Jessica thought there had to be weirder ways to spend her weekend than helping decorate a bedroom. The bedroom just happened to be at the house of her mom's boyfriend and it was going to be occupied by his estranged daughter that was coming to live with him. She had never met Charlie's daughter as the last time the girl had visited was before Jessica and her family moved to Forks. And none of her friends had much recollection of their kindergarten days with Bella Swan so Jessica had no idea what to even get for her bedroom.

Jessica's mom and Charlie both thought that since she was a teenage girl that she would know what any teenager would want in a bedroom as if she just had secretly been taking interior design classes while going to high school. Charlie had been terrible at keeping up to date with his daughter and any of her possible interests. The only helpful bit of advice he was able to get out of his ex-wife was that Bella liked to read. Whether she liked Shakespeare or comic books would be too specific and Jessica would have to rely on the power of guessing.

As Charlie and her mom looked over curtains, Jessica sneaked off into the corner of the home supply store and looked around for inspiration. She finally gave in and called Angela for help. She could complain to her best friend at the least.

"She likes to read and somehow I'm supposed to come up with a plan on what to put in her room," Jessica said. "What do I even put in there? A fake skull so she can have Hamlet monologues?"

Angela snorted softly. "Maybe get her a book shelf? Just keep things simple. A lamp, a clock, a bean bag chair…"

"I don't even know what color scheme to do. Charlie doesn't know her favorite color."

"Oh no."

Jessica moaned pitifully. "Do you see what I'm dealing with here?"

"Try more neutral colors. A lot of people like blue."

She picked up a bundle of yellow and white fake flowers. "I have an idea. We could do a theme like Miss Honey's cottage in Matilda. I could get her a tea set and everything."

"I don't know about that, Jess."

"You're right. Miss Honey is more your thing."

Jessica ended up being proud of what they did with the bedroom. It looked nicer than her bedroom. Maybe she should take a page out of Charlie's book and redecorate. The day Bella was to arrive in Forks, Charlie went to pick her up at the airport while Jessica and her mom stayed at Charlie's house to get the place ready.

While Charlie was away, his best friend Billy Black came over with his son. Charlie had bought a truck from them they restored for Bella to use and it looked like it wouldn't go past sixty miles an hour without completely giving up. She paused at the sight of Billy Black's son who she had been seeing around La Push for years when they would come to beach. Puberty hit him hard.

She knew he had to be about sixteen but he looked older. He had to be around seven feet tall and he was fit and muscled. His long hair was tied up in a ponytail and it brought attention to his cheekbones. With the russet skin and the sunny smile, Jacob Black was incredibly attractive.

He handed the key to the truck over to her mom as she made chitchat with Billy. He hovered over everyone like a very handsome giant. Maybe she should set him up with Angela. He wouldn't be intimidated by Angela's height when he was a whole foot taller than her.

He noticed her staring and smiled at her. She ignored the fluttering in her belly. He wasn't for her. He was for Angela whether he liked it or not.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi."

"You restore a lot of cars?"

He shrugged. "It's kind of my thing."

"Your girlfriend must find it impressive."

"I actually don't have one." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Not that I don't want one but I've been busy."

He was single! Good job, Jess. Now, she just needed to get the two of them to meet. That shouldn't be too hard.

She reassured, "Don't worry. The right girl should come along and flip your world upside down."

He looked contemplative, his sunny disposition dimming. "I suppose you're right."

He left with his dad soon after and she allowed herself one last look at Jacob's overall hotness. Maybe if Jessica had been taller or he was shorter, they could've been a thing. Alas, he was meant for the pastor's daughter. She was such a good friend.

Jessica's first glimpse of Bella Swan was her looking morose as she got out of the police car and holding a small cactus in her hand. She was about medium height with pale skin and long brown hair. Her doe eyes took in her surroundings with sullenness. The brunette stilled at the sight of Jessica and her mom.

Charlie went to her mom and wrapped an arm around her. "Bella, I would like you to meet Joan."

Charlie wasn't public with affection or touch at all. He wasn't a hugger. Pats on the shoulder or back was more of his thing. Jessica knew that he was making a statement.

Bella frowned before smoothing it over into a blank expression. "Nice to meet you."

Her mom smiled warmly. "Charlie's told me so much about you."

Charlie seemed oblivious and patted Jessica on her shoulder with his free hand. "And this is her daughter, Jessica. She's your age and you'll be at the same school together."

"Great," Bella replied. "It'll be nice to know somebody at school."

Jessica wasn't sure if the other girl was being sincere or not but she opted not to react. She didn't know this girl yet. And she was Charlie's daughter. She had to make an effort.

"I'll show you the ropes. Whatever you need."

Her mom chimed in, "Jessica will take care of you and she knows everyone at school."

It was hard to not to know everyone with such a small class. She had been the new girl when she moved from Maine back in middle school. After years of living there, she had blended into the population as if she'd been there her whole life. She didn't have a doubt that Bella would assimilate too.

Jessica nodded and reassured her, "You can count on me."

Bella had reacted well to her bedroom. She had been the most pleased with the bookshelf Jessica had picked out for her. Jessica helped her unpack her stuff as her mom worked on dinner downstairs. Charlie usually tried to help with mixed results.

Dinner was pleasant enough. Her mom made blueberry pie that Jessica could eat on her own if they allowed her. Her mom made an effort to get to know Bella's interests and her childhood in Arizona. Jessica learned Bella liked classic literature and warm weather.

And that was it.

Jessica tried not to make judgments. She had only been around the girl for a few hours and she seemed very introverted. Bella probably needed time to get out of her shell. She told herself this as she and her mom went home after dinner.

Monday morning came and her mom dropped her off at Charlie's house early. She was getting a ride with Bella so the girl would learn the way to school. She hadn't accounted for the nearly non-existent heating in her truck. She should have a word with Jacob that people could die from the cold.

They arrived at school half-frozen and eagerly made their way inside. She led Bella to get her schedule and looked over at it with her. They were in all of the same classes. She told herself this made showing Bella around a lot easier.

They were getting looks from people as they walked through the hallway. They hadn't seen a new face in two years and they always acted this way until the novelty wore off. Jessica had been the new girl in middle school when she moved from Maine. She got her share of attention before people got bored and focused on something else.

Eric came over, carrying his camera. "Hey, Jess. Who's this?"

"This is Bella," she replied. "Sheriff Swan's daughter."

"The new girl."

Bella was the new girl now. Jessica gave him a smile as he asked Bella if he could take a picture of her. He wanted to feature her on the school newspaper. Apparently, it was a very slow news day.

When lunch time came around, Jessica had introduced to Bella to all of her friends who asked her numerous questions about her interests and Arizona. Bella's stepdad was a professional baseball player and while he wasn't particularly well-known that association had a certain cache.

"Who are they?" Bella asked.

Jessica looked up from her food to find the Cullens heading towards their usual table at the corner of the cafeteria. Rosalie and Emmett along with Jasper and Alice were all being inappropriately affectionate again. Edward trailed behind them as the perpetual fifth wheel, looking broody and unhappy to be there as usual. He briefly met her eye and Jessica rolled her eyes as she turned away.

"The Cullens," she replied. "Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Alice, and the one who looks constipated is Edward."

Her friends laughed. No one was really friends with the Cullens so she didn't feel guilty for being a little mean. It's not like they would care. Edward probably didn't even know her name.

Bella was looking over at their table and was watching as Edward stabbed his plate of spaghetti aimlessly.

"Don't bother," she told her. "Edward doesn't date anyone."

"Why not?"

Mike cut in, "We have a betting pool about that if you'd like to join in. I personally think he's in a cult."

Eric piped up, "Secret girlfriend."

Tyler joined in, "Erectile dysfunction."

Jessica declared, "Psychotic murderer."

Lauren added in sing-song, "Gay."

Angela shook her head at their antics and reassured Bella, "You don't have to join their offensive betting pool. None of us know why Edward is single and it's really none of our business."

"I won't."

Bella's eyebrows were furrowed and she looked over at the Cullens' table again. Edward was staring back at her. Bella bit her lip and tucked her hair behind her ear. Jessica tried to tamp down her disbelief.

Even Edward Cullen was giving attention to the new girl.

Hi. It's been a while. This came about because when I was writing Impossible people were wondering what it would be like if Bella was in the story. Now I can't put 'No Bella' in the summary and it makes me sad. Jessica trying so hard not to be annoyed at Bella is me trying so hard not to roast Bella.

New AU. We're back in high school with Jessica and the Human Gang. Think of it as a parallel universe to Impossible. Things are similar but different.

1. This is set in their junior year. School year 2006 - 2007.

2. Matilda is a 1996 film.