1. FORKS

"BELLA, HONEY, ARE REALLY SURE YOU WANT TO DO THIS?" MY MOTHER, RENEE ASKED in a worried tone, before I boarded the plane.

"Mom, I can assure you I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. This is what I want to do," I told her.

"Okay," she sighed nervously. "Do you have everything?"

"Out of the millions of times you made me check and go over everything, you still ask me that question?" I teased. "I have everything. I'm ready." I bit my lip on that last part. I couldn't believe I was really going to live my life in Forks, Washington with my father, Charlie. Sure I was doing a good thing, but was it really worth leaving my mother? Of course, she had Phil, my step dad, so everything will most likely get paid and shopped for, but I still had that feeling of guilt in the pit of my stomach…

"Be careful. Tell Charlie I said hi."

"Of course. I love you, Mom."

"Oh, I love you too," she sighed hugging me and kissing my forehead.

I sighed and nodded. I had walked a few feet just before boarding the plane before I looked back at her one last time. I took a deep breath and waved to her and she still stood there watching me go, arms folded across her chest, tears in her eyes.

The flight wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Now being alone with Charlie in the car was what I was worried about…

"Hey, Bells," Charlie greeted me as I stepped off the plane.

"Hi, Dad." I wasn't aloud to address him as Charlie.

"How was the flight?"

"It was fine. Not as long as I expected."

He nodded and smiled awkwardly taking my bag.

"I've got it," I insisted tightening my hold on the thick, brown handle.

Charlie, also known as Police Chief Swan to the people of Forks, led me to his police cruiser. It was the last car I wanted to be seen driven around town in. A police escort wasn't my first idea of a warm welcome to my new town, but I didn't want to say anything to upset him. So I let him take my bag and throw it in the backseat before climbing in the passenger seat next to him.

"Are you ready?" he asked clearing his throat. He was just as shocked as I was about making this decision. My distaste for Forks hadn't been hidden, but I knew I was doing him a favor, me coming to live with him in this small and quaint town. What could possibly go wrong? I frowned at that. A lot could go wrong.

"How's Renee?" he asked turning the key in the ignition.

"She's doing fine. She says hi."

"Oh, really?" he smiled pleased.

Not much conversation was made after that. He wasn't one for small talk, and neither was I. I just continued to stare out my window when a small house came into view.

Charlie's house. The white house looked the same as I remembered it being…old and in need of a paint job.

"Welcome home," he said holding out his hands.

"Thank you Ch—Dad, for letting me live with you here in Forks."

"Well you are my daughter, after all."

I nodded and hopped out of the cruiser, heading to the back to grab my bags before he could.

"Um, I have a surprise for you," he said, scratching his head.

I raised my eyebrows without meeting his gaze. "A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

I walked in front of the cruiser that was parked in front of the house and stared at an old red Chevy in the driveway. How could I have not noticed the vehicle before?

"I thought since you were here you would like a car of your own to drive. So—" He held out his hands to the truck and walked over to it. "Surprise."

"You didn't have to buy me a car, Dad. I was going to look into getting one once I got here."

"I wanted to. I got it for good money."

"How much?" I asked, raising one eyebrow.

"Free," he grinned, embarrassed.

"Free? But how…?"

"Do you remember Billy Black down on the reservation of La Push?"

I nodded remembering. "Of course I do. He's practically family."

"Well, he's in a wheel chair now and was going to get rid of it so I took it off his hands for you. He was thrilled to hear you were coming to Forks again after so long," he frowned.

His statement made me feel guilty. It had been three years since I'd been here. I had made myself clear that I didn't want to spend my summers down here in Forks when I was fourteen. So now Charlie and I just spent two weeks bonding in California every year instead of coming to this rainy town. "Thanks, Dad," I said trying to smile. "I love it."

"No problem, kid."

I walked into the house with my bags in my hands and he said conversationally, "You remember Jacob Black?"

The name sounded familiar, but not for someone I knew. "Name sounds familiar."

"He's about your age. Good kid," he nodded.

"Where are you going with this?" I asked crossing my arms, setting my bags at the bottom of the stairs looking at him.

"Why do you suspect I'm taking this somewhere?" Charlie asked innocently.

I smiled and waited for him to continue.

"I just thought you would want to know he has a son, that's all."

"How old is he?" I asked, trying to play along.

"Sixteen."

"Sixteen?" I asked again, referring to my age. Seventeen.

"Kid's wise beyond his years," Charlie mumbled.

I grinned and shook my head walking upstairs with my bags. "Thanks."

The room was the same as I remembered it being a few years ago. Same light blue walls, and the bed was in the same spot just next to my mirror. I sighed and looked around the room setting my bags by the closet. Welcome home.

I was sitting on my bed for a few minutes memorizing the room when I heard a knock on my door. "Bella, there's someone here to see you, and there's someone I want you to meet."

My eyebrows creased thinking about who could possibly be here to visit me. I slowly rose from my bed and swung the door open stopping at the foot of the stairs.

Billy Black sat there in his wheelchair smiling up at me with a tall boy standing next to him smiling too. I could already assume who it was before words were spoken.

"How are you, Bella?" Billy asked.

"Hi, Billy," I grinned. "I'm good. And yourself?"

"Excellent."

"Hey, Bella," the boy waved. "I'm Jacob Black. You probably don't remember me, but we were friends when we were younger," he said quietly.

I knew it. I quickly looked at Charlie at the name and then back at Jacob walking down the stairs. I hadn't remembered being friends with him when we were younger and I felt guilty at that. He did seem wise beyond his years, but I wasn't about to admit that to Charlie. He looked to be six foot five, if not taller. His long black hair sat at his shoulders and part of it was pulled up. His russet skin looked dark compared to my pale white skin. His brown eyes, nearly black, were warm and friendly watching me.

"It's nice to see you again, Jacob," I said finally, trying not to sound lost. "My dad mentioned you just a moment ago," I said looking over at Charlie, who smiled embarrassed.

Jacob grinned. "Really?" he asked amused.

I sighed and smiled, nodding.

"Why don't we go watch the game, Billy and give these kids some privacy to catch up on things," Charlie said looking at Billy who grinned.

"Sure, sure," he nodded.

I glared at my dad and smiled at Jacob awkwardly as he stilled grinned at me.

"I think we've been set up," he spoke quietly.

"No," I smiled sarcastically.

"Well we could do them a favor," he said patting the step next to him at the bottom of the stairs as he sat down.

I grinned and went to sit down next to him, wrapping my arms around my legs.

I tucked my hair behind one ear. "So you live in La Push?" I asked without looking at him.

He grinned at my effort to make conversation but played along, for Charlie and Billy were most likely listening…for now. They wouldn't be for long with the game going on. "Yeah. And you live in Forks?"

"Now," I said looking around the small house.

"Did your mom kick you out?" he grinned.

I glared at him and pushed his knees. "No, this was my choice. Besides I'm only seventeen. And I thought Charlie could use some help around the house with the cooking and the cleaning."

He nodded and looked around the house also. "I see what you mean."

"It'll look better your next visit." I stopped awkwardly. "If you're going to visit again, I mean."

He grinned at my awkwardness. "Of course. Billy likes to come down here often for the game so I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other."

He seemed at ease talking to me and I smiled too. He was looking down at me and I straightened up. I stood up and walked into the kitchen as he followed behind me. He leaned casually against the wall as I went over to the sink a few inches from him.

We were silent for a little while as I tried to avoid his eyes. What dad's set their children up to talk alone? Oh wait, ours. Talk about awkward.

"You should come down to La Push sometime," Jacob said finally. "I'm sure you would like it down there."

I nodded. "I'll come as soon as I can. I'm sure it's nice there then it is here."

I heard Billy and Charlie cheer in the other room screaming "touchdown!"

Billy's wheelchair came down the hall as he circled around the corner to where Jacob and I were.

"I thought we left you alone to catch up on things," Charlie grinned.

I rolled my eyes and looked at him. "We were talking as a matter of fact before you walked in."

"Really? What about?"

I cleared my throat.

"We were just talking about how Bella should come down to La Push soon to come and visit," Jacob grinned. He seemed to enjoy this plan. I noticed he wasn't afraid to tell Charlie either.

"What a great idea," Billy nodded. "Bella would love it. She hasn't been down there in so long…"

"I'm looking forward to visiting soon," I said nodding.

Billy nodded and Jacob smiled at me. "We'd better get going, Charlie. Great game," Billy waved as Jacob opened the door for him.

"Definitely. Come back soon," Charlie waved as they walked out the door. My dad looked in my direction and tried to smile without looking embarrassed.

I glared at him. "How could you do that to me!"

He shrugged. "Sorry, Bells. Just thought you would like to get to know someone from around here and catch up on things, you haven't seen him in so long…"

"Sure," I said angrily. "Next you're going to set me up with every boy in Forks!"

"Not every boy. I amyour dad. The last thing I want is for you to go out with some guy you don't even know."

I crossed my arms. "Like I really know Jacob."

"I know him. And I say he's a good kid."

I sighed. "Alright. I'm not interested in going out with anyone though."

"Fine by me. That's music to a father's ears," he shrugged walking out of the room.

I groaned and went back upstairs to my room. School should be interesting tomorrow, I thought to myself. Just as long as I don't get another set up like that from Charlie again, then I have a feeling things are going to be picture perfect. I sighed. Definitely not picture perfect.

I got into my truck the next morning and turned the key in the ignition slumping in my seat. The car started slowly and made a loud groaning sound. It wasn't any happier to be going to school either.

I pulled into the school's parking lot and looking up at the school. It was a small school. It was a red, brick building and spread over about a quarter of the parking lot. I put the car in park and took the key out of the ignition stuffing it in my school bag. I looked around as students flooded the parking lot. They all seemed to be staring at me. There was a new car in their parking lot…and a new face at their school. Me.

I slowly stepped out of the vehicle and I tried to avoid each pair of eyes as they looked at me.

I inhaled a big breath and starting walking towards the school. I just got to the front of the school when a boy approached me, a huge grin spread across his face.

His blonde hair was combed back and his childlike eyes and face watched me as I stopped, looking at him.

"Hi, you must be Isabella Swan," he smiled.

"Bella," I corrected him.

"Sorry. I'm Mike Newton." He held out his hand and I shook it watching his expression brighten (if that were even possible). "Welcome to Forks."

"Thanks," I replied.

"Where's your first class?" It was a little forward, but I didn't mind. Seeing a friendly face instead of thousands of pairs of eyes staring at you was a great sight.

"Mr. Birdy's class," I replied taking out my schedule. I still hadn't memorized it. "History."

"I have that class this period too. I can escort you there if you'd like."

"You don't have to do that—"

"It's no problem. Let's go."

I followed him as we walked side by side through the halls. "Thanks," I said.

"Hey, like I said, no prob. So where are you from?"

"Phoenix, Arizona."

He looked at me and then out into the distance. Everyone was pale here so I didn't stand out. But being from Phoenix might change that…

He hesitated. "Isn't it sunny in Phoenix?"

"Very sunny. I know I'm pale and it's a bit of a shock considering I lived there my whole life."

"No, that's not what I meant," he said quickly.

I laughed. "It's okay, Mike. I don't stand out here."

He pulled his eyebrows together and lifted one hand to his face.

I grinned. "I'm joking." So not joking.

He sighed. "Good. I'm trying to get a tan, but I can't quite do that in Forks now can I?" he asked pointing all around him.

"I've noticed," I said, trying to keep my voice calm as he reminded me. I was annoyed with the weather here.

Forks was a very rainy town. The sun hardly ever shone, and if it did, it was amazing. I wasn't in favor of cold weather. I also wasn't used to wearing this much clothing either. I missed the hot ground underneath my feet as I walked down the streets of Phoenix, nothing but a tank top and shorts. That was where I was from, and that was the weather that I loved.

Mike opened the door to Mr. Birdy's classroom as gestured for me to go inside.

All eyes were on me as I found a seat in the back of the room with Mike.

I doodled on a sheet of paper in front of me after Mr. Birdy introduced me to the class. He went on about today's history lesson about Hathor, the goddess of the sky, love, beauty and music.

"Hathor was the daughter of Ra, the sun god. In early Egyptian times…" Mr. Birdy went on and I just tuned him out after that. Greek mythology wasn't the subject I took most interest in. Mike seemed to be falling asleep himself.

"Are you catching any of this?" Mike whispered leaning over to me as I sat to the left of him.

I shook my head and looked at him. "All I got was that she was the goddess of the sky, love, beauty and music and that she was the daughter of Ra, the sun god," I replied.

He raised his eyebrows. "You got more then me," he muttered looking back down at his desk. "I sure hope we don't have a test on this."

I quietly crumpled up my paper and slumped down in my seat. The bell chimed and I nearly jumped out of my seat swinging my bag onto my shoulder darting towards the door.

I stopped at my locker as I shoved a few books into it and Mike followed me. "Whoa where's the fire?" he asked.

I sighed and looked at him. "There's no fire. I was just anxious to get to my next class, that's all." And even more anxious for this day to be over with, I thought.

Mike nodded and showed me to the rest of my classes, as if I had a choice.

I literally ran to lunch as soon as we were dismissed and didn't waste a second packing up my things (I'd already done that minutes before the bell).

Mike waved to me when I paid for my food and I looked over at his table smiling. It was nice to see a friendly and familiar face. He gestured for me to come sit with him. I cleared my throat and quickly crossed the cafeteria as people…well you get the idea, stared at me.

"Hey, Bella," Mike grinned as I sat next to him.

"Hi, Mike."

"I wanted to introduce you to some of my friends, if that's alright."

"Sure," I said a little embarrassed as everyone at his table stared at me.

"Bella this is Jessica Stanley, Eric Yorkie, Angela Weber, Tyler Crowley and Lauren Mallory. " Mike said pointing to each of them.

Jessica's wavy brown hair bounced as she ran her fingers through it smiling at me. "Hi, Bella."

I smiled and nodded. "Hi, um, Jessica," I said trying to remember her name.

Eric's brown eyes blinked a few times as he looked at me and flipped his straight black hair out of his eyes before speaking. "Hey, Bella. It's nice to meet you."

"'S Nice to meet you too."

Angela grinned shyly pressing her glasses up a little and tucking her black hair behind her ears. "Hi, Bella. It's a great to meet you. Mike was just talking about you."

"Talking about you? He was—"

Mike glared at Eric and he clamped his mouth shut.

Jessica slapped Eric's arm and he rubbed it frowning. "Ignore him, Bella."

I laughed nervously and cleared my throat.

Tyler waved and smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Bella Swan. Mike has told us a lot about you," he agreed smiling at Mike who scowled.

I grinned at Mike who looked down embarrassed.

Lauren looked up at me and just waved as she went back to talking to Jessica. I waved back and raised my eyebrows, as she said nothing more.

I sighed as my eyes wandered the room. My breath caught in my throat as they stopped on a table.

Five people sat at the table, all equally breathtaking. None of them ate or spoke to one another as they all looked in different directions away from the rest of us. Two girls and three boys, all with the same pale white skin, paler than anyone else I'd met today, even paler than me, the 'albino', as I liked to call myself.

I watched them with curious eyes until one pair met mine almost as if he were angry. His bronze hair was swept back as he glared at me. A hint of curiosity glistened in his eyes, but then disappeared, replacing by a hard and cold stare. His eyes were coal black, even far away. His lips were pursed into an angry line and he looked away from me in almost an instant. My shoulders slumped with disappointment at his reaction. What had I done wrong?

"What are you staring at?" Mike asked, jealously mild in his tone.

I looked away, my cheeks flushing red. "Nothing, Mike. Nothing."

"The Cullen's," Lauren informed me from across the table. "Don't waste your time. They don't talk to anyone. Don't interact with anyone. Nothing." Her tone was bored as she turned away from me.

"Huh?" I asked confusingly.

She groaned and then leaned across the table towards me. "If you really must know. They live with Dr. Carlisle Cullen his wife. None of them are related, though. Dr. Cullen and his wife adopted them. The blondes are Jasper and Rosalie Hale. The little girl is Alice Cullen. The big one is Emmett Cullen, and the one over there is Edward Cullen." She scowled a little at his name. "Thinks he's too good for any of the girls at this school. Let him think what he wants. He'll soon realize that I'm plenty good for him."

I gaped at Edward as he returned my gaze and then slowly turned back to Lauren. "Adopted?"

"I know. Weird right? Seems to me they all look plenty alike."

I nodded. "Weird."

"Hey," she said putting her hand roughly on my shoulder. "I said don't waste your time. And really take my word for it. Don't." She stood up with Jessica and then went to dump her trash, heading out the cafeteria doors.

"Edward," I whispered. "Edward Cullen."

Edward looked at me instantly. Almost like I had called his name. But he couldn't have heard me. From across the cafeteria with a plethora of teens talking…he couldn't have heard my one small whisper. I blinked in amazement.

"Bella," he whispered. I didn't hear him, but his mouth moved, forming the shape of my name perfectly on his cold hard lips.