Beautiful Things Aren't Picture Perfect

Chapter 1: Pilot

Forks wasn't too bad a place to live, all things considering. I was the second kid my new foster family, the Bakers, has taken in. They care a crap load about appearance. I think I gave them a heart attack when they saw me. My dark teal hair doesn't fit in with their picture perfect family life.

They had tried to get me to conform, but being shipped around to different foster families has turned me into a solid individual. I found out that if you didn't stay true to yourself then you would get lost in the crowd. My first few foster families I tried to do everything they did and tried to fit into their groups. It didn't work out so well. You can try to be someone you're not, but you'll just end up unhappy and feel like an even bigger outsider than you already are.

So instead I dyed my hair this really pretty dark teal color and got a couple interesting piercings. My thought process at the time was what the hell, I want to stand out, and I'm not going to try to fit in anymore but become my own person.

The hair dye was only supposed to be temporary. The first step for me to start becoming my own person, but it really grew on me. So I kept it. My foster family at the time couldn't care less what I did. I was just a meal ticket to them.

The Bakers aren't at all like any foster family I had before. They weren't using me for a meal ticket. They were using me for appearances. I knew that much after staying with them for a month. They always mentioned the Cullens, a lot, talking about them politely enough but with jealousy.

Apparently the Dr. Cullen and his wife have adopted numerous children and were probably the most well off in this small town. They are also admired for bringing so many kids without a place to truly call home. I have actually seen their adopted kids at school, not that they are hard to miss. They were all extraordinarily beautiful and kept to themselves, with the Police Chiefs daughter being the one exception.

I watched Cullen Clan from afar at school, noting particulars that only another foster kid or adopted kid would notice. They were a tightly knit bunch who didn't let practically anyone into their world.

I haven't met Dr. Cullen or his wife so my theories are only based on what I see from this 'kids'. But based on their extraordinary beauty I believe Dr. Cullen is using them for appearances also. He obviously treats them very well otherwise since you would be hard press to get that many adopted kids to behave themselves and keep up with appearances.

Their need to isolate themselves is something common in a lot of kids in the foster care system. To stop themselves from making ties they have to break when they have to leave the foster family they are with. Usually the only exceptions to that rule are other foster kids, since they know the status quo that others just don't seem to understand.

I huffed as I go on the bus that would take me to my temporary home. As much as I tried to pick apart the Cullen Clan, I can't help but feel I'm missing something or that I'm comparing apples to oranges. Whenever I get near one of them I get odd vibes that I have never felt before. I hate it.

Luckily they seem more than happy to avoid me too, something that is odd for adopted kids that have made such strong ties. Usually they try to bring other foster kids in to share some of their happiness or joy. Or something like that, I don't really understand since I've only been on the receiving end.

I shake it off. They are strange and I'm not exactly sure what to make of them, but there is nothing I can do about it. I just have to wait until this family gets sick of me before I'm out of this town. I have a feeling it won't be long. When they find out I'm not going to conform they will just get rid of me and get another one. Until then they just keep telling everyone how hard it is to take in an emotionally damaged foster child.

I snort as I got off the bus. As if. I can't wait to be out of here. I'd rather be a meal ticket. At least then they just ignore me instead of treating me nicely in front of people just to ignore me anytime else. It kind of pisses me off. I hate fake smiles and fake kindness. I'd rather they just ignore me, it's what my other foster families did and it worked out just fine.

I head into the house just to see Mrs. Baker in the kitchen, hard at work cooking dinner. "Alana dear?" I froze on my way up the stairs to my bedroom. They usually just ignore me unless they have company.

"Yes?"

"I was thinking, maybe, we can go and get you some new clothes. Something nicer, maybe a nice dress." Mrs. Baker's melodic voice was pleasant and soothing, but I still frowned. Another effort to make me conform by making me dress like them.

"That's okay, Mrs. Baker. I'm happy with the clothes I'm wearing now." I had an unhappy frown on my face, but kept my voice as polite as possible.

"Now dear, you're with us now. You don't have to run around looking like a homeless person. We'll take care of you and we want you to have nice things." Mrs. Baker said, putting down her cooking things to come talk to me face to face. "You also don't have to have your hair that heinous color just to get attention."

I frowned. I look like a homeless person? "I like my hair color. I also like the clothes I am wearing, but if you insist on getting me more clothes I want them to be clothes I like otherwise I'm not going to wear them." I assert, watching as Mrs. Baker's pleasant smile dropped into a frown.

She gave a sigh, sounding slightly annoyed. "Alright dear, if you insist." I watched her head back into the kitchen muttering something about the Cullen kids. "Oh I almost forgot." I froze again on the stair with a soft sigh. "We're going to be going to a party hosted by Chief Swan at 7, so please pick something nice to wear. It's not every day the Chief of Police holds a party."

"Got it." I run up the stairs before she stops me again. Chief Swan holding a party, huh. I snort. Wonder who conned him into that. The man is almost as antisocial as I am.

I head into the room I'm borrowing, pulling my sketchbook and drawing pencils out of my backpack before tossing the heavy bag to the floor. I had an art assignment I needed to finish, my other homework having less priority than my art. Who would willingly do math first?

I worked on homework until about 6:30 then decided I might as well start getting ready. The Bakers wouldn't leave without me since they couldn't announce to everyone how difficult it is to raise me and the many joys they get from my very presence in their house. How helping someone less fortunate is so rewarding.

I roll my eyes. This party is going to be a pain. I don't plan on going all dressed up. Knowing Chief Swan the party was as informal as possible. I would change just to avoid a long winded argument with the Bakers though. I changed quickly and redid my sagging bun.

"Alana dear, it's time to go to the party." Mr. Baker's voice called up the stairs, his voice as pleasant as his wife's. Don't ask me why everyone in this family insists on calling me Alana dear. It's weird and creepy, and I wish they'd stop. The only one who doesn't call me that is their rotten son, Cedric, he has other names he calls me. My only compliment to him is that at least he's honest and upfront to me.

I walk down the stairs dread. "Oh Alana dear, you're going dressed like that."

"I look fine." I say automatically. The Bakers' were dressed in their Sunday best, all the money in my wallet that they're overdressed. Cedric glared at me, little brat.

"If you say so, dear." Mrs. Baker huffed, while still managing to sound polite.

I was right, the party was casual and the Bakers stood out like a hooker in a catholic church. Everyone was wearing jeans and t shirts while drinking a can of beer with kids playing in the mud.

"Good evening everyone! I hope everyone is doing fine." Mr. Baker smiled as he walked into the informal backyard barbeque party. "We brought a roast to share!"

Make that a 5 legged satanic unicorn that vomits hearts and shits rainbows in a catholic church. I sighed and looked for escape routes before it starts. Cedric ran off disappearing into the crowd. I proceeded to do the same, before it started.

"Has everyone met Alana, our foster child? Alana, come say his to everyone!" Mr. Baker said as loudly as he could without being rude. I held back a groaned. It started.

I trudge me way over to where Mr. Baker was and steeled myself for what was going to be an unpleasant experience. "Alana, this is Chief Swan. Chief Swan, Alana, our foster child."

I shook hands with the gruff police chief. He gave me a sympathetic look as he gave me a firm handshake. I gave him a strained smile. "Nice to meet you."

"Alana has had such a difficult past, Chief Swan. Poor girl has been bouncing around the foster care system for years, poor thing. She's never quite had a real home. We just had to take her in." Mr. Baker loudly declared to the party. My fake smile slipped.

Chief Swan flinched, and nodded his agreement, slowly trying to back away from the Bakers'. "That's nice." He gave me a tense smile, as if asking for help. I raised an eyebrow at him. What do you expect me to do about it? "I need to go-"

"But it is such a rewarding feeling, no matter how difficult things are." Mrs. Baker added, effectively cutting off the Chiefs escape.

"Hey Charlie how is it going?" A voice loudly called, interrupting another of the Baker's attempts to gain sympathy. An older man being pushed in a wheel chair was being wheeling to us by a rather yummy looking Native American and I'm assuming his girlfriend. Damn.

Chief Swan instantly perked up and grasped onto the man like a life preserver. "Billy, how ya been?"

"Better than you." Billy said knowingly. Mr. Baker cleared his throat loudly, not liking that he was being ignored.

"Oh sorry. Billy this is Joseph and Emma and their daughter Alana. And this is Billy and Sam and Emily." Chief Swan introduced and we shook hands.

"Alana is actually our foster child. Poor thing has been in the foster care system for so long that she's gone and done that to her hair to gain attention." Mrs. Baker said rather emphatically.

"I actually like it. It suits her." Billy said, giving me a small wink. I gave him a small genuine smile. Well what do you know?

"Alana, some boys from the rez are here. I'm sure you would rather hang out with them than a bunch of old geezers catching up." Sam said, pointing to the group of tall Natives hanging by themselves.

I could hug the man, or kiss him if his girlfriend wasn't glued to his arm. "Sounds like fun." I said before the Bakers' could open their big stupid mouths. I mouthed thank you to him as I passed, and he gave me a grin.

I couldn't disappear into the crowd fast enough. I found a secluded spot at the side of the house and breathed a sigh of relief. I wasn't going to introduce myself to the smoking hot Natives, but I sure will use them as an excuse to escape. I sat down on the damp ground and got myself comfortable.

"So are you just going to hang out here for the rest of the party?" I jumped at the voice and saw one of the younger Natives staring at me with a large grin.

"If I don't hide, they'll find me." I sighed, a sad truth. He came to sit next to me.

He scratched his head. "Are they always like that."

"Only when there's someone to show off to." I groaned.

"That sucks."

"That might be the biggest understatement of history."

It was silent for a few. "I'm Seth by the way."

"Alana." As if he hasn't heard.

"Well, Alana. You don't have to hide out here. We won't let them have you." Seth gave me a wide grin that showed off his white teeth. "Besides we want to get know the girl with the awesome hair."

I chuckled softly, and gave him a small grin. "Alright."

Seth guided me over to the group, with a bounce in his step. "Hey guys. This is Alana, girl of the awesome hair. Alana this is the guys." He then proceeded to tell all their names. There was Jared and his girlfriend, Kim, who I didn't notice since she was surrounded by tall hunky men. Lucky. Then there was Quil, who seemed like an easy going type of guy. Embry, was the more reserved one in the group. Lastly was Jacob, or Jake, who patted me on the head like I was dog. He seemed kind enough.

"Hey where's Paul?" Seth asked, wrapping an arm around me. He is really touchy feely.

"Ran off somewhere." Jake said with a shrug.

"That's okay, he's an ass anyway." Seth winked at me.

They then dealt me into their poker game, taught me how to play poker, and beat my ass into the ground. The light hearted conversation was nice, even if I didn't join in unless they asked me something directly. Seth did that a lot. "How long have you guys been playing cause your way too good at this?" I said frowning at my losing hand.

"I know. I think they cheat." Kim said, smiling while rolling her eyes. Seth had pulled my hair out of its bun and was playing with the strands. I think he has some sort of hair fetish with his obsession with my hair.

"We do not cheat. We don't need to to beat you." Quil said ruffling Kim's hair, which made Jared glare at him. Jared then helped Kim fix her hair. Nothing stranger than a man built like a body builder calmly helping a girl fix her hair. Weird.

I stand up much to Seth's protest and pull my hair back up into a bun. This one slightly messier since I couldn't brush it out. "I need to use the bathroom. I'll be right back."

"Okay, we'll have food waiting for you." Seth waved at me as I walked away. I shook my head. He was a kind soul. One with a fetish for my hair, but still a kind soul.

Heading into Chief Swan's house I opened the bathroom door only to see a Native's fine looking ass. The girl in his arms yelped at the intrusion. The girl looked at me with shocked humiliation. The very fine looking Native looked at me with shock, more so than situation really called for. "You must be Paul." I said recognizing him since he had the same muscular build and cropped hair as the rest of them.

End Chapter 1: Pilot

This is only a pilot chapter to see if people are interested. So if you want more please review. I already have the second chapter ready for your viewing pleasure.