This is one of the first stories I have written, but I didn't like how I wrote it, causing me to stop before it was completed and I took it down. I am now rewriting each chapter, changing plots and adding new ideas. Hopefully I don't disappoint as I did myself when I first tried this one out!

"Bella, I swear, you will be fine." My father again tried to reassure me yet again.

I sat pouting as I gazed out the window of the car at the school in front of us. My father had decided to move us to the small town he had grown up in. I was not as thrilled at the idea as he was. The place was tiny, not even a forth the population as where we came from. It wasn't that I was adverse to small towns, it was just harder to hide in the crowd while in them.

For as long as I could remember, it had always just been my father and I. He said that he and my mother dated through high school, she took off after graduation, never contacting him again till she showed up unexpectedly with a baby in her arms. She handed me to him, only days old, apologized, and left. Neither of us has heard from her since. He was heart broken, refusing to stay in the town where all knew of what happened, not willing to have their sympathetic or judging eyes watch him try to raise his daughter, knowing that Renee left him with a baby to care for alone.

"The Cullen kids will be in the same grade as you, I am sure you will have classes together."

"Dad, just because you grew up with their parents, doesn't mean we will be friends, I haven't even met them yet."

"Esme and Carlisle told them to keep an eye out for you, you will meet them soon enough. We arrived too late last night to visit. I will pick you up after school is out."

"Thanks, but I can walk." I grumbled, getting out and slamming the car door behind me. I watched as his car drove away, leaving me feeling more alone than ever in this new town. I turned and started walking to the front of the building, not really paying attention to my surroundings when a car horn blaring next to me caused me to jump and drop my bag, watching with mortification as it bust open, half of its contents falling out and rolling away from me on the pavement.

"Chill out Lauren, you could have waited." Someone yelled while walking toward me. "Let me help."

I stared with an open mouth, unable to make my mind process anything coherent. The only thing it was able to form in my now mushy brain was how gorgeous the boy now standing in front of me was, watching as he bent to throw everything into my bag, standing up quickly handing it back to me.

"Thanks." I finally mumbled, making my hand reach out and grab the straps from him. His green eyes crinkled a bit as he gave me a smile.

"I'm guessing you are new here since I haven't seen you before, I'm Edward." He held out his hand for me to shake.

"Bella."

"Ah, the infamous Bella Swan." He grinned, causing me to blush. "I'm Esme's son, your Dad and my Mom were friends growing up. She told me you would be attending soon, though I had no idea it was this soon. I am offering my services for any needs you may have." He said giving a small bow, making me giggle slightly.

"Thanks. My Dad told me I would probably be meeting you soon." I said softly, blushing as I noticed a few people standing by their cars watching us.

I kept glancing up at him as he talked about the school and what teachers I would and would not like. It was hard to really pay attention to what he was saying when his voice alone mesmerized me.

"This is Bella Swan." He said smiling at the receptionist behind the office desk as we entered the small, cramped room.

"Of course, we have been expecting you!" The older woman said giving me a warm smile. "Here is you schedule and locker information. I am sure Edward here will help show you the way, there is a map also as a reference." She handed me a stack of papers, which I shoved into my bag, keeping the locker number and combination out.

"You are close to my cousin's locker." He said, looking over my shoulder at the numbers printed on the piece of paper.

"Is she Carlisle's daughter?" I asked, remembering the little bit of information Charlie had supplied me with.

"Yes, the little pixie." He chuckled, leaving me slightly confused.

"Hi! I'm Alice Cullen!" A small bouncing ball of energy greeted me as we stopped in front of a locker.

"Hi, Bella." I said giving her a shy smile.

"I'm so happy to meet you! My father told me you would be arriving soon! Our fathers were best friends, I know we will be also. Tell me all about yourself!" She gushed.

"There isn't much to know really." I muttered, my face again turning red from the attention.

"Oh, I bet you are much more interesting than you think you are. Have you checked out the mall outside of town? It's about a forty-five minute drive but much better than anything that might be closer. We will have to take a shopping trip together soon." Did she even breathe? I wondered as she kept a steady stream of conversation.

"Alice, they came into town last night, remember?"

"Oh, that's right." She said with a small frown. "Can I see your schedule? Maybe we have some classes together.

I handed her the paper from my bag as I packed things into my locker that I wouldn't need during the day.

"We have first period together, lets go!" She chirped, wrapping her arm into mine, leading the way.

I looked back at Edward who was still standing near my locker, watching us walk away with amusement.

The class subject in Science class was something I had already completed at my previous school so it was hard to really pay attention even if Alice wasn't jabbering away in my ear. At least it wouldn't be hard to do the homework.

The next two classes, History and Gym, went by quickly. Luckily I was allowed to sit out for Gym class today. I met another Cullen, Emmett, who was Alice's older brother. He greeted me loudly as he ran by with a basket ball, saying he would see me later, all focus on the game being played. I walked into the lunch room and heard my name being called, looking up I saw Edward waving for me to join his table.

"How is your first day going?"

"Okay I guess." I mumbled.

"It must be hard starting over." He said apologetically.

"It isn't that bad. I just hate all the stares associated with being the new kid."

"Maybe they are staring at your beauty." I felt his breath on the side of my face and turned to see he had leaned close to whisper into my ear. I blushed as he laughed softly and placed his hands over mine to squeeze reassuringly before going back to eating his lunch.

"Swan, I told you I would meet up with you soon." Emmett said smiling, sitting across the table from me. "This is Rosalie, my girl." He said, nodding his head to the tall blonde who was currently taking the seat next to him.

"Hello." She said, giving me a friendly smile.

"Bella! I see you have met everyone!" Alice said excitedly sitting down next to me, a quiet blonde boy sat next to her giving me a smile and a nod. "This is Jasper, Rosalie's twin. Jasper, Rose, Emmett and Edward are all Seniors.

I tried to follow the conversation going on around me but my eyes couldn't stray from Edward who also kept glancing back at me.

"Eddie!" A girl called sweetly as she neared the table, rubbing her palm over Edward's cheek.

"Stop Tanya." He growled, pulling his head away from her touch.

"I'm Tanya." She said, giving me a calculating look.

"Bella." I replied quietly, feeling uneasy with her attention.

"Well, nice to meet you. See you later Eddie." She said, kissing Edward's cheek she had previously touched as she walked away.

"Damn, she doesn't take a hint does she?" Emmett said laughing at Edward's discomfort.

"Girlfriend?" I asked.

"Ex-girlfriend." He grumbled, biting into an apple.

"Bella, did you know that your and Edward's house is on the same property?" Alice asked, changing the subject.

"No, I haven't seen much more than the inside of the house." I admitted.

"There is a small trail behind your house. If you follow it, you will arrive at my house in less than ten minutes." Edward informed me.

The bell rang, sounding the end of the period and we all stood to head to our next class. I couldn't help but follow Edward's form as he walked in the opposite direction of Alice and I, goofing off with Emmett as they went to their own class.

Alice giggled causing me to turn red for what felt like the hundredth time.

After two more classes, one of which was with Alice, I grabbed my bag from my locker and left the school to start my walk home.

"Bella!"

I looked over to see Edward, his cousins, along with Rosalie and Jasper standing in the parking lot near what I assumed to be their cars.

"Do you want a ride?" Edward asked me.

"Um, do you have room?" I asked, looking over the large group in front of me.

"Of course, Rose and Jasper ride together, as do Emmett and Alice." He laughed.

That made sense, they lived together after all.

"Jasper, would you mind bringing Alice home?" Emmett asked as he cuddled Rose close to him.

"Sure."

"See you tomorrow Bella!" Alice waved giddily as she stared at Jasper wistfully.

"Poor guy." Edward chuckled. "So, may I drive you home?"

"You don't need to go out of your way."

"We are neighbors, remember?" He asked, smirking at me.

"Oh, right."

He opened the door for me, shutting it once I was situated inside.

"Are Jasper and Alice a couple?" I asked once we pulled out of the parking lot.

"No, though I am sure they will be soon enough. She has crushed on Jasper for as long as I can remember. He has seen her with new eyes just recently, though I think the fact that she is Emmett's little sister is holding him back somewhat."

"Would he mind?"

"Probably not, but he can be a scary dude." Edward laughed. "And Emmett is Jasper's best friend, I am sure he doesn't want things to be awkward. Knowing Alice, he wont last long though. When she wants something, she usually gets it."

Within minutes we were in my driveway.

"My mom invited you and your dad to dinner tonight, I will probably see you later." He said as I unbuckled.

"Later then."

"Goodbye Bella. Thank you for allowing me to drive you home." He gave me another smile as I shut the car door and watched him drive away.

I unlocked the door and threw my bag on top of the kitchen table. I found a note Dad left for me, telling me we were having dinner with the Cullen's, as Edward had already said, and that he would be home in an hours time, to be ready.

He had accepted the position as town sheriff, his hours weren't terrible. He would leave before I woke in the mornings, today being an exception due to my first day of school, and coming home about an hour after I arrived home. He warned me that occasionally he would be called away or would have to stay late. I didn't mind being left alone though.

I walked upstairs and started my homework, wanting to get it out of the way before we left so I wouldn't have to worry about it later. By the time I finished, Dad came home, announcing once he changed it would be time to leave. Dad decided we would just walk the rail behind our house since it wasn't far and it was a nice night. The sun had begun to set when we in front of Edward's house, casting a warm glow around the huge house.

"Wow." I whispered.

"Yup." Dad grunted. "Esme is a wonderful woman, you will like her. She has always been kind."

"What about his father?"

"Hmph. Let's just say James has always been a bit cold."

"You don't like him?"

"He isn't my favorite."

"Why would Esme marry him if he isn't a nice person?"

"She must see something in him he doesn't show to others, I suppose." He said, now standing at the front door, he knocked.

"Charlie!" A short woman said excitedly as she opened the door. "Carlisle is already here, we have been waiting anxiously for your arrival!"

"It's good to see you, Esme." My dad chuckled, giving her a friendly hug. You must be Bella." She said, turning her gaze to me. Her eyes were warm and friendly.

"It's not to meet you Mrs. Cullen."

"None of that, call me Esme, please." I was shocked when she pulled me into a hug also, releasing me so we could enter the house.

"Bella." Edward said, giving me a soft smile, when I entered a huge living room.

"Oh wonderful, you know each other already!"

"I think Alice has already claimed her as her new best friend." Edward laughed at his mother.

"Oh my rambunctious daughter." A man said, stepping forward into the room. "I'm Carlisle, Emmett and Alice's father." He said, holding his hand out to shake mine. "Charles, it's been much to long." He said, giving my father a huge grin.

"That it has."

"Well, Edward, take Bella upstairs and join the others while we talk, I will call when dinner is ready." Esme said softly, walking out of the room with Carlisle and my father joining her.

Edward grabbed my hand, startling me with his contact, and led me up the stairs. He brought me to what I assumed was his bedroom, Emmett and Alice inside arguing loudly over what game to play.

"Bella!" Alice chirped happily when she saw me. "Grab a control and help me beat the boys!"

Ten minutes into the game there was a soft knock at the door.

"Bella, would you mind coming downstairs? There is something your father thought we should discuss with you." Esme said softly as her head peeked in the doorway.

I stood up and followed, seeing the confused eyes of my new friends watch me leave.

"Come sit, Bells." My said said quietly, moving a chair out that was beside him. I sat and stared at the three adults that were all watching me with cautious eyes.

"Bella, Esme has told me some things of your mother. Unfortunately, I lost contact with her till I decided to move back, so she had no way of telling us before now."

"Your mother was my best friend." Esme spoke. "She was there when I married, the first person I told when I found out I was pregnant with Edward. She was a wonderful person. Full of life, seeing the good in all people. You have much of the same features."

It sounded nothing like a woman who would leave her newborn and walk away, never to be heard from again.

"I never knew she was pregnant." She said so quietly, I almost didn't hear her words. My father gave her a nod when she paused and looked at him. " A few weeks after I had Edward, she just disappeared. Your father was just as baffled as I was. I searched for her constantly till Edward's father told me to let it go, that if she wanted me to find her, she would come back on her own. Not a day went by that I didn't think of her, wondering where she was, what she was doing. Then, when I found out she came back, giving you to your father, and left without a word, I finally gave up for good. Three years ago I received a letter in the mail from a lawyer. I was informed that she had killed herself, and wished for me to be told. She left a note that simply said 'I'm sorry'."

"Did she leave a letter for My dad? For me?"

"I'm sorry dear." Esme said with a shake of her head.

"Well, it's not like I knew here, that she had even been a part of my life." I mumbled with downcast eyes.

"Bella, if you want to talk about it-"

"Dad, I'm fine. Really."

Though inside my heart broke a little. I would never admit it, but a small part of me had always hoped she would come back, just to see that I was alright, at least. Now I find out she killed herself, and never mentioned me in a letter she wrote to her best friend.

"Why don't you tell the other children dinner is ready? You all can set the table." She said quietly with a sad smile.

"Where was Edward's father?" I asked as we walked back home.

"Business apparently. It's not like we were ever friends, more like an acquaintance due to Carlisle and Esme. He is Carlisle's older brother."

"Edward must miss his father if he is always away working."

Charlie stayed silent so I stopped speaking also.

An hour after we were home Charlie got called into work. He left apologizing, writing down Esme's number in case I needed anything.

The house wasn't large but it was bigger than the small apartments I was used to, and quite old. The silence was giving me chills so I rushed to my room and shut the door behind me. After turning on my lamp to get rid of the shadows, I flopped onto my bed heavily and put on music to stop the silence. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew I opened my eyes into darkness. My stomach growled, reminding me I forgot to eat dinner. I entered the kitchen and started rummaging through the fridge when suddenly, I felt the air around me change.

I had the feeling I was being watched, my arms covered in goose bumps. I hadn't turned on the kitchen light so I peered into the darkness of the hallway. Tiptoeing, I walked into the dark, as my heart hammered in my chest. I didn't see anything but I couldn't get past the feeling of someone being there, waiting. I finally ran to my bedroom, locked my door and threw the covers over my head.

I had finally fell back asleep, still huddled under my blanket, not moving till the sound of my alarm clock startled me.

It wasn't till I was sitting at the table eating a bowl of cereal when it entered my mind that I had woken up last night in the dark, though I remember leaving it on, not only that, but my bedroom door was open, though I shut it when I entered the room. I felt the need to leave the house quickly. Leaving my bowl on the table instead of rinsing it out, I grabbed my bag and rushed out the front door.

"Good morning." I gasped, startled to look up and see Edward leaning against his car that was parked in my drive way. "I was hoping I could drive you to school today."

My smile returned and I nodded gratefully. He smiled back and rushed over to open the passenger side door. We stayed silent for a few moments before I spoke of my curiosity.

"Edward, did you know about my mother?"

"Mom told me last night after you left. A picture of her and my mother together has always graced our wall. I had no idea that was your mother though till recently."

I looked out my window, not sure how to respond.

"I'm sorry, if it is worth anything."

"It's not like I knew here."

"Still, it must be hard to know you no longer have the option." He said softly.

"Did your father return last night?" I asked, changing the subject quickly.

"No."

I saw his jaw harden, his eyes staying glued to the road.

"He goes away on business quite a bit. I am used to it."

"You must miss him."

"It's better when he isn't around."

The rest of our ride was silent, both of us thinking of our neglectful parent.

"Bella!" Alice called as she rushed over to me when Edward parked next to Emmett's jeep.

"Hey Alice."

"I was wondering if you wanted to come over after school? It's Friday so you could sleep over if you would like?"

"Um-"

"I know you don't know me very well, so if you don't want to, I understand." She said with a slight pout, making me feel bad for even considering telling her no thanks.

"I'd like that." I gave her a small smile causing her to give me a grin and tight hug.

"Let's get ready for class." She said, pulling me to follow. "Bye Jasper." She said as she winked at him.

I giggled softly as his face turned red, his eyes darting to Emmett to see if he noticed.

"You eying my little sister?" We heard Emmett bellow at him.

I turned my head and saw Emmett turn his back to Jasper, laughing silently at the look on Jasper's nervous face.

"Ugh, he will never ask me out if Emmett keeps doing that." Alice complained.