Chapter Three: Getting to know the locals

It only took me an hour after breakfast to get both Kassie and I ready to go explore the small town. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and smiled. I was wearing one of my favorite outfits. I had on darker blue jeans with a tight fitting pink tank top under a white lace tank top . I was wearing my favorite pair of boots, it helped that they didn't have heels on them. I had added a few accessories to tie it all together. "Pretty." Kassie said with a smile.

I let out a small giggle. "No you're the pretty one." I told her as I took her hand. I slipped my right arm though one of the straps of my bag, grabbed my jacket and headed down the stairs. Nessie was sitting on the couch with Jake, watching a movie on tv.

"Is there a car I can take into town?" I asked, hoping they wouldn't want to come with me. Nessie stood and left the room, coming back with a set of keys and a wallet.

"Here." She said handing them both over. "The car is yours and it already had a car seat in it. There's some cash in the wallet and there is also a debit card that is also yours." She smiled and wrote down the pin number for the card and stuffed it inside the wallet.

"Thanks Nessie." I gave her a small hug before putting the wallet in my bag and going out to the garage. I could tell that she really was trying and that I had to try as well. I had to learn to be nice to them even if they were not the parents who raised me. There were only two cars and a motorcycle out in the garage. I had never really been a fan of motorcycles, they just seemed too dangerous for me.

I pressed the unlock button and the lights on the red four door truck flashed. I smiled and ran to it. I loved it. It was perfect for me. I opened one of the doors to the back seat and lifted Kassie into the car seat. After I buckled her in I shut the door and got in myself. I followed the GPS directions to the high school. I knew I should get to know where my classes were before I started attending the school tomorrow.

It didn't take me long to find a spot to park even though the lot was almost full with students and teachers cars. I quickly slipped on my jacket since it was a bit cold and grabbed my bag before helping Kassie out of the truck. Kassie pulled her jacket tighter around her. I helped her zip it up then stood and took her hand. I had forgotten that she actually got cold so I hadn't thought to zip it up earlier. Though I often wore a jacket I didn't really need one. It was just kind of a habit. Plus some jackets were really cute.

"Stay close to me. ok?"

Kassie smiled at me and gave a nod so I started walking towards the school. I had easily found the office and stepped in. A lady sitting behind the desk quickly looked up and a smile spread across her face. "You must be Alexis Black." She guessed.

I gave her a strange look. "My last name isn't Bl-" I started but stopped suddenly. Along with everything else I had a new last name that I would have to get used to. "Sorry, I'm not used to Black as my last name." I apologized.

"That's ok. It's understandable." She gave me a small, sympathetic smile. She turned in her chair and pulled a file out of the file cabinet next to her. "Here is your list of classes." She handed me the paper. "Also, Your locker number and combo and where you can find your classrooms." She handed me two more papers.

"Thanks." I scanned over the papers before turning on my heel and pulling Kassie along behind me. I walked through the halls, looking for my first class tomorrow, math. After a few minutes I found it and realized I had accidentally passed it twice. I took a step closer to the door, looking through the glass in the door. Just then the bell rang. I looked down to see that Kassie had her hands pressed tight over her ears.

I looked back up just as the door came flying open, slamming into me. It hit me hard enough to knock me over, causing me to fall backwards and hit my head hard on the floor. I cussed under my breath to where Kassie couldn't hear as i clutched at me head where I could feel sharp pains.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there. Are you ok?" I heard someone asked. I sat up but still held my hand tightly against my head where the pain was coming from. When I pulled my hand away there was a bit of blood on my fingers. I turned my head so Kassie couldn't see it.

Just then a guy crouched down next to me. He was tall, muscular and very cute. "We need to go get that taken care of. "

"Really? I never would have guessed." I said sarcastically. He helped my up and Kassie glared at him, hitting his thigh as hard as she could. I let out a small laugh

"Thank you for your help in getting him back Kassie."I told her as she gave me a proud smile.

"Come on, I'll help you to the hospital." He turned and looked me in the eye. The second his eyes met mine he froze, seeming unable to move. It took him a minute but he quickly picked Kassie up and took my hand, leading me though the crowd of students who were hurrying to get to their next class.

"Where's your keys?" He asked as we hit the parking lot.

"Excuse me?"

"Give me your keys. You are in no shape to drive." He said.

I glared at him a moment but pulled them out of my pocket and handed them over to him. He pressed the button to unlock the doors and found the truck from the lights flashing. He got Kassie into her seat and then helped me in before getting in himself. He pulled out of the school parking lot and sped down the road.

"You must be Alexis."

"The one and only." I smiled, obviously annoyed.

"I've known your family my entire life. I'm Seth Clearwater." He introduced himself. I looked at him confused as we passed by the hospital.

"I thought we were going to the hospital."

"It might be better to take you to Carlisle, he's the best doctor there is. Trust me. I go to him anytime I need medical help, most of the pack does."

"Whatever." I mumbled. If he got me killed from blood loss, even though it wasn't likely, he was screwed. A few minutes later he pulled up to a large white house, pulled the keys out and ran around to my side, opening my door.

"Just go on in, We'll be right behind you." He told me. But I didn't trust him. After all, I had only just met him. He sighed and quickly pulled Kassie out of the car before walking up to the house. I followed closely behind him and we found Carlisle and Esme sitting in the living room with Emmett and Rosalie.

Carlisle quickly came up to me. "What happened?"

"Someone slammed me with a door." I said shooting Seth a glare.

"I said sorry." He said, putting Kassie down. "Rose, you want to watch her while Carlisle takes care of Alexis?"

Rosalie stood and smiled."I'd love to." She said but looked over at me." Is that ok?" She asked me.

I looked at her for a minute but nodded, telling her it was ok.

"Lets get you fixed up. Follow me." Carlisle stood and led me upstairs to what seemed to be some sort of home hospital room.

He pulled my hair out of the way and gave a happy sigh. "It's not too bad." He told me with a smile. He pulled my hair up with a ponytail holder so it was out of the way. He washed out the cut and put something over it to keep it from bleeding and to help it scab over quicker. Once he was done he led me back down the stairs. "I will check it before dinner tonight." He said as we hit the living room.

I looked over to find Seth on the couch, looking like he had been crying. "Were you crying?" I asked

"No." He said quickly, not looking at me. He flinched a little but tried to hide it.

"Yes." Kassie said from the other side of the room. She was sitting on the floor playing candyland with Emmett and Rosalie. I smiled at her. She was so much smarter than the other two years olds I'd met. She also would not let people lie to me and Seth still did not seem to be on her good side for hurting me

"Why?" I asked, sitting next to him, honestly curious.

"Nothing." He said, slightly flinching again.

"He hurt you." Kassie told me, not letting Seth get away with lying to me.

I looked at him a bit shocked. He was upset over accidentally hitting me with a door? He hadn't known I was there so it's not like he could purposely do it. I had not meant to upset him over it, I was just teasing him.

"Between her and Edward I can't get away with anything." He mumbled.

I let out a small laugh. "Don't worry, I know you didn't mean to hurt me. I was not trying to make you feel bad, I was just teasing you. " I said. With a smile as I stood. "Since you've already escaped school do you want to show me around town?" I asked him.

He quickly stood, smiling. "I'd love to. "

"Come on Kassie." I said, holding out my hand towards her.

"I want to stay. Can I stay with Rose?" She asked. My heart sank a little. Kassie had never been left with anyone. She had always been with either me or my parents. I looked over at Seth, silently asking if I could trust them with her. He gave me a small nod. I hated to leave her alone and it upset me that she wanted to stay with someone other than me. But she seemed to really want to stay.

"Ok. You can stay." I told her. I turned to Rose. If she gets bored call me. " I told her, writing down my cell number for her. "Also, She takes a nap at two otherwise she will get very grumpy and trust me, no one wants that."

Rose smiled."Don't worry, She'll be safe. I promise. I've babysat a lot." I gave a small nod before taking a deep breath and following Seth out the door.

{Sorry that it took me a few days to get this chapter up. I've just had a lot going on in my personal life the past few days. Anyway, I hope you liked it. She got to meet Seth.:) I feel kinda bad for her with Kassie wanting to stay with Rose instead of go with her. Let me know what you think? :)

~Sammylynn }