CHAPTER 2

Breathe

Author's Notes:

Disclaimer: All characters associated with Twilight belong to Stephanie Myer. No copyright infringement is intended at any time.

APOV

Another day, another school, another year. If it wasn't for the love of showing off new outfits everyday, I might hate it. So many clothes, so little…who am I kidding. I've got plenty of time. Jasper and I have already eaten, so there wont be any problems being around new humans today. I haven't had any unpleasant visions, so we're good there.

My brother, Edward, is the one everyone is concerned about. We have been since he left the love of his life twenty years ago in Forks, WA. He left her to make her safe, even though I had told him time and time again that she was safer with us than without. Apparently my advise was not heeded. You would think he should have known not to bet against me. We had that close call with James down in Phoenix, but you can't blame me because Bella had made a sudden decision to play a martyr. I guess if I had been in her position, afraid that a crazy vampire was going to kill my mother and told me not to tell or bring anyone, then I would have done the same thing. But she should have trusted us and things would have went a lot smoother.

Bella, I loved her like a sister. It broke everyone's heart (except Rosalie) when Edward had decided to leave. Poor Jasper. Even today he takes responsibility for the last nail in the coffin on Edward's choice. At her birthday party, he had lost control when she cut herself and almost took her life. Would have, if Edward hadn't been able to read his thoughts and been so fast to stop him. I don't know why I hadn't seen it! I still beat myself up about it. If only I would have known and been able to avert the whole thing. I have to be careful thinking about these things in front of my brother. We all have to be careful. We haven't mentioned Bella's name or Forks for twenty years. I don't think we will ever move back there.

I often wonder about how she is doing now. Edward assured me that she was fine. I had a vision, about six months after we had left, of her jumping off a cliff. I was terrified that because of his asinine decision, she had ended her life. I was going to check on her myself, but Jasper stopped me and said I should respect Edward's wishes and stay out of it. I couldn't do that. I broke down and called him in South America to tell him I broke his rule and had checked on Bella and I thought she was in trouble. Couldn't bring myself to tell him that she might be dead. He, as usual, panicked and blamed himself. He said he should have never gotten involved with her to being with and her life was ruined because of him. He flew back to Forks that day. I had offered to meet him, but he lectured me about staying out of his and Bella's life and said if he needed help, he would call Carlisle or Esme. No offense was taken, that was just Edward. I don't know what happened, but he showed up in Vancouver where we were living and said it was a tainted vision. My vision tainted? I went to question him but he cut me off with his stare and said that Bella was perfectly fine and his decision had been the right one. That was the last time her name was mentioned.

We had a time with Edward a few months after that. He was determined to go to the Volturi and end his life, saying it wasn't worth living anymore. He has always believed that he is damned and suppose to live in misery. That he is a monster and has no soul. Yeah, he's a masochist. We tell him and tell him that if he was that way he would be unable to love at all. He has such a hard head, and when he makes his mind up about something…he worries me. He had planned on asking the Volturi to end his miserable existence and if they wouldn't agree to that then he would make them. We all begged and pleaded with him not to. We even said that we were going with him and if he went down, we all went down. It was Esme, our dear mother, who was able to convince him not to. He must have seen all the pain he was causing everyone, especially her and Carlisle, so he dropped it. He apologized and said it wouldn't happen again. He was being selfish and just because he was in pain didn't mean we all had to be. He was just going to live by himself, but Esme and the rest of us would here nothing of it. He was Carlisle's oldest son and it would have given him much grief if Edward would have left. We were a family and stuck together like a family, good or bad, happy or sad. Plus, we needed him more than he needed us. He brings balance to our lives.

Life has moved on since then. It hasn't been very exciting. Edward keeps to himself and hasn't played his piano since we left. We have all agreed to restrain ourselves from showing affection while in his presence. It is very hard and we mess up sometimes, but we would do anything for him. We all love him so much and his pain kills me everyday. Jasper does his best to try and make him less depressed, but Edward knows what he's doing and scowls at him. Emmett's always trying to make him smile and play games with him, but Edward never seems interested and declines his offer with a smile. He goes hunting with Carlisle and Emmett often. Rosalie has turned into his favorite sister. Even though that hurts a lot, I understand. Rosalie never agreed with his relationship with Bella. She thought he was playing with fire and it was only going to end badly and she had been right. Both hearts, forever scared. Just one will end one day while the other will remain forever.

I have to snap out of it or he will read my mind and know what I've been thinking. It's a new day at a new school and I don't want him in a sour mood before we even get there. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.

"Good morning, Alice. Ready for school?"

"Yes, mother. Everyone else already come down?"

"They have eaten and waiting on you. I told them you were probably having a hard choice on deciding what to wear. Have a good time." Esme and I kissed and hugged then I was off. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.

I see Rosalie has chosen to wear her painted on jeans and snug fitting sweater, good choice. Emmett and Jasper looking handsome as always. Edward…gray. Figures. That seems to be the only thing he has in his closet; all gray, all black, or all whi…

"Alice, really. Is my wardrobe that disconcerting to you?" Edward frowned.

"I don't know why you can't add some color to your life. It might make you feel…"

"Alice, dear. We don't want to be late." Jasper cut me off with a warning look in his eyes. Right, I don't want to push Edward on our first day at school.

"Sorry. Your outfit is very - becoming of you, brother." I smiled and got in the Hummer next to Jasper.

As always, Edward drove. He thinks he is a much better driver than the rest of us. I think he just wants to feel important.

"I like to drive. Does there have to be a reason behind everything! Can't somebody just do something without there having to be a purpose behind it?!"

"Would you please quit reading my thoughts?! Do you realize how aggravating…"

"Yes, I do! It's probably as aggravating as someone always seeing your future!"

"Will you two please shut the hell up! I don't like having a bad mood before entering a new school." Rosalie wasn't enjoying our dispute? "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all. Edward, quit paying attention to our thoughts and don't say you can't because we know you can."

I can't stand silence. "You drive very well and I'm glad you enjoy it."

"Alice!!" Emmett and Rosalie shouted at me. Edward didn't say a word, just kept his frown in place and drove with eyes focused on the road.

We pulled up to our new school at North Pole High. There are only about 1,000 students, so we are bound to draw attention to ourselves. We find it a easier at smaller schools to be able to keep to ourselves though. Yeah, there is attention but rarely does anyone ever want to associate with us outside the school walls. At larger schools, everyone tries to invite you in their group. The gothics love us, the snobs love us, the jocks love us, the nerds love us, we just fit in everywhere in larger schools. Small schools, they can't keep their eyes off us but are afraid to approach. It's safer for them that way.

As I was getting out of the Hummer, it came to me so fast I had to reach out and grab Jasper to keep from falling over. Damn visions! Edward, running away from school so fast. Rosalie, yelling and blaming me. Emmett, with a look of concern on his face. Jasper, trying to calm me and Rosalie down. A girl with dirty blond hair, watching us, standing next to an old blue… I turned and there it was. An old blue Honda, but there was no girl standing by it. I saw some of the attention we were getting as being new kids standing next to a very expensive vehicle. I straightened myself and looked at Jasper.

"What did you see?" he asked me with a look of concern on his face. I normally didn't have visions to tell us we were in store for a wonderful surprise. If I have a vision, there is usually something terrible that follows. I haven't had a good vision since I had that one at…happy thoughts, happy thoughts.

"I don't know. I didn't make any sense." I looked over at Edward and he looked frightened. "I saw you running away from school, but I don't know why. Rosalie was yelling…"

"Why would I be running? What happened Alice?" He started towards me, but Emmett laid a hand on his shoulder to stop his advancement. He seemed to calm down and look around. "What else was there?"

"That was it. Like I said, it doesn't make any sense." I wasn't going to tell him about the girl. I have no idea why she was even in it. Had she been laying on the ground with puncture wounds at her throat, then I would have understood. I glanced at Edward to see if he saw what I had seen, but he didn't show any sign. Maybe he was adhering to Rosalie's request. Thank God.

"Alright. People are starting to stare. Lets act normal and go register. We know the drill." Rosalie took charge and walked towards the entrance of the school with Emmett taking her hand walking beside her.

Edward took a few steps then hesitated. "I trust you're not keeping anything from me Alice."

I looked him square in the face and shook my head. "If I understood it, I would tell you." He paused before giving a short nod and followed Rose an Emmett. Then it was just me and Jasper. He looked at me, but I knew he wasn't going to push. "I swear, Jazz, I don't know. I just have this sense of déjà vu."

"Is there any more you want to tell me? Maybe I can help." He smiled at me. I had been so lucky to find him.

"There was a girl watching us. I don't think she saw Edward run, but she looked…interested in our family. I don't know why that is important. She was standing by that car." I pointed to the old Honda. "There was just something about how she was looking. Strange."

"You don't think…"

"No. She didn't look scared or mad. She just looked intrigued." I turned and looked again at the car. "We need to get moving or we're going to be late on the first day. That will not be good for our record." I smiled at him to try and show that everything was going to be fine, but Jasper knew me better than that. He put his arm through mine and walked towards the school. I couldn't help myself from glancing around to see if I recognized the girl from my vision. No such luck.

It appeared that we weren't going to have any problems with people wanting to hang out with us at this school. No one seemed to be overly friendly except for the adults and some of the kids. I guess it could be jealousy that makes people so mean, but mainly ignorance. I all my years, I have learned to over look many things, and bullying is not one of them. I can take it, but I don't like it. I have to watch myself and not expose my strength. That is why none of us ever take Physical Ed or try out for sports. It's just not fair to the humans. Oh, but I would love to show them cheerleaders how to really do cartwheels and handsprings. Bitches.

I walked into my 2nd period class, history, and handed my new student form to the teacher. He smiled and welcomed me, then pointed to apparently the only vacant chair available towards the back of the class. I moved and heard the vile comments that some of the students had made as I passed. They didn't know that I could hear the tiniest whisper. I sat down and pretended like everything was normal. Then I caught the scent. Freesias.

I couldn't help turning my head as fast as I did, but I was caught off guard. I saw the dirty blond haired girl that was in my vision sitting next to me staring back with brown eyes. What is it about those eyes that makes me nervous? She must have noticed that I was staring back and dropped her eyes back to her laptop. What is going on? I quickly turned my attention back to the teacher and tried to pay attention, but my mind was going ninety to nothing.

"Freak." I heard some idiot say close by then other idiots laughing with him.

"I guess we are suppose to be impressed because the newbie is wearing some fancy clothes. NOT!" That came from one of those brainless cheerleaders.

Then I heard her speak. "Hi. I'm Jane. Jane Watson. Welcome to North Pole High." I looked over at her. Her voice was kind and friendly. I could tell she wasn't like the rest of the jerks in the classroom.

I smiled back. "Hi, Jane. My name is Alice. Alice Cullen. Thank you for welcoming me, that means a lot." She smiled and turned back to taking notes.

The bell rang dismissing us for break. "You want to hang out with me and my friend for break?" I looked over at her and stalled for a moment. How odd that she didn't seem concerned by my looks. People usually didn't offer friendship to our kind in such a hurry without being lured.

"Thank you, but I think I will look for my brothers and sister." I didn't want to be rude, but the others would worry about me if I didn't show up after my first two periods at a new school. Situations like this could be very dangerous for our kind, and theirs.

"Oh. Okay, um, maybe I'll see you in another class." I smiled at her, turned and skipped off.

I found my family near the backside of the school where very few people were gathered. They were sitting on a couple of benches that were under some trees. Jasper smiled at me as I joined them.

"Have you ever seen such rude people?" Rosalie shook her blond locks of hair. I could say, "yeah" and point right at her, but I didn't want to fight. "This is going to be a breeze keeping to ourselves. Are you guys having any problems?"

Jasper shook his head and Emmett laughed. "They haven't said anything to me."

"There is this girl in my math class that had saliva coming out of her mouth. Her thoughts were…let's just say, not repeatable. Seems to be one in every school." Edward had sort of gotten use to the female attention he seemed to get and it annoyed him.

"You poor baby." Rosalie said without any compassion in her voice. "While you had a girl drooling over you, I had guys making cattle calls to me. I wanted to break their jaws. I hope they gain some class soon or I'll be the one to expose ourselves."

They must have noticed that I hadn't said a word since joining them, and all their eyes looked my way.

"And what about you, darling? Has any guy, or girl for that matter, made any crude remarks your way?" Jasper smiled and waited for my answer.

"Just a few. But they aren't all bad. Just like every other school, you have some rotten apples, some sour, some sweet, some…"

"Yeah, we get the point." Rosalie had enough.

Edward got up and started walking off, "My next class is all the way on the other side of the building. I'll see you at lunch."

"He seems to be doing okay. I think it helps him to have girls woo over him." Emmett smiled and kissed Rosalie's hand.

While they talked about their classes, I couldn't help but running Jane Watson's face through my mind and trying to figure out what it was about her that made me nervous. She wasn't another vampire, though her pale skin could pass for one. She had a heartbeat, there was no doubt blood was flowing through her veins. I could smell it. It smelt just like…They must have heard my gasp, because all went silent around me.

"Another vision?" I heard Emmett ask.

"No, she doesn't have that look." I felt Jasper's calming touch and looked at him.

"Oh, my, God. You guys, there is a girl that was in my last class that smells like…you know who."

Rosalie sucked in a breath, Jasper looked terrified, and Emmett looked lost. "Who?"

"Bella!!!" we all yelled at him.

"Is she the one you saw in your vision?" Jasper asked me taking both my hands.

"Wait! You didn't say anything about a girl that looks like Bella in your vision. Alice, what in the hell is going on?!" Rosalie looked like she was going to snap. Emmett tried to relax her, but he looked panicked also. Jasper started using his power in overdrive. "Don't try to make this supportable, Jasper! This can only end very badly, like it did before." Rosalie set her eyes on me. "Now tell us the whole vision."

I took a deep breath and told her the part that I left out. It hadn't made any sense to me, until now. It wasn't that Jane looked just like Bella, but she damn sure smelt like her. Edward must have picked up on Jane's scent and that was why he was running.

"Well, we either have to tell him or make sure he doesn't have contact with this Jane girl." Emmett sat back down and ran his hands through his hair. "He's gonna freak."

"I don't see any other choice than to tell him, now. What if his next class is with her? What if he loses control?" Rosalie shook her head in dread.

"Poor guy. Hasn't he been through enough?" Jasper looked distraught.

"I think it will be good for him." As it passed my lips, all three of them looked at me like I had just committed the ultimate sin and drank human blood.

"You aren't serious, Alice?" Rosalie's voice sharp and direct. "You do remember the last time? You do remember how he left us after he meet Bella? You do remember the torment he put himself through trying to be with her? Seeing him so happy one minute, sad the next, and hating himself for not being strong enough to stay away from her. I don't want to lose him again! I am going to tell him!"

"Now wait, Rosalie! I remember everything perfectly. Don't pretend that you love him more than the rest of us. You may have known him longer, but that doesn't mean you love him more. My memory is a little different than yours. I remember him leaving, but I remember him coming back because he couldn't stay away. I remember how his eyes would light up when she walked into a room. I remember him playing his piano when we stayed home from school and coming up with songs that she would like. I remember seeing them together laughing and talking. I remember him feeling comfortable being around us, feeling more alive than he had since 1918. Do you honestly think that seeing him like this now is better? Walking around with nothing to live for? With no one to share private and personal feelings with? I know Edward! He might go crazy at first because it is going to reopen wounds that haven't healed properly in the first place, but it is his decision to make, not yours or mine!"

"I don't think it is safe for him to meet her without being warned." Rosalie wasn't going to back down, but she had lost some of her bite.

"Look you two." Jasper had been listening and debating both sides. "Rose, we aren't going to be able to catch up with him in time for his next class anyway. Alice didn't see any harm coming to the girl, so he doesn't lose control. He will probably go crazy, but that is what we are here for. I think it best if we just forget about this. Let's go through the rest of the day as normal as possible, and let nature take it's course." He looked over at me with a stern look on his face. "Alice, love, please don't take this the wrong way, but lets not try to push this thing. If it happens, it happens without our involvement. We block this from our minds, and when we get home, we discuss the problem with Carlisle and Esme before we confront Edward. But do not, in any way, try to intervene on fate. Okay?"

The bell rang, ending our break, leaving us agreeing with Jasper as to how to handle this volatile situation. I could tell Rosalie was not too excited with the decision, but she had been outvoted. I went through my next three classes not seeing Jane or Edward anywhere, but I hadn't had any more visions either. It was lunch time and I went through the line picking up what appeared good and went to the table Emmett had settled in, close to the door but away from everyone else. Jasper was behind me and pulled my chair out for me.

"Have you seen her anymore?" Emmett asked pushing his tray of food away. If you didn't know him, you would think that what little food he had on his tray wouldn't be enough to fill up a guy his size.

"No. She hasn't been in any of my other classes. But, I haven't seen Edward either."

"Any more visions?" Jasper asked rubbing my back. I smiled at him thankful for his concern.

"No." Then a loud noise brought our attention to the center of the cafeteria. There she was, staring down at the tray that had fallen from her hands, or knocked out. Her face was red with embarrassment.

"Way to go, nerd." someone yelled across the room and then people were laughing. I couldn't take it. I felt sorry for her. She had been nice to me and needed help. I went to her aid against Emmett and Jasper's protest. She was kneeling down picking up her spilt food. We both reached for her milk at the same time, but I was quicker.

"Let me help."

"You don't have to. I'm such a klutz, all the time." She stood and I saw her gracious smile. "Thank you."

"Not a problem. You want me to get you something else?" The laughter had died down and people were back to minding their own business. She stood there a while looking at me like I wasn't speaking English.

"Oh, no. I'm okay. I wasn't all that hungry to begin with."

"You can have mine, I haven't touched it." I grabbed her by the sleeve, making sure my cold hand didn't touch her skin, and pulled her over to my table. I saw that Rosalie had joined Jasper and Emmett and had a furious look on her face. I wasn't doing what we had agreed to, I was helping fate along. Edward hadn't made it to lunch yet, but he was bound to show up soon.

"Alice, what are you doing?" I felt Jane tense up next to me as Rosalie spoke with venom.

"This is my new friend, Jane Watson. She dropped her food and I offered to give her mine so she doesn't go hungry." I smiled back as sweetly as I could. I was trying to make them believe that I had a perfectly good reason to bring this ticking time bomb to our table. I was doing what was properly right just as our parents had raised us.

"Well, give her your food, but she can't sit here. There is only room for one more and our brother will be joining us very shortly." Rosalie cut her eyes back to Jane and used her persuasion in not such a nice tone. "Please, take it and leave."

"Now just a minute Rosa…" but I didn't get to finish protesting when Jane turned towards the door.

"Thanks Alice, but really, I'm not hungry at all. I'll see ya 'round." She left before I had a chance to stop her.

"Think he will notice the scent?" Emmett asked keeping his gaze on me.

"I thought we were in agreement with Jasper that we weren't going to step in!" Rosalie hissed.

"I have had just about enough…"

"Edward, how's it going? Girls still drooling?" Emmett cut into mine and Rosalie's fight.

"Not so much anymore. What's going on?" He looked at Rose then quickly turned his attention to me.

Happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts… "Nothing, going to check out the library. Come Jasper, your not interested in eating anyway." I grabbed his hand and quickly left before I could hear my brother scorn and question me for blocking him, even though he shouldn't be trying anyway.

"Think Rose and Emmett will tell him?" Jasper asked wrapping his arm around me.

"No. They are too scared of how he will react in public. They'll think of something that will make him want to stay out of their thoughts." I laughed thinking about what I said. Just what Edward wouldn't want to see, Rosalie and Emmett on the many honeymoon's they have taken together. Then my mind came back to reality. "What do you honestly think, Jazz?" His opinion mattered to me just as much as Carlisle and Esme.

He thought before answering. "He already considers himself a tortured soul, so this will just be another lash out against him." I started to interfere but he put his finger to lips to quiet me. "We know he isn't and you see this as a second chance for him. You see this as a way for him to redeem himself of the mistake he made twenty years ago. But Alice, this isn't Bella? What if she doesn't respond to - us - the way that Bella did? What will happen?"

I hadn't thought about that. The thought of Jane rejecting vampires never crossed my mind. I was so concerned with Edward rejecting her too fast and not giving love another go. What if there was nothing to go at? I knew that Edward would never force himself on someone that didn't want him. He would not use his power of persuasion just to make someone like or love him. He was too much of a gentleman. He might read her mind to see what she was thinking, but he wouldn't use it to his advantage against her.

Jasper walked me to my next class and kissed me bye. I went in and took a seat over by the window. I was lost in my own world thinking about my discussion with Jasper, when I heard a familiar cough next to me. I looked and there stood Edward. Great! We have English together.

"Nice to see you too, sis." He took a chair next to me. "You were in a hurry to leave lunch today. Didn't like what they were serving?"

"Not particularly. Everything seemed too, dead. I like mine kicking." I gazed over at him and he actually had a smirk on his face. I made him smile. "Wow, haven't seen that in a while. Sometimes I wonder if you even have teeth left."

"Ha, ha." We watched some of the other students come in the room. There was one girl that walked in with black curly hair and green eyes, and I heard Edward growl.

"Is that your stomach, or are you practicing for the Cowardly Lion?" I saw the girl waive frantically at him and he politely waived back. "If you wouldn't encourage her, it would be better."

"I'm just trying to be friendly." he hissed back at me. We were both talking low and fast so no one could understand us. Luckily for him, she had an assigned seat on the opposite side of the room.

"I'm having a vision, Edward." He turned to me with stunned look on his face. "I see a dark, curly haired girl with green eyes making advances towards you and by tomorrow she will have moved her chair closer to yours in an attempt to flatter you." I smiled wickedly.

"You're not funny Alice."

Play time was over as the teacher came in and started her lecture. They were in the middle of Ivanhoe and there was to be a test on it next month. Edward and I have read the book so many times we could recite it from memory. When class was over, Edward had left so fast that I didn't even see him leave. Then I saw why. He must have been reading her mind. I was left staring at the girl he was so desperate to avoid.

"Where did your bother go?" she asked looking around dumb founded. "I was going to see if he needed any help. Ivanhoe can be difficult to understand especially in the beginning and, well, I help tutor my best friend and she is making A's in English, not to brag. I'm Mackenzie Cox, by the way." She extended her hand towards me and I just smiled.

"Alice. My brother needed to hurry and make to his next class, but I will be sure to pass on your offer of tutoring him. That is very kind of you. I'm sure he will be, flattered"

"Well, I'm a very kind person. I have art class next, what about you."

I didn't like this girl. "Sorry, Math."

"Oh, see you tomorrow, Ali." When she turned to walk away, I thought about grabbing her from behind and sucking all her pathetic blood out. No one called me Ali.

During the last period all I could do was think about my vision. Why was Edward running? He seemed fine so far. Maybe something had happened that caused the vision to change course. I couldn't rest until we were safe back home. Maybe he was running to get away from Mackenzie Cox? I couldn't help but laugh out loud and that brought more raised eyebrows my way than normal for today.

As the last bell sounded, I jumped up and skipped towards the Hummer, where Jasper and Emmett were already standing. I slowly walked by the blue Honda and felt something pass me. Edward. He was running so fast that I could barley make out who or what he was. I ran up to where the others were and stared after him. Rosalie had joined us by then and glared at me.

"This is all your fault! If you would have just been honest with us from the beginning, then none of this would have happened! I tried to tell you it wasn't healthy…"

"Calm down Rose." Emmett was looking down the road to where Edward had disappeared. "Lets go home and quickly try to handle this the best way can. We need to call Esme and Carlisle and let them know what's going on." he jumped behind the wheel. Rosalie was still glaring at me when Emmett yelled at her to get in.

I looked over towards the blue Honda, and there was Jane. She had the same expression she had in my vision. I couldn't help but to feel sorry for her. Edward was as much her fate as she was to his. Sometimes, you can't make a person see life through someone else eyes.

"It's going to be okay." Jasper whispered in my ear and he appeared to be helping in the Hummer. As soon as our doors were shut, we took off.