Bella and the Beast

Chapter 1

Chloes POV

A loud beeping noise jerks me out of my sleep and forces me to get up. I look at the time and curse. Shit. Im going to be late for school.

Honey, my mom calls from the other side of my door. Are you up?

Yup! The panic is evident in my voice and she laughs.

Youre going to be late for your first day of school. Ugh. First day for me but for everyone else, its already several months into the school year.

Yeah, just give me one second. She chuckles again and I wait till I hear her footsteps get further to grab my pillow and scream in it. We just had to leave my old school and move to this crappy little town. I had never even heard of Barden until my mom told me the news of us moving. Now, 2 months later, Im fixing to go to Barden High school without my friends. Granted, they werent really my friends but still.

Several minutes later, Im dressed and running down the stairs. The photo hanging in the hallway stops me in my tracks. My mom must have just put it up. Its one of my mom, twin siblings, me and my dad. My heart aches as I think of how just a year and half ago, we were at the beach and taking this photo. A week later, my dad died of a heart attack. Apparently, he had a serious heart condition but never went to the doctor. He believed in natural remedies instead and paid the price for it. We all did.

Im here. With several minutes left to eat breakfast, I spout out all while getting my food together. I pour the milk into my bowl and am about to take a bite when my mom speaks.

Remember, you still have to pick up your schedule and they have somebody whos willing to show you around school before classes start.

Shit, I blurt out, dumping my cereal down the sink and attempting to run out the door but my mom stops me.

One, language. Two, have fun and I love you. Sighing, I kiss her on the cheek and grab the door handle.

I love you too, I smile sweetly and start to open the door, looking at the clock. Im going to be late. Damn. I grin and rush out the door, my mothers laugh following me. My heart warms at hearing that sound again. It took us a while to come to terms with my Dads death but were getting through it. Slowly but surely.

I manage to get to school on time and finally rush into the office. The secretary looks up and smiles.

You must be Chloe Beale. Am I correct? I nod breathlessly, and wait patiently as she gets my schedule out. Heres your schedule. You have first lunch and your locker is number 205. The combination is down at the bottom.

Thank you,I grab my schedule and look it over, satisfied with my classes.

Your welcome. Ah, heres Miss Posen. I look behind me and startle when a tall, blonde girl is suddenly right there. She walks over to the secretary with such confidence that Im instantly jealous.

Sorry. I had to talk to Gail about some homework. The secretary glares playfully at the girl.

Now Aubrey, weve talked about this. You cant call the teachers by their first names. Its not appropriate.

You do it and anyway, I asked before hand so I dont see a problem with it. The secretary sighs like shes had this talk way too many times and just waves us off with her hand. Aubrey opens the office door and lets me through.

Bye Katherine,Aubrey calls and the secretary groans. Laughing, Aubrey grabs my schedule and looks it over.

So Chloe, Ive been assigned to show you around. Now, since Ive been given that honor, I feel that its my duty to explain the certain groups here and how everything works.

Groups? I look at her incredulously. She throws her head back, laughing once again. Jealousy rages through me at how carefree she is. Its how I used to be but after my dad died, I cant bring myself to laugh as much. To be happy. Its one of the reasons all my old friends left. They couldnt let my bad mood ruin their rep and being friends with the girl whose dad died apparently isnt up to par.

Yeah. We have some cliche groups around here. Not like Mean Girls but, well actually, its pretty close to that. So where to start Aubrey looks around as we walk to my locker.

What about you? I practically shout, breaking the silence thats gone on way too long to be comfortable.

Oh Im in the middle. Not popular enough to be looked up to and have people do my every bidding, but Im also not loser enough to be bullied. Not like that kid. She points to a random kid who is suddenly shoved from behind by some guys walking by. Here we are. We reach my locker but before I open it, a group of kids catch my eye.

What about them? Aubrey follows my gaze and instantly yanks me away from them, almost causing me to face plant into my locker.

Dont look at them. Theyre like the bad group. All brooding and moody. Luke, the tall blonde one is like their leader. He just has to look at them and theyre off to do whatever he wants. They also act more like animals than humans which is just weird. I mouth a silent oh and study them out of the corner of my eye.

I see the Luke that shes talking about and I have to say, Im not impressed. Its probably because Im not that into guys but even I can appreciate a hot guy. He just isnt doing it for me though. Its like hes really a badass but hes trying too hard too look badass and in turn, isnt badass. The rest of them all kind of look the same as one another, dark and moody. Luke looks over at me and smiles, sending chills up and down my spine. Something else catches my attention though and I look away.

A short, brunette with beautiful gray, stormy eyes is staring at me. Shes super skinny but has curves where it counts and is one of the most stunning people Ive ever seen. Theres no expression on her face but that doesnt matter. Everything shes feeling is in her eyes and currently, she looks like she wants to eat me up.

What about her? I whisper to Aubrey, breathless at the intensity of the moment.

Well, thats a weird situation. The tone in Aubreys voice gets me to look away from the brunette and at her.

What do you mean?

Luke and his group all live together in a foster home. Beca over there, lives with them but for some reason her and her friends dont hang out with them. She just remains silent and keeps to herself.

Hm, is all I can respond. I look back at Beca, but some kids go up to her and they all walk away. Its at that moment I feel it. This strange pull toward Beca. Like I should be running after her and keeping her by my side.

I would stay away from them,Aubrey whispers, tapping me on the shoulder and turning me back toward my locker. Theyre nothing but trouble. Even Beca. I think back on Beca and how she was staring me. I definitely wouldnt mind getting in trouble with her.