This is my version of if Bella Came to Forks before Edward. Edward will come into it eventually but I want to start with Bella and Jake, because I think without Edward they would naturally be drawn to each other. Because Bella did say in a world without monsters she would be with Jacob. I am Switzerland so I make no apologies for showing some Jake love. Poor guy he kind of gets shat on from a great height on the books. But let's be honest between him and Edward there really is no comparison! Lol hope you like. Oh and for those who have read the encroaching darkness I am working on the next chapter (Edward POV) but if you have any ideas please leave a review on it. Please review this one as well though.

I arrive in Charlie's police cruiser. At least he hasn't put on the sirens; he threatened it though. I guess he was joking. Thank god for small mercies. He smiles at me as we park outside his house; our home now. The smile is so genuine and warm that I can't help but reflect it back at him. He's happy that I'm here. He wants to live with me.

Huh. I didn't even consider Charlie at all when I decided to move here. It wipes the smile off my face as I feel the familiar crease appear in my forehead, but thankfully Charlie has already got out of the cruiser.

This move wasn't about me reconnecting with my father. Or spending the last two years of school with him before going out on my own, hopefully to college if I ever got round to saving enough money. It was all about Renee. It always is. My life has always revolved around my mother. She was very young when she had me, but I don't think that changes much. Renee is everything to me. She's my best friend, but I'm the first to admit she's not a natural mother; flighty and child-like; that our Renee. So everyone that knew her wasn't surprised when she married the minor league soccer player Phil, -twelve years her junior-, after a whirlwind romance. And that's why I'm here. I am exiling myself into the wilderness so that my mother can have a second chance at marriage, at happiness without her teenage daughter hanging around.

Charlie is already carrying my luggage out of the car, before I can get to the trunk.

"You don't have to Charlie. I can handle it."

He winces at my use of his first name. I will have to get used to calling him dad again. At least to his face anyway.

"It's alright Bells. There's not much here anyway. You packed light." Again he shines me another hundred watt smile. And I feel a little better about the move.

How can this be bad when it's making both my parents so happy?

"To be honest most of my clothes are still in phoenix. They are way too permeable to wear in forks."

He chuckles. "Yeah the rain might take a while to get used to. Doesn't it rain there only once or twice a year?"

"I think I wore my raincoat all of three times last year." I reply with a sad grin. I'm going to miss the sun, and the dry heat associated with phoenix.

Charlie sees my expression as he opens the front door.

"Don't worry. You'll get used to it. And just think it's an excuse to go shopping for more clothes."

Oh just great.

Poor Charlie; he's trying to lighten my mood. And it would work on any other girl; any normal teenage girl who enjoyed shopping, even more so with their dad's credit card burning a hole in their back pocket. But that's not me. Bella Swan. I am a freak. I never act nor do the things people expect of me. According to my mother I was born 35 and just got older with every year. The idea of someone looking after me instead of the other way round will be hard to get used to.

It only takes Charlie two trips upstairs to deposit my stuff in the room I have had since birth. The only thing that's changed in it since my last visit is the arrival of an archaic computer that takes up all the room on my desk. I think it probably deserves to be in a museum; but I can't see Charlie ever needing to bother with such a thing before my arrival so I'm grateful.

Thankfully I am left alone to unpack. I don't know if my gloomy mood can take anymore forced small talk. I am being unfair. It's not Charlie's fault. We are basically strangers, all conversations revolving around safe topics like the weather, because in truth we hardly know anything about each other.

All I can say with any certainty is that Charlie is thirty six; but looks closer to forty five. He's the chief of police in forks, a fortunately peaceful rural town that has very little call for his position. All calls that we both had to endure while I was in phoenix revolved around the police station; the only family he has since Renee left with me all those years ago. That's as much as I know about my father; except for the fact that he loves to fish. This knowledge comes from the few horrendous outings I had to endure while I vacationed here when I was little. The memories of all my accidents around the pond, and on his damned boat will remain with me forever. I inwardly shiver hoping that I will not have to come along anymore. I place my clothes in the wardrobe; slightly disheartened by how much space I have in there. Charlie's right I do need more clothes.

I'm in the kitchen raiding the cupboards for something viable to make us for lunch, when I hear a very loud and distinct rumble of an engine as a truck parks up on the driveway.

"Bells come outside will ya. Some people here I want to reintroduce to you."

If I could I would hide in one of the cupboards, but resigned; I walk out to meet the visitors. Of course the news of the chief of polices daughter coming back to forks after all these years would be big news in a town as small as this.

I feel three pairs of expectant eyes on me as I walk outside of the front door; pulling my jumper closer around me. The two visitors are both Native American with curtains of silken hair; one in darkest black the other, in a lightening grey. The elder of the two is in a wheel chair; but resolutely refuses any assistance on moving up the rough driveway to the house. I can tell by the pearly white smiles, that I'm expected to recognize them.

"Bells you remember Billy and Jacob? We used to go fishing with them when you used to vacation here. Remember the weekends at La push the reservation?"

I nod quickly, forcing a smile as the disastrous memories resurface for the second time this afternoon; their faces become more familiar.

Billy wasn't in a wheelchair then. I can remember with clarity the horrible smell of fish and a young Jake,-who at the time was shorter than me- chasing me along the embankment with a fish he had caught.

Jacob Black isn't short anymore. I can't believe that he's two years younger than me. He won't be older than 15. I can see soft muscle definition underneath his t-shirt. But his face is the same; his smile defining it. A hundred perfect teeth shining out.

"So what do you think of her?"

It takes a minute to realize what Jacob is talking about; my mind still firmly trying to remember every detail about him. He's patting the red truck expectantly.

"What?" I look from him to Charlie, unclear about what's going on.

"It's a kind of welcome home present. . ." He mumbles, scratching the back of his neck. "I know that a girl of your age can't be too thrilled about idea of going to school in the cruiser. And well I want this to work; you living here and all. So I kind of bought it for you." Charlie's face changes into a look of nervousness, knowing that he's trying to gauge my reaction.

"Wow. Thanks. Thanks a lot Dad."

And I mean it. I can feel tears beginning to pool in my eyes, but I blink repeatedly; knowing with some degree of certainty that men -Charlie in particular- hate it when they see someone cry.

"That's so kind."

Jake puffs out his chest, as if I'm directing my thanks to him personally.

He is quick to go into a lengthy speech about the Chevy's history.

It's old; really old. Billy got back in the eighties and it wasn't new; even then. But it's a constant; never any problems.

"So don't you want it Jake; when you get your permit and all."

Jake chuckles at my question.

"No it's fine I think I want something that goes over sixty thanks."

It's stupid. I haven't even driven it. It's only been mine for about ten minutes but I can't help but defend my truck

"Speed isn't everything you know."

Charlie is quick to agree with me.

"Your right Bells; sixty is more than fine for driving round here. And I don't know how I feel about you driving anywhere too far afield."

I inwardly groan; I am not used to being given rules. But I know Charlie's a fair man, and the thought of him worrying about me, gives me a warm feeling.

"Don't worry Charlie; if Bella needs to go anywhere as far as Seattle, I'll be more than happy to take her. My VW rabbit is nearly finished." Jake beams.

I look up at the towering man-child overwhelmed by his generosity. Any acquaintance that we had as children should not be enough to make him feel he needs to shackle himself to me now. But I do not see any obligation in his eyes.

Maybe forks isn't so bad after all; if everyone's as friendly as Jacob Black.

The road-trips are blown out of the water by Charlie though.

"Um Jake; I'll think you'll have to wait till your sixteenth birthday before you take out that car of yours; especially with the police chief's daughter in tow." His voice is hard, but there's a twinkle there.

"Driving Billy down from the rez for the odd game night is entirely different though." He continues winking in Jake's direction.

I readily accept Jacob's offer to show me around Forks; I'll need to find my way to school tomorrow, and I'm not too familiar with a stick shift. We leave Charlie and Billy watching the game, with a promise to come back for dinner. Seeing the state of the kitchen I'm glad Charlie promises to order in.

The Truck is surprisingly easy to drive; when I get used to the fact that I have to floor the accelerator to illicit any response. I can feel Jake laughing at the look of concentration on my face as we drive through the winding roads.

"Whoa there Bella, you look like you're going to burst a blood vessel." I feel my cheeks flush with colour.

"I need to concentrate. I can be quite. . . Clumsy when I don't pay attention." More laughs come from the right seat.

"Yeah I can remember when we were kids. I'd lost count the amount of time you fell over on the boat. It's just lucky you didn't fall in. . . ."

Even though I'm completely embarrassed by my clumsiness, I can't help but feel at ease. There is no maliciousness in Jake's voice. I ask him to direct me pass the school; which I find out like most things is just off the highway.

"So," I start as we drive past the red-brick buildings, on our way to the thrift way to stock up on essentials for the kitchen. "Seeing as you've yet to get your license would you like to have a lift to school tomorrow? I could use someone to show me around on my first day."

"Oh Sorry Bells, I go to school on the reservation. . ." I feel my heart slowly sink it would be nice to recognise friendly face. "But you should definitely come down to La push this weekend. Sam and Quill and a few others are organising a bonfire. You'd be more than welcome." I feel myself agreeing; knowing that the invitation is genuine. At least I have something to look forward to.

The thrift way is nowhere as big as the one in Phoenix, but I manage to find everything I need, going through a half dozen recipes I can cook in my head. I extend an offer for dinner another night to Jacob and Billy when I see him eyeing a butternut squash I place in the trolley with suspicion, before asking what it is.

The Blacks stay at the house all evening. With their help Charlie and I manage to eat our way steadily through three pizzas and four large slices of garlic bread. The game keeps both men involved until ten o'clock, when Billy looks at his watch with a dazed expression.

"Jeez is it that time already. Come on Jake you better get me home, you've got school tomorrow and I've got an early council meeting."

"Don't know why you hold council meetings anyway. Nothing ever happens at La Push." I hear Jake's words under his breath, but I'm sure that they're not meant for Billy. So His son's cheeks flush when Billy answers him,

"There's plenty that we have to oversee Jacob. But it's man's business, it wouldn't interest boys like you."

Suitably chastised; Jake slowly moves from his position on the floor next to me; grabbing my shoulder for support as he rises. I'm surprised by the warmth of his fingers; I myself am freezing.

As soon as they are gone, I take out the empty pizza boxes and say goodnight to Charlie; knowing full well that it will take me several hours to get to sleep with the sound of the rain hitting the corrugated iron of the roof. My body stays resolutely awake as I slip beneath the unfamiliar covers in my favourite holey sweats and oversized t-shirt. The unfamiliar sounds and weird feeling of being in a different bed is only adding to my apprehension about school in the morning. I have a funny feeling a lot of people know about the appearance of the chief of police's daughter. If the pictures in the living room are anything to go by, Charlie is proud of having me back here. I can feel my affection for my father battling with my embarrassment.

I am surprised to be woken by the alarm in the morning. I am used to waking before it, along with the arrival of the first rays of light through my window. Then I realise, there is no sun in forks; Just another thing to get used to. I chance a glance out of the dormer window, seeing the rain still ever present; I wonder if it's the same rain as I fell asleep to. It takes me longer than usual to get ready, discounting half my outfits before deciding upon the things I tried on first. I am not one to be bothered by fashion, but I am acutely aware that most eyes will be on me on my first day, and I have no need to be a social martyr.

Charlie is already gone by the time I reach the kitchen, my new all weather boots and waterproof jacket already on. I find a note on the fridge telling me he had to go to work, but wishing me good luck on my first day. I find a similar one underneath the windscreen wipers.

Hi Bells.

Taking my rabbit on a sneaky test drive before the old man has woken this morning and I'd thought I'd write you a good luck note for school. Don't worry you'll be fine. And if you're not, tell me who it is and I'll beat them up for you. It was great seeing you last night, Anyway if you need to blow off some steam drop by the rez after school, and we can hang out on the beach or something, If you want.

Jake x

The smile that I held while with Jake yesterday creeps back into my face, as I tuck the damp note into my pocket, the balloon of anxiety deflating slightly.

School is just as expected. All eyes are on me as I park my truck in one of the few spaces left. I can't tell if it's the huge rattle of the engine or the fact that I'm a new student that holds everyone's interest. I nearly make it to the reception before one of the braver people from the cluster approaches me. An overly formal hand is propelled in my direction as a guy called Mike introduces himself.

"You must be Isabella." He states, looking me up and down, I can't tell if he's being intentionally obvious.

"Bella" I correct. "Nice to meet you, but I've got to get to the office and collect my schedule." I disentangle my hand from his sweaty grip when I feel him matching my stride.

"I can show you if you like." His voice is hopeful and his eyes seem to be pleading with me. What a strange boy. I can't seem to work out his motives. Why would he be so welcoming to me? I know that my hopes of blending into the background are not going to happen.

"It's fine. I can see it there." I point to it. "The red building with the words reception above, it's hard to miss." The mike boy still insists on following though, walking me inside. The room is divided into two, with a desk running the width cordoning off the office behind it. An elderly woman in spectacles and a pea green sweater ensemble sits behind the desk, sorting through an in tray of papers. I feel my face sporting a nervous smile as I introduce myself. It is unnecessary as soon I utter the words new student, comprehension dawns upon her aging face.

"Ah. Isabella Swan.-

"That's Bella. Ms Cope" Mike interrupts proudly, looking at me like a dog expecting a treat.

"Right" Ms Cope continues. "Well here's your schedule. And a map in case you get lost. But it seems you've found a tour guide already" Ms Cope's beady eyes flutter on Mike and I can't tell if she approves of him or not. Her attention wonders back to me. "And I'll just need you to do is get your teachers to sign this letter, after every class. And if it's not too much trouble could you pop it in here at the end of the day. So we can get onto your paperwork, sorting out a permanent record and the like." She does not wait for me to respond.

"Right well looking at the time the bell will got off any minute you two better skedaddle." I breathe an inward sigh; One less thing to endure today. Mike grabs the schedule out of my hand as we walk into the howling winds.

"You've got English Biology and Gym with me. How lucky is that?" I cringe. I have been with mike for barely ten minutes and I already feel worn out by his enthusiasm.

The aforementioned Bell sounds; thankfully brining Mike's stunted attempts at conversation to a close. I pull the bag a little higher on my back, and quickly leave him standing there, with assurances that I know my way before praying to god that I don't fall over as I make my way through the sudden surge of crowds.

Each Class follows a similar formula; with a few variances. Calculus is the first class of the day. Mr Peter's is the only teacher to make stand up and introduce myself. The stunted grace I have been manage to portray all morning disappears as I make my way to the front, tripping over a stray beg strap. Thankfully one of the boys in the class manages to catch me from his sitting position, eliciting claps and gasps from the class. My cheeks instantly flash scarlet.

"Thanks..." I mumble letting my face hide behind my hair.

"The pleasure's all mine. You've just made my day." I look slightly unbelievingly at him, as I right myself. Was Forks that dull, that me falling over and making an ass of myself the highlight of his day? After that display all introductions would be a disappointment. Even if I didn't hate Calculus before; I definitely do now. I met a couple of nice people though Tyler exempt. The other girl on my table Angela gives me a reassuring smile as I sat down after the fall.

"Don't worry. It wasn't that bad." My flushing cheeks beg to differ. "It's all Tyler's fault, leaving his bag out like that." I smile appreciatory at her; this is quite likely the only conversation that I will have today that will not revolve around, me and my life before Forks.

Graciously Angela is in my English class, and manages to help deflect Mike's attention by making it so she and her friend Jessica sit on either side of me. The teacher of this class thankfully foregoes any introductions, simply accepting my slip before I sit down. He is quick to get into the lesson plan, going through the texts we will; be looking at this year. All the usual bases are covered, and as I'm used to I have already read everything, including a couple of the books he talks about as "possible background texts for the more adept student" I slump a bit lower in my seat, hoping that he doesn't ask if anyone's read anything. I don't need to be stamped with the geek label so early on in my time at forks high.