3rd Person's POV

Bella pulls into Forks High School parking lot slowly. She gulps looking around at the crowded lot. Loud, belching makes heads turn as Bella parks, mortified. Bella sits staring ahead for a moment while Beau chuckles to himself.

"Hey you'll be fine Bells."

Bella raises an eyebrow, "Bells? You haven't called me that since we were like four."

"Well I haven't seen you since we were like four."

Bella chuckles, "True."

Beau smiles at his cousin, "Seriously though. Everything will be fine. I gotta go get my schedule and my sisters. If you need anything, like me to beat up a guy or prank a teacher, let me know."

Bella nods, "Of course. Thanks."

Beau nods and jumps out the car. Bella watches as everyone stares at him, the guys in jealousy and the girls in interest. She shakes her head as she watches Beau wink at a girl before making his way inside the school.

Letting out a huff, she wrings her hands together nervously, "Okay Bella get it together. You'll be fine. You're going to have a good first day and you're going to get through this year without any problems or any drama."

Looking at herself in the rear view mirror she scoffs, "Who am I kidding..."

All eyes are on Bella as she finally climbs out of her truck and steps in a puddle, soaking her sneakers. She slinks toward school, pulling out her iPod as she makes her way thru kids who stare openly; a few brave ones say hi.

They're all talking about her.

This is her hell.

Bella wanders the walkways outside lost when a sweet, nerdy, motor mouth boy appears in her path.

"You're Isabella Swan, the new girl. Hi. I'm Eric. The eyes and ears of this place. Anything you need. Tour guide, lunch date, shoulder to cry on."

Bella just looks at him.

Is he for real?

"I'm kind of the 'suffer in silence' type."

Eric nods, "Good headline for your feature. I'm on the paper, and you're news, baby, front page."

"I -- no, I'm not news-- I'm, seriously, not at all-"

Eric sees how uncomfortable Bella is and smiles, "Whoa, chillax. No feature."

Bella sighs relieved, "My cousin though, Beau. He would love the front page."

Eric shrugs nodding. It could work.

"Would you mind just pointing me toward Mr. Varner's class?"

Eric nods then leads her away, enjoying the attentive stares, as she cringes from them.

"You've missed a lot of the semester, but I can hook you up- tutor, cliff notes, medical excuse..."

...

The boys' basketball team runs drills on half the basketball court as a girls' volleyball game occupies the other half.

Bella stands awkwardly in gym clothes, avoiding the volleyball like it's radioactive.

An energetic, athletic brunette team captain, motivates the players, "Block it, Chloe! Yeah! Good attack!"

Unfortunately, the volleyball heads toward Bella. She closes her eyes and flails at it, smacking it. It flies off court and beans a basketball player in the head.

A good looking, affable, boy with blond spiky hair holds his head as he turns around, "Ow!"

Bella grimaces as she hurries to him embarrassed, "Are you alright? I warned them not to make me play."

"It's only a flesh wound." He grins and she smiles, relieved, "You're Isabella, right?"

"Just Bella."

"I'm Mike. Newton."

He looks at her a second too long, clearly taken by her. Suddenly, Jessica the brunette volleyball team captain, appears stepping between them.

Subtle, but possessive she nudges Mike, "She's got a great spike, doesn't she?"

Mike nods with a grin.

Jessica looks at Mike's smile and frowns before quickly covering it up and laughing awkwardly while glancing at Bella, "So, you're from Arizona, right?Aren't people down there supposed to be tan?"

Bella shrugs, "I guess that's why they kicked me out."

Mike laughs, and because he does, Jessica does. Bella just feels uncomfortable with the attention.

After gym, Bella follows Mike and Jessica as they carry their trays to a table. Eric appears, and squishes into a seat next to Bella.

"Mike, I see you met my home girl Bella."

Mike chuckles annoyed, "Your home girl?"

Suddenly a black teen boy pops up pulling a chair from under Mike then kisses Bella's cheek.

"My girl."

Mike scoffs as he chases the boy across the cafeteria. A blonde girl scoffs sitting beside Jessica.

"Seriously what is wrong with Tyler and Mike?"

Jessica smiles irritated as she looks at Bella, "It's first grade all over again, and you're the shiny new toy."

Bella smiles awkwardly. Suddenly, a flashbulb blinds Bella. She looks up at the photographer, Angela, Jessica's sweet, low key, insecure friend who was very much the opposite of the blonde, Lauren, who was of course a popular girl.

"Sorry, needed a candid for the feature-"

Eric clears his throat, "Feature's dead, Angela. Don't bring it up again." He turns to Bella smiling, "I got your back, baby."

"Move..."

Everyone turns to see a tall lean brunette boy standing behind Eric.

Eric looks at the boy then nods with an uncomfortable smile, "Sure of course."

"Thanks man."

Bella chuckles to herself as Beau winks at Eric before plopping down in the seat beside Bella. Tyler and Mike make their way back to the table then introduce themselves to Beau.

Angela looks at her camera disappointed, "Guess we'll just run another editorial on teen drinking."

"Sorry..." Bella frowns then suggests, "There's always eating disorders, or Speedo padding on the swim team."

Angela's frown slowly turns into a small grin, "Wait, that's a good one.."

But Bella's attention is now riveted to the double doors of the cafeteria that led to outside. They swing open as four of the most astounding people Bella's ever seen enter.

Two guys, two girls, all chalky pale, purplish shadows under their eyes... and all devastatingly beautiful.

They move through the room with effortless grace, and take a seat at a table furthest from Bella's. Bella leans over to Jessica and Angela.

"Who are they?"

"The Cullens." Angels replies.

Jessica leans in, swinging into gossip mode, "Doctor and Mrs. Cullen's foster kids. They all moved down here from Alaska two years ago."

"They kinda keep to themselves." Angela adds.

Jessica scoffs, "Because they're all together. Like, together together. The blonde girl, Rosalie, and the big dark-haired guy, Emmett.."

Bella stares at Rosalie, who had long blonde hair and a model psychiatrist. She was absolutely beautiful, and she knew it. Alongside her is Emmett, a big, brawny guy. He looked like a weight lifter, but held a playful glint in his eye.

"They're a thing. I'm not even sure that's legal."

Angela rolls her eyes at her friend, "Jess, they're not actually related."

"But they live together. And the little dark haired girl, Alice, she's really weird.."

Alice had pixie-like short black hair. She was thin and had a blinding smile on her face. She bounced to her chair light on her feet as if she was gliding in the air. She sits beside Jasper, a honey-blond boy who was tall, lean and looked slightly tortured.

"And she's apparently exes with Jasper, the blonde who looks like he's in pain. I mean, Dr. Cullen's like this foster dad slash match maker."

"Maybe he'll adopt me." Angela sighs.

Beau chuckles making Angela blush and look down at her camera.

Bella laughs as well. She already knew she would enjoy being friends with the shy girl.

Before Bella can speak she feels a tingle run down her spine. She whips her head around to see the last Cullen to enter.

Lanky, with untidy, bronze colored hair. He seemed inwardly turned, mysterious. More boyish than the others. But the most striking of all. Bella can't take her eyes off him.

"Who's he?"

"That's Edward Cullen."

Suddenly, Edward looks over, as if he heard Jessica from across the room. His eyes meet Bella's. But he seems... confused. Bella quickly looks away.

Jessica sighs, "He's totally gorgeous, obviously. But apparently, no one here is good enough for him. Like I care."

Beau snorts.

She obviously does.

"Anyway, don't waste your time."

Bella shrugs, "I wasn't planning on it."

But Bella can't help but peek at Edward again. He's staring at her outright now, with a slightly frustrated expression that unnerves Bella. She hides behind her hair.

...

Bella walks to her biology class with Mike at her side. The room was filled with black-topped lab tables. Two to a table.

Mike takes his seat and points her toward Mr. Molina, Birkenstocked, enthusiastic science teacher at the head of the class.

As Bella moves to the teacher with her class slip, she notes Edward his back to her, sitting at a front table. But as she passes Edward's table..

As if in slow motion, the breeze from the fan in front of the room blasts Bella when she passes. It lifts a piece of paper next to Edward who inhales then abruptly stiffens. He grabs onto the edge of the table, crumbling it slightly. No one notices.

Mr. Molina takes Bella's class slip.

"Welcome, Ms. Swan. Follow along as best you can till you get caught up."

Mr. Molina gestures to the only empty seat... next to Edward. But as Bella approaches, she's taken aback when he slowly looks up at her, his eyes coal black with repulsion, fury. If looks could literally kill...

Bella knocks someone's book bag off their chair. Replaces it, mumbling an apology. Then slinks reluctantly into her seat.

Edward jerks away from her to the extreme edge of his chair.

Me. Molina turns to the class, animated, "Today we'll be observing the behavior of planaria, a.k.a flatworms."

As Mr. Molina distributes two petri dishes per table he continues, "We're going to cut them in half, then watch them regenerate into two separate worms."

Bella glances at Edward who averts his face, holding a hand over his nose as if he smells something horrible.

Bella, shrinks into her seat, subtly sniffs the air, smells nothing. Then she sniffs her hair.

Me. Molina hands Edward two Petri dishes, "Yes, folks, zombie worms! They just won't die."

Edward takes a dish, then slides the second one across the table to Bella as if she had a disease. She takes her dish, and makes a dark curtain of her hair between them. She can see Edward's hands under the table clenched into fists. Bella bites her lip utterly baffled, and deeply insecure.

Finally as the bell rings, Edward bolts out the door. Other kids and Bella exit a moment later. Bella looks down the hall; he's gone.

A few minutes later , Bella enters into the admin office, but nearly turns and leaves when she sees Edward sweet-talking the enchanted female administrator.

He doesn't see Bella enter as he continues complaining, "There must be something open sixth period. Physics? Biochem?"

The older lady frowns, "No, every class is full. I'm afraid you'll have to stay in biology. I'm so sorry."

Bella blanches. Did he really try to change classes? Was she the reason?

The Administrator sees her and gestures for her to wait a minute. But Edward suddenly straightens as if sensing Bella. He slowly turns to glare at her with piercing, hate-filled eyes. She backs to the wall, hugging herself, suddenly chilled... with fear.

Edward shakes his head talking to the Administrator, "I'll just... endure it."

He strides out the door leaving Bella in shock.

...

A sirloin steak is set in front of Charlie. He shares a table with Bella. The waitress, Cora, beams at Bella as she sets a plate of cod in front of her.

Several loggers at the counter offer Bella welcoming smiles. She shrinks in her seat at the attention. Charlie's obliviously smiles.

"Can't get over how grown up you are. And so gorgeous."

Cora grins as Bella glances at Charlie, who keeps his eyes on his steak. A bearded, hippy logger, Waylon Forge, appears behind Cora, leaning over her shoulder to Bella

"'Member me, honey? I was Santa one year."

Charlie chuckles shaking his head, "Waylon, she hasn't had a Christmas here since she was four."

Waylon laughs shrugging, "Bet I made an impression, though."

"You always do." Charlie smiles as Bella grimaces awkwardly.

"Let the girl eat her cod, Waylon." The waitress Cora apprehends Waylon before turning to Bella, "When you're done, I'll bring your favorite berry cobbler. Remember? Your dad still has it. Every Thursday."

Bella smiles uncomfortably. She doesn't remember at all. But as long as everyone else was happy she would play along.

"That'd be great, thank you."

Cora shoos Waylon away before disappearing as well. Left alone now, Charlie and Bella both reach for the salt, knock hands. Charlie goes for the ketchup instead. Together they eat in silence.

A burst of laughter from a nearby happy family only serves to emphasize their discomfort. Bella tries to bridge the gap.

"So... you eat here every night?"

Charlie nods joking, "Easier than washing dishes."

"I can cook." Bella suggests.

He looks up, as if confused by the concept.

"I do the cooking at home - in Phoenix. Mom's not great in the kitchen."

Charlie chuckles shaking his head, "I remember..."

They both laugh internally recalling an especially bad dinner.

"How was school? Meet anyone?"

"A few people... Do you know the Cullen family?"

Charlie looks up sharply, "Are people talking about them again?"

"No... well, a little." Bella stutters.

Charlie scoffs in annoyance, "Just 'cause they're newcomers. We're lucky to have a surgeon like Dr. Cullen at our podunk hospital. Lucky his wife wanted to live in a small town. Lucky his kids aren't like a lot of the hell-raisers around here."

"... Okay." Bella was confused at the sudden passion coming from her fathers voice.

"Sorry... I just don't like narrow mindedness."

And with that, he returns to his food.

...

Later that night in Bella's room, she looks out at the fog as she talks on the phone to her mother, Rene.

"If spring training goes well, we could be living in Florida permanently."

TELEPHONE OPERATOR, "Please insert 25 cents to continue."

Bella frowns, "Mom, where's your cell?"

Rene talks on a pay phone, her dead cell phone in her hand. In the b.g., Phil and an Attendant work on the Subaru engine.

"Ok, I didn't lose my power cord. It ran away. Screaming. I literally repel technology now."

Bella smiles, missing her mom.

Rene feeds the phone quarters, "Now, tell me more about your school, baby. What are the kids like? Are there any cute guys? Are they being nice to you?"

Bella pauses thinking about Edward then shakes her head and proceeds to lie.

"They've all been really... welcoming."

...

The next morning at school, Bella sits top a table, an open book in her lap. But her eyes are on the arriving kids, and the parking lot as they pull in. She's waiting for Edward.

Jessica, Angela, Mike and Eric kick around a soccerball nearby. They wave Bella to join them but she smiles, declining... and returns to watching for Edward. Her face tells us she's ready for a confrontation. But she isn't allowed the chance.

When Bella strides into her Biology class, she stops, surprised to find her lab table empty.

And that's how it continued to be for days.

Day 2, Bella sat with Jessica and Angela who watched a YouTube video on their phone. Bella gives it a cursory look, but is focused on the Cullen table --only four of them.

Edward's seat is empty...

Day 3, Bella washes her hands, then looks up at the mirror, startled to find Rosalie and Alice behind her. They study Bella, Rosalie
with chillingly cold eyes, Alice with curiosity. Bella, uneasy, hurries out.

Day 4, Bella exits with Beau, Angela, Mike, Jessica and Eric, the two cousins becoming a part of this circle.

She now only glances at Rosalie's car, a red M3 BMW, as it drives past, noting, again, four Cullens, no Edward. Bella returns to her friends, finally forgetting about him..

...

Charlie sets down his drink as Bella walks into the kitchen. He waves his newspaper getting her attention.

"Hey Bells, Rebecca's daughter is back if you and Beau want to go get lunch or something."

Bella nods, "Yeah okay."

She was actually kind of excited yet kind of scared. She hoped that they would get along. Beau had told Bella all about his adoptive sister and to say she was nervous was an understatement. Apparently the girl was sweet and caring but she knew how to make people tick and she didn't take any crap. He wouldn't tell her detail but he just said Georgia had a tough past and her background wasn't the nicest.

Bella shakes her head, coming out of her thoughts. She walks out the house and over to her aunt's. She knocks on the door and waits patiently.

"Oh hey Bella."

Bella smiles awkwardly as Beau leans against the door. He chuckles before his eyes widen.

"You're here! G is here. Hold on... no come in I'll go get her."

Bella chuckles to herself at her crazy, short attention spanned cousin.

"Hey G!"

"In the kitchen."

Bella steps inside and waits in the living room as Beau walks into the kitchen. A second later, a brown curly haired girl with hazel eyes steps into the room. She is short than Bella thought she would be but they were very close in height.

'This girl is gorgeous.' Bella thinks to herself.

Georgia chuckles as Bella stares at her with her mouth wide open. She holds her hand out.

"Hi I'm Georgia. But you can call me Georgia, G, Georgie... whatever you're comfortable with. Just don't call me Gigi."

Beau leans close to Bella and whispers, "She fought a Gigi once. It was bad."

Bella grimaces and nods, "Oh well okay then. Hey I'm Bella. It's nice to meet you."

Bella grabs Georgia's hand and shakes it. Georgia smiles making Bella smile as well.

"You too."

"You're really pretty... not that I thought you would be ugly. I mean I just knew you were adopted and I was trying to figure out what you would look like. But you look- you know what never mind I'll shut up now."

Georgia laughs as she runs her hand through her curls, "Aw thank you. You are pretty good looking yourself. Maybe a bit more sun though."

Bella chuckles awkwardly, "I'm from Arizona actually... there's a lot of sun. I just don't tan, I burn and then turn back to my pale self."

Georgia nods with a smile, "Ah gotcha. Weird. Well you wanna go get food with me and Beau? We were about to head out?"

Bella nods, "Yeah that's actually why I came over. I was hoping you guys would let me take you to this diner that me and dad used to go to all the time when I was younger."

Georgia claps while smiling excited, "Awesome! Let's go!"

The three teens shout goodbye to Rebecca before making their way to Bella's big red truck. Georgia slides into the middle as Beau holds the door open for her.

"So how was school last week?"

Bella sighs giving Georgia a wide eyed glance.

Georgia smiles, "That bad?"

Bella chuckles, "That's an understatement. As soon as I jumped out the truck this guy told me I was front page worthy for the school paper. Apparently they don't get a ton of new kids here. This really rude stuck up blonde named Lauren, knocked my lunch out my hands day two because her crush kissed me on the cheek... which I was not happy about. Then this guy I sit by in Biology was a total ass. He glared at me the whole time... And not only that, he tried to switch out of the class. I don't even know what I did to him."

Georgia looks at Bella with wide eyes, "Seriously?"

Beau nods with a grin as his sister looks over at him, "Yup. Lola or whatever her name is, she's hot but definitely got an attitude. You probably won't get along with her."

"I can already tell me and her will butt heads as soon as I lay eyes in her. But what's that guys deal? If I see him I'll slap the shit out of him for you."

Bella looks at Georgia's gleaming face with a wide open mouth, "Oh no don't do that! It's fine actually he hasn't been at school in a week. Maybe I scared him off."

Georgia rolls his eyes, "I swear I'm not the in the mood for weird guys who are scared to say actual words to a pretty girl. Don't worry about him Bells. You have me and Beau now and we got your back."

Bella smiles lightly as Beau nods reaching across Georgia to pat her knee.

After the quick drive to the diner, Bella parks her truck and the three walk inside.

"Hey Bella!"

Georgia glances over seeing a tall bronzed boy with long brown hair walking over to them. He looked adorable. Like a little teddy bear you want to squeeze. If all the guys here looked like this then she could definitely get used to Forks.

"Hey. This is Georgia, Beau's sister. Georgia this is Jacob Black. Charlie's best friends son."

"Hey it's nice to meet you."

Jacob reached out a hand for Georgia to shake but is surprised when she pulls him into a hug.

"Sorry I'm a hugger."

Jake chuckles patting her back, "I'm not complaining. Nice to meet you. Do you guys want to sit with me and my dad?"

Bella nods, "Sure."

The three follow Jacob over to his dad then sit and order food. Georgia texts Emilia checking up on Keegan as they wait on their orders. Sighing she gets up and excuses herself from the table.

Beau watches her disappear to the bathroom and frowns.

"Is she okay?"

Beau glances over to see Bella looking at Georgia's empty chair in concern.

"Yeah she's fine. She just misses some people from home."

Bella nods pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "I understand. But who knows maybe Forks won't be so bad."

Beau nods in agreement. Bella looks around at the table and smiles lightly. She thought she would be a loner when she got here but now that she has Jake, Beau, and Georgia; not to mention Angela and the others, she knew that maybe just maybe she would be happy staying in Forks.

...

"So how'd you like Bella?"

Georgia smiles looking up from camera seeing Rebecca leaning against her doorframe.

"I like her. She's nice. One of those quiet suffering types but she's funny, caring, and sarcastic so I'm pretty sure we'll get along just fine."

"Good. I prayed that you guys would. She needs someone to push her into not being a what's the word..."

"People pleaser, fun sucker, cockblocker- Ow!"

Rebecca shakes her head with a light smile watching Georgia rub her now throbbing arm.

"Oh shush you. But yes she needs to live, have fun. And you need someone to keep you in line. No more fights. No more threatening people. Maybe she can help..."

"Lighten me up... make me somewhat softer and gentler?"

Georgia grins as Rebecca rolls her eyes.

"Yes that. I don't mean it in a bad way babe. Not at all. I love that you are strong minded and independent. But I just feel like there's such a sweet giddy side to you and I don't know maybe Forks will help bring that out a little bit."

"Maybe..."

How are we feeling?

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Future predictions?

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