Okay guys, this is my first fanfic,

I hope you enjoy it!

Reviews would be greatly appreciated :).

Edward Cullen, September 20th, 2007. 3:58 AM.

We were in Chicago, and Emmett and I had taken to racing across the rooftops of the skyline. Of course, Carlisle had reminded us again to protect our secrecy and our identities, so we would set out to this occupation at a time when few mortals walked the streets; at 4 in the morning.

It was one such night, and again, we were springing from one building to another. But tonight, I was behind. I was not as fast as I could be; there were troubles burdening me, a heavy weight constricting my chest.

I was pondering, as I so often did, over my soul. What had happened to my soul?
At times likes this, at night, when I was offered no true distraction, this question often manifested itself stubbornly in my brain. I'd become afraid it would be a question I'd never rid myself of.

This life had granted me a real family, perhaps more so than the one I'd had in this very same city over a century ago. Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Jasper, Emmett… even Rosalie. They were my people, they understood me. For them, I was grateful.

But how could I be grateful for having been turned into a monster? Of course I fought it.

I fought the bloodlust, the instinct to turn me into a killer, by hunting animals. Even though, essentially, I was fighting against my nature; against my deep-rooted means to murder and thieve humans of their blood, their life.

I had just launched myself off an apartment building, and onto the roof of another, creating a large dent in the concrete, when I suddenly stopped. Emmett didn't notice, and raced ahead, as Emmett would often do, and I abruptly turned and sniffed the air.

Then, I sniffed again.

Rising up from the streets below was a freesia-like scent, intoxicating me with its presence as it danced around my senses. The thirst in my throat roared to life, and the world around me dimmed. It was the smell of the most enticing blood I'd ever encountered. I could see nothing, hear nothing, I could only smell this delicate aroma surrounding me, isolating me from the rest of the world.

It called to me, and I ached for it.

I leaped from the building and came crashing in on the street. There were no other humans around to distract me, thankfully. I would've ended their lives, too. I knew Emmett would soon realize and come after me, but I didn't care. I would have this blood.

Where was it? I had to have it!

Whatever thoughts dwelled in my mind before disappeared as I dashed from alley to alley, following my nose. All pretense of civilization was lost to me; I was a monster nearing in on my prey. I would have this blood. A human would die tonight. I didn't care.

And then, I turned into the back-alley of a bar, and a loud snarl rumbled from my chest.

The weak human girl looked up at me in shock, her deer-like brown eyes wide, as I blocked the exit of the alleyway.

I had found her.

Bella Swan, September 19th, 2007. 9:00 AM.

Beep… beep… beep… beep…

I rolled over in my bed and lifted my arm to give my alarm clock a huge SMACK.

I groggily raised my head, and then let it fall back on the pillow; I wanted sleep.

And then, realization dawned on me.

TODAY WAS THE DAY!
I sat up, throwing my sheets back, and pounced out of bed.

I'd just started jumping up and down in exci…. THUD.

"Ugh… Nice going, Bella…" I groaned as I looked behind me; my sheets had managed to coil themselves around my leg, and trip me while I attempted my little Bella-dance.

Regardless, though, today was the day! Today was the gig that would get us signed to a record company!

I managed to get up, untangle, and stumble my way to the kitchen, a huge grin plastered on my face, smelling the coffee that my roommate Tom had made. And there he stood, by the stove, flipping pancakes in nothing but boxers.

I rolled my eyes and chuckled, "Tom, put some frickin' clothes on."

Despite his amazing bass playing and cooking skills, Tom had this habit of never wearing enough clothes, comparable to Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He rolled his eyes back at me, but he too was smiling, "Bella, honey, you can say whatever you want today and I ain't gonna do nothing. You know what day it is!" He let out a girly scream and jumped up and down, clapping his hands.

…Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. Tom's gay.

I shook my head, laughing, until my laugh was muffled by a huge bear hug, "Tom… can't… breathe…!"

He laughed and dropped me, excitement alight on his face. I gave him another smile as I got my coffee. Even though, despite the excitement, I was slightly worried… I'm not one for stages; what if I screwed up my solos? Tom sent me a knowing smile, "Don't WORRY baby, you'll do just fine!"

He flipped a stack of pancakes onto a plate and handed it to me.

"Thanks. And yeah, I think I'll do just fine, too. Until I trip over the cord, break the guitar strap, drop my guitar, and manage to destroy the amp all in one go."

"Y'know, you should really give yourself more credit than that. No-one can shred on a guitar like you can! Oh, by the way, what was that huge thud I heard coming from your room just a second ago?"

"Psh… shut up Tom." I gave him a scathing look as I jabbed my fork at him.

Half an hour and a few minor stumbles later, I managed to get out the door, off to work.

I mean, I know working at an anarchist bookstore SOUNDS fun, but even anarchists can organize; it's all a question of doing A LOT of inventory. I did inventory at said bookstore. I got in at around 10, and headed to the back, where Jeanine was already sitting, partially obscured from my view by huge piles of books that'd just come in.

Jeanine was beautiful, with her dreadlocks and bright blue eyes. And always happy about one thing or another, too. She smiled at me as I walked in and greeting her, barely avoiding tripping over a stray book.

"Hey, Jeanine. What's up?" I tried to play it casual, but she could see the anxiousness on my facial features. I'm not much of an actress.

"Bella, DON'T WORRY! You'll do amazing! Your solos are awesome, and you won't trip!" She rolled her eyes at me.

I grinned sheepishly, "I don't know, I'm just freaking out a bit, I guess."
"Well, what time do you want me to be there?"
"It starts at 11, but Andy hasn't told us what songs we're playing and how long it's gonna take."
She shook her head, "Men. Never know what they want." I shot her a brief grin before picking up my clipboard and getting to work. We spent the rest of the day recording titles, chatting about the gig as I tried to hide how nervous I truly was.

I couldn't quite afford to mess this one up.

Okay, so... Tell me what you think!

Thanks for reading!