Welcome Back

This is tiresome, I sighed closing my eyes. My head resting against Jackson's shoulder, the drone of the high school cafeteria playing in the background.

And yet we do it every day, he answered me, his hands methodically rubbing my back.

"You two, quit the private conversations!" Sarah glared over from opposite end of the table.

"Sorry," I responded.

Sarah hated to be left out, for as beautiful as she was she was also very insecure. She was an artist, painting, drawing, pottery, you name it and she could create it. She saw the world in a different light and wore her heart on her sleeve. When I joined the family Sarah was thrilled to gain another female in the family as she hated be outnumbered by "boys". Though she has been around for close to 300 years, she still has a childish quality that is light and refreshing. We were very close, just not in the way she had expected. I share none of the same interests as she did and she has difficulty relating to my listless personality.

Monroe was Sarah's other half and it was hard to picture them apart from each other. He doted on her like a teenager in love and he had done so since they met. Though possessing an extreme amount of strength, Monroe was gentle, preferring to talk things out rather then fight. Often misjudged by his size and appearance, what I have learned most about Monroe over the past decades was that still waters run deep.

We had come back to Forks, Washington about 10 months ago, having avoided it over the years, living everywhere from England to Canada, but the rotation had finally been up. I had no problem being back here, it held nothing for me. Charlie had died years ago and there were no remnants of the life I had once lived. It made sense, we could appear normal and we have settled in quite nicely as the Reece family.

Sarah looked the youngest and was placed mostly in freshman level classes, though she and I did share a study hall. The rest of us were sophomores, and we had several classes together, though not as many as I would have preferred. The only time period we all had in common was French and Lunch.

"Hey Bella!" shouted Cory, a student who shared my English class as he walked up toward the drink machine.

"Hey Cory," I answered back, standing to collect my belongings.

"You coming out this weekend?" he asked, pausing for a moment before heading back to his table.

"Yeah, Saturday night, maybe I'll see you there," I answered quickly, but to the point, trying my best to be polite.

"Cool, see ya!" he said before walking away.

Cory had carried a torch for me from the beginning of the year and though he knew he didn't have a shot, I still noticed the way he looked at me when he spoke. It was annoying.

It is Wednesday right? I direct my thought toward Jackson as we all grabbed our belongings and started toward the door.

"See you both after school," I called toward Sarah and Monroe as they headed down the opposite hall.

"Bye!" Sarah called out as they rounded the corner.

Jackson continued, Oh yeah, two days before the weekend and only 2 months until summer vacation. Any ideas what you'll want to do this year? He slipped his arm around my waist as he walked me to my next class.

"Not a clue," I answered out loud finally reaching my destination.

I turned, facing Jackson as he placed a kiss on my lips, my fingers dragging from his back to his hips as I pushed away, as we parted he just smiled at me.

"See you later Bells," he whispered before kissing my forehead and walking to his next class.

I made my way in, taking my seat and pulling out my notebook and pen.

Jackson and I had to keep up appearances, it was easier this way. No need to worry about the unwanted affections of the opposite sex, for either of us. We'd been playing the game for so long now it just came natural. He was my best friend and the closest thing to love I had. He knew more than anyone else about what and what I didn't feel. I didn't have to explain things and neither did he.

Bella! I heard, pulling me from my own thoughts.

Yes Sarah? I replied, even though we just parted I was not surprised at the intrusion. While she was being bored to death in her Algebra class she frequently talked to me while I was day dreaming in my political science class.

There are parents registering five new students… she began, apprehension evident in her train of thought, I'm fairly certain that they are vampires.

I assume they are like us? I mean if they are going to school here. Are there signs that they are a threat? I asked, my interest rising.

No, no, their eyes are golden. They don't seem to know we are here and I don't believe they mean any harm. But Bella… she went on.

I interrupted her, hoping to calm her worries. I'm sure it'll be fine, keep a look out though. I'll pass the word onto Monroe and Jackson; they are in gym together. We'll be sure to mention this to Daniel as soon as schools out, he'll want to…

BELLA! She shouted at me.

What Sarah!

They are registering with the last name of Hale! She answered exasperated.

Hale? I answered, mildly stunned… no, it couldn't be.

Isn't that the other name they went by? Wasn't it Jasper and Rosalie Hale? She was no longer hiding how upset she was now.

Yes, but… I trailed off, my mind processing a million thoughts.

Bella? She called to me.

I don't know Sarah. Get their names, concentrate. Look for it on forms, listen for whispers. Since they are vampires, they'll look similar to us and people will be talking. If you don't get it from the women in the main office, follow them home, I'm sure you'll find out information there. This was the logical next step, before we all jumped to conclusions.

Bella, shouldn't they know we are here. Doesn't … she struggled to find the name.

Alice. I said it for her.

Yes, Alice, can't she see the future? She questioned.

We don't even know if it's them Sarah! There is no point in overacting, one thing at a time. Please do what I ask… I pleaded with her.

This is weird, and she left it at that.

I had to agree, this was completely unexpected.

I reached out. Monroe, Jackson, we have a situation.

Sup' little sister? Monroe answered first.

We need to get home after this class. I'm going to contact Lucinda and have her phone the school and let them know we have a family emergency.

What's going on? Jackson chimed in.

I'll tell you in the car; keep your eyes and ears open. I answered quickly before closing the connecting and reaching out toward Lucinda.


"You mean to tell me that there are five new vampire students registering for classes here in Forks?" Monroe asked after we were safely in the car, away from the prying ears of humans.

"And you think they are the same vampires that you knew from when you were human?" Jackson added.

I shrugged. "I don't know".

"Sarah, what do you see?" Monroe turned to face Sarah.

"She's watching, closely, given the trance that she's in." I answered for her, staring back in the rearview mirror at Sarah. She was on the back seat next to Monroe, her eyes closed tightly. "She'll let us know when she knows something."

When Sarah was really watching, as she was doing now, she went into a trance and was practically comatose. Since we had gotten into the car she'd been looking everywhere, listening for anything, she was very good at what she did.

We sat the rest of the ride in silence. Daniel and Lucinda would be waiting for us at home. I had filled them in with what I knew, but then again I didn't know much.

Slowly our home came into view. I headed toward the garage, parking amongst the sea of cars. We all exited the vehicle, except Sarah, I went to the rear door and opened it.

Sarah, we are home. Come. I spoke to her, taking her hand, knowing I would not get a response.

On a subconscious level she could hear me, so she exited the car on her own. I guided her inside the house toward the living room. Slowly backing her into a chair where she sat, still consumed in her trance.

"Everyone," Daniel began, "it seems, much to our dismay, we have a slight situation on our hands."

"We don't even know if it's them," Monroe interjected, watching Sarah from the corner of his eye.

But Daniel continued, "Either way, another vampire coven is something to be concerned of. We have lived in secret, avoiding the rest vampire race for hundred of years."

"Yes, but everything that Bella has told us of this group is that they are peaceful, they mean no harm." Lucinda pointed out.

"But we don't even know if it's them," Monroe pointed out again.

"We like it here. We always have." Lucinda argued.

"I'm afraid it's becoming more difficult to keep ourselves secret. We've almost been discovered twice now. I've been thinking it over for a while now, perhaps if this coven means no harm, they would be a nice way to introduce ourselves to the world," Daniel reasoned. "And if this is the same group as Bella remembers, they maybe our best bet at learning more about our risk from the Volturi"

"But what about Bella," Jackson's voice raised, "they know her, they HURT her, have you forgotten?"

I then knew what was coming; they were going to put this decision on me. Regardless of the identity of this group, allies would be helpful. Plus, we had all just gotten comfortable here, I hated for everyone to have to move again especially because I really felt no one way about the situation, other than the worry that my family felt. I hardly remembered anything about the Cullen's, about my time with them, and the memories I did have were so foreign to me I couldn't even begin to process them. Why uproot my whole life over these strangers?

I realized everyone was looking at me, but Daniel said it first. "What do you think Bella?"

"I think we stay. If Sarah comes back that this group means us no harm, I don't see why we should leave."

"And if they are your old friends?" Jackson asked.

"If by chance it is them, I hardly remember anything. They can't hurt me more than they already have, goodness Jackson, I don't feel anything – what more harm could they do?" I walked toward him, his worry flooding toward me. "We will continue as we have been for the past 78 years. Nothing will change." You are my best friend and my constant companion, I stroked his cheek.

I cannot loose you. I felt the distress in his mind.

You won't. I looked into his eyes and rested my head against his chest.

Sarah abruptly shouted out, jumping up from the chair, "Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, Rosalie, Alice, Jasper, and Edward."

"The family formally know as Cullen," I confirmed.