Disclaimer: I own nothing. All the characters belong to SM. I'm just a crazy fan with crazier imaginations. All the mistakes belong to me. I can say that.

xxx

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. – Albert Schweitzer

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Chapter 3: First Sight

So, we are here. The Forks High School.

Alice parks the old faded Chevy truck at the parking lot. Oh believe me, she did whine about riding it. But she has no option as her beloved Porsche is not here yet. Yes, she is getting her baby shipped here or who'd take care of it? She is 'her' momma after all. Her words, not mine.

Stupid pixie.

"Bell?" Alice's chiming voice snaps me out of my musings. "Yes, Ali."

"Are we ready?" She asks.

Are we ready? I know she is excited about today. But, the question is, am I ready?

Taking a deep breath I look at her. She is so happy and hopeful. I smile at her.

"Yes, Ali." She beams at me. "Everything will be fine Bella. More than fine." She points her forehead, "I know everything," and then winks at me.

For the first time today, I laugh, wholeheartedly. Have I said that this stupid little energetic pixie is the best cheerleader ever?

"So, let's go sis." She sings.

I nod my head in agreement.

Game on.

As we set our feet down on the premises, I see the curious glances. It is highly expected. And the most disturbing part of being somewhere new.

Ignoring them- though I am not unaffected like Ali; she is very confident where I find all of this intimidating- we head for the office where we find a red-head woman, wearing casual dress. So, no dress code. Her name-plate says Ms. Cope.

She looks up and sees us.

"Hello, we are Isabella Swan and Alice Brandon." Alice introduces us with a bright smile.

Very charming.

The look of recognition spreads across her face. Yeah, I know, the daughter of the late Chief Swan and his ex. I grimace.

"Oh, Isabella Swan and Alice Brandon. Welcome to Forks, sweeties." She greets us. Or I think so.

Sweeties? The endearment doesn't seem okay. Whatever. I try to give her a small smile.

"Here, I have your schedules and the school map right here." Alice takes the routines and maps.

"Good luck girls. I hope you'll enjoy it in Forks."

Good luck indeed. I am in desperate need of it.

"Thank you," we say together.

"See you later, Ms. Cope!" Alice says cheerfully with another bright smile and waves at her.

Getting out of the office, Ali checks my schedule before giving me it.

"Oh Bell, we have only English and Gym together." Why on earth gym? I should let the school authority know to put 911 on speed line.

I look at Ali, she is unhappy.

I sigh. "It's okay Alice, it's not like you'll be able to accompany me each and every time." I hate that I'm not confident.

"Bella, I have told you to cheer up, haven't I? Let's go to our first class." She drags me to the first class which happens to be English lit; I'm so looking forward to this class. The short pixie is hauling me, who is near one foot taller than her. Sometimes I really marvel at her strength.

There are stares everywhere we go. It's unnerving.

We go to English and to my utter relief; there is an empty desk at the back of the class, where the teacher instructs us to sit down. We will get less unwanted stares here. The syllabus is simple, nothing I can't handle.

After the class as we get up from our seats, a girl with light brown hair approaches us.

"Are you the newcomers?" She asks, clearly very curious.

Ugh, what a dumb question!

"Yes." Ali replies in a bored tone.

"By the way, I'm Jessica."

Ali introduces us, "Bella, my best friend," she points at me," and I'm Alice."

The girl, Jessica, eyes me up and down and then looks at Alice.

"So, you are from Phoenix?" Overly curious.

'Yeah." Alice says and then ignoring her burning curiosity, she takes my hand and tugs me out of the class.

"Let's go Bella, we will be late." I think she says that more to her than me.

We start to walk through the corridor. "How annoying, God!" Alice exclaims.

"Do you want me to walk with you to your next class, Bell?"

"No, I can find it by myself. And if I can remember it clearly, you also have a class to find, I think?" I dismiss her.

"Okay sis. Good luck. See you at lunch." She walks away, waving.

Taking a deep breath, I adjust my glasses and clutching my bag, start my 'journey' towards my destination.

History class should not be that hard to find.

Or…. Should it be?

I start to look at the directions pointed at the map and try to find the right path to my next lesson.

Suddenly, something bumps against me, or, I bump against something. Hard.

Ouch, I know the clumsy I am, I am gonna fall and embarrass myself.

But before I fall, two strong arms catch me and steady me holding my hips.

My pulse is racing. I can't look at my savior.

I close my eyes more firmly. Someone adjusts my glasses. I feel my cheeks getting hot.

Oh no.

Can't I die right now?

"Are you okay?" A velvet voice asks.

The hands on my hips haven't gone.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly open my eyes and see a pair of vivid forest green eyes staring at me.

The voice as beautiful as the eyes asks me again if I am okay.

I blink rapidly and start to back up.

Immediately the hands leave me and I feel empty. Empty? What am I thinking?

"I… I… Um, I am o-okay." I squeak closing my eyes and take a deep breath. My damned blush is getting worse.

Oh, how embarrassing. Wasn't I thinking of dying not so much time ago?

"Hey, you sure?"

This time I open my eyes and come face to face with an Adonis. My breath catches.

I clear my throat, "Yes," I mumble. "Sorry," I apologize lowering my eyes.

"For what?" He seems confused.

"Uh… for… for… bumping into you." Bella, what the hell is your problem?

"No need to apologize. I'm also the culprit here." He gives me a smile. It's crooked, for God's sake!

The damn blush is not going away. Most probably he is thinking that I'm a blushing freak.

Again I clear my throat, "Thank you for catching me, or I would've fell on my ass… I… oh, God…" My eyes go wide.

Oh no no no no no! Did I just say that?

"I… um… sorry." I stammer dropping my head again to hide my blush.

He laughs, a beautiful and carefree laugh.

I lift my head at the sound of it. It doesn't seem to be mean.

"By the way, I'm Edward Cullen." He holds his hand out to me for a hand shake with a charming smile.

Hesitantly I take his hand. And the emotions that go through me is very confusing. He is a safe zone for me.

Quickly I withdraw my hand from his grasp.

"Um, Bella… Bella Swan." I stutter again.

He gives me that crooked smile once again and I try hard not to blush any more.

"Uh, I have to go for my class." I just want to escape. I can feel the attention we are getting.

"Nice to meet you, Bella." He says with a smile. "Hope to see you very soon."

xxx

A/N: So, they met! Yay!

Let me know what you think, please.

Thanks to them who are following and have favorited and reviewed my crazy story. It means the world to me.

Love,

en-mi