A/N: Another update, yay! Please bear with me as I've told everyone that updates won't be regular. I have been a lot better recently though and am soo happy we're finally really going with this story. Don't forget to tell me what you think after reading! Love y'all1

Chapter 4

Dad drove me to school in silence. Now, Charlie and I were both people of not-so-many- words, only time he spoke was when he pointed out a group of new kids in the parking lot and told me that their father invited us over for dinner tonight.

The day was uneventful with teachers telling us what we would be doing for the rest of the year and what they expected of us in the classroom. Same stuff as usual.

Also as usual, Mike Newton and Jessica Stanley were back together for the millionth and second time. They both really liked each other, but they'd break up for a week and a half over stupid reasons before deciding they couldn't stand to be apart any longer. It made me want to shake Jessica every time she told me they were on or off again, but Jess needed to make her own decisions, no matter how stupid they were. Angela rolled her eyes at me knowingly whenever they loudly announced they were, in fact, together again.

After lunch was more interesting. One of the new kids I was having a family dinner with tonight was in my biology class. As I walked in, he looked up and his eyes looked me up and down. Wow, way to be discreet there, ginger.

He wasn't actually ginger; his hair was more bronze looking. His eyes were green, almost like a deep forest green with little brown and gold flecks in them.

"Bella, right?" he asked when I sat down.

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"My father Carlisle met with yours at the police station, and I noticed a picture of you on his desk. He introduced you as Isabella, but that's a little too formal for you, I'm guessing," he said with a smile.

Oh, okay, that's not creepy then; and, lord, no matter how many times I told Dad I wanted people to call me Bella he still introduced me by my full name.

The last thing the ginger said though put me off. Why would a complete stranger assume that my full name was too formal for me? That's pretty presumptuous, and, if looked at a certain way, a flat out insult. I may not be one of the flashiest or most attractive girls but I know I'm not really plain or unattractive.

Deciding just to go with it, I said, "Yeah, way too formal for Forks. It was Charlie's grandmother's name, and they were really close so he doesn't like to shorten it like I do."

Ginger- I still didn't know his name- just nodded. His eyes roamed the front of the classroom long enough that I felt like our conversation was already over, but he turned back to me.

"How rude of me! I didn't even introduce myself; I'm Edward Cullen."

I snickered, trying not to attract Mr. Banner's attention as he went over the syllabus.

"Talk about formal."

Edward gave another smile and told me about how his mother Esme- he was actually adopted by Carlisle and Esme, but talked about them as if he wasn't- raised him and his siblings to be proper and polite. In turn, I told him all about how being the police chief's daughter didn't give me a lot of freedom and came with expectations.

A strange sort of smile crossed his face, and he said tonight he and his brothers and sisters were sneaking out and invited me along.

I was already in trouble at home and had never actually snuck out before… Charlie wanted me to make new friends though, right?

A voice in my head told me that he most likely meant friends that would be good for me and not ask me to sneak out, but I ignored it.

"Sure, where are we going?"

"It'll be a surprise."

Edward and I hit it off that period. We had so much in common and talked all through class. Well, we switched to writing notes halfway through, but still. He even offered to drive me home.

I agreed and, after my next period which was gym, I walked out in the direction of the parking lot to look for Edward when a voice behind me called my name.

Butterflies erupted in my stomach as I realized he had been headed to the gym to walk me to his car.

Wait, butterflies? I had just met him not an hour earlier. And I kind of have something going on with Paul.

The thought of "But for how long?" ran through my head. Could I really start something up with Paul against Charlie's wishes? I'd barely get to see Paul if we did start dating and even then we could hardly go on dates in case someone saw and it got back to Dad… I pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind deciding to figure it out later.

Esme did an amazing job of teaching her children proper etiquette, I realized, as Edward opened up the passenger door for me.

"Hi!" a voice chirped from the back.

I spun around in my seat nearly having a heart attack at the fact that someone else was in the car when I realized that the girl must have been one of his sisters. Now that I was looking at her, I did recognize her from the group Charlie pointed out this morning.

"I'm Alice."

Alice was petite, and her short black hair completely contrasted her sparkly attitude. She was like a pixie; a very well dressed pixie.

"I'm Bella."

"Oh, I know. Edward sent a group text that he was driving you home, so everyone was going to ride in Emmett's jeep, but I figured there was no reason I should wait until tonight to meet you."

Wow, did she breathe when she talked?

I smiled and, when Edward slid into his seat, he groaned when he realized she was in the back.

"Oh, don't pout! Bella isn't your shiny new toy you get to keep all to yourself, Edward."

We both laughed as Edward rolled his eyes and started the car.

As Alice rambled on about everything Esme had done to prepare dinner tonight, I interjected asking if it was going to be fancy.

Alice nodded her head. "Esme goes all out with everything she does, so I would recommend looking your best tonight."

"Bella's coming with us tonight after dinner, Alice."

She squealed and clapped her hands. "I can't wait! Did you tell her where we're going?"

"Nope," Edward answered as he threw a smile my way.

I couldn't help but to smile back even though I normally hate surprises. He was almost…dazzling, I guess would be the word.

When we pulled up in the driveway, I asked Alice is she'd like to stay over until dinner, and she gladly accepted. I waved goodbye to Edward as he pulled away and we went into the house.

Renee fell in love with Alice right off the bat, and, between the two of them, that was the worst case of Bella-Barbie (being dressed and having my make-up done- and having both redone until I'm deemed perfect) that I had ever experienced. Alice had me in my frilly blue top and a black skirt that was a little too short for my taste. She tried getting me into heels, but I told her I couldn't walk in a pair of them to save my life, so she settled on a pair of black sandals. Renee did my makeup and straightened my hair.

By the time Dad got home, I was anxious to be done, but I had to admit their end result was amazing.