Preface

"Edward? Come 'on, let's go!" Alice chimed as she walked into my room. I've always had that room, ever since I was with Carlisle of course, but today it just seemed brighter, and I didn't know why. The dark wood floors seemed to be a lighter beaming tone, and the walls that were currently covered with white drapes (except for the wide open floor-length window) just seemed to be glowing. And it wasn't even sunny out. Ha, it's never sunny in Forks, Washington, my home, the least sunny place on earth. And I loved it, as did my whole family. It just suited us.

I couldn't hear Alice because I had my headphones attached to my CD player, playing some of my very own piano compositions and some of my favorite composers. (That was just the mood this morning; how strange, the way I would feel change and access it to my conduct) I was sitting on the couch next to my window, and as my lovely sister danced in I noticed her.

Alice was short, but very slender. And of course she was gorgeous, our kind is always remarkably attractive. She has short spiky black hair that would sadly never grow back to be a cascading black waterfall. But all the same, she was stunning and elegant as ever. And even she seemed livelier today, like she sensed it too, but she probably knew why. I didn't bother to ask, for I wanted the special occasion to bring itself upon me.

"Sorry Alice. I didn't hear you-"

"Yeah, I see. Hm, what a divine day if feels like today, something great is-"

I had to stop her, just as she did me, right there. I didn't want to hear it, because I would most likely "hear" it myself anyway one I arrived at school. It must be there where the change is happening; otherwise I would know myself by now, if it were going to happen here, at home. I didn't know it then, but this "change" was going to influence the rest of my existence, which just so happened to be forever. Who would ever guess a simple ordinary girl would bring wonders into my life.

"No, I know. I can feel it too, but I want to wait and see. Even I can 'see' that this is significant." I joked slyly.

"Ha ha…so, do you want breakfast today? Or wait till the camping trip?" She replied, it was Friday and every so often our family must go on a camping trip.

See, all the weird things that would normally go into one's life, is cut out of mine. Like the fact that I was listening to music on my couch instead of a bed, and the fact that Alice asked if I wanted breakfast or could I wait till far later in the day. Even the fact that I was listening to piano compositions, that and more explains it. But so far, no one but my family knows and this is why I in essence I have "no life" (so to speak). Nothing has come along that could mean just as much or more than that. And because of who and what my family and I are, I have been deprived of having just that. But, I was going to be around for a while anyway, so I had some time. And I was hoping that the day feeling as it is, would be a prophesy towards that meaning of my new and everlasting life.

"Come on, I want to go to school!" Alice chirped as she skipped out of my room. Ugh, she had to give it away, I mean I know she can't help it, but now I could continue on about my prophetic life-changing theory. I would just become disheartened if it were to be untrue on today, ruining the good mood in the air.

But, just to treat the day special I decided whatever was going to be coming my way would at least look presentable. Because if it was what I was hoping for, (although it itself would take a considerable amount of time) I would want to make a good impression, as I would need one too. So I pulled on a pair if faded jeans and a long sleeve white shirt. The shirt made me look paler than I already am, but it was respectable for the day.

So, as I skipped down the stairs, I just had to give the day a little half-smirk-half-smile as I thought of the day, and how even though deeply cloudy, today could just be the dazzling day that could induce my life…forever.

Chapter One: Anticipation

As Alice and I walked out to the car, again I had to take notice to the weather. Although today felt bright and hopeful, it was, like any other day, cloudy, moist, and sunless. Today, Rosalie was driving and Emmett was sitting next to her in the passengers seat. So Alice, Jasper, and I climbed into the back.

Rosalie was tall and lean, with striking features, which were fit for a model, but even better. She had a waterfall of golden hair flowing down her back. Emmett had dark curly hair, was tall, and too muscular to be human. But then again, he wasn't, but like everyone else in our family, he also had exceptionally good looks. Jasper although not as tall and Emmett and I, was also muscular but lean, and had honey-blonde hair.

We drove a silver S60R Volvo. The kids at our school didn't drive fancy cars like ours, and granted we did want to blend in, but my family just always had an urge to drive fast.

Rosalie pulled out, and as the trees blurred past us in a claustrophobic way, I had to direct my eyes towards the speedometer. Eighty miles per hour. Hm, she felt like driving slow today. I was just curious on why…

"Hm, it feels…I don't know…but today is just divine. But I can't help but notice Edwards's mood this morning, almost cheerful and lively. Stupid boy, ruining the day, probably already read the people's minds at school. So obviously he knows—"

"Rosalie, I did not read their minds! I want the surprise." I had to add coolly to her thoughts.

"Hmph…sorry, not everyone can read minds!" I thought I heard her mumble under her breath. I would have simply listened in again, but I didn't want to start a fight, no need to be bickering. But I still didn't get to discover why she was driving so slowly today.

We got to school a tad early than normally, even with Rosalie driving sluggishly. Personally, I was excited for the day, and Alice of course being her heartening self, was the gratifying companion to walk me into school to encounter the day. Instantaneously, I heard many voices, but I only needed to hear one, so I focused in on a boy in my graduating class, no taller than Alice with long, oily black hair. I think his name was Eric.

"…That new girl is coming today. I hear she's the daughter of Chief Swan, and her name's Isabella. Pretty name, wonder if it, you know, goes with her, if you know what I mean. Hm, and she wouldn't have a boyfriend still from her old town, if she's going to be living here for a while. She'll probably live the remainder of her high school years here…Anyway, I need to make a good first impression…"

So that was the cause of this whole intense lively feeling, a simple girl?! I mean, I've meet Chief Swan, he's nice and all, but who—how was this…ugh, this was the cause of the euphoric sensation?

I sighed and Alice heard me and looked up.

"What's wrong?" she asked anxiously. Why did she have to hear me, because now she would need an explanation.

"Uhm, about today…" I needed to trail off. I wasn't exactly sure if I could go about explaining this, when I was barely sure of myself. This is the kind of entity I've been waiting for, but why on earth would I find it in this small town of Forks?

Just then, Alice giggled. "Nevermind…" she said. And she trotted off to her locker to get the books she needed for her first class. Another groan was necessary, she saw what this Isabella and I were going to become, and she left so I couldn't pester her. And I wouldn't know, till later, what this simple, and what I thought to be ordinary, girl would develop into. All I could think was "Carpe Diem". And while I wondered off to grudgingly get my books for my first class, I had to keep telling myself that simple saying, otherwise, I wasn't so sure if I could handle my day. Seriously or not.

My morning classes went by in a blur, but then again, when you'll be around for eternity, one day may seem like one second. I never stumbled upon the famous Isabella, but all day I could hear people's thoughts about her.

"Yeah, she was in my last class…" or "…wow, is she pretty…" or "…oh, she's awfully smart…" and every now and then "…she's new, and kind of weird…" I heard the pretty comment repeatedly. Yes, I was anxious to meet her, but I was still perplexed by her simplicity. And the morning may have been a blur because of my mind-over-matter struggle over her, and why she seemed significant. But now came the time of the day where, at the very least, I could talk to Alice about it. So I sat down with my family, preferably next to her, but Jasper already claimed her attention for now, so again I had to sit there and just argue with myself. No, I couldn't deal with that now, so I decided to maybe actually give some interest to my surroundings. I just noticed simple human behavior, nothing too interesting, because honestly, humans bored me. Which is why I was so mystified by this girl. But it was a Friday, so mostly people talking about their hopeful weekend plans, and the reliability of the weatherman. Although I did hear some seniors on the other side of the lunchroom muttering amongst themselves, about some insane club they were going to when they drove to Seattle. No big deal toward me, boring original human behavior. But suddenly, the warmest and most pleasurable aroma blew in my face. It smelled sweet, and mouth-watering, like nothing I've ever smelt before. I had to glance up with curious eyes, only to see none other than Isabella Swan entering the cafeteria and getting on the lunch-line. I have to give a low, but still audible moan; now I had to admit that she seemed of some importance to me, but not for friendship interest, but more like a dietary interest. But still, my siblings looked up to see why there was a moan, but I immediately looked down, once I heard their thoughts of my sudden sound.

I watched every move she made. She got pizza, a coke, and an apple for lunch; she was walking to a table full of kids with a girl who was also in my graduating class. A short, dark brown curly haired girl whose name was Jessica. The table consisted of the Eric boy I eavesdropped on this morning, plus some other students I only knew the names of.

Jasper was still requiring Alice's focus, so I simply watched Isabella, trying to hear her thoughts, but…I…couldn't. When I tried all I got was…nothing. But I could hear Jessica's thoughts loud and clear, and the first thing I picked up was,

"…Yes, her name is Isabella, but she prefers to be called Bella. Sheesh, stupid boys…" I made a mental note that when, and it was going to be a when, I talked to her I was going to call her Bella. Didn't need to make her more uncomfortable than she would probably be around me in the first place. But I needed to be mind-over-matter, because Carlisle built everything for me; he built my life. And following my intuition would destroy not only my life, but also the people that revolved around it, and not even the desire of thirst could impulse me to do that. I would have to communicate with this simple girl, no matter the amount I lust I had for her blood. For if I didn't at the very least talk to her, I would probably go insane from her smell, nature, and entire being, talking would put my mentality over my impulse. And hopefully that could suffice.

Just then as I was watching her and listening to others opinion of her, she glanced up at me, and not with intensity but curiosity. She was pretty, in her own way, (when you pretty much live with higher-than-gorgeous sisters, its hard to compare) and had this warm entrancing aura that drew me in. What with her loving brown eyes, and smooth brown hair, I didn't exactly know why, but it made me want to gently grab her around the waist. Mind-over-matter and carpe diem, I just had to keep thinking those two things or I would go completely insane. This would be interesting to see whether my lust for her and her character would win or my desire and thirst for her blood.

Quickly, she forwarded her attention to her table, every now and then sneaking glances at me. But I could see her muttering to Jessica, and I subtly listened in.

Being a vampire, my senses automatically enhanced significantly through my transformation. So luckily, I could hear people's conversations across a room, but unfortunately in this case, there were about 300 other people having different levels of discussion with other people. Though I could still kind of hear their conversation, Bella was speaking so softly, that I could not hear everything she said, but I could hear what Jessica said, and her egotistical thoughts.

Jessica giggled and glimpsed at my family and I and whispered, "That's Edward and Emmett Cullen, and Rosalie and Jasper Hale. The one who left was Alice Cullen; they all live together with Dr. Cullen and his wife." So far, no incredible information, except that she gave Bella the impression that all of us are blood-related. I gazed at Bella to hopefully hear her response, but I found she was also staring at me with a couple of things. Curiosity, slight intensity, and soon, with a flash of red, embarrassment, for we were staring at each other. As I looked at my own table, embarrassed myself, I realized that I had been tearing apart my bagel-prop.

"Alice…" I muttered across the table, "Is there any way we could leave after lunch?"

Alice looked at weird, but answered, "Sorry, but mister, you have to contact her. Plus, I have a French quiz." She said with a smile. I assumed she said this based on her vision earlier this morning. Which seemed like it happened ages ago. I gave a small frown and turned back to listen to Jessica's thoughts. It wasn't that I didn't want to talk to Bella, I just couldn't imagine getting too involved with…the other kind.

"Yes!" I heard Jessica loudly laugh with Bella. I could not hear what Bella had said, and plus I was talking to Alice then. But I quickly listened in to Jessica's thoughts.

"Oh, they are very nice looking. But sheesh, in the school two minutes and already trying to cuddle up to the Cullens. Probably Edward…" Ha. I smiled at that, for every now and then I would hear comments on how handsome I am. But they are my pray, so I am naturally appealing to them. Quickly though, I had to transfer my ears to the conversation.

"…And they live together." Such a gossiper Jessica has always been anyway, but at least she's telling the truth. And suddenly, speaking with a little more confidence, I heard Bella's voice. Not only was it soft, and high, but also I could hear it clearly.

"Which ones are the Cullens? They don't look related…" She asked her loyal informative guide.

Jessica being as arrogant as she is, spoke loudly so if the people at her table weren't listening to each other, they might be asking why she was speaking so loudly, but then again, it could be my super-hearing.

"Oh, they're not. Dr. Cullen is really young, in his twenties or early thirties. They're all adopted. The Hales are brother and sister, twins—the blondes—and they're foster children."

Hm, almost all true, she very nearly got a perfect score on the Cullen quiz, but she said that Rosalie and Jasper were related, which they are not. I kept trying to listen in, but occasionally now the lunchroom would be overflowing with thunderous banter, and it was difficult to hear, even Jessica's thoughts were going in and out with the sound. Though finally, I heard, "Which one is the boy with the reddish brown hair?" Bella asked peeking at me, as if I couldn't see her. I was slightly frustrated, one because of the hasty noise today, and two because I couldn't hear what Bella herself thought of me. What if she thought I was gorgeous like everybody else? Ironically, I didn't want that. I wanted her to think I was a monster, which I was; I wanted her to be scared of me. Partially to prove Alice's foresight false (Alice always had to be right), and partially, because I want exactly ready for her. I wasn't ready to know what was what. If I wanted to kill her, or bite her, or love—not love. Well, could I ever love a human?

As I reassembled my thoughts I heard Jessica rant on about me.

"Apparently none of the girls here are good-looking enough for him…" Funny thing was, Jessica seemed upset at that fact. Which of course wasn't true. Well, I don't even know, but could I love a human? I couldn't date them, too dangerous. I might end up getting too close, and biting, or them finding out what my family and I are. And besides the monster fact, I never exactly connected with humans. They were always too typical, too trite. Never different, like me. And different was what I needed, and it seemed like no human here could supply it. Granted, Forks High School, had a population of roughly 370 students. Though, at least one could be different from the rest, right?

I soon got tired of playing games with my mind, and I never got to talk to Alice before she swiftly left lunch. The rest of my family and I stood up and left, but I surreptitiously took one last glance at Bella, hoping that she was not in my next period.