Chapter 3: The First Day

-x-x-x-

"I got a problem,

Problem when I look in your eyes.

You're mine and you know it,

I'd still do it even if we were cursed."

Banks – Under the Table.

-x-x-x-

Golden eyes.

She had dreamt of them again, eyes so strange that there was no possible way that she had seen them in the real world, the same eyes that had haunted her dreams for years; but this time it had felt so real, it was starting to become a clearer picture.

The golden eyes weren't the only focus. There was pale skin that could only be compared to snow, curly hair the colour of honey, a charming smirk that would make any girl swoon.

Shaking her head, Lexi tried to rid her mind of the images from her night. Glancing around her room, she wondered if she would ever get used to waking up with her covers wrapped tightly around her for warmth, rather than waking up with them on the floor after her sleeping-self had shoved everything off to cool down during the night. Although, she found it quite refreshing to wake up without a thin layer of sweat covering her body.

Taking a quick shower, she mentally noted to herself to not make fun of Bella's new truck; she had a feeling she was going to hate both the truck itself and the pollution levels that would come from an old thing like that. Her best friend was happy, that was what mattered, so she would hold her tongue and try to ignore the damage that it would no doubt cause to the environment.

As she dried her hair with a towel, she looked out of her bedroom window, watching as the trees gathered droplets of water on their pines before letting them drop in a large group. She couldn't have been happier with her parents' decision to move to the small town, feeling more at peace than she had ever felt in Phoenix. Opening the window, she felt the cool breeze flow past her into the room, making her shiver as it hit the water that still waited on the back of her neck.

She felt like her better self in this place.

-x-x-x-

Her hand gripped the seat tightly, of what was possibly the loudest vehicle in existence, as Bella turned another corner.

"It's not that bad." Rolling her eyes at the redhead's antics, Bella sighed. "You're overreacting."

"How can you not hear it?" Lexi's pitch raised in disbelief at her words. "It's so creaky, I think my brother will be able to hear it from the kitchen back home." Looking around the small space, she tried to see if there was any way to spot the problem from where she sat.

"Well, you should have thought of that before you refused to drive." the brunette quipped, glancing at her friend with a slight look of worry. "Are you okay, Lex? You seem a bit out of it this morning."

Lexi sat contemplating whether or not to divulge the details of her dream. They had spoken about her dreams a few times over the years, but knowing that there was suddenly more included in them just made her feel uneasy. Last night had felt like a turning point and she wasn't overly sure she was ready to accept what it all meant. "It was nothing… Just one of those dreams again."

"With the eyes? What do you think it means?"

Sighing to herself as they turned into the school parking lot, looking around at their new school and the students already turning to study the strange vehicle, Alexis muttered. "I honestly have no idea, Bells. I don't understand them or the weird feeling I get when I see them. It's happiness but… With a mixture of something else... Danger? Maybe?"

As Bella parked and cut the engine the truck gave off a large bang, the prying eyes of the Forks High student body now joined with broken chuckles and barely hidden snickers.

"Arriving on the back of an elephant would be more subtle." Lexi uttered, shuffling further down into her seat as the students waited to catch a glimpse of the new girls.

Looking around, Bella seemed to be thinking the same thing. There was already too much attention on the pair, and they hadn't even managed to step foot outside of the truck yet. In order for them to make it to the school, they would have to deal with a multitude of staring eyes directed right at them. "You were right. The truck was way too loud, this was a terrible idea."

Stealing herself, Lexi straightened up and opened her door. "Well, there's no point in stopping now. We've just got to act confident, then people won't stare as much. If we act all awkward then they'll pounce on us like the prey we are."

"You can't be serious."

"I don't know… I just feel like there's this energy flowing directly into me right now." She replied, watching as the path to the main entrance cleared, a straight run to the double doors finally in sight. "As long as nobody sees us get out of this dinosaur I'm sure we'll be fine."

Rolling her eyes at the newest insult to her truck, Bella started playfully shoving her best friend. "Alright, get out."

"Okay, okay, I'm going."

Standing tall with fake confidence, Lexi wondered if her usual wardrobe of emerald green suddenly made her ginger hair stand out too much in the small town where everyone seemed to be dressed in neutral colours that blended them into the background.

Bella slowly hooked their arms together, leaning in to whisper "You realise how much of a bad idea going to a new school is, right? Especially in the middle of the semester."

"It'll just take some adjustment." Lexi whispered in return, pulling them along in a brisk pace towards the office. "Okay, new rule: we have to talk to at least one new person per class, deal?"

"I don't like that rule."

"That's a real bummer for you, Bells."

-x-x-x-

The two seemed to realise quickly that the new rule was their only chance, as they received their schedules to find that they only had one class together. At first glance they had clutched each other tightly at the realisation that they had a few of the same classes at the same time, just to discover that they were in different rooms with different teachers.

"At least we'll be able to study at home together?" Lex offered meekly, eyes scouring the piece of paper in her hand with the hope that the writing would suddenly shift and change into the same as Bella's.

Later that morning, as they made their way out of their first English class, they were barely able to utter a single word to each other before a short dude with swishy black hair and dark eyes appeared next to them with a significant smile spread across his face.

"You two are the new girls, right?" He asked, eyes darting between the two of you. "Alexis and Isabella?"

"Bella." The latter replied, seemingly trying to end the conversation before it had even begun, eyes focused on the ground as her feet slightly sped up.

However, the inquisitive guy didn't take the hint as he walked with them from the building, stepping in time with them with ease. "What's your next class? I'm Eric by the way, the eyes and ears of this place."

Bella awkwardly shuffled on, realising that escape wasn't an option at this point, holding her paper up to double check her schedule. "Government, with Jefferson in building… six?"

"I'm heading for building four, I can show you the way." He beamed, before turning his bright eyes to Lexi. "How about you?"

"Photography." Lexi replied, stomach already turning with the knowledge that she'd soon have to part ways with her best friend. "Building eight."

"Oh, I have a friend in that class." Eric swiftly shifted his gaze around the school yard, eyes searching for what she could only guess was the person he had just mentioned. "Miss Thorn, right?" He asked, stopping in his tracks as his eyes finally landed on the friend in question, rising to his tiptoes to call over to her. "Angela!"

In the doorway to a nearby building, a gentle looking brunette with glasses came to a halt, glancing back to the small group. "What's up?" She asked quietly, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"This is Alexis Hanson, she has next period with you."

Almost tripping up at the small shove Eric gave her towards his friend, Lexi shook her head with a tiny chuckle and a smile. "You can just call me Lexi."

"Angela Webber." The girl smiled in return, reaching out to shake her hand.

Lexi turned as she noticed the boy start to direct Bella in a different direction, giving a small wave to her panicked best friend and quickly mouthing her apologies that she couldn't go with her. Really, Alexis should have known that there was only a slight chance of the pair of them being in the same lessons; guilt slowly ebbing its way into her mind at the fact she'd convinced the socially awkward girl to move across the country with her.

"So, what made you pick photography?" Lexi asked, in an attempt to start a conversation and distract herself from worrying about what the future held; she was determined to stick to her new rule.

A camera shutter noise was what she heard in response, Angela taking the girl's time in contemplation to take a candid photo. "I like to stick to creative subjects." She responded, looking down to the small screen to inspect the new picture. "I'm part of the school paper here, so I suppose you could say it's my job."

"You don't say…" Lexi trailed off, eyebrows scrunched as a look of confusion clouded her features, the pair coming to a halt in the middle of the hallway.

Angela held the camera up to her, her words fast as she spoke with passion about her favourite hobby. "I think this'll be really good for the feature, I always prefer candid photos you know? They're just more real than setups to make people look good. Maybe we could do a feature on natural beauty, what do you think?"

The redhead was surprised at how comfortable she suddenly felt with having her picture taken, the angle that her new acquaintance had taken was so flattering that she couldn't think of a single bad word to say about it. Angela had such a friendly, calming, presence that it was almost impossible to feel awkward around the girl, her words shining with honesty and sincerity. But it wasn't long before she realised what had just been said to her.

"Wait, feature?" She asked, eyes darting up to meet with her dark orbs. "What feature?"

"Eric and I will be doing a feature on the two new students; you and Bella, obviously." She explained, once again moving to lead them to their next class. "Not much happens at this school, you have to understand that the two of you are genuinely the most exciting thing to happen here in like two years."

Lexi tried to stifle a laugh as she thought about how her best friend would react when she heard the news. "Yeah, good luck on getting Bella on board with that, I think you might need to go in a different direction. I think I have a total of fifteen pictures with her and I've known her for almost a decade."

Sighing as they walked into the classroom together, Angela's face fell for a moment. "I really hope not... The paper is starting to get really repetitive and I don't think that'll look so good on a college application."

"I have no doubt you'll find something." Lexi assured her with a gentle hand on her arm. "You know, I've always wanted to take polaroids to hang up in my room, you think you can teach me how to make them look right? They always seem to come out blurry to me."

"Yeah, that sounds amazing." Motioning to the empty seat beside her, the brunette turned her camera screen towards Lexi to show her some of the other photos she had taken that day around the school before Miss Thorn walked in to start the class.

-x-x-x

"So, how have we done so far? We've met Eric and Angela and somewhat befriended them, I think that counts as two for two classes, right?" Lexi questioned, though mostly talking to herself, trying to be optimistic about the new rule she had made that morning for the pair. She had managed to find Bella sitting on a bench in the yard after the second period had ended.

"Technically I didn't talk to anyone in my Government class." Bella responded with a sigh nipping at a loose bit of skin on her thumb, unable to yet see the bright side to starting the new school half way through the semester.

"Well, what is it that you have next?" Lexi asked, holding out her hand for the schedule poking out of her best friend's jacket pocket. "It's Gym, right?"

"Yeah… This is going to be a disaster."

"Maybe people will find your lack of athletic skills endearing?" Lexi offered, eyes squinting in thought as she tried to find a positive thing to say, grimacing as she watched the brunette hide her face in her hands. "Maybe someone will like getting hit in the back of the head with a ball?"

Hitting her best friend's arm with her folder, Bella looked around at the different students huddled together in their own little groups. "How are we meant to merge with these people? They've had years to get to know each other."

"You know, Bells, you and I became friends quite fast. It's not always about time."

"I guess..." She mumbled, staring at her feet. "Just don't forget about me, okay?"

As though a lightbulb turned on in her mind, Lexi suddenly realised the main problem Bella was having. Sure, if they made friends it would be wonderful for them both; until Bella moved away to return to her mother in a few months. It was suddenly clear that the girl was worried that if Lexi had new friends, whilst the two of them lived in different states, that she'd forget all about her best friend.

"Bella, we're always going to be friends." Lexi reassured, hand grabbing hold of Bella's as she tried to think of a way to make her believe the words she was saying. "You know that, right? No matter what, we'll have each other."

Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, she slightly nodded, though it was obvious that she still wasn't certain.

Many ideas tumbled through Lexi's mind in just a few seconds, the desire to prove herself and their friendship overwhelming in their new situation. However, only one made the most sense, her hand raising with the pinky finger extended; eyebrows arched at her best friend expectantly.

"Lex, c'mon, we're not eight anymore." Bella complained, watching as Lexi's eyes widened with each second that passed until she finally linked their pinky fingers together with a weak smile.

"That's better." Rising to her feet, the redhead shifted their hands so that their fingers would intertwine; pulling the girl to her feet. "Now come on, it's time for you to break some limbs in Gym."

Bella hit her with her folder again, shaking her head in exasperation as she realised laughter was going to be the only response she received.

-x-x-x-

Neither of the girls had known that they would have Gym on their first day, meaning that they hadn't thought to bring any gym clothes with them. Unfortunately for Lexi, when they were offered some to borrow for the period, Bella had quickly snatched the long joggers and plain grey top. This left her with the only other option in the box, the bright blue shorts and yellow top with a spartan logo - the school's very own gym uniform that was offered to the parents as an option to buy.

Stretching her legs and getting ready to run, she was thankful that it was going to be track for the first few weeks; it meant that she didn't have to worry about everyone staring at her and deciding if she was worthy or not to be picked for a team from just her appearance alone.

"You're the new girl." A voice piped up from behind her, the guy who spoke slowly jogging up to her side.

"I suppose that's an accurate description of me." Lexi replied, finishing her stretches with a short glance at the boy.

His eyes moved up and down her form, taking in every inch of her, a single eyebrow raising as he finished his assessment. "I do my best to find potential opponents for practice. Did you happen to play any sports back at your last school?"

"What? You thought I might be a new rival or something?"

"Sporty legs." He replied, gesturing to them with a single finger, lips spreading to show his teeth in a wide smile. "I can spot them a mile off." He laughed, stretching out his hand. "I'm Tyler, by the way. Tyler Crowley. It's good to meet you."

Awkwardly deciding to move past the legs comment, she mentally noted to make Bella suffer for grabbing the pair of joggers first. Pushing her negative thoughts aside, she shook his offered hand. "It's nice to meet you too. Is everyone in Forks this welcoming?"

Bobbing his head from side to side in contemplation, Tyler sighed "Mostly." before glancing over to the side at a small group of students sat on the field.

From what Lexi could see from where she stood, there were only three students in the direction he was looking. All three of them appeared pale, to the point that they heavily contrasted the murky sky above and the dull wet grass beneath them. But that was all she could really tell, next to the fact that they were obviously the laziest students in the class. She couldn't understand why anyone would sit out of this kind of class, thinking that when it came to track there was always the option to just walk steadily if you so wished.

"Who are they, exactly?" She asked, squinting to see if she could make out any more details about the mysterious trio.

"The Cullens." Tyler scoffed, turning away from them with a scowl. "They mostly keep to themselves, there's those three and two older ones. I wouldn't worry too much about it though, they probably won't even look in your direction." He explained, getting into position at the beginning of the track.

For some unknown reason, Lexi's stomach was set aflutter with butterflies, something not sitting right with her. She couldn't tell if it was to do with the so-called Cullen family or not, but she had a feeling that something was off. Moving her gaze away from the Cullens and back to the boy at her side, she asked. "Why is that?"

"Nobody knows. They moved here two years ago and didn't bother making any friends. Even when people have tried to talk to them, be polite or something, they've just been completely shut down."

Noting the slight venom in his tone by the end of his sentence, Lexi smirked. There was only one reason she'd ever known for such a bitter tone of voice. "So you got rejected by one?"

"No." Tyler refused to meet her eyes, feeling the sceptical look he was receiving. Looking awkwardly from side to side, he realised he was caught and decided to give in to the pale girl. "The small one… Alice."

Laughing, Alexis chose to be kind and drop the subject for the time being, getting into position beside him. "Race to the finish line?"

"You're on newbie."

-x-x-x-

Lexi was thrilled to have, so far, stuck to her new rule of one new friend every class; even more so when she found out that her and Tyler both shared History fourth period. However, much like that morning with Bella, her mood swiftly disintegrated as he informed her that they both had different teachers for the class.

"Don't worry about it." He told her as they made their way to the correct building, her bag over his shoulder and schedule in his hand as he offered to show her the way. "We might not be together for this class, but it looks like we have Biology together last period."

"At least that's something." She shrugged, taking back her belongings as he nodded towards the door that would lead to her History class. "Honestly? I made a new rule with Bella that we have to have a new friend in each class, I was kind of hoping I could cheat and just have you." Her lips mocking pouted with sadness at the thought of having to try and succeed in talking to yet another new person in the room behind her.

Tyler laughed as he stood in the doorway to his classroom, leaning on the doorframe with ease as his eyes widened with humour. "You could always try and switch to this class, you know? Who knows, maybe I'll let you hold my hand through the entire hour."

"Well aren't you dreamy?" She quipped, walking backwards with a smirk so that she could keep the conversation going, laughing at her new friend's chuckle until his features shifted to that of worry. Her own smile dropped from her features, mouth opening to ask him what was wrong before her back collided with an ice cold wall.

Spinning around, she realised that the freezing wall was, in fact, a person. "I'm so sorry." She stammered, hands rising in apology as her eyes focused on the broad chest that she had just bumped into. "I should have been looking where I was going, I'm so sor-"

Her words got lodged in her throat as she finally looked up, her gaze meeting the colour of liquid gold; the guy's eyes were golden. Her mind rapidly flashed back to the dreams she constantly found herself having as she fell into the molten colour that was in front of her. She found herself quite mesmerised by the real thing, his hair was the same honey colour that had appeared the night before; the only thing missing was the enticing smirk that had piqued her interest.

The stranger standing in front of her had a look of restraint, as though he was holding his breath. He was tall, taller than a few of the students around them, but only to the point that she had to slightly tilt her head to lock eyes with him.

"Erm, are you okay?" She asked, finally coming back to her senses, repeatedly telling herself that he was still just a normal guy; regardless of the colour of his eyes or the fact she was sure his features matched those that she'd dreamt of for the past decade. "I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have been walking backwards, that was a dumb decision."

"Jasper?" A small brunette girl with the same shade of golden eye, who could only be compared to a pixie, appeared from behind him and placed a delicate hand on his arm. As the girl locked eyes with Lexi, her facial expression went entirely blank, as though her mind had gone to a completely different place for the moment; though it only lasted a few seconds as she returned to the present and her face broke out into a beaming smile. "Sorry about my brother, he's still learning to mind his manners."

"It's fine." Lexi replied, watching as the petite girl tugged on Jasper's arm. "I really am sorry." She said to him once more, before turning away from his uncomfortable stare, following the other students into the classroom.

Ending up sitting at an empty table at the back of the room, in the far-left corner, she cursed the universe for making her sit right behind the two incredibly beautiful students from the entrance to the room; their shared eye colour still caused her concern.

Throughout the class, she couldn't help but notice Jasper slightly turning his head, as though he was trying to see her from the corner of his eye. She couldn't understand what she'd done to make him act so strange, she understood that it was slightly annoying when somebody crashed into you, but she had made sure to apologise multiple times directly afterwards. It wasn't like she had done it on purpose, so why did he feel the need to keep an eye on her? Back in Phoenix, there were so many students at the school that it was common practice to bump into each other; you simply couldn't avoid crashing into someone as you rounded every corner.

She felt a multitude of thoughts swirl around her mind; the golden eyes, the honey-blonde hair, the strange way he'd reacted to her, everything was starting to overwhelm her. It was becoming slightly painful to breathe as she fiddled with the pen in her hand, trying her best to calm down and focus on anything else than what had just happened. As she felt her head getting heavier with worry, her eyes locked with the golden ones that were, once again, looking back in her direction.

And she felt a strange sense of calm.

It wasn't the typical feeling that one would get when relaxing. Almost like a wave, it was washing over her at a gentle pace; a tingle much like pins and needles spreading through her veins to make way for serenity. The panic she was so sure had bubbled up in her ebbed away until it felt as though it had never existed in the first place.

When they were all given work to do, Lexi couldn't help but notice the small brunette in front of her turn to talk to her brother; face seemingly stern. She couldn't help but wonder if she was scolding him for the way he had been acting. Then again, if the pixie was doing such a thing, Alexis saw no reason as to why he would be arguing with her; unless he was so out of touch with society that he truly didn't know how to act around others.

As the lesson came to an end, the redhead swiftly rose from her seat, making a b-line for the door in an attempt for a quick escape. As she rushed out, she could feel a pair of eyes burning into the back of her head, the peace that she'd felt near the beginning of the class having gradually dwindled throughout the hour. She was grateful that it was time for lunch, urgently needing to talk to Bella about how her day was going.

Lexi wondered if her best friend had had any strange interactions yet.

-x-x-x-