The Truth about Venom
Author Note: Okay to make this as short and quick as possible. This is a terribly difficult story to write, and if you don't like the intro give the body a chance. I always thought it unfair how Victoria and James never got to explain themselves, so now is their chance! Read and Review Please! It gives me the drive to write. Constructive Criticism accepted too, hey I need to know what needs to be fixed! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: No I don't own any of Stephenie Meyer'

Chapter One: Love at First Sight

They say it doesn't exist- love at first sight. It's just a petty enticement, no more than a school boy crush between two young people. It couldn't last, could it? Whoever staked that ridiculous claim obviously has no idea. The specialists haven't a clue to the layers that go deeper into the heart. It feels like a penetrating knife that stabs through the skin with a strange skin making it tingling pleasure. I should know what love is-I had James.

It was love at first sight. It couldn't have been anything else. But then again, it was 400 years ago before I was a vampire.

"Victoria! Wait up!" Called Olivia from behind my shoulder, her pinned up golden hair sparkling from the hanging caliginous chandeliers. The dusky lighting made everyone in the ballroom appear so much more elegant. The women wore wide extravagant dresses and men were adorned in the formal suit and tie. I skidded to a halt before reaching the circle of waltzing couples, glancing behind with a smile stretched over my lips. The music was an upbeat symphony that had reminded me of flying.

"Oh! Livvi, do you have to be such a bore? I'm practically crawling" I called, skidding to a halt right before the parade of waltzing lovers.

Olivia put her hands on her hips and huffed at me. "It's this nasty bustle, It's terribly tight" to show off her expanded rear, she turned in a circle, the rose red gown spinning like an umbrella should. I was wearing a lavender evening gown with a corset tie up front. Livvi had bought it for me, for my family was still far to poor to be able to afford a dress so expensive.

I began spinning with Olivia, laughing merrily throughout the adorned hall that was ordered to be decorated with statues of naked angels.. I ignored the scornful looks many older higher-class officials cast our spinning from under their spectacles. I spun and spun until suddenly, Olivia's shrill voice called out "Victoria!" Too late. A loud clang and I was on the ground, my dress tangled in someone else's tie. My face flat against the marble ground, I stared toward the side to see who I had collided with. It left me breathless.

He had long, mousy light brown hair with an olive toned complexion, as if kissed by the sun. His eyes were such a deep and knowing blue, as a man who has lived through ages should have. They didn't let go of mine, didn't release me from their gaze, inspecting me with interest. He wasn't the slightest bit annoyed or upset with me for knocking him over. The sapphire eyes were more entranced-Infixed with my own-Almost as he was under s spell. I was under the same hex.

Olivia bent over me "Oh! Victoria! How could I be such a fool? If my father finds out about this…" Olivia, sweet Olivia continued to rant, but I wasn't listening. I was caught up with this stranger.

"You have lovely eyes." He whispered so only I could hear in a deep voice that showed it long ago changed from boyish to adult. A smile escaped my lips. I felt weightless, despite being collapsed on the ground. My heart pounded against my rib cage. "They're the nicest green."

I giggled "Yours aren't that bad yourself." I whispered back. He blushed profusely, smiling so the little amount of excess chub around his face created little dimples.

"Will you two get up before the orchestra stops?!" Livvi hissed. I came back to consciousness to find have the ballroom's men and women watching with disgust. A nearby large woman with a large face kicked the handsome boy in the back.

"Get up waiter boy!" She hissed, spit flying through her fat lips. The boy cringed at the insult, untangling himself from me. I observed with a failing heart that a pile of spilled hors d'oeuvres lay heaped on the floor.

"I'm-so sorry Madam! I never meant to make you fall." He never took his indigo eyes off of my own, even as he bent to pick up the spilled food. The same went for me. I found myself under their spell.

"It's okay." I murmured under my breath. "I didn't mean to crash into you." Someone coughed. That was when I noticed the whole room had stopped dancing to watch; even the old men in the orchestra were craning their necks to see what was distracting everyone from their dancing. A few wealthy guests muttered statements such as "What a shame, a pretty girl turning out to be such an impolite lady!" I bent down to help the man up, ignoring the thoughts of those around me. But Livvi snatched my hand and dragged me to the courtyard.

The moon was full, as always on the night of balls, it's reflection on the fountains in the courtyard made everything sparkle and twinkle, looking like fairy dust was sprinkled on the leaves of the coral-bells. Rose bushes manicured to perfection lined the paths accompanied by shooting lavender stalks. Livvi turned me so I could face her, she grabbing my shoulders violently. "What was that?" She gasped. I blushed as if she knew what I was thinking, how lovely and wonderful that boy had been.

"What was what?" rebutted I, looking down at my heels. Livvi always seemed to know what was going on with me, which was why she had been my best friend.

"That! In there, with that boy! He couldn't take his eyes off of you!"

"So?"

Livvi laughed merrily, throwing her head back to reveal her long neck. "Well, you couldn't take your eyes off him either!"

Caught in the act, of course Livvi would notice the staring "So? I was embarrassed of him tripping me…" I looked down even lower than before, so the back of my neck began to ache.

Livvi took my hand and pulled me even farther into the flower gardens, our dresses getting tangled in the encroaching array of roses. Finally she took my hand in her own, her best friend expression controlling her features. "You can tell me anything you know that?"

I laughed, trying to make a joke out of the whole incident. "Calm down, Livvi seriously, I-"

"Eh hem" a voice coughed from behind. We whirled around to face the proclaimer, my heart stopping, stomach soaring. He was there, the young man. With his deep eyes, long hair now pulled back in a blue ribbon. He smiled a heartwarming dimpled smile. He seemed to be breathing heavily, a little nervous perhaps? I found it cute and innocent. I tried to speak, but my heart was caught in my throat. Livvi took over for me.

"Victoria would like to ask you if there is something she could help you with." She put her arm around my shoulders, impatiently waiting for a reply.

The man didn't take his eyes off me, or smile. He stood looking so serious. "I would like to give her…" He trailed off, never ending his sentence.

Livvi's eyes twinkled with satisfaction, pushing me toward the man. I stumbled like a legless klutz until I was before him, standing before his brilliant structure. He handed me a slip of folded parchment enclosed by his long dark fingers, then turned and dashed off, his scarlet face visible from three meters away. Livvi watched after him, laughing and shaking her head with disbelief. I had already unfolded the neatly creased yellow sheet. My eyes feasted on the words ravenously, as if it were my first meal in years. The handwriting was difficult to read- it appeared to be written with the blotchy ash of a candle wick. The few simple words were scrawled on the center of the page.

Bring Back Love

James.

I smiled holding the paper to my chest, a dreamy smile encroaching over my face. This was love at first sight.