Chapter one: The beginning.
I stared at the baby pink walls of my new room, a feeling of imprisonment swept over me, as I glared out my window.
Even from the blurred vision of tears, I could see miles of green luscious fields, the fields only found in the emerald island: Ireland.
I didn't want to come here, I still don't, but my protests where ignored, my things packed and my arse kicked all the way over the Irish Sea. The vibrant shades of green where alien to me compared to the dull, washed out greys of the streets of London, unnatural. With a sigh, I walked over towards my hello kitty double bed, as I did so, I caught a glimpse of my refection of the window glass:
My skin was pale to the extreme, but that was from lack of sleep. My dark brown eyes, black almost, where framed with puffy red skin that only crying could do and my dark brown curly hair was in a messy bun that haven't been washed or brushed since the day I departed England. My size ten-tracksuit bottoms were starting to feel too roomy for my liking, yet my top still felt strained against my chest.
I sat on my comfy bed, my shoulders resting against my fluffy pillow, the smell of home still lingered here; lemon shampoo, perfume and pollution.
I opened up a shabby book form my bedside table and read form where I last stopped.
"You are my life now." I snapped the book shut in frustration, loved twilight, but I couldn't help but feel jealous; a clumsy human girl, Bella, moves to her dad's and falls in love with Edward Cullen.
Edward is a vegetarian vampire who lives with his family, rebelling against their own nature to drink human blood. Anyway long story short: Bella and Edward are both vampires in the end and live happily ever after in the forth and last book.
What I wanted was to find my own Edward Cullen – no Edward Cullen himself. But please! Vampires that sparkle in the sun? Yep, I should be so lucky.
With another frustrated sigh, I walked down the stairs, away from the attic that was my new bedroom, and down to the kitchen, only to find my mother humming along to the radio.
She looked up as I entered, a small smile on her face.
"Who are you?" she asked, "I used to have a daughter just like you, but I haven't seen from her in three days." Her smile reaching her dark brown eyes – my eyes.
My mother looked a lot like me: full lips, dark eyes, curly brown hair, same hourglass figure, along with a sense of humour.
The only difference was she had a golden tan, while I was pale.
I ignored her, walking over to the fridge and peering in.
"Is there anything in to eat?" I asked as I moved some eggs aside.
"You're dad went into town with Matt and Justin, they'll be back in a while." Matt and Justin where my brothers, Justin being the oldest, took on the responsibility for being a right pain, oh and breaking the many heart of young and foolish girls. Matt was the youngest and defiantly the weirdest; he spends most of his day locked in his room doing some science experiment or math equation, which in my opinion, was not normal. Well neither is falling in love with a vampire from a book, so unlike Justin, I don't tease my baby brother.
So I was surprised that dad had managed to pry Matt away from blowing up the house to go shopping.
"You're father promised to buy Matt some chemistry set… something like that anyway." Reading my mind, she glanced down at her watch. "Back soon." She repeated, like if you say it enough times, it'll come true. I shook my head and ascended to the bathroom, both my brothers and I were due to start school tomorrow, and I didn't want to go in looking like a mess, but for all I knew the fashion here could be wearing dungarees and straw hats.
I removed my clothes and stepped into the steaming hot shower, the drops of water pelted down on my skin, soothing muscles and cleansing my body, the final patches of soap lingering around the plughole.
Once dry and dressed with my hair wrapped in a towel, did I slowly walk down the stairs to meet my family.
"Aahh! Sleeping beauty finally arises." Says my father in mock surprise, as he unloaded tesco bags full of fruit and tinned vegetables.
"Look, look Cass! Look!" Matt came running at me from nowhere, carrying a large book in his small arms. "Dad bought me a new book: The mathematicians guide to quantum physics." His eyes where lit up like a blind man being told he could see again, in a really weird way.
"That great Matt." I beamed at him, ruffling his blonde hair.
Both Matt and Justin looked like our Dad; blonde, blue-eyed and tanned. Though Matt wasn't muscular like his father or elder brother, he was more taller and boyish looking, though I doubt that eleven year olds get muscles
Dinner was it's usual active event, what with Justin and dad talking aimlessly about football and whatever sports they could think off, while Matt explained to a very confused mum why he wanted to compare both Irish and English soil.
"…it's about the level of acid from acid rain that …" he tried once again to speak in lay terms.
I was the first to finish my dinner; I wasn't one of those girls that cowered at the sight of anything over two hundred calories, but I wasn't one of those girls who could eat whatever they wanted and not let it show.
"I'm going for a run." I muttered to anyone who cared to listen, I used to run around our street back in England, so I fell into that pattern from our five days here.
It was drizzling outside, at least the weather wasn't different from London, and cold drops of rain hit my head, making dark spots on my clothes. I lost track of time, but from what little sun we had today disappeared into the horizon, did I stop and made my way back home.
The shower was free so I decided to have another one, not as long but wanted just as much, I probably would've stayed longer but Justin needed a piss.
I didn't sleep well that night, what with the absence of traffic noises and the occasional dunk singing, but the soothing sound of rain did ease me into what little sleep I had.
Though I would never admit it, there was an upside to moving Ireland, I got to leave my school uniform behind and wear my own, more comfortable clothes. I wore dark blue jeans with a white button down front, which I thought flattered my figure, and flat black boots (no heal, they always make me lose my balance) and my hair hung loose around my shoulders, a curly fame of my face.
Dad whistled as I descended down the stairs, bringing a small blush to my cheeks. Justin scowled but didn't say anything; he obviously didn't find anything wrong with my outfit.
Justin drove us to school in silence, dropping Matt of first, before parking in St. Mary's school parking lot.
Both Justin and I walked to the main office, receiving the occasional stare, in silence; we only talked to each other if there were swear words involved.
The school office was a cluttered little room with pale green walls that was donned with posters and certificates, a middle-aged woman with greying dull blonde hair, peered over at us from her large glasses.
"Justin and Cassandra Clarkson?" she barked, her voice sharp and business like. Both Justin and I nodded wordlessly, taking the school papers she handed to us. As we were leaving, I noticed her eyeing us critically, probably for some gossip to spill in the staff room.
Once outside, I looked down at my timetable:
Science, art, maths, English gym and history.
I reluctantly turned to my map of the school, as I tried to figure the complicated paths and classes of this maze of a school. After getting lost God know how many times, and bumping into several people due to my nose being almost glued to the stupid piece of paper, did I finally ask someone for help.
I made it seconds before the class bell started to shriek, all eyes turned to me, all filled with the same curiosity that sent an automatic blush to my cheeks.
Mr. Greene sent me to an empty desk with a polite smile and begun the lesson. Time neither few or stood still, but I was soon moving to the sound of the school bell, packing my book back into my bag when I heard a confident voice say
"You're Cassandra, right?" she was a tall unnatural blonde with strange grey eyes; I think her name was Kerry.
"Cassie." I corrected.
"Oh, right." She looked a bit embarrassed for a fraction of a moment, before continuing. "Well, I'm Kelly, I was just wondering…if you don't have anyone to sit by – you could sit by us. My friends and me, that is." I was taken off guard by the sudden kindness, that I was hesitant to answer.
"Yeah, that'll be cool – thanks Kelly." I received a lip glossed smile from Kelly before she turned and left the room.
Both art and maths were almost a blur, I remembered taking down notes and having polite conversations with students brave enough to introduce themselves to me, that I was soon being led by Tom, an attractive guy with nice green eyes, to the lunch hall.
"Cassie!" I heard a familier voice yell, Kelly, from somewhere to my right. "Oh," she said when she saw who I was with, "I see you've met Tom." She beamed at him, to which he answered with a friendly smile. "I've saved you a seat." She told me as she pulled me along towards an already crowded table.
As I approached, I saw Justin, who scowled in my direction; his action was soon mimicked by some blonde stick insects that ogled at him over their creaser salads.
"Food court's over there." She pointed towards a salad bar and walked towards her seat.
Once I got my so-called lunch I took the seat next to Kelly, I noted the fact that Tom and some of his friends joined our table, laughing loudly and talking amongst themselves.
It was then, that I received, what I believe was, the fright of my life.
There were five of them, three guys and two girls.
One of the guys was a serious body builder, putting Justin to shame, with curly dark hair that was almost black. Another was lean with honey gold hair, his expression looked almost pained.
Beside the golden-haired boy was a pixie-looking girl with a halo of inky black hair, her body slim and willowy to the extreme. The other girl was a blonde angel, her wavy hair ending at the middle of her back. Last but not least there was a bronze haired boy, who had a more boyish figure than the other two guys, his eyes cast down. What I noticed about all of them was they're pale skin, really pale, and dark eyes with purple shadows underneath.
"Cass, are you alright?" Kelly's voice sounded concerned, causing the bronze haired boy to look up, his coal black eyes shifted from Kelly to me and back down again, dissatisfied.
"Who are they?" I asked, she knew from my voice who I was talking about.
"Oh, they're Dr. Cullen's adoptive kids, the two blonde ones are Rosalie and Jasper Hale and the two dark haired ones are Alice and Emmett Cullen."
"And the other one?" I asked, I felt sick, this was not happening.
"Edward Cullen… but I'd rather call him gorgeous. They moved here from somewhere in America about one or two years ago." She paused; something must have shown on my face because concern returned to her tone.
"Hey, are you sure you're alright?"
"No, I … I don't feel to good." My voice shook, this had to be some sick joke, whatever it was, I wanted to get out of here – and fast.
"I could take you to the nurse." I didn't have to look up to know Tom had offered. I nodded, not caring that every eye on our table was no me, as Tom escorted my out the canteen, I saw Edward's exquisite face on me, the same uninterested look in his dark, hungry eyes.
Tom lead me past the main building, towards the school office Justin and I visited this morning, his arm was hesitantly out, afraid that'll fall, but also afraid to touch me when I might not want it.
The warmth of the office greeted me as I walked hesitantly towards the receptionist, Tom in tow. There was a new woman behind the desk, who looked a whole lot friendlier.
"Can Cassie see the nurse please Miss Down?" Tom asked his voice had gone low and husky, his green eyes bright.
"Just go right through." She nodded toward a door near the far side of the room, surprise still evident in her light brown eyes.
Tom guided me through to the nurse's office, being a gentleman by holding open the door.
"What do we have here?" asked a motherly looking woman with greying hair and a friendly smile, she turned to Tom, "You can go now." When he was about to protest, she cut him off with logic. "What happens if it turns out to be woman issues?" she asked, I felt myself blush, but Tom was worse and he all but sprinted out of the room.
She chuckled, "That got rid of him," her Irish accent was clear in her voice. "Now, I take it we're not really dealing with a period are we?" she pressed a cool hand to my forehead. "You're a little hot, dear, and pale." She looked at me with concern. "Do you want me to call your Mother or something?" she was already walking over towards her office phone, she turned when I didn't reply.
"Please." I asked, my voice shook; at least I could go home, go asleep and pretend this is all a bad dream. So, I told her my new phone number and my mum was here in less than twenty minutes. She lead me out of the bright yellow walls that was called school and wrapped an arm around my waist, bringing me towards her car, as I walked by, I noticed a shiny silver Volvo, mocking me a few cars down.
Mum put me straight to bed, sending up chicken soup and tea, leaving me to my thoughts.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't help but thinking about what I saw today; the Cullen's, people from my Favourite book in the flesh, but I couldn't be…
Could the Cullen's really be the vampires from my book?
And if yes, what the hell was I going to do about it?
I was afraid to answer either of these questions, afraid of what I answer might be… but didn't I want Edward Cullen? Didn't I wish for him so many times after reading his name on the pages of twilight? Be careful what you wish for was a saying that I have been told ever since I was little, but who could've predicted this happening? I thought about the story of twilight once again, wasn't there supposed to be a Bella? Wasn't this all supposed to happen under the clouds of Forks, in America?
Kelly said they moved from America a few years ago, she said the lines that Jessica Stanley was supposed to say to Bella Swan on her first day of her new school.
Instead Kelly Sullivan said them to Cassandra Clarkson on her first day of school. Did that mean I was Bella?
Did I want to be Bella? Did I want to give up my safe and ignorant human life and swap it for something more dark and dangerous? I thought of my family, how I would be putting them in danger, how I could end up loosing them…
But what if I'm not Bella? For all I know, she could arrive any minute, she could laugh and yell at me for even thinking about falling in love with her Edward Cullen. I could be one of those students that don't even have a line to say… just part of the crowd. Yeah, how could I be so stupid? To think that I was Bella, what if they're not even vampires? What of it's all a big coincidence? My mind was spinning, so many questions and not enough answers, but in my experience, life works that way.
These unanswered questions haunted me through out my week of being "sick" until my sixth day of illness; my dad came to visit me.
"How's my little girl feelin'?" he asked, his hand automatically reaching for my forehead.
"I dunno." I answered truthfully, in all honesty, I could be on fire and still unsure of how I felt.
"Do you think you might need a Doctor?" he said it casually, but I could tell that I couldn't carry on playing sick for long.
"No dad, I'll be fine for Monday." I sighed, ignoring the proud smile that my father made no attempt of hiding. The real reason was a little more than being caught playing sick. No, what happens if Dr. Cullen sees me? That's just what I need! So I agreed to go to school without a fuss, trying to convince myself that all I have to do is pretend that the Cullen's don't exist, that I could go on with my life without the answers I so desperately crave.
That night, just after dinner, Matt paid me a visit to my room.
"Cassie, are you awake?" his voice was a whisper that could barely be heard.
"No," I replied, my voice mirroring his, "go away."
Matt chuckled and came over to sit at the foot of my bed; his long but light body scarcely added any pressure to the bed.
I switched on my lamp; the bright light hurt my eyes for a few moments, while they adjusted.
Once I could see clearly again, I saw the look of worry on my baby brother's face.
"What's wrong?" I demanded, "has Justin been at you again?" Justin was always teasing Matt, just because he'd rather play with a chemistry set than with a football.
"No, it's not Justin." He shook his head.
"Kid's at school?" It wouldn't be the first time that Matt was bullied, I felt a strong urge to protect him, and after all, he was the only one in this family who half way understood me.
"No, nothing like that Cass," he shook his head again, his eyes wide when he finally looked at me. "Why are you pretending to be sick? Are you being bullied?" his piercing eyes saw right through me, the protectiveness in his voice tugged at my heart.
"No, I…" what was the point of lying? After all, he would see right through it.
"Matt, would you believe me if I said that characters from a book I've read – came to life?" I waited for him to laugh, or at least to tell me that it was impossible, to say some logic to prove me wrong. But his face was thoughtful and his eyes alight with interest.
"It's possible." He allowed.
"But it's fiction!" I argued, "They're not suppose to be human, yet they act the same, look the same and even have the same names!" my voice was rising, edging more into a hysterical screech.
"What are they then? If they're not human?" he didn't react to my words the way I expected him to. I thought about how he would react if I told him the Cullen's were vampires, not that I was going to.
"I can tell you," I admitted, "The truth could hurt you Matt, and I can't let that happen."
"But, I'm not afraid…" he began.
"You should be, because I am." My tone was serious, killing off his protests.
His innocent blue eyes grew wide, "Are they… they're not – dangers, are they?" finally the facts started to sink in.
"They're not supposed to be." I allowed, "But that doesn't change anything."
"But you know Cass, if the truth could hurt you, I…" his voice dropped, to a low whisper, "I don't want you hurt."
"I won't be." When I saw he was going to argue, I rephrased my words, "If the truth come out – which it won't – I'll just act like I knew nothing about it." he could see that there was not point arguing with me so he nodded his head, rising from my bed.
He paused when his hand was on the knob of my door, his head turning to me.
"Just be careful, ok? I don't want to loose you Cass." And he was gone before I could reply.
That night, I tossed and turned to Matt's words, to the lies I told him. Of course the Cullen's would find out about my knowledge, what with Edward being able to read minds and Alice seeing into the future, for all I know, they could know already. I began to wonder if the small but beautiful Alice Cullen had "seen" me coming, or if Edward, the possibly real vampire who I wished for so many times, had "heard" my thoughts that day in the lunch hall.
Whatever happened, I would do everything I could to keep my family safe, no matter what.