Chapter 1: Shock In The Parking Lot

Bella POV

As far as I'm concerned you're just another picture to burn! I woke up to my alarm clock singing Taylor Swift's song, Picture to Burn. I trudged out of bed dreading what would lay ahead for me today: another day of Forks High School, another day of Mike's flirting, another day of Alice's shopping requests, another day of Emmett's stupidity, and yet another day of Edward's hostility.

As I stepped into the shower, I thought over why Edward and I had become what we are- enemies. Why we still weren't what we used to be- best friend; we used to be the best of friends. We would have stuck up for each other when someone had insulted the other. Then one year Edward suddenly grew apart from me. He didn't talk to me, and when I tried, he just sneered. I remember that day clearly.

He glared at me and laughed. Traitor tears were welling in my eyes even as I ran to my car.

"Bella," Alice called while she came running after me. "Bella wait!"
I didn't, I just kept running. I got in my car and drove home, Charlie's cruiser wasn't here yet so I was grateful. I dropped my bag in the kitchen and ran straight to my room, and this time, I didn't stop the tears as they came flooding. I didn't understand why Edward was acting like this. What had I done to him? I loved him.
That night, I had cried myself to sleep and vowed to myself that Edward Cullen would never cause me to cry again, he wasn't worth my tears. A vow I couldn't keep. Tears welled in my eyes, I hastily wiped them away.

He's isn't worth it Bella, He isn't worth it! I repeated to myself in my head.

I keep telling myself that, even when I knew that I was in love with him. Yes, I, Isabella Marie Swan, was in love with Edward Anthony Cullen. Although I knew he didn't feel the same way, I couldn't help but dream about those emerald green eyes at night. I also couldn't help falling for him. Yet, God hadn't punished me enough because I was constantly subjected to his mean behavior. Why, you ask?
Alice Cullen.

Alice was my best friend; she was as well like a sister to me. Along with Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper considered me as their sibling, and I considered them as mine. Alice is with Jasper and Emmett with Rosalie, both were matches made in heaven. Even though I was the only single person of the group- the fifth wheel, I never felt unloved. The group had included me in everything they do: Cullen dinners, Cullen parties...you name it.

Alice, Jasper, Edward, Emmett and Rosalie were all adopted after Esme found out that she was sterile and couldn't have kids. Esme was my second Mum, while Carlisle was my second Dad; they had also considered me their daughter. A while ago I had realized that every Cullen loved me; except for Edward.

I stepped out of the shower and looked out of the window. It was sunny. Finally! I had thought. It was time that summer had came. I put Jack Wills Percival denim shorts on and a black Ralph Lauren sleeveless, cutaway, ruffle front top; I grabbed my Abercrombie cardigan fleece- in case I got cold, and I chose Miu Miu flats, since I was a magnet for the ground. I put on some eyeliner, mascara and blue eye shadow. I curled my hair that Alice had recently dyed it black since she thought I needed change. After I was done, I sauntered out to my Aston Martin convertible.

I live with my Dad, who was loaded, hence the designer clothes, and also the Cullen's. This was the reason why I had been subjected to being sent to my death- bed, also known as shopping, with Alice. As I drove to school, I tried not to think of Edward, to distract myself I listened to Tik Tok by Ke$ha on the radio and loudly sang along.

'Ain't got a care in world, but got plenty of beer
Ain't got no money in my pocket, but I'm already here
Now, the dudes are lining up cause they hear we got swagger
But we kick em to the curb unless they look like Mick Jagger
I'm talking about - everybody getting crunk, crunk
Boys tryan' touch my junk, junk
Gonna smack him if he getting too drunk, drunk
Now, now - we goin' till they kick us out, out
Or the police shut us down, down
Police shut us down, down
Po-po shut us -
Don't stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, Imma fight
Till we see the sunlight
Tick tock, on the clock
But the party don't stop, no
Whoa-oh, oh, oh
Whoa-oh, oh, oh'

I pulled up to Forks, the music still blared from my speakers, as I parked in between Rose's red Mercedes and Alice's Yellow Porsche. I hopped out and locked my Aston Martin.

"BELLA!" I heard a pixie scream. I turned to see a blur coming towards me.

"Hey Alice," I said as I hugged her. "Hey Rose,"

"Wow! Bella, you look amazing," Alice complimented me.

"Yeah, Bella, you look totally stunning!" Rose exclaimed.

"Thanks," I mumbled while looking down.

"Bella, you're beautiful, when are you going to see that?" Alice said, lifting my head up.

They both constantly tried to convince me that I was beautiful. Yeah Right! I scoffed. We walked to the Entrance, where I spotted Jasper and Emmett; I ran up to them and gave them huge hugs.

"Woo Bells, you look HOT!" Emmett all but shouted. I blushed, and Rose smacked the back of his head.

"Rosie, you know I just wanted to see her blush," Emmett said whilst laughed.

I looked up and saw them all staring at something. I followed their gaze and caught sight of a scene that felt like someone had ripped my heart from my chest, threw it on the floor and had began to stomped on it; all while laughing.

Edward was making out with his girlfriend. Well Blondie was lucky enough if he kept her for more than a couple of days- Edward was a player. Emmett and Jasper clenched their fists, and Alice put her arms around me. They all knew how I felt about him and loathed him for it. I leaned my head on Alice's shoulder as she led me inside to English.

The morning passed uneventful, and then soon lunch had rolled around. I bought the usual poor excuse for food that the cafeteria served and headed over to the Cullen table. I caught Edward's gaze and he glared at me. Instead of flinching like I usually I did, I glared back, which caused him to look hastily away. I smiled to myself; a smile that didn't reach my eyes. Alice saw our little exchange and had given me a sympathetic look; I just shrugged. I ate in silence as everyone else around me chatted animatedly. Once or twice I caught Edward looking at me. Whenever I would catch him, he would quickly look away.

In Biology, Edward didn't subject to the torture he normally does; instead he sat silent while we worked. I couldn't help wonder why he was acting this way.

The day continued on, and after miraculously surviving Gym, I walked back to my car to wait for Alice and Rose.

"Hi Bella," a voice sneered from behind me. I turned to face Lauren and her cronies.

"What do you want?" I asked, exasperated.

"So you think you actually look nice in those stupid clothes?"

Oh no, not this again. I was going to be forced to listen to Lauren insult me until Rose and Alice came and defended me.

"Lau-" I opened my mouth to retaliate.

"Leave her alone Lauren. She's much better off that you. At least she has a brain," a velvety voice said from behind me.

I spun around to face Edward glaring at, not me, but Lauren.

I was lost for words, and Lauren huffed and stomped off. I looked at Edward, his eyes were soft. Instead of doing the polite thing: saying Thank You and walking away, I stood there gaping at him.

"Bella, what's wrong?" he said worried.

He wasn't making fun of me, he wasn't insulting me, he was being nice. I was trying not to hyperventilate watching him in his Greek God glory; he took my breath away.

"Why are you being nice to me?" I blurted out.

"Because I'm sorry" he said sincerely and walked away leaving me standing in the parking lot, shocked and confused.