Rosalie Hale had no time for humans, especially the ones that attended Forks high school. Envy and hate were the overriding emotions she got from them, she didn't need to have Jasper's gift to know that. There were a few exceptions, but none she had paid any real attention to. For a couple of weeks, they had ceased being the subject of conversation; instead, it was all about the chief of police's daughter. Rosalie couldn't care less about the girl, who her father was, or what she was like. If she did, she would have felt sorry for her. Speculations and planning had started before the girl had arrived. That kind of shit she found was so much worse in small towns.

Bella Swan, though, had proved to be as about as predictable as the weather in Montana. It had started with her passionate defense of a girl she didn't know, that girl being Rosalie. She had also run Edward off when he realized she was his singer, which had lasted a week. He came back believing he had found his mate, as he could not hear her thoughts. Jasper had warned him not to mistake the singing of her blood to the bond of a mate. Apparently, the pull was quite similar and easily confused. Edward, as usual, did not listen. Unfortunately for him, his reunion with Bella did not go well, and by the third class together, Bella had asked to be moved much to Edward's chagrin.

"Care to share the joke." Emmett kicked his shoes off and got in bed.

"Just thinking about Bella's latest shut down." She smiled.

"She does come up with the most colorful ways to say go away," Emmett chuckled. His favorite was when she started playing Beat It by Michael Jackson. He couldn't help but sing it every time he saw Eddie boy. It had been two months, and he was still trying. None of them had managed to talk to Bella, but he desperately wanted to get to know her, and so did his Rosie. They smiled and waved at her every time they saw her, and like clockwork, she would blush.

Bella popped the last of her sandwich into her mouth and chewed slowly, with her eyes still on her book, she searched around for the can of coke. Eventually, she was forced to remove her eyes from the book and look for the drink, her hand had been inches away from it. She scowled at it as though it had moved around to avoid her.

She heard a giggle and abandoned the drink to look, a big part of her wished she hadn't as she made eye contact with Rosalie Hale and Emmett Cullen. Rosalie smiled at her and waved, which had Bella blushing as she waved back shyly. Those two just flustered her in ways none of the others did. As much as Edward pissed her off, she would admit he was rather beautiful for a male, but nothing compared to Rosalie.

Her heartbeat increased rapidly as the two started towards her. "Calm down, Bella." She scolded herself. Yes, they were vampires, but they were animal drinking vampires. Bella, in talking to Jacob, had put two and two together and figured out what the Cullens were. She had noticed the similarities in their appearance despite the lack of shared DNA. The few times she used the lunchroom, she noticed that despite buying lunch, they never ate any, merely pushing the food around on the plate. It was a clever ploy that no one seemed to have noticed or simply ignored.

"Not a big fan of the culinary delights Forks high has to offer," Rosalie teasing caused Bella to blush. "I'm Rose, by the way, and this is Emmett."

"Hi, I'm Bella and no. I am also not a fan of the petty gossiping that seems to reach a crescendo when everyone congregates in the lunchroom. Bella had lost it on the first day with everyone gossiping about the Cullens. None of them had actually really spoken to them in the two years the Cullens attended high school, but all had one negative opinion after another about a group of people they knew nothing of."

"We find it's best to ignore it," Rosalie answered.

"Rightly so," Bella said with a firm nod. "Anyway, it's envy manifesting itself as whatever that is." Bella waved her hand towards the school. "There are those that are obsessed with Emmett and hate you because they believe if you weren't around, they'd get him. There are the boys that hate Emmett for the same reason. Then some are angling to be friends with you, simply because it will boost their social standing. Then there are those envious of your looks. At the end of the day, it's all petty and downright disgusting." She finally opened her can of coke. "Unfortunately, you will find that everywhere you go." Rose nodded. They had spent the last fifty years in one high school after another, and this was the norm, people like Bella were the exception. It wasn't that the brunette didn't have the same reaction to them as most; she was just respectful about it. Rosalie watched as she tried not to gawk at them too much.

"You have a class with Edward, right." Emmett just couldn't help himself.

Bella let out a sigh that indicated just how fed up she was. "I've come up with the perfect murder," Bella whispered with a seriousness that would cause anyone not looking at her a great deal of trepidation.

"Yeah?" Rose questioned with a smile that had Bella looking away.

"Uh-huh, car bomb." Emmett's booming laughter had Bella smiling from ear to ear. She found him incredibly adorable. He reminded Bella of a bear, cute, cuddly, and deadly when provoked. Bella found herself wondering where the notion of bears being cuddly came from. Those things could rip a man apart with minimal effort.

"I know he's your brother and all," Bella muttered sheepishly.

"Don't worry, we understand." Rosalie teased. She found the young human so endearing. Something about her had Rose smiling often, just thinking of Isabella Swan brought a smile to her face.

"He is the most controlling, condescending, conceited, misogynistic, stuck up thinks he knows it all I have ever had the misfortune to come across. I really could without him." Emmett was barely keeping it together.

The first bell for the end of lunch went, and Bella sighed, she was surprised about how depressed she suddenly felt about the end of their impromptu get-together. Worse, she had biology; English and she believed it was either dodge ball or volleyball to end her day. At least there had been one highlight.

"Feel like ditching for the rest of the day," Emmett asked as he and Rosalie didn't want it to end either.

Bella's eyes lit up. "What do you have in mind?"

"We could go to our place and figure it out from there," Emmett said with a shrug.

"Wouldn't your parents..."

"Nah, we are not missing out on anything important this afternoon." Neither was she, she had done all of this in her AP classes while in Phoenix. And well, when it came to sports, she and everyone around her was better off if she didn't participate.

"Now, we just need an excuse." Rosalie chimed in.

"You know I tweaked my ankle walking out here. I will need someone to help me to the hospital, and someone to drive my truck home for me as it's Friday, and I don't want to leave my truck here over the weekend." Rosalie beamed at her, and this time Bella managed to hold back the blush.

"I will be right back." Emmett cheered as he went off to the office to let the school know.

Bella looked up to find Rosalie staring at her with a small smile on her lips. She looked away, losing the fight with her reddening cheeks this time, much to Rose's pleasure. "I can see why Edward is so taken with you?" Bella's head snapped up in disbelief. "Yes, I know... his behavior belies that, but believe me, he is. He's new at this and going about it all wrong." Rosalie added sadly.

"Are you asking me to give him a chance?" Bella was surprised at how much her heart sunk at the thought. She also knew crushing on the pair was downright stupid, but she couldn't help it. She'd seen them in the halls often and found she loved everything about them. Their devotion to each other. The way they were always linked in some way as they walked through the halls. They paid no attention to the people around them with a confidence Bella wished she possessed.

"I'm doing no such thing." Despite their constant bickering and sometimes downright shouting matches, she loved her brother, and she knew he loved her even if they didn't like each other very much. Yes, she should be advocating for him and would if he found a girl that was the least bit interested in getting to know him. Bella wasn't it, and she hoped Edward soon accepted that.

"Good," Bella whispered.

"We are good to go." Emmett bellowed as he ran back. Rosalie grabbed Bella's bag as Emmett scooped her up, earning a squeal that had him chuckling. Emmett parked Bella's Chevy in the driveway and waited for Bella in Rose's M3. Bella had gone inside to call Charlie and fill him in. Charlie sounded too pleased with the idea of having friends help her. Indeed Bella had alienated herself with her defense of the Cullens.

The drive to the Cullen's house took about twenty minutes. The house was off the beaten path and would have been hard to find if you had no idea of the exact location. The house was a large and beautiful home painted a faded white.

The front door opened before they reached it. "Well, hello." Esme greeted, surprised by the sight of the human girl. She could hear her heartbeat from her office but was still surprised by the girl before her, as she knew who she was from the extensive description her children gave.

"Bella, this is Esme, our mother. Esme, this is Bella Swan." Rosalie introduced.

"Hello dear, please come in. I'm sure there is an excellent reason why you three are not in class." Esme Cullen was just as beautiful as her children, which didn't surprise Bella. She had a heart-shaped face and caramel-colored hair. If Bella guessed, she would say Esme was a woman of the twenties and thirties, but then again she had no real idea.

"Yep, there is, and when I think of it, I will let you know." Emmett laughed at the shocked look on Bella's face.

"You will soon get used to it," Rosalie whispered as she walked past Bella.

"Hey, Bella, do you play?" Emmett asked, but he was already setting up the PS2.

"No, but I'll give it a go." Rose raised an eyebrow at the blatant lie. Bella blushed looking away. If Emmett had been paying attention to her, he would have known it too.

"Cool, there you go, he handed her a controller. We will start you off easy, this is a racing game." Bella looked at the case biting her cheeks to stop herself from smiling, Need for Speed was one of her favorites. She wondered if Emmett being a vampire gave him much of an advantage. His reaction times would be significantly faster, but how much of an advantage would it give him. For the Quileute to turn into wolves to fight vampires, she'd deduced they were strong and fast and had heightened senses, but she knew nothing else. "Okay, here we go," Emmett muttered excitedly.

Three minutes later, Bella crossed the line first. Emmett gave her a searching look. "Beginner's luck." Bella shrugged. Rosalie bit her lip to stop herself from laughing as she hid behind her magazine.

Two more races later, Emmett was no longer buying the beginner's luck line. "Guys, I'm headed to the store. Bella, is there something you like to eat?" Esme asked.

"Do not trouble yourself, Mrs. Cullen, I just had lunch, and I will have dinner when I get home." Emmett nudged her shaking his head. "Erm, I wouldn't mind a chocolate cake and a can of coke." Esme could easily buy that and not have to go out of her way to cook. She knew they didn't eat and wasn't about to trouble her.

This was Esme's first opportunity to make good use of the kitchen, and she wasn't about to let it pass. "Chocolate cake and a can of coke?" She questioned. Bella nodded before getting back to the game.

After several more losses, Emmett decided a different kind of game was in order. Rosalie looked at Bella. "Are you good at that?" She mouthed. Bella nodded. Rosalie smiled and went back to pretending she was reading her car magazine.

"This is a conspiracy." Emmett boomed as he crushed the controller after losing another game. Alice, Jasper, and Edward, who had all just walked in froze.

"Wow, you really are strong. Some people just look it for pure vanity, but you really are." Bella was genuinely awed by his strength. She was sure as a human, he would not be able to crush the controller as easily, but she couldn't exactly say that."

"That's Emmett." Alice chimed as she moved over to them. "Hello, Bella." She hugged the girl, taking a whiff of her scent.

"Hi." She greeted with an amused smile until her eyes caught Jasper. He looked as stiff as a board, and it was clear he was holding his breath. "Do I smell?" Bella asked Alice just above a whisper, looking over at Jasper. It was clear she was joking as she smirked.

"Far from it, you do smell very good." Alice purred, earning a glare from Edward.

"You smell a little too good," Jasper added.

"Can we keep it appropriate, please," Edward whispered too low and fast for Bella to hear.

"Yes, you smell great, delectable, amazing, and every other appropriate adjective. Now, can we get back to the game?" Emmett blustered.

"I have never met anyone who loves getting their ass kicked as much as you do." Bella quipped, earning surprised looks from Alice and Jasper.

"Em has yet to win a game. He has failed at three different games. It's becoming rather embarrassing." Rosalie couldn't wipe the smile off her face.

"Whose side are you on?" Emmett pouted.

"Right now, Bella's. It is rather entertaining to watch you get beat despite your repeated cheating." Rosalie was truly enjoying it so much that Emmett couldn't be all that pissed at how bad Bella was kicking his ass. His Rose had some dark days and thankfully today wasn't one of them.

"Wow," Alice whispered, joining Rosalie on the couch. This was something she had to see for herself.

Before they could start the game Esme walked in, Edward and Jasper helped her with the shopping. "Bella, I hope you like pasta."

I do, Mrs. Cullen, but really..."

"Pasta it is." Bella looked around, and it soon became clear she was not going to get help from anyone.

"Just accept it." Alice giggled at the resigned look on her face.

"I see." She muttered and got back to her game.

"Isabella..."

"It's Bella, just Bella I have told you that many times." She said, interrupting Edward.

"I have notes from Biology."

"Thanks, but I don't need it." Bella turned to look at him; unfortunately, it was all Emmett needed to finally win a game.

"YES." Emmett boomed, getting to his feet, pumping the air.

"Thanks a lot, Eddie." Bella groused.

"It's Edward." He retorted rather hauntingly.

"You don't like Eddie?" She asked as she had heard Emmett refer to him as Eddie many times.

"No, it's Edward, and not any shortened or variant of it as much as some would like you to believe." He scowled at Emmett.

"Okay, Edward, I understand."

"I think we should take a break." Peals of laughter left everyone. Of course, he wanted to take a break now that he had won a game.

"How often do you play?" Rosalie asked as Bella sat next to her on the couch.

"I used to babysit this kid in Phoenix, and after he went to bed, there wasn't much to do for several hours. So I started playing his games to keep myself busy. I got to a point where I started going online just to play other people."

"We should do that?" We should team up and play. We will kick butt." Emmett picked up the controller. "What should we call our team?"

"Ursidae," Bella muttered absentmindedly as she stared at the notes Rose had scribbled over a picture of an engine.

"Bears, I like bears."

"I thought you might. I don't know why, but you remind me of bears. You are cute and cuddly, but I have a feeling you will protect your loved ones at all cost. You are quite protective of Rose even though she can take care of herself."

"Couldn't have described him any better myself," Rosalie whispered.

"How would you describe Rose?" Emmett asked.

Bella stared at her but promptly looked away when Rose smirked. It was far too sexy for words. "She is strong, mentally, and physically strong. It wouldn't surprise me if she gave you a run for your money. I can imagine you two like to play fight. People underestimate her because of her looks, they see a blonde bombshell, and immediately dismiss her." She looked back up at the blonde. "You don't bother or waste a single breath trying to change people's assumption of you... simply because they are not worth it. The people that matter to you know you and what you are capable of. I also see the same protective instincts Emmett has. God help anyone that tries to come between you two." She blushed as Rosalie stared at her with a soft loving look. Rosalie leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek, sending the brunette's heart into overdrive. No one was cruel enough to mention it.

"What about me?" Alice asked, bouncing in her seat.

"Erm... got to spend a little time with you."

"We can do that later." Alice hugged Bella again.

"No, no, no, no," Emmett stood up. "She has been here for two months, and you didn't make any effort to approach her then. Now that I have done all the hard work, you want to swoop in and steal my friend. I don't think so. Find your own friend." He crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. Bella tried, she really did but failed and cracked up laughing at his stance and pout, it was just too adorable. Forks it seemed wasn't going to suck as much as it had been.