CHARACTERS

Isabella Marie Swan, Edward Cullen - Alpha

Alice Matthews, Jasper Montero - Beta

Rosalie Fox, Emmett Parker - Gamma

Emily Jacob, Carlisle Patterson - Delta

Megan Croft, Tyler Seth - Epsilon

CHAPTER 1

I checked my bag and made sure that I had all my books. They were all there. I zipped it up and wore it on my shoulders. I ran a careless hand through my hair and tied my shoelaces.

"Bella, your breakfast's ready" came Jeff's voice.

I smiled as I smelt my favorite beacon eggs and sprinted out of my room. I saw Jeff placing the plate on the table. I tried to control my speed but couldn't. Before I could collide in him, he turned in the nick of time and stopped me by placing his hands on my shoulders. Gratefully, I looked up and found him grinning at me.

"You really need to learn to control your speed girl" he said affectionately as he pinched my nose lightly.

I smiled and slapped his hand away. "I'm hungry" I said.

Jeff sighed and stepped aside. "All yours" he gestured towards the plate filled with beacon eggs and bread along with a glass of milk. I immediately sat on the chair and began to eat it, savoring every bite. Jeff was a really good cook, the best in the world.

I felt his gaze on me as I ate and looked at him.

"What?"

"You didn't look in the mirror." It was a statement, not a question. I shrugged.

He sighed again. "Eat" he ordered. I turned my attention back to the delicious food as I felt his hands combing through my shoulder length hair. Within moments, he braided my hair.

"There" he said in a satisfied voice, "much better."

I continued eating.

Jeff sat in front of me and folded his hands on the table with a serious face. "I'm going to introduce some new rules in this house" he said firmly. I braced myself. I knew what was coming. "From now on, you're going to start learning to look into a mirror, everyday."

I groaned. I knew he was going to say that.

"You are actually going to pay attention to the way you look" Jeff continued, "You will choose your clothes with care and you will apply some make up. Since today it's your first day, I'm letting you have your way. But from tomorrow, it's going to be my way. Are we clear on this?"

I nodded but I had already started thinking of ways to talk Jeff out of these rules. He understood it immediately. "No Bella" he said firmly. "This time I won't let you talk me out of anything. When I said I want to do a new beginning, I meant it completely. We are in this together, so you are going to listen to me and will do what I say, especially when I'm right which is most of the time" he finished with a grin.

I scowled at him but that only made him grin wider.

"Here's your lunch" he picked up a plastic box from nearby and put it next to my plate. I smiled. I knew what was there in it. Mutton biryani with my favorite chocolate cake. Jeff always gave it to me on my first day of school.

I finished my meal and put the box in my bag. Jeff brought a bowl of water in which I washed my hands. He never lets me go the washroom to wash my hands after I finish my meals. When he did this for the first time and I asked the reason, he said that I should be mentally prepared that I may not get good facilities everywhere. So I should know how to survive and adjust in every kind of surrounding.

"Water is everywhere Bella" he'd said, "you just need to find it."

I hadn't understood everything completely but I hadn't argued. For his happiness, most of the time I did whatever he asked of me.

I got up. Jeff stood in front of me and placed his hands on my shoulders.

"Look at me" he commanded.

I looked at him.

"Relax" he said.

I did and began to breathe calmly. I knew I would be able to do this only for two minutes as I would be looking in Jeff's brilliant green eyes for that amount of time. His eyes were a startling light green with deep and long eyelashes. I looked at his perfectly shaped eyebrows and marveled at his glowing fair skin. His rosy lips and short nose were always eye catching. His wavy long hair gave him a killer look. He towered over my five feet five inches height with his five feet ten inches tall frame and his slim gorgeous body could make any girl go mad.

"Promise me" he said in a soft voice. "Promise me that you will try."

I cringed slightly but I nodded. Jeff patted my cheek softly and cupped it.

"I'm not asking you to push yourself too hard. I just want you to make an attempt, will you do that, for me?"

I nodded. Jeff smiled and pulled me in his warm embrace. I sighed as I breathed in his scent deeply and closed my eyes against his chest. This was the best place in this world, the only place where I knew I could be myself. The only place where I was safe, for the time being.

"I love you" he whispered.

"Ditto" I muttered and smiled at his chuckle.

He tightened his arms around me for a moment then let me go.

"Go now" he said with a smile and punched my cheek playfully. "Good luck, and take care. I will see you tonight."

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheeks.

"Take care, and be safe" I whispered.

He nodded with a smile and gave me a gentle push.

"Go" he said.

I turned and opened the gate. As soon as I stepped out of the house, I laughed with joy. A beautiful red bike was standing right in front of me. I ran to it and carefully touched its seat. The leather felt smooth and perfect under my skin. I gently touched its handles and ran my hands all over it, loving its feel.

"It's not going to drive by itself you know" came an amused voice from behind.

I smiled and ran back. Jeff laughed as I jumped in his arms and he twirled me around in circles. I covered his face with kisses. "You are the best" I said in an ecstatic voice.

"Tell me something new girl" he said with a laugh and I punched him playfully in his ribs.

"When did you get it? From where?" I asked excitedly.

"I got it here yesterday" Jeff replied as he unlocked the chains. "I booked it three months back."

"Since how long had you had been planning to move here?" I asked. I wasn't surprised with this news though. Jeff was an expert in long term planning.

"Six months before" Jeff replied as he checked the wheels. "I was hoping to collect enough money to buy it by the end of two months but it took much longer than I expected. Still, it's good you got it on your first day. That's far better."

My face dropped as soon as Jeff mentioned about money. The bike was definitely costly. But before I could ask its cost, Jeff turned and caught my upper arms tightly.

"Don't" he instructed firmly. "Don't think about it. You have a new bike and you're going to enjoy riding it, okay?"

"But we're as it is on a shoe string budget..."

"I said don't think about it" Jeff interrupted me. "I have it under control. Do you trust me?"

I nodded. Jeff looked at me for a long moment. When he was satisfied that I meant it, he smiled.

"Good. Ready now?"

I nodded again. Jeff brought out the new key from his pocket that hung from a lovely key ring. I looked at it carefully. It was a heart shaped key ring that had a picture of me and Jeff together. Emotion rose within me but I crushed it. No, I wasn't going to cry. I took the key from Jeff and smiled as I kissed his cheek once again.

"You are the best" I whispered again. He smiled and kissed my forehead.

"All the best Bella. Stay safe" he whispered.

I nodded and excitedly climbed on my bike. Jeff raised his hand in farewell as I rode out of our compound. The highway was empty so I rode the bike quickly. The cool strong wind and high speed thrilled me as I passed by the trees.

We had shifted to Durango, a beautiful place in Colorado a week back. Jeff had searched for a place online and I had fallen in love with it the moment I had seen it. I breathed in the scent of flowers as I rode by the cliff side.

I was going to reach Lillibet School of Durango within ten minutes. Today was my first day. I hoped I was able to keep my promise to Jeff, the promise to interact with people, the promise to try to make friends.

Well, I was going to find out pretty soon.