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CHAPTER FIVE
ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅʟʏ ᴄᴏʟʟɪꜱɪᴏɴ

The car ride to school was uncomfortably quiet. Neither I nor my mother knew what to say so we mutually decided to keep quiet. It was probably for the better. I didn't think either of us would've survived forced small talk anyway. Not that we had anything to use for small talk. She didn't know me and I didn't care enough to learn about her interests.

I could already feel the headache building up behind my eyes. We'd been in the car for less than five minutes. I'd be lucky not to fall out of the car once we reach the school. My eyes fluttered close on command as I allowed my head to fall forward and lean against the cold glass window. It lessened the unbearable pounding in the slightest.

My mother tapped her fingers against the steering wheel impatiently. I could easily tell she was stressed about work, probably worried about not making it in time. It would explain why she drove like a maniac through the slim forest roads. Every now and then the car would swerve unbearably and a wave of nausea would overcome me. The school couldn't appear in my view fast enough.

Not a word was spoken as I hastily climbed out of the car, the ground beneath my feet spinning for just a moment before it stilled. For a moment I contemplated lying down on the wet concrete but my common sense took over before I could. I didn't want to embarrass myself to the point of no redemption on my first day.

I offered a tight-lipped smile my mother's way and that was all she needed to take off. Her lack of a goodbye didn't bother me as I slung my backpack and faced the charming reality of a small-town high school.

Students were everywhere, mingling with each other before the bell would ring and they'd inevitably be separated. Some sent me curious stares as they passed me by but I was mostly ignored.

For a small town, the school was admittedly huge. Three buildings, all numbered in case you might get lost, and one front office slightly secluded from the rest. All buildings were made of the same maroon bricks that had chipped scarcely over the years with black roofs. There were more windows scattered on the walls than I cared to count, but I could tell it was an unnecessary amount. I could tell that I'd be blinded by the sun on those rare days it managed to surpass the clouds.

A sigh passed my lips as I began trudging down the stone path toward the front office per the instructions my mother had received over the phone. The chilly air managed to blow straight through my jacket and I shivered. Additionally to buying new car sick medication, I'd need a thicker jacket.

I entered the office and was met by the distinct smell of flowers. It wasn't all that surprising considering flower pots filled with every plant you could imagine were scattered all over the room. A desk was located just a few steps inside the door with a huge glass barrier splitting the room into two.

I was offered a welcoming smile by the woman behind the front desk. She wore glasses on the bridge of her nose that were slightly too big for her face and a tacky purple shirt that clashed against the contrast of her copper hair.

"How can I help you?" she asked, her voice exactly as I pictured. Smooth but with a slight edge to it. It wouldn't have surprised me to find out she was one of those people who sat at a coffee house for hours upon end, gossiping about her coworkers.

I shuffled further into the room, adjusting the back slung over my shoulder so it wouldn't fall off. "I'm Cassandra Lopez." I introduced myself, feeling oddly uncomfortable under her stare. "I was instructed to come here over the phone."

"Ah, yes."

She began moving a few papers about on the desk in front of her as she nodded her head slowly, her eyebrows knitted together. A silence ensued. I couldn't tell if it was awkward or not. I fiddled with the hem of my sleeves, the nerves finally catching up to me.

This was what I longed for for so long. A new start. One on my terms instead of my mother's for a change. I could do this, right? I could hold my ground, should my mother decide that Forks wasn't what she thought it'd be. I could be strong and ignore the wondering eyes that would loom on me wherever I went. I could do this.

Despite the determined thoughts that ran through my head at lightning speed, there was that little voice in the back of my head that reminded me that I didn't want to be alone. If my mother left, I'd have no one left. No one at all. I didn't have friends and I didn't have any family besides her. As she'd said so many times before, it was me and her against the world. It had been since she birthed me in that hospital, alone and scared and frustrated that her career would backtrack with a newborn child.

I reminded myself that all she'd ever seen me as was a burden and a source of blame for the fact that her career suffered. Had I not been born, she wouldn't have needed to take a gap year from her studies. I was a living, breathing reminder that she hadn't come as far as she'd hoped by thirty.

I could do this because this wasn't about her, not at all. Well, maybe a little. But it was mainly about me taking back my teenage years and living life on my terms. Should she leave me behind, I'd be fine. Sad? Yes. But fine nevertheless.

The woman behind the front desk cleared her throat and gazed at me over the edge of her glasses. In her hands, she held a few pieces of paper and a small slip. I figured my teachers would need to sign it and I'd need to return here at the end of the day. This wasn't my first time being the new girl after all.

My hands shook as I grabbed the papers from her hands, but it was barely noticeable. It was merely annoying. The papers crinkled as I took them, briefly scanning them over with my eyes as she explained them to me. I nodded with my lips pursed and then mustered up a small smile before exiting the office.

There weren't as many people scattered about when I came out, and for that, I was thankful. I'd likely need to keep my nose buried in the map I'd so kindly received to find my locker and first lesson. Not as many people would see that now.

My locker was located in the main building and although I managed to slip by cliques and huddles of students without issue, one lone girl with chest-long dark hair and paler skin than I thought one could have seemed to have bad enough luck for her to walk straight into me, despite my attempt to sidetrack.

Apologies spluttered out of her mouth as she crouched to the ground to gather her things. I felt slightly dizzy and clutched my head. Hers had banged straight into mine. I'd managed to hold onto my papers and bag. She'd not been as lucky and dropped the majority of her stuff on the wet steps.

I helped as well as I could with full hands and a building migrene. She offered me a tight-lipped smile in thanks as we rose from the ground in sync.

"I'm so sorry," she said once again and pushed some hair behind her ear with her free hand.

Her apology was sincere and I didn't blame her for crashing into me. It could happen to anyone, really. I'd have my fair share of embarrassing encounters that left me and the poor victim in scrambled heaps on the floor.

I reassured her of just that and smiled.

"No worries, truly."

That seemed to make her relax and her shoulders slumped instantly. She looked at the wall beside me and muttered softly to herself. I just barely caught wind of her words.

"Nice going, Bella. You really are a danger to society."

I snorted and her cheeks flushed beet red. Her hair fell from behind her ears and created a curtain that shielded her face from my view. She didn't bother to push it away and allowed herself to wallow in misery.

"I'm Cassandra, but I'd much prefer it if you called me Cassie." I stuck out my hand for her to shake and she looked at it suspiciously, as though it would shock her, should she decide to touch it.

Slowly, she grabbed my hand and allowed me to shake it. She behaved timidly and I got the feeling she was like me, friendless and new. The slip in her hand, identical to mine, and the way she gnawed at her bottom lip confirmed my thoughts.

"Isabella, but everyone calls me Bella, per my request, that is."

I smiled and nodded. "If everyone calls you Bella, then it won't be special if I do the same, will it?" she frowned and seemed to want to ask about my peculiar wording, but remained quiet and waited for me to continue. "For now, Bella will suffice, but don't be offended or surprised if I end up creating a weird ass nickname for you in the future, it's kind of my thing."

She remained looking befuddled but nodded nevertheless. Her eyebrow arched and the corners of her lips twitched.

"I suppose that'll be fine. I'm not good at nicknames, myself, but if you go through the trouble, then so will I." Bella said, wording the words in a way that made me feel stupider than I was.

She was obviously smart and a bookworm if I had to guess. Her wording was like one that had read many, many books written well before our time. I myself preferred magazines and movies to books, but who was I to judge?

I was reminded of the time when a bell rang, signaling the start of the first period. My eyes widened and I cursed under my breath.

"Shit, I'm going to be late." I groaned and ran a hand through my hair, my eyes flickering to Bella one last time. "If we don't see each other before then, let's meet up at lunch. I'd enjoy not eating alone."

Bella smiled. "That'd be great."

We parted ways, Bella heading to building three while I all but sprinted to the second for trig.

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A/N

I just wrote this in English class instead of working on the assignment. Priorities. Maybe my teacher will have mercy on my grades if I tell him I write fanfiction as a hobby. Not likely, but I can always try.

I hope you all are doing well, my lovelies, and taking proper care of yourselves. I'm sorry it's been so long since I last updated, literally like three, maybe even four, months by now. I love Bella's and Cassie's little introduction and I hope you did as well. They're friendly super fast and by a few days, Cassie views her as the best friend she's ever had. If you find this unrealistic, then I'm sorry. This is just how it worked for me and my best friend.

The next chapter will be out when I bring myself to write it, which can be tomorrow or next year. I honestly don't know. Hopefully not too long, though. Take care, everyone!

-Jazz