School

As I pulled into the parking lot, heads turned in my direction. I climbed out of my Mercedes and went into the office with my head down.

"Hello. I'm Mrs Cope. How can I help you?"

"I'm Isabella Swan. I'm new here."

"Of course. We've been expecting you. Here's your schedule and you need your teachers to sign this. If you ever need anything we are here to help you. I know it's difficult when you lose both your parents."

"Thank you."

I quickly walked to first period as the lesson had started. Swinging the door open I saw everyone look up at me.

"You must be Isabella."

"It's just Bella."

"Okay Bella. Take a textbook and sit over there."

"Thank you."

I did as he said and tried to listen to his lesson but I had done it all before and everyone seemed to find a way to stare despite me sitting at the back of the room. All the lessons passed in a similar way until it got to lunch. A girl, Jessica, asked me to sit at her table and there was no reason to decline.

"Guys this is Bella."

A blonde haired, round faced boy, dragged a chair up next to me.

"Hey there Bella. I'm Mike. You're really beautiful."

"Thank you Mike."

"Are you related to the Cullen's?"

"Who?"

"The Cullens. You have the same eye colour."

"I don't think so."

"Okay."

"So how are you liking Forks?"

"It's nice. Everyone's been really nice so far."

"Everyone knows everyone here. It's such a small town. I haven't heard anything about your parents though."

"Uhh. My parents aren't with me."

"Did they send you away?"

"No."

This Jessica isn't as nice as I first thought.

"Are you staying with a relative or something?"

"No."

"Who are you staying with?"

"No one."

"You live alone. How come your parents allow you too?"

"My parents are dead."

"Oh my god. I'm so sorry Bella. I didn't know."

"It's okay. It happened a long time ago."

"Don't you have any family?"

"My brother's not around anymore and I never had any aunts or uncles."

"I'm sorry Bella."

There was a silence around the table until a nice girl, Angela, spoke up.

"What have you got next Bella?"

"Biology."

"You'll have Mr Banner with me and Mike. As long as you do the work he'll like you."

"Thanks Angela."

"So you haven't met the Cullen's then yet Bella?"

"No. Who are they?"

"They are a family of seven, there's Dr. Cullen and his wife and their five adopted children. Two of them are in our year and the other three are seniors. Alice is the shortest, with short, spikey black hair. She's in our year. She is dating Jasper. He's one of the oldest in their family. It's weird. They are siblings but are dating."

"They aren't related though Jessica."

"Yes but they live together. Anyway, Jasper is a senior. He's tall and has muscle but in a more discrete way. Then there is Rose. She and Jasper are twins. Rose is the epitome of beautiful. Wait until you see her. She's going out with Emmett. Another of the Cullen family. You'll know who he is when you see him. He's tall and really muscly. Coach Clapp wants him to join the football team but he keeps refusing. Everyone's scared of him. Then there's Edward. He's the last Cullen, he's in our year. You'll never see anyone as amazing as him."

"Are you okay Bella? You look a little pale."

No need to say that me being pale has nothing to do with me feeling sick.

"Actually, I'm not feeling too great. I think I'm going to go home."

"I'll take you to the office."

"Thank you Angela."

I stood up and walked out of the crowded lunch room. I caught the scent of five vampires. After hearing the description of the Cullen's I assumed it was them that were the vampires as they had golden eyes like me. We rounded a corner, to find a gold eyed, spikey haired girl standing in front of me.

"Hey Alice."

"Hey Angela. I thought I'd introduce myself to Bella."

"Okay."

She stuck her hand out to me.

"Hello Bella, I'm Alice."

"It's nice to meet you Alice."

She pulled me into a hug, whispering in my ear.

"Come to our house after school."

"Okay."

"It was nice to meet you Bella. I'll see you soon."

"Thank you Alice."

She waltzed off in the other direction.

"That was strange."

"Why?"

"The Cullen's don't really talk to people outside of their family. I think it has something to do with them being adopted and not being able to trust anyone. I don't know though."

"I think Alice is nice."

"She is. No one has had a chance to get to know any of them though."

We entered the office to see Mrs Cope, talking to a handsome, blond haired man. A vampire.

"Hello Bella. Are you alright?"

"Can I be excused the rest of the day please Mrs Cope? I don't feel too great."

"Do you want Dr. Cullen to take a look at you?"

"No thank you. It's just been a hard day. I think after some rest I'll be okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes thanks."

"Okay. Take care Bella."

"Thank you Mrs Cope."

"Bella. It's nice to meet you. I'm Carlisle Cullen. Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Of course Dr Cullen."

I left the office with Angela, followed by Dr Cullen.

"Thank you Angela. Do you think we could be friends?"

"Definitely. You're really nice Bella. I'll see you tomorrow. I hope you feel better soon."

"I will. Thank you Angela."

I gave her a quick hug before she walked off to her lesson.

"Are you thirsty Bella?"

"No, I never really get thirsty."

"Why are you leaving school then?"

"Something someone said reminded me of my family. I just need to be alone for a while. It's a hard day today."

"Okay Bella."

"I'll be coming over to yours later though."

"I'm guessing you've met Alice."

"Yes. She seems really nice."

"I think you'll be really good friends."

"I'll be over around three."

"Okay, I'll see you later Bella. Will anyone be joining you?"

"No. I'm alone."

"If you ever need anyone to talk you, you can come to us."

"Thank you Dr. Cullen."

"Please call me Carlisle."

"Of course Carlisle. Goodbye."

"Goodbye Bella."

I turned and walked swiftly away, feeling something I hadn't felt in a long time. I felt acceptance. I climbed into my Mercedes and drove home. Once home I pulled out my only photo album of my family. The first had a picture of me, Jasper, my mother and father. It was 1905 and we were at the beach, having a great time together. We'd gone to Florida for two weeks and spent every day in the sun having a great time together. The next few pictures were of us on various holidays or days out together. Some were of just Jasper and I others of my parents, others of us all.

Then came to the pictures of Edward's family. Elizabeth stood in Edward Sr.'s arms with a six year old Edward in front of them. Smiles covered their faces as they looked at the camera. I had collected as many pictures of us as I could and had hundreds spread across the many houses I owned, but these were the ones I loved the most.

I came to the pictures of Jasper, Edward and I throughout the years. They ranged from when we were babies to when Jasper left for the war. Most were either of us in our tree or in one of our rooms.

My favourite picture was of Edward and I. We had been engaged for two weeks and Mary's parents were holding a ball to find a suitor for their daughter. It was of Edward and me dancing around the room, in each other's arms, looking into each other's eyes.

I had lots of other pictures of my family, including Margaret, but the most recent of Edward and Jasper were of them in their uniform. Every soldier had a picture taken of them so they could be identified if need be.

I looked up at the clock and realised it was ten to three. Taking a deep breath, my eyes cleared of venom as the tears that would never fall diminished. I grabbed my jacket and jumped into my car with my photo album. I needed it with me as the time was coming.