First day at a new school. I use the word new in the loosest sense of the word. This is my third time back here in Forks. It was my birth place. The place I grew up, memories were formed here and something just kept drawing me back. I loved the forests and the near constant rain. It was comforting to me. I sit here at lunchtime having managed to avoid all the stares and attempts at small talk from the majority of the student body nibbling at my mediocre lunch. Having not wanted to socialise with any of the immature students of the school I chose to eat outside in the cold. My long brown hair swirling in the wind I decide to flick my hood up not having anything to tie it back with.

You might wonder why I was eating lunch outside in the cold. It was easier for me to just isolate myself and it meant that I was also able to stay in one place for a longer period of time. Something about this place just felt odd. I knew I would never belong being so different but the less attention I draw to myself and the more I just keep to myself the longer I would be able to stay here for. Normally I didn't mind but I liked this place. Hopefully it will blow over, moving again would just be irritating and it would be nice to stay in a small town surrounded by forests for once.

I had considered living on the Quillette lands close to the beach. We were close, they knew what I was and I knew what they were but I didn't want to impose. They were my friends and unlike the rest of the world some of them never aged and were of a similar age to me but that was only a few. Jacob and Sam were the only ones I knew of. The longest living protectors mainly because they hadn't imprinted yet. They called themselves the protectors and rarely socialised with people outside of the tribe. In fact I was the only outsider I knew of who knew all of their legends.

I hadn't been able to stay in one place for more than half a decade for the past eighty odd years. I could have stayed on the protectors lands but it always felt like I was imposing, being the odd one out. See I was an immortal. The last of my kind. Sounds wrong right? How could I be the last of my kind if I were an immortal? That's the curse of us immortals we were unable to die; until we found our mate that is. You think that sounds perfect, you'd be wrong. It was too difficult to be close to anyone, make any friends. I would only have to leave after a couple of years and then I would have to suffer through the pain of rejecting them and then finally their deaths. Living forever as all the people you care about die around you. There's one word to describe this kind of life, torture. The only place I had returned on a regular basis was here. Forks, Washington.

I make a note to go back and visit Jacob after school. He was my only real friend and I trusted him with my life. The more I think about him the more I want to see him again, it's been over a decade since I last saw him and we are in need of a catch up. Pulling out my phone I send him a quick text, hoping his number is still the same.

Hey Jake, I'm back in the area. Are you free for a much needed catch up?

The bell rings signalling next lesson and the end of lunch. I lock my phone and shove it roughly back in my pocked. Sighing I slowly pack up my bags and dump my leftovers in the bins just as all the pupils begin to file out of the cafeteria off to their next lesson. I wait for the rush of students to simmer down before I follow a couple of stragglers to my next lesson of the day. Biology.

I walk into Biology late and hand my slip to Mr Banner.

"Ah, Miss Tanner. Here take a seat next to Mr Cullen." He says gesturing to the only spare seat in the room. I walk towards it already bored with the pretences of school life. This is the time when I wish that I had stopped aging when I had the appearance of a 22 year old. That way I would never have to repeat high school. I look up from my fixed point on the floor and to the empty seat. Taking a deep breath I freeze. I don't know why but that scent. Honeysuckle and sunshine. One word comes to mind, one word I hoped I would never feel I had to think. Mate.

This person, whoever they are, sitting at that desk is my mate. I never wanted to find them my father went through it. He explained that it was torture to watch my mother grow old without him. She died of a sudden heart attack when I was just 15 and he followed soon after, not wanting to live without her. I didn't ever want to be that dependent on another person.

That was the price of our existence, not that we had a choice or anything. We would have to watch our loved one grow old and die knowing there would be nothing we could do to stop it. The sad thing for me is, on top of that would be that when I found my mate I would have to watch them get old and die without being able to follow. I had a power, no one knows how or why but my skin was as hard as diamonds, I was tough, I couldn't be killed.

I consider turning around and leaving the room knowing that that way I would still be able to avoid them for that little bit longer. My pause was beginning to become noticeable by the class who was now staring openly at the frozen new girl staring at the ground in the middle of the room. This Cullen boy was my soulmate and as much as it pained me I knew I would not be able to follow my head. I had to follow my heart and my heart was saying look up and take a seat next to him.

I close my eyes and steady myself, hoping he won't have felt anything I carry on to my seat and quickly settle. It doesn't escape my notice that he has moved as far away from me and is gripping the table for support his fingers denting it's surface. I catch my breath as my gaze moves to his face, his bronze dishevelled hair and his strong muscular features. Black eyes.

He's also strong I note to myself. Too strong. Mr Banner begins talking but I don't listen, instead I focus the corner of my eye on my mate, Mr Cullen. I try to see his name but it is covered my some paper.

He's not breathing. I note after 5 minutes of studying him memorizing his perfect features. Why isn't he breathing? There's only one other person I have met who doesn't need to breath. Who is also very strong. Another type of immortal, he was a vampire. I tried to steer clear of them, they were trouble. I was a threat to their existence as they were a threat to mine. I never knew his name, didn't want to get too friendly but in my couple of conversations with him I learned much about him as he learned about me.

"I'm Bella." I introduce once Mr Banner sets us off on some work. Holding out my hand I wait.

"Edward." He chokes out but makes no attempt to take a hold of my hand.

"How rude." I mutter to myself as I pull out a scrap piece of paper and scribble a note to him. I have a feeling he is struggling with the scent of my blood. If my mate is a vampire he would probably be struggling with the scent of my blood. It is probably torture for him to be around me. Great.

You're going to break that desk if you don't let go soon.

I slide it to him and watch for his reaction. He instantly loosens his grip and attempts to smooth out the clear finger indents as subtly as he can quickly be grasps a pen and begins to write back.

Sorry, I'm not feeling well.

I smile as this knowing it's a complete lie.

What's wrong? I ask surprised at how concerned I am.

Struggling to breath. I smile knowing that is not a lie.

I sing to you don't I? Don't worry, you can't hurt me Edward.

He beings to frown as he scribbles another reply.

What makes you think I would hurt you?

Your reaction to me, the table? You're strong. I'm different too by the way.

I don't get to see his reply as at the moment the bell rings and I pack away and leave the room as fast as I can. Refusing to even attempt to go to gym I walk out the front of the school almost running straight into a small spiky black haired girl who couldn't be much older than Edward. The golden eyes are the only indication that she is different.

"Hi! I'm Alice Cullen. Can we talk?"

"Edward's sister?" I ask as I fall into step behind her.

"The one and only!" Her attitude makes me smile and I find myself instantly liking this small girl.

"What is it you want to talk about?" I ask as she leads me to the forest line.

"I know you know what we are." I nod, confirming her suspicions. "I also know what you are."

"You can't hurt me Alice." I warn.

"Oh, I know Bella. You have skin as hard as diamonds, you're an immortal though not a vampire. I can see the future." She adds as an explanation.

"So I also guess you know about why I can't be leaving you and your brother alone."

"Yes, he is what you call your mate. Do you mind if we talk at my house?" I shake my head. "Great, hop on, it will be quicker." I frown but don't comment as I jump on her back knowing she is going to start running. Within minutes we are at their mansion. It is beautiful, set in the middle of the forest with whitewash walls and wonderful wooden balconies. She doesn't hesitate in carrying me straight into the house and into the lounge.

"Bella, this is Esme. Our mother for all intense and purpose." Alice introduces as she moves to stand next to a beautiful heart-shaped women with caramel hair and a warm smile.

"It's nice to meet you. Alice phoned ahead and filled me in." She says as she envelops me in a warm hug.

"It's good to meet you too. Oh, and don't worry your secret is safe with me." I add as an afterthought.

"Make yourself at home, can I get you anything?"

"Might I trouble you for a cup of tea?" I ask as I take a seat next to Alice on one of the many. "Alice's running made me thirsty."

"Oh of course!" She says as she zips out the room and into the kitchen. Edward's scent is so strong here it makes me want, no need to be near him.

"Bella, don't worry. He will come around though you do need to tell him. He will be back with the others in about half an hour. I know I am overstepping the boundaries seeing as we have just met but can I test your skin?" She asks curiosity burning in her topaz eyes.

"Sure. Might I ask a few questions?" She nods as I hold out my arm to her.

"Alice." Warns Esme as she enters with my tea.

"Thank you Esme, and really it's OK, she won't hurt me, you can try too if you want." I add holding out my other hand to her.

"Oh, no I couldn't possibly but I do believe I can hear the others."

"Yes Edward's Volvo just turned onto the drive." She says absentmindedly as she tries to bend my arm. I feel a slight pressure of discomfort but nothing else to tell me she is attempting to break my arm.

"That's pretty cool! I've never heard of anything like it, though then again, I've never heard of anyone like you." She adds.

"You didn't try very hard did you?" I ask.

"Did you want me to try as hard as I can to break your arm?" She asks slightly amused.

"I think you should try."

"Not now the others are home." She replies changing the subject as she lets go of my arm.

"You're not staying?" I ask.

"No. I will leave you to it. Stay here." She says as she goes to greet him at the door. I turn my attention to my tea, picking it up I begin nursing it in my hands, one of my many nervous habits. What if he rejects me?