Heaps of people have been asking for a single vamp that's really protective of Bella, but I've purposefully not done that in this story, because I did that in one of my other stories. The whole plot of 'New Life' is practically based around that, so go read it if that's the sort of drama you're looking for :)

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, but I do own Steven, Rachel, Leon, Melinda, Daniel and Pippa :)

"So, I told you my history, what about you guys?" I asked as we reached the car park.

"It's not too interesting; we all started off just ourselves and our mates. Rachel and I met Dan and Pip about 60 years ago. They'd already been at this lifestyle for about 15 years, and we decided to give it a try. We met Leon and Mel about 7 years later," Steven explained.

"Do any of you have powers?" I inquired.

"Only Steve, and it's one of the coolest powers ever!" Leon said. I laughed at his enthusiasm.

"What can you do?" I asked Steven. He didn't answer, he only stared at me. After a few seconds his expression became slightly frustrated; it was the face he had when he couldn't read my mind.

"Steve what's wrong?" Rachel asked him.

"I can't connect her," he muttered, his voice full of confusion.

"What?" I asked.

"I can connect people's minds, so we can have silent conversations without talking out loud, but I can't hear anything from you. Can you hear me?" he asked.

"No," I said.

"Strange, I've never had that before," he muttered.

"We'll ask Dan when we get home. Come on, let's go," Rachel said.

"Okay, I'll follow you guys in my truck," I said.

As I followed the others I was thinking about Steve's power. He hadn't been able to read my mind either, what if there was something wrong with my brain? Was there some sort of glitch which stopped vampire's abilities working on me? But Alice and Jasper- I cringed thinking their names- had still been able to see my future and manipulate my emotions.

Before I could give it any more thought or get too worked up, we arrived at a house in a secluded part of the forest. It was a common house, two stories with a double garage. I parked my truck out the front.

I followed Steven, Rachel, Leon and Melinda inside, where I saw Dan and Pip waiting in the living room. Both of their faces were filled with obvious love for their children, which changed to surprise when they saw me.

"Dan, Pip, this is Bella, she goes to Forks High School with us," Melinda said.

"Well, hello there," Pip said sweetly. Dan was looking at Steven, obviously talking with his mind.

"She knows what we are," Steven stated in answer to whatever he had thought. Both of their eyebrows rose.

"And how is that?" Dan asked me curiously. I bit my lip, I had already had to explain that once today, I don't think I could cope a second time.

"Don't worry, I'll fill them in," Steven said, before staring at Dan and Pip. After a few minutes of silence, Dan spoke.

"Oh, I see," he said in a subdued tone.

"I'm so sorry, honey, it must be awful," Pip said sympathetically.

"Thank you, but I think I'm getting better now," I said with a small smile.

"That's nice to hear," she said, smiling sweetly in return.

"Okay, so now we're all on the same page, we have some interesting news," Melanie said, looking at me.

"Steve can't connect her!" Leon cut in, obviously wanting to be the one to tell the news. The other three rolled their eyes, but smiled as I let out a small giggle.

"Really? That's interesting," Dan said with a thoughtful expression.

"Why do you think that is?" Rachel asked.

"I'm not sure, who really knows how our powers work?" Dan asked.

"Carlisle had a theory," I said. I winced a little at saying his name and they all gave me sympathetic looks.

"He thinks that you all bring your strongest characteristic from your human life into your vampire life, and it gets enhanced," I continued.

"That makes sense, people always said I had a knack for getting people to connect and see each other's points of view in my human life," Steven said.

"So what did the rest of us bring?" Melinda asked.

"You probably brought your loyalty," Rachel said to her.

"And Rach brought her kindness," Steven said lovingly.

"And Pip always loved dancing, and now she's one of the best choreographers ever," Melinda said enthusiastically.

"And Dan brought his leadership," Pip smiled proudly up at her mate.

"What about me?" Leon asked.

"You brought your childishness," Steven laughed. Leon pouted.

"I think you brought the ability to make other people happy. You've been making me laugh all afternoon," I said.

"That sounds like Leon," Pip said, adoration in her eyes as she watched him. She was so much like Esme when it came to her children, but in looks she was completely different. Esme had always had a soft look about her. Pip had a fit, athletic look about her, which suited her dancing personality perfectly.

"Come on Bella, we'll show you our 'Band Room'," Melinda said.

"Alright," I said, following them down a hall and down some stairs.

The 'band room' was a massive room, probably taking up the whole space underneath the house. It was obviously made for practice. There were instruments, microphones, amps and a dance floor where Pip could choreograph.

"Wow," I said as I took in the room.

"Yeah, the walls are specially made to absorb sound so it's not too loud when we practice," Melinda said.

"This is amazing," I said.

"Come on, let's hear what you can do," Leon said, throwing me a mic. Of course I dropped it, luckily Rachel raced in to catch it.

"Thanks," I said as I shook my head at Leon.

"Right, sorry, I forgot. World's biggest klutz," he chuckled. I tried to glare at him, but only ended up grinning.
"What do you want me to sing?" I asked reluctantly.

"How about you start with that one from before, then show us the rest of your material," Dan suggested.

"Alright," I said, I took a deep breath and started singing. At the start of every song I would be hesitant and self-conscious, but the others would soon pick up the feel of the song and put music to it. By the end of each song I was totally into the music.

"Wow, that was great! You're perfect Bella," Dan encouraged. I blushed; I still wasn't used to actually being good at something. I looked at my watch; it was already 6:00.

"Oh, sorry guys, I've got to get home and feed my dad, but I'll see you at school tomorrow," I said.

"Alright, bye Bella," they all said.

That was how my life continued. I would spend the weekends and two weekdays at the band's house, practicing the songs and learning how to walk without falling with Pippa.

I spent the other three days of the week at my house with Rach, Mel, Steve and Leon doing schoolwork. They all finished within minutes and had silent conversations while I studied. That annoyed me to no end; I hated being left out.

Charlie was happy I finally had my life back on track, and I was happy to finally be having fun with something I was good at.

I graduated from high school and decided to move in with the band. They had become like a family to me, and I practically lived with them anyway. I did feel guilty leaving Charlie on his own, but he assured me he was a grown man and could look after himself.

The band started doing gigs in Seattle and we were discovered by a talent scout. He helped set us up with a recording studio and we made our first album. We were finally starting to make it big time and we began touring, but only in the cloudier parts of the north.

Again, no songs :( But there will be two in the next chapter, besides this is a long one anyway :) Well, by my standards, at least.

Guess whose back next chapter? And we get a special look into the mind of a certain someone ;)

I have a slight problem though; I have been thinking and thinking, but I'm seriously blank on a name for the band! If you have any suggestions, please, please, please send them to me in a review or PM, and I will dedicate the next chapter to you, or give you some other kind of reward. Thanks :)