A/N: Sorry for this being so late! Thank you once again to my beta tellingmelies for making me sound intelligent.

Thank you to the readers who've been reading!

Now...on with the show!

BPOV

"...The yearning song of flesh on flesh, young hearts burst open, wounds bleed fresh ..."

"I've told you a million times, I am not sitting in the middle! I don't care what you say, I need an aisle seat. I'm not going to be able to be cramped like that for god knows how long!" My aunt's voice hit the pitch of a dog whistle in her rant, shocking me awake. Rubbing my eyes, I moved to get out of my bed, throwing the comforter away. I quickly made my way to my aunt's room, seeing her on the phone with presumably her boyfriend Garrett.

"Look, I'll see you when you pick me up and we can talk about it then. I love you too. See you in a little while." She hung up the phone and turned to me. A small smile played on her face as she came to give me a hug. "Sorry sweetie, did I wake you up?"

I nodded, but gave a small smile back, "Yeah, but I needed to get up anyway. So, when is Garrett coming to pick you up?"

"In an hour or so. Are you sure you're going to be ok? Those girls were murdered just two nights ago not far from here." Her face twisted into a grimace, likely due to worrying too much.

"Kate, I'm going to be fine. I'll talk to Alice and see if she can stay with me for a couple of the nights, ok?" I grabbed her hands, looking her in the eyes. The grimace didn't leave, but it relaxed a bit.

"All right, I guess. I just don't want anything to happen to you. I don't know what I would do." She brought me in for another hug, squeezing extra tight.

"Don't worry Kate, I promise I'll be fine. I have to go though, so I guess I'll see you in two weeks?" I gave her the biggest smile I could fake, trying to bring her spirits up. It worked; her face lit up like a light bulb.

"Yep! Now, all the information is on the fridge. Belize may be far away, but you know if you need me to come back, I'll be here as fast as I can."

"I know, I know." A little smile cracked on my face as she brought me in for a final hug. "I'm going to miss you."

Her eyes glistened a tad when she pulled back, "I'm going to miss you too kiddo. Now go to school! Learn lots!" I laughed at her and rolled my eyes as I made my way towards my backpack and the front door.

It seemed like Alice had been waiting for me a while when I made it onto campus. Her seams were close to busting with excitement as she ran up and grabbed my arm.

"Is she gone?"

I gave her an incredulous look, "Is who gone?"

"Kate you dumb-dumb! Is she gone yet?"

"Uh, she's leaving in an hour or so, why?"

Alice squealed slightly, doing tiny victory dance. "So, Izz, I was thinking that we could have a little party at your house while she's gone. Nothing too extravagant, and only with our closest friends." I rolled my eyes and gave her a stern look. Knowing Alice like I did, I knew it would be overtly extravagant and filled with a whole bunch of people I didn't even know, let alone close friends with. Though, knowing me like she did, she knew I could never say no to a happy Alice face.

"Fine, but I seriously don't want anything like the last party we threw at your parents house."

She gave me an innocent look before gasping, "What ever you do mean, my wonderful best friend? That party was awesome!"

"That party was awesome until the football team decided to have a game in your formal dining room and Tyler slammed into your mom's curio cabinet full of Hummel figurines her mother bought in Germany. I remember Edward going in there and they tried to convince him they needed their quarterback for the next half. Thank god Edward told them there was a naked cat fight going on outside."

Alice shook her head, remembering it quite well, "I could handle my mom screaming at me for weeks, but they didn't even apologize." Her excitement dropped a little in her eyes at the thought of how rude they had been.

"You see, Alice? People here, they just don't understand us. That's why I don't want it to be a huge blowout, ok? Invite some people, but make sure YOU invite them, not somebody else." She nodded her head and scampered off, no doubt telling the whole school of a get together at my house on Saturday night after the football game. Of course, that meant that I couldn't go to the game and watch Edward, who looked absolutely amazing in his uniform. While daydreaming about his ass in those tight pants, I slammed into someone, knocking the wind out of me.

"Oh Bells, sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going." Coughing, I tried to blow it off like it was nothing, becoming entranced by his smile. He cleared his throat, taking me out of my staring.

"Sorry Edward, I wasn't watching where I was going either." He smiled at me and I returned one back at him. We stood there in silence, my foot slightly kicking the pebbles on the floor, trying to think of something to clear the awkwardness.

Finally, he broke the silence. "So, I hear you're having a party on Friday after the game."

I crinkled my nose in irritation, "She told you already, did she? She seriously just left."

"Oh, no, she invited me earlier this morning." My fists clenched a little in slight annoyance at Alice. Why does she do this every time? Before I could complain in an inner monologue anymore, I saw a slightly hurt expression cross Edward's face.

"What's wrong?"

A grimace came to his face, "Ya know, if you don't want me there that's ok."

I shook my head in disbelief. Where would he get that idea?

"I dunno, you just had an agitated look on your face when I said I was coming." Did I say that out loud?

"Oh, no! Of course I want you there Edward! I'm just irritated at Alice. She seems to love to invite people to parties I haven't even said yes to."

A smile spread across his face, "Good, 'cause I was going to come anyway and crash your party if you didn't want me there." He winked at me, causing my knees to weaken. "It's nicer to be actually wanted there by you though."

"Uh, yeah," a high pitched nervous chuckle escaped my lips frantically, "it wouldn't be a party without you." A deep heat crossed my face, no doubt coloring my cheeks a bright red. He lightly laughed at the sight, shaking his head slightly. "Well, I gotta get to History, so, I'll see you?" He laughed again and nodded. During my somewhat long trek to History, I hoped and prayed that Edward was an example of people Alice was inviting. The moment I made it to my class I knew my hoping and praying were in vain.

"Bella-ella, I heard about the party on Friday. SWEET!" Tyler shouted as I passed through the door frame.

"I'm glad you're excited Ty, but if you break any of my shit, I will seriously break your face, got it?" He laughed and slightly punched my shoulder. His slight punch landed me on the floor, rubbing my arm. "Tyler! You need to remember your strength." He laughed sheepishly, slipping out a 'sorry' before turning back to the board.

During second period Principal Greene came into the room, a grim look on his face. "Students, I'm sure you've all heard about the horrific news that has shocked our little town in the last two days, and to try and help law enforcement with finding the killer, we're having mandatory questioning of the students at school. I know it may be hard for some of you who were close to Leah and Lauren, but we believe it'll help find the killer sooner, and may prevent it from happening again."

A slew of questions left the students' mouths "Do you think it'll happen again?", "Do you think it was a student?". "Can I have my attorney present?" Alice shouted.

Principal Greene raised his hands to silence the class. "Now listen, it seems that the police don't have any leads at the moment. They say it's quite similar to the tragedy that happened a year ago, with the murders of Charlie and Renee Swan. We don't know if it will happen again, nor do we know if a student is the culprit. All I know is law enforcement doesn't have any clues, and we're starting with their peers. Sorry Mr. Mason for interrupting. Go back to work." Trig was the last thing on anyone's mind though. The moment the principal left the room everyone's voice started shouting in unison, one over the other. Only Alice and I sat somewhat quietly, murmuring to one another about the whole thing.

"Edward seems to think it was just a crazy person passing through."

She shook her head, "I don't think so. The injuries found on them are almost exactly like the injuries found on...well, you know. My mom thinks it may be a copy cat killer."

"Or maybe it's the same person." a deep voice behind us bellowed.

"Why would you think that Paul?" Alice cocked her head to the side like she usually did when she was confused, making me grin lightly.

"Well, it just seems too similar. Usually, with copy cat killers, there's something slightly different about the way the bodies are handled. The police say it seems to have even been the same knife that killed both parties."

Alice gave him an quizzical look, "That's impossible, how would they be able to tell if it was the same knife?!"

"Well, they don't know if it was the same exact knife, but it's the same type of knife used in both murders."

Slowly, it seemed as though everybody's voices became a distant echo. It sounded as though I was in a wind tunnel, unconsciously removing myself from the reminders of what had happened. When I finally came to Alice was shaking me fervently. "Bella? Bella?! Are you ok?"

"Uh, yeah, sorry. What were you saying?" I rubbed my eyes, feeling as though I had fallen asleep.

"Oh nothing, just Paul being stupid. I'm sorry, you know I don't mean to talk about them." Her face shone with her sincere apology. I pulled her into a hug, telling her it was alright. The bell rang above us, Alice giving a smile, "Come on, let's go get lunch."

When Alice and I made it to our table Edward and his sister, Rosalie, were already there. "Rose, I will NOT talk to Royce for you."

"Eddie! Come on! You're with him, like, every day. I only get to see him in my Spanish class, and he barely even knows I exist!" Rosalie was frantically pleading with Edward, making me chuckle slightly. Edward and Rosalie were very close for being siblings, but sometimes she could be a handful, especially when it came to what Edward's teammates on the football team wanted to do with her, or what she wanted to do with them.

"Why would you want to be with someone who doesn't even know you exist? You could do a LOT better than him, trust me." Edward ran his hands through his hair, something he did often when Rose complained and whined.

"He's just so hot, I just want to-" Edward put his hand up to Rose's face, stopping her from continuing. He looked up to see Alice and I amused by his conversation.

"Oh, hey guys!" Edward cleared us a space for us to sit. I looked at Rose who seemed to be completely distraught by her brother's denial of help. She gave me a sad smile, turning back to her tuna sandwich.

"Hey Rosie, have you tried to just talk to him? He'd be stupid not to realize what a catch you are. If he's not interested in just talking to you, he's obviously not worth your time or energy."

She shrugged and put her head back on her arms. "I don't know Bells. He's a senior, and I'm just a stupid sophomore. Why would he want to talk to me?"

I put my hand on top of one of her hands, bringing her eyes to mine. "Rosie, you're beautiful, funny, smart, and just all around amazing. Why wouldn't he want to talk to you is a better question." She smiled a genuine smile that time, mouthing 'thanks' at me. I mouthed back 'no problem' and smiled as well. Edward coughed, catching my attention. He gave me a slightly disapproving look, causing me to shrug.

Trying to change the subject, I looked directly at Alice. "Anyway, Alice, do you think you could spend the night a couple of nights while my aunt is gone?"

Alice nodded excitingly, "Of course! Oh, but I can't tonight. Is that ok?"

"Of course! I'm only doing it for Kate's nerves. She thinks something bad is going to happen to me."

Rosalie's head popped up, looking at me sternly, "Bells, two girls just died in your neighborhood, of course she's going to be a little concerned. I just hope they find the fucker soon."

Edward stood up suddenly, "Hey, I gotta go. I've gotta talk to my chemistry teacher." He quickly made his way out of the cafeteria, us watching him in confusion.

Rosalie snorted and laughed, breaking the focus, "Fucking weirdo. Anyway, so I hear you're having a party Bella." I slowly turned my gaze to Alice, giving me her innocence look.

"Alice, how many people have you invited to this party?"

"Oh, Alice didn't invite me. Quil did!" Rosalie pipped in. If smoke coming out of my nostrils and breathing fire were possible, that's exactly what I would be doing at this point.

"Alice! What did I tell you?! Only invite close friends!"

"I did only invite close friends! It's not my fault that they decided to invite people of their own." She gave me a 'matter of fact' look, which only fueled my anger.

"That's why you tell people not to invite other people Al!"

"Does this mean I'm not invited?" Rosalie gave me her big puppy dog eyes, as if I wasn't going to invite her if she didn't.

"No, of course you're invited. I just don't know why Quil was invited. He's T-ped your house multiple times Alice! Mine too!"

Alice's face dropped. "He egged my car too."

"Allie, why do you invite these people?" I questioned her, "Is it popularity? Do you want to be more popular?"

Alice looked at if I had slapped her in the face. "Of course not! Why would I want to be popular? I happen to like my group of friends. No, I just, I dunno...feel bad." I gave her an incredulous look, wondering why she would feel bad. As if she could read my thoughts, she explained that she just didn't want people to feel left out like she'd always felt left out. A logic that she knew would work on me; I hated when people were picked on and ostracized. I remember feeling that horrible ache in my stomach when people would move their shit onto chairs next to them so you couldn't sit there, isolating you to the back corner. I looked at her and gave up, I was never going to win this fight.

"Fine, invite who you want, but you're cleaning up after them." Alice laughed and gave me a hug. I wasn't happy about it, but I'd deal.

Later that evening, my stomach started growling fiercely. I rummaged through my freezer, finding a box of pepperoni hot pockets. I threw two in for 3 minutes, sitting down at the island to wait for them to cook. Staring at the counter top, I heard a strange sound coming from outside. Instinctively, the hair on the back of my neck went up and my muscles went rigid. I'd seen enough horror movies to know that shouting, "Who's there?" and "What do you want?" were the best ways to get you killed, and going to investigate a strange noise always left your insides on the out. I walked over to the knife block and grabbed the butcher's knife just in case and went back to my seat, trying to ignore the sounds. The silence was eerie, slightly making my stomach turn. Suddenly, the microwave chimed, making me scream. Feeling stupid, I shook my head and grabbed my dinner and walked to my room. I glanced at the clock, amazed that it was close to 10PM. As soon as I started eating, I heard the strange noise outside again, but it seemed to come from near the living room. Smart enough to take the butcher's knife with me, I grabbed it and sauntered into the living room. I looked around slowly, keeping my back to the front door. I tried to be as quiet as I could, to see if I could hear the noise again.

30 seconds of silence later, the doorbell rang.