A/N: Hey, I'm actually still alive, I've just been on a school trip for a month. My apologies for neglecting you.

Chapter 3 – New girls

With my books nestled comfortably in the crook of my elbow, I walk alongside Edward down a lime green corridor. It leads to a dark green flight of stairs and we begin climbing them.

'So, this is the language block. It speaks for itself really – all our language classes are held here, English included. Mind you, the teacher's quite eccentric. Ms Cope is really into trying 'abstract assignments', and 'intellectual inquiries'. Just… beware.'

I laugh. 'Okay, I'll keep that in mind.

We come to a tinted glass door and Edward holds the door open for me. 'Welcome to English Analysis!' Edward mocks in a posh voice and adds in a slight bow. I giggle and waltz past him into the empty classroom.

I look around at all the desks. 'So… is there a seating arrangement I should know about?'

Edward cocks his head. 'What do you mean?'

'As in like in all those cliché American High School movies where the popular girls claim their own seats, and if anyone goes near it, they pounce.'

'Oh, I see what you mean. Well, just stick to the middle section. Nowhere near the front or back. Stay clear of those zones, and you should survive your first day.'

I nod. 'Right.'

We find two seats in the middle of the room and people start filing into the class. It's quite a big class, but I guess that's because English Analysis is such a general subject. When everyone is seated, a small woman with bright orange hair flies into the classroom, lugging a small teacher's suitcase behind her.

'Hi everyone! For those who don't know me, I'm Ms Cope, and I'm really not that scary, despite my hair.'

Everyone laughs, and I can tell that Ms Cope is one of those teachers that everyone immediately takes a liking to.

'So! Get excited for English Analysis this year, we're going to have SO much fun! To start, lets open your little blue book and go over some terms you're going to need this year.'

I pick up my little blue book off the top of my pile and flick through it.

ANACHRONISM - False assignment of an event, person, scene or language to a time when the event, thing or person did not exist.

ANALEPSIS - a form of ANACHRONY by which some of the events of a story are related at a point in the narrative after later story-events have already been recounted.

Why did Charlie even bother ordering this book? I already learnt it in my junior classes in Florida. Settling back into my chair, I shut the book and completely zone out for the rest of Ms Cope's explanations.

'Bella! Why aren't you listening?' Ms Cope snaps me out of my daydream.

'Wha-wh, yeah, of course I was!' I stutter.

Ms Cope looks at me skeptically. I manage a half-hearted grin. 'Mr Edward Cullen, seeing as you were sitting beside Ms Bella Swan, can you tell me if she was listening intently to our discussion?'

Edward stifles a grin. 'Why of course, Ms Cope. Bella was taking in every word you were saying.'

'Okay then Bella, prove it. What is the term epizeuxis?'

I almost snort. Of course she had to pick the most elaborate sounding term. 'It's when you repeat a word over and over again for emphasis.' I say dryly. Ms Cope's eyes widen.

'The term meiosis?'

'Another word for understatement.'

'Rodomontade?'

'A speech made in an arrogant or boastful manner.'

'Zeugma?'

'Two words linked to a verb or an adjective where it only applies to one.'

'Pleonasm?'

'Enriching a thought by using big and extravagant words.'

This continues on for another five minutes, and the sarcasm in my voice is becoming more and more evident as Ms Cope's keeps firing questions at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the whole class, Edward in particular, stifling laughter, but failing.

Finally, Ms Cope admits defeat and huffs. 'Alright, I guess you were listening after all.'

Edward cuts in. 'I told you so, didn't I?' He says smugly, shooting me a grin.

Ms Cope shakes her head, and turns back to the whiteboard, just as the bell rings. "Saved by the bell" just became a reality.

'Come on, let's go to Math. My favourite lesson of the day. Note the sarcasm.' Edward says dryly.

I laugh and poke his cheek. 'It's not that bad. It's simple because there's only one answer, and you don't have to analyse things and write reports.'

'True. So what are you, a math whizz as well?'

'No, just English.' I shrug. 'Math's never been my forte.'

'Then why are you taking Higher Math?' Edward frowns.

'Uh, the standard level class was full when Charlie got around to booking the places, you know, since our arrival was slightly on the spontaneous side.'

'Well, if you need help, I'd be happy to help you with studying and things like that.'

'Sure, thanks. I'll probably need it.'

We walk across the quadrangle, and come to a professional looking block made mostly of tinted glass. It's a well-designed building, and I instantly take a liking to it.

'So this is our block for all the analytical subjects, for example chemistry, biology, mathematics, etcetera. It's a new building, got put in maybe a year and a bit ago, so it still smells a bit like fresh paint and wooden fixtures.' Edward laughs.

'Don't worry, I'm being accustomed to that smell. Charlie's house is practically brand new.' I shrug.

Edward leads me to a large stairwell, and points to the mounted sign on the wall.

'Okay first all, you should know that we get five minutes between each class to actually walk to our next period, since the Forks High campus is massive. Secondly, each level in this building is for a different subject. The ground floor is for mathematics, the first for chemistry, the second for physics, and the top for biology, so the rest of the building doesn't have to endure the horrible smells that sometimes waft out of the classrooms.'

I look at him weirdly. 'What sort of horrible smells?'

'Oh, like when we dissect stuff. It always drops to room temperature and smells absolutely horrible. It takes about half a bottle of Lynx and Purity Air Freshener to get rid of the smell.'

I roll my eyes. 'Really, you have to make the biology lab smell like a guy to get rid of the odours? Why not just spray it with some nice crisp apple scent or something? Over spraying Lynx is possibly the worst thing you can do to a girl.'

'I'm taking it that you don't particularly like Lynx?'

'Spot on.' I grin, walking up the first flight of stairs, Edward in tow.

Math goes by at the usual pace, no faster, no slower. I mean, it's math. When the bell rings and we finally get outside, the sun has peeked through the cloudy sky, and because it does, it's a good day for me. Edward takes me back to the locker bay, and points me in the direction of the cafeteria, before apologising and running off to a music ensemble meeting.

I take my wallet and start off in the direction of the cafeteria, weaving my way through the throng of people in the quadrangle. Once I reach the entrance of the lunchroom, I look around for a free table, and spy Rose and Emmett having a heated conversation on one of the corner tables. Over the loud chatter of the room, I hear Rose's high pitched yell echoing across the cafeteria.

'I'll take your immaturity and shove it up your ass, then you'll understand how large it is, and how uncomfortable people feel when you shove it in our faces!'

'Well, America is a free country! I can behave however I want!' Emmett whines.

'You know what? Sure. Behave however you want. Just don't come near me, or associate with me.' Rose snaps.

Chuckling under my breath, I turn to the cafeteria line, and leave them to their own devices. I know better than to interrupt Rose in the middle of an argument. Once I've gotten a raspberry muffin, I scout around for an empty table, or for someone to sit with.

'Hey, do you want to sit with me?' I hear a soft, feminine voice say behind me. I turn around to see a tall girl with dark eyes and hair. She has a camera slung around her neck, and a folder of papers tucked under her arm.

'Sure.' I smile. 'My sister's currently having a really big argument with Edward's brother, so I'm going to stay clear of her. I'm Bella by the way.'

'Hi Bella, I'm Angela.' She places her folder down on the table and grabs herself a seat.

'So… What's with all these papers?' I ask.

'Oh, I'm the school magazine editor, so I've got to compile all these entries, plus my own photos into the magazine for next week. The rough draft's due in two days, so I'm in a bit of a rush.'

'Can I help?' I ask, taking an article into my hands. The title reads: Self-designed Uniforms: Freedom For Students.

I look up at Angela. 'Really? Freedom for students?'

'Hey, no judging. I didn't write these. Some bimbo cheerleader probably did. Since practically no one can be bothered to write an article every week, twenty names are picked out a hat each week, and they're the people that have to write an article. It sucks when we pick illiterate people out of the box, because then the proofreaders have like, four times as much work.'

'I see. Well, can I do anything to help?' I ask.

'Well, you could help me sort the articles into different categories, for example leisure, academics, sport, etcetera. Oh, and trash that self-designed uniform article. The newspaper won't miss it.'

Pursing my lips, I pick up the article, and tear it right down the middle. And again. And again. When I'm done, I'm left with a pile of white furry fibres on the table.

Angela laughs. 'That's the spirit! You can be my personal terrible article paper shredder.'

I grin, and begin sorting the other nineteen articles into piles. When I'm done, I finish off my raspberry muffin and wait for the bell to ring.

'Hey Bella, thanks so much for helping me. I've got to run and get my photos copied onto the school drive, but I'll see you around. Thanks again.'

'No problem, glad to help.' I smile, and get up from my seat, heading back to the locker bay.

Since Edward wasn't here to show me to my World History classroom, I guess I'd have to do a bit of scouting. After asking a good five people where the classroom was, I finally got there with a minute to spare. I took a seat in the middle row, and took out my slip for the teacher to sign. A few seconds later, a small, petite girl rushes into the room, and takes the seat next to mine.

'Hi, I'm Alice. You're Bella, right?'

I nod. 'The one and only.'

She laughs and pulls out her history book. 'I accidentally went to the wrong classroom. I was in AP History last year, but I changed it to AP French, so I'm just doing standard history now. Obviously it would be in a different classroom, right? But being the scatterbrain I am, I went to my old one, and here I am, doing the most exercise I've done for the last couple of years.'

Just as she says that, the teacher strides into the room, and introduces herself as Ms Vice. She's a stern woman, with sharp features and a tall figure, and her greying hair tied back in a tight bun. Pretty much the epitome of scary. However, she teaches well, and she definitely loves her job. While we wait for her to sort her things out, Alice turns to me and her face lights up.

'Oh my god Bella, sit with me at lunch, I want you to meet some people!'

'Um, sure. I haven't really met many people anyway.'

'Good! Well, I'll be in the cafeteria, so just come find me.' Alice grins.

'Alright students! This term, we will be studying Aztec history, their involvement with the Incas, and the surrounding tribes. Please open your textbooks to page twenty.' Ms Vice calls out.

With those words, I mentally face palm. I hate history.

When the class finally ends what feels like five years later, I collect up my books and try to remember the way to the science block.

'Bella!' Alice calls from behind me. 'Remember you're siting with me at lunch today!'

I sigh. 'Yes Alice.'

I pass across the quadrangle with the other hundreds of students, and follow the signs to the biology classroom. When I finally get there, Edward is waiting outside the classroom, with a worried expression on his face.

I approach him from behind and put a hand on his shoulder. 'What's wrong?' I ask.

'Oh good, you're here, I was worried you'd get lost.' He laughs. 'My sister told me you went straight to the science block, so I obviously couldn't walk you here.'

'Well, I thought I remembered my way here, so I decided to give my memory a test.' I laugh. 'Anyway, let's get inside. This biology textbook weighs at least a tonne.'

'Sure.'

We choose a lab bench to the left of the room, and slide onto the hard science stools. They're really uncomfortable, I have to say. I make a mental note to bring a cushion next time.

'Sorry I ditched you at break. I'm music captain, so I had to get there early to set up the meeting room.'

'Oh no, that's okay. So you're music captain huh? Mr Over-Achiever?' I poke him in the arm.

He rolls his eyes. 'I'm just the music captain. Nothing else.'

At that moment, a teacher walks into the room, a large briefcase tucked under his arm.

'Everyone, the person sitting next to you is your lab partner for the term. Today we're examining frog skin cells, and comparing them to the cells of a human. Draw diagrams, take photos, whatever floats your boat.'

I raise my eyebrows. 'We're already doing a lab on the first day? This guy is the definition of efficiency.' I murmur. I hear Edward chuckle under his breath beside me.

'Yeah, we move quickly in biology. Very quickly.' He says as he takes a microscope and slides from under the bench.

Biology passes quickly, for once, and Edward and I head back to the locker bay.

'You know, a girl called Alice in my history class told me to meet her at lunch. She said she wanted me to meet someone.'

Edward perks up. 'Alice… As in really short, cropped black hair, definition of hyper?'

'That's the one.'

He sighs. 'That ball of energy is my sister.'

My eyes widen. 'Oh. Wow.'

'Yeah.'

'You two are polar opposites.'

'We are indeed. You know, she also said that she wanted me to meet someone as well at lunch, so I guess we're both sitting at her table today.'

'Yeah, she probably wants us both to meet the same person.' I say.

When we reach the cafeteria, Edward ducks off the nick a spot in the line, and tells me to go find Alice first. 'I'll buy your lunch for you, don't worry.'

I start to protest, but he gives me a small push and sighs. 'My treat.'

'Fine.'

I walk to the back section of the cafeteria and find Alice in all her hyper glory chatting away to Rose about the top fashion brands of the season.

'Hi Alice, who did you want me to meet?' I ask.

'He's not here yet, he'll only be a minute, I saw him in the lunch line a second ago.' Alice explains.

'Oh okay. Hey Rose, how was Emmett today? I saw you two arguing earlier.'

Rose rolls her eyes and sighs. 'I told him to go shove his immaturity up his ass.'

I laugh. 'Yeah, I heard you from the other side of the room.'

She huffs. 'I've never seen anything like him before. He's actually a five year old in a hot body.'

My eyebrow raises on its own accord. 'Right. I'm not going to ask.'

Rose looks at me strangely before clapping a hand over her mouth. 'Oh my god. Did I just say that out loud?'

'I think you did.' Alice and I say at the same time.

Rose's eyes bug out. 'Okay, if anyone asks, I said absolutely nothing.'

I smirk at her horrified face. 'Okay…' I tease.

'No really! You have to promise!'

I laugh. 'Fine. So Emmett huh? What happened to "wanting to stay single?"

'Ugh, don't remind me.'

Our conversation is interrupted by Edward and Emmett walking towards our table.

'So, Alice, who did you want us to meet?'

'Well,' Alice starts. 'Edward, this is Bella. Bella, Edward.'

I snort.

'Is there something wrong with my brother, Bella?' Alice asks, concerned.

'Oh no, nothing, just that Edward and I have already met. We've practically been together all day.'

Realisation dawns on Alice's face. 'Oh. Right.'

Edward nods. 'Yeah…

'Well then, that's even better! We don't have to do the boring 'get to know each other sort of thing', so we can immediately do the things that best friends do!' Alice squeals.

Edward sighs and sits down. 'Alice, this world doesn't work like that. Just because I've known someone for five hours longer before you found does NOT mean we immediately go on road trips to Arizona together. Well, maybe you do, but I sure as hell don't.'

Alice pouts and turns towards me. 'You guys should come over! Where do you live?'

'Alice, we live next door to you.' I say as if I'm talking to a small child.

Alice's eyes light up. 'You do?'

'Charlie is our father remember? Where else would we live?'

'Oh yeah..'

'So anyway, what do y-'

'Eddie!' Shrieks a high pitched voice from behind me. I whip around and see a tall, leggy blonde wrap her arms around Edwards neck.

Edward rolls his eyes. 'Why do you want Tanya?' He says, annoyed.

Instead of replying, she dips her head down and plants her lips on his. After a second or two, I look away, and concentrate on the focaccia Edward got for me.

Finally, Tanya lays off and says, 'That's what I wanted.'

'You do have ears right?' Edward snaps. 'Because I do recall telling you not to do that.'

'Well, I'm your girlfriend, I'm allowed to.' She pouts.

'You're not my…' He says, but then Tanya gives us a sickly sweet smile, and flounces off.

When the click of her overly high platform shoes fades into the chatter of the room, I finally lift my head from my food and look at Rose. She frowns and turns to Edward.

'You don't seem to like her very much. I mean, I know she's your girlfriend and all, but you know, she seems to annoy you.' She says.

Alice jumps in. 'Well, she's not his girlfriend, she just thinks she is. They had a past relationship, and… Let's just say it's complicated. Frankly, I think she's a stupid slu-'

'Alice, stop.' Edward snaps. 'I know you don't like her very much, but don't degrade people like that.'

With that sentence, I flinch inside. If he defends her, that means that either they're still close, or he actually cares about her. So much for Rose's theory. I did mention that he probably has a girlfriend. I shake my head and clear my thoughts. If I 'didn't really mind', as I out it, then why am I so affected by this?

Because you like him, the little voice inside my head speaks up. I blink. Do I?

'Hello? Earth to Bella?' Alice waves a hand in front of my face.

'Huh?' I snap out of my daze.

'I was just asking if you wanted to grab a coffee or something this afternoon at that new café that opened down the road. You know, we can all go and really get to know each other.'

'Yeah sure. I've finished all my unpacking. Rose?' I ask.

'I'm in. I've missed the coffee they make in Forks. Florida coffee is just so thin and milky.'

Alice claps her hands and grins. 'Okay, it's a date.'

I turn up in the gym with Rose, dressed in dance leggings and a tank top. Charlie didn't have time to get the gym uniform, considering the shop was out of stock. I spy the teacher setting up some ball racks in the corner, so I pull Rose a longer to talk to him.

'Hi! I'm Bella, and this is my sister Rose.'

'Chief Swan's kids right? I'm Mr Garnel, but just call me Coach.'

'Yeah, we just came to apologise for the uniform. The shop was out of stock, and the next batch only comes in next week.'

'Oh, that's alright. No worries.'

'Thanks.' I smile, and Rose and I return to the benches on the other side of the gym. A couple of minutes later, Edward and Emmett walk in, flanked by two other football jocks. Edward sees me and pulls Emmett over towards us.

'Hi. I'm assuming the uniform shop was out of stock?'

'You got that right.'

Coach chooses this moment to come over and give the introductory speech.

'Hi guys, so for those who don't know me, I'm Mr Garnel, but just call me Coach. For our first unit, we're going to be focusing on basketball.'

I smile. This will be a fun unit. Rose nudges me in the side and smirks. It's so on.

Rose and I were on the state basketball team back in Florida, and the two of us were always so competitive. Since we were both excelling in the girls team, we made it a competition to beat the boys as well. I guess that's going to continue into Forks as well.

Coach divides us into two teams, and gives a rundown of the basic rules. While he does this, I study the other team. Edward and Emmett are on the other team, with a bunch of other football jocks. Coach really did not choose fairly. There's also a few incompetent people, but still. On our team, there's Rose and I, Angela, a couple jocks and other, let's say… physically challenged people. They're not fat or anything, they're just not very coordinated. Okay, let's bring this match on.

'Okay Rose, you take Emmett, you're taller than me, so you should cover him better than I will. I'll take Edward. Angela, take that guy, the one with the dark hair, since you're tall.'

'Oh you mean Ben?' Angela asks.

'Uh… I don't know. My basketball battle strategies usually define the other team by their hair colour and their size.'

'Okay…'

Rose looks at Angela in realisation. 'Oh we forgot to tell you. Bella and I were both on the state basketball team back in Florida.'

Angela's eyes bug. 'Wow. You must be really good.'

The jocks decide to take on their fellow players, and the other people stay to defend our hoop. With our battle strategies in place, Rose steps forward to take the toss up against a six foot girl. Come on, that's hardly fair.

Coach blows the whistle and tosses the ball. Rose, with her high jump, hits the ball first, but the other girl whacks it back towards her team. Edward runs forward to grab it, and the game begins.

I rush forward to block Edward, and force him to stop dribbling. I fake my defence to the right, then go left, but Edward, being over half a foot taller than me, lobs the ball over my head towards Emmett. Damn me and my average height. I look over at the ball, and Rose is ready to go, sneakily positioned in Emmett's blind spot. When the ball is within Emmett's reach, Rose launches herself off the floor and grabs the ball our of mid air from behind him and dribbles it, weaving in between their defence line. I smile and run down with Rose. That was a trick that our coach back in Florida taught us. It definitely got our team plenty of points.

When we get down to the basket, Rose throws the ball over to me, and with the momentum, I leap up, and slam dunk the ball. I land softly and laugh at the shocked looks the rest of the class is giving us.

Emmett is the one who finally breaks the silence. 'Whoa dude! Where did you two learn to play like that?'

Rose slings an arm over my shoulder. 'We were on the Florida state team for basketball, and we've been playing since we were seven.'

Emmett raises his eyebrows. 'Impressive. But not when we beat you guys.'

I laugh. 'Okay Emmett, But don't run away crying when we whip your ass.'

Rose and I run back towards our team to plan our strategy.

In the end, we ended up just scraping a win, 8 – 7, and the other team packed away the equipment with their tails hanging between their legs. Just before Rose and I disappeared into the girls' changeroom, Edward came running out of the gym.

'Bella! Rose!'

We turn around and he slows down as he runs down the steps.

'Just a message, come to our house when you're done, apparently both of our parents want to talk to us.' He says, a frown crumpling up his features.

'Okay, see you soon.' Rose says as we walk into the changeroom. Rose, with her lack of shame, whips off her top and digs around in her bag for deodorant. I sigh. No matter how many times I've told her, she doesn't change.

Once we've gone through the afterschool Forks traffic, I pull the car into the port and walk up the Cullen's front driveway, just as Edward, Emmett and Alice emerge from their car. We all walk inside together, not quite sure what to expect.

'Hi everyone, glad you're here. We've got some news for you.' Esme says kindly. 'Bella, Rose, it's really nice to meet you.'

'So what's the news?' Alice pipes up.

'Well,' Carlisle starts. 'Charlie has some cop business to take care of in Seattle, and it's a big case, so he's going to be away for a while. Meanwhile, we thought that Bella and Rose could stay with us. You know, so they're not alone for a whole two weeks.'

Alice's mouth hangs open.

'You alright Alice?' Charlie asks.

Alice closes her mouth and looks at them incredously. 'Oh my god, are you serious? This is the best day of my life! We'll have so much fun together, we can go to-'

'Okay, Alice, we'll let you discuss that later. For now, we'll just have to discuss the details.' Carlisle says patiently.

I look at Rose and raise my eyebrows. This is going to be an interesting couple of weeks.