Reviews were amazing guys. Sorry for the bit of a wait, but I have to admit i completely forgot to put this chapter up. I was meant to upload it a few days ago as planned. Opps.

Enjoy!

CHAPTER THREE

Bella

Waking up the following morning I bit back a curse when I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror, as I had predicted I had one hell of a bruise on my face.

Scowling, I mentally cursed Jacob for being the reason behind me looking black and blue, and while I knew it wasn't his fault, that didn't mean I couldn't curse him out. Perhaps it would be best if I avoided the giant for a while, I knew Charlie was close to Billy so he would be close to Jacob as well but with me being as accident prone as I was being in the other teens' company wasn't turning out so well.

Not to mention awkward didn't even cover it.

I decided not to dwell on it, especially when I was nervous enough as it was about enrolling at Forks High today. It was fair to say I wasn't looking forward to being centre of attention, certainly not with my nose looking like it did. It was a small town, and I knew it was going to be unavoidable.

Cleaning up as best I could, make-up at the ready, I managed to make myself look half decent. The bruise was still visible, but at least it didn't look like it covered half my face now. I didn't usually wear it, but the improvement would result in less questions which was my intention.

"You nearly ready Bella? I don't want you to be late!"

"I'll be down in a sec!" I yelled back down the stairs before hurriedly grabbing my things, my outfit consisting of a simple pair of dark jeans and another light coloured sweater. I was hardly dressing to impress.

The ride to the school was awkward to say the least, the fact I was sitting in a police cruiser on my first day wasn't exactly going to help me make friends in this new place. Charlie didn't want me to drive my truck encase I wasn't up for it. I hadn't bothered to argue, having sensed how worried he was. Not to mention I think he just liked the thought of doing something 'fatherly' for me.

However, students didn't like to befriend the chiefs' daughter, it was a known fact.

"Do you want me to come inside with you?" he asked causing me to pale as he parked in a space. Thankfully it looked like we were early, maybe I could get in before anyone saw me in this thing.

"No Charlie, just no" I shook my head.

"You sure, I can help you sign in-"

"Charlie," I smiled sheepishly as I looked at him. "I'll be fine, I promise, ok?"

Seeing him nod hesitantly I got out before he could change his mind. Waving him goodbye I saw him shoot me a grin before he pulled out, my legs automatically taking me towards the reception where a half-asleep receptionist seemed to be playing solitaire on her computer screen.

Wow, how much was she getting paid for that?

"Excuse me."

Getting no reply I sighed, reaching around to tighten my ponytail before I tried once again to try and get her attention. I really wanted to get this over with before school started and the other students made themselves known, perhaps attempt to locate my first classroom without difficultly and ignored the stares I knew I would receive as soon as the first bell rang.

"Excuse me!" I asked with a little more force, thankfully catching her attention as she looked up with a bored expression. I wasn't usually so bold, but I really needed to avoid the rush of the hallway. Just the thought made me shiver in discomfort.

"How may I help you?" she asked in monotone.

"I'm new; my father rang ahead saying that I would be enrolling today. It's Isabella Swan" I informed her, only for her to look at me with a sigh.

Turning away from me I watched as she typed away on her computer before I heard the printer go off, her movements slow and sluggish making it clear she despised her job.

"Here is your file and a map of the school. You need to have this slip signed by each teacher to show you have attended each class before returning it to the front office at the end of the day. If there is a reason you are unable to do this, then please direct your questions to myself" she droned on in an flat tone before handing me my things.

"Thanks, I guess" I mumbled.

Searching for the school map, knowing I wasn't brilliant when it came to following directions, I quickly found it before checking my schedule.

1st English

2nd Government

3rd Trigonometry

4th Spanish

Lunch

5th Biology

6th Gym

Wincing when I saw my day would end up with gym I already knew I was looking towards a crappy day, especially when I took one look at the map in front of me and came up blank. So much for it being easy to read.

I must have been standing there staying at the diagram for longer than I realised since when the first bell rang I jumped, turning around only to run straight into another student who managed to steady both me and themselves before we both ended up on the floor.

"I am so sorry" I apologised; taking note of the boy I had run into.

"It's fine" he grinned. "I'm Ben, you must me new right?" he asked.

Nodding, I shook his hand when he offered it to me. "Bella, and is it really that obvious that I'm new?" I winced.

Laughing he slung an arm around my shoulder. "It's Forks, it's too small not to notice a new face" he sniggered before grabbing my schedule. "Ooh, we have English together so I'll be a gentleman and show you around."

"Thank you" I blushed, suddenly wishing I had chosen to wear my hair down to hide behind. Why had I put it up again?

"That's alright, I'll introduce you to my lovely circle of friends" he winked before the both of us arranged to meet up for lunch. Maybe this school would be a good thing for me after all.

After Spanish I headed to the canteen only to pause at the entrance when I saw everyone looking at me through the corner of their eyes, some openly staring causing me to shift with discomfort.

I loathed being the centre of attention.

"Over here Bella!"

Catching sight of a waving Ben I hurried over, wanting to do anything to get the attention off me as I approached the table which had two other females and another boy who seemed to be looking me up and down as if I was a piece of meat.

I cringed, choosing to sit closer to Ben in favour of going anywhere near the other boy.

"Whose this?" a brunette snidely asked, her tone already cluing me in that I doubted we would be becoming friends anytime soon.

"This is Bella," Ben introduced before I could open my mouth. I was relieved. "She's just moved to Forks" he grinned. "Bella, this is Jessica, Angela and of course Mike" he spoke as he pointed to the others as he said their names.

"Nice to meet you" I smiled forcefully.

"So Bella," Mike grinned. "You single?"

Looking at him strangely I had no choice but to nod. "I am."

"Good" he muttered. I doubted I was meant to pick up on it. "What you got after lunch?" he asked almost eagerly.

Glancing at my schedule I sighed, "Biology and Gym."

"You don't like biology?" Jessica asked with a glare, her gaze flickering between me and Mike and I could practically see the cogs working in that head of hers. Now I wasn't gifted with the ability to be able to read people well, but even I knew that in her mind Mike was off limits. As far as I was concerned she could have him.

"I don't like Gym" I corrected. "I have no sense of balance" I confessed.

"Is that why you have that ugly bruise on your face?" she asked causing my eyes to widen at her bluntness.

"Jessica!" I think it was Angela scolded. "Don't be mean."

"I'm not, I'm simply asking. I mean come on, it's not like you were all not thinking the same thing, I just said it out loud" she defended herself.

"I got hit in the face with a truck door" I sighed when I took note of the raised brows which were directed towards me. I really didn't want to go into it, but they were nice enough to let me sit with them it was the least I could do. I had to at least try and make friends.

"Jesus," Mike muttered. "Must have been some truck door," he winced.

I shrugged, I doubted it was door which done the damage but the strength it hit me with. Jacob really had some muscle if that was him trying to be nice.

"Do you think you should go to the nurse? It looks broken" Angela asked worriedly. I already liked her, Jessica not so much but Angela seemed nice enough.

"I went to the hospital yesterday, the tissue's just bruised" I shrugged.

"Really, it looks worse than that" Jessica narrowed her eyes, her gaze making me squirm slightly.

"Yea well…" I trailed off, not knowing quite what else to say to something like that.

Sensing the awkwardness Mike jumped into the conversation, an excited grin on his face as he looked like a kid in a candy store. "So Bella, you doing anything this weekend?" he asked as he leaned forward, unfortunately it bringing him closer towards me. I stifled the urge to lean further away.

"I don't have any plans" I hesitantly admitted.

"Good!" he beamed widely. "We're all heading down to the First Beach, you're welcome to come" he offered.

"In fact, we insist" Ben continued, high fiving Mike in front of me causing me to jump back slightly in surprise.

"Urm…"

"It will be fun Bella" Angela smiled softly. "You'll get to see Mike surf, or what he believes is surfing" she fought back a grin.

"Hey!" he protested. "I can surf!" he defended, but I guessed from the eye rolling from everyone else that his idea of surfing was probably something less than perfect, if that.

"If you say so, so what do you say?" Ben asked with a grin.

"Urm…I don't know where First Beach is."

"Oh it's easy to get to" Angela waved me off. "Have you heard of LaPush?" she asked.

At this I could nod. "Yea, my dad has some friends up there."

"Well it's in LaPush, we can give you a ride if you want?" she offered causing me to nod.

"Thanks" I smiled.

The rest of the school day wasn't as bad since I actually knew a few people now, even if Jessica didn't seem to like me very much. I put her attitude down to the fact that she had a crush on Mike, the looks and touches were enough to confirm the fact she had a thing for the boy who wouldn't stop leering at me.

It was deeply unsettling.

Much to my relief I managed to sit out of doing gym which I was thankful for, the fact it was my first day working to my advantage and I milked it for all it was worth. I hated anything that involved sports, the fact my balance wasn't the best meaning it was pretty much predictable that I would end up with some sort of injury.

"Don't forget to ask your dad about going to the beach Bella, it'll be a laugh" Ben called as I spotted my dad's cruiser, my smile widening as I nodded before heading over in Charlie's direction.

Slipping inside I was instantly hit with the twenty questions I had expected.

"So…" he started. "How was your first day?"

"It was fine" I shrugged, knowing he was probably sick of me saying that. His raised brow confirmed it. "I met some friends," I added as an afterthought.

He seemed to perk up at the comment. "Really, anyone I might know?"

"Urm…Jessica, Mike, Angela and Ben" I listed them off, watching as he pulled his brows together in concentration before he shrugged.

"They don't sound familiar which I guess is a good thing, means they haven't been in the station before" he grinned causing me to snort.

"You're going to do a background check on them aren't you?" I rolled my eyes.

"Of course" he smirked, his lips twitching as he tried to fight back a grin.

Sighing I leaned my head against the window, the car being filled with silence for a few minutes before I turned my body in his direction. "Charlie…"

"What Bells?"

"Do you know where First Beach is?" I asked, watching as he glanced at me before a smile took over his aging features.

"It's in LaPush, why?"

"Some friends invited me to go with them, but, I mean don't the reservation mind if others use their beach?" I asked nervously, playing with my hands as I looked at him sheepishly.

I was taken aback when he snorted. Chuckling he shook his head. "Bella, they may not be keen on it, especially since there is a Forks beach, but they don't protest. As for you, your practically family down there Bells. You used to visit a lot when you were younger, don't you remember it?"

I shook my head.

"Well, maybe visiting will jog your memory. You know Jacob lives down there don't you?" he grinned, that familiar twinkle in his eyes as he glanced in my direction before turning his attention back to the road.

"No dad" I shook my head, not liking where this was going. "You are not setting me up."

"Bella-"

"No," I protested. "Plus, he kind of freaks me out" I mumbled causing him to look at me wide eyed. He seemed shocked.

"Why? He's a nice boy."

"I'm sure he is" I agreed. "But he kept staring at me with this strange look on his face, its odd, he's odd" I frowned.

"So you don't like him?" he glanced in my direction.

"I wouldn't go that far" I frowned.

"But…"

"What's with the questions?".

"Nothing" he protested quickly. "I just, well Jacob is a nice boy, he'd look after you" was all he said before we turned into the drive.

Keeping quiet I didn't comment. What was with the sudden obsession with Billy's son? Plus that constant look of a mixed of disappointment, regret and hope didn't exactly make me feel at ease around him. Just what was his deal?

Shaking my head at my thoughts I hopped out the car, biting my bottom lip when I caught sight of Billy's truck out front as it parked next to mine. I sighed, knowing the chances of Jacob being there as well.

It wasn't that I didn't like him, it was just he made me feel…odd. The way he looked at me, it was just awkward.

Pulling myself together I made my way into the house, following Charlie as I nervously walked inside behind him.

"Hi Billy" he grinned, accepting a manly hug from Billy as he sat in the kitchen. Surprisingly I couldn't see Jacob anywhere. "Bella, why don't you go make something to eat while Billy and I catch up" Charlie suggested causing me to shrug.

"If that's what you want," was all I said. "You staying for dinner Billy?" I questioned.

"If you don't mind, Jacob will be here as soon as he gets off work if that's alright."

Nodding, I headed back into the kitchen, a frown on my features as I thought about how uncomfortable dinner was going to be. It didn't help that Charlie had made it clear he wanted to see the two of us together; that would again make things more than a little uncomfortable.

"Just smile and ignore them" I told myself, trying to get a grip. I could do that; I could act politely and pretend that I didn't want to hide out in my room instead.

Well, I figured it couldn't be that hard, right?

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