Bitten

A/N: This is the first story I've ever just written on a whim- meaning I didn't really sit down and plan out a basic sequence of events, or spend a few days pondering it over in my head. Inspiration hit, and I took it, despite the mounds of reading I should be doing for class right now. Maybe this has been done tons of times before- I wanted to give it a shot though. As with everything I ever write, your opinion matters. Review, let me know what you think, or the story stops. Thanks- and I'm not quitting or even slowing the pace on A New Harmony- just wanted to write this one too .

Disclaimer: Definitely not SM, thus I don't own any of this…

Even the quietest of people become really uncomfortable when deep, awkward silences descend. That was exactly what had happened on the hour ride from Port Angeles to Forks. I've always depended on others to carry on conversations- not because I'm shy, but because I like to think things over and observe before jumping in. Thus, my extremely tacit dad, Charlie, was not the most compatible conversationalist for me. That was why we hadn't said a word to each other in over thirty minutes. After about ten minutes of polite exchanges about Phoenix, my flight, my mom, Renee, and the weather in Washington, there just hadn't been much to say.

Reasonably, I felt the smallest release of tension when Charlie broke the silence.

"Bella…" he started, waiting to make sure he had my attention. I turned away from the green blur of forest outside my window to look at him, noticing how his brown eyes were the exact same color as mine.

"I know you wanted to get a car here, but with you starting school tomorrow, I didn't think you would have the time to go before you would need something to drive…"

Oh lord- he was about to offer me the police cruiser- my dad happens to not only lives in the rainiest, coldest, and possibly smallest town in the United States, he's also the chief of police there. I cringed, waiting for him to finish.

"…so, I went ahead and looked around. I found the perfect thing for you."

I felt myself simultaneously relax because I wouldn't be driving the cruiser, but also become suspicious with a dozen questions.

"What do you mean, 'for you'? What kind of car is it?"

Charlie stared straight ahead. "Now Bells…" I stared him down. "Well, I got a great deal from Billy Black. You remember him, right, from the reservation?"

I vaguely did, but Charlie hadn't answered my question.

"Ch- Dad," I began, catching myself before I called him Charlie to his face- he would flip if I did that. "What kind of car is it- and what year is it?"

"It's a Chevy pick-up- the engine's brand new."

"But how old is the truck Dad?"

"Billy bought it in the late 80's…" I gave him a look and waited for the real answer to my question.

"Its from around the early 60's, late 50's, maybe." I crossed my arms over my chest, and sighed. "Don't worry Bells- they don't make them like that anymore, and it runs great. Plus, I got a great deal on it- and I kind of wanted it to be a welcome present."

Well, that did matter- I had some money saved up for a car, but it wasn't very much. And I was touched by the gesture, because even though Charlie wasn't great with expressing his emotions, his actions always spoke loudly.

So, with that, I let the matter go- couldn't beat free, anyway. Not that any of that mattered once we pulled up in from of the house. There was the bulbous once-red-now-faded-to-orange truck, beckoning to me in the driveway. I loved it- it may have been a beast, but it had loads of character.

I climbed out of the cruiser and closed the few paces between me and my new baby. I ran my hand down the door, turning around to see Charlie looking at me from where he stood, ready to unload my bags from the cruiser.

"I love it Dad! Thank you."

He smiled before gruffly responding. "You're welcome Bells- now help me unload these."

It only took us one trip to unload my bags- I hadn't brought very much stuff, due to my limited winter wardrobe- tanks tops had consumed more of my closet than sweaters in Phoenix. Once all my luggage was situated in the room, Charlie had lingered for a moment by the door. Obviously, he hadn't been entirely sure of what to do and seemed uncomfortable.

"Do you need anything?" he asked, already poised to leave.

"No, I'm fine. I'm just going to unpack."

He nodded and retreated, his footsteps slowly fading as they went past the one bathroom in the house, his own room, and down the stairs. A moment later I heard the low drone of the TV he must have flipped on.

Finally alone, I unpacked everything- not surprisingly, it didn't take long. When I was done, I went and cleaned myself up and changed into some old sweatpants and a t-shirt, acclimating myself to the new bathroom. Once I had padded back down the hall, I let myself take in the room that was mine now. It didn't take long- little was different from the summers I had spent here as a child. Other than the new bedding Charlie had apparently bought, probably with the help of a salesperson, everything was the same. Pale yellow lace curtains dating to my babyhood, dark wood paneled walls and beige carpet- it was all familiar. At the same moment though, it all felt so foreign, and the weight of emptiness hit me as I realized how much I missed Phoenix. Even more than the sun, I really missed my mom. It was funny how I never resented being the adult in that relationship- Renee was just who she was- crazy, scatterbrained, and my best friend. With thoughts of her on my mind, I felt the tears begin to fall and was thankful that Charlie hadn't stuck around and hovered. Exhausted physically and emotionally from the long day, I pulled back the covers and lay down, despite the fact it was early. Beneath the covers I let the tears fall, hoping that Charlie wouldn't here my sobs that I worked hard to choke back. It would be hours before I would fall asleep, my tears and the driving rain against the roof keeping me awake.

The next morning, I forced myself out of bed, down the hall, and into the shower. I allowed a few moments under the hot water to get myself together before stepping out and wrapping my towel around me. I dressed quickly, went downstairs, and scanned the cabinets for anything that I could eat. I found nothing but cereal, but that was fine with me. I ate my breakfast alone, knowing that Charlie was already at the station.

Eventually, deciding that I couldn't put it off any longer, I rinsed my bowl, grabbed my bag, keys, and brand new rain coat before running out to the truck. I climbed in for the first time, and was hit with a wave of vanilla, peppermint and tobacco smoke, apparently remnants left behind after extensive cleaning. I didn't mind it too much though- in some ways it was comforting.

Despite not knowing where the high school was, I headed toward the main part of town, remembering the way from my childhood. Soon enough I saw the sign for Forks high, and turned to the left. I looked around, realizing that this school looked nothing like anything I had ever seen before. Brick buildings were scattered around, barely carving out a patch of land from the encroaching too-green forest. I saw one building that was labeled as the front office, pulled the truck up in front, and headed inside.

At the front desk, a kind motherly sort of middle-aged woman greeted me with a knowing smile. She had obviously known I was coming. I barely had to introduce myself before she had pulled out my schedule, a slip of paper for each of my teachers to sign, and a map, which she commenced to highlight paths to each of my classes on. I smiled my gratitude at her when she was done, then went back out and started up the truck again, this time following the arriving line of cars to the student lot.

The roar of my truck drew much unwanted attention, and I shut it off quickly- I really wanted to fly under the radar today.

By lunch time, I had realized avoiding attention in a small town was impossible as the new girl. It was also obvious that everyone had been awaiting my arrival, and that Charlie had been talking about me- everyone already knew my name, and they were calling me Isabella. I had to correct everyone I talked to.

Despite the large number of people I had met, I could only remember a few names- Mike, Eric, and Jessica. Jessica was nice enough, and it had been good to have someone to talk to in a couple of classes. Mike and Erica had been a little strange- like they were competing over something. Still, they had both been really helpful, and I was thankful to have someone to sit with at lunch.

I went through the line with Jessica, and we set down our trays at a table that included Mike and Eric, plus two other girls and another guy whose names I didn't know, but faces I recognized from earlier in the day. As chatter began, I scanned the cafeteria, just to check out my surroundings. Nothing seemed that different from home in here, other than it being substantially smaller. This building was more modern than the others. The same stainless steel contraptions held the less-than fabulous food, and institutional white was the only interior décor. Booths and tables were spread out, and the usual cliques could be seen. I was just about to return my attention back to my table, when I caught sight of them off to one corner at the table farthest away from the heaviest concentration of people.

There were five of the most beautiful people I had ever seen. On one side of the table sat a breathtaking, perfect-in-every-way blond- a true bombshell. Next to her was a huge guy with dark brown curls. He was burly, and looked like he could play linebacker in the NFL. On the other side of the table was another tall blond, a guy, who resembled movie stars from the silent film days. Sharply contrasting him was the tiny sprite of a girl who sat next to him, her dark brown hair spiking out in every direction to frame her childlike features. At the end of the table was the one with the youngest appearance- the rest of them looked like they could be in college. He had gorgeous bronze hair, and looked smaller than either of the other two guys. Despite how distinct they each were from each other, they all had the palest skin, and dark circles under their eyes. It was odd how they all seemed so similar and different at the same time- not to mention the grace they each had, even in the strange stillness they each remained in, looking off in different directions, not eating from the full trays in front of them.

"Bella, what are you staring at?" Jessica interrupted my thoughts, and making me jump. Being clumsy, I almost fell out of my seat. Really, I'm nearly disabled.

The whole ordeal made me snap back to reality and remember my surroundings. "Who are they?" I asked, nodding in the table's direction.

Jessica gave me a knowing smile, before proceeding to tell me all about the Cullens, how they were adopted, lived together, but Alice and Jasper and Rosalie and Emmett were still together as couples. I continued to look in the Cullens' direction, my mouth uncharacteristically moving before I thought.

"Who's the one on the end, with the reddish hair?"

I heard a brief smirk from Jessica before she answered.

"That's Edward. But, don't even think about it. Apparently he's too good to date anyone here- or even pay attention to them." She stated, a bit of something like bitterness in her voice.

I blushed at her insinuation before assuring her that wasn't why I had asked- truly, it had mostly been curiosity.

Thankfully, the bell rang soon after, and lunch dismissed to our fifth periods.

Mike walked me to Biology, which he also had. He dropped me off at the front of the class before smiling sheepishly as he went to sit down. Obviously, everyone had assigned partners. I went through the usual process and the teacher signed my slip of paper before giving me my book and syllabus, then told me to sit in the spot in the third row.

I turned from his desk, and began walking toward the third row. I looked up to see where the empty seat was, before my breath caught in my throat. It was him, Edward, sitting there, staring off into space. I felt my face heat up, and my heart beat just a little faster, as I approached the table. As I arrived at the seat, a light breeze ruffled through my hair from the heating vent I walked past. Trying to smooth my hair back behind my ear again, I became distracted, my foot caught on the corner of the desk, and I fell, rather than sat, in my seat. I blushed harder yet, but turned to introduce myself to him anyway. That's when I noticed that his body language had changed. He was no longer nonchalantly looking off towards the front corner of the room- he was staring straight at me, body rigid, hands clenched in fists around the edge of the desk, eyes black with…hate, anger?

My mouth formed a small "o" in a combination of shock and fear, my eyes locked into his. Why was he looking at me like that? I quickly averted my gaze, swinging my hair around to cover my face. I busied myself with arranging my textbook and notebook, feeling strange emotions course through me- hurt, frustration, and confusion- over his reaction. I was entirely baffled by the way he looked at me, and was unsure of what to do. Fortunately, Mr. Banner quickly started class.

For the remainder of the period, I sat in bewilderment, wondering why Edward would have reacted in such a way. Surely I had done nothing to offend him- how could I have? Yet he had shifted his chair away from me and his hands remained balled into fists on his knees. He never moved, no matter how many times I glance through my hair at him. Finally, toward the end of class, I noticed that his hands began to relax a little. I felt a small wave of relief over this, before I felt the tingle of his gaze upon me again. I burned under the eyes I couldn't be entirely certain were upon me, but felt anyway. The remaining few minutes of class dwindled away, until class was dismissed with the ring of the bell.

I stood up, thankful to be able to escape, and began to pack my things away, aware that he was still there, but unwilling to look up at him, out of fear and indignation at the way he had looked at me. I hadn't done anything to deserve that!

But all of that soon faded away, when I heard the silkiest, most velvet, and beautiful sound in existence.

"Bella?" his voice questioned. I felt myself shocked yet again by him, and couldn't help by look up. When I did, I saw that his unfathomable black eyes, set in his angel-like face, were just mere inches away from mine. Awed, it took me a moment to answer him, even after he moved slightly away.

"Yes?" was all I was able to croak out, despite wondering how he knew to call me Bella.

"I'm sorry, I didn't get a chance to introduce myself before class, I'm Edward Cullen."

"Umm…nice to meet you."

His grin widened, lopsided, almost devilish, but in an absolutely breathtaking way.

"Where are you going next?" he asked, as he looked into my eyes, as if searching intently for something.

"Gym, unfortunately."

He looked at me quizzically. "Unfortunately?"

"Well, I mean, I trip a lot. I mean, I'm clumsy. It doesn't really mix with sports- or even walking for that matter." The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them, and I felt my heart hit a fever pitch, just as a deep blush hit my cheeks. When I managed to shift my gaze back up again, I could have sworn that his eyes had just gotten even darker, and definitely more intense- like a fire was blazing within them. It would have been frightening if he hadn't been so beautiful.

"Maybe I should walk with you then?" He asked. Funny, it almost seemed like he thought I should say no, even though this weird look of hope was on his face.

"Sure- that would be great." I answered- the murderous glare he had given me just forty-five minutes before was completely forgotten with the look he gave me now, as if I was the most desirable thing in the world.

We walked out the classroom, and started down the concrete sidewalk towards the gym. He had gone oddly silent for a few moments, and every time I looked at him, it was like he was in deep contemplation over something. Suddenly, he stopped, mid-stride. He stared into my eyes again for a moment, deep concentration furrowing his brow. A long second later, he spoke, right after a flash of frustration washed over his face, only to disappear again.

"I'm sorry, I've forgotten something in my car I need for my next class, would you mind walking with me to get it?"

The two kinds of hope along with fierceness were on his face again. My gut reaction told my entire being to not go with him, to continue on to the gym that was just around the corner. I started to tell him that I should go ahead to class and not be late, but his eyes drew me in, and I agreed to go along.

He smiled, and as we walked I no longer saw the look of deliberation on his face. It wasn't very long before we arrived at his car in the deserted parking lot. Not a soul was around as Edward opened the door to his silver Volvo, rummaging around for a few moments. I leaned against the back door on the driver's side, spacing out as I waited on him. Before I had realized what happened, the front door was closed, and Edward stood in front of me, arms on each side of me against the car. I looked at him, ready to question his actions, before I felt that strange daze come over me again, as I smelled his sweet breath, and looked into his terrible black eyes.

The intensity of his gaze was unbearable, and for the first time, I realized there was something to be frightened of. Somehow I knew it wasn't just that I was alone in this parking lot with a boy- there was something terrifyingly otherworldly about Edward in this moment. Suddenly I realized that the hope mixed with want earlier had not been those two things at all- rather it had been apprehension battling against deep desire.

I saw all of this in a moment, right before he uttered the last words I would ever hear before my death. His eyes softened for just one split second with remorse as he almost inaudibly breathed "I'm sorry Bella." Then he leaned in, his lips touching my neck. I felt their marble-hard, ice cold smoothness give me shivers, right before a sharp pain pierced my neck, smelled a rusty saltiness, and felt consciousness slowly lose its grip on me, leaving with my blood.

A/N: Please review :)- they really do matter. So tell me if you hate it, like it? This may have been a bit rough becuase I wrote it quickly- I'm not completely happy with it, and think last bit, from Biology on are really the best parts- but that's just me. Let me know what you think!