Fearful Facade

by Beckaabook

When Edward and his gang bullied Bella for years they never knew of the disastoruous consequences to both her and their lives, when Bella returns to Forks years later as what seems like a different person... there's hell to pay.

2. Silent Uprising

*A.N. – First of all, my apologies, this chapter took ages to write because I've been so busy – I'm really sorry for the long wait but I have made it extra long for you guys :o) [19000 words] so a huge thankyou to everyone who reviewed and alerted this story – it means alot :]

Secondly, here are some of the songs I wrote this to...
Nobody Knows – Pink
You could be happy – Coldplay
White Lies – Mr Hudson
Uprising – Muse

Thirdly – ENJOY! X

My heels splashed down into a large puddle, soaking my feet in their cold liquid. I cursed under my breath – brilliant Bella, now you'll be walking around with freezing feet all day.

I sighed heavily, slamming closed the trucks door and taking out a tissue out of my large D & G bag, bending over to wipe away the drops of mud which now coated my feet and shoes, as I wiped the last drop of muck away there was a screech of tires as I heard another car squealing to a halt just a few metres away, I jumped a little as the owner of the vehicle called out to me.

"Hey you!" I lifted my head wearily and spotted a dark skinned boy, sporting a head of dreadlocks, a Bob Marley T-shirt and ripped jeans; he was relatively nice looking, but I certainly was not interested in boys at this point. "Are you the new girl?" He nodded his head in time with the beat coming from his own cars stereo, watching me intently for an answer, a small smirk present on his face.

"Uhuh," I mumbled, standing up too quickly, giving myself a little head rush, I swayed from side to side as his smile grew larger; he switched of the engine, locked up his banged up ford and walked across to me, holding out his hand to introduce himself.

"I'm Laurent," I sucked in a breath as I encountered a small flashback – I remembered this boy from the last time I was here in Forks, he was the year above me and good friends with Angela Webber's big cousin, I had spent quite a few enjoyable summer barbeques with him present. Always polite and nice; I was a little shocked to find him like this, he just seemed pretty different, his attitude had changed, not to mention his hair.

I grasped his hand and shook it, "I'm Bella," I watched his eyes for the recognition I dreaded, but they stayed calm and slightly seductive as a fresh wave of his scent hit me I realised that the only reason he might not recognise me is that he was a stoner, probably not in the sharpest of mind sets at the moment. No wonder his eyes looked mysteriously hazy.

"Well Bella," he put his other hand on top of mine which was now sandwiched in the middle – "would you like a tour?" I thought about it for a second, this guy already seemed to be on my side; maybe it would be good to have a guy walking about the place with me, a little bit of protection from the masses of students who will no doubt note my identity pretty soon. But then I decided against it, I didn't want to have a reputation as the stoners side kick; certainly not my first day of school.

So I gracefully declined, "Oh I'm okay, I need to go to the office anyway, but it would be helpful if you could point me in the right direction?" I smiled falsely at him, my stomach churning at the thought of meeting more people from my past.

His grin dropped for a second before he restored it, then he gave me simple directions to the main entrance, which apparently opened into the main entrance; I tried to tell myself to stop being so paranoid – that of course the office would be there and what reason would he have for lying about it. But I had been poked fun at and sent in the wrong way so many different times in so many different situations that no matter how much I tried something inside me screamed that I should ask another person, just to verify it.

But as there was no other pupils around I would just have to take the guys word for it. It makes sense to. I shouldn't be so paranoid.

My hand closed around the large brass door handle, I pushed down slightly and it swung open, I stepped inside and felt a wave of relief spring over me as I opened my eyes to an empty hallway – it was weird how one minute I wanted to have someone to talk to and the next I wanted to crawl into a corner and throw a camouflage sheet over myself. My emotions were all over the place today.

I strode forward quickly, keeping into the left hand side, I turned to the right after a few steps and there was some glass door – viewable through them was the office.

A plump woman seated at the front desk had spotted me, and motioned with one crooked finger and a slightly sly smile for me to come towards her.

I pushed open the double doors and walked swiftly over to her, pulling a slim silver pen out of my coat, just in case I needed to fill anything in – glad that I didn't need to rifle through my essay filled black leather bag.

She smiled again before it faltered, then she frowned a little at me then opened her eyes widely, "Isabella Swan?" there was some sort of recognition to her voice, but she still looked confused; I thought she had known who I was straight away, she had been the one to ask me over.

"Yeah, but it's Bella," I answered her, and her eyes popped a little more before she corrected herself and changed her look of shock back to a welcoming smile.

"I thought you were a pupil wondering the corridors. Sorry, but we only have an old photograph of you – from the last time you lived in Forks," she had a slim file on her desk which she pointed at with one polished nail to a small picture pinned onto it in the corner – I was there right enough, in unflattering pigtails and about a few stone heavier. I felt a lobster red blush creep up my neck and onto my cheeks. I think the woman realised the embarrassment she had caused me and pulled the file away again with a little bit of an apologetic face.

"I thought my name was going to be marked down on the register as Bella," I squeaked, fearful of the detection that would certainly cause.

"Yes, yes, it is," she said, shuffling the files on her desk and opening her drawers underneath it, she was looking for something. "I was reading it off of the old file, but it has been changed on these registers," she confirmed, relief once again filled me. I was just about to ask for my locker key and map before she handed them to me, after finding them underneath a mound of papers on the side of her desk, "Look at this mess, on the first day," she mumbled under her breath while shaking her head,"

I thanked her before turning away and beginning to follow the signs which pointed towards lockers 275 – 350, I was 321.

I turned left, then right, then left again and they were now within sight; only one problem – there were now growing crowds of people surrounding that area. I froze on the spot, my breathing becoming heavier and more drawn out. I thought I was going to have an asthma attack or something - I had my inhaler packed in my bag but I hadn't needed it since I lost the weight – not once in five years.

The familiar feeling of my throat closing and a burning sensation crawling up my throat began – my head began to spin and I soon realised this wasn't an asthma attack – this was a panic attack.

For a second or so – I almost let it take over my body, maybe the best thing would be just to pass out, I wouldn't have to go to school today, see all these people – and when my dad saw the state of me, he would never allow me to come back. But then my selfish streak stopped in its tracks and I fought for a regular breathing rhythm, because I wasn't ready to give up on Forks high school yet, definitely not.

I calmed myself and took a few steps forward, luckily enough I was still in a shadowed area of the corridor, no one had yet spotted me but I knew with a few more steps everyone would see. Already some faces were familiar, I could see Amy, Ashley, William, Luke – several of the pupils I had known years ago, who had just ignored my treatment, been too scared to become involved.

But I couldn't hold it against them, so I took a few more strides and then I was completely visible to them. I felt as if everyone had turned to have a good stare at me, it took me all of my strength to put on that small fake smile – to look as if I had confidence. Knowing, that if I spotted just one of the vicious four, I would crumble.

In those split seconds I mindlessly searched for their faces, even though I was afraid of being faced with them. I still looked, but I found none. An eruption of happiness made its way through my body as a few people nicely stepped forward to say hello to the new girl.

"Are you the new girl?" I was asked repeatedly, and every time I answered with, "Yeah, hi, I'm Bella," softly but confidently, not wanting to give of too shy an impression.

After a few minutes I finally managed to make my way to my locker, pushing past a couple of younger students who were gawping at me. I started to wonder if I looked a bit overdressed for school, maybe I had gone a little overboard.

Every single thought was knocked from my head as the guy standing at the locker next to mine turned to face me. My heart stopped in my second. He was wearing a loose hat so I hadn't seen the giveaway hair. From behind he just seemed like a normal guy, baggyish jeans and a Fred Perry top.

But when he turned, I felt all the air leave my body. His charming smile never faltered for a second as he held out a hand for me to shake, "Mike Newton," he purred. His blue eyes connecting with mine.

And I found myself remembering one of the biggest let downs of my life.

[7 years ago]

My fingers brushed over the bright red card, the little pink love hearts I had spent hours cutting out and sticking, the sequins I had arranged in patters, the glitter I had sprinkle, the inside poem I had come up with all by myself:

-Your blue eyes sparkle like the sea;
I just wish they'd look at me.
Your hair is blonde and fine,
I wish you would be mine.
Maybe one day you will see,
that you're in love with me.-

And underneath that poem. It was signed with my name.

I would never have signed it with my name if I hadn't read the ok! Magazine which my mother had left in the bathroom.

I usually wasn't allowed to read those but she had accidentallyleft it unattended so I had quickly snapped it up and ran into my room to read it. Alot of people in my school read that magazine as it was about all the coolest celebrities but my mom had always stipulated that I was not to touch it because it was to mature for me.

So I had thought about most of the girls in my class who read it and then decided that I was definitely more mature than them, and that I should be allowed to read it if they were.

It was a complete let down and to be honest, I found the magazine a complete bore, I had expected to find thrilling tails of celebrity adventures but instead I was faced with a bunch of stick thin movie people either with a caption above a picture saying they were too skinny or that they were getting too fat. As well as that, there were pregnancy rumours; celeb break ups and celeb get togethers. What rubbish.

But as I turned to the "Vicki's advice" column I found more interesting letters and answers.

The third one I came across was for an upcoming valentine gift, she were unsure whether she should give the work colleague a present with her name signed on it – she had fancied him for 4 years and really wanted a relationship with him but she didn't want to face rejection if it turned out he didn't feel the same with as her.

It totally related to my current situation, except I had fancied Mike for much longer, and wanted a relationship with him, probably much more than she wants one that guy.

Vicki's advice was to just sign her name, and at least if he said no, she'd be able to say that she'd tried and start to get over him – and if she believed that this man was a true gentlemen then she would not suffer too much humiliation.

So I thought about that, and I believed Mike was the nicest boy at that whole school, fair enough he was a little overly friendly with Edward and Emmett Cullen for my liking, but he had even helped me up once a few years ago when I fell down in the lunch queue.

I used my neatest, fanciest writing to sign my name. Putting it in the cream envelope I had also made by myself and slipped it carefully into my brown jacket pocket, buttoning it up then running downstairs with a new spring in my step. Today could be the day.

"Some one's in a hurry to get to school," my mom laughed as I paced around the front door, waiting for her to get her scarf on, "you even remembered to put you gloves in your bag?" she asked incredulously.

I nodded violently, letting my impatience get the better of me, "Hurry up," I whined.

"Alright, alright, what's the reason for the-" she cut of mid sentence, a large smile filling her face, "someone has a valentine," her blue eyes sparkle with excitement, just as my brown were probably doing right now.

I nodded slightly and for the whole car ride to school, she interrogated me with some sort of a vengeance, constantly hitting out with questions about him. By the time we got there, I was pretty sure she knew just as much about him as I did.

I managed to stuff the card into his locker, before anyone saw me. Nerves ran through me and I could tell Angela had noticed a difference in my behaviour, but I just grinned and giggled when she asked me about her, frustrating her slightly.

We were first to get to class, not the usual for us, as my scatterbrain mother usually got me to school just in time for the bell. We still had ten minutes before the teacher came along and I turned to whisper to Angela what I had done just as I heard a squashing laughter, someone calling my name.

Not just someone, him.

"ISABELLA!" my heart sped up as I stood up slightly, my bum still half in the seat. He was calling me, just like I had dreamed so many times. Without further ado I made my way to the door frame, poking my head around the door and on seeing his smiling face pushing my whole body out into the corridor.

He stepped towards me, still smiling, and held out his hands to me. In a euphoric trance I stepped forward, bringing my hands to his. We touch and his grin spread. He was happy to be with me. My spirit soared.

He leaned forward, his face now no more than ten inches away; I could feel his hot breath tingling my features. I conjured up my courage and moved forward a little, he closed his eyes as he moved forward and I copied. Ready for my first kiss.

In just a few seconds everything changed. Suddenly I was pushed violently away from him. My eyes snapped open and there was a smirking Rosalie, behind her – Edward, Emmett, Tanya and a wildly grinning Mike.

"You actually thought he was going to kiss you, Belly?" Rosalie Hale smirked evilly, "Really?" The tears came to my eyes so quickly and I couldn't stop them as they poured down my face.

"Gawdd, she's crying." Edward eyes burned into me as he spoke. I turned to look at Mike, who had begun to laugh.

"I can't believe I had to touch her," his face contorted, so different from what it had been just seconds ago as he threw down the ripped up valentines card. "And you can have that back too."

[End Memory]

I think my brain had disconnected from my body for a few seconds, before I was able to use my body again, to answer him. I reached out a shaky hand to him and he took it happily, obviously not even thinking I could be her, the fat 10 year old who gave him a valentine card which he then ceremoniously threw back in her face.

I never realised that I was still so touchy on that subject. So angry. It boiled up inside me and I had to keep a seriously tight rein on it.

"Bella," I answered him, surprised at how bold my voice now sounded, exactly how I had practiced for it to be.

"So you're the new girl that's stealing the empty locker beside me," He gave a wide smile, showing a row of pearly white teeth.

"Apparently so," It shocked me to see the signals, he was flirting with me ever so slightly – the smiles, the body movements told me that.

"Do you know your way around or would you like me to escort you to your first class – English I'm guessing you have?" I weighed up my options, walking with him could also protect me from crowds. But could I really stand walking with this boy that for so long I had cried over – he had been the first to break my heart, and I'm still not quite sure if I've yet got over that break. Yes I was over him as a person. But what he done to do it, the pain he caused me by being so cruel, teaming up with the people he knew would hurt me most. Now that had been agony.

I started to shake my head, slowly and shyly, just before I realised that that wasn't what I should be doing. It's not what the new confident Bella should be doing. I answered with a slightly flirty response, even though I was mildly disgusted not by his physical form, but by his inner nastiness. "I'm okay thanks, I want to find my way around alone for my first day, it always helps me learn quicker," I smirked at my supposed odd ways of learning before continuing, "but maybe tomorrow, we could walk to class together,"

"I would like that," he winked before turning to leave, "see you around Bella,"

"See you," I fumed under my breath.

I dropped off the majority of things which had made my bag so heavy into my locker, leaving me with only the school map, my English essays from Phoenix and writing utensils.

I turned into a few identical looking corridors before I eventually reached my classroom, the door was closed and I peeked at the number and name on it quickly to make sure I had the right place before entering. Right enough inscribed on a flashy gold coated panel was the name, "Mr Mason – C1.01" – clearly he took his teaching seriously.

With just one more deep breath I entered to an almost empty classroom. A geeky unfamiliar looking boy was sat in the corner, and a small thin girl who looked maybe a couple of years younger than me was sat one row back from the front smiled openly at me. She had warm eyes, unfamiliar though. Also her taste in fashion was exquisite; already I could spot a scarf that had been in last month's edition of vogue and a plaid jacket which was one of this year's highest trends in the hierarchy fashion world.

I was glad to see an unfamiliar face, contrary to the saying. "I'm guessing you're the new girl?"she smiled tentatively and held out her hand towards the empty seat next to her, I took it happily, nodding.

"I'm Bella," I began to hold out a hand for her to shake but she surprised me by pulling me into a hug.

"Alice!" her cheerful mood was a little contagious, and I smiled for the first time today with little falseness. "I've finally got someone to sit beside me!" she laughed and I surprised myself by laughing with her, she relaxed me.

As I spoke I always had part of my mind and on who was coming in the door next, checking it wasn't one of them. I guess it was kind of pointless as I was going to run into them at some point but still, I couldn't help but want to keep out of their way. "You'll be sorry you said that," I replied, as she grinned.

"Oh I love your outfit, what a way to start your first day of school – and are those Jimmy Choos?" she added her eyes popping a little with excitement.

"So you're a fan of fashion?" I asked the obvious question.

"Of course," she beamed back at me.

"Yeah, they're JC's and thanks – is that by any chance the designer scarf that I spotted in vogue last month?" Her facial expressions froze, she stared at me her face a mask and for a split second I began to think she had somehow known me from before and was now recognizing me, just as she spoke again.

"Oh. My. God. We finally have someone in the place who follows fashion with the same passion as I," we followed fashion for a different reason but it didn't matter at this moment, all that mattered was that I was talking to someone and actually enjoying the conversation. "- there's only one other girl in this school who keeps at all within the fashion boundaries and even with that I have to force her into wearing quite a few things, and that's Rosalie Hale," the name sent a cold shiver down my spine. If this girl was friends with Rosalie Hale then the possibility of a proper friendship with her was now dropping at a fast rate.

"You're friends with her?"I said it just as I realised my mistake.

"Yeah, she goes out with my brother, how do you know Rosalie, and I know her through Jazz?" she smiled widely at his name then I began to think the shocking thoughts - so she'd left the big Cullen boy she was with when I last came into contact with her – the way the two had looked at each other, even back then, I had never thought they would split. A dog and a bitch together forever, how fucking sweet.

I shrugged, as if it was none the different to me, "I heard a few people talking about her when I was coming in the door."

"Oh," She answered, "just out of interest, what were they saying?" If Rosalie was good friends with Alice then I would have to lie and say something nice, otherwise I could just see Alice giving information on the people who "talked about her" and Rosalie going on the war path. She was always like that, ever said anything about her behind her back and you'd be in big trouble. I'd learned that the hard way.

[8 years ago]

"Izzy sweetie, remember to put on your welly boots on, it's pouring down outside," my mom shouted from downstairs. I flung open my closet, in a hurry to catch the bus. Pulling out a pair of lilac wellies which went nicely with my lilac water proof jacket.

I ran down stairs at top speed, slinging my school bag over my shoulder, picking up my mom's keys which had been lying in plain sight on top of the living room table – throwing them to her as she searched for them, "Come on!" I moaned, "I can't walk to school in this weather; I need to make the bus!"

"Alright, alright, you'd think you were the mother and I the child," I resisted the urge to tell her that's how she acted sometimes and stupidly began running to the car, slipping on the wet concrete, my running mother luckily catching me from behind, "careful, careful," she scolded, unlocking the car.

I withheld my anger at falling, turning on the car stereo to pass the time. Out came one of my mother's favourites. A Whitney Houston classic – I will always love you. I was glad I had the same taste in music as her, she happened to be the type of person who stuck to her the music she enjoyed in her childhood and never changed with the times really, maybe once a year adding a new song to her collection of CDs, then listening to that collection over and over again. It didn't bother me, but it certainly bothered her many friends.

It took a few minutes, just until the song finished to reach the spot the school bus passed. There was one figure turned away from me, a slight thing in a cute purple, her favourite colour was the same as mine. It was Angela Webber, my best friend in the world. She turned and gave a small smile as she stood shivering as it pelted down, I dreaded getting out of the car, and almost took my time saying goodbye to my mother, stalling.

My mom drove away just as the bright yellow bus came bustling down the road, with all the warm children inside. The bus came to a halt, and I stretched out my arm signalling for Angela to get in first, after all, she had been here first. I followed her in haste but as I got to the top of the stairs I took a double take. She wasn't standing there, then as I looked around and down, I saw her petrified face sitting right beside a smirking Edward Cullen, "you need to share your friends Isabella," he patronized me as I guiltly walked on.

The only seat left was near the back, across from Tanya and Rosalie and beside Jessica, I felt immensely sorry for Angela as even though I wasn't Jessica's biggest fan I knew I wouldn't be going through the torture of sitting beside Edward.

"Hi Jessica," I murmered quietly as I sat down. She surprised me by responding even though we were seated near Rosalie and Tanya – she could get made fun of because of this.

"Oh hey Isabella," she turned to look at me and began whispering quietly to me, "You're probably like the only girl in this class who'll agree with me about Rosalie,"

I didn't really know what I was supposed to say to that, in the end I just I just mumbled under my breath that I didn't understand what she meant.

"Well, you know how much of," she sucked in a breath for dramatic effect, pronouncing the next word in a hiss more than a whisper, "bitch, she can be."

Jessica was usually quite good friends with Rosalie, I guess Rosalie must have shown her true colours, "What happened?" I asked quietly, still acting sort of nonchalant about the whole situation.

"Yesterday we were all at the park and Mike was there, and you know how I kinda like him, well she knows this and I was talking to him and she came right up to us and started asking me about how my rash was," she turned bright red at this point and lowered her head a little, " she asked if it was still all over my bum,"

"Honestly?" I had never expected Rosalie to be this mean to her close friends, I always thought it was just me, and maybe some other unpopulars.

"Yeah, I was so embarrassed I started crying infront of him and he just walked away from me, while Rose started to giggle."

I thought about telling her my true thoughts about Rosalie, I hadn't ever told them to anyone except Angela, it would be a relief just to get them out of me, and I decided just to do it, after what Rosalie had done to her it really didn't look like they would start being friends again anytime soon.

"Well," I exhaled, "I hate her almost more than I hate Edward. And I hate him ALOT."I began to let it out, my anger and frustration, "she thinks she's so perfect because she has the big annoying stupid oaf of a boyfriend to back her up – she has serious anger issues. I honestly believe that by the time we're seniors she'll be some drugged up, slutty blonde bimbo." I used the entire vocab I had learned from reading books which were several years too old for me, emphasizing my hatred of this one girl and her whole gang of vicious bullies.

My voice softened my throat cracking as I continued, calmer, "she hurts me so much, every day – just because she's pretty miss perfect. And I'm... well I'm me." I felt tears well up in my eyes and I hastily turned away brushing them from there and breathing deeply to unwind the dangerously furious cogs which were grinding tightly and quickly inside my burning mind.

I shifted back to look at Jessica, and her face was in shock, she never spoke to me the rest of the bus ride, and I never pushed her to.

As we stepped off of the yellow rusting bus I pulled up my hood, zipping my jacket right back up to the top once again and starting to run towards the filling playground when I was jolted backwards by my school bag pulling back my arms. I began to turn around and I was pulled again, I screamed and no one seemed to pay any attention as I was dragged, my feet having caved in at the force of the pulling behind a nearby dripping tree and pushed down to the ground.

"Isabella Dwyer, you fucking little cow!" she slapped with severe strength cracking my head backwards onto the trunk of the tree, and I stopped screaming in shock, heat and pain levels rising quickly in my cheek. Just as Jessica walked up behind her, a blank expression on her face.

"Jessica, how could..." I squeaked before I was cut off by another hit, this time a punch in the gut.

"Don't want to leave any bruises for mommy to investigate do we?" she smiled, her teeth gleaming her eyes crinkling slightly, if it wasn't for the murderous look in her eyes she would have looked completely angelic. "And that was for Emmett, an oaf is he?"

Bang

"Slutty, am I?"

Thump.

"Drugged up, will I be?

Punch.

"A Bimbo, am I?"

Smack, whack, kick.

"And to you, pig face, I AM Miss perfect."

[Memory End]

I breathed out as normally as I could, "Uhmm, nothing really, I just heard her name," I smiled weakly, hoping her suspicions would drop.

She looked at me, surveyingly, for a couple of seconds before answering, "I only asked because alot of people still have a thing against Rosalie because of what she used to be like," I just managed to stop my eyes popping open in shock, could she really have changed. "Her twin brother, Jasper had cancer through the majority of her childhood; it gave her serious anger problems. Not many people know her for the changed Rosalie Hale. But honestly I wish people gave her another chance – when her brother was cleared of cancer and started coming to school with her instead of being homeschooled the change in her was huge! I mean, I only knew her for a short time before that and I guess that's probably why I kind of excepted the new Rose quickly and I'm her brothers girlfriend so that makes it quite hard for me not to hang about with her, but even at that, I still believe she really deserves a second chance from everyone." She said it in such a way that it seemed like she took the whole situation lightly, but her eyes showed different, the care and compassion which was held for this girl was shown just with one glance. Even I felt for the girl in the story, but when I told myself who the girl in the story really was, I reminded myself who and what she was I felt my melting heart return to its freezer. The ice forming once more. I would have to see it to believe it first, and then see where to go from there. I didn't even know she'd had a brother never mind a twin and one who could have possibly died of cancer.

I couldn't quite believe what I had just heard, I blinked twice before retracing my derailed thoughts and continuing with my conversation, just as I began to speak again the man I guessed would be Mr Mason entered the room, pushing his glasses up his nose just as the bell rang and screaming "LATE!" at the two pupils who tried to enter just seconds after the bell had rung.

I looked to Alice with wide eyes, showing my dread of this teacher but she just shook her head slightly and raised her eyes in a sort of disbelief of his behaviour, maybe he was different when you got to know him...

"Today class, we have new student – could Bella Swan please stand up?" Mortified, I slid back my chair, and stood up. He motioned for me to come to the front and I walked the few paces towards him, and smiled at the rest of the class. My head held high once again in remembrance of my new confidence I had promised myself to keep up. "Since this is your first day, tell the class a little about yourself,"

I was prepared for this, I put on my fake happy voice and answered out loud as I read my "speech" from inside my head "I'm Bella Swan as you know and I just transferred from Phoenix high school – that's really all there is to know," I laughed a little at my own joke before taking my seat again without being offered, waiting for him to continue.

I was glad to find that for the rest of the period we watched a Shakespeare play on a video, one which I had already seen. So I sat half listening and half daydreaming, not so much daydreaming as collecting my thoughts up and trying to sort out the confused brain of mine.

As we were still supposed to be taking note, I tuned in now and again, but found that the extreme passions of the actors upset me, I was thankful that it wasn't something as upsetting as Romeo and Juliet but only Julius Caesar – even at that, the murder and corruption of the town pained me. Earth certainly was and is not a nice place to be.

It all starts with children, who grow into corrupt, rich, powerful adults and think they can so whatever they like to anyone they like.

The class finished quicker than I expected, I looked down to find only half a page of notes in front of me compared to Alice's very full two pages and to add to that I was pretty sure she had turned to a new double page while taking notes, meaning she had probably done at least another page full.

I sighed as I realised I would have to go home and watch it over again, most probably on YouTube in rotten quality. "What's up?" Alice asked sweetly, as we packed up our things quickly.

"Nothing, just being back at school I guess," I gave a half smile.

"I guess Mr. Mason can depress anyone," she lifted her eyebrows, smirking as we walked out of class together. "What have you got next?" she asked, pulling my slightly by the wrist over to the side of the wall so other pupils could get by as we talked.

I unzipped the side of my bag, pulling out the perfectly folded timetable – running my finger across it to find the period I was looking for:

Miss Walker, History, class D2.04

I pointed to it - "History," I told her.

"I'm going the other way but it's just down this corridor and to your left, would you be okay getting there yourself – I would walk you if it was another class but I have PE and I don't want to be late to the changing rooms – sometimes you can get locked out," she looked genuinely upset that she had to let me go by myself and I nodded happily – even though I was shit scared of facing a new classroom full of people – maybe familiar faces. "Good," she grinned, "if I don't see you before lunch then I'll find you then and hopefully you'll want to sit beside me," she winked before almost skipping away from me.

I was very grateful for my new friend and as I made my way to my next class I realised it calmed me, she had told me about Rosalie's change, she had an excuse for treating me like crap back then. It didn't make it okay – definetly not, but it gave me some insight.

When I reached the door I found it already open; inside the woman I presumed was Miss Walker, a strawberry blonde youngish looking woman who at first glance seemed to be engrossed in her work but at second was sneaking glances at the rowdy class, as if trying to catch out a troublemaker. I would have to be careful of her, already I was guessing she wasn't as gentle with her nature as her features seemed to portray.

I walked swiftly over to her, the majority of the class ignoring me, thankfully. I could see some faces which sparked a couple of memories but as of yet I hadn't seen one of them.

"Miss Walker?" I asked quietly and she turned to me with a soft smile.

"Are you Bella Swan?" she answered my question with a question and I was reassured that she was stricter than she looked; her voice had a hardness to it.

"Yes," I handed her my timetable, "is this the right class?"

She nodded, "just take your seat over there" she pointed to a desk three from the back, my eyes searched the area from a too familiar face and found none, however, there was something familiar about the voice of the boy who was seated directly behind the seat I had just been assigned to, but he had his back turned to me, talking to the boy behind him. I couldn't quite place it.

She handed me a textbook, a long blue jotter for my class work, a smaller thinner jotter for research/note homework, a large pile of extra revision notes and a yellow faded pass-paper for 1996, asking me to do that for next time I came to history so she could find out the level I was at.

Brilliant. Homework before class has started. Lucky, lucky, lucky Bella.

I took my seat, dreading the rest of the lesson; I was beginning to think this teacher may be a slave driver. Her sweet smile was not fooling me.

I bent over to grab my pencil case out of my bag, and I felt a soft pressure on my back, a crumpled little ball of paper fell into my eye line, followed by, "Hey new girl!" spoken by the guy who's voice I couldn't quite place and who's face I hadn't yet seen.

I took the slim metal pen from my bag and turned to face him. Just to have the breath knocked out of me.

"Oh," I spoke so quietly that I was sure he hadn't heard me. The amount of memories which passed through my head was ridiculous, I felt like I was being pulled apart in my mind...

"New giiiiirl!" he waved his hand in front of my blank face, I blinked, he stuck out his hand, and "I'm Emmett, Emmett Cullen,"

Suddenly everything clicked – the familiar tones to his voice – several octaves deeper now, but with the same lilt to it that had taunted me.

He stared at me waiting for an answer just as my mind was plunged into another one of its painful memories...

[11 years ago]

Ring. Ring. Ring.

The three simultaneous rings of the bell signified that it was playtime, meaning if it wasn't torrential rain outside, we would be allowed outside to play games and eat ort play pieces.

The teacher, Ms Koskovsky, stood up, silenced the class then proceeded to make her way over to the window, deciding whether we would be allowed out today. As the windows were relatively high placed in this classroom we couldn't see very well for ourselves so we sat in hope that we wouldn't have to stay inside and play with practically wrecked and most certainly ancient wet weather games.

Ms Koskovsky finally turned back around, "class, you have 20 minutes outside, enjoy," several of my classmates whooped that they were allowed outside, after all, it had been a whole three weeks since we had been, "but I want no fighting,"

We answered her with a happy "yes Ms Koskovsky," and almost ran out of the classroom, along the hallway and out into the cool air of Forks.

"Let's play a big game!" shouted Martin, the redheaded smiling boy who was sadly not very blessed in his looks but had an amazingly funny personality, "EVERYONE can play!"

There were several shouts of agreement, but I kept at the sidelines, not quite trusting that "everyone" would include me.

The whole class began to decide what game to play, finally settling for my favourite game – Xena, warrior princess. In spite of myself, I edged forward, just as they were picking who Xena would be, I gently pushed myself into a space where they could see that I was playing, sticking my foot into the deciding rhyme – "Sky blue, sky blue," Tyler's quick hand moved from foot to foot as he spoke, on every syllable, "all's out, but you!" I was very shocked to find the finger pointing at me – I was Xena. It was the first time in months I had played with the rest of the class like this – and I had never been allowed to play warrior princess.

"I'm Xena," I whispered, as quiet as a mouse as Tyler nodded and Edward growled in anger then changed his expression quickly as his brother Emmett leaned over his shoulder and whispered something into his ear. He smirked deviously.

We began playing, hiding in places, pretending to have swords by using sticks which we found lying under the huge tree at the bottom of the playground. It turned out I was actually quite good at it.

I chose Angela as my "daughter" and began to slightly regret that decision as pretend fighting definitely wasn't her thing and she was making us lose battles. After about 10 minutes into it the "head evils" – Edward and Emmett made their appearance, armed with skipping ropes as whips and hula hoops as circular metal rings which could, pretend speaking, decapitate me.

I ducked and dived, panting but enjoying myself so much more than I ever had at playtime – I laughed out loud, putting on my deep princess warrior voice and instructing them to surrender as I pulled my sword on them.

Theoretically speaking, they should have surrendered, it was the rules of the game – the rules of the programme, but the only smirked, grabbing one end of the skipping rope each and walking quickly towards me, forcing me backwards into the corner.

I shook a little as I retreated, Angela already having been "killed" so I was all alone. The teaching assistants were too lazy to even check properly out of the windows at playtime so there was no chance they would spot this and think it suspicious.

"Surrender," I commanded, still in hope that this was only one of the make believe unreal plans of the game. But as they only quickened in on me I guessed it was more real than I was looking for.

"Xena," they mocked, "we've come to teach you a lesson." At that moment they were only inches away, the rest of the form had begun to gather around to watch, some with confused looks in their eyes, not too sure that this was part of the game. Others trusting fully that Edward and Emmett were only playing. I for one knew better.

One swift movements the pushed the rope into and around my neck, tangling it a few times, "you deserve this Xena," Emmett whispered in my ear as he pulled the rope tighter and I choked, he released it again. Tears came to my eyes and I couldn't talk, the restraint on my voice box was over powering.

But all around me were faces which, by majority, weren't quite sure what was happening, but weren't prepared to take a stand against him and stop them – from in all possibility – killing me.

Emmett spoke to me again, "Isabella Dwyer I bet you are the fattest girl in all America – I think you look disgusting," he laughed as he spoke it all under his breath pulling the rope tighter again.

Panic ran through me.

White lights momentarily flashed under my closed eyelids.

But suddenly I was free. I coughed and spluttered, and looked to see the faces of two evil and shocked boys staring at me.

"We held her too long," Edward hissed, "we could have killed her,"

"Whatever," Emmett voice seemed cool and uncaring but I could see the fear in his eyes, see his hands shake, "she caused it all, she always does,"

[Memory End]

Those words which he had spoken so many years ago echoed inside my head, somehow giving me strength – fighting spirit against it all. My confidence returned but this time numbness took over part of my mind, as if to stop me from thinking about what I was doing and who I was actually talking to.

"Bella Swan," I fluttered my eyelashes slightly, not in a silly fancying way – but in a provocative fashion, crossing my legs as I did so.

"Bella?" he asked, I nodded, fear freezing me – had he worked something out..."That's Italian right?"

"Yeah," I answered, not quite sure where he was going with this.

He smiled handsomely – if I hadn't known him before I would have said well naturedly, "You know you look the complete opposite of an Italian girl – Ironic, huh?"

I nodded again, not quite sure what to say back to that.

"This might sound a bit weird for me to say this, but I think you'd really get along with my girlfriend – you know, you obviously like fashion and stuff like that, that's all her and my sister talk about – drives me crazy but I love them" he laughed.

I had an educated guess at who he was talking about in my mind, but still questioned him further anyway, "and who might she be?"

He turned himself around fully this time, instead of sitting half turned away and I sucked in a breath at the square of his shoulders – if he tried to hurt me now he could by all chance kill me, in my head, a strong comparison to him was a bear, "I'll introduce you to her if you like, at lunch or whatever,"

"Sure," I agreed, turning back to the front as the teacher called on the class for quiet.

I wrote my name and other details of my class on the front of my jotters, then was introduced to the rest of the class... then found out we would be having a pop quiz.

As she handed out the paper I expected her to skip me or tell me I didn't have to do it, but she never, she just placed the paper down beside me, asked for exam conditions then started writing up bloody hard questions on the board.

Fucking brilliant.

I started the first question just as I felt another ball of paper hit my back, this time I turned around with half a growl, if he was starting the annoying shit I would tell he could stick it. Cause for as long as he doesn't have a clue who I really am – I would not be taking any bull from him.

I was astonished to find a bright red in the face Emmett mouthing the words, "I don't know any of this,"

I took a quick glance at the teacher, who was turned the opposite way, probably doing the register on the computer, and mouthed back, "Andddd," sarcastically.

"My mom will kill me if I fail – you need to help me," this time he whispered slightly and I put a hand out for his paper – not sure why in the world I would help this particular boy out, if anything, he deserved to be given the wrong answers.

I thought about doing that for a split second, then decided against it – it would just look if I was naturally spiteful. Which wasn't what I intended for everyone to think of me on my first day.

So I quickly scribbled down the answers I knew onto his, then copied them onto mine – handing him his paper back with a raise of the eyebrow while he thanked me profusely and quietly.

I managed to work out two other answers before she finished the quiz, but at I guess I would say that "Emmett's answers" would still give him a pass.

When the test was finished she set us straight into copying extra revision notes off of the board – I could tell that history was not going to be a favourite subject of mine.

We finished a couple minutes before the bell rang, just as she said, "you can pack up now," I felt huge arms rap around me, lifting me out of my seat with their strength.

"Wow," I breathed, as he squeezed the life out of me.

"Thankyou so much," he whispered into my ear, "my parents said they were going to stop me going to soccer training – and soccer's my life!" his whisper got louder and much more passionate as he spoke of soccer – I found myself, much to my dismay, liking this guy already.

He was so different to the nasty boy I remembered – yes he did look quite like him – his eyes had the same crystal blue sparkle, his smile was still the same cheeky smirk, his body was still unbelievably broad. But he wasn't the Emmett Cullen I remembered.

I couldn't understand how he had changed; I wondered if it was my change that was causing him to act so nicely towards me. Maybe if I was the same fat spotty girl I was back then, I wouldn't be having the same magnificent reception.

In fact, I'm positive I wouldn't get the same reaction from him.

When I realised this, I stopped being pulled in by his new "act" towards me – my mind refusing to give into someone who would make fun of me if I was different – I wanted to be excepted for my personality, and until the person could be trusted not to bully me – I wouldn't show my true colours.

And that's that.

He released me and I brushed myself down a little, packing things away as he prattled on, thanking me again and talking about how this "big match" could not be missed – I wasn't really listening, still fuming that someone could be so shallow until he mentioned that his brother played on the team, and even though his brother was captain, he wouldn't be allowed to play if he missed training. It was just a small mention but it sent me exploding into anger, throwing my things into my bag, and when the bell rang not even waiting on him as he called on me, pretending not to hear him as I stuck my ear phones further into my ears, blasting into it a calming u2 song.

I fumbled for my map, but as I walked in an unintelligible direction due to my anger and dismissal of Emmett Cullen's niceties I found that I had already reached the Spanish corridor, so instead of looking at the map I flipped it over to my timetable and started to check every door I passed for 'E3.09 Mr Price' I eventually came to it – it was the last class in the crowded corner.

I gave one last glance at the vast number of pupils, looking for a familiar face. I saw several, but none that I was purposely looking out for – I watched them laugh and giggle and chat and knew that they were the lucky ones.

The accepted ones.

As I stared at them, I was pushed and bumped about, other teenagers trying to get to the classes. I pushed my way past them, even the whistling boys standing at the class next to mine, one of them, I was almost positive, was Martin, a boy I had had a vague friendship with in kindergarten, one I hardly even remembered. But I wasn't positive of his identity as his face was now covered in disgustingly bad acne, boils and all sorts. I instantly felt sorry for him but didn't feel as bad when I saw a relatively nice looking girl walk up to him, hugging him tightly, he spoke something softly into her ear and I watched as the girl blushed and kissed him softly on the lips.

I shook myself and entered the classroom only to be screamed at by Alice, "Bella!" she was waving like a mad woman and had her arm around a handsome but saddened looking boys waist – I guessed straight away who it was; Rosalie's brother.

I scanned his face for any recognition – I wasn't sure if I had met him before – I didn't think I ever had, but the odds were that I had at some time. But no, there was no recognition, so I plastered the great smile on my face, biting my lip quickly before taking off towards them.

"Hey Alice," I answered her as I got there, right at the back of the class.

"This is Jasper I was telling you about," now I was closer I could see the family resemblance, he had the same beautiful blonde hair and was now beginning to smile the same smile Rosalie used to smile – except his was heartfelt - just like hers filled the room with light. He lifted a hand to wave and I mirrored him. "Jasper this is Bella, she's new – obviously – I met her in English - finally have someone to chat to first period!" she mock punched in the air and laughed a little, "just drag that desk from over there over," she pointed to a few desks pushed against the wall, "and pull up a seat,"

I did as she said and as I sat down I spied her hand interlinked with his – his hand was scarred most certainly – and from what she told me, probably from needle marks, her hand was tiny in his but somehow they seemed to fit together.

I asked about textbooks and Alice told me the teacher would give me one, so I waited for the teacher to come in and give me one.

He came and handed out things, introduced me to the class and started to teach almost straight away. I growled to myself as I started working, Alice was quite quiet and I was surprised until I turned around to look at her – and found she was not doing the work, but instead quickly passing notes back and forth with Jasper.

I giggled inwardly and set back to work, after a few more minutes of working a girl came through the door, lifting an instrument case to the teacher – "extra band practice sir," she said politely and took her seat right at the front of the class.

I gawped at her, her dark brown hair cut to her shoulder, in sweeping layers. Her face had lengthened her body still as slim as it was them but now with the curves of a lady added into it. A beautiful young woman, as I'd always known she'd become.

Angela Webber looked stunning, she hadn't noticed me, but if anyone was going to find out my identity it would be her.

She knew me inside out 5 years ago and I felt horrible at breaking contact completely with her but it had to be done, years ago, all I wanted to do was cut links with fork from me.

But now, maybe I could reunite with my old friend, maybe it was time to apologize for my cutting behaviour, because I had lost an amazing friend, one for all these years which have past I still miss now and again – I never really connected with too many people in Phoenix, I was still too shy to make too many attempts to socialize with people who didn't come directly up to me and start a conversation. So maybe I should take the time now, while I'm in a new Bella mood to speak to her confidently, ask for her forgiveness.

Alice nudged me gently and I looked to her, she pointed to the boy in front of me who had apparently been attempting to catch my attention while I was off in my own mind – I wasn't able to prevent myself from blushing that he had caught me day dreaming, but I still managed to give him one of my best smiles, showing him my full set of teeth – a total cheeser.

"Hi Bella," he winked and I rolled my eyes dramatically, his face was definitely familiar, I just couldn't place it.

"Hi stranger," I whispered back. Laughing under my breath at my own attempts at flirting. Alice started to giggle beside me.

"Looks like you have an admirer," she added.

"Have you got anyone to take you to your next class, cause I could if you want," he seemed like a nice guy, and he wasn't bad looking either.

"No I don't and that would be nice of you," I answered while he grinned.

"I'm glad," he flirted back, "oh and my names James," he said, just as he turned back around to his desk.

I remembered him from years ago – he used to be like me, and by like me, I mean overweight. He wasn't taunted as much cause he wasn't as bad as me, but he was made fun of – but he had a way which sort of prevented him getting bullied the way I was, thinking back on it now I think I should really have at least tried to befriended him, he had no friends when I had Angela, but at that time he always seemed horrible to me, not just looking but the way he acted he was a different sort of bully than the others – the sort of "steal you lunch money" bully – the one who used his weight to his advantage. But now he looked amazing.

He was pretty hot to be honest and it shocked me that in the spur of the moment and in my pretend confidence I had agreed to it, not that it was much him walking me to a classroom, but still, maybe with this guy, I could bond.

Alice filled me in about what she knew on him whether I wanted to listen or not, she told me that he had came back after summer holidays just two years ago looking completely different, and from what she knew m a few months later he had worked himself so hard that he was making it into the swim club. The last time she had went to watch Jasper in the swim club she had seen him, and he had an amazing body, like six pack amazing.

He reminded me of me. He had changed in attitude and changed in physical form over the years. I gained some admiration for him as Alice spoke, still looking at the back of him. He had long dirty blonde hair, yes it was completely out of fashion, but there was something hot about it, he suited it. He was wearing casual clothes, and now that I looked closely, was surrounded by talkative and nice looking guys, nothing stood out to me as being un-normal about him. He just seemed like the hot, popular guy – the 180 of what he used to be.

Maybe I could do a 180 too.

The rest of French was boringly uneventful, work was the word. I split from Alice and Jasper, and watched Angela walk out the door, quietly and with her head down, not much had changed there. At the door, as James approached. I prayed to God that he would be nice to me, and wouldn't have a clue who I was.

"Bella," he breathed in my ear. Yeah, definitely flirting.

I chose to ignore it, "what do you have next, I've got Maths,"

"I've got Maths too – what teacher do you have," what a lucky coincidence, I smiled and rifled through my bag for my timetable.

"Mrs MacLean," I finally told him.

"Aw," he looked a little downheartened, "I've got Mr Paton, but I guess it's lucky in another way, my class is right next to yours,"

I nodded as we started to walk – this whole school wasn't very hard to make your way around, especially compared to the one in Phoenix I had just transferred from.

"So Bella," he started a conversation up again, "how do you like Forks so far?"

"Oh it's alright I suppose, I haven't really been about the place yet – one thing I have noticed though... is the rain, are there always gray clouds overhead?" I asked, knowing fine well there always was, but I had to keep up my act.

"Yeah, the only time we really get any sun is just after we finish for the summer holidays, usually about then there's a period of relatively sunny weather for a few weeks – but even then it can be interrupted my glorious rain showers," he answered sarcastically.

The school was so small that already we were reaching the maths corridor, "Wow this school is tiny,"

"I suppose it would be to you, how many people were in your last school?"

"Uhm, about 15000, how many are here – 5?" I guessed snickering.

"Nahhh, I think there's about 2000, tops, and that's only because Port Angeles doesn't have a school so alot of their kids come here"

"Wow, really, do you like know every ones face around here then,"

He shook his head as we walked up to the door with the details of my Maths teacher written over it, "Only the people who stand out to me as... someone worth knowing," his eyes darkened with a seductive liquid.

"Oh really," I was fixed on his handsome face, this guy seemed like the guy I had been looking for ever since I was a little girl – he shared alot the same past experiences, he could understand me, "and who stands out to you, today,"

"I think you know who," then he done the most romantic thing a guy had ever done to me, he took my hand and kissed the top of it, his lips pressing their warmth across my skin, his eyes coming up and looking at me with an expression of wonder, his head tilted to the side a little and he spoke in a romantic lilt, "see you around Bella Swan," he turned and walked away, leaving me gawping after him.

After a few seconds, I closed my open mouth and turned to the open the classroom door, still a bit breathless from James' charm.

I was greeted by a bunch of screaming girls, well not actually greeted but they were screaming as I walked in the door; I sighed, if maths was going to be like this every time it would drive me insane, I'm guessing that they're probably a bunch of wannabe cheerleaders or actual cheerleaders who are making the noise, and the whole screaming discussion will probably be related to a boy in some way.

I cursed under my breath as the teacher, Mrs MacLean, pointed to my seat, which was right beside the squealing idiots. I took my seat with a slight smile at them – after all, I didn't want to seem stuck up on my first day, no matter how much I doubted I would become friends with them.

"Oh heyyyy, I guess you're the new girl" the girl turned to look at me and I jumped slightly at how little she had changed – Jessica was practically the same.

"Yeah... Hi," I answered, struggling to keep my breathing even.

"I'm Jessica, this is Lauren, Nicole and Meagan," she said pointing behind her.

I smiled at them all, swallowing becoming a little harder, "I'm Bella Swan-"

I was just about to say – nice to meet you (which by the way it wasn't) when she interrupted me, "you know, you remind me of someone, I just can't work out who – have you been to Forks before,"

My face nearly crumpled but I managed to keep my cool, "A few times when I was younger, my dad lives here and I used to visit him now and again, maybe you've seen me around or something,"

"Huh," she replied, "maybe,"

I breathed out in relief as the teacher interrupted our conversation, launching into Mathematical problems, sending out a wave of depression over the class at her boring teaching.

I just kind of got on with it, got my text book and jotters and luckily enough we had just covered trigonometry in Phoenix so I could just wiz through it all. I tried to ignore and block out the chatting girls I had been seated beside but when I finished 10 minutes before the bell and didn't want to look like a smart ass telling the teacher I had finished already, their conversation penetrated my walls.

"Ughhh. We have cheerleading practice next," the annoying blond moaned.

"Oh I know Lauz; I can't be bothered going and facing the stuck up silent Rosalie. She's being a pretty shitty cheer captain lately," I suppose it wasn't the biggest surprise in the world that she was cheer captain – she had the nature to be one of the big bitches. It seems like she took the queen bitch position. What surprised me was that this little clique of bitches didn't like her.

"She is like a total hypocrate," Jessica whined.

"It's hypocrite," the grinning brunette corrected her as I inwardly laughed.

"Whatever; I'm just saying that she used to be the one who moaned about us doing extra cheer practice even when the seasons out, and now she's the one who's lazing about on us – she hasn't joined in on any big lifts for weeks. She just likes to dish out the work and she's really pissing me off." She said that in no more than two breathes.

"Uh babe, she pisses me off but be fair, she did sprain her ankle."

"Yeah whatever."

"She's started eating millions at lunch as well – like she used to do the strict diet with us but a week or so ago at lunch," she took a deep breath and said the next words in what looked like utter horror, "I saw her eating... meatball surprise," the rest of the bitches inhaled in 'shock', "annnnd pudding."

"Omgoshhhh. She did not."

"No way,"

"She never would..."

"She did,"

"Does she know how many calories are in..."

"that's the worst part, she totally knows what she's doing,"

"How can she let that disgusting mush go down her throat,"

"I know right?"

"Well she definitely can't count on my vote for cheer captain next year!"

"And mine,"

"Or mine,"

"Totally not,"

The bell rang and I stood up actually peeved off at the bitches that I had been seated next to; I couldn't believe the emotions I was feeling – pity – for Rosalie Hale. Cause I eat just about the same for lunch and those girls described practically every school day. So maybe she tried to make a change in her diet, become a little healthier in her portions and she gets landed with them, debating about what she should and shouldn't eat.

Whether I like Rosalie or not – it's still not fair.

I stepped out of the classroom looking around to see where all the pupils where heading, maybe I could just follow the masses. When I was suddenly gripped around the waist from behind I froze in fear, beginning to shake just as I heard the sweet voice in my ear.

"Bella," I dethatched his arms from me, maybe it wouldn't be too bad to play a little hard to get.

"James," I smiled, "can you tell me where the cafeteria is?"

He smiled mock sadly, "I can tell you but I can't show you, I've got soccer training at lunch,"

"Oh I'm so depressed," my sarcastic streak shone through.

"Now you've went and made me feel horrible – I suppose I could walk you half way-"

"No it's okay, I'm just kidding, just point me in the right direction and I'll be out of your hands,"

He smirked slightly, "I don't want you out of my hands, but I suppose I better let you go eat – just walk straight down to the bottom of this corridor, go out the double doors into the courtyard – go straight across there and through the only other doors, walk down the music departments corridor and take a right – go through those doors and that's you – got that," I nodded.

"Got it, now I better go before I forget it,"

He bowed his head slightly and turned on his heel, taking off towards his soccer training. I walked the ways James had told me to go, and only when I was turning the corner out of the music corridor did I actually realise the enormity of what I was doing.

I was going to face practically all of the school, all together, all watching for the new girl and what her traits were, waiting to stick her into one of their cliques, take away her uniqueness and brand her.

I don't want to be branded.

I opened the doors and looked for a friendly face. I scanned the crowds, hoping that the idiots in maths had informed me correctly, and that Rosalie would be at cheer practice.

I was petrified of running into Edward even though Emmett had said he was captain of the soccer team so he would probably have practice, even so I could still run into him, but it was going to happen at some point so I had to keep ploughing on. At last I succeeded in finding Alice's petite body and gluing myself to her.

"Alice, thank god I found you I really don't know what to do with myself in here," It was certainly smaller than Phoenix's dining hall, but it was also much scarier, people wise.

"So you're gonna sit beside me at lunch then." She smiled widely, as if she hadn't expected it.

"Yeah of course, why wouldn't I?"

Her smile never faltered as she spoke, "well your pretty, and your nice, and clearly all the boys have taken a liking to you," she pointed over to a table of boys who were all mysteriously looking our way, "I guess I just thought you'd find someone more interesting to spend your lunchtime with – it's happened to me before,"

Although her smile never changed, I could hear a whisper of pain in her sing song voice. Her boyfriend Jasper walked up and we all of started moving towards the cue to get our lunch.

"I would introduce you to Rose, Emmett and Edward – but they're at cheerleading and soccer training,"

"Emmett did you say?" I wondered who Emmett's sister was and if she hung about with Alice and Jasper.

"Yeah, he's my brother," There's no way Emmett had a sister when he was younger, and Alice said she had only moved here a few years ago. Maybe they were half siblings or something.

"Oh right, I met a boy called Emmett in my History class, he said he was going to introduce me to his girlfriend and his sister cause I was... kinda like them," I stuttered a little in my nervousness, thinking of Emmett and now possibly Rosalie was throwing me off.

Jasper laughed lightly, "coincidence?"

"I think not," Alice giggled, "we're totally meant to be best friends,"

"You know something – I would love that," I answered sincerely.

"Well that's good cause it's gonna happen," I suppose the whole conversation was getting quite cheesy, but I felt like I had a connecting with this pixie like girl, she brightened my day, stopped it from being all about avoiding everyone.

I smiled as we got food, Alice loading her plate full of turkey salad, Jasper grabbing a slice of pizza and I just didn't really feel like much, so I took a pot of yoghurt pleading a soar stomach to Alice when she began to object to my small food portion.

We sat down at a table in the far corner, out of the way of everyone, "do you do any sports then?" Alice asked between mouthfuls.

"I used to got the swimming club back in Phoenix, so I guess I'm quite good at that – but I don't do cheerleading or anything what about you two?" I questioned, swirling the plastic spoon around the light pink pot of yogurt not quite wanting to bring it to my mouth.

"I do tennis and I used to do swimming too, but I stopped it to focus in on tennis really," now that she said it, she did seem the kind of lithe girl who would play tennis.

"I'm far too uncoordinated for tennis," I laughed. "What about you Jasper?"

"I'm in the swim club here," he spoke so quietly and softly, I naturally seemed to lean in to listen to him every time he spoke.

"That's cool, you'll probably whip my ass at swimming then, we'll have to race sometime," I prompted.

"I don't know about that," but his eyes had lit up a little, as if he was surprised I was actually interested in his opinion, he reminded me of Alice in that way, he seemed to be a sort of outcast – I suppose they both sort of reminded me of me. We were one alike.

"BELLA!" my thoughts were interrupted by Emmett screaming across the lunch hall for my attention, I turned with fear in my bones as I prayed he wouldn't have his brother or his girlfriend there. Just as it hit me that if Emmett was Alice's brother, Edward would almost certainly be too.

I breathed deeply as he came running over to me himself, unaccompanied.

"I guess you've already met my sister and friend," He panted a little while pulling an energy bar out his pocket.

"Yeah, we actually met before I met you, I just didn't know who you were talking about at that point – Alice and I are in the same English class," He started throwing the chocolate coated treat down his throat, I never knew someone could stuff so much into his throat.

I was getting used to holding the conversation up – usually I would never volunteer that information up, I would have waited for Alice or Jasper to take over, "Yeah, I just kinda dropped by," he blew a few pieces of food out of his overstuffed mouth as he spoke and I inwardly laughed as I watched Alice shudder, "to introduce you – I didn't want you to be all alone your first lunch here," wow. He actually cared about someone other than his friends feelings, "anyways, you seem like you'd be a cool person to be friends with," even more shocking, the notorious bear minded Emmett Cullen wanted fatty as a friend.

Talk about a dear diary moment.

"Aw, your too nice," I winked what I hope was cutely at him and he actually scared me by coming towards me with his arms open, I couldn't quite work out what he was going to do at first and my breathing stops. Memories of his grinning face coming towards me, much like he was now accept then he had that horrid glint in his eye – the one I could tell was ready to cause me pain. But now, even thought there was no glint I was still petrified to the extent that I felt my knees knock together – it couldn't have been more than a few split seconds before he got to but in that time I had convinced myself his intentions weren't good, so when he lifted me while enwrapping me in a huge, comfortable, warm bear hug, I was mildly shocked - I hugged him back. Maybe I could forgive him in time, if he really had become this new person.

He broke away after a few seconds, "I give good hugs, don't I?" he chuckled as I nodded, "Anyways, gotta go – training to do – Edward will kill me if I'm late," with that he jogged out the hall, sneaking another energy bar out his pocket and stuffing into his mouth as he went.

I sat back down still a bit numb from what I had just felt. Just to be torn from that by Alice's words. She was mistaken. Hugely mistaken.

"I think you would like Edward," Alice smiled mischievously, "I mean, he's quite the ladies man but I think you would hold him tightly, in my head you two just seem to fit," I was getting used to Alice just speaking her mind but this was taking it too far.

"Alice I've never even met him," My old blush sprung to the surface, "and what makes you think he would like a girl like me?"

"What do you mean "like you"? You're beautiful Bella," she had a way of making serious things and even huge compliments sound so sincere yet light. It was disconcerting.

"Hardly," I mumbled before quickly changing the subject, "I was just wondering, if you guys knew anything more about James Matthews?"

"You mean the boy who is staring at you right now," Alice answered, a little disapproving, I snuck a glance at him and instead of looking away in embarrassment; he purposely caught my eyes and smirked. I turned back to face Alice as she rose an eyebrow, "he definitely has a thing for you but I wouldn't get to close – there's just something about him, he seems like a bit of a creeper to me,"

I knew I should trust her judgement but I hadn't forgotten her families taste in friends – the people who they thought were "creepers" – (hint, hint – ME), "I don't know Alice, he seems really sweet to me,"

"I don't want to judge, I'm only saying that I have a bad feeling about him," I nodded in acknowledgement of her opinion as Jasper began to speak.

"He started hitting on a Rosalie a little once when we were out having lunch – I mean I couldn't say for certain that he was but he just gave of that flirtiness – obviously, Rose sent him packing,"

It sounded to me like they were being a little over cautious here and I gave them another nod to let them know I was still taking in what they were saying. Even though I disagreed.

The rest of lunch passed with us discussing fashions, much to Jasper's distaste. I was glad that we didn't discuss too much of my past, and when the subject did bring us to that I was pretty vague and quite regular with my little lies.

I didn't want lunch to end because it would only bring me closer to meeting the remaining members of Edward's gang – funnily enough, no one was mentioning Tanya, I didn't know what to make of that and I couldn't exactly ask them why they weren't talking about her, so I hoped to be enlightened to the reason through in-depth conversation with Alice.

Biology was next; it wasn't hard to get to even though I was on my own again, Alice and Jasper in different subjects at this time. The class room had a laminated sheet of paper printed with his name "Mr. Banner" and the rest of his classroom details.

I knew that statistically inside this door there should be at least one of the other 3 I had yet to meet, so I braced myself, held my breath, and entered...

I couldn't breathe again. I found it hard to focus. Memories flung themselves at me as I turned on my heels and threw myself from the classroom. What I had seen inside of that classroom was a monster man. Certainly not in looks but in any other way. His green eyes pierced mine for just a second and I was reduced to a quivering wreck. I had forgotten the deep fear which had built up inside me. The nightmares I had been through with his face at the head of them, instructing them, now had their true effect as I saw the beast in person.

I didn't even know where I was going but it would be anywhere but here. Maybe I would go to the office, try to change classes, but my thoughts and panics where once again interrupted by someone, their following footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. I lifted my ear phones from my pocket and forced them quickly into my ear, so I could at least pretend to not hear them.

Then I heard that voice, only a somewhat deeper than the last time I heard it call on my "New girl!" I ignore him completely, slightly quickening my speed and trying to keep at a fast walk as I heard his footsteps quicken, I heard them change into a run and no matter how much I attempted to walk fast I knew that he had caught me.

He tapped me on the shoulder and I spun around with a frightened squeal, hopefully I would be able to pass that off an unknowing scream, that I hadn't realised there was anyone following me.

As I thought I stared at the floor, I looked down quickly before the invisible hands of confidence lifted my chin up, to face the arsehole that ruined my childhood life.

"Sorry I startled you," he chuckled slightly, awkwardly, his hands by his sides. I refused to look him properly in the eyes, staring at his perfectly shaped eyebrows; they annoyed me to the utmost. How dare he be so perfect.

"Oh, it's... no bother I guess," I must have looked like a bitch but I didn't care, this guy just took the biscuit, I couldn't look at him and flew into as rage. He had hated me more than the others, he was worse with his vile plans and his pain thriving mind. He was disgusting, lower than the lowest.

I thought before that maybe there would be some chance that the anger at him had worn of slightly, I was wrong. If anything it had gotten stronger, all those years to mull over the unfairness of every situation I had ever been in with him. And I hadn't even screamed at him. I should really be very proud I managed to talk to him.

"I guess?" he questioned me after a few seconds, my eyes flicked to his and I was drawn into their murky depths, his confusion clouding certain aspects of such jewels – but my eyes retreated, I couldn't stare into there, I might just find hell within him. He certainly seemed to enjoy devilish things. Pain, suffering, hurt. "And why did you run out of class, was it because of me?"

"Don't flatter yourself," my jumbled words fell from my mouth before I could stop them, cold and hard.

"Sorry?" he seemed perplexed by my behaviour, a spark of compassion for puzzled boy lit my heart but I quickly extinguished it by replaying some of his more cruel works against me in my mind. They were like a hose to it, it was gone in a split second and was the confident bitch again – and happy to be it.

"It had nothing to do with you, I just realised that I needed to get some papers from my locker for that class," I decided to make him feel even sillier, my inner fat girl laughing wildly at the bewilderment of Edward Cullen, "Is that okay with you, or do I need to ask permission next time?" I smiled sarcastically and turned on my heel to leave, but he caught my arm. Some sort of current passed through me at that instant, making me turn to face my tormentor, somehow tears wanted to form in my eyes, I could feel it breaking me but I fought against it as I met his green eyes, "Yes?" I breathed, strength having gone from my mouth.

He lifted his hand to his head, running his fingers through his already tousled bronze locks, "I'm sorry for... invading your privacy, sorry for upsetting you, I know it's your first day and you must all ready be on edge – can we put it behind us?" he held out his hand smiling slightly.

I knew I had to shake his hand, had to look like I was just a new girl he had never met before and shouldn't hold a grudge against him giving her a small fright, so I did, "Okay," I said slowly, biting my lip a little as I did, his hands were warm and soft, so inviting. I despised his likability. Detested it.

I turned again, heading to 'get my papers' and he offered to walk with me, "I can help you find your way," as you would imagine I declined relatively coldly and walked away, turning the corner and standing there for a few minutes, before taking the paper I was supposed to be getting out of my bag and storming back to class in such a rage I hadn't believed I could get into.

"Sorry I'm l-" I began but was cut off by Mr Banner.

"It's okay Bella, Edward told me where you were; just don't forget again," I nodded solemnly, "Oh and you can take a seat beside Edward, since you two have already met,"

I smiled to his my distress, seating myself beside an also smiling Edward, "I'm not that bad – honestly," he joked as my face fell slightly.

Honestly? What a liar. But like I had done all day I nodded along.

Sure I was fine sitting beside my worst enemy.

[Memory] – 10 years ago.

My leg tapped to the rhythm of a Whitney Houston classic, my mind focused on the way I would change things in school this year.

It would be different this time, people wouldn't hate me, and people changed over the summer – right?

"Mum, how long till we get there, I don't want to be late," she laughed at the question I had been asking constantly for the past ten minutes.

"We'll be there in two minutes, okay?" she answered still with a smile on her lips, "anyway, we still have 5 minutes before the bell rings, you'll be there in perfect timing, you don't want to be left standing out in the rain anyway," I guess she was right, terrain was pelting down outside, the window wipers going as fast as they could to clear the glass for my mom's sight.

I took the two minutes to rummage4 through my yellow and pink striped school bag – it would probably look a little different from the other kids, but my mom was always saying different was good, it made you stand out, could make you popular in some cases.

My mom had been popular when she was in school, she had managed to tackle her uncoordinated status and do cheerleading, I had seen picture after picture of her surrounded by groups of friends, so many that she had even forgotten the names of alot of them, and as my mom had me when she was just nineteen, it meant that school was less than a decade ago for her.

I aspired to be like her – have that cool way of speaking and doing things which just fitted, became fashionable.

Different and inspiring.

We pulled into the school car park, my mom getting out saying goodbye to me, I hugged her tightly, breathing in her sweetly perfumed scent, "I love you mom," I said, letting go of her and throwing my school bag over my shoulder.

"Love you too, sweet pea," I giggled helplessly, and walked towards the school gates, the bell ringing as I reached them.

"See yah!" I called as I ran into line.

"Have a fun day at school," she called, getting back in her car.

As I got to the line, I grinned, sure this year would be different. I would make it like that.

Angela was at the end of the line, she smiled at me as I followed the now moving line inside the front doors, making me sure I had been right about my predictions. Our new teacher, Mrs Cunningham had arranged the desks in the classroom so we were in groups of four, had place name cards on our desks and we ran like a pack of wolves, checking for our names on each desk.

I crossed my fingers and hoped I would have a desk with Angela, and by the time I found my desk, nestled in the corner, almost everyone had found their seats. It just so happened I did have a desk with Angela, but Rosalie and Edward also inhabited this table.

I felt a whisper of fear but ignored it. They would be different this year 'grown mature' as my mom would call it.

"Hey Iz," Edward called sweetly, a change now looked inevitable.

"Oh hi Edward," I called back trying to sound cool, he snickered, as did Rosalie.

"Come sit, I'm so lucky to be sitting beside you," now I was a little weirded out, yes I expected a change, but not one like this, he was too nice. Something was wrong here. Angela looked weary too but she was sitting beside Rosalie so I can see why.

"Uhm, thanks Edward, I'm glad to be sitting beside you too," he grinned widely.

I plonked my bag down on top of the table, so I could get my pencil case out of it when I had sat down and I saw Rosalie's eyes widen. She let out a sort of half cough half giggle but managed to control herself, I felt very obliged to Rosalie that she wasn't even going to make fun of me, it was sweet of her when she had seemed to hate me so much last term.

I pulled out my seat while unzipping my school bag and flopped down onto it onto to emit a small scream as a horrible noise filled the classroom, stopping the chatting, even making the teacher look up from her work.

The whole class fell about laughing, the teacher even giving a quick smirk, but I still couldn't quite believe it, I felt underneath my bum and there it was, a whoopee cushion.

I blushed a furious red and put my head in my hands to stop the tears from showing, Edward grabbing the whoopee from under me so I had no proof.

I turned to look at the smiling idiot and he had in his hand a can of what I read out to be stink gas, he glared at me evil before pushing down the cap and rotten egg filed the air, everyone around me starting to balk and cover the mouths and noses. But I couldn't move, I was in too much shock.

Tears came so quickly I couldn't stop them as the rest of the class chanted names at me, but Edward wasn't done yet. He hadn't had all of his fun.

I watched in horror, knowing if I told that the same rules as last eye would apply, he would beat the hell out of me. He held in his hand a water bottle, quickly stuffing it under the table, then to my back, pouring the cold liquid down me. Soaking my underwear and all.

I burst into a river of tears as I ran from the room, merciless Edward calling behind me, "she's peed herself, she's peed herself!"

My cheeks burned as I ran through corridors to get to the toilets; this year wasn't going to be different, I knew that now.

[End Memory]

Mr. Banner began writing up instructions for an experiment on the board, both Edward and I moved quickly at the same time to get the microscopes which I had spotted were in a cabinet to the right of me, Edward was seated on the left hand side of me – so when we banged into each other he winded me from behind, sending me spiralling towards the floor.

Time seemed to slow as I fell to the floor, had he done this on purpose? Did he know who I was? Would I let him bully me again? Questions passes through my head as I fell in silence, just as my head was within inches of the cold hard ground, two strong arms grasped me, one at the top of my head and one around my waist, pulling me up to standing position again.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered as he released me, staring intensely into my eyes, for a moment I succumbed to the liquid beauty, but only a moment.

"Piss off dumb ass," I answered him furiously, flipping his shocked face the bird and hoping to God the teacher hadn't seen and stomping over to get a microscope myself.

Damn that felt good.

I sat down with the microscope as the teacher handed out the slides we would be inspecting, also handing me a thick brown jotter for my notes. "Now class I want you to take note of your observations, as it's quite a hard experiment, the first finished will receive a one day extension on your homework," that could be useful.

I swung my curtain of hair forward, protecting my face from his intruding one, wonderful yet horrible one.

I examined each of the slides in turn, scribbling down what I was sure they were, handing him the already looked at slide every time, when I finished, I read over everything, then turned to him, sure fire must be burning inside me, the agony I felt when I saw him, scared the hell out of me. Why was I so afraid?

"If you think they're wrong you can check over them, otherwise, here's my answers," I turned away again but he grabbed my arm, pulling me round to face him, I recoiled from him immediately when he touched me, it was becoming too much to take in on the one day. "What," I snarled.

"Why the hell do you hate me so much, my brother Emmett told me about you, he said you were nice, polite, but that's certainly not the impression I'm getting, to be honest, you seem quite like a bitch-"

"Shut up," I snapped, "Just shut your mouth and be quiet, how you can judge me I really wonder, when I've seen boys like you everywhere I go, they think cause they have good looks they can get away with everything, well it doesn't wash with me, I know that deep down, your just a cruel arsehole," I turned my head from him again and this time he didn't try to talk me round.

I put up my hand, telling the teacher that we had finished and he came to check our answers.

I seemed I was correct after all, and we both earned the homework extension as a prize. "Thanks," he said quietly, and I nodded my approval, he had certainly been put in his place. I smiled in happiness, even though my brain was pounding from the thought of him discovering who just talked down to him.

The rest of class was uneventful, actually, it was practically silent when it came to Edward and I just refused to make the same mistake again, show weakness.

The bell rang and I nearly jumped out of my seat, having already packed away my things early I grabbed my bag and walked away as fast as my legs could carry me, nearly running into Angela, who was standing outside the door.

"Sorry," I smiled at her and she smiled back. I didn't know whether to stop or not but I had too, because I owed her as much, "Hey, I'm Bella,"

"Angela," she answered, shaking my hand and looking behind my head, she must be waiting for someone.

"I'm new here, could you tell me the way to P.E?"

"Oh sure, I've got PE next anyway so I'll walk you, just gimme two seconds, I'm kind waiting on my boy friend," she grinned when she said the word boyfriend, it was pretty cute.

"Cool," as I spoke Angela grasped the hand of a bit of a geeky but niceish looking boy who had just walked out of my class, he had been sitting across from me.

"Bella this is Eric, Eric this is Bella,"

"Hey," we both said at the same time, lifting our hands in a casual wave, causing us to laugh at our mirrored actions.

"I said I show her where PE is," Angela continued, her glasses falling down her nose a little as she spoke, just as they used to.

"That's fine, I'll just go straight to Physics then, no point annoying you ladies," his voice was quite deep, he sounded like a real gentlemen and it looked, just from seeing them in those few seconds of conversation, like they had really fallen for each other.

"Oh, well I'll see you after school then, meet me in the car park, okay?"

He nodded and walked away, a few of his friends joining him as he made his way up the corridor, "he seems really sweet ange...ala," I almost called her by her nickname, I had called her it so many times in before it felt a little weird calling her by her full name.

"He is," she gushed, then she took a proper look at me, "You know, you look kind of familiar to me,"

"Really?" I wasn't so afraid as I thought I would be when she said it, she clearly had no intention of causing me harm so I would let her guess, if she got me right then we could proper friends again, if not, well maybe it just isn't meant to be anymore.

"Yeah, I just don't know where from,"

"Huh,"

We walked across the courtyard and through a couple of doors before we got there. We stood outside the changing rooms a little awkward, "I'm in the other ones, but I think you should be in this one, and you said you had Mrs Aikman, right?"

"Yeah,"

"Okay then,"

"See yah,"

I entered the changing room somewhat disappointed that we hadn't been able to talk, but things were different, I was different. A waft of deodorant hit me and I coughed a little, placing my bag down on the bench and scanning the room for familiar faces. Sadly, the bitches I had met earlier were there, all except a brunette who had been sitting with them before, I think her name had been Nicole.

"Hey Bella," Jessica called over. I frowned before turning around to face her with a smile.

"Oh hi there, I never noticed you," I said, lying through my teeth.

"It's okay, I was just gonna tell you that you need to go find Mrs Aikman for P.E. kit,"

"Thanks, that's really thoughtful of you," no matter how thoughtful she seemed, she was still being counted as a bitch in my books. I left my bag where it was and walked over to the door which read, 'girls entrance to gym corridor," and opened it, just about to peek my head around the door when a woman who must have been about 5 to 6 inches smaller than me stood in front of me.

"Yes," she inquired, her voice sounded like she had something stuck in her throat but seemed friendly at the same time.

"I'm new, I was told to go to Mrs Aikman to collect P.E. kit, do you know where I could find her?"She smiled widely.

"I am her, and here you go," she ah a bag slung across her shoulder which she proceeded to open, pulling out two yellow T-shirts, one small and one probably a medium, also bringing out a small, and probably medium shorts, "take your pick, you are permitted to wear it baggy or tight, it's up to you," I could tell she wouldn't really approve if I wore it tight. I didn't want to wear it tight, but ambitious, sexy and confident Bella would wear it tight. So tight it would be.

I took the small, then retreated back to my bag and quickly changed into my P.E kit, I could here whispers about what I was going to wear it, but hey, the bitches were going to wear it, why couldn't I?

I pulled a pair of yellow and grey 'creative recreation' trainers (they cost $100 so no one could say anything bad about them, I wouldn't let them) they were just about the comfiest sneakers in the world and, in my opinion, the cutest too.

I snuggled into them and jogged off towards the door, where the rest of the class had just exited, but as I passed the toilets on the way out, out came a couple of girls, one of them being Nicole and the other face familiar but i couldn't quite place her name, then a third girl...

Rosalie Hale. Still as beautiful as always, though she didn't look too happy.

I gasped and turned my head, scared she would catch my eye, I leapt backwards from her, my bum landing on one of the benches, but she never even noticed me, she was too busy talking to the girls she had come out the toilets with.

"...and I really don't want to do P.E. – I have horrendous cramp, my stomach is disgustingly bloated and, to be honest, I look like shit."

"No you don't you look brilliant,"

"Shut up Nicole, don't lie, yeah Rose you look bloated and shitty so if I were you I would just go tell Mrs Aikman how bad it is and ask her if you can sit out," wow, that was a tad harsh.

"D'you think she'd let me?"

"Well she can't really make you do P.E. – if it's that bad then just take yourself to the nurses office, she can't moan then,"

"Oh its fine, I'm just gonna ask if I can sit out,"

"We better hurry up, they'll be starting soon," too right, plus these benches were like outdoor wooden ones, except they had no backing to them, and they were killing my ass already.

I stood up to go and accidentally knocked down someone's heavy school bag, "crap," I murmured as three heads turned to me, a shocked expression on their face.

"Bella, why are you still here?" Nicole asked that girl really did have her head stuck up her ass; she even flicked back her hair as she spoke. Bitch Alert.

"I had to go and get P.E. stuff from Mrs Aikman, she took ages to find me some," I lied, hoping they would fall for my act.

"Amazing sneakers, where'd you get them?" Rosalie asked, her blue eyes looking straight into mine, I stared but, smiling slightly – it was only now I realised how little I had held against the others compared to Edward, and Rosalie had problems I couldn't hold anything against her now anyways.

"Online actually, I got them when they first went on sale so they weren't in any shops yet,"

"Well, they're cute," she smiled a dazzling smile and walked on towards the door, I followed them in silence.

We reached the gym hall still in utter silence and inside the class were just lining up for a game of bench ball, "So everyone knows the rule!" she exclaimed at the class, who stood looking bored and waiting start.

"Yes, Ms,"

"Are we ready?"

"Yes,"

"Go!" she blew her whistle and I chose the team to side with, running over to them as she flung three balls randomly out on either side of the double benches, the boys of the teams running to pick them up and smack them at giggling girls who would refuse to move even if the ball was to hit them in the face. And it did actually.

I looked over to see if Rosalie had sat out, and there she was, looking downhearted and depressed, I wanted to go over to comfort her but I was so afraid.

Then again, I wasn't in a way, Alice had spoke about a completely different person than I had known when she spoke of Rosalie, she had been a troubled kid and if I had been in her position, pushed on by Edward and the rest, there would be a good chance I would do the same thing, so I couldn't blame her, and even though memory after memory of her churned inside my mind I couldn't focus in on one because deep down I knew it was unfair to dwell on her past, it wasn't her fault.

I thought of Jasper, and how the scars on his hands had gave compassion to me, then imagined them on her, but emotionally, she must have went through so much with her brother and me withholding all this hatred was uncalled for. I had to let it go.

In time it would happen, for now I would say clean slate and yes I would remember – I would also be angry for what she done to me, but I would know that the way she treated me now was all that outwardly counted, I would give her a chance-

Whack. The ball smacked of the side of my head making me realise I had been in my own little world for a few minutes then.

I began turning back around to the gym hall full of people, blushing with the embarrassment, but still with a small smirk on my face, pretending I didn't care.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry," a ginger haired acne covered boy called Martin.

"It's okay," I laugh sounded unintentionally fake, "I should pay more attention,"

"Maybe you should sit down for a few minutes," he answered me, looking quite concerned, I knew the laugh sounded fake.

"Honestly I'm fine," I would have to sit beside Rosalie if that happened.

"Just take a seat, just in case you start feeling dizzy, I throw a pretty hard ball," my head didn't hurt much at all because he clearly, didn't throw a very hard ball, but I knew I was just going to be badgered into taking a seat anyway, so I did. At the other end of the bench from Rosalie.

To my sincere surprise, she began shimmying her way up towards me, I felt the distinct need to walk away but I never, reminding myself of my thought before I was hit on the head with a ball.

"Hey Bella," she sighed, she was probably in quite a bit of pain, I hate cramp myself but she probably get's it much worse.

"Hi, uhm, sorry I didn't catch you name," her name was unforgettable, but oh well.

"Rosalie, Rosalie Hale," she smiled, her hand going to her the side of her stomach, then to her back, her face crumpling a little.

"That bad?" I asked, trying to be casual, I was nervous enough at meeting strangers never mind someone who had stuck my head down a toilet seat more than once. I stated shaking and had to grip the bench to steady myself, I looked down quickly, watching my knuckles whiten in an effort to stop the shaking.

"Yeah," she moaned, nodding vigorously too

I had some paracetemol back in my jacket pocket, I wanted to get her it, but I also wanted to watch her suffer, I was in horror that I could to admit to myself her suffering brought me satisfaction.

I had to get her it, she groaned again and my mind was made up, "I have some paracetemol in my jacket pocket, do you want me to go get it?" relief spread over her face.

"Yeah, I forgot mine, that would be lovely of you," she smiled again and it seemed more genuine this time.

I stood up and she stood up with me, "you can stay here, I'll just go get them,"

"No, I need water to swallow them with anyway," she followed me to the teacher as I asked permission, then threw the doors and we were all alone – I was just waiting for her to turn on me, but she didn't, she kept silent with her hands around her stomach. When we reached the changing benches she flopped down onto them, bringing her knees up to her chest, tears seeping out.

I didn't know what to do with a teary Rosalie, so I turned my back and got the paracetemol out, also a bottle of water for her, as she didn't seem to capable of getting herself.

She took them with a nod of thanks and swallowed them quickly, choking and spluttering a little at the mass amount of water she swallowed at the same time.

"Are you going to be okay," she shook her head.

"I don't know what's up with me, I don't think I can move, it's so painful and it's giving me a migraine," she shut her eyes tightly as if to emphasise the point bringing her forefinger and thumb to her closed eyelids.

"You need to go to the nurse," at this moment, I had to put out of my head that this was Rosalie Hale, I had to pretend it was just some girl in this pain, I felt alot worse for her when I put my mind into that viewpoint.

"I can't, I really can't, my mom and dad aren't back from work until 5 and I have no car to drive home, I came in Edward's." I flinched slightly at the mention of him but she was in too much agony to notice. "Please Bella, just sit with me," her voice broke and a sob echoed around the room.

I hesitantly put an arm on her shoulder, "it's okay," I had seen my mom in bed with migraines for and I knew she wasn't putting the pain on, they were hell apparently, my mom used to stay in a darkened room for ages, sometimes I would here her cry and go in and hug her, hold her close and whisper to her that things were okay.

Thinking of my mom reminded me, she usually checked her temperature to make sure she wasn't heating up to much, so I placed a hand over Rosalie's head – she was burning up. "Rosalie, you've got quite a bad temperature, I really think you should go to the nurses office, give me two seconds and I'll just go let Mrs Aikman know where you're going, kay?" she nodded and gasped at the pain.

I ran from the room to the gym hall, tapping Mrs Aikman on the shoulder and telling her where I would be, she nodded, and I ran off again, back to Rosalie. When I got there she was silent, sitting up straight, her hands in front of her face.

"She says that's fine, I hope you know the way cause don't have a clue,"

"I do," she mumbled from under her hands, and I pulled her up from under her right arm, putting it over my shoulder and walking slowly out into the corridor. Her sweet scent engulfed me.

"It's just down this corridor and to your left," she told me softly.

We walked in the direction she said, a couple of groans coming from her now and again. Until finally we reached the nurses room, I took Rosalie straight inside, laying her down on the bed, and then went to the nurses little study room to get her, "Excuse me," a cheery old woman turned to look at me.

"Yes dear?"

"I have a friend," major overstatement, "who I've just put into the nurses bed, she has a migraine," she nodded and followed me as I walked back to the room I had put Rosalie in.

"Oh dear," she whispered as she saw Rosalie practically rolling around on the bed with her hands held over her eyes, "you can go back to class now," she said to me.

I took one last look at Rosalie and left, I felt bad for not staying with her, but I couldn't, it was just too many old enemies in one day for me to cope with.

When I got back to class everyone was just finishing of, I only had to play 10 more minutes of their stupid sport then we went back to the changing rooms.

I changed quickly while telling her friends the details of her illness, I was happy to walk out of the changing room and out the main doors of Forks high school, one day down, many more to go.

I almost ran to my truck, stuffing myself inside and revving up the embarrassingly loud engine.

Then my whole mind and body slowed, my head dropped to the stearing wheel, panting slightly; the day had been too much for me, I should have faked illness or something.

I just couldn't understand how I could and would have to let go off the anger I held against these people, they weren't tiny children five years ago when they cut my hair off. They had known what they were doing, how could I let go? There was another thing which was puzzling me to,where had Tanya been? None of them had even spoken of her and it's not like I could have asked them, I would have to find out, and soon, I didn't want to run into her somewhere and get the fright of my life.

Time to go home. Finally.

*A.N. – I have decided that anyone who reviews will get a teaser, so sign in, review and the teaser will be yours! ;)
Thankyou so much for reading! X*