At the End of the Tunnel

by gempire

This is a sequel to 'Uncertainty' and 'In Darkness', so the summary's inside to avoid spoilers. You could choose to read this first, there's no problem with that, but it's always better to get the story from the beginning

2. Chapter 1

Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer

This chapter is dedicated to Noble and Fadewind

I would also like to dedicate the first chapter to everyone else who reviewed In Darkness; aussie-angel 95, Blood Beast 1, Esme Rox My Sox, First1ThanAnother, Iput, LordXeenTheGreat and Nikki

So here we are, starting the story proper. There's one thing you'll notice, Essie isn't narrating at the moment. The first lot of chapters are gonna alternate between Essie's children, Liza and Tony in Washington and Tobias in Volterra. The twins will narrate the odd numbered chapters, while Tobias will narrate the even numbered chapters. I will be posting two chapters a week so you don't have to wait two weeks to find out what happens on each story line. It also means it'll be quicker for us to reach the showdown you've all been waiting for ;)

So without further ado, I hand you over to…

---

Liza

My brother and I stood side-by-side on the edge of the schoolyard as we watched the other children mill in through the gate. We were five years of age and this was our first day of school.

On hindsight that opening is a little misleading, for this was not kindergarten that we were attending. No, the school we now observed was High School and those children would be better termed as teenagers of fourteen or fifteen. They were our fellow students, and despite the fact that my brother and I had only been on this planet for five short years we resembled these students more than someone you would find in a kindergarten.

It was somewhat of a victory on our part that we had been allowed to come here and interact with other young people, for even though our family looked young they were in fact old. Very old in the case of a few of them. They had relented when our grandmother had informed them that this was the only regret she had over not having a conventional childhood. It had helped that humans tended toward the unobservant and even if people did notice the fast growth of my brother and I they would put it down to a growth spurt. After all they rarely questioned why the members of our family never appeared to age.

It would have been better if our family could have joined the school with us, but unfortunately they were away on various errands that demanded their time. We lived with our Great-great-grandparents who were pretending to be our auntie and uncle since they both looked in their twenties. We had relocated to the town of Olympic Pines in order for our great-great-grandfather to take a post as a senior doctor in the local hospital.

The quad before us was full of students already clustered into their groupings, it was hard to see a place where my brother and I could fit in with them, but we would have to try. I gave a sigh when I realised that the inevitable moment had arrived.

"Let's go mingle." I said to my brother and he nodded his head, already mute in his shyness despite the fact that we were not yet within earshot of the others.

This had been another argument that helped us gain this opportunity to attend school; my brother was painfully shy around those he didn't know, often using me to speak for him. It was hoped that this would help bring him out of his shell. This I was uncertain of however because my brother had ways of making me speak on his behalf.

We walked toward the gathered students as close to each other as we could be without actually holding hands. It was a comfort thing, a gesture we had known since the first moment we had been placed side by side in our crib. It would have been adorable had we resembled the five year olds we really were, the Twins entering kindergarten together. Since we looked around fifteen it would have looked peculiar had we gone hand-in-hand, and we had enough peculiarities to overcome as it was.

We reached the crowd of people and as their chatter swirled around me I truly felt as if I were fifteen. I knew my brother felt this too and I was working my confidence enough to encourage him to introduce himself to at least one person, perhaps that girl with the dark blond hair who keeps glancing at him and looking away shyly. I would see him right before I would try and socialise for myself.

Before I could implement my plan the chatter died away as a group of five adults appeared on the yard. Everyone turned their attention to the group as a rotund man with greying hair stepped forward and cleared his throat gently as the wind teased at the papers in his hand.

"Hello Freshmen and welcome to Olympic High School. I am your Principal and you can call me Principal Stanwick. We are glad you are joining our family here and I'm sure you're all eager to start learning. So without further a-do I will place you into your homeroom classes and your teachers," he said, indicating the other adults, "Will show you to your homeroom and run through the rules and regulations of our little family here."

I felt my brother's anxiety grow as it became clear that to separate the student body into their homerooms they'd simply gone down the register and marked, 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4… all the way down the list. My brother was worried that we would end up in separate classes.

Perhaps they will put us in the same class since we are twins. I spoke into his mind in order to soothe him.

He gave me a doubtful look and I sighed.

My brother thought me a miracle worker, he thought I had a magic wand that I could wave and make the world to our liking, or at least ensure that we could face whatever it threw at us together. In our short lives we had learned that there were only two people we could trust in this whole world, that was each other. Everyone left us eventually, even if it was only for brief periods of time. We had been the only constant in each other's lives and sometimes it hurt to be parted from my brother. However this was beyond my control, if we were in separate homerooms we would have to muddle through.

"Anthony Summers." The Principal called.

My brother didn't respond at first and I had to give him a quick tap on the shin with my foot. He gave a start then realised his name had been called.

"Here." He answered.

"You're in Miss Weltin's class." The Principal said as he pointed at the group clustered around the tall, thin, middle-aged woman whose greying chestnut hair was pulled back into a respectable bun.

Tony moved toward the group with his head down, clearly determined to be a loner. I repressed a sigh as I turned my attention back to the Principal, waiting for him to call my name.

"Elizabeth Summers." He called and I indicated my presence. "You're in Mr Purley's class." He informed me, pointing to the group clustered around a fairly young teacher with stylish gelled hair who couldn't have long been out of collage.

Tony caught my eye as I made my way toward the other group.

What am I gonna do Liza? He asked me in our special way.

Have no fear Tony, everything will be fine. You will simply have to make friends sooner than anticipated. I replied, trying not to let the signs of our silent conversation show in my face.

How? He demanded and I felt the full force of his desperation behind his plea.

See that girl next to you? I asked as I espied the girl who had been watching him earlier.

Tony turned to her until I could see her through his eyes.

Smile at her, your nice smile, the one grandma likes in the pictures.

Tony smiled, his teeth flashing white against the russet of his skin.

The girl looked at him again, smiled briefly before looking away shyly.

Now what? Tony asked as his grin began to look fixed.

Offer her your hand. Tell her your name and just be your normal happy self. Like you are at home. I encouraged.

Tony's mind was a blank plea as he held out his hand.

Hi, I'm Tony… I prompted.

"Hi, I'm Tony." He said with admirable clarity, there was still a hint of shyness, but I think it worked for him.

"Grace." The girl said timidly as she shook his hand.

I smiled and turned away from my brother hoping that he could conduct his own social life for the moment.

It was at this point that I realised a group of girls from my homeroom were whispering together and after a moment I realised their subject appeared to be me. Why would they be speaking of me? Were they curious as to who I was? If so why did they not ask?

"Hello, I'm Liza." I said to the girl with the smoothed out blond hair next to me.

"I'm Jenny." She replied. "You didn't go to middle school." She observed.

"I was home schooled." I informed her.

"Figures!" One of the other girls, a tall brunette, snorted.

"How does this 'figures' exactly?" I demanded.

"Well look at you. That dress just reeks of home school."

I looked down at my dress; it was a light greeny-beige colour that matched my eyes well. Over its surface were small tulips of dark brown, I had been rather proud of my choice this morning. I had even checked with my aunt via videophone to ask her opinion and she had advised that I wear my brown wool coat, white tights and my calf-high brown boots with it. She had also said that I may run into a little trouble over my fashion choice and if so I should just say…

Now what was it Alice said?

Ah yes…

"Really? Well this is all the rage in Europe at the moment, especially in the upcoming Fall-range. My Aunt Alexis calls it the 'Nostalgia Look' where one is meant to delve into your childhood. It's the height of sophistication." I said without emphasising my aunts famous alias too much.

"Really?" My accuser asked, unconvinced.

"Yes. My Aunt Alexis designed this coat herself, see." I said and displayed the official label on the lining of the coat.

"Alexis Hale is your aunt?" A girl with chin-length shiny black hair asked as she grabbed at the hem of my coat to have a closer look. "Oh my god, it even says 'For my darling niece Liza' it's actually stitched in."

"Anyone could have done that." The tall brunette said dismissively.

"No Abbie, this is Alexis stitching. Oh my god! Do you know how long the list is to have something custom made by Alexis?" She demanded.

I nodded my head, of course I did. Aunt Alice was in high demand these days.

"Have you ever been to one of her fashion shows?" The dark haired girl asked me and suddenly I realised that her haircut was very much like that of Aunt Alice.

"Not since I was very little." I said, telling the truth. "We have travelled a lot and it is rare we get to see our family. Although that doesn't stop Alexis sending me all the latest fashion items wherever I may be in the world. She had her friend Louis send me these boots from New York." I said, displaying the boots.

"Wow." The dark haired girl gasped.

"You know, I do not believe I caught your name." I said politely.

"It's Abigail, but everyone calls me Gail." She said with a smile. "Miss Happy there is also Abigail, but we call her Abbie to save confusion."

"That sounds very helpful." I conceded. "So you are Jenny, Abbie and Gail." I said, pointing to each in turn.

They nodded and Abbie actually managed a smile.

"And I am Elizabeth Summers, but everyone calls me Lie-za," I said, making sure to sound out the true pronunciation of my name to save future embarrassment, "and sometimes Eliza, I answer to either of those. I am very pleased to meet you all." I concluded with a nod of my head.

"Gees, talk about formal." Abbie remarked.

"I like to be formal, it is simply my way." I replied with a slight smile that I had often been told I had inherited from my father.

It was at this point that Mr Purley called our attention to him and he led us to our homeroom on the first floor of the old grey building. I settled into a chair between my new friends, could I call them my friends yet? Mr Purley took attendance and in addition to my friends and I there were another five girls and ten boys. I had already memorised their names but there is no point in my reciting them until they interact properly with me or they do anything particularly noteworthy.

Mr Purley had us stand at the front of the class and give a brief description of ourselves, our interests and hobbies, our families…the latter had been hard for me, especially when I was asked about my parents by Richard Burrows who wished to be called 'Rick'.

The truth was I knew very little about my parents. My family was very vague on the matter. All I knew was that my Mother's name was Essie and she was the descendent of my family while my father, whose name was Tobias, had been an ancient vampire much older than my great-great-grandfather even. We had been given a vague story of how they met and became a couple but the only thing they would tell us of their current whereabouts or predicament was that they 'had to go away'.

Had to go away?

Does that mean dead or simply that they did not want us and therefore left us to be raised by our family rather than those who should raise us? I found myself murmuring as I told them that my parents had died and my father's sister and her husband were raising me, it seemed the best explanation. I just wished I'd thought of it sooner and hoped that Tony hadn't given a different version of events.

As I returned to my chair I contemplated the necessity of informing Tony of my cover story and whether I could perform such a task at a distance when I had no idea of the exact whereabouts of my twin. As much as I hated to admit it at times, Tony was the gifted one when it came to telepathy. On a good day he is able to read the mind of others and project his thoughts to them. I am able to do this with Tony, but only when I am near enough to see him. Unless I concentrate and I was unsure I would achieve enough concentration here without seeming to daydream.

I decided that it was worth the risk of seeming a little lacks-a-daisy in order for Tony to impart the same history as I had. As Gordon Taylor, a frighteningly tall boy with a shock of red hair, made his way to the front I allowed my mind to drift away from this classroom scene and to my amazement I could sense where Tony was.

I made the link to him and sent the short message.

Tony, tell them our parents are dead and our father's sister and her husband are raising us. I informed him in the shortest yet most understandable way possible.

Dead? How did they die? Tony replied without hint of being startled.

I gave no details. My answer of being an orphan was sufficient for the time being. If it is not in your case and you invent a story please let me know.

Course I will sis. Tony promised.

Very good. I replied before severing the link lest I be gone from the classroom too long.

When I was inside my head once more I found it amusing that nobody had noticed my lack of response. Suddenly it seemed that humans were easy to deceive.

---

Tony

I stood on the edge of campus with my sister Liza. I watched all those kids mingling and greeting each other and one thing was for certain, Liza and me, we were outsiders. Even if we had really been fourteen it was clear we would have found it hard to fit in here. They already had their established friendships from middle school, something Liza and me couldn't do since we only looked ten last year and probably could have fit in comfortably to fifth grade.

To tell you the truth I really didn't want to do it and I couldn't understand why Liza had pushed so hard for this. We were only five years of age; we weren't ready for this world of teenagers. When I pointed this out to my twin she had just pointed out that we were dhampires, as she called us, and we matured faster than humans. Even though our bodies looked fourteen, maybe sixteen at the furthest stretch, our minds were much more advanced than that. We could easily get into a university and wow all them professors like some tacky child star in a dodgy nineteen-seventies sci-fi show if we wanted to.

"Let's go mingle." Liza said as she started toward the crowd.

I wanted to hold her hand, it was a comfort thing, but I could feel the warning roll off her. It would look too weird to the humans. We had to maintain appearances.

I kept my head down in the hope that I wouldn't be noticed. I could feel the flicker of my sister's mind as she figured out the strategy to get me more involved.

I didn't want this!

I liked travelling with all our family, visiting with the Quileutes. Going to New York with Alice and Jasper. Hunting big game in Africa with Emmett and Rosalie. I liked going to Isle Esme the most where we could really be ourselves while we watched our relatives sparkle in the sun.

I liked the sun. I liked the feel of the warmth on my skin as it made me glow slightly. Liza did as well, I knew that, but in her insistence of us going to school it meant that we were now confined to this rain soaked hellhole for the next four years since our family couldn't exactly go out in the sun when there were humans present.

I had no idea how this was gonna work out, surely they'd see that we were aging a lot faster than those around us?

What happened if our Quileute genes kicked in and we suddenly started turning into wolves? Without the guidance of a pack would we became lone wolves driven insane by our own thoughts?

There was just so many things that could go wrong. This was insane!

I noticed that the kids around us had grown quiet and that some adults had turned up. The oldest and fattest of them was reading out a list and one by one the kids flocked to whichever teacher he pointed to. As I began to notice the pattern I realised to my horror that Liza and me would be in different classes.

Perhaps they will put us in the same class since we are twins. She said into my mind, trying to soothe me by being the little mother again.

But what was the point? I wasn't stupid! I knew I'd end up in a different homeroom, I just wish it wasn't gonna be this way.

Liza kicked my shin and I realised that my name had been called.

"Here." I muttered and the old guy pointed to librarian chick who he called Miss Weltin.

She was my homeroom teacher and I made my way slowly to her cluster of students. I arrived there just as the Principal called on Elizabeth Summers. I watched with worry and a sense of confirmed dread as he pointed her towards the swish looking teacher who hardly looked old enough for the job.

Liza caught my eye as she made her way to her class.

What am I gonna do Liza? I demanded into her mind.

Have no fear Tony, everything will be fine. You will simply have to make friends sooner than anticipated. She replied, her face blank as she watched me, she was always so much better at hiding our silent conversations than I was.

How? I demanded desperately.

See that girl next to you? Liza asked and I got an image of what she was seeing, the cute girl with the dark blond hair that was standing next to me. I turned until I had the girl in my sights. She was looking down at the floor shyly, not making eye contact with anyone.

Smile at her, you're nice smile, the one grandma likes in the pictures.

Ok, so just pretend your having your photo taken, now smile. The smile that everyone says reminds them of Grandpa Jake, you know the one. I thought to myself before I pulled that smile on to my face.

The girl glanced at me from the corner of her eye, but looked away quickly when she caught me staring at her. Had I just done something socially unacceptable? I was in way over my head here.

Now what? I demanded, the grin still fixed on my face.

Offer her your hand. Tell her your name and just be your normal happy self. Like you are at home.

At home? At home I could be myself cause I didn't have to worry about doing something that would give us away as not being human. How was I supposed to be my normal happy self when I had to constantly watch myself?

I sent out a plea, just a simple flutter of thoughts without words.

Hi, I'm Tony… Liza prompted.

Ok, so I had to get my mouth working. Come on Tony you can do it. Look at her; she's just as nervous as you and probably worried about making friends just like you. Now you have to be brave, offer the hand of friendship.

"Hi, I'm Tony." I said as I offered the girl my hand.

"Grace." She said timidly as she shook my hand, but she didn't look up to meet my eyes.

"This is kinda scary ain't it?" I said with a nervous laugh as I felt my sister's mind move away.

Grace nodded her head and her hair danced about her face.

"Do you think they have it written into the constitution that they have to build High Schools so big and daunting looking to scare off the freshmen who don't belong?" I asked as I looked once more at that big grey building. With the door in the middle and the two big windows that dominated the wall either side it kinda looked like the face of a monster.

"Yes. I believe the founding fathers decided it would build up our moral fibre." Grace said quickly, speaking down to her chest as if she wasn't really speaking to me.

I snorted, "You're funny." I observed.

She shook her head quickly as her cheeks burned bright red.

I had to think of more to talk about. What were safe topics?

"Have you got any brothers or sisters?" I asked.

"I've got an older sister. She's starting as a senior this year and she's captain of the cheerleading squad. That's why I'm not allowed to talk to her in school." She said, her voice darkening toward the end.

"Why?" I asked.

She gave me an incredulous look, as if it was supposed to be obvious.

"Why?" I repeated.

She frowned, then she turned from me as she murmured toward the ground, "Because I'm a book-loving geek with bad vision and the hand eye coordination of a goldfish. I brake out in spots at the mere thought of chocolate and I can't style my hair to save my life. In other words, I'm an embarrassment."

"What's a geek?" I asked, not familiar with the word.

She looked at me again to see if I was mucking about, but when she saw I was serious she dropped her eyes once more as she said, "The opposite of you."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, you're tall and kinda muscley, I mean not bulky, but toned. You're skin is beautiful, I bet you never get spots. I bet you got twenty-twenty vision and I bet you've never fallen on your butt in front of a room full of your class mates."

"No. But that's cause I've never had classmates before. My sister and I were home schooled." I said. "But our family decided that we'd be better off learning to socialise and where better to do so than High School."

"I guess they believe in throwing you in at the deep end to see if you'll sink or swim." She said with a smile.

"They like to challenge us." I said. "I'm completely new to this social thing. We moved around a lot, that's why we did the home school. The only friend I have is my twin sister and now we got put into separate classes so we can't even back each other up."

"You have a twin sister?" She asked.

"Yep."

"Where is she?" Grace said looking around.

"She's over there." I said, pointing out Liza, she was surrounded by a gang of girls.

"I can't see her." Grace said as she looked right at Liza.

"She's the one with the pigtails and the brown coat." I said.

Grace seemed to go blank for a moment, then she blinked behind her glasses before she said, "You don't look much alike."

"Not all twins are identical." I said with a shrug.

"Yes." Grace said, but she was frowning slightly.

"Ok, I think I might know, call it social intuition or whatever. Our mother was Quileute and our father was of Italian descent. I look like our Mom she likes like Dad. Or so we're told." I explained, but by the end it was my turn to frown.

"You don't know?" Grace asked carefully, as if afraid to ask the question but too curious not to ask it.

"We never met our parents. They…they had to go away." I said frowning slightly as I worried that I was heading into dangerous territory here.

"They died?" She asked.

I shrugged.

"Our family don't tell us anything about it. Only that our parents love us but they had to go away."

"That's sad." Grace whispered and she gave my hand a little squeeze.

"I guess." I said with a shrug. "I think it annoys Liza more than me. Our family will tell us when they think we're ready, but I know there's probably things we're too young to know yet."

"You deserve to know about your parents." Grace said firmly.

I shrugged again and then I noticed that the other students where moving so I followed them staying close to Grace. Grace walked quickly, but with careful steps as if she worried that she would fall over at any minuet. I didn't quite understand, I'd never had any problems staying on my feet, not since I started walking at three weeks old.

We were walking along the tiled floor of the corridor when Grace stumbled. I grabbed her and put her back on her feet. She looked at me in shock and I smiled in what I hoped was a friendly manner. She smiled back but it didn't reach her eyes as her cheeks went red. She turned from me and pulled away as she drew her bag back up onto her shoulder.

She pulled slightly ahead of me and I heard her mutter, 'stupid, stupid' to herself.

I frowned slightly as I stayed behind her at a loss with what I should do. Should I tell her she's not stupid? She hadn't tripped on purpose and the tall curvaceous girl with the dark hair hadn't helped matters by sticking her foot in the way. Why did I suddenly feel the need to snap at the dark haired girl or bundle Grace into my arms and whisk her away from here? These were feelings I would have to evaluate later; right now I had to deal with class.

Miss Weltin led us into our homeroom and I grabbed the seat next to Grace, she looked at me in shock, but I wanted to sit by her. She seemed nice and her scent was clean, like lily of the valley caught on a spring breeze. It was something I could lose myself in and forget where I was.

Morning lessons flew by and I found myself at lunch.

I didn't like the lunchroom, it was a big noisy room with too many people and I really wasn't sure what to do, although the most popular thing seemed to be queuing. So I queued in order to get something that resembled food, but then I needed somewhere to sit. It was almost like an instinct as I trained in on Grace. She was sitting alone and I wanted to change that.

I stopped by her table.

"May I sit down?" I asked.

Grace jumped slightly before looking up at me. She shrugged then motioned for me to sit down, so I did.

"So that bitch with the dark hair giving you a hard time?" I asked.

Grace looked at me in shock before she shook her head emphatically.

I leaned across the table so she could hear me when I whispered.

"I saw her. She tried to trip you up. I would have stepped in but I thought you wouldn't want me to at that point. Don't mean I'm not gonna stick my nose in though." I said a little fiercely.

"Why?" She asked, sounding shocked.

"Because you seem like friend material. I mean proper friend material, I don't want some vacant airhead, I want someone with substance so we can talk about stuff. I've never had a friend before, besides my sister, and I think you'd be a good one." I replied, laying my cards on the table.

Grace looked at me suspiciously.

"Forget it then." I raged. "I don't care. I'll hang on my own if I have to." I added as I went to stand up.

"No. Wait." Grace said and she placed her hand on my arm. "Do you really want to be my friend?"

"I wouldn't have said if I didn't." I stated as I settled back into my chair.

"I guess. Only I've had problems with people saying they're my friend when they're not in the past." She murmured.

"People have done that to you?" I asked in shock.

"Many times." She replied warily. "Usually because they want me to do their homework for them, or they want a bit of tutoring, but once they get what they want it's 'goodbye Grace' and back to me sitting on my own."

"Well I don't mean to brag, but I've got some brains in me, so I don't need you to do my homework or tutor me. Not that I wouldn't want to set study dates or anything. I mean not a date, just you know, studying together if we've got the same homework. Not that I wouldn't want to go on a date with you but we've only just met and it's the first day of school and it would be kind of creepy if I did." I stopped, and slapped myself in the forehead. "Just ignore everything I just said. I'm no good at this talking stuff."

Grace giggled as she moved her spoon around in her pudding.

"I'm not so good either." She admitted. "It's slightly annoying because I was captain of the debate team in middle school and we won the State championship, but when it comes to a normal every day discussion I get afflicted by foot-in-mouth."

I laughed at her joke and she smiled at me. I think she finally got that I really did want to be her friend and she looked at me now while she spoke.

"You said you were home schooled." She said.

"Yep."

"What was that like?"

"Different from this." I observed, looking around the noisy canteen.

"I bet it was." She chuckled.

"To tell you the truth I would have preferred to continue through High School with Aunt Esme teaching us, but Liza decided she wanted to try socialising while we were still young enough to acquire the skills." I explained.

"So what Liza says goes?"

"Pretty much." I said with shrug. "Well not really. I could have just stayed home while she came to school, but I couldn't let her do that alone."

"Why not?"

"Because she's my twin sister. We have this deep connection. Besides, we have to look out for each other when our family can't."

"It's nice that you're so close." Grace observed. "My sister would rather I didn't exist."

"More fool her." I declared.

…Sometimes I think my parents would prefer it that way too… Grace thought sadly as she took a sip of her drink.

"I'm glad you exist." I assured her and she smiled again. "What lesson have you got after lunch?"

She consulted her schedule before answering.

"English with Mr Riley." She stated.

"Hey, me too." I declared, after consulting my own schedule. "We could sit together."

"We could be study buddies." She stated.

"We will be." I replied.

Grace smiled again and in that moment I couldn't help but think that maybe school wouldn't be so bad after all. Lessons weren't that hard and I was sure I could already count Grace as a friend. Knowing that made the whole experience less daunting.

I wondered if Liza was having such a good time as me and when I looked over to her she seemed to be laughing with her friends. I didn't like to pry without her knowing, and I could just ask her later, so I didn't bother reading her mind. I didn't want to distract her with mind talk either when it wasn't an emergency so I turned my attention back to Grace to enjoy the rest of lunchtime. Liza and I could talk later about our first day of school.

---

Liza

Morning lessons were a bore. The problem I found was that I knew most of what the teachers were attempting to teach us, and a damn site more besides. I could have probably taught them a thing or two, had I hope they could retain the knowledge I provided them with. I found myself longing for the time when lessons would end and I could socialise once more with my friends. Was I able to call them friends yet?

Regardless, Jenny and Gail had invited me to sit with them at lunch and I took them up on their offer. My last lesson before lunch ended. The lesson in question was Math and Abbie happened to share this lesson with me. She agreed to sit with me, although it was in bad grace, until she learnt of my prowess in the world of numbers and delighted in copying my work sheet.

I cared not if it was technically cheating, the teacher was an arrogant fool and it served him right for his petty anger that I had solved a problem so quickly. He thought that I had cheated, but he couldn't prove how. Imbecile.

To ridicule the teacher was the thing that brought Abbie and I closer together. It was delightful to hear her mimic him. She seemed to have his mannerisms down pat after only one lesson. She was quite the comedienne and I realised that once she was used to me she would be a good friend to have.

I believed that the three girls I met this morning would make good friends if they gave me a chance.

I felt more confident in their estimation of me when both Gail and Jenny greeted us at the door. It made me feel a little more as if I belonged. That they valued my word as evidenced by the fact Gail had pulled her short hair into two small ponytails. Her hair wasn't quite long enough for true pigtails as I wore but I was in no doubt that she would be applying the hair extensions this evening. Perhaps I would find tomorrow that I had inadvertently started a new trend. I smiled at the thought of being a trendsetter and the fact that my famous aunt held such sway that it made it possible.

We entered a cafeteria that was full of glorious bustle. There were people everywhere interacting with one another and I longed to be part of this slice of humanity. I deserved to be part of this wondrous cavalcade of life.

I queued with my friends and choose some food at random. Human food still seemed a little off for me so whatever choice I made I knew I wouldn't enjoy it. Luckily for me the bad quality of the food seemed to be a common consensus and so I had no need to explain why I was off my food.

I thought I would sit with just the three I met this morning, but apparently they were part of a bigger group. This group consisted of Lenora, an African-American who had a svelte athletic physic. I was told that she had come second in the all state track meet in middle school and she would be an asset to the school come summertime.

There was Naomi who was statuesque and simply beautiful, especially for a human. I had no doubt that with her strategically styled brown hair and curvaceous figure she would have all the boys to do her bidding. It seemed that she was the leader of the group, and if this were so then her second in command was Diane. She was also beautiful, but it was in a way that one could tell a lot of work had been put in to achieving this. Some of it was still in progress as evidenced by the braces on her teeth, although they were small, almost unnoticeable, they were there to give her the perfect smile. Her only natural asset I would wager was her waist length auburn hair that glowed red beneath the florescent lights but would seem almost brown in poorer light. She wore it straight down her back this first day.

Maya was another beauty and it was at this point that it dawned on me that this was something all the girls in this group had in common. They were all attractive in their own way and I must admit I felt rather bolstered by the fact that they counted me amongst them. Maya was a Latino beauty who made the most of emphasising her exotic looks. She was fluent in Spanish and since languages was one of my forte's I often used Spanish to converse with her when there were no others around.

Poppy was a strawberry blond girl who was only somewhat taller than me at that point in time. She seemed a little less mature than the rest of the girls, but they seemed to all look after her as if she were the youngest sister. She had a fondness for cats that bordered on the obsessive, but other than that she seemed decent enough.

Then there was Nyree, another African-American. She liked to follow trends as closely as Gail did. She also liked to change her hair a lot. That first day she wore it in intricate braids that fell to her waist. They were woven with blue strands. Blue is one of the school colours and I decided she had done this to show school spirit. It seemed this was something important to every girl at the table for, apart from the athletes, they all wished to join the cheerleading squad.

The one who I could never imagine as a cheerleader was Bailey. Her hair was a non-descript colour, although this mattered not since she cut it short without little thought of style and stuffed it all beneath a baseball cap. She had been captain of the soccer team in middle school, and it was a mixed team at that. She knew several forms of martial arts and had won many competitions with her skills.

The eleventh member of the group was the newest edition other than myself. Avril had moved here from Canada when she was ten and she seemed somewhat shy, but thanks to her sweet face and well-groomed blond hair, that only through close scrutiny one can tell is actually dyed from brunette, she seemed to make the cut. She spoke fluent French, which is another language with which I am familiar.

After some initial wary questions I seemed to pass whatever test Naomi used to determine the credentials of new recruits to the group and I was allowed to sit down. I was subjected to some more questioning before Naomi turned the conversation around to her favourite subject. Herself.

I must admit that I began to tune out her endless self praise, if only to protect my sanity. I took to merely laughing while the other girls laughed. I was fearful that I would become a sycophant in this way, but I was sure that after the first day I could start to train the conversation to go my way.

Since I was not truly listening it took me a moment to realise that Naomi was telling us all of how she had deliberately tripped someone up this morning. Someone they only referred to as 'Cally', but I knew in no uncertain terms that she was using it in an offensive way. At least to the person who they referred to as thus wouldn't like it. I thought it wasn't very nice and was about to interject on behalf of this unknown person when suddenly she said,

"Look at her now fawning over that guy. Bet he just wants her to do his homework. Why would such a good looking jock want to have anything to do with her?" I looked around for this good looking jock and realised that they were all looking toward where Tony was sat talking to the shy blond girl from his homeroom.

"Because he is shy and retiring and not very good around people. He would rather one friend over many. As for her doing his homework, it may seem biased but I am sure he is a lot smarter than she." I stated in a cold voice. "And if he did require help with his homework, although I find it highly unlikely, then it would be I from who he would request assistance."

I felt eleven pairs of eyes on me and suddenly I was the centre of their scrutiny.

"Sounds like somebody's jealous." Naomi sang. "And not to mention full of herself."

"I am not jealous of the girl being the centre of his attention and if I was it would be most untoward. The boy you all appear to be ogling happens to be my twin brother Tony." I explained.

"Sure. He's your twin brother." Naomi said whilst rolling her eyes.

"You think that I lie?" I demanded, feeling outraged at having my word tested.

"You don't look anything alike." Naomi stated.

"We have the same eyes." I said primly. "Besides, we are fraternal twins."

"What does that mean?" Jenny asked.

"That we do not look alike." I replied. "But we still shared a womb."

"So you're Native American?" Diane asked.

"Yes." I replied.

Both Naomi and Diane snorted in derision.

"On my mother's side of the family." I said, feeling my anger start to grow.

Naomi still didn't look convinced.

"He is my brother."

"Then prove it." Diane said with a smile.

"Although you'll have to be quick. Looks like he's leaving." Naomi said with glee.

I glared at her as I sent my mind out to Tony.

Could you come over and say hello to me. Or better still ask me something about home. Such as, what time did Aunt Esme state that she would be returning home from work or something similar. I said quickly.

Naomi was still looking at me with gleeful doubt and so I began to stand as if to suggest that I was going to detain Tony, but it was at this point that he paused at the door and began to walk toward our table. His friend followed for a moment, but then she paused two tables away, although I had no idea why.

"Hey Liza, what time did Aunt Esme say she was back from work?" Tony asked, not paying any attention to the other girls at the table.

"I believe she said around four, why?" I replied.

"Just wondering Sis." He said with a shrug, and then he walked away.

"I guess you were right." Naomi said, and it seemed to say and that's that.

"You will not apologise for questioning my honour?" I demanded.

Naomi gave me a blank look.

"Listen dear, you called me a liar and I find that offensive. Decent people apologise for offences they may cause. Something that is inherent in all peoples of the world." I stated, folding my arms across my chest.

"Is that so?" Naomi demanded.

"Yes." I said firmly as I nodded my head.

"Then maybe you should apologise to me for offending me with your presence." Naomi retorted.

I felt my blood run cold and I glared at her for a second before I felt my dangerous smile fall onto my face. It was another smile I had inherited from my father, although I didn't display it often.

"In that case Naomi I am sorry that you are such an obnoxious little cretin who will rue the day she ever decided to cross blades with me. I am Liza Summers and I take messing from no one. Especially jumped up little strumpets of your calibre." I said coldly.

"Little? You can talk." Naomi said with a snort.

"I know I am small, and dainty. I doubt I should grow much taller than I am now, yet I care not. I thrive on the knowledge that I am well turned out and I present myself with decorum at all times. For beauty fades but your personality lasts forever." I stated. "Now I could be a really good friend to you, and I will give you time to think on this. However I expect an apology first." With that I rose to my feet and left the cafeteria without waiting for her reply.

I felt a little nervous of my behaviour. Had I inadvertently killed my own social career before it had begun? I was certain that I would win them around again and I was sure I'd have an apology from Naomi. Even if it took me until graduation day I would have my apology from her.

I had English for the first lesson after lunch and was quite relieved to find that I shared this class with Tony. I was preparing for the satisfaction of having someone to sit by and not have to bend to Naomi's will. Unfortunately Tony was sat by that blond girl, Grace I believe was her name, and I did not wish to impede his friendship if he was forming a strong bond.

I sighed and sat in the nearest available seat and thought perhaps it best that I wait for someone to sit by me rather than force myself on more people this day. I was glad to find that my waiting paid off because Jenny chose to sit with me and I felt gladdened by this. It meant that I at least had one friend left.

It is sad to say that we didn't cover much work in English that day, which was a shame for it happened to be one of my favourite subjects. I enjoyed all the languages within my ability but I held a little bias for the first one I had learned.

To my surprise Jenny seemed to share my love of English and the myriad books there were on offer. Judging a book by its cover I would have deduced that Jenny preferred trashy teen novellas, but she had an affection for the classics and that endeared her to me. I imagined showing her the library in my house where there was a copy of every classic book one would care to mention. I had read them all and would read them again in a heartbeat. It would be nice to have a young female perspective on such works to know if it was similar to my own view.

I found myself contemplating the merits of asking Jenny home for tea, or perhaps a sleepover. Perhaps Abbie and Gail could join us too, maybe Grace as a ruse in order for Tony to spend time with her…

But I am getting ahead of myself. Such things are for established friendships only or they amount to buying one's friends. That is something I must keep in mind.

I daydreamed through my last lesson of the day, which was Biology, but the sciences never really interested me, until finally the last bell rang and I was free of this place for the day. At least I would be once I had located my bus and boarded it.

I checked my schedule once more and discovered my bus number was 008. I located the bus and to my relief Tony arrived at its door around the same moment that I did. I smiled at him, happy to see him after our long first day.

He allowed me to climb on first and I found myself in a closed environment that was full of chattering students. The scent of human was strong in the confined space and I felt my throat burn.

You'll be ok Liza. Tony assured me as I began to walk up the aisle. Just take that seat by the window. A bit of fresh air and we'll get through this. He said optimistically.

We? I demanded. I am the one who craves them most. You barely feel the burn. I added sullenly as I moved into a seat close to an opening window.

I reached up to open the window but the fact that I am not even five foot meant that I couldn't quite reach it. Tony tried not to draw too much attention to this fact as he reached across and opened the window easily. It seemed unfair that I should be so short while my twin was close to six foot. Not that I had a particular problem with being so dainty other than a desire to gain an extra few inches. I considered that it would be nice to be at least taller than five foot tall.

I sat down in a slight huff and crossed my arms tightly as I glared moodily out of the window at the students milling about as they decided on which bus they should take.

"I wish I was old enough to drive." I murmured.

"I know what you mean." A voice said from behind me and I turned to find Diane peering over the back of the seats. "You wouldn't catch me riding this tin-can then, waiting for everyone else. I'll be straight in my car and home."

"Yes." I replied, wondering if I should truly trust this show of friendship. "So would I."

"Hey Liza. Who's your friend?" Tony asked.

"Oh yes. How rude of me. You haven't been properly introduced. Tony, this is Diane Sheridan. Diane, this is my brother Tony." I said as I indicated each to the other.

"Pleased to meet you." Diane said.

"Likewise." Tony replied with a smile, but his mind was troubled. He didn't trust Diane and he wasn't sure whether I should trust her either.

Tony and I both nodded at Diane before we turned back to face the front.

I could always just snoop in her mind and then I'd know for definite. Tony stated.

No Tony. That is rude and not a way to make friends at all. Part of this whole experience is to immerse ourselves in human culture and part of that is putting your trust in people. If they fail you later, well they are only human. I explained.

You should really see what she's thinking. Tony replied. It's not very nice.

I'd rather take my chances. I replied.

If you insist. Tony said and he shrugged.

Sometimes he forgot that he should not carry out the relevant gestures when we spoke with our minds and I'm sure it had looked odd to anyone watching us that Tony had just shrugged for no apparent reason.

You really should relax more Elizabeth. Nobody's watching us. Tony stated.

That's all well and good Anthony, but what if they had been? I demanded.

Then I would have known. He pointed out. Nobody's watching us. He stated emphatically before his arm shot behind my head for a moment and he appeared to tap me on my right shoulder, the one furthest from him.

Despite the fact that I had seen his arm move I still looked over my right shoulder and saw Diane looking very confused. I turned back to Tony who was quickly stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets. I found this strange for Tony rarely did that.

What did you just do? I demanded.

Nothing. Tony said, locking down his mind.

Then why do you hide your mind from me? I demanded.

What? You don't trust me? You're willing to put faith in those bi… those girls but not in your own brother? I'm hurt Liza. I really am. Tony declared in a defensive rant and in that moment I knew he was hiding something from me, although I couldn't begin to fathom what it was since he had closed his mind to me.

I rolled my eyes and turned to look out the window once more as the bus commenced on its journey. The bus was full to brimming and the noise of chatter and music and thirty hearts all beating at different rates with the heat and the scent washing around me was almost unbearable. I pressed my forehead to the cool glass and tried to breathe in the fresh air before it circulated the bus. My nose was filled with the scent of traffic along with the damp and mould from the window frames. It was a good earthy scent that reminded me I was human.

The bus journey seemed to be in fits and starts. The bus would stop after every five minuets or so to allow another load of students off. Soon there were but six other people bar Tony and I, and the driver. I believed us to be amongst the richer students who lived along Olympic Drive. I realised that these were our neighbours, including Diane. Although I doubted we could call them neighbours as such since all the properties around us owned at least an acre of land. I think ours was most likely the most extensive with fifty acres of woodland surrounding it.

I felt relieved when the bus stopped opposite our mailbox and Tony and I could disembark. I felt a serenity wash through me as the familiar scents of home swam around me with the opening of the doors. I climbed down onto the paving and stepped onto the grass verge where Tony and I could stand until the bus had moved away.

As the bus shut its doors I looked up to find Diane peering through the window at me and she was frowning slightly. I was sure she was calculating how big our property was and therefore how rich our family would be. Clearly she had underestimated my credentials and I felt somewhat smug that I was better than she had thought. No doubt Naomi would hear of this tonight. Perhaps I would have my apology in the morning.

I felt confident I would.

Tony and I watched the bus pull away before we looked both ways and then crossed the road. Not that we ever had much traffic this far out, but it always paid to be careful. Then we began to traverse our expansive, meandering drive toward the house.

"What did you do on the bus?" I asked Tony.

"Tried not to barf every time we went over a pot hole." He replied.

"Very droll." I replied flatly. "You know I refer to the incident when you tapped me on the shoulder."

"I just wanted to tease you." He said. "You know me Lizzy, I'm always teasing you." He declared with a grin, using a short form of my name that he knew full well I hated in order to rile me.

Unfortunately I fell for it.

"You'd best run Anthony Cullen or else." I warned.

"Or else what, Lizzy?" Tony continued to tease.

I showed him my teeth and growled.

"Catch me if you can." He called and began sprinting up the drive.

I started after him and remained but a few steps behind him all the way to the house giggling as much as he; caught up in the chase as we were. Our giggles died when we reached the house to find our family were waiting for us on the steps at the grand entrance. Even Grandma and Grandpa had travelled down from La Push along with uncle Hunter. I was a little unnerved by the sudden appearance of our entire family and I took Tony's hand for comfort as I had longed to this morning.

With a direct connection to Tony I could read their minds as well as he could and I read the reaction that would have been garnered from the most hardened heart had we resembled the five year olds we truly were. However our family didn't voice these reactions for they were uncertain of whether we wished to be treated as five year olds or fifteen year olds.

"D'ya have fun in school kids?" Uncle Emmett asked, breaking the tension.

"It was ok." Tony said with a shrug.

"I enjoyed it most thoroughly." I stated with a nod of my head.

"So all you are here and not one of you could give us a lift from the bottom of the drive." Tony teased.

"Thought you could use the exercise." Hunter stated as he went to tickle Tony's stomach.

Tony let go my hand, which meant that I could no longer read the minds of the others, and began to play wrestle with Hunter. I rolled my eyes and move to the safety of the steps as our family looked on and laughed. I could never abide such impromptu rough and tumble.

"Thank you for all coming to greet us on our first day, but I'm afraid I have homework to attend to." I announced and hoped to escape in to the house.

"Not yet." Alice said, taking my hand. "And you look great by the way. Did they like your outfit?"

"The word of Alexis Hale holds much sway in Olympic High School." I stated solemnly. "They took my words on board and one girl, Gail, even made her hair into bunches, although it wasn't as affective as my pigtails since she has had her hair cut to suit your style. She is a very big fan of yours and I think she would have been my friend for life had I given her my coat with proof that your hand had touched it." I said with a grin as I held my coat open to display the label.

Alice looked at the label, her face blank, then she looked up into my face.

"I should sue you for fraud." She said seriously, but then her face broke into a grin. "But I won't." She added as she hugged me. "Your stitching's getting better. You'll have to come work for me soon."

"If Louis of New York doesn't snap me up first." I teased.

Alice giggled delightfully as she placed her arm through mine.

"You're a darling." She observed. "But if you do go work for Louis then I will sue." She added, but she winked at me so that I knew it was in jest.

I smiled back, happy to have my Aunt Alice here with whom I could talk fashion. I felt saddened as I realised it would not be for long. They were most likely here to throw some grand party for our first day in school and then it would be back to Tony, Esme, Carlisle and I, all rattling about in this enormous mansion.

"It won't be for long." My great grandfather said gently as he placed a hand to my cheek.

I craned my neck to look up at Edward and he smiled at me.

"We will be here for the important events." He stated.

"For Christmas." Great-grandma Bella stated. "Easter. Your 'birthday' and your real birthday."

"Of course in the summer you can come travel with us if that is your choice." Edward added.

"I would much prefer you to all live here the whole year through." I said softly.

"We can't." Alice said. "We have to keep moving in case the V…" Alice trailed off and I caught the quick look that Bella and Edward gave her.

"In case the what?" I demanded, wishing that Tony was by my side in that moment so I could read their minds.

"You know we have to keep you secret from the bad vamps." Grandpa Jacob said, I hadn't realised he'd been listening in on us. "If all the Cullen forenames turn up in an area the bad vamps will get suspicious."

"You keep referring to these bad vamps, but who are they?" I demanded.

"You don't need to worry about them." Bella stated. "We got everything under control."

"But…"

"It's party time!" Alice declared, deliberately cutting me off, and I seethed as Tony and I were ushered inside for this ridiculous party.

I tried to find entertainment, but truthfully I wanted nothing more than to retire to my room, complete my homework and then have swim in our lovely full-sized pool before it was time for bed. I wanted that more than these false pleasantries.

I went along with them for the simple fact that it would get this night over and done with.

At the first opportunity I made my excuse and escaped to the room I shared with Tony. I sat at my desk and began to work industriously through my homework since I intended to have good grades.

It was half an hour later when Tony entered the room and sat at his desk that faced mine.

Uncle Hunter wants to talk to us. He said quietly. Is that ok?

What do you wish to talk of? I demanded, knowing full well that Hunter could read my mind.

About the bad vamps and why everyone is so afraid to mention them. Hunter stated.

I placed my pen carefully on the desk as I thought through what Hunter had said and whether he truly meant it.

Very well. I wish to hear what you have to say.

---

Tony

I knew Liza felt relieved as we stepped off the bus, but it was for an entirely different reason to me. Liza was relieved to be getting out into the fresh air; she really did suffer with the hunger more that I did. I was relieved that I wouldn't have to keep an eye on that bitch Diane. I still had the chewing gum wadded up in a piece of paper, clenched tightly in my fist in my pocket.

That bitch Diane was gonna throw it in Liza's hair. That other bitch Naomi, the one who'd tried to trip Grace up, had suggested it. God they made me feel angry. How could they be so spiteful?

Thing was, I couldn't tell Liza about this. I didn't want her getting all agro and doing something stupid. She craved that social acceptance, while I could care less. I'd take the brunt for her and let her live in ignorance.

I knew I couldn't say anything to Diane on the bus, not with Liza there, but I did shoot her death glares whenever I could. The best one was when I locked eyes with the bitch in question and glared at her before the bus drew away. She was frowning and I realised she was worried that Liza would find out it was her that tried to throw the gum in her hair.

Liza would never know, I was determined, she needed to feel she fitted in. I would make certain that she didn't get picked on, even if it meant that I was. Liza would have the smooth High School life she craved and not the rough hellhole I'd seen in Grace's mind today.

We waited until the bus pulled away before we crossed the road to our drive. We began walking up it and I hoped Liza wouldn't bring up…

"What did you do on the bus?" She asked.

Damn! I had hoped she'd forgotten. Damn!

"Tried not to barf every time we went over a pot hole." I replied in a mumble, hoping she'd stop her questioning, but I knew my sister too well to know that wouldn't happen.

"Very droll." She replied flatly, as if I ever got travelsick. "You know I refer to the incident when you tapped me on the shoulder."

"I just wanted to tease you." I said quickly and I knew how to get her off the subject quickly. "You know me Lizzy, I'm always teasing you." I added and grinned because this was one sure way to make Liza lose her temper.

She fell for it.

"You'd best run Anthony Cullen or else." She growled and I knew I'd really got to her because she called me Anthony.

"Or else what, Lizzy?" I demanded, hoping that I could get her angry enough to chase me and maybe she'd forget all about the bus.

Liza bared her teeth at me.

"Catch me if you can." I called as I started running up the drive.

I laughed as I kept slightly ahead of her; I'd always been faster. Actually I was enjoying this run. It felt good after keeping myself in check all day in school to be able to just let myself go. Even Liza was laughing by the time we reached the last bend.

We both slowed down when we saw all of our family standing on the steps waiting to greet us. I grinned happy to see everyone, including Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Hunter all down from the Res. It felt like ages since I'd last seen them and it was great that they were all here.

Liza didn't seem so happy to see them. I could sense her apprehension as she took my hand. I glanced at her wondering what the problem was. Sometimes I really didn't get Liza even though her mind was so open to me.

"D'ya have fun in school kids?" Uncle Emmett asked, and I chuckled at his question.

"It was ok." I conceded with a shrug.

"I enjoyed it most thoroughly." Liza stated formally with her accustomed nod of the head.

"So all you are here and not one of you could give us a lift from the bottom of the drive." I demanded in mock annoyance.

"Thought you could use the exercise." Hunter stated as he lunged for me.

I let go of Liza's hand and dodged to the side, but Hunter caught me and tried to get me in a headlock. I wriggled out of his grasp and tried to throw him to the ground, but there was no moving him. He laughed as he grabbed me in a headlock once more and gave me a noogie.

"Cut it out." I complained as I pushed at his arms.

Hunter let me go with a chuckle.

"You're getting better little man." He stated as he socked me on the shoulder.

"Little man?" I demanded, socking him back. "I'm nearly as tall as you now."

"You got a couple more inches to go yet." Hunter stated as he ruffled my hair.

"Not that many." I replied. "And I think I'll be taller anyway."

"Sure, sure." Hunter said and rolled his eyes. "So how was your first day? You like it in the big school?"

"I don't know." I replied truthfully. "Ask me at the end of the week. I'll have a better picture by then. For the most part it's ok, but there are a lot of not very nice people there. Although I did make a friend."

"You did?" Granny Ness asked.

"Yeah. Her name's Grace and she's real nice. A genuine person. She's not all false like some of the other people there."

"She?" Hunter asked in teasing tones.

"I can have a friend who's a girl. Just like you and Aunty Tina." I pointed out, feeling my cheeks burn a little.

"You're right about that." Grandpa Jake stated.

"I was only teasing kid. It's good that you made a friend on your first day." Hunter stated.

I smiled at my grandparents and uncle.

It was at that point I realised Liza was complaining again to everyone else.

"Of course in the summer you can come travel with us if that is your choice." Our great grandfather Edward stated.

"I would much prefer you to all live here the whole year through." Liza said in a small voice.

"We can't." Alice said. "We have to keep moving in case the V…" Alice trailed off and her mind became a sudden blank spot as great-grandma Bella threw her shield around Alice' mind to stop me reading whatever it was that they didn't want Liza and me to know.

"In case the what?" Liza demanded.

"You know we have to keep you secret from the bad vamps. If all the Cullen forenames turn up in an area the bad vamps will get suspicious." Jake explained, and it seemed like the hundredth time we'd heard this. Why wouldn't Liza just accept it?

"You keep referring to these bad vamps, but who are they?" She demanded.

Ok, so I was with her on that one. Really we should know who the bad vamps are so we can keep an eye out for them. We should at least know what they're called and distinguishing characteristics other than 'red eyes means bad so run away as fast as you can'.

"You don't need to worry about them." Bella stated. "We got everything under control."

"But…" Liza persisted.

"It's party time!" Alice declared with forced cheerfulness and she herded us all into the house as Liza went into angry, moody mode. I knew she'd do her best not to enjoy the party now simply to be awkward.

I was kinda glad that she hadn't found out about the gum incident now. Liza didn't handle her anger well; she usually channelled it in the wrong way and ended up causing problems for herself. That's why I had to keep an eye out for her at school in case those bitches decided she wasn't worthy of their friendship. Not that I thought they were worthy of my sister's friendship, but she seemed to have decided to throw her lot in with them and I could only hope to cushion the blow a little.

As soon as I was able to I slunk off to the kitchen with the intention of getting rid of the gum. Unfortunately Alice had been in the kitchen when she'd been preparing for the party and she'd emptied all the bins. I'd been hoping to hide the gum at the bottom.

With a sigh I headed to the back door and stepped out into the chilly evening air. It wasn't getting dark too early yet, but the cloud was thick so it gave an impression of early twilight.

I went to the little shed where the recycling bins were kept and also the bin for general waste. It was this one I wanted. It was full of all the stuff that couldn't be recycled and the food that wasn't compostable or fit for slops. This was where I had to stick the gum.

The heavy bin liner had been tied in a knot at the top so I made a little hole in it just big enough to push the gum in.

"You know, it's foxes who root through garbage, not wolves." Hunter said behind me and I jumped, hitting my head on the low doorframe of the shed.

I hissed and rubbed my head as I turned to Hunter.

"I wasn't rooting through the garbage." I stated. "I was throwing something away."

"Why didn't you use the bin in the house?"

"Because…" I trailed off, wondering whether I should confide in him or not. "Promise you won't tell Liza?"

"Depends on what it is." Hunter said.

"I won't tell you then." I stated.

"Ok. I promise I won't tell her." Hunter said with a sigh.

"Ok." This girl on the bus was gonna throw gum in Liza's hair but I managed to get the gum off her before she could. Liza doesn't know about it. I don't think I should tell her cause she wants to be friends with some of the girls and you know how unreasonable she gets when she's angry. I thought I'd just step in there and Liza doesn't have to know.

I think you should tell her. Hunter replied. If these girls are likely to be bitchy to her then she shouldn't go into this blind.

She knows they're bitches and she did stand her ground today. She can stand up for herself no problem when it's only verbal, but you know how explosive she can be if things get into a physical confrontation. Remember that time she got me in a chokehold and nearly twisted my arm up my back cause I pulled her hair?

Hunter nodded.

Don't you think that if she did that in school, or even on the bus someone would notice? I asked.

Ok. So you got a point there. But don't you think you should tell her now. Give her chance to calm down before school tomorrow.

You really don't know Liza. I said with a laugh. She'll seem as if she's ok with it, then something will happen or something will be said and BAM! She can't let go of anything. Look at her with this bad vamp thing and how she decided not to have fun tonight just to spite everyone.

Yeah. She's really not letting that one go. Hunter said warily.

Not at all. I agreed. Although I'm with her on why they can't just tell us something about the bad vamps. We should at least know what they call themselves. Don't you think? We should know more about who we have to look out for.

Hunter was very quiet but he was also looking thoughtful.

Maybe you're right. He said. It's about time you knew some stuff about the bad vamps. Where's Liza right now?

I closed my eyes but I didn't even have to concentrate to know where she was.

She's up in our room. I stated.

Then let's get there quickly before Grandpa wonders why I've suddenly put my shield up. Hunter said as he moved swiftly back into the house.

I closed the shed door and followed him inside. We headed for the back stairs, I think they used to be a servant staircase when this was a proper stately home, and we made our way up to the first floor. I headed to the room I shared with Liza.

She was at her desk doing her homework. I sat opposite her at my own desk and she looked up at me in question.

Uncle Hunter wants to talk to us. Is that ok?

What do you wish to talk of? Liza asked, directing her question to Hunter.

About the bad vamps and why everyone is so afraid to mention them. Hunter stated.

Liza placed her pen neatly beside her paper as she focused her hazel eyes on my own. She was wondering if Hunter would really tell us everything. I was sure he would and Liza was willing to give it a shot.

Very well. I wish to hear what you have to say. She said, sitting up straight and folding her arms across her chest as she turned to Hunter.

"Ok." Hunter said aloud as he grabbed Liza's make-up chair and swung it around to the side of the desks. He sat straddling it as he rested his hands on the back. "The bad vamps, they call themselves the Volturi. They're a right piece of work, every last one of them. They more or less rule the vampire world. They're the police force and most carnies see them as royalty." Hunter snorted. "The leader, well there's supposed to be three of them, but the real leader, Aro, likes to collect vampires. Especially those with unique powers. Or the vampires with the strongest powers in their field. One of the best trackers in the world is Demetri; he's quite high up. So are little Jane and her twin Alec. Jane can make you think you're on fire and burning away in agony, while Alec can cut off all your senses so you don't feel anything."

"That doesn't sound so bad." I conceded.

"Or see, or hear, or taste, or smell." Hunter pointed out.

I tried to imagine that but I couldn't.

"Anyway, we're getting off track. It doesn't matter what powers they may or may not have. What matters it the powers you have." Hunter said pointedly.

"But I don't have any powers." Liza stated.

"And you and Edward are way more powerful than me at mind reading." I added.

"Yeah. But you're still unique, ok, you're rare creatures. There's only the two of you who are the children of a werepire and a vampire. If Aro ever found out about you two…" Hunter trailed off and shook his head as he shivered at the thought. "That's why we have to be careful about the names getting onto official records. The Volturi check for things like that."

"But they do not know our names." Liza pointed out.

"But they know all the Cullens' names and they'll be suspicious of two new names appearing in amongst theirs on the transfer records. Especially named Elizabeth and Anthony. If you ask me it was a little stupid to name you after family members. Should have given you your own names, just like Essie wanted." Hunter informed us and he seemed to smile sadly as he mentioned Mom's name without thinking.

"Mother did not choose our names?" Liza asked.

"Well, she had this thing that she'd name you both once she saw you and then she…she didn't get a chance." Hunter said, frowning slightly as he warred with himself over how much more he should tell us.

"Why was she not given a chance?" Liza demanded, pushing him now that she was certain we'd get more information than we ever had before.

"Because she had to go away. To protect you both. If she could have done it any other way then she would have done, but she wasn't free. Her and Tobias are s…"

"Hunter Lee Black, what do you think you're doing?" Granny Ness demanded as she appeared in the doorway. "Get down stairs this instant."

"I'm twenty now Mom you can't tell me what to do." Hunter complained.

"As long as I'm still your mother I can tell you to do whatever the hell I like. Now get down stairs." Nessie raged and I was a little frightened to tell you the truth. I'd never seen Gran this angry before.

Hunter groaned and got up from the chair. He gave Liza and me an apologetic look before he sulked out of the room.

"Why did you stop him?" Liza demanded. "That is the most information we have ever had about our parents."

"Liza, listen. That's all you can know right now. Your parents love you…"

"But they had to go away!" Liza snapped. "Yes. I have heard it many times before and quite frankly I am sick of it. I want to know about my parents. Where are they? Why did they abandon us?"

"They didn't abandon you." Nessie said solemnly. "They had to go away. To…to protect you. They had to go away to protect you."

"Protect us? How do they protect us by going away? They could protect us better at close quarters." Liza countered, and it was a really good point.

"Not from the foe we face." Nessie said sadly. "It is safer for you if your parents are not near."

"Don't you care where your daughter is?" Liza demanded and Gran flinched.

"Liza that's enough." I snapped.

Liza glared at me in betrayal.

"I know you're angry Liza, but the least you know the better. When you're old enough we will explain everything to you, but until then…" Gran began.

"I have to suffer the thought that my parents abandoned me?" Liza demanded, cutting her off.

"For god sake Liza! Stop being so melodramatic!" I exclaimed, at my wits end with this whole conversation now. "You've been told you'll get an answer, now stop acting like a brat and just accept that there's stuff we're too young to deal with yet."

"I thought you wanted answers as much as I." Liza declared and there were tears in her eyes now and I realised we were in for a temper tantrum.

"I do want answers Liza, but not like this. Not when you're willing to hurt Gran just to satisfy your mind." I said softly.

"Hurt Gran?" Liza asked, all her anger suddenly gone as she looked confused.

"You know you did." I said firmly.

Liza looked at me in defiance, but then she dropped her head.

"You are right. I behaved appallingly. Please accept my apologies Grandmother." Liza said humbly.

"Apology accepted." Gran said formally, knowing that Liza would appreciate that the most.

"Thank you Grandmother." Liza replied. "Now if you would both do me a favour. I wish to be alone. I have much to think about."

"Course Liza." I said, getting up from the chair. "We'll be down stairs if you need us." I added as I gave Gran an apologetic look, but she understood Liza as well as I did.

We headed downstairs where everyone was eerily quiet and they were carefully thinking of mundane things. It was a little annoying that they didn't trust me enough not to pry, but I'd learned a long time ago not to spy on my family like that. There was no point.

I sat down in one of the armchairs and relaxed, choosing to watch my family interact at the moment. Liza's outburst had left me feeling down like always happened when she got into a bad mood. I guess we affected each other emotionally and I tried to be light and happy for us both, but now and again her anger would get the better of her and I'd find myself in a funk.

I watched my family as they carried on with whatever they'd been doing before as if I wasn't there. I didn't really care that they were ignoring me. I preferred it like that since I wasn't really in a talking mood anyway. Actually I wanted to be by myself but there really wasn't anywhere I could go at the moment other than the pool and I really didn't feel like swimming. All the other rooms in the house were kinda big and formal and not really a place to just relax in. The only two rooms that were close to that were the recreation room where Alice had organised the party and my bedroom, but Liza wanted to be alone at the moment and so that was out of bounds too.

I sighed, wishing that they hadn't bothered with this party. It probably would have been better if they just let Liza and I get on with our first day and keep the party for the last day before the holidays or something. Not spring it on us like this the first day when Liza was more likely to bemoan the fact that we never got to see them. It always happened whenever we all got together.

I was aware that the room had fallen silent again. This was because Liza had entered and she was looking solemn.

"I have been thinking." She said softly. "About a few things and I have come to the conclusion that I should have my own room."

"What?" I asked, shooting to my feet. "But we've always shared a room."

I wasn't exactly opposed to her proposal, but it had come so out of the blue that I was feeling a little contrary. I guess being awkward was a trait Liza and I shared.

"We are a little old to still share a room." Liza said calmly as I closed the gap between us to stand in front of her.

"But we're twins!" I exclaimed.

"Who are fifteen." Liza replied, still in that calm manner.

"We're five!" I reminded her.

"Perhaps in terms of chronology, but according to the school records we are fourteen going on fifteen. Would it not seem strange that we still share a room?" She demanded in reasonable tones.

"No one in school has to know." I pointed out.

"But what if you wished to bring friends home?" She inquired.

"I won't want to." I said firmly.

"Not even Grace? If only to study? Would she not find it strange you share a room with your sister, regardless of the fact that we are twins? Of course there is the argument that there is a shortage of room, but we live in a manor house, too few rooms is hardly an issue here."

I went to argue some more but then I thought about bringing Grace back here to study and having to come up with some bumbling excuse about why I shared a room with Liza. Also it would be kinda awkward trying to study with Grace while Liza was there watching us, but I'd feel bad throwing her out of her own room.

"I guess it'll have to happen sooner or later." I said quietly. "But we've never slept with a wall between us before."

"We'll get used to it." Liza said. "And we always have mind speak. I will go in the room next to ours and if we each push our bed to the adjoining wall then it will almost be like the Time Before."

I looked at Liza feeling shocked for a moment. It wasn't often that she spoke of 'the Time Before' and it made me realise that this was something she really wanted if she was willing to throw that into the conversation.

"Yeah. I guess there was a time when there was a wall between us." I said with a nervous laugh. "I guess we'd better move some furniture around."

"Hold on a moment." Esme said with concern. "We can't start moving things around tonight."

"Why not?" Liza asked. "We are all of us strong."

"And it's still quite early." I added, taking hold of Liza's right hand in a show of strength.

As I took her hand our connection became absolute and I realised exactly how much she needed this. How much she craved just a little personal space. Wasn't it something I'd been wishing for earlier?

"You have school in the morning."

"It won't take us more than half an hour." I pointed out.

"And it is only a few of my belongings I wish to move this night. Everything else can keep until tomorrow. Or perhaps the weekend." Liza added.

"I could move everything you want to move in half hour." Emmett interrupted. "Just tell me where you want it to go and I'll move it."

Esme sighed.

"Very well. But be careful. I don't wish to have to remodel." She said in scolding tones.

"I'll be as careful as always." Emmett promised.

"I think that's what Esme's afraid of." Rose said wryly. "Well come on then Big Bear, let's go move some furniture. Liza, I'll help you transfer your clothes."

"Thank you Aunt Rosalie. Thank you Uncle Emmett. Thank you Esme." Liza said solemnly, nodding to each in turn, then she led Rose and Emmett out of the room.

I watched them go feeling a little subdued.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Bella asked me, coming to put a comforting arm around me.

"Yeah and no. It makes sense and I would like my own room. But we've never been that far apart. Not when we're asleep. And do you remember when we moved back here for school I suggested then that maybe we should have separate rooms, but Liza didn't want to."

"You're both at a confusing age." Bella stated as she rubbed my back in comfort. "I guess that's why Liza's mind is all over the place. Just give her a little space and you'll be good again in a week or two."

"But we're not fighting." I pointed out. "She was annoyed that Gran stopped Hunter from telling us something about the bad vamps and our parents, she wasn't annoyed with me. This has come out of nowhere."

"Then perhaps she's realised today what being part of society means." Bella stated.

"To fit in." I remarked.

"Not so much. But there are some things people will find weird." Bella replied.

"Yeah I know." I said with a smile. "I better go see what they're doing." I stated. "Make sure my stuff gets put in the right place."

---

Liza

I hoped that I wasn't hurting Tony greatly in my decision to move into my own room. If we truly resembled our age then perhaps we would have shared a room for another five years or so, but we would have come to this day eventually. It was better we do it now so that we were settled into routine before we had people over.

I had agonised for a long while over the decision after Tony and Grandmother had left me, it seemed the only option open now. It was unfair that I should disturb Tony with my quarrelsome ways. He deserved his own space. Since it was also my idea to separate then it was only right that I be the one to move into a new room.

Since I made the decision on the spur of the moment there was no chance to truly organise the move, however I could make do.

I realised there wasn't much I really needed to move, there was already a wardrobe in the next room, two in fact, and the bed in there was king-size, which held more appeal than my old single bed. All that I needed Emmett to move between the rooms was my desk, vanity table and the accompanying chairs.

However I still required the rearrangement of furniture within my new room. I required the bed to be pushed up to the wall that adjoined my old room, just as I had promised Tony. This meant that a wardrobe had to be moved first since it was against said wall. With the bed moved against the wall it changed the dimensions of the room and so some more rearranging was required, along with the removal of a few pieces of furniture such as the extra wardrobe and bedside cabinet since this room had been designed for a couple to share.

Everyone helped to move the spare furniture up to the attics. They also took the time to clear out the spare furniture from Tony's room. Everyone was in agreement to have all the upheaval out of the way. There was a double bedstead and mattress stored away in the attic and that was brought down for Tony and placed against the wall in his room.

Once all the heavy lifting was out of the way I could transfer the smaller things such as my clothing from my old wardrobe to my new and all my cleaning products from the en-suite in Tony's room to the one in my room. I preferred the one in my room to tell the truth. It seemed more grown up and feminine. The cream and light gold tiles were much more my taste than the dark blue and white of Tony's room.

I smiled at the thought of being able to indulge in a luxurious, long bath without the worry that Tony would knock on the door and demand I hurry for he needed use of the lavatory. Never mind the fact there were several others in the house that were not in use. Tony and I were the only ones who had need of such amenities when our family from La Push were not visiting.

Yes. It would be bliss owning my own room and I should have done this sooner.

I found myself humming delightedly as I began to put my clothes away, organising them exactly as I liked them. That would be another bonus of having my own room, I could keep it orderly and not have to worry about Tony's sloppy ways impeding on the order a sane person's room should have. I could keep wonderful, wonderful order.

I looked around my room once I was finished and felt elated as I noted there was a place for everything and everything was in its place.

"Everyone's about to leave." Tony said from the doorway.

"Then we must go say our farewells." I stated.

Tony nodded at me and we both went downstairs and back into the recreation room. Our family were making motions to leave and I felt saddened by this fact. I had no idea when we would see them again. Great-grandmother had said they would return at Christmas, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Sometimes our family made promises that they were unable to keep through no fault of their own. I had learned long ago not to take them at their word.

We said our good-byes and Tony and I were subdued as we walked hand in hand back up the stairs, my right hand in his left as was our custom. In the course of a half hour I had fallen from the dizzying heights of elation as a fifteen year old gaining my own room for the first time to the five year old girl who already missed her family as she climbed the stairs holding hands with the only person in the entire world who was the one constant in her life.

They won't be gone long. Tony said as he thought warmth and comfort toward me. Christmas will be here before you know it.

Yes. I agreed, not wishing to be a pessimist, but part of me couldn't help adding, but will our family?

We walked along the up stairs hallway still holding hands until we reached the door of my room. We stopped here since Tony's room was further along, at the end in fact near the door that hid the attic stairs.

"I will see you tomorrow brother." I stated before I embraced Tony around the waist since he was getting so tall now.

"Have nice dreams Liza." Tony replied, patting my back.

"You too Tony." I murmured.

I had requested that we have separate rooms, yet something compelled me to hold tight to Tony, unwilling to let him go. It was a silly reaction and I was the one who chose separate rooms. I had to stand by my decision. I stepped away from Tony, gave him a firm nod then stepped swiftly into my room and closed the door behind myself before I had chance to change my mind.

Once inside my room I began my nightly ritual and I smiled slightly, cheered by the thought that Tony wouldn't tease me this evening.

I gathered together my nightwear and placed them neatly on the small wicker chair in the bathroom and placed my slippers beneath. Then I stepped back into my room and went over to the vanity unit. I looked in the mirror and frowned slightly to find that my attempts this morning to tame my locks had not been quite the success I had hoped for.

I sighed as I removed the bands from the bottom of each pigtail and placed them in my pot for such elastics. Then I loosened the braids until my dark hair was a mass around my head and down my back. It looked almost as if it could be alive. I picked up my hard bristled brush and drew it through my hair, ensuring I removed any tangles that had formed through the day. I picked out the few loose strands that had entangled themselves in the brush and placed them in my little waste bin. Then I placed the brush back in its place before the mirror, next to my soft brush and my comb.

Then I went into the bathroom and locked the door behind me before I turned on the shower. I placed my dirty clothes into the laundry basket as I removed them and then I climbed under the water and began my process of insuring that I washed thoroughly. Once clean I emerged from the shower. I dabbed off the excess wet from my hair before wrapping it up into a towel. Then I wiped the rest of me before I pulled on my pyjamas that were a pale pink colour and had somewhat of an Oriental cut to them I felt.

I cleaned out the shower and placed my discarded towel in the basket. I removed the towel from my hair and wiped it once more, ensuring it was mostly dry, before I placed this towel in the basket too. I would take the basket down in the morning I decided as I slid my feet into my slippers before I turned off the light as I exited the bathroom.

I then sat before my mirror and run the hard brush through my hair once more before I began to blow dry it. I allowed my hair to form into their curls tonight since it was for bed that I did this. In the morning I would shower again and then I would use the straightening irons to get it into some form of order.

Now do not think I dislike my curly hair, I am rather fond of it. Yet it has the tendency to become unruly if I leave it unfettered and I could not abide the thought of people thinking I am anything but impeccably turned out. Once my hair was dry I ran my soft brush through it one hundred times before I gathered my hair over my left shoulder and began to plait it into a loose braid for bed.

After a quick clean around my vanity table I was ready for bed. I turned out the light and felt my way through the darkness in the as yet unfamiliar room until I reached the edge of my bed. I kicked off my slippers and placed them beneath the edge of the bed where they would be easy to find should I have need of them in the night.

I climbed up onto the bed and felt to my left until I located the bedside cabinet on which sat my alarm clock. I pressed the button on the top and the face glowed green, denoting that it was half past nine in the night. I checked that my alarm was set for six in the morning before I placed the clock back on the cabinet.

Then manoeuvring quickly before the light on the clock went off I found the edge of the blanket and wriggled beneath it. But I was not comfortable sleeping on this side of the bed.

I moved beneath the blanket until I was on the other side of the bed and I curled up into the wall. I placed my left hand against it and I could feel the reassuring presence of Tony on the other side. I knew he had his right hand pressed against the wall as he too lay facing it. It was…it's almost like the Time Before.

Almost. Tony thought back. But not quite.

There is no rhythm. There is no sense of her. I thought sadly. There is…there is no sense of Mother.

She'll come back to us one day. Tony stated, and I felt his wish to comfort me. And Father will too.

You are the optimist Tony, not I. I thought back sadly.

But you're the one always searching for answers. Tony pointed out.

Yes. And we almost had them this night. How unfortunate that Grandmother should stop Hunter as he was about to reveal something I felt was crucial. I said carefully.

No Liza. I didn't read his mind. Tony replied, knowing full well what I was hinting at. Bella threw a shield around him as soon as they realised what he was doing. They're so careful with their thoughts around me, but I'm not that powerful a telepath.

Unless they expect your power to grow. I pointed out. There has been an improvement of late. Perhaps it will grow to something more when you are fully-grown.

Perhaps.

Perhaps Mother was the same. It stands to reason that she was a powerful telepath since both Hunter and Tina are. She was like them, a werepire? A wampire? A vampire-werewolf. They are both telepathic and so was she. I'm talking as if this is hypothesis, but we know this. Do you not remember?

I think I do.

Do you think perhaps the telepathy grows stronger with age and as you reach maturity they worry that all of their secrets will be yours? I asked, feeling excited at the thought for if his power grew then perhaps I would develop one of my own.

I guess…

I think we should question them of this. I said firmly.

Ok. Whatever. Tony replied, sounding wary. I think you're gonna push things again and end up getting upset. I want answers as much as you do Elizabeth, but I think you need to be a little more patient. They'll tell us everything when we're old enough. Now if you don't mind, I want to go to sleep.

Yes, yes of course brother. We should both sleep.

I moved my hand from the wall and lay on my back as I stared up at the ceiling since my eyes had become accustomed somewhat to the darkness. I watched the raindrops form against the glass of the skylights that were lighter patches from the slight glow of the clouds outside. I wished for a clear night to see the stars, but a cloudy climate suited my family better.

I could feel Tony's mind settle down a lot closer to me than we had been for a long while now. Funny how this wall separated us yet it was merely a few inches thick as opposed to the few feet that had allowed walking space between our beds when we had shared a room.

I smiled as I wondered why we hadn't done this sooner. It allowed us to remain close whilst still having our own private space. It was a lot like the Time Before and as I thought of that time I missed the steady rhythm and the overwhelming sense of her.

I felt the darkness descend as I remembered that day of rude awakening. Emerging into this cold world, keeping silent, as she had instructed us. The rough cloth against my skin, so new to this world. The sensation of being carried away from the rhythm, away from all I knew. Bewildered that I was alone with no sense of other for what seemed like eternity. The panic starting but mustn't cry. The relief as I felt the other and we began to connect once more as we were bundled into car seats and the sounds all around us. The two fast beats in the front, but not the right rhythm. She had gone. The one we had known, she had gone and as I began to realise this a sound hurt my unprotected ears, but I realised it was my other and I joined in with the crying. Where was the rhythm? Where was our Other? The greater presence, the one who protected us, she was gone.

I sniffed and tried not to make too much noise as the tears trickled down my face. I turned from the wall and pulled the blanket tight around me as I cried myself to sleep.

I awoke the next morning to the shriek of my alarm. It took me half a minuet to locate the wretched thing and silence it. Then I arose slowly into the semi-darkness, trying to breathe through a nose that was still full from last night's tears. I tried to ignore my stuffed up nose until I was in the bathroom and could relieve the pressure through use of a tissue.

It seemed with great slowness that I rose from the bed and located my slippers in the weak light that filtered through the rain-soaked skylights. I made my way to the light switch and flicked it. The sudden burst of bright light hurt my eyes and I had to blink for a moment until I could see without straining.

I made my way to the bathroom and turned on the bathroom light. Then I performed my morning ritual, which was similar to my nightly ritual, only I dressed into my day clothes as opposed to my bedclothes.

As I regarded my clothes that morning I felt a little mischievous, wondering if it would be mean of me to wear something completely different from yesterday and declared the nostalgia look as 'over'. However I remembered that I wished to be a trendsetter and for that I would need the trend to take hold before I moved on to the next.

This morning I picked out a sky blue dress, hoping to add a little colour to this dreary world of rain. I teamed it with white tights; my patent leather dolly shoes and I would wear my blue duffle coat to complete the look. The coat had wooden toggles that had butterflies carved into them. I had little clips with blue butterflies and I thought they would be a great addition to the artillery I required to tame my hair.

I showered, and then dressed before I started on the process of taming my hair. First drying it, then straightening it. Once it was straight I parted my hair neatly in the middle into two equal sections, then I plaited each section into a neat tight braid. I used the two-strand method where you took a little from one strand and twisted it over to the other. It meant the braid formed tighter and neater than when you used three strands and the resulting pattern was sometimes referred to as a fishtail.

I tied blue elastics into the bottom of each braid and then I placed the clips in my hair in the hope that it would hold it better this day. Once I was dressed I picked up my laundry basket and made my way down to the basement. First I went into the laundry room and tipped my laundry into the main laundry basket. I placed my laundry basket on top of the machine ready for me to retrieve after breakfast. Then I entered the kitchen via the small corridor that joined the two rooms without having to walk right around to the main kitchen door that was located at the other end of the kitchen. I entered the kitchen to find Esme flittering about as she prepared breakfast.

"You look smart this morning Liza." She observed when she noticed my entrance.

"Thank you Esme." I said with a curtsy.

Esme smiled at me as I made my way to the high stool and climbed up on to it. I perched on it primly as Esme slid the bowl of muesli in front of me. I wasn't particularly keen on muesli, but I knew well the nutritional value it held and I ate with all signs of enjoyment. I found it preferable to the greasy sausage and bacon Esme was dishing up for Tony despite the fact that it smelt so appetising to my dhampir nose. I had already finished when Tony slunk into the room, his hair still wet and wearing the first clothes he'd pulled out of the wardrobe this morning.

"Good morning Tony." I sang.

Tony grunted unintelligibly as he climbed onto the stool to my right. He was never at his best in the mornings until he had food inside of him. I smiled as I sipped at my orange juice while Tony began to eat the food Esme placed in front of him with gusto.

I smiled in affection at my twin as he clearly enjoyed his breakfast. Sometimes I wished I could be as carefree as him, to eat how I wanted and not worry about slopping food down my clothing, but there was always something that stopped me from doing so.

I sighed, wondering why I always allowed my mind to make me feel so sad as I picked up my dish and glass to carry to the sink. I swilled them through and placed them in the dishwasher.

"Thank you." Esme said politely through routine for I had not cleared my plate away for the sake of gratitude, but because it was the right thing to do.

"You are most welcome." I replied. "I must away to brush my teeth."

"Of course dear." Esme said with a smile.

I stood on my toes and kissed her cheek before I left the kitchen to retrieve my basket. I carried it back up to my room and placed it in its rightful place beside the sink. Then I brushed my teeth for the second time that morning. I always brushed my teeth twice in the morning. Once when I got up to rid the taste of morning breath and then the second time to remove any food debris from my breakfast.

Then there was only need to pull on my coat and satchel and I was ready for school. I went down to the front door to wait for Tony. He joined me seeming a little more awake than he had been at breakfast, but he seemed to be going to school as is. I despaired sometimes, if only he would allow me to pic out his clothing.

"And end up in a sailor suit?" Tony said with a snort. "Come on. We'll be late for the bus."

"Have fun in school today." Esme stated as she came to see us through the door.

Tony and I said our goodbyes before we departed. We strolled along the drive in the morning light and I had to think for a moment of what it would be like when winter took hold and the mornings would be dark. Would we feel so confident walking to the end of the drive? I held by my thought of yesterday, I could not wait until I could drive.

We reached the end of the drive with ten minuets to spare. Tony dropped his backpack to the floor and sat on it while I stood next to him resolute that I wouldn't give in to the tempting offer of a seat that the flat white indicator stone offered.

It was not long before the bus appeared and stopped at the end of our drive. The bus was fairly empty as it rode its route in reverse to home time.

"Hey Liza. Come sit with me." Diane called, waving to get my attention.

I looked to Tony for I did not wish to abandon him but he shrugged. I chose to sit by Diane while Tony sat in the seat behind us. Diane turned in her seat so she sat with her back to the window but now she could observe both of us.

"So you really are her brother?" Diane asked Tony as she looked between the both of us.

"Yeah." Tony answered a little curtly by his standards and I wondered why he seemed to be hostile toward my friend.

"And you really are twins?"

"Yes we are." I replied to that one.

"And you're not just like adopted siblings or anything?"

Tony and I looked at each other, it always amused us how people found it so difficult to believe we were related when there was no mistaking our eye colour was identical.

"Our mother was Quileute, from the La Push reservation on the West Coast, just beyond Forks. Our father was of Italian descent. We live with our father's sister Esme while we attend school, but we often visit with our kin on the Res. Especially for Quileute day. It does one good to become accustomed to ones roots." I stated.

"Cool. But you don't look Native American. Not at all." She said with a shake of her head.

"Because I look like Father's side of the family while Tony looks like Mother's side of the family. Although we do have the exact same eye colour."

Diane peered closely at me and then Tony.

"So you do." She stated.

"So is there a point to this twenty questions?" Tony demanded a little gruffly.

"Wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" Diane demanded.

"You got any gum?" Tony demanded back and I frowned at him since he never chewed gum.

"Not today." Diane replied.

Tony nodded his head and sat back in his seat before he pulled the ear buds of his iPod from the breast pocket of his denim jacket and inserted them into his ears. He made it clear he wished to be alone.

I turned back to Diane.

"Please forgive Tony. He's not his best in the mornings."

"Yeah. My brother's the same. Must be a boy thing." Diane said dismissively. "So I see you live in that big mansion then. What is it, Tree… Trerer…"

"Tregarran Hall." I said promptly. "Yes. We live there."

"That place is big. I mean my house is big, but that place is ginormous." She said as she motioned with her arms. "How did ya folks come to buy that?"

"It's been in the family for generations. Our father was the last owner and upon his death it came to us, and our guardians of course. Although that is not why Esme and her husband took us in. We have travelled the world while Uncle Carlisle did his research, but now that he has enough material for his book he can turn his hand to practicing medicine again. It was through travelling that we were home schooled, but since we are of High School age Esme thought it best that we attend one."

"Wow. That sounds wonderful. I want to travel when I'm older. I'd like to visit Italy." She stated. "Especially Tuscany. Naomi was into past lives last year and we went to this medium who put us under hypnosis and apparently I was an Etruscan princess. I lived in a place called Volterra but I didn't find out any more cause our session was up and the medium wanted another hundred dollars to carry on."

"You know that's a fraud. They can make you think you experience a past life through suggestion, or your brain forms it for you from random information it picks up. Did Naomi have a past life?"

"She was an English Queen, can't remember which one, but not one of the famous ones. Just one of the ones married to a king, although she did get her head chopped off."

"Anne Boleyn?" I asked a little on the flat side.

"No. The other one."

"Catherine Howard?"

"Yeah. That's it. Catherine Howard."

"Of course." I said, then I had an idea. "I had a regression once because I kept having strange dreams that I could not explain. Apparently I was a pirate captain named Elizabeth Swann and I had to rescue my beloved from the clutches of the evil pirate king Davey Jones, a man so black hearted he had started to resemble the creatures of the deep. Through many a session I discovered that I had won the life of my beloved but could only visit with him once a decade."

Diane had been nodding through all of this but then she frowned.

"Wait… Isn't that the plot of them old Disney Pirate movies?" She asked.

I grinned.

"Wow. You had me going for a moment there." Diane chuckled. "You sounded so convincing."

"I am known to spin a good yarn." I stated. "The point is that your brain is also capable of this."

"Yeah. We decided it was a load of crap at the time anyway. But I'd still like to visit Tuscany."

"My family hail from that region." I stated. "It is said that we can trace our roots all the way back to the Etruscans, but I have never seen the evidence with my own eyes and until I do I will remain sceptical."

"You don't believe in much do you?" Diane stated.

"I know enough of this world not to put my faith in unproven things." I said sadly.

"Well we're here." Diane said brightly as the bus pulled up to the curb outside the school.

I rose to my feet and made my way off the bus.

"Catch you later." Diane called to me as I began to walk toward the buildings.

"Of course." I replied, pausing momentarily in my walking to wave to her, then I carried on toward the school.

---

Tony

Liza didn't even say bye to me as she got off the bus. I felt a little sad about that, I hoped she didn't think I would cramp her style or something. I'd be really annoyed if she tried to impose some in-school sanction on me like Grace's sister did to her. Then again she had made sure that stupid cow knew for certain that we were twins so that counted for something.

Liza probably just forgot I was there.

As I was walking across campus I saw a bright red convertible pull in and I recognised Grace immediately, although she had her head ducked down as if hoping nobody would notice her.

I watched as the car pulled into a spot then I ambled over to it and opened Grace's door. I don't know if this was forward or being a gentleman but I wanted to do this for her.

Grace hadn't been paying much attention; her head had been down as her sister berated her about the rules of no contact in school once more. Grace had been reaching for the handle absentmindedly, but now all she felt was air and she looked out and up at me in shock.

"Morning." I said cheerfully. "Thought we could walk to homeroom together."

Grace smiled at me a little bemused.

"Of course." She said as she got out of the car.

Her sister was quick out of the other side and she scrutinised me over the low roof.

"Who's your friend Gracey?" She asked, her voice all sugar and light, it was a stark contrast to the bile she'd been spewing at Grace only seconds before.

"Um…this um…is Tony. He's…um…he's in my homeroom class." Grace said in a small voice.

"Um…and you were captain of the debate team." Grace's sister said with a snort. "I'm Prue." She added, holding out a beautifully manicured hand to me. "I thought I should just tell you since we'll be here all day if Grace introduced us."

"Well, it was nice to meet you Prue." I said flatly before I turned my attention fully to Grace. "We're gonna be late."

Grace nodded and she shut the car door before we made our way to homeroom.

"I think you just dissed my sister." She whispered.

"Probably." I replied.

"Aren't you afraid of repercussions. She's captain of the cheerleading squad. She could make life difficult for you."

I shrugged; I could care less about my social standing.

Grace was happy about this, I could read it from her mind clearly, but she didn't show it. I mean she was happy that I didn't care about the clique crap, but she was concerned for me since she didn't want me to have no friends because of her. I was sure I could make more friends, and so could she. Not everyone in this school was horrible.

Actually the opportunity presented itself when I went to homeroom. Miss Weltin wasn't there, nobody was apart from two boys who had pushed their desks together and were in the middle of round of Duel Cards. I felt my grin spread across my face as I headed right to them.

"Are those from the new Dino extension?" I asked.

The two boys looked up at Grace and me and looked about ready to pull the cards quickly away.

"You can't stop now. You're about to thrash him. Sweet play bro." I commented.

"Yes." Grace agreed. "I haven't seen anyone successfully pull that play off before."

"You're not gonna take them off us and throw them in the trash?" The chubby one asked.

"Why would I do that?" I demanded, dropping into the chair by the desk in front of them. "You have a genuine Niknaksaurus there, why would I throw that in the bin? It aught to be laminated for all of prosperity."

"So you'll steal it off us?" The scrawny one ventured.

"No. That's your card. You got that fair and square. If I did want to ask you for it then I'd trade you, maybe my Gold Trexus. But I wouldn't steal it!"

"You play Duel Cards?" Grace asked.

"Well, I try to. It's not so much fun on your own and Liza doesn't quite get it. I like to play Uncle Jasper when he's in town; he's a great strategist so it's always a challenge. Sometimes we D&D with Uncle Edward as the DM, that's fun too, although Uncle Emmett usually throws a strop when his half-orc fighter rolls low and he gets beaten by a halfling rogue NPC. But of course they're all out of town now so I can't play at the moment."

"There are clubs about." The chubby one said. "You just have to look."

"We used to have one ourselves, but we lost our place to play." The scrawny one said sadly.

"Used to be the school hall, but the High School won't let us do that here. We did ask. But it was something to do with health and safety." The chubby one said, rolling his eyes.

"Stupid rules." I said with a frown. "Hang on. I'm being rude. I'm Tony by the way." I said, holding out my hand.

"Johno." The chubby kid said, shaking my hand.

"Bob." The scrawny kid said.

"And I'm Grace." Grace said softly.

"Yeah we know." Johno mumbled shyly and he seemed to be blushing slightly. "You led the South Wellington debate team to victory last year. Totally thrashed us in the second round, but it was worth it."

"Well…it was a team effort." Grace replied modestly. "So you all D&D? I like to dabble. I was thinking of setting up a group, we could use my house, but my sister is likely to say no. My parents tend to give Prue her own way."

"You could always come to my house." I said suddenly and without really thinking. "I mean I'd have to clear it with Carlisle and Esme first, but it shouldn't be a problem so long as you can get a lift out there since there's not much of a regular bus service up Olympic Drive."

"I think we can find our way there." Bob said. "I mean, if it's ok with your parents."

"I'll ask tonight and let you know tomorrow." I said. "Would Saturday morning be ok if the answer is yes?"

"Sure." They all agreed.

We had to be quiet then since Miss Weltin came in to take registration. I felt happy that I seemed to be making friends that I wanted who liked the stuff I liked and not because I was a means to greater social standing. I could do without all that crap to be honest.

Johno and Bob sat with Grace and me during lunch and I realised that I could probably call them friends now. It was amazing all the things we had in common, like books for a start. We agreed the classics were fine for a challenging read, but for fun we liked to read fantasy and sci-fi. Horror too, although I tried not to say too much about what I thought about vampire literature since it always made me laugh. Not that it was all bad, but when you knew the truth the fiction seemed more farfetched.

Johno and Bob told me of some of the after school clubs that the school offered, and they seemed interesting so I decided I might give them a try. I'd already planned on joining the debate team with Grace anyway so a few extra others wouldn't hurt. I think I've found my place in the school. Somewhere my friends would like me for me.

---

Liza

"I'm sorry for calling you a liar." Naomi said at lunchtime. "But you have to see it from our point of view. How were we supposed to know you really were twins?"

"You could have taken me at my word. But I will not argue the fact now. I accept your apology and hope we will not have such disagreements in the future." I replied.

"Yeah." Naomi replied, giving me an uncertain look. "And by the way, sorry about that whole gum incident too. I was the one who put Diane up to it. I think it's real mature of you that you've decided to ignore the whole thing."

"What gum incident?" I asked, feeling suddenly on guard.

"Oh, didn't your brother tell you? He caught Diane about to put gum on your hair yesterday, only at the bottom. Nothing that a few inches trim wouldn't fix, but Tony got the gum off her. Kinda glad he did on hindsight, it was a childish idea, so I'm glad he stepped in and stopped the incident from being worse than it is."

"You were going to put gum in my hair!" I exclaimed. "You were going to put something icky-sticky that had been in your mouth in my hair!"

"Yes." Diane admitted, looking repentant. "It was childish of me. I'm glad Tony stopped me, but I can't believe you didn't know anything about it. I thought you were being all mature and taking the highroad this morning, but I guess you didn't say anything because he hadn't told you."

"Tony knew of this?" I asked, finally picking up on what had been said.

"Yeah." Diane said. "Grabbed the gum right off me. Don't know how he spotted me really. It was almost as if he read my mind."

"Of course he did." I said flatly, hoping to insert the right amount of scepticism. "So that's what he was hiding from me." I said darkly as I looked toward where Tony was sat with Grace and two boys I didn't know.

I could feel my anger start to rise and I had no idea who I was most angry with, Naomi and Diane for their plot against me, or Tony for not mentioning to me that I had been an intended target of their petty cruelty. I wanted vengeance, but I had no idea who I should target to gain it. I could feel the voice within that instructed me toward violence, luckily I was distracted…

Suddenly music blared into the cafeteria and the cheerleaders began marching in. They put on a small display before their leader stepped forward with a huge smile on her face.

"If it's one thing we are on the cheerleading squad, we're cheerful. We're always happy. But right now we're a little sad since our squad is down. We need six new members and a couple for the reserves. So we're holding tryouts Friday lunch. Open to anyone who thinks they got what it takes. So make sure you're all there." The leader announced and then the cheerleading squad flowed out leaving behind them a silence that was quickly filled with dismissive shrugs, bar the girls on my table.

They were talking excitedly amongst each other for according to them becoming a cheerleader was the epitome of the High School experience. As I stated earlier, they all wanted to try out for the squad with exception to Lenora and Bailey who were determined to make the teams of their chosen sports. The most excited was Naomi herself; she had her eye on not only joining the squad but also making it to the central line-up in freshman year. Apparently this would be a great achievement, something that she yearned for.

I smiled slightly at the thought of finding a way to attain vengeance without resorting to violence. I would tryout for the cheerleading squad and I would be chosen. I would also work toward hampering her chances of joining or having her kicked off if she was chosen. She wouldn't make it into the central line-up, I was sure of that. I would, I would stand atop that pyramid while she looked on and fumed.

I would teach her to order someone to put food in my hair and when that proved unsuccessful, tried to drive a wedge between my brother and I.

I will join the cheerleading squad and have vengeance on my nemesis.

---

Ok, so that's your first introduction to the twins. From now on their chapters won't be quite so repetitive, but I wanted to establish their differing personalities and also how they perceive certain things differently.

Don't forget chapter two will be up shortly

Thank you for reading

Please Review

Gemma x