Chapter I

The Blacks had been the only family I knew all my life. They raised and cared for me since I was a few months old and in the cradle.

Uncle Billy had been the only fatherly figure I knew.

Aunt Sarah loved me as if I was her own daughter, and died a few years ago, giving birth to a baby who died a few hours after her. Her son Jacob, was a fun-loving boy, who acted more like a big brother to me, and a person I could talk to. He protected me from the school bullies and took the valiant act of being expelled for punching a bully in the nose.

He didn't care. All he did was make sure I was safe and happy. Jacob gave me all the best pieces of the lamb chops and steak, and gnawed on the bones himself. The Blacks weren't wealthy, but weren't poor either. At times, they were in debt, but we all loved each other.

Then it all changed.

The atmosphere grew colder and more sinister.

I dreaded going home more than facing the bullies on my way to school. I used to think of it as home, but now, it was a prison.

Uncle Billy no longer had the twinkling in his eyes, or the jolly smile on his face. They were replaced with pure black, stern eyes and a menacing frown. He shouted and scolded more than praised, and clenched his knuckles threateningly almost every minute of every day. He spent most of his days in his room, not bothering to greet or speak to anyone. Not even to Jacob. Perhaps he was grouchy because he was past his prime, or perhaps he was angry he could no longer walk (Uncle Billy said he was in a car accident and lost his legs-he sits in a wheelchair) like any other man. Or maybe he felt lonely and missed female company and was pissed at Aunt Sarah's death. Maybe he blamed her for leaving him alone with an adolescent son and a young niece. Why Uncle Billy took his anger out on us, I had no idea. He could've taken his rage out on a teddy bear, but he didn't.

The saying 'like father like son', couldn't be more true with my situation.

Jacob wasn't the same, humorous, brotherly figure either.

Living under the same roof with two distant, constantly irritated, masculine men, was like living under fear of a strong, pressing memory, or with two restless ghosts that haunt the house during the days and nights. I was the weak, little mouse, cowering in the corner, while the shadows of two terrifying lions loomed over me.

Both Uncle Billy and Jacob had changed when I set foot in Forks High School, the local secondary school in Forks. It was hard to love someone you feared.

"BELLA!"

I blinked and slightly shook my head.

Next to me, his hands on his hips, was a furious Uncle Billy.

You wouldn't want him to chase you around.

Trust me. You will regret it. He will literally mow you over by his wheelchair!

"What are you doing, girl?!" Uncle Billy growled. "I allowed to live here under my roof for you to be useful! Not to stare out the window, daydreaming and leaving my bacon burning in the pan! I would be treated much better in a nursing home! At least there, they feed you on time and treat you well! For the last two minutes, I feel like crap! A poor, old invalid waiting for his breakfast, while the cook's mind is wandering elsewhere!"

"I'm s-sorry, Uncle B-billy," I stammered, turning off the flame and burning my hand. "Ouch! Why d-don't you sit? I'll sizzle the bacon again."

Uncle Billy grumbled and settled on his wheelchair, eyeing me like a hawk.

I rinsed my burnt hand under cold water, and hurried to get more bacon.

I quietly cooked the bacon, this time paying more attention to it. If I angered Uncle Billy again, I would be nursing more bruises tonight, and wouldn't have enough time to finish my assignments. My latest bruises had finally faded away. I didn't want new ones at the moment.

As I plated up the bacon and began frying the eggs, Jacob swaggered in, with a loud yawn, and he flexed his large muscles. I felt his piercing brown eyes stare at me, and I looked away and concentrated on cooking the eggs. Angering Jacob would be worse than pissing off Uncle Billy. Jacob had the strength and energy to knock out a full-grown, adult horse for a week with a single blow! I felt him lean closer to the bacon and give it a good sniff.

"Good," said Jacob, after his inspection. "Nice and crispy at the edges."

Food was a matter of life and death to him. If his bacons weren't perfectly shaped with a sharp, crispy edge, he would fly kill the nearest living being or creature (his victims were normally the poor, hopeless dogs who reside in the tiny kennels under the round table near the kitchen). At the moment, his tally of murdered puppies was three. Two were dogs in their prime and one was the cutest and smallest Maltese puppy I had ever seen. Jacob enjoyed killing the Maltese the best. Uncle Billy never seemed to mind Jacob burying the dogs in the weed-infested backyard.

"Enjoy your breakfast," I said nervously, placing the eggs next to the bacon. "I'm already late for school, and I still have a kilometre of walking to do. I have been late almost everyday, and it'll be a bad record when I try out for college."

I tried to slip past Jacob, but he held onto my arm tightly.

"Where are you going, bitch?" sneered Jacob.

His huge paw enclosed around my arm and I felt my blood circulation slow down.

Uh-oh.

"School is for losers," Jacob hissed into my ear. "Only nerds go there. You should be serving us hand and foot, instead of wasting your time at school! Once you get a whole list of bad attendance records, the better! I can't wait to hear the glorious news of your suspension! You know how costly your school expenses are costing us?"

"No need to tell her," said Uncle Billy, his mouth full of eggs and bacon. "She's too stupid and full of shit to understand the complications of finances."

With his other hand, Jacob reached into the fish bowl and pulled out a fish.

It wiggled in fear.

"Next time, I won't be so lenient," said Jacob threateningly. "See this goldfish? Next time you utter such shitty excuses to escape doing your chores, I will stuff this fish into your throat, and will enjoy watching you die slowly and in considerable pain! Next time you serve us and live in this house, I don't want to hear a peep from you! If you do, you will be the one responsible for this fish's death! I don't know why my Uncle Charlie thought you should be raised with us! You could've been packed off to an orphanage in Phoenix, but no…you have to land with us! You stressed out my mother, and look what happened! I would've had a living younger brother or sister if it wasn't for you! You have inherited NOTHING from your mother! There is nothing about you that suggests you're related to us!'

He pinned me against the kitchen table, and pulled out his belt.

"PLEASE!" I screamed. "NO! NOT AGAIN!"

With an evil, maniacal laugh, Jacob lashed the belt at me.

At first, I felt nothing.

Then, a prickling sensation appeared on my arm, and a few seconds later, I felt searing pain (ten times worse than burning my hand) and a burning feel. I wanted to die. I was willing to do anything to escape the pain the belt gave me.

Jacob dragged me out of the kitchen like a disobedient puppy, and threw me onto the concrete veranda outside, and slammed the door shut behind me.

I slowly picked myself up, but felt a heavy object hit the back of my head.

Dizzily, I turned around, just to receive another blow; this time to my forehead.

Blood trickled down my forehead, and over my nose. I looked around, and saw that Jacob had thrown my textbooks at me with my broken schoolbag. I weakly took hold of my books, and slung my bag over my shoulder and began the long journey to Forks High. I glanced at my watch, and it was eight forty five. I would definitely be late. By the time I reach school, classes would be halfway through period one already, since it takes me forty five minutes to walk there.

Bleeding, and feeling broken inside, I trudged to school, tears welling in my eyes. People stared at me, as I walked past them.

I was a wreck. My hair was tangled like a bird's nest, my usually chocolate brown eyes were now dull, red and brimmed with tears and I kept my tattered brown jacket on, even though it was a hot day. On days when I received fresh bruises or cuts, I always wore a jacket to conceal my injuries the best I can. The last thing I wanted was for the police showing up on Uncle Billy's doorstep and arresting them for physical and mental abuse. They punished me, and I live in constant fear, but without them, I'll have no home and no family to go to.

Judging by the lightness of my bag, no one had packed my lunch.

No one had bothered giving me money to purchase a meal either. I guess I had to use the change from last week to survive the school day without dying of starvation. I should've stolen a piece of bacon when I had the chance.

I dried my eyes and bravely ventured into the now empty courtyard. A couple of people walked past me, not giving me another a single look. With my sore hand, I dug out my scrappy timetable and headed towards the science block. I had biology, and my teacher (Mr Banner) was one of the nicest teachers. He probably wouldn't give me a detention.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

I timidly walked in, and was greeted by a sea of faces staring at me. Mr Banner eyed the dried blood on my forehead and my messy hair. Without a word, he nodded at me and I quietly slipped onto my seat, avoiding eye contact with everyone and ignoring the soft murmurings. As usual, I sat by myself in the middle of the room. People were friendly towards me, but no one exactly wanted to know me or be my friend. To them, I was the weird girl who never bothered to neaten herself up and is late to class three quarters of the year. I never answered questions, and never asked any. Some wondered whether I was crazy or an emo girl. No one was brave enough to ask me about the injuries that couldn't be hidden under my jacket or hair.

Five minutes after I arrived, the door opened and a guy came in.

He was like no other guy I had ever seen. He was lean but tall, and his hair was a strange, but attractive shade of tousled bronze. His jaw was perfectly chiselled and his eyes were a stunning Emerald green, a hue so intense that I felt myself blush a little as I stared into them.

"Class, this is Edward Cullen," announced Mr Banner. "He moved here from Alaska. I want you to make him feel welcomed and comfortable. Edward, you will be rotated to every table in every biology lesson, so you can be well-acquainted with everyone. Don't be shy if you have questions. Today, you'll sit next to Isabella Swan. She's the girl with brown hair who's wearing the brown jacket. Tomorrow, you'll be placed next to the first person on the roll, and it'll go alphabetically from then! Isabella! Raise your hand so Edward can know who you are!"

Feeling every set of eyes stare at me, I slowly raised my hand.

The handsome Emerald eyed deity walked towards me.

He nodded and gave me a small smile and sat down next to me.

It was odd, having someone next to you. It was a feeling I couldn't explain. It was like there was a wall between my side of the table and Edward's. It was penetrable, but I was too afraid to go near him, but at the same time, I was intrigued.

"You have blood on your face," mumbled Edward.

His voice was like the most beautiful melody I had ever heard!

"I know," I said in barely a whisper.

Before any of us could say anything else, the bell rang. For once in my life, I wished class would be extended. I wanted to talk more to this Edward Cullen. I knew I wouldn't have the chance to talk to him for another twenty eight biology lessons (there's thirty people-including Edward-in the class). Every girl in the classroom would fight over for Edward's affections, and would dismiss me as a potential threat. I am a girl, but to them, an emo girl.

"I have to go," I said to Edward, flushing slightly.

"Nice seeing you, Isabella," said Edward politely. "Even though we only talked for a minute, it was good to meet you. Do you need help getting the blood from your face? I wouldn't mind holding your bag and books while you clean it off."

Two girls next to me shot me dirty looks. Their eyes were full of fury behind the heavy make up. I stopped myself from laughing. It won't be long before every girl in the school would want to be Edward's girlfriend, and he would be one of the most popular guys in Forks High School. I glanced at my timetable again, and to my horror, it was the worst subject ever.

Gym.

I hurried out the door, but tripped over my own feet. I felt myself drop my books and slowly slip to the ground, but instead of hitting the floor hard and being subjected to a thunder of cruel laughter, two strong, pale hands caught me from falling. I blinked and looked up at my rescuer. He was no other than Edward! I stared at him helplessly.

"Are you alright?" said Edward uncertainly. "Um…why don't you lean against the wall? I'll pick up your books for you."

Girls whispered and glared at me.

What had I got myself into?

I sat alone in the corner of the cafeteria, staring at an empty plate. The thoughts of mushroom ravioli wasn't helpful.

It added fuel to my hungry stomach.

The cafeteria workers had increased the cost of a simple apple from fifty cents to two dollars. With the scanty coins I have, I bought a plastic fork (it was fifty cents) for no reason. Perhaps I could scavenge some left overs when everyone leaves the cafeteria. It wasn't the first time I couldn't afford school lunches, but I was starving. The scent of freshly baked bread that hovered from the kitchen into the cafeteria. My stomach grumbled loudly.

"Edward's sitting with me!"

"NO! He's sitting with ME! I bags him first, go and shove your head down the toilet!"

"You go and shove your head down the toilet, bitch!"

"Hey guys!"

Edward!

"Jessica, Lauren," said Edward smoothly. "Thank you so much for the ah, considerate offer of allowing me to sit at your table, but I have promised someone else I'll sit with them. Perhaps another day? My lunch is getting cold."

He slipped like an eel away from them (Jessica and Lauren cried out in despair) and in a flash, appeared in front of me.

"Help me," he whispered.

Jessica and Lauren stared at me, their mouths wide open.

Their looks told me that by night, my remains would be food for the crows.

"You didn't want to sit with the popular girls?" I said casually, forcing myself to stay in my seat, instead of jumping and grabbing Edward's lunch of mushroom ravioli. "You know that if you do, you'll be the most popular guy in school?"

"Popularity is not what I'm after," replied Edward, giving me a crooked smile. "I'm looking for a place to study quietly for good results and a shot at a good college. Alaska couldn't offer reliable teachers or subjects of my liking, so I moved here. If I was after popularity, I would be joining the jocks and already have a blonde girl clinging to my arm. What about you, Isabella? Why aren't you sitting with the other girls, gossiping about make up and the hottest guys around? Why are you sitting here, all by yourself with an empty plate and fork? Doesn't the food appeal to you?"

Before I could speak, my stomach growled louder than before.

I smiled sheepishly at Edward.

"Here," said Edward, pushing his plate of ravioli towards me. "It's yours."

"I can't!" I exclaimed. "It's your lunch!"

"You look as if you could eat a horse, and your stomach just confirmed my suspicions that you starve yourself for no reason. Take it. I insist. My mother likes to read medieval stories to me and my siblings, and taught my brothers and I to be proper gentlemen of the twenty first century. I'm not like those guys who like anorexic, thin girls. Just eat it."

"I don't know how to pay you back. I mean, I don't work, oops, I mean I want to, but I can never find any

job that is agreeable to me. My guardian doesn't give me regular pocket money either."

"Forget it. Think of it as a gift."

I stared at the porcelain plate in front of me. Ignoring the mushroom ravioli (which was deliciously arranged), the outline of the plate was gilded with gold, and on the plate itself, were small flowers, delicately painted by water colours. Edward had stuck a stainless steel fork (its handle was white and decorated with water coloured flowers) into the ravioli. The plate and fork matched well, and Edward was clearly from a well-off family.

Girls from another table glowered at me.

I slowly took the plate and pushed the plastic fork into the ravioli.

Everyone in the cafeteria had their eyes on me.

Even the cafeteria workers had stopped serving meals and looked at us. Is the ravioli poisoned? Why is everyone staring at me?! Feeling eyes on me from everywhere, I forked up a small portion of ravioli and placed it in my mouth.

The taste and flavour were indescribable. First was the delicious pasta-ish taste, and then the small pastas exploded in my mouth, releasing a mixture of melted cheese, mushroom and meat. Aunt Sarah's mushroom ravioli was delectable, but compared to Edward's ravioli, it was a peasant dish! This ravioli in front of me was rich! It was the food of the gods! It was the ambrosia they consumed every morning. It was the tastiest, most delicious ravioli I ever ate! If I was ever served ravioli from any other person in my life, it won't be as good as Edward's ravioli. Even though I only ate a tiny morsel, it was enough for me to decide it was cooked by the world's best pasta chef.

"Well?" said Edward, watching me with a smile on his face.

"Delicious," I managed to say.

Suddenly, two girls sat next to us, and shoved their bags onto my lap.

Jessica Stanley and Lauren.

"Mmm," said Lauren, scooping up some ravioli and putting it straight into her heavily lip stick smeared mouth. "This is delicious! Why Edward! I never knew you were such a great cook! This pasta is the best pasta I had ever ate!"

"It's ravioli," Edward corrected her. "Is it my understanding that you just ruined my mother's fork by smearing it with your dirty fingers and tainting it with lipstick?"

His eyes had gone unusually cold.

The luscious Emerald eyes had changed to a stern shade of forest green.

Neither Jessica nor Lauren noticed his eye colour change.

"Oh, Edward," cooed Jessica, stroking his arm. "Come and sit with us! You seem like the type of jock-material. I'm sure we can pull some strings and you can be a jock! You can be excused from class twice a week. Think of that! The three of us can spend so much time together! Don't worry about schoolwork! We can collect the sheets for you!"

"Why don't I sit with you tomorrow?" said Edward, controlling his anger. "Think of that! I can spend six hours with the two of you! Can you please give me some privacy at the moment? I'll consider joining the football team after I settle in."

Jessica and Lauren goggled at him some more and left.

"Bitches," Edward muttered under his breath.

I stared at him, surprised.

"I'm sorry," apologised Edward, urging me to eat more of his mushroom ravioli. "I didn't mean to say that, but those two harpies wouldn't leave me alone! They followed me everywhere and even waited outside the bathroom! I had no idea that girls can be so clingy! No offense, Isabella. Another reason I left Alaska, was because of that. I'm sorry for complaining to you. It's just that you're the first girl that didn't follow me around like a screaming harpy!"

"I understand," I said shyly.

I never had a conversation this long with a guy before!

In fact, I never had a polite, proper conversation with any guy in my life!

"I should've taken my dad's advice," Edward spoke, chewing an apple. "I just came here yesterday, and should've stayed at home. Long story cut short, I hadn't seen any of my close family members in ages. I've been living with my aunt and uncle in Alaska for years. Some of my siblings have left for Alaska to visit them, and the rest will start tomorrow. I know it sounds like I have a lot of siblings, but in truth, I only have four. Two sisters and two brothers. Do you have any siblings?"

I shook my head, fascinated.

Edward was so lucky to have siblings!

"I guess we should go to class," said Edward, standing up. "Maybe I can see you tomorrow? I'd like to talk to you some more."

He wanted to talk to me some more?! No one had ever said that to me before! Maybe school isn't that bad after all. At first, I only considered school a refuge away from Jacob and Uncle Billy. Perhaps now I'll actually have a friend who I can trust.

I nodded enthusiastically.

Edward leant closer to me.

"There's something else," Edward whispered. "You still have dried blood on your face."

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