I haven't missed this. The same shocking weather as always, my blankets wrapped tightly around me, my parka's done up to the full and I've even got a little bobbly hat on my head. I decided against it but strangely enough, I can't get out of wearing one when Lauren asks (Demands) me to. I'm huddled up in the back of Mike's truck with Angela, she looks just about as comfy as I do, and she brought a book. I wish I did.

I have a perfectly worn book at home, I've read it many many times, from front to back. It's beautiful. I've always loved reading, a hobby of mine since childhood. Rene had always encouraged it which was nice. I'd sit at the park for hours after school, usually with friends but solitude was nice, perched on a bench head buried in a book.

I lean against the window and watch Lauren and Jessica run about in the water. They must be freezing, I can hear them screaming as they splash one another with the icy water. The boys are with them, further out, perching themselves on surfboards waiting for a decent wave, it doesn't look like they'll be any yet.

It's nearly four o'clock. We haven't been out long but I'm starting to think it might be a good thing, I haven't been here for ages.

Further down the beach, there are really tall cliffs, the boys used to jump off them for thrills during the summer. We got scolded of course because Seth often ratted us out. He worried one of the boys would get hurt and need parents advice. Stupid but it probably would've saved them if anyone ever got hurt. But no one did. They were reckless, yes, but not insane. They wouldn't do something that could kill them.

"Aren't you going to join in the fun?" I shudder at the thought. She puts her book down.

"No." She laughs at my rudeness.

Spying over my shoulder, she hears the yells and screams too.

"Wise choice."

I chuckle. Maybe moving here wasn't that bad. I could get used to the cold. Certainly nice people... I do miss mom and my friends though. I could ask them to visit? During the summer, because they won't be able to cope with the cold now. And Rene wouldn't be able to cope with Charlie. As long as I remember they're always been awkward around each other, how they were ever together and had a child continues to astound me. I wonder how Phil and mom are doing. I haven't called them for a couple of days.

Probably enjoying their shitty motel and batting.

She's changed a lot for him, er style, her attitude, she's happier with him.

The rumbling of a nearby engine and hooting makes me frown until I see them pull up.

It's none other than Sam Uley and the boys. He grins, approaching me as they load the gear out of the truck. Bags upon bags with surf boars and blue containers and beer cases.

"Long time no see." He says, I jump out of my warm cocoon and wrap my arms around him tightly. He's very warm, almost too hot to touch. And he'll forever smell like the woods, a thick dense forest. It's like the reservation and Forks have ingrained themselves into his skin.

"Tell me about it." He chuckles into my hair. I pull back and he's still smiling. A toothy little grin I'm glad he hasn't grown out of.

"I didn't think I'd see you out here though Bella. You've never liked the beach." I shrug, looking back to the water.

"Let's just say I'm glad I'm not forced down there." He chuckles again, am I that amusing? "Where's Jake?"

"He's sick. Curled up in a bed like a baby."

"Will he be okay?"

"Probably, you should go and see him. He's been saying how much he misses you."

I blush a little, which doesn't go unnoticed my Angela. I'll get questions later I bet. The wind picks up a little and I hold onto my hat, pulling it down to cover my already freezing ears.

"I'll try and see him tomorrow. Tell him I hope he feels better soon." He nods and taps my arm as Seth cheerfully says their ready. Paul and Embry grab most of their stuff, hauling it over their shoulders, I'm shocked too see how strong they've gotten, their hairs been cut too. Quil and Jared haven't changed, still little boys, they're sitting on the roof, Jared giving me an odd look, and Quil just waiting to go bounding through the water. I see no swim gear, just surfboards coming out the back of the truck.

... Morons.

They leave in a blur of hoots and 'catch ya later'. It suddenly goes quiet again.

"So you know the wolf pack?" She asks.

"Huh? You mean Sam and stuff?" Nodding she waits for an explanation. "Well, I'm friends with them all. Ever since I was a kid. I used to visit my dad hear every summer and do things with the guys." She smiles, a book resting properly in her lap. "Guy things like fishing, camping, watching them go cliff diving, motorbiking."

"From what I hear that's all they ever do."

"Those boys won't ever change."

I get back under my cocoon of blankets and sit a little closer to Angela, hoping she offers a bit of warmth. She doesn't mind or notice that I'm snuggling in and before I know it I'm dozing off.

"She asleep?"

"Let's splash her."

"Kinda cute."

"Gross Mike. Shut up!"

I roll over and open my eyes, it's gotten darker, I'm surrounded by Jessica, Lauren, Mike and Alex who are all watching me.

I raise an eyebrow.

How awkward.

"Done for the day?"

I'm dulled by the complete download of Lauren and Jessica as they tell me all about their time in the water. I've heard it all before, but they sound excited so I listen. Ang is still buried in her book and by the time I'm at Charlie's I'm close to pulling my hair out at having to fake the laughs and having a 'genuine reply'. I mean I like them it's just the conversation was turning tedious. So I hop out, say my quick goodbyes and that I'll see them at school on Monday. I must admit I'm dreading it already, but when aren't I? Nobody enjoys school.

... A certain Alice Cullen though is making me want to revisit. I can't seem to gather my thoughts when I'm around her, it's like I'm being sucked into whoever she is. There's an enticing aura around her. I make a resolute decision to try and converse better next time I go to maths and have to sit next to her. She probably thinks I'm some kind of idiot with the mumbles from the last lesson.

I shudder.

The thought alone doesn't please me.

Charlie isn't there when I make it through the thresh hold, just in time. It starts to thunder as the door closes.

"Dad?" I call out.

No reply, that's odd.

I call out for him a few more times to be sure.

I've never been fond of the dark, and in this town and in an empty house only increases my anxiety. I quickly hurry up the stairs after grabbing a glass of orange juice and checking the doors and windows are locked. I snuggle up under my duvet with my laptop and my phone.

I have a few texts from mom.

She can't call tonight but promises to the first chance she gets and hopes I'm enjoying school.

At least she takes an interest.

The thundering and downpour get louder and louder as the hour's tick by. The house an eery silent, the only sound the rain and the drip of the tap in the bathroom that never stops leaking. My open door reveals the hallway, Charlie should be home by now, yelling at me to come down for pizza. It's gone eleven already. Where the hell is he? I grab the corner of my thick purple duvet, pulling it to me, my arms covered in goosebumps.

Lightning flashes across my room with a thundering roar.

When my room returns to darkness. l let out a scream, clutching my heart through my chest. There's a man towering in my doorway. Tall, looming threatening. My chest feels like it's going to burst, my voice echoing through the house. I can hear the grit of his teeth and his clenched fist balling at his sides.

They release a feral snarl and I wince at the animalistic sound. Not expecting anything like that to come from a human. He moves slightly, almost shaking from anger.

I hear my window slam shut and my eyes dart towards it automatically.

When I look back to the door, they're gone.

I grab my phone immediately with my trembling hands and pull up Charlie's name, not brave enough to get out of bed I stay stock still until Charlie answers.

"Bells are you okay?"

"S-Someone was here. I saw them, it was a guy. I don't know where he's gone."

"I'll be right home. Don't move. Stay on the line, okay?" He sounds panicked, I can hear him rushing and the rustling as he talks to his colleagues.

"Okay."

It's twenty-three painstakingly long minutes before Charlie bursts through my door and turns on the lights, police officers behind him, searching the other rooms, shouting clear when there isn't any sign of anyone. He cradles me in his arms, "Bells are you okay? Who was it? I'm here now" Too many questions.

I hug him tight and lean onto his shoulder. I have no idea who it was.

"I didn't see his face, he was just tall, he didn't say anything either." I squeak out quietly into his shoulder.

I'm such a wimp. I should be able to handle this... but who knows what he could've done. How did he get in here? He moved so fast. Who was it? So many burdening and heavy questions that I doubt I'll ever get the answer to.

"You're okay now Bells." He holds me close for as long as I need, and I'm slowly drifting off. I feel him move and leave my room, but the thought of being alone isn't appealing and I scramble to my top drawer next to my bed. The crinkled sheet of paper with her number on. I wipe away the tears and add her as a contact. I stare at my phone, seconds or minutes I don't know.

I type a simple, 'Hey it's Bella, you awake?'

I scold myself internally, it's late. I should've thought it through. We have school, I bet she's asleep-

My phone dings.

I.

It's Alice.

'Are you okay? - A'

She's concerned about me?

I snatch my phone off my bed and go to my window, sliding it open a little, wearingly glancing around. When I'm positive no one can see me I light up a cigarette and lean out of it slightly, the stick shaking in my still trembling hands.

The cold air hits me like a rush of water.

It's fucking freezing. I grimace at the awful weather and type back a reply to her.

'I've been better. - B'

It's a little while before she replies and my heart gets sadder as the minute's tick by.

'You'll be okay Bella. Trust me. - A'

I frown and change the subject. Talking about my misadventures is getting boring.

'Do you need your notes back? - B'

'Would you be surprised if I said I'm naturally smart? - A'

'Or cocky. - B'

We talk late into the night, and I wake up the next morning to my stupid alarm blaring much closer to my face than usual.

It takes a lot of restraint to not throw it across the room to switch it off.

In record time I'm dressed and ready for school. My phone nestled in my bra, school work in one arm and car keys in the other as I leave the house. I nearly trip down the stairs but steady myself at the last second, grabbing hold of the wall. I wince when I notice my keys cut my hand. I roll my eyes and wipe the blood off on my jeans and get in my car, putting everything on the passenger seat and taking off for school.

The weather is slightly better, no rain, and a glint of the sun shining through the clouds.

It's pleasant, but still not warm enough for me to take my jacket off.

I find an empty parking space and with my stuff under my arm I go to the first class, bumping into Jess and Angela on the way. I smile slightly at their greeting and Jess links my arm. I don't shrug it off, instead, let her drag me to tutor.

"You up for La push again after school?" Jess nags as we go to the back of the class.

I shrug. The weather is nicer, but the thought of going back there doesn't please me, I'll probably be forced to swim, or worse, cliff dive.

"Not this time, Jess."

"Leave her be," Angela says with a chuckle. She nudges my side with her arm and smiles at me. "I'm sure she doesn't want to go back there just yet. Must still be exhausted from last time." I smile in return.

Our conversation is interrupted when our tutor walks in. He talks for about ten minutes then we're off to our first lesson. I have a bubble of excitement in me when I realise I'll be sitting next to Alice again. It's odd to say that I've missed her, and since our texts, she hasn't said anything to me.

The sun starts to irritate my eyes as the class is nearly over, why did I choose to sit by the window? I frown and think about how much more enjoyable this class would be if she was next to me.

Back again? The day after? With another chapter?

I hope you like it!