CHAPTER 9 – HIGH SCHOOL 101

The Killers - Smile Like You Mean It

Save some face, you know you've only got one
Change your ways while you're young
Boy, one day you'll be a man
Oh girl, he'll help you understand
Smile like you mean it

A/N: Thank you for the awesome reviews – I was having a shitty day and read them which made me smile so much love to you.

To InLoveJA - I do see where you're coming from and even when I was writing, I was trying so hard to be extra careful to not make Mr. Banner sound creepy in any way. I just wanted Bella to unwind for a while after a stressful day.

Also thank you for pointing out the error. I saw it, read it, I berated myself and then changed it. I really appreciate your support.

To sujari6 – Thanks for the love to Banner and for reading and reviewing.

To Holidai – Thank you for your review – happy that you like this Bella.

To Valentine Rain – As always Valentine Rain – thank you for sticking around and giving this story a chance.

I also know you've all been pumped about the Cullens. So am I. Really glad we got here so I'll stop yapping and get this show on the road….

Waking up today was different from yesterday – I felt lighter, almost happier.

I had found a home.

Today I was dressed in a scoop neck long sleeved t-shirt which meant that my necklace was on display. On top of this, I had added a denim waistcoat on top and another hippie skirt though this one was a burgundy.

Now as I stepped out of the truck, I felt more confident than yesterday as I was surer of my surroundings although the stares were still unnerving. My story had already circulated so everyone knew my story – I was the nerdy girl from New York to some while others thought I was a single parent from New York just because I lived alone.

Still I wouldn't let them get to me.

As I walked on, I noticed the more extravagant silver Volvo parked a few feet away from mine. I hadn't seen it yesterday – maybe I just missed it.

Shrugging at this, I slung my bag onto my shoulder and began to walk towards Building 3 as the bell had already gone but decided to take a detour to my locker so I could leave my new duffel bag inside which was now filled with my new gym clothes – a simple grey long sleeved top, a grey hoodie and black yoga trousers along with black and grey hi-tops.

Once that was done, I took a deep breathe in and slammed the locker shut feeling ready for the day as I took casual strides towards my first lesson which was Trigonometry. Strangely, I couldn't find it in myself to be upset – I'd come to the conclusion that this was my life and I would accept it.

I'd take Mike, Jessica and Lauren any day rather than return to Italy.

"Bella!" my head snapped up and searched the hallways to meet Jessica who grinned excitedly and waved at me before tittering towards me – weaving in and out of the student body.

Strange…yesterday she acted like she hated me...

But now…

Narrowing my eyes, I stared at her trying to figure her out but she didn't even take notice of the grave tone I used when replying, "Jessica".

"Hey girlie, ready for class?" she ignored my distant attitude to the point that she even had her arm looped around mine and was now dragging me along with her. Attracting attention from everyone else – which was what she'd hoped for. Have the new girl everyone was talking about and wear her like a prize – High School Behaviour 101.

Was the spotlight that important to her? Was she that insecure and craved other's attention to fill the void of not being noticed at home? I may or may have not read her thoughts.

When I caught up she tried to pull me in conversation as she asked, "Hey B, did you do that homework?"

Oh so now I was B – should I be grateful that she considered me as a close friend that we could nickname each other. Well I was not into nicknaming so she wouldn't hear me calling her 'J'.

"For Trigonometry?", pretending seemed to be a natural thing around Jessica.

She turned to me and nodded, "Yeah", her grip around my arm was tight and possessive and I noted that while she was conversing with me she'd glance at her surroundings as she raised her voices two volumes higher.

It was all very comical to me but I didn't comment on her childish behaviour. "Yes I did. You?" trying my hardest to be polite and remember my manners as mother told me to. Would she ask me to give her the answers to the questions?

"No." she exhaled and I gave her the chance to redeem herself now by offering a justified reason but was sadly disappointed, "Thursday nights are filled with Jersey Shore and Vampire Diaries" she answered animatedly.

I stiffed at the word vampire but quickly forced myself a wave of calmness to tranquilize my erratic heart before forcing a smile in a false pretence pretending that I understood what she was talking about.

A few people seemed to appraise her with impressed glances – seemed that studies weren't as important as they used to be. Judging by their reactions, it paid off more to be on top of what's happening on the fictional lives of TV characters than to get a 4.0. Fair enough.

She then came to a complete stop much to my surprise that I stumbled, "Do you watch Vampire Diaries?" her eyes sparkling with excitement and expectancy. This Vampire Diaries must be something important to her then again even though I was locked up, I did hear of the great rise of vampire's popularity in the 21st Century. The media kept trailing off when depicting these creatures of the night. A couple of the guards used to joke around about the plotlines of movies and shows with the absurdity of a vampire and a human falling for each other. Was that Vampire Diaries?

I debated over lying but decided against it as I was growing tired with the transpiring web of deceit so I decided I'd try my best to shed some truth in my life which was why I shook my head in reply, "Uh sorry. Never heard of it"

Her face changed from confused then her features dropped into a deflated dumbfounded expression but then quickly rearranged into a forced yet wavering grin.

I broke my rule again and sank into her thoughts of curiosity but quickly wished I hadn't.

Wow does she live under a rock? "Oh that's okay. Maybe you can borrow my box-set" Or maybe raised by wolves… she then gave a sickeningly sweet grin unaware of everything. God, I don't know why I even try…Mike seems to like her. All guys seem to like her – she's not even that pretty but you know what they say, keep your friends close and your enemies…

Her bitter-filled thoughts had me angered so I ripped my arm away from hers before she could take it again. With my jaw set, I pushed away from her and entered the classroom, walking to my seat and fell into it in frustration. She'd just managed to ruin my almost good mood.

She then trailed in and looked at me in confusion before mouthing 'You okay?' but her dark thoughts were drawing up more judgments regarding my sanity.

Gripping the side of my desk, I nodded and turned back to the board as the teacher began his lecture.

Nothing he was saying was sinking in as I could feel Jessica's eyes on me and from my peripheral vision, I could see her trying to get my attention with small waves of her hand. She also kept hissing at me as if I was some kind of dog and I had to bite down the building expletives.

Soon enough the lesson was over and I too the opportunity of running away from her as she packed up her things.

-XXX-

Government had been a bore but I'd used the hour to try and get myself in control as well as push away the darker thoughts of different ways I could rid myself of the creature that was Jessica Stanley.

As the minutes rolled by, I began to feel more at ease. When arriving at World History, I even sent the teacher a small smile when slipping into my seat not even caring about that fact that the gesture had not been returned.

I seemed to be early as there were 5 minutes before the lesson began so I began to scribble in my notebook while reveling in the few moments of peace. No one staring at me – no one whispering about me – no one asking questions about me

It felt good.

Even as students filed in, I looked up to smile briefly which earned a few winks but a few wary ones probably debating about my insanity too. Still I didn't care – I felt like that really cheesy song about walking on sunshine. Dad used to sing it while he shaved or hum it when he was driving. This time the memories didn't hurt me as much as usual. In fact I felt like the-

T-that scent…

Everything came to a halt with that sudden moment.

I knew that smell – I knew it all to well.

Intoxicating almost like a drug and deliciously sweet with the underlying hint of forest wood.

Snapping my head towards the door, my eyes widened as I watched he walked in. Short wavy hair, a few strands falling over his forehead. His pale flawless skin – hard as marble and I knew how cold it would be. Dressed in expensive labels only to emphasise his obvious beauty.

His hand on the back of the tiny girl next to him, short brown spiky hair that framed her pale skin – also flawless and strikingly gorgeous.

Vampires?

In a high school?

His eyes locked with mine and I quickly looked down, wanting the hair to curtain my face away from his burning gaze. Even behind the closed eyelids, they were still burned into my thoughts.

Vampires.

First I was struck with numbness, frozen in my seat but soon enough the urgency of my expected panic set in. I had to get out of here- I had to leave – move to the next town or better yet next country. I just needed to leave.

Sitting up, I lifted my eyes from the desk and glanced from my peripheral vision and found that they were a few rows down from me and both were now staring at me. Did they know? Did they know I knew? Could they see right through me?

Were they gifted? Could they read my thoughts – no I would've felt it.

I slowly turned back to the board when realising something that I'd missed – their eyes.

They did have the purple bags highlighted under their eyes which weren't the expected vicious malice-filled blood scarlet but instead a fiery gold.

Now as I thought about it – they weren't filled with anything but confusion.

Was I wrong? Were they even vampires?

Taking a deep breath, I could still smell it making me act instinctively as I cupped my nose – not because it smelt bad but because it was taking me back.

No.

I was not wrong. It wasn't a scent that you easily forget.

And those eyes…Those eyes…

Many questions were drawn up flooding my mind and the need to flee grew stronger as the doubts were now screaming at me.

The Volturi ruled them – they would definitely tell him about me. Maybe Aro had contacted them to keep a look out for me. He'd have them bring me back to Italy and I couldn't – I wouldn't. No doubt it would be worse than it had been if I was to return now.

Before I knew it, I was out of my seat, ignoring the teacher's calls chasing after me as I ran out of the class – my stomach churned as sweat clammed to my forehead that I had to speed up as I ran out and into the light drizzle of the rain.

Halting in my tracks, I gasped as the air filled my lungs instantly calming me and I turned to look at the grey sky, feeling the drops of water cool my flushed skin. The force within was ignited once more with each drop that touched my heated cheeks trailing down to my exposed neck.

It made sense now - why they hadn't been here yesterday. It was because of the sun.

What didn't make sense was why they even cared about being conspicuous. Did they hunt the students of Forks High?

I don't know how long I'd been standing there, staring up at the rumbling clouds but it had been enough time to help me think rationally and decide to stay and find answers but also make sure they didn't harm anyone.

It was in my nature.

A/N: Poor Bella. Love for Bella? Hate for Jess? Love for Vampire Diaries? And who's looking forward to Edward? I know I am. Review for the next chapter.