CHAPTER TWO

NEW GIRL

Unfortunately the week passed way too quickly and soon it was time for school. I got dressed and ready pretty quickly. When I went to eat breakfast, mom was feeding Bianca and dad was on the phone.

I over heard bits and pieces of Dad's conversation, deciding it was a work call, "Yes, sir, of course I can take on more shifts..."

I sighed as I made myself some cereal and started eating. When I was all done and set I kissed Bianca on the cheek and bit farewell to my mom, not bothering with my dad since he was still on the phone.

"Be safe, Heather," Mom said as I walked out the door.

It wasn't hard to find the high school. Just like it wasn't hard to find the grocery store, daycare or the beach. You just followed the main road until you saw it. I pulled up to a good spot up front since I was here pretty early, thinking I was going to have to look around first.

So I killed time by reading in the car until more people started showing up. Eventually the lot started filling up. A silver Volvo that looked like it had no place in this dinky town pulled up besides me. About a second later there was a tap on my window. But I wasn't expecting it so I shrieked and jumped, dropping my book at my feet.

I looked over to see a grinning Emmett and breathed out a huge sigh of relief. I reached over to roll my window down, "You scared the shit out of me."

Emmett didn't look so apologetic, "Sorry. You gonna come to school any time soon?"

I blushed and nodded, "I was just waiting for people to show up. I got here pretty early." I opened my door and climbed out, locking it.

Emmett asked, "Whats your first period?"

I shrugged, "I still have to pick up my schedule."

Emmett grinned, "Well we all have to. In the gym. Come on," he slung a giant arm around my shoulder and steered me in the direction of the gym.

It was separated in alphabetical order. My name was at the end and Emmett was at the front so we had to split ways and get in the appropriate line.

My schedule was as follows; U.S History, Spanish II, Pre-Calculus, Physics, P.E, and English.

Emmett found me by the gym's doors and asked for my schedule. He tutted, "We only have Pre-cal together. But you have my brother Jasper in your history class and my girlfriend, Rose in your Physics class. And you have our lunch."

"At least I know somebody here," I said, optimistic for once.

Emmett held my elbow, "Come on, let me introduce you to my family."

While we were walking I couldn't help but notice people giving us looks. Some guys glared at Emmett. Some girls glared at me. I curiously looked around, not knowing what their problem was.

Soon Emmett stopped us in front of a group of teens who looked exactly like he did; pale, inhumanly beautiful, purple bruises under theirs eyes, and the same... golden eyes. Did they all wear the same contacts?

Emmett put his arm around some blonde model dressed for a runway show, "This is my Rosalie." He pointed at another girl with short, spiky, pixie dark hair and a mischievous smile, "That's my sister Alice."

Alice interrupted him, "Oh, Heather, we're going to be great friends. Trust me," she winked at me.

I blinked, confused. Alice just smiled and pointed at the blond god besides her, "This is Jasper." He had longish, chin-length dark blonde hair. He had a strong build, not too buff like Emmett, and chiseled features. He was kind of beautiful.

Then Alice pointed to the same guy, "And that's Edward." Edward was the most boyish of the group. He had spiked, bronze hair and very severe features. He looked like he was constantly tortured.

I blushed, comparing myself to these gods. I didn't measure up at all. "It's nice to meet you guys."

Alice grinned, "No need to be shy. The bell is about to ring. What is your first class?"

"U.S. History," I answered.

To which Alice pouted, "Awww... I have Media Arts."

I shrugged, "I'd switch but I'm supposed to have art next semester and I like history."

Alice huffed, "Fine. Jasper will walk you then. He has that class too."

Jasper smiled at Alice... lovingly? He cleared his throat when he faced me and said with a slight southern drawl, "Right this way, ma'am."

I followed him until we finally found the classroom in the last building. I awkwardly smiled at him, "Thanks."

Jasper had a blank expression, like he was holding something back, "My pleasure."

In Spanish class a girl with stick straight black hair and light skin came up to me, "Hi, I'm Jessica. I saw that one of the Cullens was walking you to class."

"Um..." I blushed a little, "Yeah, Jasper."

Jessica smiled maliciously, "I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you. He's with Alice. And the big one, Emmett, is with Rosalie. Edward's not taken... for now. He'll be my boyfriend soon enough. So hands off."

I was still kind of stuck on the part where she said that Jasper was with Alice. But I shook it off and put my hands up in surrender, "Hey, no worries."

Jessica smirked at me, "They only like pale people like them. So you're out of luck anyway."

I glared at her, "Whatever."

It had been about two and a half weeks since the first day of school. And I was proud to say that I had settled in nicely. I got along with the people in my classes – sans Jessica – and had fun at lunch with all the Cullens.

I had developed somewhat of a routine. I got up, got ready, went to school. Then I left school, picked up Bianca, got home, did homework, fed Bianca dinner, put her to bed, then went to bed waiting for the whole thing to start all over again. Sometimes on weekends I'd go down to the beach with Bianca and Embry and Quil or Embry and Jacob or Embry, Quil and Jacob or just Embry would be there.

Getting the pattern, here?

This routine and pattern was only ever broken by one person... Jasper Cullen.

But Alice had a hand in it too.

It all started about a month into the school year when I found Alice... crying? It looked like she should be crying but her face was completely dry and beautiful. She was on the stairs and I was about to walk up them to my first class.

"Alice...? What's wrong, sweetie?" I asked. Since I was used to taking care of Bianca, I had taken to taking care of others too. Which meant calling them the pet names like sweetie, hun, honey, dear. Emmett called me their Mother Hen.

Alice looked up at me with an angry but forgiving expression and I didn't know what could cause that or how she could pull it off and still look like she belonged in Vogue. "Jasper and I broke up."

I gasped loudly, crouching in front of her to peer at her face, "What? Why?"

Alice sighed, "He never admitted it but... I just know that he has feelings for someone else." The way she said the word 'know' made me think that there was something more behind it. But I didn't ask because she went on to say, "I confronted him about it and he denied it. But I kind of.. pushed it out of him. He said he was ashamed of himself and that he didn't want to hurt me or leave me. He said he owed me too much."

"That doesn't sound like a boy who broke up with you..." I trailed off.

Alice shook her head, "He didn't. I broke up with him."

I was really confused now. Crouching was also getting uncomfortable so I came to sit beside Alice, "Can I ask why?"

Alice ran a hand down her face and took a deep breath, "I know the girl... and she's so good for him. She'll make him really happy. Anyone can see that. And I can't stand in the way of that."

I put an arm around her, "That's very noble of you, Alice. I know how much this must hurt you."

"How?" There was some bitterness to her tone but I could tell it wasn't towards me, it was towards the situation.

I sighed, "Back in San Francisco, I was in a relationship with this really great guy. We had been together for four years. Since the first day of seventh grade."

Alice looked really surprised, "What happened?"

I sighed, "His name was Richard. He was everything to me. But about a year ago... something terrible happened. It almost tore my family apart. He was great through it, he supported me and took care of me and Bianca. But that was our last year together. My mom and dad are on the verge of divorcing so their marriage counselor told them that a change of pace and scenery may help. So we moved here. About four months before we left, Richard and I decided to break things off so we'd have time to say goodbye as friends."

Alice seemed to grow pensive, like she was thinking really hard about something.

I whispered, "I still miss him. He was really special to me. And he'll always be special to me. But with time... the heartbreak and longing turns to just missing a friend, someone you care about. It gets better, I promise."

Alice gave me a little smile, "Thank you. Now, the bell's about to ring so..." She stood up as graceful as ever. She smiled down at me, "Don't blame Jasper, alright? It's not his fault."

I stood and nodded my head, "Sure, of course. Are you gonna be alright?"

Alice took a breath and nodded, "I'll come to accept it soon enough. We'll both be happy. I've seen it." After saying that she gracefully skipped away.

"She's seen it.." I muttered to myself. What did that mean?

But I ignored it for now and walked to history class. Jasper was just walking in the door when I got there. When he saw me he sort of faltered. I guess he assumed I was choosing Alice's side in the break up.

I awkwardly waved at him, "Hey."

He let out a breath, "Hello."

"Um.." I wrung my hands together, "I heard about you and Alice."

"Oh..."

"Yeah..." I said even more awkwardly. I took a breath, "Are you alright?'"

Jasper looked confused and shocked at my question, "Am I alright?"

I swallowed, "Well yeah... break ups are hard for both parties regardless of who's fault or who broke up with who. And she broke up with you so... are you alright?"

Jasper had somewhat of a bemused smile on his face, like he still didn't believe that I cared, and said, "Yes, ma'am, I'll be alright. I didn't want to hurt her..."

I nodded, "I know you didn't. It's one of those things that's out of your control. You can't help who you fall for."

He looked at me for a long time as the second bell rang, "I never thought of that."

We took our seats – me in front of him – and Mr. Garcia began his lecture on the witch trails. When class ended Jasper looked at me nervously, I think, "Can I walk you to your next class?"

"Um..." I started with confusion, "Don't you have calculus next? That's like in the opposite direction from Spanish?"

Jasper gave me a little grin, "Don't worry. I'll still get to class on time, trust me."

So I allowed a little nod and we began to walk somewhat slowly to my Spanish class. Meanwhile we talked. We didn't talk about much in the few minutes we were walking but it was such an easy going conversation that I felt like we had broken down some wall. It felt nice.

At lunch I still faltered when I saw that Jasper and Alice were sitting on opposite sides of the table and that the only available seat was besides Jasper. I took a breath and sat down, pulling out my lunch that Bianca helped me make that morning.

Alice laughed a little at the stickers plastered all over a birthday bag. "Awww... did your little sister do that?"

I smiled fondly, thinking of Bianca, and nodded, "Yeah, she wanted to make my lunch pretty."

"Is it your birthday?" Emmett asked.

I shook my head though, "My birthday isn't until September."

Alice perked up, "I will soooo plan your party. Oh my gosh, it will be so great! I can call caterers, and get decorations delivered from-"

I put my hands up, "Calm down there, pixie dust! My birthday is in September. And it's just my birthday, not the royal coronation."

Alice pouted, "I like parties."

I rolled my eyes, "If I let you take me shopping for my birthday will you forget this whole party thing?"

Alice smiled happily and clapped her hands, "I love you!" She hugged me quickly before settling back into her seat.

"Don't encourage her," Edward said.

We all laughed.

There it is! Please let me know what you think and REVIEW!

RegalGirl94