Welcome to the party peeps. Couple of things before we get started:

I had a new idea for the general direction of the story in order to make it more interesting, so I went back and very slightly edited the first chapter in a blink and you'll miss it. No need to check it out, you won't be behind on anything at all.

I finally put some work into the description so hopefully now it will convey the themes in a less cringey way! The description is always what I struggle with the most, and I may change it again in time. Who is to say.

Thanks everyone for supporting this story, happy reading!

On Monday, Charlie wakes me up. He gives me the first round of my meds, those to be taken on an empty stomach, then leaves me to get ready.

It is much earlier than I would have woken myself up, but I'm so slow with everything that it makes sense. Don't want to be late to my first day.

I shower, and afterwards face myself in the mirror. My hair has gotten extremely tangled, so I begin the work of brushing it. I try to keep my eyes trained on the hair, and not on the faint bruises still covering my body. My eye is no longer swollen shut, but it does have a noticeable bruise left over. If I were home, I could borrow Rene's makeup… '

My long sleeve shirt covers all but the faintest fingerprints on my wrists. My long hair covers the still painful marks on my neck. I try to take a step back and take myself in, imagining the first impression I'll make on the other kids.

I wince because I still look pretty pitiful. I'm determined to let today be a normal first day.

Charlie has given up trying to talk to me about any of it. These days, I have a natural knack for staring vacantly ahead when these topics come up. I don't have the energy to argue my way out, or the wherewithal to allow my mind to dwell on the bad stuff.

But I can't spend the rest of my life holed up in Charlie's house, pretending like the rest of the world doesn't exist. Today is my first day at Forks High, and I'm bound to let this be my chance to turn over a new leaf.

I run downstairs and Charlie has already made breakfast. He's been very adamant that I eat at every meal, no matter how low my appetite is. I figure I'm putting him through enough, so I always sit down and eat as much as my uneasy stomach can handle.

Today's menu consists of grits and bacon. I've never had so much bacon in my life as when I stay with my father, and the same goes for fish. I don't complain and make a point of finishing my plate.

"You feel okay about today?" He asks gruffly.

I nod.

"I like school."

I don't know if I like Forks school. I like going to my school, seeing my friends, knowing my teachers. But one school has to be the same as any other. I have to push through this. I feel weird, with everything going on I haven't even had time to feel anxious about the new school. It's starting to hit a little bit.

"Listen, Bells,"

I stare apprehensively, never knowing if something serious is being brought up or if he's just walking on eggshells because of my general state.

"I had to take off a fair amount of time unexpectedly, so tonight and, probably this week, I'm gonna have to work late."

I nod. It's not like I can't be unsupervised, but I don't know if he sees it that way.

In recent years, my father left his gun hung by the door when he got home. Since my unexpected appearance, he's been locking it in his room. I guess that's his way of letting me know I'm on suicide watch.

"I talked to Billy and he said that Jake would be happy to pick you up from school, keep you company."

I roll my eyes but nod.

"You know, I've taken care of myself fine without a babysitter for years up to now."

It's Charlie's turn to snort, but he is slow to speak. Maybe my current state isn't a great indicator of my ability to take care of myself.

"I understand Bell. But just let Jake pick you up, so your old man can have some peace of mind." He's a lot nicer than a lot of people would be in his situation. More patient. I feel a pang of regret for everything I've put him through.

"Okay, Daddy." I agree. It won't be the worst thing in the world to spend time with Jacob, and it probably would be better than being alone.

I have my license, but Charlie only has the cop car, and I'm not supposed to drive for like a month. So a ride from Jake would also be pretty helpful.

"Well, come on baby. We have to get you to school on time."

I didn't bring my school bag in my haste. We went shopping over the weekend, so now I'm all loaded up on fresh notebooks and pencils. Neither Charlie or I were totally sure of what teachers in Forks might require, so I'm also all loaded up on sticky notes, highlighters, index cards, whatever we thought might come up.

It is a little embarrassing getting driven to school in the Chief's car, but not nearly as much so as the Chief walking me to the Central Office to get my official schedule.

They take my picture and print my school ID, assign me my lunch number, then wish me luck on my first day.

I'm scribbling my lunch number on my wrist when my father says,

"You want me to walk you to your first class?"

"Dad!" Other students are starting to trickle in, now is not the time for me to look like I need my daddy to walk me to classes.

He smiles a little bit.

"You're sure."

I pout. "I'm not like, absolutely positive. I'll ask for help if I get lost. Promise!"

"Okay, Bella, I love you." He kisses my forehead and wishes me a good day, and I watch him as he drives away.

It's then that I stare down at the papers that were deemed necessary for the first day.

I have the Doctor's note with firm instructions that I am "mentally disoriented" and need extra time for most assignments. I have a psychiatrists note that whenever I feel "overwhelmed" or "anxious" I'm to be escorted to the nurse's office for my anti-anxiety medicine. Or I could be sent to the counselors to help me calm down.

I carefully tuck the notes into the front pocket of my backpack, then turn my attention to the class schedule. First period is English with Mr. Mason. Easy enough.

I begin to march towards the main building, determined to look like I know where I'm going. I try to ignore the heads that turn. In a small town like this, any news is scandalous and gossip worthy, I'm bound to draw attention.

The numbers confuse me and it takes me much longer than it ought for me to sort out which classroom I'm in. When I walk in, the only person in the room is Mr. Mason.

"Hi," I say sheepishly. "I'm Bella Swan, today's my first day."

He doesn't react to my awkward demeanor, and sizes me up.

"Welcome Ms. Swan," He goes through his desk and hands me a few papers, including the syllabus and reading list. "Ms. Cope has already taken the liberty of emailing your teachers about your circumstances, so you needn't provide your doctor's note for all classes."

I feel heat rise to my cheeks, "Thank you Mr. Mason."

"If you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to reach out."

He winks at me and directs me to my assigned seat. I pool over the assigned reading list and am relieved to see that I've read almost all the books. That should make things easier.

The other students slowly trickle in, and I can tell they've already heard of me.

My desk mate arrives not long after I sit down, and despite the early hour, she's already chirpy.

"Oh-em-gee!" She exclaims, holding out her hand for me to shake. "You must be Isabella Swan!"

I shake her hand, wincing from her high voice. She introduces herself as Jessica Stanley, and takes her seat, pulling out a bright pink, bedazzled notebook bearing the word "English" in purple rhinestones.

"Oh, well you'll just love Forks. And you'll love Mr. Mason, he's just the best. Let me see your schedule."

I hand it over for her observation, and she hums, taking out her highlighter and quickly marking the page.

"I highlighted the classes we have together! Gym and Bio, and obviously we'll have to have lunch together! Beware, though, of Mr. Banner in Bio. He can be a little bit of a nightmare."

She sighs and leans back in her chair. "So, what brings you to Forks?"

I open my mouth to respond, but the bell rings and saves me from any explanation. At least, for that block.

Jessica walks me to my next class, giving me the rundown on the different groups of kids in the school. She points out where my third period will be since she has to go to her locker after second. She warns me about who to steer clear of, and who is obviously gorgeous. I try and make note of it all.

Everyone stares at me, but with Jessica, at least, it looks like I have something going on in this town. I try and keep my head up.

While I'm sure there has been gossip about me, and that if there was, Jessica would be sure to hear it all, she doesn't let on. She just treats me like any other new kid, especially one with high popularity potential.

"Do you play any sports?" Jessica quips on our way to the lunchroom.

"I did track," I murmur offhandedly, filling my tray with today's special, fish sticks and potato smiles.

"Wait," She literally stops what she's doing, holding a hand up to stop me like she's just had the best idea ever. "Bella! They're having try outs for track this week!"

I laugh a little.

"Oh, I don't know." I brush it off, overtaking her to type in my lunch number. It's written on my wrist for convenient access.

"Come on! You literally have to try out, you have to." She's such a persistent person, I wonder if she ever takes no for an answer.

"I have a concussion," I point to my head. "I'm supposed to be taking it easy."

"Oh, well that is such a total bummer." She seems devastated for me, in a way that's a little bit amusing.

"Don't worry about it," I say.

We sit down, and Jessica assures me that there are more people coming, but their class usually makes them late.

"How'd you hurt your head, anyways?" Her tone is nonchalant, but I can tell she is more interested in the topic than she lets on.

"Oh, I fell down the stairs." I say.

"Ouch! That must have been a hard fall." She looks disinterested again as a couple of girls walk up to the table.

They take a seat and Jessica says, "Have you met Lauren and Angela?"

I shake my head. "No, it's nice to meet you."

I smile over at them, and they accept me graciously. Lauren sits on the other side of me and leans over to say something to Jessica.

"Is Cullen not sitting with us today?" Lauren asks, looking around and evidently finding him to be missing.

Jessica rolls her eyes. "I talked to him this morning, he seemed normal to me."

Lauren snorts, giving me a knowing look.

"Edward rejected Jess the other week, then he stopped coming to school for a couple days. We totally thought Jess scared him away for good."

I laugh uncomfortably, and Jessica stares daggers at her friend.

"He did not reject me, we both just came to the mutual conclusion that it wouldn't work between us because—"

Angela holds a hand up for them to stop talking as two people come and sit at our table.

The first is a smaller girl with a pixie cut that points in all directions. The other is tall, brunet, and brooding. My money is on him being the aforementioned "Cullen".

"Hey, guys, this is Bella!" Jessica chirps. "Bella this is Alice and Edward. They're brother and sister!"

An unfamiliar chill runs down my spine as I take them in. They are unnaturally gorgeous, with perfect skin and matching golden eyes. There's just something about them that feels almost uncanny, I shrink back into my seat.

I make eye contact with the boy and his gaze is so intense that I feel a chill run down my spine. It's the kind of look that makes me think he can see all the way in and read my soul. He looks away after a moment, and I try to ignore the weird gut feeling this all leaves.

"It's Bella's first day at Forks so everyone has to be totally nice to her."

"Everyone knows that." Another boy is sitting down, and Jessica rolls her eyes. I think she likes rolling her eyes.

"Mike!"

"What? Everyone does know that. It's not like we get new kids every day."

Jessica turns to me, an incredibly serious look in her eyes.

"I am so sorry about him. He is literally so rude."

It certainly isn't surprising that everyone knows about me. I wonder how I would feel if I grew up in such a small community, knowing everything about everyone, when all of a sudden, a girl joins our school under mysterious circumstances. In a small town like this, my appearance is just about as crazy as it gets.

Mike scoffs and makes a point of sitting far away from Jessica. She sneers at him and turns her full attention back to me.

"So. You totally have to tell me everything about Arizona, what was it like in a desert."

For a girl who grew up in a place like Forks, I'm not surprised about her curiosity. The difference between this place and home is night and day.

"Oh, well it's really hot all the time. Sun pretty much every day—"

"And you still didn't tan!" She sighs wistfully, examining her own painfully pale skin.

"I got a good tan in California this summer, but it's all gone now. It makes me feel so bleh, I wish we would ever get any sun here."

Jessica has a natural talent for turning the topic back to herself, which is fortunate for me today. I'm not very interested in being the center of attention all day.

"Yeah guys, Bella totally was going to try out for track with us, but she has a concussion." Jessica nods seriously. "She fell down the stairs in Pheonix."

A chorus of sympathy comes from my peers.

"How awful!" The pixie girl pouts, as though this is truly devastating information. She shares a glance with the Edward boy, and something about the knowing look in their eyes makes me feel strange, like there is some hidden knowledge behind their eyes.

I find myself staring at them a little bit too long, the previous feeling of unease still prominent in my mind as I try to take them in. I'm trying to figure them out when the boy- Edward, says. "Perhaps there will be the opportunity with cross country in the spring."

Jessica perks up at that.

"Oh, definitely—" She turns to me, eyes wide. "Can you actually heal from a concussion? Like with time?"

I laugh.

"I sure hope so. Most people do manage to live perfectly full lives after head injuries."

Edward snorts. I make eye contact with him directly now, trying to get a read on him. He's not like the other kids at this table, there's something really strange about him.

He is looking back at me, looking perplexed.

I guess we're both getting uneasy feelings from the other.

Jessica nudges me.

"Edward and Mike are in our Bio class! What a great way to end the day."

I think she's being sarcastic, but she plays it so straight that I have to wonder.

"Ah, yes." Edward says flatly.

I look between them. "Should I be worried?"

Jessica rolls her eyes.

"Only if you hate horrible, vindictive teachers with like a total power complex." She shakes her head, then whispers, "Me and Edward always get our work done, but he's written Mike up twice already for goofing off. No warning!"

My eyes wander to Mike, who is loudly showing off for the other girls at the table. He does seem like a bit of a class clown. Still, I don't do well with mean teachers.

"Maybe it's not too late to transfer out of that class."

Jess shakes her head sharply. "It is! Everyone who possible could switched out the first week. I should have been faster with it."

I sigh.

"Well, that should be interesting for me."

Jess squeezes my arm sympathetically.

"At least we're in it together."

Edward's POV.

The new girl has caused quite a fuss. Even trying to avoid the gossip surrounding the situation, it's hard not to pick up on it.

The Chief's daughter transfers in halfway through the first quarter, apparently under mysterious circumstances. She has her first day of school and generally keeps to herself, as well as appearing to have a black eye.

Lots of imaginative assumptions about the situation follow.

By the time I make it to my first period class, I feel I already know the gist of it. Jessica Stanley's thoughts boom over the rest as she makes her way into homeroom, determined to befriend the girl who caused such a stir.

Maybe she's like, depressed. Either way, it's best that I make first contact with her and show her the lay of the land.

Jessica is so fixated on the task at hand, she doesn't even notice me when she walks in.

The day passes unremarkably on the whole. I attempt to tune out the idle chatter, and when Jessica stops me in the hall, eyes wide and mind rattling, it takes a great deal of patience to keep back a sigh.

"Have you met Bella Swan?" She asks, eyes fervent.

Her locker is beside mine, so we frequently encounter one another throughout the day.

I shake my head. "I imagine you have?"

"Oh, yeah I mean…" She trails off. "What do you think is going on there?"

In my year at Forks, I've struggled to evade Jessica. Consequently, I've been forced to get to know her. Despite her tendency to gossip and climb social ladders, she isn't cruel. She doesn't inquire on sensitive manners improperly.

I shake my head, "Dunno,"

It's the truth. The last couple of days there has been just enough chatter about a new student to raise speculation. An injured, bruised, and quiet girl showing up has done nothing to quell the chatter. In a town like this, it is an interesting enough subject matter to get people carrying on for quite some time.

Still, I haven't spoken to the girl. Despite my abilities, I'm currently on a level playing field with my peers when it comes to speculation.

Jessica pouts. Her father is on the town council and thus in cahoots with Chief Swan, so she was able to break the news about the new girl in school, and decided at once that she would be the personal escort of the girl until she got settled.

She's pondering the mystery internally, and I smile at her frustrated musings. Miss number one in her class isn't used to having questions she can't answer.

Bella herself hasn't seemed to open up about her injuries to anyone at school, otherwise they would have reached me. I ponder the implications of accidentally invading her privacy if I happen to come across her. One of the many curses of hearing thoughts would be the accidental trespasses.

"I don't know, it's all just so weird." Jessica says finally, trying to push her confusion away.

I shrug.

"I mean, doesn't it bother you at all?" She looks around, then in a loud whisper continues, "What if she's like, getting abused at home or something?"

The idea forces other images of abuse into my mind. In all my time on earth, I've had much time to ponder the injustices in the world and what to do about them; and I've had much time to act on such injustices in ways I interpret to be correct.

"Then we'll take care of it." Jessica's head snaps in my direction, and she's a little paler seeing the serious look on my face. Her instincts are trying to warn her of some danger, but like any other human, she pushes those thoughts away.

The bell rings and she breaks her stare.

"Oh, well, I can't be late again." Jessica says. "See you at lunch?"

I nod and she scurries off.

Alice is in my third period, but she sits on the other side of the room from me, so we don't speak until after we're dismissed for lunch.

"Have you heard the news?" She deadpans.

I laugh. "Yes, a new girl here in Forks. The newspaper wanted to interview me for my thoughts on the matter.

Her head whips, and she takes a moment to ponder if I'm joking or not. In a place like this, someone might just run that article.

"Did you meet her?" Alice asks, a bit more seriously.

I shake my head. "Jessica has, she's taken up most of the girls time so far."

Alice laughs. "Anything to ger her mind off of you."

I wince, remembering the all too recent encounter where Miss Stanley proposed I ask her on a date. Things have been awkward at the lunch table since that rejection.

"Want to go with me to my locker?"

I agree and we set out in the opposite direction of the lunchroom to drop of Alice's books.

We walk in silence, generally content only in each other's company. The trip makes us a few minutes late to lunch, so by the time we sit down at the table, Jessica has introduced Bella to everyone already.

I wind up right across from the quiet girl, and for the first time can truly take her in. She is very pale, which is accented by the bruise on her left eye. It looks as though it has already healed significantly, implying a much greater wound from before.

When she raises her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, I notice fingerprint shaped bruises around her wrist and for a split second, catch a glimpse of them around her neck. She has obviously been meticulous about hiding what she can in this regard, indicating a longer history of hiding injuries.

I make eye contact with Alice, who is able to take these facts in the same instant I am, before we are able to even make acquaintance with the girl.

Alice is thinking urgently that I ought to discern who is responsible for these wounds at the same time as she warmly introduces herself and then I to the young girl. When Bella looks at me, I listen for her train of thought.

"It's nice to meet you." The girl says quietly, and I feel a strange chill run through me in a way that I'm not accustomed to. In the place of the girl's train of thought, I'm only picking up that of those around her. I turn to Alice, about to speak, then close my mouth. She looks concerned, but I shake my head, indicating she must drop this for now.

I ignore the general conversation at the table and focus instead on playing with the cafeteria food in front of me. In a large group like this, I wonder how true it is that I can't hear the girl's thoughts. Jessica Stanley is a true example of people's minds operating on different frequencies, with her mind being extremely loud with a constant flow of new thoughts, the girl could just be quiet.

Still, with all of my attention focused on her and her alone, I still find that there is only radio silence.

"Yeah guys, Bella totally was going to try out for track with us, but she has a concussion." Jessica nods seriously. "She fell down the stairs in Pheonix."

Jessica's words cause my head to perk up. Is that what this girl is claiming happened to her? A quick scan of Jessica's thoughts reveal that this is the story the girl is choosing to share. Her injuries, however, point to a serious discrepancy in this story. Stairs don't generally choke you or restrain your wrists.

The image upsets me so much that I set my fork down and push the plate away from myself. It's not like I was eating it anyways.

When the bell rings for fourth period, I rise quickly to discard my tray and Alice follows me.

"Well?" She asks, revealing that she's about as curious as the humans in this school are.

I shake my head.

"I can't hear her thoughts."

Alice's jaw drops. "What?"

I just shrug and she stares at me with wide eyes.

"How is that— that's never…" She trails off.

"I know."

She and I discuss what we do know about the ever-mysterious girl, and Alice says that this is a situation for Carlisle.

"Surely it's not so urgent we can't finish the day."

As I say this, the second bell rings, indicating we are late for our fourth period.

"You better go." Alice says, and I sigh. Of all the classes to be late for, Biology is perhaps the worst. Mr. Banner has an unfortunate habit of being unnecessarily unkind.

"I suppose I must."

When I reach the door to the classroom, Mr. Banner is the one to open it.

"Decided to join us after all, Mr. Cullen?"

"My apologies, sir."

He lets me sit in my seat and announces a pop quiz.

A groan choruses through the classroom, but I don't complain. I make my way to my table and find that Bella is in the previously vacant seat next to mine.

"Hello again," I murmur gently, and she smiles awkwardly.

Mr. Banner places two quizzes on our desk last since we're in the back corner. Bella forms a frown as she takes in the sight of the test.

"Problem, Miss Swan?"

Bella laughs uncomfortably, and in a very quiet whisper says, "I think Ms. Cope sent you an email—"

"Speak up, Miss Swan."

The girl swallows uncomfortably, looking up at the face of our very stern teacher.

"I— I think Ms. Cope sent out an email—"

"I do not have time to check my email throughout the day. What was the subject matter?"

The entire class is sitting still, not gawking, but clearly listening closely to this exchange. Bella's cheeks flair with red as she continues.

"It's um, it's a doctor's note for me. I have a concussion so I need extra help with…"

Mr. Banner rolls his eyes, throwing his hands in the air in exasperation.

"I'm sorry, Miss Swan, but this is high school. You are a junior, you ought to be able to handle something as simple as a quiz without expecting accommodations."

Bella is beet red now, staring down at her lap. I glance between her and the teacher, my mouth agape in astonishment. Bella has tears welling in her eyes now, and Mr. Banner is about to open his mouth to mock this fact when I cut in.

"Mr. Banner, perhaps you could go a little easy on her. She has a legitimate excuse, and it is her first day."

Behind the cool tone to my voice is hot fury. While Mr. Banner has made a few other students cry, this is a new layer of cruelty, even for him.

"I'd recommend you watch yourself, Mr. Cullen." He turns to Bella. "You can take the quiz or go to the principal's office and explain why you won't."

"It's fine, I'll take it." She murmurs.

I shake my head.

"Mr. Banner," My voice is a cold warning now, and when I make eye contact with the man he hesitates, then doubles down.

"Another word, and it's detention, both of you."

I shake my head, and I'm about to speak again when the girl looks at me, eyes desperate.

"It's fine, seriously."

"Detention, Miss Swan."

Her jaw drops as she looks at him, and I turn my sharp gaze towards him.

"You cannot be serious." I say.

"You as well Mr. Cullen. Disrespect like this will not be tolerated in my classroom. I will be making a call home to both of your parents."

The idea of Esme receiving this call is quite the thought. None of us have ever gotten in trouble at school before. I don't protest this and reach for my pencil. In my anger, I crush the pencil between my fingers upon picking it up.

Bella sees this and we make eye contact, her face reading as confused and scared.

I just shake my head and begin the quiz.

I struggled a little bit with this chapter because I had an idea of how I wanted it to look in a perfect world, and I struggled to meet those expectations. I think overall I ought not to take fanfiction toooo seriously.

Thank you for reading, please leave a little comment below to help me motivate for the next chapter. I hope you all are doing well, I'll be praying for you all.