CHAPTER ONE
❝ new town ❞

     IF HAYDEN MARRIS could describe Forks in one word, it would be 'different'. In her weekend of being there, she had realized it was quieter than most other places, and peaceful. The weather was off, of course, but Hayden could definitely deal with the rain and cloudy skies. The people she had met, however, had showed that the weather didn't have an affect on their personalities.

Mike Newton, her tour guide around the high school, happened to be the brightest of them all. He was welcoming, in a sense that the girl whole-heartedly needed. Being new to the small population had earned her some unwanted attention as the new girl, and a welcoming smile made her feel a bit better.

During her two days in Washington, she had met most of the locals‒ courtesy of her mother and father. They had lived in Forks quite a time ago, then made the move to Georgia before Hayden was born. Why, Hayden had no idea. But growing up there got her accustomed to the warm weather; something she would most likely grow to miss, along with occasional trips to the beach. Luckily, she was informed that La Push was a popular hangout spot, and she would be granted permission to check it out soon enough.

The Marris family's move back home had been announced two weeks ago, as soon as Hayden had arrived home from softball practice. It was a surprise- why had her parents decided to move back so soon? But she didn't question their sudden decision. Hayden had to admit that she wouldn't miss her school, since all of the students were fake. Her departure left an open spot on the softball team, though- one that wouldn't be so easily filled by a newcomer to the sport.

When arriving to the small town, she found that her parents had bought back their old home; one located close to La Push, so that she would have the chance to enjoy the beach when she wanted. Strangers showed up over the course of their time here, all greeting her parents with open arms. Even the chief and his daughter, Bella, had come to meet the new addition to the family since they had last been in Forks.

Bella and Hayden had gotten along quite well, although Hayden noticed that she wasn't really the type to open up easily. But nonetheless, over the span of three hours, Bella learned almost everything about Hayden. They had talked up until the moment Charlie had gotten a call from the station, and bid the family goodbye. Bella and Hayden exchanged phone numbers, preparing for the friendship ahead.

Hayden hoped Bella would be at school today. A familiar face would calm down her nerves of everything new being shoved in her direction.

The brunette had awoken late that morning, slipping into a comfortable sweater and pair of jeans before she brushed her teeth and bid her parents goodbye. Since the town was fairly small, she had no problem finding the high school. Hayden had hated everyone's eyes on her as she exited her jeep and grabbed her bag from the backseat. Her brown natural curls had bounced as she walked, and she felt the urge to pull them back into a ponytail.

After retrieving her schedule from a kind secretary in the office, she had been introduced to her guide for the day— Mike. And after introducing himself, they began their walk around the school before the bell rang.

"Lunch is after fourth period," Mike explains to the girl, glancing over her schedule again. "And then for fifth, we have history together. Sixth is chemistry, and seventh . . . your free period."

"Where is the history room?" Hayden asks, furrowing her eyebrows. "I don't see it on this map."

"We can walk together— if you'd like," he suggests, running a hand through his sandy blonde hair. "And I can show you to chemistry from there."

"I'd like that," she gives the boy a warm smile, before scanning the hallway. "So my first period is down this hallway, and the first door on the left?"

"I can take you," he nods, leading her forward. "Where did you move here from?"

"Georgia," Hayden informs, the smile appearing on her lips again. "I loved it there. I didn't really get along with the people that school, though."

"Why?"

"I'm not the talkative type," the girl shrugs, keeping his pace. "Most of them were self-centered . . . I just didn't agree with that, so I kept to myself."

"I have a few people to introduce you to later, if you don't mind," he says. "I have a feeling you'll get along with them. And you can even hang out at La Push after school with us this weekend."

"Sounds fun," Hayden decides, her brown eyes finding his as they stop in front of her first period class. "I'll see you later, Mike."

"Bye, Hayden," he smiles, waving her goodbye as she opens the door, and enters the English room.

The chatter in the room immediately stops as she steps in, the door closing softly behind her. The teacher stops mid-sentence, noticing the girl enter the room. He greets her with a handshake, before handing her a heavy book that weighs down her arms.

Mr. Freeman had thin-rimmed glasses, and was partially slim. His hair was gray, and looked as if it would fall out if he washed it too many times for the week. But he had a sweet charm to him, one that Hayden knew she could take a liking to.

"I'm Mr. Freeman," he says, gesturing to the full classroom. "Welcome to English III, miss Marris."

She nods softly, giving him a half smile as he points out an empty seat. "Thank you."

Hayden wasn't surprised that he knew her name; everyone did. As the new girl in a small town, it wasn't hard to be recognized. And to her, that didn't seem to be a good thing. Attention was too overwhelming.

All eyes follow her as she roams to the back of the room, pulling out the empty seat with not a single word. Hayden places her book down on the desk, sitting her bag on the floor as she sinks into her seat. It was easier to relax when all eyes focused back on Mr. Freeman, and he began a lesson by announcing a page to turn to. Hayden was prepared to turn to the page, but was caught off guard as the boy next to her turned her way.

"You're Hayden, right?" he asks, speaking lowly so that no one would turn back to them. But even then, the girl could've melted at his deep and smooth voice.

Hayden nods, taking in his features at once. And if there was one thing she could confirm, it would be that he had the complexion of an angel. He had dark eyes; some that resembled coal, along with his black, slick hair. His skin was perfect, but pale like none the girl had ever seen before. She wasn't shocked in the least- perhaps the weather had caused his skin tone to be so light.

She make an extra effort to not stare at him too long, she didn't want to seem like a stalker already. But the boy seemed to notice, grinning at once.

"I'm Emmett," he informs her.

"Nice to meet you, Emmett," she says, her voice sounding like chalk on a sidewalk compared to his. But Emmett seemed to think otherwise.

"Same to you," he says, watching closely as she flips open her book, studying the page.

Hayden had already learned this criteria before, from back when she lived in Georgia. It wouldn't be hard to keep her record of straight A's, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to pay attention. There was always a possibility that she had missed something the first time, so it was always essential to look over it again.

But, even over her thoughts running wild to remember the words on the page, she wanted to look back over to Emmett. The girl felt his eyes on her, and she felt the need to meet his. Hayden fought her instinct, however, and kept her eyes on the book for the rest of the class period.

---

After the bell rings, Hayden stands from her spot, closing her book and pulling her bag onto her shoulder. She tucks the book in her arms, moving to the front of the class to hand it to Mr. Freeman.

"You keep the book, dear," he says, handing the book back over to her. Hayden chuckles softly, turning to glance at the students exiting the room.

"Have a good day," she says to him, before filing out with the others.

Hayden found herself blocked by Emmett when she finally got into the hallway, his muscular, tall frame towering over her by nearly a foot.

"Can I help you?" the girl furrows her eyebrows, confused by how he had blocked her so quickly.

"Yeah, actually," Emmett says gruffly. "What's your next class?"

"Gym."

"Mind if I walk you?" he asks, the corner of his lips twitching into a smile.

"Only if you can get me through the crowded halls," Hayden grins, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Of course I can."

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