A/N: Hello to my fellow readers!

Okay, I've written out how I want the rest of this story to go, and I'm really excited! I would love some feedback on these next crucial chapters. Don't worry; you will be seeing more Aro soon!

I've also had the comment come up that the Cullens' wouldn't be allowed to just take her in to live with them like that, but if you know your regulations, the only family that she has left over are great aunts and uncles, and neither of them have jurisdiction or custody of her; she should be turned over to State Authority, but since she lives in a small town, things tend to slip through the cracks. She ALSO has become indirectly involved in the existence of vampires, and the Cullen's want to help her out.

Enjoy this next installment!

Curtains!

The drive with Edward was very awkward.

I listened to his quiet classical music that he had playing, staring out the window at the passing trees and bushes. The silence was unnerving, until finally, Edward broke the silence.

"How are you doing it?" he said just above a whisper. I jumped at the sudden dialogue. I looked down and took a deep breath to steady my heart rate, before giving him a puzzled look.

"What? Doing what?"

"That! Blocking your thoughts from me; and how in the world did you turn them on me?" he said harshly. I blushed, and looked back out of the window.

"I-I don't really know…I was hoping that Dr. Cullen could figure it out or something." I replied. He grunted quietly and turned back to driving. I glanced at him, the perfect marble statue sitting next to me.

How can someone look so beautiful yet deadly at the same time?

My instincts told me to run, but my curiosity kept me in the vehicle. Well, and the seatbelt.

"You can read thoughts too, right?" I asked meekly. I already knew the answer to that, but I was just trying to get him to talk. He looked at me with his eyes; not moving his head. He nodded. I could see that he wasn't in a conversational mood. "Okay…" I whispered.

This was going to be a long ride.

Or so I thought. The trees outside were moving much faster than they usually did when I drove. Puzzled, I looked at his speedometer, watching in horror as it passed 90 miles per hour, and was quickly advancing on 100.

"Oh my-! Edward! Speed limit's forty-five!"

He smiled slightly, and shifted the car into a higher gear. I felt threatened by my situation. I looked out the dash at the road up ahead, seeing a curve in the distance. As we neared the curve, I held onto the bar on my door, and closed my eyes.

Please don't tip, please don't roll…I pleaded silently. He laughed aloud, and then spun to look at me.

"What are you thinking now?"

"I'm praying that you don't roll the car and kill me!"

He wouldn't die if the car rolled, I'm sure.

"You mustn't be so afraid of my driving. I'm quite experienced." He chuckled wryly.

"Yeah, okay, I'll just pretend like that makes me feel better." I said back quietly. He smiled openly now, his speed still climbing. We approached the curve, and I held on so tightly that my fingertips began to go numb, and my knuckles were going white. I felt my momentum lean to the side, farther, farther, and farther until we had passed through the curve, and were continuing onward.

I let out a breath that I'd been holding. Edward took a deep breath, and suddenly stiffened up.

"What? What's wrong?" I asked. He shook his head, and stared straight ahead. I didn't want to ask again, so I just kept looking out of the dashboard.

Carlisle's really doing a lot for me. I'll do my best to be grateful.

But I'm not entirely grateful.

Don't say that! My conscience screamed.

It's true. I didn't ask for his help, I just accepted out of grief and fear.

But he wanted to help you! And you'd be alone in Forks if he hadn't offered! Plus, he might be able to shed some light on your freakish abilities!

They're not freakish! I screamed at my reasoning.

AH! Just shut up, all of you!

I did my best to stop thinking, but the nagging thoughts still passed through my tortured mind. I glanced sideways at Edward; he hadn't moved from his stony pose. I opened my mouth, pausing before speaking. I let my mouth hang agape for a few moments before closing it in exasperation.

Just give it up. He's probably sick of hearing you talk.

I sat in silence for the rest of the trip, mentally counting things out my window to keep myself from arguing with my conscience.

Thanks to Edward's reckless driving, I didn't have to sit in the awkward silence for more than three more minutes. We pulled in front of the Cullen's large estate, and Edward was out of the vehicle and holding the door open in less than a single second.

Ability…super speed?

I stored the thought, and got out of the car. He also had my luggage in his other hand. He walked in front of me, walked up the concrete steps, and entered the Cullen's home. Immediately I was hit with the scent of cleanliness, which is something I rarely smelled at my grandparents' musty old home. The next thing I noticed was how modern and styled the house was.

Luscious carpets and rugs, bright colored furniture, shining leather, and a grand piano to finish off the room with a classical touch. I stopped in the doorway and stared in awe for a few short moments before catching myself standing like an idiot with the door open, and stepped inside.

Edward set down my luggage next to me, and then left the room.

Do I follow him?

I rolled my lips together, smoothing them out, before taking a single step forward into the wide living room. I'd only made it about a step and half before Carlisle entered the room.

"Andrea! Welcome to our home." he said graciously. A woman entered directly behind him, and beamed at me. "This is my wife, Esme,"

Esme nodded at me once, still smiling; her hair rippling with gloss and body underneath the lights in the room. I felt a twinge of jealousy, but it faded quickly. He motioned around himself. "Please make yourself completely at home; after all…this is your home now." Esme's smile flickered, but returned to its beaming splendor after a brief moment.

Alice zoomed into the room silently and stopped next to Carlisle. She looked at me and smiled.

"Andrea! I've been looking forward to you coming! Rose and I have been working on your room, wanna see it? Oh, you'll love it! I know!" she bubbled happily. I almost took a step backwards from the force of her enthusiasm.

"Ah, sure…" I mumbled. She took my hand, and pulled it in the direction of the upstairs. Her hand was cold, but not as cold as Carlisle's had been. This was probably because of my naturally cold hands.

"Emmett, watch Jasper!" Alice trilled up the stairs.

"Watch Jasper-?" I was cut of as she yanked my hand, and I flew up the stairs. I swear my feet left the ground. We arrived on the top landing, and she ushered me impatiently into the first room on my right.

"Well? What do you think?" she asked excitedly. The room was painted a rich shade of burgundy, decorated in all things wood, and carpeted with inch long strands of wool that made me want to lie on the floor just to feel its softness. She teetered up and down on her toes.

I took a step into my room, taking in the majesty of it. It was absolutely beautiful. Complete with flowers on the windowsill.

"Oh Alice…it's, it's completely…" I was at a loss for words. She let out a small squeal and stepped into the room with me.

"Oh I'm so excited you're here. We're going to have so much fun! I feel like I know you so well already!"

I paused and turned to face her.

"What?" I mouthed. How could she be excited for me to be here? I'd hated them until yesterday…did she not see that? And how could she know me?

"Don't worry; I don't stalk you. I have premonitions." she said off-offhandedly.

"Ah." I replied like what she'd said was no big deal.

Rosalie entered the room behind me, and stood silently. I didn't know she was there until she exhaled impatiently. I jumped and spun around. The goddess in the door frame didn't seem phased by my surprise.

"You shouldn't be so excited. She'll probably be dead within the next few days. If she doesn't die from confusion and peculiarity, then Jasper will certainly kill her." she sneered. Alice's eyes widened and she advanced on Rosalie, standing an inch from her face. They muttered to each other things that I couldn't understand. Rosalie looked over Alice's shoulder several times before rolling her eyes and leaving the room.

"I'm sorry about that Andrea. Rose is…a little difficult sometimes."

"What did she mean die from confusion?" I cut her off. She diverted her gaze to the windowsill before sitting on the queen sized bed with one fluid motion. She patted the bed beside her, motioning for me to sit down. I did as she requested, and stared into the mirror across the room from me, feeling completely inferior to the supermodel sitting next to me.

"How much do you know?" she asked.

"…about…?"

"About us, my family and me," I pursed my lips, trying to decide how to answer.

"Well, I don't really know anything. You just look different; you're all gorgeous and pale, get stellar grades, dress like supermodels, and have a doctor for a father. Er, foster father. I don't know much else."

She looked a little relieved, but the relief turned into a grimace of pain. She took my hand in hers.

"Today's going to be a hard time for you…just please stay calm. Ask plenty of questions, you'll have nothing to be afraid of."

I felt my confusion turn to anger.

"Why does everybody keep saying that? Carlisle, and now you! I wish you'd all just tell me what it is that's supposed to be so 'horrible' and just get it over with!" I shrieked. Tears of anger welled up in my eyes, and Alice pulled me into a cold, hard embrace. I blinked several times to keep them from spilling over.

"Shh…don't worry; let it out. You deserve a good cry…"

I wanted to cry, I really wanted to just let it all out, but I couldn't. Not in front of Alice...it's too humiliating. I didn't want to crumble like some weak human. She stroked my hair, and began braiding it when I sat up from her arms.

"Thanks Alice…really," I said. She smiled, and finished braiding my hair without a word. Esme collected us from the bedroom a few minutes later.

"Hello ladies, Carlisle would like a word with Andrea." she said sweetly. I looked at Alice.

"This is it," she said quietly. "Want me to come with you?" I shook my head. She rubbed my hand soothingly. "It'll be just fine…I know it will." She released my hand, and I stood up to leave the room. Esme grinned, and led me downstairs to the elegant sitting room that I'd first seen when I entered.

Carlisle was sitting on the leather chair in the corner, and he stood when Esme and I entered.

"Thank you Esme." he smiled at us. Esme flashed him a small smile, and then let me to sit on the white couch behind me. I sat down, readjusting my position a few times before sitting still. Esme sat beside me on the loveseat, hands folded neatly in her lap. Carlisle sat back down, and leaned towards me.

"Andrea…there's some things that you deserve to know about." he began. Esme nodded, and clutched at the fabric of her skirt.

"Like what things?" I replied.

"Things such as…what really happened to your grandparents."

I froze.

"What are you talking about?" I whispered harshly. He dipped his head downward, and interlaced his fingers together.

Alice and Carlisle were right, what I heard next was hard, and confusing.

What I heard next, I truly wasn't ready for.