Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight. I'm just borrowing her characters. =)

Chapter One : Starting Over

My first day at a new school. Again.

How many times has it been now that I have had to start over? My family seems determined that this is what we all need, no matter the fact that it didn't work the last time. I guess, truly, deep down, this move didn't bother me. I didn't want to be a burden in any way to my family. I was already a load as it was; no reason to add on more complications. So I went calmly and quietly. I'm half-angry and half-satisfied that my reaction had not surprised them. Angry because my family hadn't questioned me at all about why I did not mind the move. Half satisfied because I told myself that's what I really wanted their reaction to be.

Forks High School. I groaned internally.

This school was much smaller than my previous school in Phoenix. The campus was ten times smaller and cheaper, by the looks of it. The parking lot was filled with low quality cars, the majority of them looked used and beaten. I already stuck out with the shiny Volvo my parents had given me for my last birthday.

That's another way you stand out, I told myself. Sixteen was supposed to be the sweetest birthday of your existence, besides eighteen and twenty-one. I reacted completely different to my birthdays.

I detested them.

It wasn't that I didn't appreciate all the things my adoptive parents have given me. They have always given me anything I ever needed. I never asked for anything, though, so that made it hard to turn down anything that they ever did give me. As much as I hate that they spent this money on me, I truly loved my car. It was perfect for me. I took good care of it. And I always made sure Carlisle and Esme knew just how much I appreciated them, no matter how I may act otherwise.

I sighed as I stepped lightly out of my car, my siblings following suit. Alice jumped out of the car, really; she must be nervous and excited about the new school. She looked over the top of my car at me and flashed me an encouraging smile. I grimaced.

"C'mon, Edward," Emmett called, putting his huge bear like hand on my shoulder. "Just try to look at the bright side."

"Which is?" I retorted, keeping my eyes averted from his.

"New meat!"

I rolled my eyes as he scouted the parking lot, checking out the girls that were standing beside the picnic tables at the entrance to the school. Of course that was the first and foremost thing on this mind. But that did bring a slight smile to my face. Emmett chuckled, seeming satisfied to have brightened my face a little. I pressed the automatic lock to my car on my key chain and started stalking towards the school's main office, my brother and sister on either side of me. I kept my eyes down towards the pavement, my hands pushed into my coat pockets. I knew others had to be staring at us, though. In such a small school as this there was absolutely no way that our appearance would go unnoticed. I think it would be safe to say that they were expecting us, actually.

When we walked into the small office, a plump woman with fiery red hair and small spectacles welcomed us from behind the desk.

"You must be the Cullens?" she asked excitingly. It seemed to be a stupid question to ask.

"Yes," Alice agreed coolly, giving the woman a small smile. "Is this where we pick up our schedules?'

"Yes, dear," the woman said, frantically sorting through the papers in a nearby bin. She pulled out a small stack of papers. "Here you are, Alice," she said as she handed Alice her schedule, along with a map of the school. "And then Emmett..." she stalled not knowing which one of us was Emmett, until Emmett thrust out his hand. She handed him his papers. "And Edward." I was handed mine then and I looked at her face for a hint of a second before resuming staring at the cracks in the floor's tile.

"Well, I hope that you all have a wonderful first day!" she exclaimed. She was just a little bit too happy, in my opinion. Then again, if I could tolerate Alice... "If you need anything at all just come back by here. My name is Ms. Cope." Alice smiled in returned and thanked her, and then led us out of the small warm office, back into the cold. I hunched my shoulders.

"It's so cold here," Alice muttered, shrugging into her jacket.

"I rather like it," I said. I saw the shock on her face for a moment before she sensed my gaze and quickly removed it. I didn't blame her. It wasn't often that I actually liked anything.

Once we were inside the next closest building, we huddled together, examining each others schedules.

Here was mine:

1st Hour : Spanish with Mrs. Goff

2nd Hour : Trigonometry with Mr. Varner

3rd Hour : Gym with Coach Clapp

Lunch

4th Hour : Biology with Mr. Banner

5th Hour : Music with Mrs. Valista

6th Hour : Government Mr. Jefferson

My schedule didn't seem so bad. Luckily I had Spanish and Gym with Emmett, and Alice had Trig at the same time as me, too. That would leave me alone only in Biology, Music, and Government. I could handle that easily.

It's not that I minded being alone. I did truly enjoy my brother and sister's company at school, though. They were my only familiar faces.

The bell rang and Alice parted ways as she walked quickly to her Biology class. Emmett and I made our way down the hall and entered our first class for the day, Spanish.

The stares we received were honestly very annoying. I guess I shouldn't blame them too much. I could see how easy it would be to get worked up over our arrival, our interference with their small, normal lives. Most of these kids' parents were probably friends at this same high school years back. I bet their roots run deep. I felt just a little more alone at that thought.

The class sort of flew by. I wasn't really paying attention, and Mrs. Goff didn't pressure Emmett or I for answers on our first day. Maybe she sensed how uncomfortable we were. At any rate, I silently thanked her. Emmett wasn't paying attention either. His eyes seemed to be glued indefinitely on a thin blond sitting near the window. I laid my head on my arms, just waiting for the bell to ring.

I got up swiftly as soon as the bell rang. I looked questioningly at Emmett, and he nodded towards the blond girl before looking up at me. I shrugged in response. I walked out of the room and was immediately met by a short girl with out of control curly hair. I felt my stomach tingle with distaste.

"Hi! I'm Jessica! You must be Edward! Welcome to Forks!"

Her voice was high and had a tense of shrillness to it. I instantly detested it. Her eyes were clawing up and down my body, making me uncomfortable.

"Yes," I said, my tone clearly uninterested.

She seemed to grow even more excited. "So would you like me to help you find any of your classes?" She tried to give me a flirtatious smile.

Time to stop this before any profane thoughts started to form in her head. "No," I replied, making my voice harsh and cold. She stepped back, shock on her face. Good. Without giving her a chance to respond, I turned started walking to Trigonometry class, leaving the girl standing alone outside the classroom. I hope she would take my hint to heart.

Alice looked wound up when I got to class. She gave me an exuberant smile, and I couldn't help but give her a slight smile in return. It was hard sometimes to be depressed when Alice was around. She was just so energetic.

"How was Spanish?" she asked, concerned. "I didn't get to talk to Emmett in between classes."

"It was uneventful. After class though, I kind of got attacked by some small bothersome girl named Jessica."

"Oh," she looked apologetic. "I'm sorry about that. She was in my Biology class and asked me a lot of questions. Really it was just about you and Emmett. She didn't even ask for my name."

She didn't look too perturbed at that. I didn't blame her. It wouldn't have bothered me if she had completely ignored me.

"Its fine."

The second bell rang, signaling the start of class. Mr. Varner called roll then, pausing at Alice's name. She raised her hand shyly, and then I was called next, and did the same. The stares were very uncomfortable and felt assaulting. Everyone else was present except for a girl named Isabella Swan. I pooled all my effort in attempt to not fall asleep as the class droned on. I already knew how to do this chapter.

Gym was next, and I was actually glad to go to this class. Exercising was my only real way to escape my thoughts. Emmett had always been glad that he could share this with me, since I didn't usually offer to share much else. As we started to change our shirts in the locker room, the other boys there seemed a little shocked at mine and Emmett's muscular frames. One boy was particularly scornful towards us, some blond boy. I shrugged it off. Emmett and I worked out almost every day and played sports often. I never really worried about how I looked. I just wanted to escape.

Today was simple: run or walk two miles before the end of the period. Emmett and I lightly stretched, not speaking. We knew we didn't need to. We took positions at the starting line of the track (thankfully it was indoors) and took off as soon as the whistle was blown.

Emmett and I quickly surpassed the other students. We silently decided to make this a competition. First one to finish the two miles wins. We ran and ran, never relinquishing our speed, passing the other students multiple times. Most had decided to walk the two miles.

I beat Emmett in the end, but only by a few seconds. I could sense we would be having a rematch tonight. Rather than go get dressed, we decided to lightly jog the rest of the class period.

After getting dressed, the gym teacher quickly approached us. "Hey!" he called, catching us just as we were about to exit through the gym doors for lunch. We turned warily. "I couldn't help but notice how in shape both of you are. Have either of you thought about maybe going for one of the school teams?"

To be honest, I had thought about joining the track team, but I just didn't think I really wanted to be around all those other people. I much preferred running on my own.

"Sorry, but no," I answered honestly and quickly.

"I have thought about it, but at the moment, I am undecided," was Emmett's answer.

"Well that's just too bad, Edward," the coach said, sounding a little resigned. "And Emmett, if you do change your mind, be sure to contact me, alright?" He looked very hopeful towards Emmett.

"Will do, sir," Emmett replied politely.

They left then and joined the line in the lunch room. Edward didn't really pay attention to what he grabbed off the buffet line. After paying, he led Emmett to an empty table in the corner of the cafeteria.

"So are you really thinking about joining a team?" I asked.

"Yeah, maybe. It would be something to do. Plus, I'm trying to think of a new way to impress that hot blond chick in Spanish class. My first attempt didn't go so well..."

And then he was off explaining how he pulled some cheesy line off to her, and she quite forwardly, shoved it back in his face. I really wasn't paying much attention. I picked at my food. Alice came in shortly after and rattled on about her classes, too, and nothing interesting happened to her since Trig. This seemed pretty much like the typical day for us, except for all the staring. That should end soon though.

When the bell sounded I headed to Biology. This was a class I honestly liked, too. I had thought that maybe one day I could be a doctor. I figured it would redeem me in some sort of fashion for my past sins. Maybe.

Biology went through uneventful again, except that I noticed the empty seat next to me belonged to the same Isabella Swan that was absent earlier today. Music was next, and as usual, the teacher was impressed with my talent at playing piano. There were only five other people in the course with me, and I enjoyed the silence of the class. Last was government, which was honestly quite boring, but I took vigorous notes just to keep my mind busy.

Once school was out, I met Emmett at my car and unlocked the door. He started talking about the blond girl again. He had at least learned that her name was Rosalie. I started the car and turned on some strong piano music and closed my eyes, facing the ceiling. I was a little startled when Alice opened the door and quickly climbed in.

"Oh my god! I just made an awesome friend! Her name is Bella Swan and she is super shy but really sweet! She was the only really nice person I met today." She spurted all that out in one breath.

"Isabella Swan? Wasn't she absent in our Trig class this morning?" I asked, not really interested, but feeling like I needed to say something back to her.

"Yeah. She just came into school late."

The ride was silent the way home, Emmett brooding in the backseat, and Alice practically bouncing in her's. She must be thinking about her friend.

Once home, Esme greeted us sweetly, asking us about our day. Alice and Emmett quickly filled her in on the details. I gave her a weary smile and she nodded in understanding. I ran upstairs and into my room, locking the door behind me. I sat at my electric keyboard, and after pushing my earphones into my ears, I let all the pent up emotions in my body free.

My music ended up being quite harsh today. But then again, when was it not?

A/N: So this is going to be my first attempted full length fan fiction! I haven't decided whether or not I will go completely head on with this. That will most likely depend on the feedback I receive!

It would be great if you would Review! I want to know what you think! Thanks for reading.