New Story! I hope you enjoy it. This is quite a long chapter. My longest I think I've ever written actually. I won't give away too much of the story, but it should be quite short. Without further ado, I present to you Born Again.

Disclaimer – SM owns Twilight.

Darcy is writing this story.

12 years old, 5th may.

I walked into the dining hall looking for my best friend Alice. She wasn't at our usual table, so I went to the queue to get my dinner, just an apple and a bottle of lemonade, and then went to sit down. I waited for what felt like hours, but was probably only 10 minutes before she came and sat down across from me. Alice had short black hair and very big, wide eyes that were a bright green colour. I thought she was the most beautiful girl in my whole school, why was she with me? I had frizzy brown hair and big glasses. I was at the 'teenage spot' faze. My face was covered with them. Even so, Alice continued to hang out with me, like she was actually my friend. Like she actually liked me. I wasn't about to complain, she was the only friend I had in the stupid school.

Her brother, was Edward Cullen. He was the 'it' guy at our school. The one that all the boys wanted to be, and all the girls wanted to be with. What he wanted, went. I hated him. He was mean, he picked on me all the time, he'd call me names about my glasses and my braces and he'd always trip me up. I think he did it because he knew that I was clumsy, and he like it when everyone laughed at me. I'd never done anything to him and I didn't understand why he was always so mean to me. All of his friends were popular. He liked it when I got upset and cried and then he went off and laughed with all of his popular friends.

My mom and dad were also arguing a lot. I didn't know what was going on with them, but they were constantly fighting and shouting at each other that they didn't have time to listen to my problems. That's why Edward hadn't stopped bullying me yet. Alice told me to tell my mom who would tell her mom, Esme, and then she would shout and Edward and he would stop. I couldn't tell my mom, because she wouldn't listen to me. I tried to once, I told her what was going on after I came home crying one time, and she said she' 'get round to it'. She never got round to it.

"Bella." Alice called to me.

"What? Sorry, I zoned out." I apologized.

"Yeah, I kind of figured. Are you okay?" She asked me.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that Charlie and Renee, they're still fighting Ali, and it scares me." I confessed.

"What scares you?" She asked, softly.

"I think they're about to get a divorce Ali. Last night I heard my mom tell dad, 'I can't live in this stupid town anymore, Charlie.'" I sniffed.

Alice pushed her chair around next to me and put an arm around my shoulders.

"Why don't you come and live with me?" She asked.

"Because they won't let me. But what if they do divorce Ali, and I have to go with my mom? What am I supposed to do then?"

"I don't know, Bells. But if you do, you'll email me, right?" She asked.

"Yeah, of course I will Ali, why are you asking me that?" I asked, worriedly.

"Because, I'm getting this feeling. Like something's going to happen tonight, and I don't think it's good Bells, I really don't." She admitted.

"Why me? Why me, Ali?" I cried, burying my face in her shoulder.

"I don't know Bella."

"Eeeew! Don't touch Smella, you'll get a disease!" A voice said; I looked up to see Edward staring at us. I blinked my eyes to try and get rid of the tears.

"Not now, Edward." Alice warned.

"Why? What's wrong with now?" He asked cockily.

"Edward, seriously. Don't." Alice said.

Edward laughed and turned around to wave over his friends. Emmett McCarty and Jessica Stanley walked over.

"Look guys! Smella's crying again!" He laughed, pointing at me.

"Aww, what's wrong this time Bells? Trip in a pile of crap? Look in a mirror?"

Edward burst out laughing and I sobbed into Alice's shoulder.

"EDWARD! Not NOW!" Alice shouted.

"Calm down, Ali! I was merely pointing out that Bella here, has no friends and seriously needs a makeover. Although, I don't even think a professional could fix her." He said with mock disappointment.

I stood up, ripped Alice's arm from around my shoulder and stalked off, pulling my bag over my shoulder. Tears fell rapidly down my face.

"God, Edward! Do you have any heart at all? Can't you understand that people have feelings? You have NO idea what Bella is going through at home right now, and she doesn't need you and your little followers thinking you're funny having a go at her right now! How would you like it if all of you insecurities were out for the entire world to see, and a stupid little boy needs to point them out and mock you for something you have no control over? And then you get home to everything that's going on there. Get a life, and grow the hell up!" I heard Alice shout before I heard her tiny little footsteps following me.

"Bella, Bella! Wait up!" She called.

Still 12. Later that night; Alice and Edward's house.

"I don't know what they're arguing about Alice, they just are!" I wailed. "That's why I came over, they're at it again."

"Bells, I really don't know what to say."

"I know, Ali. I'm sorry I'm taking all of this out on you, I don't mean to, I promise. It's just hard I guess."

"I know Bells, I can't even imagine what you're going through right no-" She started.

"Oh, great. Smella's here! Again! Did you enjoy your little cry this afternoon Bella?" Edward asked me, walking down the stairs into the living room me and Alice were sat in.

"Shut it Edward." I muttered.

"Well, if you do-" He started.

"I DON'T CARE CHARLIE! I'M TAKING HER! WE'RE GOING, AND WE'RE GOING NOW!" I heard someone shout from outside.

"What in the world is going on out here?" Esme asked as she and Carlisle came out of the kitchen.

"We don't know." Alice mumbled.

"RENEE! YOU CAN'T DO THIS, YOU CAN'T TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME!"

"I CAN, CHARLIE, AND I WILL!"

"It's Renee and Charlie, they're arguing again, Ali! I told you, this is what it's like all the time!" I cried.

"BELLA!" Renee called as she burst through the door after knocking only twice.

"What?" I asked, sinking back into the couch.

"We're going come on! We're leaving now!" She shouted.

"What? We're leaving? What do you mean? Where are we going?" I cried.

"We're leaving damnit! We're going to Florida, me and you, NOW!" She exclaimed.

"What about Dad?" I asked.

"He's staying here! Will you get a move on!"

"Renee, calm down!" Esme stepped in. Renee ignored her.

"BELLA!" She shouted.

"Dad, don't let her take me," I cried, running over to him. Just as I was about to get there Renee grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the door.

"DAD!" I screamed.

"I can't Bella! I've tried! She won't listen to me!"

"Alice! Alice you've got to help me!" I shouted towards the door.

"BELLA! Get in the car NOW!" Renee screamed at me.

"WHY?"

"BECAUSE I SAID SO!"

"ESME! CARLISLE, DON'T LET HER TAKE ME, PLEASE!"

"HONEY, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO." Esme sobbed.

"PLEASE." I whispered. I looked up to Edward; he looked shocked, like he didn't know what to do with himself. But he also looked apologetic, like he...I don't know. He looked different from the mean facade he usually wore.

Renee gave up, picking me up, kicking and screaming and threw me in the back of the car. She clicked down the lock before closing it so I couldn't get out and then she ran around to the driver's seat and jumped in, putting the key in the ignition and starting driving away. The last thing I saw was Carlisle comforting Charlie, Esme comforting Alice, and Edward standing there, watching the car retreat with pained eyes.

Present time. 17 years old.

That was that worst day of my life. Looking back at it now, it seemed pretty damn pointless. If I'd known 5 years ago that I'd be leaving living Jacksonville to give my mother space after she practically forced me to live with her, I'd have laughed. But, it really did happen. On the 5th of May 2004, my mother dragged me away from my home to live with her in sunny old Florida, and it was 5 years later, on the 7th May 2009 that I left on my own free will to give Renee and her new husband Phil some 'space'.

I honestly never understood the need to drag me so far from my home just to get away from my dad. Just because she wanted to leave, why did I? My friends were there, well, scratch that 's'. My friend was there. And my Dad, Carlisle and Esme. That was pretty much the list of people who liked me back in Forks. I'm not sure how it's going to be, me going back there after all this time, to the place where I was constantly bullied because of my appearance. You'd think my mom did me a favour, bringing me over here, and you'd think I was crazy, bringing myself back. But was I? I'd changed drastically since the move. I'd lost all my puppy fat, leaving myself with slender curves, and I'd had laser surgery on my eyes. I no longer needed glasses unless I was reading, but I had designer glasses that actually suited me. My hair was no longer a frazzled mess; it had grown longer and turned into a silky, brown and straight curtain that cascaded down my back. My face had cleared of all spots and I had clear, clean, pale skin. You'd think after living in Florida for 5 years, I'd be beautifully tanned. I wasn't. I was still the pale, almost albino colour I was when I left.

With my change of appearance, I'd had a change of wear as well. When I wore jeans, I chose skinny jeans and low riding ones that showed off my curves. If I wore t-shirts, I no longer wore the baggy ones to hide my body that I used to; I wore tight fitting shirts, to show off my figure. I wore dresses a lot more, but I still never wore make-up. My mom told me that I was beautiful without it, and while I wouldn't go as far as saying 'beautiful', I agreed that I didn't necessarily need make-up to make myself look good.

When I'd rung Charlie to ask him if I could come to live with him, he was beyond ecstatic. He organised me flights without any help from me and asked me what colour I wanted to paint my room. I asked him if he could get me a light blue colour, but if I could paint it myself. He agreed.

I then rang Alice, and told her I was coming back. At first, I was going to surprise her, but I was afraid she wouldn't recognise me and start running round shouting about a crazy woman who seemed to know everything about her.

I'd asked her if she could keep it a secret that I was coming home from everyone. She said yes, but then said that everyone already knew because Charlie had blabbed. There went my dramatic entrance. It's not so much that I wanted everyone to notice me; I more wanted Edward and his crowd to see that I wasn't that little nerd anymore. I was stronger and a hell of a lot more confident, although I still hated confrontations and to have attention paid to me, and I still could find something to trip over if I was sat down.

I jumped when the plane touched down, I'd been so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realise we'd landed in Seattle. Charlie was picking me up from the airport and we were driving back home, then I was going to walk over to Alice's house and she was going to help me paint my room. At the minute, I was wearing some black skinny jeans and long blue top that went to my mid-thigh and some blue flats. I'd even painted my nails a light blue colour. Alice would be very proud of me if she could see me right now.

We'd kept in touch over the years, and she'd become more fashion obsessed than when I lived over there. She used to dress me up every Saturday in new dresses and clothes. I never found out where she got the money to buy all the clothes from, but I'm guessing it was something to do with Esme and Carlisle. They'd also been informed of my return, and apparently, they were 'super excited!' Alice's words, not mine. I didn't ask what Edward thought of my return, I didn't really want to know.

I waited for the other passengers to get off before I got out of my seat, to give myself a chance to relax. I thanked the air staff before I climbed down the steps that were attached to the plane and was hit by rain. Shock! I guess it was to be accepted. I climbed down the steps and walked through the airport and waited in line to get my bag before I walked out of the doors and looked for Charlie. I spotted him stood under an umbrella, leaning against his police cruiser. As soon as he saw me, he grinned widely and started to run over to me, still holding the umbrella over his head. I couldn't help but grin back as he collected me in a big hug, holding the umbrella over my head this time and letting himself to get wet before he pulled his hood up. He must have brought it for me. How sweet! I thought to myself.

"Hey, Ch-Dad!"

"Hey there, Bells. You look beautiful." He told me honestly, I blushed and looked at the muddy, wet floor. He roared with laughter.

"Haven't changed that much have you? Still got my blush kiddo." He chuckled, putting an arm around my shoulder and handing me the umbrella for the short walk to the cruiser. I got in the passenger seat, leaning out to close the brolly and Charlie put my case in the trunk.

He closed the trunk and came round to the driver's side, climbing in and closing the door, he put the key in the ignition and we set off towards Forks. Charlie wasn't one to fill the silence with conversation, which I was thankful for. I still needed time to readjust myself to the place I grew up. It was very green, greener than I remembered.

Charlie laughed loudly; I turned to look at him.

"What?" I asked.

"It's very green, greener than you remember?" He chuckled.

"Oh lord, I said that out loud?" I blushed and looked away.

"Sure did hon." He said, still laughing.

"Huh, didn't realise." I laughed, looking back out of the window.

"So then, what made you move back in with your ol' dad then, eh?" He asked.

"Truthfully?" I asked, looking over at him. He nodded.

"Well, Phil travels a lot with his baseball, so my mom struggled to decide where to go, whether to stay with me at home, or go with Phil to his games. I decided I'd come here and choose for her, plus, I missed you." I told him, and laughed as he blushed.

"I see I'm not the only one with the ability to blush, old man!" He blushed again and laughed.

"Oh, ha ha." He muttered.

"So, I got you a baby blue paint for your bedroom, I hope that's okay." He asked me nervously.

"Yeah, that's fine Dad, also when we get a chance, I want to buy a car." I told him.

"Oh, well see, I already, kind of, bought you one." He told me.

"What? Really? You didn't have to do that, I was going to get a car myself." I admitted. "It would have to be a cheap one, but..."

"Well, consider it a homecoming present Bells, I missed you around here too you know."

"Thanks dad. When we get back, I'm going over to the Cullen's to get Alice, 'kay? She's going to help me paint my room."

"Yeah, that's fine. There's a game on that I want to watch any way."

When we pulled up at the house, I was bombarded by emotions. Sadness, guilt, elation and finally, thanks when I looked in front and saw on old, read Chevy truck sat there.

"Oh, wow! Dad, I love it!" I thanked him.

"It's okay Bells."

We walked up the porch stairs and Charlie passed me the key so I could open the door as he was still holding my case.

I unlocked it and opened the door wide, so I could step in, Charlie stepped in behind me and I closed the door behind him and hung the key on the peg by the door.

"Here." Charlie handed me another key that he'd un-pegged from the hooks.

"Thanks." I told him, putting it in my pocket.

He carried my case upstairs and into the first room at the top of the stairs, my bedroom form when I was younger. There were still photos on my wall and my bed was made in the same sheets as they were. My desk was the same apart from the fact there was a phone on there so I could keep in touch with Renee. My old, chunky computer had also been swapped with a laptop.

Charlie dropped my case on my bed and left me to unpack, but I got straight on the phone and rang Alice.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Bella, is Alice there?" I asked.

"Oh, Bella dear! Yes, of course she is, I'll just put her on for you."

"Thanks, Esme." I replied.

There was some shuffling and I heard a muffled 'Bella' before Alice came on the line.

"BELLA!" Alice shouted.

"Whoa, Alice. My poor, poor eardrums."

"You're coming over now?" She said it more as a statement than a question.

"Yep, you still living in the same place?" I asked.

"Yeah, we are; bye Bella!" She put the phone down without waiting for a reply. I shook my head and chuckled, running down the stairs.

"Dad? I'm off to get Alice!" I called into the living room.

"Okay, you know the way?" He asked.

"Yeah." I called, running out of the door and shutting it behind me. I ran down the porch steps and hopped into my truck.

The keys were in the ignition already, so I drove straight to Alice's house. I was surprised the car worked, and even more surprised the radio worked.

Once I pulled to a stop in front of Alice's house, I got out and locked the door, slipping the keys into my jeans pocket and walked to the front door. I pressed the bell once and Alice was there within a second. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me in, slamming the door closed behind me and pulled me down to a hug. The sudden memento of the action shocked me, and I fell down, dragging her with me.

We fell to the floor, her on top of me and erupted into a laughing mess. I had to hold my stomach. When we finally settled down a bit, I pushed her off me and sat on my knees, waiting for her to calm down a bit more.

"Come on, Cullen. Calm yourself woman!" I called. She immediately sat up and put her hand up to her head in a military action and called, "Sir, yes Sir!"

I laughed again and stood up, holding out a hand to help her up. I pulled her into a hug and squeezed her tight, not realizing before how much I'd missed her.

"Hey, Alie." I whispered softly.

"Hey, Bells!" She said, pulling away, "You look beautiful. You've changed so much!"

I blushed and looked away. Someone cleared their throat behind me and turned around to see Carlisle and Esme stood there.

"Hey!" I called, going over to hug them both.

"Hello Bella, dear. How are you?" Carlisle asked.

"I'm good, thank you. How are you both?"

"Good," They both replied.

"Good." I grinned back.

"How was Florida?" Esme asked, carefully. She obviously remembered when we left, and how it was hard for me. I sighed.

"It was..." I struggled to find the words, "okay, I guess. I'm just glad to be back."

"We're glad you're back too honey." Esme told me.

"Bella! We need to go and paint your room!" Alice called.

"I'm being summoned!" I called to Esme and Carlisle as they both laughed.

Alice pulled me out of the door and slammed it behind us. We both stopped for a minute, looked at each other, and then burst out laughing again.

"Alice, could you stop bringing your little friends home?" Someone called behind us.

I looked around and was shocked at what I saw. Edward was there, walking towards us, he was beautiful. He had the most amazingly green eyes and perfectly messy bronze copper hair. He looked like a carved Adonis. I snapped myself out of it when I realised I hated him.

"Aaah, my dear brother, I'm sure you remember my 'little friend' as you put it." She said looking at him.

I blushed and looked down, I looked up as I heard him gasp.

"Edward, you remember Bella Swan?" She smirked. I took my eyes of her to look over at Edward, his mouth was hanging open and he looked... I don't know, actually. I rolled my eyes.

"Shut your mouth Edward, you'll catch flies." I told him as I pulled Alice past him and towards my truck. She got in the passenger seat and I drove. I reversed out of the drive and looked back to see Edward in the exact same position as we left him.

/&/

"Right, so we need to move everything away from the walls." I told Alice. We were in my room looking around at the walls and the paints, all opened and ready to use.

"Okay, I think we'll need Charlie." She told me.

"Yeah, I think you're right."

I'd changed into some clothes that I didn't mind getting covered in paint, some old leggings and one of Charlie's old shirts that I'd tied with a hair bobble at the front, making it show of my lower back and stomach but I didn't mind, it was only me and Alice.

I ran down the stairs, putting my hair into a messy bun at the same time.

"Dad?" I asked, when he came into view.

"Yeah, Bells?"

"Could you help us move all the furniture away from the walls?" I asked him.

"Yeah, sure thing." He heaved himself off of the couch and trudged up the stairs after us. The three of us managed to get all the furniture out into the hall, where it would stay until the morning.

"Thanks Dad." I called as he went back down stairs to watch the game.

"Right, get a roller and get started!" We both picked one up and dabbed it in the paint and started painting a wall each. We went down the stairs and grabbed two kitchen chairs so we could get higher on the walls. I heard the doorbell ring downstairs and then Charlie talking to someone, but the voices were muffled from the loud music we were playing. Alice started to sing along and I joined in with her dancing in the spot as I painted a section of the wall. As I stretched up to reach a bit of the wall, my shirt came undone and revealed my blue lacy bra. Alice gasped and pointed at me and started to laugh, I blushed and joined in with her, but turned around to face the other wall to look at what we'd done so far as I started to button it up. But as I turned around, I noticed Edward was standing there, and he was looking straight at my breasts.

"Alice." I called. She turned around and I nodded in Edward's direction as I covered myself up. She gasped and shouted at him.

"Edward! What are you doing here?"

"Um, I err. I was, umm." He stuttered. I turned around to button up my shirt and then when I turned back around, Alice was pushing Edward out of my door.

"Well! That was awkward." I stated when he was gone.

How'd you like it? Should I continue? Review please!