I don't own Twilight. Oh how I wish I did.

A/N: I promise chapters will be longer as the story goes on. It will get better, promise. Just trying to get through the first part of Bella before Edward comes in! Yippie!

Playlist: Owl City- I'll Meet You There and This is the Future


I woke up around nine in the morning to the sun shining in through my window. Seriously, I'd kill to have cloudy day. With a sigh, I pulled the covers off and made my way into my bathroom. I quickly undressed and turned on the water. I waited patiently for it to warm up. I jumped in, washed my hair with my favorite strawberry shampoo and shaved my legs. I stepped out and wrapped a towel around my body. I looked at myself in the mirror and laughed. I didn't understand how Lauren could call me gorgeous. I was skinny. My skin was pale. I honestly looked like a ghost. Not to mention my hair was just plain brown. What was so attractive about that?

I walked out of the bathroom and opened up my closet. I pondered what I should wear to graduation. I settled for a navy blue V-neck and a khaki skirt. As I was pulling on my shirt, I heard a knock at the door.

"Bella? It's your mother. Are you descent? I need to talk to you."

"Just a minute. Let me finish getting dressed."

I quickly pulled on my skirt and walked over to the door. "How can I help you mother dearest?"

"Bella, we won't be able to make it to your graduation today. Something's come up with Jane. Phil and I have to take her to Phoenix. We won't be home until tomorrow afternoon. Alec and Eric are going to be coming with us. I hope you don't mind. Lauren is picking you up right?" My throat grew tight and I was afraid to hear what my voice would sound like. So I did the only thing I could. I nodded. "Good. Be sure to take pictures. We'll see you tomorrow."

With that, Renee walked down the hall and out the front door. Immediately, my tears began to fall. What kind of mother couldn't make it to her daughter's high school graduation? I instantly felt sick. Shaking, I picked up my cell phone. I searched through my contact list and hit the green call button. After two rings, they picked up.

"Hey Bells. What's up? Are you getting ready? Hello? Bella? You there?"

"Lauren, can you come pick me up right now? I-I…I just need to get out of the house."

"Sure. You okay, hun? What's going on?"

I tried my hardest to hold back my tears, but failed miserably. "I'll explain later. Just please, hurry."

"Okay. I'm on my way. I just need to find my keys." With that, I hung up and rang back into the bathroom. I opened up the closet and looked at my miniscule supply of beauty products. I grabbed out my make-up bag. I hurried to cover up the evidence of my tears. But knowing Lauren, I knew she would be able to see right through the mask. I gasped for air. With that, I heard the ringing of the doorbell. I reached for my heels, threw them on and walked to the front door.

"Isabella Marie Swan, you tell me right this instant what is going on? I know you've been crying. Don't try and cover up those tears. I know you so much better than that! Now spill."

I looked at my best friend and the tears began to flow freely.

"My mother came to me this morning. I guess she and Phil had to take Jane to Phoenix for something and they won't be back tomorrow afternoon. I don't get it. What did I do so wrong that my own flesh and blood couldn't stand to see me graduate from high school? One of the biggest moments of my life, and yet, she's not here. Why does my mother hate me so much?! I can't stand this anymore. I can't wait to get out of this forsaken town and away from this family. I can't stand Jane. She is my living nightmare. My mom favors her over me. Constantly babying her! And the twins!? I..I don't even know! I try to be their big sister but I can't even do that! Phil is always in the way! For the love of Pete, he wouldn't even let me help feed or change them when they were born! Like I had some disease! I know Phil and I don't get along very well, but come on! You think a guy would appreciate having someone offering to change a baby's diaper! I-I-I…I'm so hurt right now. You and your family have been the only ones there for me over the years and I honestly don't know what I'm going to do whe-"

"Bella." Lauren cut me off. "Take a deep breath, okay?" I did what I was told. I didn't realize how much of my oxygen supply I used up. "Today is our day. And together, we are going to make it special. Forget your parents. Forget Jane. My parents will be out there cheering you on when you walk across that stage. And so will I. You've been like the sister I never had, Bells. We're practically twins for heaven's sake!" I giggled. Lauren always had the ability to cheer me up and calm me down. I sighed.

"You're right. Forget it. We're going to make it through this day. I'm going to make it through this day." Lauren smiled at me.

"Okay. Now lets get back to my house, fix up your make-up, because honestly right now Bells, you look like crap!"

"Thanks hun. I love you too!" I could only roll my eyes.

We drove to Lauren's house in complete silence. Except for my sniffling. We walked into the house when Mrs. Leibfried came running through the foyer and scooped me up into a giant hug.

"Ah, my missing daughter has finally appeared! How are you my dear?"

"I'm good Dana. Thanks for asking. Where is Jordan?"

"Oh, he's around here somewhere. I can't believe you guys are graduating today! My girls are growing up so fast!" Dana tried to hold back her tears, but fail.

"Mom. Stop! Seriously. Its just high school! Its not like we're getting married and moving to the other side of the country!"

I looked at Lauren. "Um, but you are. New York isn't just a quick drive to the next t-"

"Enough!" Lauren cut me off. "Okay, okay! So maybe I am moving to New York for school, but its not like I'm never coming home! Geesh!"

Dana wiped the tears from her eyes. "There's no way I'd ever let that happen! Anyways, Bella, where are we meeting your parents?"

I took a deep breath and looked down at the floor. Sunddenly the pattern in the tile was very interesting. "Um, they aren't coming. Something came up and they had totake Jane to Phoenix."

"Mom, would it be okay if Bella stayed the night tonight?"

"Oh of course dear. Don't worry about a thing, we are here for you and will cheer you on!"

"Told you so." Lauren snickered. I couldn't help but smile and feel the gut wrenching feeling disappear.

"There's my long lost daughter!" Mr. Leibfried cried! "Bella, love, how are you on this fine day?"

"I'm great, Jordan. Thanks. How are you?"

"Oh, I couldn't be happier! It's not everyday your little girl...or should I say girls, graduate from high school! Dana, have you been blubbering again? Oh for heavens sake, Lauren will be here over the summer break and home for the holidays. It's not like she's getting married! And Bella, well, she'll just have to remember to call us and visit when she can!" We all laughed.

A few hours later, we all climbed into Mr. Leibfried's SUV and drove to the school. When we got to the parking lot, it was already jammed packed with cars, students and families. I felt like I was going to throw up. We all climbed out of the car. "You guys better get your butt into gear! Go get yourself in line! Oh wait! Pictures!"

"Dad. Please! Can't it wait till after we have our diplomas?"

"No. Now put on your festive orange graduation gowns and look pretty!"

"Ugh. Come on, Bella. Let's just get this over."

I slipped on my gown and zipped it up. Looking over at Lauren, she did the same. "Can you just take the picture now, Dad? Please? This is so embarrassing."

"Not until I see your caps on! Come on, be a good sport!"

At this point, I was doubled over with laughter. Oh the look on Lauren's face was priceless. And I thought I was the only one who could blush that shade of red! I was surprisingly mistaken! I was going to have fun with this. "O.. M..G Lauren. Don't look now, but there goes Tommy Wilson! He's looking right at you!"

"WHAT!? Where!? Oh my god, Father, I'm going to die of embarrassment. It's not every day the star team member of the football team looks in your direction!"

At this point, I was laughing so hard I had to lean against the car for support. Tears were rolling down my face. "Ha ha ha ha ha! Lauren! I was kidding! You're going to have to fix my make up again you're making me cry!"

If looks could kill, I would be six feet under by now. The look Lauren gave me was not a very pleasant one. "Okay, Swan, if that's the way you want to play… so be it!"

"Oh I'm so scared! I'm shaking in my boots! Oh! Look! I'm not wearing any!" Lauren lunged at me with her hands. I quickly darted out of the way.

"Grow up Bells!"

"Girls! Girls! Enough! Picture please! Then you can go back to your games!"

We quickly took a few pictures. Some with the parents, some without. We then darted to the arena where the rest of the orange blob was gathering. "Okay, I'll see you once the caps are thrown! I love Bella! I can't believe we're finally here!"

"Oh Lauren! This is exciting! I love you too! Good luck!"

"Don't trip, Bella. There are hundreds of people watching!"

I could just imagine my face turning a shade of green. Great. Did she really have to tell me that? Now the entire time I'm going to be concentrating on not tripping and making a fool of myself.

"Ha ha ha. Got ya!" I turned quickly to return the death stares Lauren was giving me earlier, but she was already running down to the 'L' section of the line. I sighed. I looked at my watch and knew the procession would be starting in fifteen minutes.

What seemed like an eternity, both the valedictorian and the principal of Chandler High School finished their speeches. They rambled on about the ending of a chapter and the beginning of a new one, yadda yadda yadda. It all mashed together. I simply dazed off to daydream land of horses. Oh yeah, I was definitely getting into the right career choice. I giggled to myself when I felt a two pairs of eyes on me. I looked over and Morgan Swills and Greg Swanson were staring at me. I mouthed a sorry when the Principal cleared his throat and announced it was time to hand out the diplomas. I waited and waited as they called through all of the A's, the B's, C's etcetera, etcetera. I was holding my breath when I heard them call out my best friend's name.

"Ms. Lauren Hope Leibfried. Graduating with honors." I stood up from my seat and clapped and screamed at the top of my lungs, "GO LAUREN! WOO!" I was glad I wasn't the only one. Both of her parents and a few of our friends did the same.

When it was my turn to walk across the stage, I did something I never did. I held my head up high. I was surprised when I didn't trip. I reach Principal Pattinson as he called out my name. "Isabella Marie Swan. Graduating with honors." I held out my left hand and held on to the roll of paper. I placed my right hand into his and shook. I couldn't help but smile wide. My face I'm sure looked as if I spent four hours in tanning bed.

"Congratulations Ms. Swan. Job well done." If it were possible, I blushed even more. I then was aware of the hooting and hollering of the three Leibfried's and friends. At this moment, I was on cloud nine. It didn't matter to me that my parents weren't there. For all I cared, my family was present. I continued to hold my head up high. I reached up as I pulled the tassel on my cap to the side. When it hit me. I did it. I completed four of the hardest years of my life. And I'm still breathing. I couldn't help it. A silent tear rolled down my flushed cheek.

Twenty minutes later, the last student was called. The principal gave one last final statement. "Congratulations to the class of 2005!" At that moment, all 432 orange caps were thrown into the air. Guys were high fiving and the girls were squealing and jumping up and down. Within moments, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my shoulders.

"Bella! Bella! We did it! It's over! Oh my god! This is amazing! We need to celebrate! We need to do something! I can't just stand here!"

I drifted back into dreamland. Lauren's words became fuzzy. The smile never once fading from my face. I knew it. This was the turning point in my life. In a week's time, I'd be off to Cheyenne, leaving behind all I knew. I snapped out of my trace when I felt myself being pulled into another embrace.

"Oh Bella! I'm so proud of you! And Lauren! My baby! I'm so proud of you too! Lets go celebrate!"