Chapter Two: Recognnition

My friends all knew I was leaving. My mom was surprised my friends from the association threw me a party, hoping I'd start the new branch in Forks, the small no-name one horse town my dad lived in. One thing my mom was never keen on me doing was joining an Un-dead/ living dead association. I was the leader of my own squad of five and they all threw me a party complete with candy and cake. I knew I'd miss them all, but I had reasons for leaving.

My mother drove me to the airport and she and her husband Phil hugged me good bye. I loved them both, but a teenage girl was hard on a couple trying to keep the spark alive in a traveling marriage. My mother begged me to stay claiming she didn't mind but I just thought how I would feel if I were her and my mind was made up.

So off I was to live with my dad, who I had only seen during the summers, in some utensil named town near Canada. It was raining when I arrived and I waited in the airport lobby. I grabbed something off the dollar menu at McDonald's and was tapped on my shoulder. My training had given me sharp reflexes and my hair whipped around as I turned to face my dad. "Charlie!" I yelled, almost dropping my burger so I could hug him.

We went out into the parking lot to find his car. It was raining still. I missed the heat and the sun of Phoenix, but I was needed to be here or maybe something was pulling me here. Either way I was here. We shuffled into the car and rode in a calm silence back to Forks. I pulled down the visor and checked my reflection. I looked like my mother only my hair was darker and my lips were fuller. I could see the bits of Charlie in me. He told me that I was going to Forks high, the only school in town, and that I would love it. We really didn't talk often, but it was okay, Renee usually supplied the conversation at home.

I could tell we were passing the busy part of Washington because the number of people increased, but it was still raining. I guess the plane ride was going to be the last time I was going to see the sun. People were staring at us, and then I remembered that we were riding in a police car and that Charlie was the chief. After a long drive, the houses looked more like a suburb and we pulled into one of the driveways. There was a big red truck sitting in the driveway that looked like it had seen its share of days. I looked at Charlie with a raised brow and he smiled back. His age was showing. "Bells, I got you a car."

I smiled back just glad for the freedom of transportation. "It's a Chevy. Remember Billy Black down at La Push?" I Nodded. "Well, he's in a wheelchair now and decided to give me the truck." Okay, so I got a handicapped man's truck that was shaking on its last legs. No pun intended.

"I love it." I hugged him again and we walked inside. I noticed the lush green of the outdoors as we went in. It was beautiful in a different way than Arizona. The house hadn't changed at all since my childhood. It was like stepping back in time. The only thing new was the flat screen. I went upstairs and Charlie led me to my room. The crib was gone and there was a desk. I shared the bathroom with Charlie but this was my space. There was a computer which I loved instantly. The walls were painted a medium toned purple and the bed spread was simple with black lace flowers placed sparingly. The floors were a deep stained wood and there was a rug in the middle. Near the other wall of the room was a rocking chair that has been there longer than me but it fit the room. He left me alone to gather my feelings and unpack my stuff. I was glad he didn't hover over me like Renee otherwise I would've had to explain all of the vampire gear and how I got in on the plane.

By the time I was finished it was around ten. All of my gear was safely hidden and bed was next on my list but the world came crashing down on me. I had just completed leaving my old life with my old friends and people who understood the fears I had.

I let the tears slip down my face as I tried to sleep but the rain was mocking me, letting its tears hit my window. I though about the tiny new school I was going to where no doubt gossip travels faster than the speed of sound. I bet these families had always been here and now I was the new girl, the secret vampire hunting daughter of the police chief. Good thing no one knew otherwise I'd be the new freak on display, but I guess all they'll see is Bella Swan tomorrow.

………………………

I woke up to the dim light of outside. Fog was tracing the ground and I knew today was going to be cloudy in every event. Charlie was his usually quiet self when we ate and wished me luck, like it would help. He left as I finished.

I slipped on some dark blue skinny jeans and a pair of hot pink high-tops. My shirt was short sleeved and had a picture of an orange next to a cup of orange juice crying "mom." I wore a simple hoodie. I was stylish and comfortable. I hated being alone, I always felt vulnerable. The truck smelled like tobacco and cleaner. Billy must've smoked and someone, probably Charlie, tried to save my lungs and clean it. The school was easy enough to find and I pulled into the parking lot. It was still raining as I ran inside to get my schedule.

I guess this was school. I found the office and a red-headed woman behind a desk noticed me. "Um…Hello, I'm Isabella Swan."

I could tell be her face that she knew who I was. I knew gossip traveled fast here. She smiled and greeted me before handing me my schedule. I smiled back. When I went out back to my truck I noticed others had started to arrive. Thank goodness my old truck didn't stand out like the shiny Volvo parked by the exit. I left my sweater in the car seeing as how the inside was heated well and sighed before reentering the building. This was going to be a difficult year and I could tell. My funny tee-shirt didn't stand out either. I guess kids thought I was someone that someone else knew and paid me no mind.

I found my first class room and found a spot near the back as not to draw attention. The other kids were pale like me. Things were getting better. I passed a note to the teacher and he introduced me to the class. It was embarrassing and all I could do was blush and wave like a ditz. I sighed and checked out the list of books we were going to read. It was all stuff I had read before so that meant I could space out at any time and still pass. I wondered if Renee would send me some old papers so I wouldn't have to write either.

The bell rang, interrupting my thoughts and I tried to spill out with everyone else but I was stopped by some boy with bad acne. He looked like one of the guys from Revenge of the Nerds but I guess I was new meat and everyone had a turn on interrogation. He walked me there, sticking to me like gum on the underside of a desk.

All the teachers were the same. "Hi, this is Bella. Say Hi Bella." And then I would wave and blush and the other kids would stare at the new piece of work. One kid in every class would call on some courage and ask me questions about my self as if it was his business. I guess I was just angry because I didn't want my secret out as if I did it everyday, but I knew how I was going to let people know.

I remembered one girls face from Math and some other unimportant class and I learned that she liked to talk…a lot. But I fit so she let me hang with her for a bit before we walked into the Cafeteria. I sat down at her table and she introduced me to some mindless lackeys and I didn't pay attention. Eric waved from across the table.

I was sitting and eating, not paying attention at all to my tablemates when I saw them. I wasn't stupid. After years of living in fear I instantly recognized the five gorgeous vampires as they entered the room.

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