Disclaimer: Check out chapter one, it explains everything – Thank you!

"Living Addiction"

Chapter 2: Siren's Allure

Main Pairings: Ally/Jasper; Bella/Edward

Author's Note: Check out my profile for any additional information about the story and/or to view outfits! Ally's outfit for the first day of school is there, too (:

LA*LA*LA

Jasper didn't understand. Something had drawn his attention in the classroom and, before he knew it, he was saving a poor girl from possibly being mauled by a pack of males in the hallway. He had moved without realizing it. That had never happened before. If he was nothing else, he was aware of his body's functions and actions at all times.

And now he was staring into a pair of wide, beautiful doe-like chocolate eyes. And he felt nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Well, not entirely nothing, on his part at least. He definitely felt something for Ally Dawson. And, no, he didn't mean the aching hunger that followed him everywhere, especially when he was around mortals. That wasn't what he meant.

What he did mean, however, was that he felt nothing from Ally. He couldn't sense any type of emotions that normally exuded from humans, like a scent, coming from her. If he wasn't looking right at her, he was sure he wouldn't have noticed her at all.

Well, that's not exactly true either. Jasper was positive she would have caught his attention by just existing. Her scent alone was sweet and delicious, but not in the normal 'food' way. Ally just smelled good, plain and simple. She made his mouth water for different reasons.

And she certainly was beautiful, gorgeous even. If she didn't have sun-kissed skin and brown eyes, Jasper would have mistaken her for a vampire, like him and his family.

But that still didn't explain his inability to read her emotions. He'd never had this type of problem before, not even with the other gifted members in his family. So, what made this tiny mortal girl different?

Was there something wrong with him?

Jasper now wished he had convinced Edward to take Government with him. His mind-reading brother would be able to figure something out by shifting through Ally's brain.

His lips pressed together in protest. Okay, so maybe he didn't like the thought of Edward invading Ally's mind, but how else was Jasper supposed to get any answers? The answer came in the next instant.

Alice.

LA*LA*LA

After introducing herself to Jasper, the teacher had arrived to break up the group that had formed in front of his classroom. Jasper was the perfect gentleman, although Ally thought his intense stare was a bit much. Seriously, why couldn't the guy leave her pimple alone? She got it – she'll be sure to buy some makeup to cover it the next time she could.

Jasper took the liberty of introducing her to Mister Jefferson. After he signed her slip to show she actually attended his class, he assigned her the seat next to the blonde young man. Great. More staring. By the end of class, Ally knew she would be sounding like her cousin. Bella would be so proud.

Again, Jasper proved that he could be the perfect gentleman. When they got to their seats – Ally would be sure to inform Bella that Jefferson wouldn't make her introduce herself to the class – he pulled out her chair for her. He also helped her scoot closer to the desk and didn't take his own seat until he knew she was comfortable. Why couldn't more guys be like Jasper? Sure, his constant staring was unnerving but his chivalry made up for that. Ally practically felt like a princess.

Class started soon afterwards, and Ally dutifully took notes. She and Bella had transferred during the middle of the school year. They would likely have a lot of work to catch up on, but she wasn't worried. Keeping busy was preferred to being alone with her thoughts.

While Ally played the good student, Jasper took to the role of being the bad student. He didn't pay attention to anything the teacher said and didn't write down any notes. It's not like he needed to – he basically lived through everything that happened.

No, he preferred to discreetly stare at Ally. He may not be able to sense her emotions, but he could glean a lot of information about a person based on how they acted. And he liked that he could take deep breaths of her scent. It wasn't creepy or weird, not for a vampire anyway. Her scent soothed him, calmed him in a way he wasn't familiar with. Hell, he almost felt human next to her. His usual battle with bloodlust was absent. His throat wasn't even burning with hunger.

And it was all thanks to the tiny brunette next to him. Ally.

Jasper definitely needed more information on her.

Too quick for the human eye to see, he took his cell phone out and sent a quick text to Alice. He thought about asking for Edward's assistance, too, but decided against it. If anything, Alice would be more than happy to spread whatever information she got on Ally to everyone else, including Carlisle and Esme. Hell, they would probably know everything before Jasper and the others got home.

It only took a few seconds for Jasper to receive a reply. And it wasn't what he expected.

There's no one in this school named Ally Dawson. Isabella Swan is the new student and the police chief's daughter. Who is Ally?

"What?" Jasper whispered too low for human ears. Quick as lightning, he wrote his response and hit send.

Ally Dawson is currently sitting next to me. Check again, Alice. You missed something.

Her next text was almost down-right scathing, but Jasper knew Alice took pride in being able to see the future, no matter how subjective it was.

I don't miss anything, Jasper. Maybe she's lying for some reason or you heard wrong. Ever thought of that?

He replied, brows furrowed in slight frustration now, Heard wrong? Try again, ma'am; I never hear anything wrong.

First, Jasper can't sense Ally's emotions and now she was evading Alice's visions. Just who was Ally Dawson? While he was thankful he didn't feel like ripping any throats out, draining them of every drop of blood available, his lack of thirst was starting to worry him. What did it mean? Maybe he should be talking to Carlisle? Jasper's father-figure, however, would be more pleased than concerned about the turn of events.

Alice's next text came a lot slower (for vampires, anyway). I still didn't see anyone who goes by the name of Ally Dawson. What is going on, Jasper? Who is this girl?

I don't know. Something's different about her. I can't read any of her emotions, and I don't feel thirsty. At all. That's not normal, especially with our 'diet.' I don't know how to explain it.

Alice replied, Interesting. I want to meet her. Ask her what her next class is. Jasper, she could be the one...

Jasper stiffened in his seat, surprised. He didn't know how Alice came to that conclusion, but everyone learned eventually not to argue with her. 'The one' she mentioned was actually the girl meant for him. His mate.

Honey-brown eyes trailed in Ally's direction. It might explain a few things, but not everything that was happening to him. But still, it made him wonder…

Could she be the one?

LA*LA*LA

When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Ally quickly packed her stuff into her backpack and stood. Jasper mirrored her movements exactly, which caught her attention. She smiled at the handsome blonde, uncertain.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Jasper," she said. "I don't think I properly thanked you for saving me earlier in the hallway. Thank you. I really appreciate what you did."

Jasper smiled easily. "It was no problem, darlin'. Don't mention it." Leading her out of the classroom, ignoring the stares the action received, he asked, "What class do you have next? I can give you directions, at least."

"Oh, you don't have to do that," she protested, "My cousin, Bella, had the same class, so I know which building to look for. Thank you, though. That was really nice of you to offer, Jasper. Besides, I don't want to make you late for you own class."

"There's no problem of arriving late to class," he assured. He thickened his Southern charm, because, damn it, he was getting his answer out of her even if it meant doing it the old-fashioned way. "At least let me walk you to the building, darlin'. I'd hate for those guys to come back and cause a huge scene that could've been avoided."

When Ally winced at the thought, he knew he had her. "Okay," she conceded, but quickly added, "But only because I don't want a fight to break out. Those guys really freaked me out earlier. If you hadn't done something to diffuse the situation…" She winced again.

All of Jasper's protective instincts came roaring to life. He stood a little taller as they made their way down the hallway, his eyes sharp and assessing as he stared at every student they passed. He could just imagine what they were thinking and waiting to tell their friends, as soon as he and Ally were out of earshot.

After all, it wasn't every day a member of the Cullen/Hale family paid attention to anybody else, except those in their family. If Ally wasn't being talked about for being one of the new students, she was definitely being talked about now.

"So," he drawled out, making sure to keep his focus on any possible 'threats' he could scare off.

Ally blinked, confused. "So…?" she hinted.

Jasper smirked. "So, what class are you heading to, Ally?" Interesting. He rather liked the way her name rolled off his tongue. It felt… right.

He wasn't the only one. Her cheeks heated, but Ally knew it was partly due to embarrassment and not just from liking the way her name sounded with his incredible Southern accent. Seriously, the guy was melt. Worthy.

This was bad. Very bad.

"Oh, um," she stumbled over her words. "Well, it's, uh, English."

"Ah, building three, then." They started walking in that direction, then Jasper spoke once more. "I have a sister who's a junior. She has English during this class hour, too. Are you a junior?" Alice would just love that. She was already eager to meet Ally.

Ally nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I am. What's your sister's name? Maybe I'll be able to find her in class." It would also be nice to make new friends on her first day. Having at least one person to talk to during her classes would be a godsend.

"Alice Cullen."

"Cullen? But I thought your last name was Hale?"

Jasper chuckled at her confused expression. "Technically, all of my relatives are adopted," he answered, sticking to their cover story. "But I have a twin sister, Rosalie. We were adopted by our aunt Esme when we were around eight, and she married Doctor Carlisle Cullen. He adopted three children, though he is young, and their names are Emmett, Edward, and Alice."

Ally's eyes were wide with amazement. "That's so amazing," she said, "So, your family is actually pretty big. I've always wanted a big family like that, but," she shrugged, "I'm an only child. I guess that's why I consider Bella my sister rather than my cousin."

Jokingly, he said, "Well, if you really want a big family, you can have mine. Things at home can get a bit… hectic." Especially since he had one brother who could read minds, a sister who could see the future, and another brother who liked to rough house. Of course, Jasper loved them, and he was positive that they would love Ally. He didn't know where that certainty came from, but it was there.

Ally laughed. The sound was like tinkling bells to his sensitive ears. It effectively caught and held his attention.

"Careful – I might actually take you up on your offer."

Jasper smirked. "I'm not worried, darlin'. Besides, you're about to meet one of them." Alice was probably the best choice, out of everyone else. Rosalie was filled with too much envy for humans to truly make Ally feel welcome, and Emmett might scare Ally off with just his sheer size. And Edward? Edward would rather not spend time with mortals if he didn't have to.

The duo arrived at building three, but neither was ready to say goodbye.

Ally's fingers picked at the corner of one of her books. "So, I guess this is my stop," she unnecessarily said. She could have slapped herself in the forehead for that line, but she figured it was better than chewing her hair.

"Why don't you sit with me and my family during lunch?" Jasper blurted out. As soon as the words left his mouth, he snapped it closed. What had he just done? It was bad enough that he was talking to Ally, but inviting her to sit with him and the others? He knew the dangers of befriending a mortal.

But, where Ally was concerned, none of that seemed to matter.

That was something else that had never happened to him before.

Interesting.

Ally seemed to give the offer some actual thought. She shifted on her feet, her lower lip caught between her teeth.

Jasper waited, holding his breath (although he didn't have to actually breathe).

"Um, I'll think about it, okay, Jasper?" she finally answered. Smiling to soften the rejection, she added, "It's just that I already promised to sit with my cousin. It's her first day, too, after all, and I know she's having a hard time with all of the adjustments."

He released whatever air was left in his lungs. His emotions were conflicted. He was relieved that she had to think about his offer, but also disappointed. But he understood. She already had a previous obligation to fulfill. He wouldn't push.

"That's fine, darlin'. Don't worry about it. Your cousin is Isabella Swan, right? The police chief's daughter?"

The petite brunette released a strained chuckle. "Ooh, don't let her hear you call her that. She hates being referred to as 'Chief Swan's daughter.' Actually," she added, "she hates any kind of attention, so I hope she handled this morning okay."

The handsome blonde nodded in understanding. "Right. I'll be sure to never call her that," he said, smiling. He tipped his head towards the building they were still standing in front of. "You better get to class now, darlin'. I wouldn't want to make you late."

Ally gave a start of surprise. "Oh, you're right. You should get to class, too, Jasper. I'll be sure to look for Alice. Thank you for walking with me."

Like a good Southern gentleman, he tipped an imaginary hat in her direction. Ally giggled. He grinned. "Have a good class, darlin'. I hope to see you later." With that, he turned and walked away.

It was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do in his life.

LA*LA*LA

Alice impatiently tapped a pencil against her desk, waiting for someone she didn't recognize to walk into the classroom. Jasper's latest text message had stated that 'Ally Dawson' was a junior and had English in building three. Considering the size of the school, it was very likely that Ally had been slotted into Alice's class. Good. She wanted to meet the mortal whom she couldn't see in any of her visions.

The pixie-like vampire didn't think it was a coincidence that, after being turned into an immortal, one of her first visions was of Jasper with an unknown brunette. Finding Jasper had been easy, but the brunette? Alice never had another vision of her, not even when she'd been at her strongest. It was frustrating, to say the least.

But Ally Dawson may be the one Alice had been searching for her entire existence. The fact that Jasper couldn't pick up any of her emotions was an added bonus, simply because it would amuse Alice.

Sighing, Alice focused on her tapping pencil. Making sure the tempo stayed within human standards was a good distraction; it kept her mind slightly more occupied than normal. Just enough to keep the edge off.

A peculiar scent caught her attention, and Alice discreetly sniffed the air. It didn't hum her senses the way spilled mortal blood did, but it was rather enticing. And mysterious. She had never come across anything like it before. It didn't scream 'food,' but it still smelled amazing, like an expensive perfume from Paris. Where was it coming from?

Her question was answered in the next moment when a petite brunette walked into the classroom. Alice sucked in a sharp breath.

It was her! It was the unknown young woman she saw with Jasper in her vision.

Grinning wickedly, Alice leaned back in her seat as she observed Ally Dawson, who stood at the front of the classroom with the teacher.

It seemed as though their family was about to get a little bigger…

LA*LA*LA

Ally was disappointed when it turned out that she and Alice wouldn't be able to sit next to each other. When she asked the teacher who Alice Cullen was, he pointed at a dark haired, pixie-like young woman. Ally had never thought that she would ever meet another person who could possibly be her same clothing size. Not even Bella had ever been able to fit into any of her clothes, seeing as how much taller she was.

It was like Alice knew that she was being talked about. She grinned widely at Ally, waving a hand from her seat like they were old friends rather than complete strangers. Ally had to wonder if Jasper gave Alice a heads-up about her possible arrival. It seemed likely.

Waving back with a smile of her own, Ally got the teacher to sign her slip and took her assigned seat. Thankfully, he sat her next to mostly other girls, so she didn't have to fend off unwanted attention from the opposite sex. English was one of Ally's favorite subjects, besides math and science, and she really wanted to do well.

Class passed by quickly and, before long, the bell rang. Ally was just standing from her seat when Alice suddenly appeared at her side, all smiles and bubbly energy. It was contagious.

"Hi, I'm Alice," Alice greeted brightly, smiling, and offering her hand to shake.

Ally took it, only vaguely registering how cold the other girl's hand was. It wasn't like it was uncommon. Ally, herself, got cold easily; she wouldn't be surprised if her own hand felt like a block of ice to Alice.

"Hey, I'm Ally," she replied, grinning. She could instinctively tell that she and the pixie-like young woman would get along great. "But I bet you already knew that."

Deciding to be truthful, Alice answered, "Actually, I didn't know about you until Jasper mentioned you in a text." She held up her cell phone as if to add emphasis. "I have to admit, I only saw Isabella Swan coming here. You were a complete surprise, Ally." She released a tinkling laugh at the end.

Ally's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Most of the other students I've come across seemed just the opposite," she said.

Alice hummed as the two made their way into the hallway.

"I meant that I didn't expect you, Ally Dawson, the famous singer-songwriter, to move all the way to Forks. Miami is going to miss you."

Alice was a little embarrassed, however, that she hadn't made the connection between Ally and the brunette in her vision sooner. She had bought Ally's debut album, and even Edward was impressed with Ally's piano playing skills. Alice bet he would be tickled pink to actually meet her in person.

Ally softly said, "I just needed a different pace. I want to focus on another part of my life, not just the musical one. You know what I mean?"

Something in her tone made Alice straighten and pay attention to every inflection in her voice. If she wasn't mistaken, it was sadness that colored Ally's voice. That wouldn't do.

"Yeah, I can completely understand that." Tone turning sly, she asked, "So, what do you think of my brother? I think he may be smitten with you already, Ally."

She got the response she wanted. Ally's cheeks flushed with a crimson blush.

Sputtering, Ally replied, "W-What? What are you talking about, Alice?"

Alice blinked innocently. "What? Too soon to tell? Should I ask again when the day is over?"

While Ally tried to form an actual sentence, Alice released another tinkling laugh. Oh yes, she would definitely enjoy having Ally in their family. Not only did she have a guarantee that the other petite brunette would make her best friend happy for the rest of his existence, but Alice would also gain another sister.

And the best part? Ally had excellent taste in fashion.

LA*LA*LA

French was interesting, Ally admitted, as she left the classroom to head to her final class before lunch. Alice had been kind enough to show her the way, and Ally once again got the impression they would become close friends. Maybe even best friends? Another sister-figure? Either option would be great.

In French, however… Ally was able to meet two more siblings of Jasper's. Rosalie Hale, his twin sister, and Emmett Cullen. The duo was interesting. Emmett was built like a linebacker, but he had an easy grin and didn't seem to take things seriously. Rosalie, on the other hand, was possibly one of the most beautiful young women on Earth. She wasn't as friendly as the other siblings Ally had met, but she wasn't rude or snobby either. Just distant.

But Jasper – or Alice, for that matter – could've warned her that Emmett and Rosalie were dating. Ally understood that they weren't actually related, but it was still a shock to learn that they were together-together. Then again, the heart wants what the heart wants. There was no fighting it.

Besides, Emmett and Rosalie made a striking couple. It was also obvious that they loved each other. And Ally was a sucker for love. Always had been, always would be.

Absently, she rubbed the area right above her heart.

"Excuse me," a male's voice interrupted her thoughts. Ally stopped walking to turn around and see who was talking to her. "You're Ally Dawson, right?"

She stared at the bronze-haired young man, with honey-brown eyes. Pale skin. Leanly muscled. Handsome beyond words. Expensive-looking clothes. She knew exactly who he was.

Ally smiled. "Yes, I'm Ally. You must be Edward, right? Jasper's brother?"

Edward chuckled, though his gaze was concentrated on her forehead. Great. He was staring at her pimple, too. At least Alice, Rosalie, and Emmett hadn't. Why only Jasper and Edward? Did they never see a facial blemish before?

Well, with their perfect skin, she doubted it. Totally unfair. She'd have to ask Alice what kind of makeup and face cleaner she used. Ally would definitely be investing in some.

"Yes, I'm Edward Cullen. It's my understanding that you've already met my other siblings."

Ally nodded. "That would be an understatement. I have at least one in each class so far." She eyed him curiously. "Is there a reason why you're staring at me like that? Jasper did the same thing…" Maybe Edward would admit that he was staring at a pimple. He seemed like the pretty straight-forward type.

The bronze-haired young man blinked, stiffening slightly, before relaxing. He gave her a charming smile. "No, no there's no real reason why," he assured. "I apologize if my staring bothered you."

She raised an eyebrow. "So, you guys haven't been staring at a pimple on my forehead?" she fairly demanded to know. She covered said area with a hand. "I've been self-conscience about it all day because of Jasper. Is there really no reason why you two have been staring?"

Edward laughed loud enough to catch some people's attention. Gesturing for her to continue walking, he fell into step with her.

Using one hand, he gently removed the appendage covering her forehead. "No pimple, I promise," he said. "The staring was merely because I… find you very difficult to read. Impossible, actually." Now he understood how frustrated Jasper had been (still was). He couldn't read any of Ally Dawson's thoughts. None. Nothing. She was a blank slate. Edward was man enough to admit that he didn't like that. He felt like one of his senses had been taken away. How unnerving.

"Really?" Ally sounded surprised. "I'm hard to read? I always thought of myself as an open book, to be honest." She shrugged. "I'm not even good at lying, except for when the occasion calls for it."

"Good to know," he chuckled.

"Anyway, what are you doing here? Not that I mind the company, of course. I'm just wondering why you sought me out. Don't you have class?"

Edward smirked, ignoring how everyone else in the hallway stopped and stared at their easy companionship. It wasn't every day he gave attention to the 'mere mortals' of Forks High School, after all. Being able to hear their thoughts was enough to let him know that this particular piece of gossip would be passed around like wildfire. He didn't care.

"Rosalie let me know that we have the same Calculus class."

"She did?" Ally asked, shocked. "To be honest, I didn't think Rosalie liked me. Like, at all."

He snorted, knowing exactly what Ally meant. "She just takes some getting used to. She can be a bit… pig-headed, I suppose you could say."

Ally waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, I wouldn't. In my opinion, she just appeared distant, and that's fine. Emmett was really nice, though I didn't get to talk to either for very long." She softly frowned as she thought about her morning. "Actually, I didn't get a chance to talk to Alice a lot either. Only Jasper, really."

"You could talk to them at lunch, if you decide to join us." His offer was mostly for Jasper's benefit, especially after Alice started raving about Ally. Edward had been curious about the petite brunette meant for his brother, so had sought her company after Rosalie texted him about her Calculus class. He could see how Jasper and Ally would fit together.

But neither of his siblings had exaggerated about her scent. If he didn't know what he did about Ally's eventual future, Edward would've been tempted to start some sort of relationship with her. Aside from the fact that he was impressed by her piano playing, she was beautiful and she was the easiest mortal he'd ever talked to.

The fact that he couldn't read her mind added to the attraction.

However, Alice had foreseen Jasper and Ally ending up together, and Edward would never stand in the way of their happiness. He fully supported Jasper and that same support would include Ally now. Nothing more and nothing less.

Besides, he could always pursue a strong friendship with Ally. He had always admired her rather than be attracted to her in the romantic sense. In that department, her scent was the problem. There was something about it that just drew him in. Like a lure. Edward would have to discuss it further with his entire family. Carlisle may know what was going on.

Ally hummed thoughtfully, which caught Edward's attention away from his inner musings. She said, "I still have to think about it. I hope that's okay. I really appreciate the offer. Hopefully, I'll be able to at least stop by your table."

Edward nodded. "That would be more than acceptable. I'm sure Jasper will be pleased," he replied, smirking in amusement.

The petite brunette blushed but didn't deny his prediction. Instead, she said, "We better hurry to class. I don't want to be late." Her quickened steps were easy to match, but she did her best to avoid anything else he said that could embarrass her.

Edward chuckled, shaking his head as he watched her. Maybe she was more like an open book than he first thought. Her emotions weren't too difficult to read either.

Ally Dawson would definitely be a great addition to their family. He couldn't wait to see the relationship that bloomed between her and Jasper. It didn't take a mind reader to see that it would be an adventure.

LA*LA*LA

Calculus passed quickly, especially with Edward sitting next to her. He was able to catch her up on some of the material they already covered during the school year, but Ally was just thankful Marino had taught her most of it. She could admit to being one of the smartest students, but being smart didn't always mean she'd be able to make up all of the work her teachers wanted her to. It would be time consuming and her brain wouldn't be thanking her for overusing it.

"My siblings and I could always tutor you," Edward offered as he watched Ally repack her backpack. "Or at least enough to catch you up on everything you missed. I'm sure they won't mind." Jasper would be happy to just be in her presence, but Alice… It didn't take the ability to read minds to know she'd kidnap Ally at the first opportunity to go shopping. In Europe.

Ally swung her backpack onto her shoulders, smiling at the bronze-haired male. "Thanks for offering, but I think I can handle it. But if I need help, I'll know where to go."

Edward shrugged in acknowledgement, not wanting to push. "Are you headed towards the cafeteria?" he asked, changing the subject.

In response, the petite brunette pulled out her cell phone. It was the latest in technology, and he approved. The one thing he despised about Forks was its lack in technological advancement. Some people just didn't appreciate the finer things in life. Or a good, fast car.

"I'm going to meet Bella, actually. She's probably wondering how my morning went, and I'm worried she's about to spontaneously combust from all of the attention she got."

Edward chuckled. "I see. Well, then, I guess I'll see you later." He tipped his head slightly. "I hope you'll be able to stop by our table. I know that would make Alice happy." And Jasper, but he didn't add that (again). The pixie-like vampire was a good way to introduce Ally into their circle during school hours. It didn't take a genius to realize that people assumed Jasper and Alice were a couple. No one wanted to alienate Ally, not this early in acquaintance.

Admitting to her that they were a coven of vampires would do the job.

But that conversation wouldn't happen for a long time, if they had it their way.

Ally smiled at the mention of Alice. "I'd like to see her again, too. This may sound totally weird, but I have this feeling that she and I will be great friends," she confessed.

"I know she feels exactly the same way." If he focused enough on sensing Alice's thoughts, he knew he'd find her thinking about Ally and trying to see what the future would bring. He already caught her thinking about a shopping trip involving the girl meant for Jasper.

When Ally beamed, happy at the thought of making a new friend, Edward had to tense his entire body to keep from leaning towards her. Damn, he had to be careful. She had a mysterious pull on him; hell, she had a pull on every one of his siblings. He definitely needed to talk to Carlisle about it. Something about Ally's scent was affecting him.

"Great," she chirped. Backing slightly away from Edward, she waved. "I'll stop by your table during lunch, then. Bye, Edward!"

He lifted a hand in farewell, watching with keen eyes as Ally turned and walked down the hall. He didn't miss the way guys would turn and watch her, too. Blatant lust glazed their eyes, their scent heightening with arousal.

Edward released a soft growl, too low for human ears to hear. His eyes narrowed, darkening. Venom pooled within his mouth.

Jasper would definitely have to stick close to Ally, or at least one of the siblings, at all times. She was like a siren, singing her intoxicating song to lure her willing victims to their watery graves…

Only, Ally was the one in grave danger if she attracted the wrong type of attention.

LA*LA*LA

Bella sighed as she followed Jessica Stanley into the lunch line to grab some food. Her morning could have gone better but, then again, it could have been a lot worse. At least she only had to introduce herself once to the class, and it was in Trigonometry. Her most hated subject. It was irony at its finest.

As Jessica prattled on about something she stopped listening to, Bella glanced around the cafeteria, looking for her cousin. She told Ally that she would meet her inside, but she had yet to spot the smaller brunette. Was she being held up for some reason? Maybe some guys were giving her problems?

Bella could relate. That morning, as soon as Ally left her side, Eric Yorkie had somehow found her and offered to make her the newspaper's front page news. It was embarrassing and completely mortifying, especially when he called her 'Police Chief Swan's daughter.'

Yes, thank you very much; she knew exactly whose daughter she was. She didn't need the reminder.

But did it stop there? Of course not. She was Bella Swan. Bad things tended to happen to her, like a trouble magnet.

Mike Newton was another example of why her morning sucked. He was nice and cute, with blonde hair and baby blue eyes. He had boyish features, a baby face to match his eyes. His smile was a good one, too. But Bella got the feeling that Mike and Eric were both trying to date her, or at least notice them as a potential boyfriend. She had the same problem with another boy named Tyler Crowley, though he was more subtle.

How did she tell them nicely that she wasn't interested?

Maybe she should paw them off onto Ally…

Releasing another sigh, Bella turned back to see what Jessica was talking about now. Before she knew it, she was sitting at Jessica's table with others she'd seen throughout the day. Including Mike, Eric, and Tyler. Great, just great. But at least she was introduced to Angela Weber. She seemed like someone Bella could genuinely call a friend.

"So, Isabella," Angela said, deciding to make small talk.

"Bella," she automatically corrected.

Angela nodded, then restarted her question, "So, Bella, what class do you have next?"

"Biology II, with Mister Banner."

Mike cut into their conversation. "Hey, cool. I have that class, too!" He gave Bella a wide smile. "We could walk together, Bella."

Jessica, annoyed, nearly snapped, "Pretty much all of us have that class next, Mike. It's not just you who gets to walk with Bella." The last word almost came out like a curse. Bella had never thought that her name could be used like that. She found that more interesting than offensive.

But speaking of having class together… Bella glanced around the cafeteria again, trying to spot the one person she wanted to talk to. Where was Ally? Did she get lost? That seemed unlikely, considering Forks High was small, like its population of students.

"Are you looking for someone, Bella?" Eric asked. "Or are you looking for something? I can totally help you with that." He grinned, going for attractive.

In a distracted voice, she answered, "Yeah, my cousin. Ally Dawson."

The complete silence that fell over the table caught her attention. Bella glanced at everyone, who stared back with wide eyes, mouths agape.

"Was it something I said?" she asked, feeling awkward and uncomfortable.

Jessica nearly screeched, "Ally Dawson is your cousin?"

Even Angela breathed out, "That is so cool."

Eric then eagerly asked, "Do you think she'd be interested in becoming the newspaper's front page news? Can you ask her? Or, better yet, can you introduce us?"

"Dude, she's introducing me first," Tyler protested.

"Not unless she introduces me first," Mike laughed, nudging Tyler with his elbow. He gave Bella an encouraging smile, wanting her to agree with him.

Instead of responding, Bella just gave the group a strained smile. What could she say, anyway? No? They would meet Ally soon enough, whether Bella introduced her or not, in Biology, if not within the next few minutes.

Wanting to change the subject, she looked around the cafeteria to see if she could comment about something in there. Instead, her gaze was caught by movement outside one of the windows. She froze.

The group of five that walked in were one word: Breathtaking.

The only blonde female was stunningly gorgeous, like she belonged on the covers of magazines like Sports Illustrated. Her honey-brown eyes complimented her silky hair, and her figure was the type all girls strived to be.

The brunette who followed her was built like a linebacker, with broad shoulders and hands large enough to probably squash a watermelon. Bella felt a thrill of fear shiver down her spine. He was definitely someone a person didn't want to meet in a dark alley.

The couple that followed behind the first were also strikingly beautiful, especially the pixie-like brunette. The way she moved was graceful and fluid, like she was walking through water, and her feet never seemed to touch the ground.

The blonde male who walked beside her was handsome, too. Not as muscled as the first, but not lean or close to scrawny either. His facial features were slightly pinched, like he was in pain for some reason. Bella didn't see any obvious injuries, so she figured it must be her imagination.

However, it was the last member of their group that caught her attention. Bella had never seen anyone so good-looking before. His bronze-colored hair appeared wind-blown, but it was too perfectly done to tell. His body was leaner than the other two guys, but there was something predatory about the way he moved. Almost like a panther. Or a mountain lion. He also seemed more interested in staring at a wall rather than actually interacting with another human being.

"Who are they?" Bella inquired, keeping her voice low.

Jessica answered with a small, almost condescending laugh. "Oh, I knew you'd see them eventually. That's the Cullens and the Hales. They moved here about two years ago, from Alaska."

"They were all adopted by Doctor Carlisle Cullen and his wife, Esme," Angela helpfully put in, also staring in their direction.

Jessica cut back into the conversation, obviously liking the spotlight and being able to spread some gossip. "Well, technically, only Rosalie and Jasper are related. They're twins." With an airy wave, she said, "Rosalie is the blonde girl and Jasper is the one who looks like he's in pain. The big guy sitting next to Rosalie is Emmett Cullen, and the small girl is Alice Cullen."

Bella's focus remained on the bronze-haired male. "And what about him?"

Jessica released a deep sigh. "Oh, that's Edward Cullen. But I wouldn't waste my time on him."

That finally caught Bella's attention enough to look at the other girl. "Why do you say that?" she asked, confused but interested. She couldn't explain it, but something about Edward pulled her in. Even now, her eyes were fighting to return to staring at him. It was irrational. It wasn't like she knew him.

"Because they're all, like, together-together. Doctor Cullen is like some sort of matchmaker. All of them are paired off, except Edward. Apparently, none of the girls at this school are worth his time."

Bella's eyes flashed back to the group. They were all sitting at a table now, mostly playing with their food, and away from everyone else. However, it was like Jessica's words could be heard from all the way across the crowded cafeteria. If she hadn't been looking, she was positive she would have missed the way Edward's lips twitched, like he found Jessica's words amusing.

But that couldn't be right. There was too much space between their tables for anyone to overhear any conversation.

As if from far away, Bella heard Angela dreamily comment, "Maybe Doctor Cullen would consider adopting me."

It was Mike's next words that effectively pierced her dazed state like shattering glass.

"Apparently, there is one girl who is worth his time, Jessica." He pointed at someone who had just entered the cafeteria at the same time Edward gracefully stood from his seat and started walking in the direction Mike indicated.

All heads shot that way, including Bella's. Her breath stuttered in her chest.

Ally.

Of course it would be Ally who would catch the attention of someone as good-looking – and single – as Edward Cullen. With her natural beauty and bright personality, she probably fit in perfectly with the Cullen and Hale siblings.

And Bella? She never thought of herself as beautiful. Pretty, sure, but nothing like Ally, who could light up a room by just entering it.

However, this would be the first time Bella had ever truly felt jealous of her cousin.