep concentration, as if he was trying to remember something important. Like he was trying to figure something out. After a while he softened and loosened up, sighing and exhaling the breathe he had apparently been holding.

After a moment of coming back into the real world, he looked over at me. He stared into my eyes, as if searching for something. He didn't seem satisfied with what he found there apparently, because he kept searching. I knew what he was looking for. He was looking for the life in my eyes. For the pain, the sorrow. I hid them all behind blankness and a look of dead zombie-like eyes. He kept searching and soon I felt myself thawing out.

The life was starting to creep into my eyes, and I couldn't stop it. The life, the sorrow, the pain, every emotion I commonly felt, creeped back into my eyes and Edward saw it, he saw it all. I figured since its going back anyways I might as well let it loose. His eyes widened a little at the sight of it. He could now see every fiber of pain and hurt in me, right there in my eyes. And the force of it had shocked him.

He looked so upset, so sorry for me. That was a new one. He seemed like he was hurting at the sight of me. I closed my eyes, holding back anything else, for I knew he didn't want to see all the loneliness and dread enter my eyes too, I had held those back for his sake. He looked so heartbroken, and I was confused by that. Why would he feel heartbroken for my sake? I wasn't anything special, everyone hated me. Why do these new kids care so much? First Rosalie, then Edward? I thought.

I just didn't get it, at all. The bell rang, releasing us all from Art, and I walked up to Miss Streek's desk first, as always, and showed her my sketches. She looked at my sketch from in here and the one I did this morning and marked it down in her grade book.

I entered history class and helped Rosalie with her work today, since I was done, and was in Swedish before I could blink, or so it seemed. As I was entering class Miss Teemor, a Swedish woman as it happened, started talking to me in her native tongue. "Bella, how var din dag? Auktoriserat inte du få all din verk gjort och vända alt i? " (Translated:"Bella, how was your day? Did you get all your work done and turn it all in? ")

I smiled and easily replied "Ja Missa Teemor, I did. I har en underbar day. Otherwise dess samma gammal samma old, as alltid. " (Translated:"Yes Miss Teemor, I did. I am having a wonderful day. Otherwise its same old same old, as always. ").

I smiled to her and she smiled back and said to me "JAG tänka du har bemästrat Svensk ung Ringklocka! Congradulations! Jag er så stolt av du! " (Translated:"I think you have mastered Swedish young Bella! Congradulations! I'm so proud of you! ") I smiled to her, I was happy too. This meant I could officially start Dutch class, early even. I was so excited. I thanked Miss Teemor and she said I could go to the office now and Miss Nole would switch my schedule from Swedish to Dutch without messing with the rest of my schedule. I thanked her again and left the class.

I went to the office and Miss Nole had no problems switching my schedule so that I had Dutch, and this way none of my other classes got moved. She told me class would be out soon and that I could just head straight for the cafeteria. I nodded to her and left, heading for the cafeteria to grab a salad and a green apple.

I went outside and sat under my tree, waiting for the bell to ring. It rang right when I finished my salad. I got up and threw my salad away, and sat back down in my spot, with my apple; I'd eat it in a minute. I was looking for Rosalie. After about five minutes the Cullen's and Hale's made their way outside and sat where they did yesterday. When Rosalie sat down she didn't pay attention to the others; her eyes were scanning the school, looking for me.

I sighed and a small smile graced my lips at the fact that she actually wanted me to sit with them. I got up and started walking toward them, when Rosalie saw me she waved me over enthusiastically, and I couldn't help but smile. She patted the spot between her and Edward and I obliged and sat down.

Edward looked up at me in surprise when I sat down next to Rosalie, as did everyone else. I didn't mind, I was used to the stares. Emmett cracked a huge grin and waved, I waved back, I couldn't help but smile too. Rosalie spoke up then.

"Guys, this is Bella, I have English and History with her. " she said.

Emmett laughed and stuck out his hand. I shook it and he said" Hey Bella! I'm Emmett! "

"I know" I said. It was no big deal that I knew his name, but he looked surprised by it and said "You know my name? " I looked up at all their confused expressions.

"Huh? Yeah. I heard you all talking yesterday and got your names from it. Your Emmett and Alice and Jasper and Edward" I said to them, pointing to them each in turn. They all looked shocked, but Emmett recovered quickly and laughed his booming laugh. The others joined in and once our laughter died away they were all watching me.

I took a couple bites from my apple. Apparently Emmett doesn't understand the concept of silence because he said "Hey, that was some awesome skateboarding you did this morning Bells, seriously. I didn't know anybody could board that good! " He laughed and I laughed too.

"Yeah I remember, you were giving me the big thumbs up, yeah. "I laughed again and thought back to skateboarding this morning.

"So, Bella, what is it you like to do?" Edward asked me. The others all turned their eyes towards me questionably.

I sighed and answered "Well, I love to draw, sketch, and paint as Edward found out this morning. And as Rosalie found out this morning I love sports, skateboarding and cars. I love music and can play the flute, piano, guitar, and drums. I am an excellent singer and an advanced student. Next week I'll be taking math, science, and English with a college teacher every day as my lessons. I am fluent in English, Spanish, French, Swedish, and German. Tomorrow I start learning Dutch. I am a health expert and could easily work as a doctor or nurse, and I love apples. "I concluded. They all stared at me open mouthed and Emmett whistled.

"Wow" Edward and Alice said together. I smiled shyly and continued to eat my apple. When they all thawed out they kept staring at me. Alice looked overly excited, and I couldn't figure out why.

"You okay Alice? You look kinda keyed up there girl. "I said to Alice. Instead of Alice answering me, Edward did.

"Alice is also fluent in Spanish, she lived in Mexico for about a year before she was adopted, so she picked up on the language. Alice has never meant anyone else who was fluent in Spanish. " he told me quietly. I smiled and started conversing with the excited Alice in Spanish, and we both talked a lot faster than normal as we spoke, so no-one could really understand us. But we could understand each other quite easily, and we were having a good time. After a while we stopped talking and laughed. Alice jumped up and ran over to hug me, and I stiffened in surprise. Everybody laughed and I joined them; I was actually having a good time. The bell rang, dismissing us to our classes.

When I entered science class I walked straight over to Mister Harris and gave him my work, which I had completed that morning. He nodded to me after looking it over and I went to the back of the room to my seat. Science went by way too fast, and I knew that meant something was going to happen.

I sighed and knew I was probably going to get picked on by someone after gym, probably get shoved in a locker or beaten up or something. Maybe I could convince them to leave me alone if I showed them a few bruises, saying I already got beaten up today. It usually worked, but then the next day they wouldn't care. It was the way my schedule worked.

As I entered the girl's locker room I knew I wasn't getting out of this one. The moment I walked in two people grabbed both my arms and pulled me to the back corner of the locker room. Of course it was Lauren and her cronies, Jessica and Angela. Angela used to be a nice girl, she used to be shy and care about me a bit, but now she was just as bad as Jessica. Always picking on me and teasing me. Beating me up and trying to mess with my self-esteem.

That was the ironic part. What self-esteem?

They pulled me into the back and Jessica grabbed my hair and pulled on it viscously. They expected me to be in pain? To sob and fall on the floor, begging them to stop? Ha, yeah right. I just stood, not moving at all, for the hair pulling didn't do anything for me. I considered my options. I could either stay here while they kick me. . . or I could pull their hair once and have them fall to the floor while I walk away to get changed and get into gym where the teachers and Emmett were. I chose plan B.

Before Lauren could punch me I grabbed her and Jessica's hair in one hand and Angela's in another and pulled on it once. They all yelled "Ow!" and fell to the ground, holding their hair. I jogged to my stuff and changed before they got up. When Lauren got up off the floor I sprung up and out into the gym. We had a free hour to mingle with the guys today. I was fervently grateful and I went to stand by Emmett and Alice, knowing the girls would be after me in a heartbeat.

"Hey bells!" Emmett said excitedly. I laughed at him; he was such a child. Alice laughed too; it sounded like wind chimes, and smiled. Right about then Lauren, Jessica, and Angela came out of the girl's locker room looking for me. When they saw me, they only saw me. That could be used to my advantage.

"Hey Emmett," I said, and Emmett looked my direction questionably, "would you like to help me? I need you to do a little scaring. "The moment I said the word scaring Emmett's big grin lit up his face and he nodded enthusiastically.

"Okay, all you gotta do is be all tough and menacing for me, okay? Like guard type menacing. I just need your help for a sec, okay? "I asked him. He nodded and easily took on the role of bodyguard, all big and menacing.

"Okay, see those three girls? They're the school bitches as I call them, and they're like to mess with me, so I need you to make sure that they're scared of ya, okay? "I asked him. He grinned slightly, then took on the menacing role again. Lauren, Angela, and Jessica still didn't notice Emmett in the slightest and were almost to me.

When they were about ten feet in front of me they slowed down slightly and Lauren said "You're gonna pay for that Swannie!" She came and stood directly in front of me and threw a punch at my face, which I easily dodged. Then she kicked me in the stomach, and I almost doubled over. That's when Emmett decided to let his presence be known. He picked up Lauren and held her by her shoulders and stared at her.

He wasn't acting any more, he was mad. He didn't seem to realize that this was the way my life went at school, every day. And he already hated it. He stared at Lauren angrily and I could tell he was debating on whether or not he should punch her straight in the face. Lauren and the others were staring at Emmett with wide, fearful eyes. They were truly afraid of him. I don't blame them. I'd be afraid too.

"You leave Bella alone, got it? "Emmett asked in a deadly quiet voice. They all nodded their heads frantically and he set Lauren down. The moment her feet touched the floor the three of them scurried away to the opposite side of the gym. I sighed in relief and put my hands on my stomach, finding the bruise from where Lauren kicked me and wincing at the spot she picked. She kicked me where Charlie had stabbed me, and now it felt like it was bleeding again, through the wrapping now. That was frustrating.

"Thanks Emmett" I told him. He just nodded, his jaw still tense and his eyes murderous. He calmed down after a moment and looked over at me. Lucky me that every year in gym I was allowed to wear sports pants and a long sleeved shirt, otherwise I'd be in huge trouble. Emmett checked me over for a moment and I told Alice that I needed to go in the locker room for a moment, and she said she'd come with me.

We went in the locker room and I hurried over to my bag. I pulled out my large wrapping roll and pulled up my shirt a little. I would normally re-wrap it, but now I think I should just wrap the new gauze around the old. It would work just as nicely. I pulled up my shirt and wrapped the gauze around the original wrap and sealed it off. I pulled my shirt back down and could feel that the bleeding had stopped for the most part, thanks to the new layer to add pressure to.

I put my wrapper away and looked up at Alice. She was frozen nearly mid-step staring at my stomach. Her eyes flickering between my stomach and my eyes, trying to figure out what had happened. I sighed and she rested on my eyes.

"It's okay Alice, I accidentally tripped the other day and got a cut on my stomach, the kick just reopened it is all." I lied to her. It sounded convincing, but I could tell she didn't buy it at all. She kept eyeing my stomach. I sighed and grabbed her hand, leading her back into the gym towards Emmett. He was playing basketball with the other guys.

Alice sat down, but I didn't sit with her; I wanted to play. When Emmett's team scored a point I called to Emmett.

"Hey Emmett! Mind if I join? "I asked him. He looked at the other guys and they all shrugged. He said "Sure. You can be on my team. We'll go easy on ya. " He laughed. I snorted.

"Seriously, if you go easy on me there's no fun at all. Let's do this! " I told him, jogging to his side. He glanced at me sideways and I nodded to him. He said "Okay, we won't. Just watch yourself. " I laughed at him and the game started. I loved sports. Not only did I love watching them, but I was good at them too. I stole the ball easily from Tyler and he tried to kick me as I stole it, but I was too fast. I dribbled down the court, and made a shot from just after mid-court.

The court was small, so that wasn't a huge distance, but for a girl it should have been. Tyler's team was just staring at me and Emmett's team was all cheering. I smiled and played some more. By the end of the hour, Emmett's team was in the lead by 21 points. The whole team gave me high-fives and we all cheered together. I had gotten most of our points, being so small.