Disclaimer: Even though this actually means nothing, I do not own Twilight. I do own Kestra and this plotline.
What would happen if the focus on the elusive Cullens was shifted to a young female, with a strange secret of her own? Canon pairings in AU.
Tuesday, Kestra's pov.
I was not looking forward to today, as it was already showing much disfavour on me. It did not rain...it poured as only the weather can do in Forks. On my way to the school I was caught in a downpour, effectively soaking my coat and bag. To top it off, I became the center of attention yet again in the school, as I was the only student looking for all the world like a drowned rodent in squeaky, sopping sneakers.
By third period I had a new nickname: The Sewer Rat. By lunch hour, it had been mercifully shortened to simply "The Rat". Thank God for small miracles. I heard my name being called. My real name that is. Turning around, I saw the massive Emmett Cullen making his way through the hall toward me. Judging by the huge grin on his features, he seemed happy that I was still in one piece.
"Hey Squirt! I've been looking for you! Will you sit with me? It would really mean the world to me..." He was practically begging.
I nearly choked; the huge, imposing vampire that could probably drink part of me for breakfast was acting like a teddy bear? Seeing the incredulous expression I wore elicited a booming laugh from the hulking giant in front of me.
"Um...alright. I guess I could sit with you today."
'I think I could live with the new nickname too. It seems to fit my condition.'
"Come then."
Emmett reached down to take my hand and proceeded to tow me to the cafeteria. As soon as we entered, the conversation in the cafeteria rose to loud droning of surprised voices and astounded gasps. Emmett ignored most of the ruckus he had caused, pausing in our progress only to stare down Mike Newton, who was barring the way in his surprised stupor.
"Got a problem Newton? Then sit." Emmett growled.
All Mike did was shake his head and sit like a loyal retriever puppy staring after us with widened blue eyes. After all roadblocks had been thwarted, Emmett succeeded in towing me to the food line, where he dished up an enormous amount of food, easily enough for four people. Balancing the tray in one hand after paying for the meal, he finally brought me to the table where we sat yesterday, the entire time his hand completely engulfing mine.
"Eat up Squirt! I didn't just buy all this for me you know." He cajoled.
'Why don't these people understand that I don't like people buying nice things for me?'
"You sound just like Bella."
Edward's velvet voice startled me, as the others joined us at the table. I was about to verbally reply with a snarky remark when a thud and a sudden impact to my right side grabbed my attention; Bella had tripped, landing partially leaning on my lap.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm okay, this happens a lot. I should be asking you if you're okay. Are you?"
Bella's expression clouded into one of concern. Not that I could blame her, as from all outward appearances I looked like I could be shattered by a small wind.
"Don't you worry about me, Bella! I'm about as breakable as Emmett." I laughed gently at the confused expression on their faces. "Or Alice, if you want a more 'accurate' size comparison".
All further conversation came to a halt as Emmett forced the tray over to me, leaving me no choice but to eat or leave. Sighing, I decided to start eating whatever was in front of me, and the Cullens were content to let me eat in peace. Bella made light conversation with me, and already I could see that she wanted to be my friend.
'Can I really allow a human to get so close to me? Bella means no harm and I feel strangely protective of her already... What does it mean I wonder? So fragile is human life."
"You are confused. Why is that?" The one called Jasper questioned me softly.
"I am unsure as to why I feel so protective so quickly of someone that I hardly know."
The bell rang, signalling that classes were about to begin. I followed Bella down the hallway to our next class, which happened to be Biology. It was only my second day, but Mr. Banner seemed to share his students' dislike for my presence.
'If your scowl gets any bigger sir, your face may crack. I wonder what he would do if I growled at him? One of these days I just might. Laugh it up Edward. I could hear you growling at Mike when he looked at Bella. Well that certainly wiped the grin off your face!'
"What kind of creature are you?" Edward whispered softly, below a human's range of hearing.
'I resent being called a creature. And for the record, I am a bigger one than you.'
Wednesday Evening, Jasper's pov.
The past day and a half has been miserable as far as the weather goes, even for vampires. I swear that if it wasn't for the look that Alice gave me, I would not be driving to the hardware store to buy adhesives for Esme's new wall hooks in the bathrooms. I love that little pixie dearly, but good Lord can she give some meaningful looks.
As I was walking back to the car, I noticed something strange. There was a pile of boxes in the alleyway just across from me, and I was getting very distinct feelings from the direction of the boxes. Feelings that practically begged, please don't notice me, I am not here. A seemingly familiar scent of forest wafted past my nose.
I thought I recognized the scent, although everything was so sopping wet that I could barely track it, let alone distinguish it completely. Sighing, I walked slowly across the street, not wanting to frighten the poor person trying to hide from me. I continued to gradually make my way closer, until at last I stood in the alley beside the pile. I knelt down and began to sift through the layers of cardboard, now able to hear the rapid breathing of the occupant over the din of the rain storm.
If my dead heart was beating, it would have stopped at the sight that met my eyes as I raised the last layer of flattened boxes; a warm but soaked Kestra was staring up at me with the biggest scared blue eyes I have ever seen. As the colder air met her warm body, steam began to rise from her form.
"Darlin' what in the world are you doing out here in the middle of a rain storm? And covered by boxes no less?" I cried loudly. It suddenly, albeit belatedly, occurred to me that perhaps she had no home to go to. What was it that the kids at school called her? Homeless?
"Child, you are comin' home with me." I couldn't help that my accent was coming out strong, because it always seemed to manifest the most when I was this upset.
Without waiting for her to make a more than an unintelligible syllable, I scooped her up and was buckling her in the car before she could blink. She began to cry, and I briefly tasted her feelings as to why she was virtually a sobbing wreck next to me.
'She's embarrassed that I found her to be actually homeless? And there's no doubt that she's afraid I'll tell people how I found her in a pile of cardboard boxes. Poor thing.'
"Kestra," I spoke gently, wanting to soothe her. "Honey, I will never tell anyone about how I found you if you don't want anyone to know. I promise." I reached over to take her warm hand in my cold one, wanting to offer some kind of physical reassurance. She hiccupped a few times, calming down significantly.
"I promise to bury it down so deep in my mind that even the most powerful mind readers would not be able to find it."
"Really?" She sounded like a little lost girl, and it broke my dead heart.
"Really. I promise you that as long as I exist, I will never speak of this night again."
"Thank you Jasper."
The rest of the drive was made in silence, as I now had a sleeping Kestra in the passenger seat, and I would not willingly disturb her for all the tea in China.
That's it folks! The end of chapter two. Review and I will post the next one.