Chapter One: The New Girl

Bella

I woke up at 6 AM when my alarm clock began to ring its dull, boring uneventful tune. I sighed and considered getting out of bed when a strong smell from the kitchen alerted my attention. Charlie, I thought. Groaning, I walked downstairs still wearing my pyjamas.

My suspicions were confirmed; Charlie was trying to cook be breakfast and had in the process burnt the eggs. I hurried over to help him.

"What happened?" Charlie was asking.

He looked incredibly confused and I hastened to explain.

"Charlie, if you keep the eggs on the stove for too long, they will burn."

I rolled my eyes as Charlie slapped his head over his own stupidity. I wondered how he could have survived on his own for so many years. I scanned the kitchen betchtop and eyed a couple of advertisements for The Lodge. Reality clicked in. Charlie had been dining a restaurants all this time.

"Anyway Bells" said Charlie, a little awkwardly. "I need to get to work, have a nice day at school. Remember to tell me all about it."

He left. I helped myself to toast and improvised a bacon sandwich. Upon completion, I headed back towards my room.

Today, would be my first day at Forks High School. Today, I would be the new girl. What should I wear? Not that my wardrobe was particularly impressive but I needed something suitable. Not my shorts and t-shirt! It was too cold for that kind of attire! I finally decided that a pair of jeans and a plain shirt would do just fine.

I was not bothered to fiddle with my hair. I hung it long as per usual. After slipping on my sneakers, I walked outside and saw the truck that Charlie had given me. As it was my only way of transport, I would just have to make do. It took me a whole five minuted just to get the engine started.

Grumbling about the slow speed and booming engine, I began to drive to Forks High School. Peering at a street directory, I hoped that I was heading the right way.

Rosalie

"Chief Swan's daughter is coming to school today!" announced Alice as she danced down the stairs. "Her name is Bella!"

Emmett and I barely looked up. I sighed with exasperation. Alice was always going crazy at the mention of any new student. Emmett chuckled and leaned over, so that we could kiss. We were passionate. I noticed that he was balanced over the table and I was surprised that it did not yield under his weight.

"Oh, cut it out" Edward grumbled.

Just to be irritating, I kissed with Emmett a little before we broke apart.

"Can we go now?" asked Alice impatiently. "Bella is going to be arriving soon!"

This time, everybody was showing signs of irritation. Alice merely glared darkly at everyone before urging everybody to hurry up once more. I walked out into the garage as Edward unlocked the Volvo.

"Can't we take my car today?" I complained. "It feels like ages!"

"Too conspicuous" Edward replied smugly. "You'll have to wait until we get out of town."

I wanted to shoot daggers at him; I yearned to wipe that satisfied smirk off his face. If looks could kill, Edward should have died over a million times already. I took my seat in the back. After the couple of seconds it took to get the garage door opened, we sped out doing around 95 in speed. After all, us vampires loved to drive fast.

In a matter of moments, we had arrived into the carpark of Forks High School. Emmett and I got out of the car, being careful to walk at a boring human pace. It wasn't as though anybody would be paying attention to us; it was really just a precaution. Hand in hand, we entered the main building. I knew that Jasper and Alice were walking, only a short distance behind us.

I was vaguely aware of the chatter of the students around me. The subject of conversation was the same everywhere. The new girl. Bella. Even if nobody had caught a glimpse of her, the rumours were flying. Everybody looked desperate to be her friend.

"They could all join Alice's new Bella Appreciation Club." I mumbled to Emmett, low enough that the couple behind us would not be able to hear.

Emmett laughed and gave me another kiss.

Edward

Haven't seen her yet, but somebody, I think it was Eric is betting that she's a hottie.

OMG! Do you think Bella will like me?

I really hope I have Bella for Calculus.

All the people around me appeared to be attuned to the same thoughts. Everybody was awaiting the arrival of Bella Swan and speaking about her in the same way that Alice was thinking. Being careful to walk slowly, an ancient red truck pulled into the carpark. The height of conversation increased dramatically.

This was a new vehicle. This must be the new girl. I decided to watch. After all, it was my job to assess whether new people in town could be of any danger to us. I observed as she parked two spots away from my Volvo.

Bella got out of the car and looked startled as many of the students began to surround her and ask avid questions. I wondered what she was thinking. I concentrated and tried to pick up on her thoughts. However, I could not hear a different voice. I stared at her for a little longer, still trying to pick up her reaction to the crowd. She caught my eye.

Deciding that I could try again later, I spun around and prepared to head to my first class.

Bella

Who was that weird boy? The one with copper or maybe gold coloured hair? Why was he staring at me like that?

I stared back at him.

It looked as though the boy may have noticed because he turned around and walked off into the school. Nice Reception, I thought. The people around me were asking really, random questions. There were jumbles about my favourite colours and offers of friendship.

"I'm sorry; I'm going to be late." I told everybody. "Hopefully, I'll get a chance to talk to you all later!"

I shoved through and the crowd parted. Honestly, I hoped that I wouldn't need to chat with these people. I was never a fan of big crowds. I liked the way things were when I went to school in Phoenix; people avoided me and I had very few friends.

Looks as though here in Forks, things have changed.