Chapter 6: A New Start

I start my senior year today—again.

Do I want to? No.

Do I have to? Yes.

That's why, at this very moment, I'm reluctantly standing in the school's office while the too-happy-for-a-Monday-morning secretary gets me my schedule. She's telling me all about Mystic Falls and how everyone here is just so nice.

"You'll love it," she told me, "everyone does."

I don't believe her for a second.

All high schools are the same. Small school or not. There are the jocks, the geeks, and the nobodies. Of course, there are branches off of these main three. Band geeks, football stars, druggies… hell, you know what I mean. There's only one way to survive high school, and that's to find a group of friends and stick with them.

Because if you don't, then you're all alone. And nobody wants to be alone.

The door of the small office opens behind me, waking me up from my stupor. I think that the secretary had been talking to me for a while now, I'm just not exactly sure what she told me.

"Elena," the secretary says warmly. "Just the person I need." I turn around to see this Elena character. The secretary seems to like her, and I hope that means that I may have stumbled upon a fast friend.

Elena is beautiful. She has long, dark brown hair that hangs straight all the way to her mid-back. She's dressed impeccably well for just another day at school, with what looks like designer jeans and heeled boots. Her brown eyes—like mine—seem warm and welcoming.

I'm jealous.

And I hate how that feels.

"Hello, Mrs. Tucker," she says in a musical voice, "Whose this?"

"This is our new student Isabella Swan; she's a senior this year. I was wondering if you can show her around," Mrs. Tucker says happily.

"It's just Bella," I say to no one in particular. Elena smiles widely.

"I'd love to show you around, Bella," Elena says. "You'll just love it here, I know it. Mystic Falls is…"

I tune her out.

Of course, I make the respectful ohs and ahs as she shows me around the small school. I even give a little bit of an effort to talk to her. But to be honest, if she asked me to repeat anything she said, I would be at a loss.

Mundane things like lockers, classrooms, and teachers just weren't worth the time anymore. Now that I know that there's something more than just high school and imprudent humans, why the hell would I want to be here?

But No. I'm stuck in this drab, boring building with a too-happy-of-a-girl that won't shut up, and hundreds of other kids that I just don't want to talk to.

High school sucks.

It's lunchtime, and Elena is still chattering away. Somewhere in our conversation, she had invited me to sit with her and her friends at lunch. Somehow I said yes.

Now I'm at a table of five, plus me.

There's Caroline, a spunky blond that talks even more than Elena. Tyler, who's cute, tan, and has anger issues (He reminds me of Jake). Matt; he's best described as a sandy-blond haired boy with sad eyes and a watery smile. Of course, there's Elena, and then let's not forget Stefan.

There's something off about Stefan Salvatore.

He's Elena's boyfriend and an all-around good guy. That's what they told me. He's crazy beautiful too. With messy bronze hair, piercing hazel eyes, and a jawline that could cut glass. In an almost eerie way, he reminded me of my Stranger. He also reminds me of Edward, and that's probably why I have no desire to be anywhere near Stefan.

"Usually Bonnie is here too." Caroline says, "But her grandma just died so she's away. It's too bad too. She's going to miss a lot of fun."

"Caroline," Elena hisses, "That's rude." Elena's eyes are glistening with sorrow and worry. I guess it makes sense. Your friend's grandma just died; you should be sad. But not that sad and definitely not that worried.

Stefan is running his hands through his hair. He looks tense too.

I'm guessing there's more to the story of Bonnie's grandma's death.

"Well, that's too bad," I say, breaking the tension that crackles in the air.

"Yeah, it is," Caroline says, "But now we have you so…." She lets her words trail off. I really don't know what that means.

"You should come to the Grill with us tonight," Elena pipes in. "It's our usual hangout, and almost everyone goes there. We could introduce you to people."

I find it hard to believe.

That people hang out on a Monday night. But I don't want