"If you don't know the difference between infatuation and love, you will destroy others lives and your own."

-Unknown

***

Let's talk about love.

Love is defined as an intense feeling of deep affection. That is what most people say to their significant other. I love you. But for me, it is a completely different story,

Let's talk about infatuation.

An intense, but short lived affection for someone or something. There is that word again. Intense. It means an extreme force, degree, or strength. But when you think about something that is intense... you don't think of love.

At least I didn't.

And I still don't. My only experiences with love have been infatuation. Short lived. But when that stage dissolves, it all just disappears. In a snap. In an instant. So you understand why I don't believe in the term forever.

Forever is a word to strong to be fully comprehended. Everyone has a different forever. Eighty years can be forever for some people, while twenty can be forever for others. When someones forever ends, another's begins.

My forever began when I moved to Forks, Washington.

The dreary wind blew my hair back as I exited the airport with my twin sister, Isabella, and my father, Charlie Swan. We moved away from Arizona for many reasons. The main one being that I absolutely despise it. Everything about it. The sun burns my skin, and my mom either constantly pesters me about things I do and don't do, or ignore me completely. Her main purpose in life is to look after Bella and care for her obnoxiously young lover, Phil.

I have always loved my dad. We go outside in the cool rain and throw the baseball back and forth. It would send the water flying up and drenching our legs... but neither of us ever care. Days like that were what got me into sports. I love running, but not in Arizona, it is much to hot there.

Another reason I am glad to be back in Forks.

"Your hairs longer." The voice of Charlie Swan interrupted my thoughts. " haven't cut it since last time I saw you." Bella muttered, before fixing her gaze back out of the window. I rolled my eyes. She could at least try to act happy to see him. She is barely acknowledging his existence.

"What about you Court? How are things going?"

I shrugged, twisting a piece of my dark hair around my finger, biting my lip thoughtfully. "Pretty good. I'm glad to be back here... what is the school like?"

Dad laughed, ruffling my hair. "Small."

I narrowed my eyes, "How small?"

"Small enough." He smirked, and I rolled my eyes again, a playfully smirk on my face. "Do you reckon I'll know everyone there?" I asked, glancing sideways at dad. "Well, you might... but I can't guarantee that you will like everyone."

"That's reassuring."

We pulled up to the small, grey house surrounded by the thick lawn. I hurried to grab my small bag from the backseat of the police cruiser. I brought as little as I could. Just a few outfits to hold onto until I get the chance to go shopping, hygienic stuff, and personal items, such as the stuffed bear my dad got me when I was born. I call him Theo... because Theodore sounded like an acceptable name for a bear when I was three, and had the basic human knowledge to name him.

When I stepped into my room, a wave of recognition rolled over me like a wave. My room looked exactly the same as it had last time I visited. The walls were still painted light blue, my white comforter was placed gently on my bed, with the various blue throw pillows scattered around the head. The small, white dresser sat beneath the window, the small rocking chair situated beside it. I grinned subconsciously, throwing open the dresser drawers and hanging up my clothes, before re-organizing some pictures and placing Theodore on my bed.

"Welcome home, Courtney." I mumbled under my breath, collapsing on my bed and hugging a pillow to my chest. "Welcome to Forks."

"Courtney! Billy and Jacob Black are here!" Bella called from downstairs. I rolled my eyes at my sister. She insists on calling me by my full name. She never calls me by any sort of nickname, so I call her Isabella just to be annoying.

"Okay!" I responded. Normally, I would go down to visit the two men, but right now I am too tired and jet-lagged. I don't want their first impression of me to me greasy haired, bags under eyes Courtney. "Tell them I said hi!" I yelled to Bella as I grabbed my toiletry bag and made my way to the small bathroom. I turned the water as hot as it goes, and let my muscles relax as I washed my hair. School starts tomorrow... I don't want to make a bad first impression.

My shampoo is lavender, and I burn lavender candles in my room. But the scent never seems to stick to me. I am not like some girls who always smell like flowers. I just smell like... me.

As soon as I got out of the shower, I sat down in the rocking chair in my room and allowed myself to lightly doze off.

***

"Courtney! Get up!"

What a wonderful to start the day... your sister screaming at you.

"I'm coming!" I croaked, my voice hoarse and scratchy. The first fifteen minutes I am awake, I am basically a zombie.

I dragged myself out of bed and grabbed the best of all of the outfits I packed. Just a pair of black jeans, a red crop-top, and a grey hoodie that said: I would rather be sleeping.

Hey, I gotta make a statement on my first day.

I rushed downstairs, not bothering to eat breakfast or greet Bella, and peered out the front window. Charlies police cruiser was gone, but in its place was an old, beautiful, red Chevy.

"Bells?" I began, not looking back inside, "Why is there a truck in our driveway?"

Bella appeared beside me. "Oh... yeah Charlie got that for us... Jacob Black fixed it up."

Us?

"We have a truck?" I asked, struggling to keep the excitement out of my voice as Bella regarded me with a seemingly amused expression. "Yeah... you can drive to school today."

I felt her place something cool and pointy in my palm. The keys. I grinned, my euphoria drowning out my first day nerves.

"Are you gonna eat?"

I shook my head, "No." I answered simply. If I ate, I would probably throw it all back up. My stomach is uneasy as it is.

Instead, I grabbed a protein bar, shoved it in my bag, and ran out to the truck, hopping in. It was old, and basically a bucket of rust.But I love it nevertheless. The seats were worn down, but they felt comfortable. And I could tell that Jake sprayed some sort of Febreze in here... it smells like my grandma's house.

I put the key in the ignition and started her up, the truck roared, making me jump at the sound. It will tune out anyone trying to talk to me... yes! Score!

I honked the horn, and a few seconds later, Bella entered the vehicle, grumbling under her breath.

I pulled out of the driveway, surprised at how smoothly the old truck runs... but as I drive I soon discovered that it didn't reach speeds above 60 miles an hour.

Well, you gotta roll with what you've got.

As soon as we pulled into the small high school, Bella was out of the car. I gasped slightly as I saw students milling around, greeting their friends.

"It's just high school." I whispered, before following my twin.

Right after I got checked in and got my schedule, Bella was gone again. Probably didn't want people to know that we are related.

She will have a bunch of friends by lunch. My sister may have the charisma of a littered sidewalk, but boys have a strange infatuation with her.

"Hi!"

I gasped, dropping my schedule in surprise. A small girl stood in front of me, her pale hand outstretched. I reluctantly took my schedule, And the girl smiled.

She was extremely short, like, so short she only reached my shoulders, and her wispy brown hair fluttered around her neck. Her eyes were a strange topaz, yellow shade, and her skin was so pale she looked like a porcelain doll.

"My name is Alice Cullen." She extended her hand, which I shook, shocked at how cold it was.

"I'm Courtney Swan."

She grinned, showing off her pearly white teeth. "I know, I saw your sister ditch you... that sucks... but if you want a friend, you've got it!"

I couldn't help but laugh at her straight-forward peppiness. But hey? A new friend on my first day? I'm not about to pass that up.

"That sounds great Alice." I smiled, and she didn't even hesitate, linking her arm through mine.

"I caught a glimpse at your schedule! We have the first three classes together. History, and Art, then you have English... I'm not in that class but my brother is. He is a senior, but English is a split class so-"

Alice kept blabbing on, and I couldn't stop the smile on my face. She must have memorized my schedule. But that didn't seem possible... she only had it for like, three seconds.

Must be photographic memory.

"I actually have four siblings. Jasper and Rosalie are twins... adopted, well, sorta. I say sorta cause Rosalie is dating Emmet, my big brother, and then my other brother is Edward. He's in our grade. Really emo if you ask me."

I laughed. "My sister could relate to that. She's really..." I searched for the right word. "Moody."

"Got That Courtney Swan! Our Art teacher is Mrs. Martinez, and she is bound to make you introduce yourself in front of the class. Oh! This is Rosalie!"

I lifted my head more as Alice pulled me to a stop next to a girl... I don't even know if that description fits her. She looks more like a goddess To me.

She analyzed me through the same yellow eyes that Alice has, and had long, wavy blonde hair that fell to her mid-back. She was also ghostly pale, but in a good way. She looked like the kind of girl who could make models cry.

"Rose! This is Courtney Swan!" Alice exclaimed, putting emphasis on my name. Rosalie's lips curled up in a delicate smirk. "Oh, hi Courtney."

"Hi Rosalie." I smiled, And the amused look on Rosalie's face confused me. Maybe she thought that I smelled like a dog compared to her.

She didn't offer me her hand to shake, she just stared at me, and I stared back. Maybe it was a pride thing because both of us refused to break eye contact. Her eyes stared into my deep brown was.

Finally, she looked up, extending her hand. "It's lovely to meet you."

I shook her ice-cold hand, shocked by how her friendly demeanor appeared so quickly. She seemed to think that I was worthy of her kindness, and I appreciated that.

"You too." I grinned, satisfied at my small victory, and Alice grabbed my arm again, right as the bell rang. "See you Rose!"

***

The first two classes flew by. I was grateful to have Alice. She sat next to me, and talked to me during the class. For some reason though, she never got called out by a teacher.

Alice was right about Mrs. Martinez. She made me stand up in front of the class and introduce myself.

"My name is Courtney Swan." I stuttered. "And...er... I'm from Arizona, I have a twin sister and I like to write."

After that I hurriedly rushes to my seat next to Alice, and she grinned at me. "Your so awkward." She teased, and I stuck my tongue out in reply.

Now, Alice was taking me to meet her brother who I had English with.

"Jasper is a little shy." She warned, keeping her tone light and cheerful.

"That's relatable."

Alice laughed. "I'm glad you feel that way, Jazz!"

What? I wasn't expecting him to be that close!

A blonde head turned in our direction, and I felt the air get sucked out of my lungs.

I thought Rosalie was attractive... you should see this guy.

He had short, messy blonde hair, and pale skin like his sister. He had a defined jawline that seemed to get sharper every step closer to him I took.

He looked up and grinned when he saw Alice, and quickly, so quickly that I barely saw it, his expression morphed into one of extreme pain.

I stopped in my tracks, stunned. He legitimately looked like he was in excruciating pain.

Alice turned around when she saw that I wasn't following. She gave me a teasing smirk. "I know, he's hot, girls are constantly fawning over him... please don't be like that.

I laughed, trying to keep the nerves out of my voice.

"Jazz, this is Courtney Swan."

I smiled at Jasper, trying to not look spooked. "Hi."

He grinned, although it seemed more like like a wince. "Hi, Courtney."

Wow... is voice was rough, but deep and somehow silky.... I have never heard anything like it before.

"It's nice to meet you, Jasper."

"You as well."

"Oh, Isn't this fantastic?"

A/N: Hello everybody! Thank you for reading my new story! I would just like to make a quick announcement, when you see this: ***, it means time skip, and when you see this:

It means POV change. (Probably third-person.)

Thank you!