I absently brushed my hair in front of the mirror. I barely looked at my reflection. I had no interest in what I looked like. My face never would change. It would be forever frozen in time...there was no need for this mirror.

I sighed. James had insisted on getting a mirror for me after he had finished hunting. He wanted to make it up to me, like he'd promised. I protested but he silenced me with a kiss. I couldn't remember much after that.

Stupid vampire with his stupid dazzling kisses.

I stopped playing with my hair and laid the brush down gently. My hair would always be glossy and perfect. This was a waste of money and time.

Sitting down on the king sized bed, I frowned. This...wasn't right. It didn't seem right at all. I used to be so happy with James but now...I was a little depressed. I couldn't fathom the slightest reason as to why. James had been nothing but good to me and more. He respected my weird hunting style, provided for me...he even bought us this little house out in the woods because I was so tired of running all the time. And for some reason, when we passed this place called Forks, I felt a strong connection to it. I almost cried. I had to stay here. I felt that something of my past lurked here. Something that had hidden in the dark recesses of my brain. I couldn't shake the feeling. And...I didn't want to.

It felt almost good to feel this strange tie to this unfamiliar land. So green and lush and...wet.

Comforting. Like a drop of water in a sweltering desert, I couldn't get enough of it.

My eyes opened slowly as I heard James outside my door.

"Bella, are you...awake?"

I could hear the smirk in his voice.

I laughed softly.

"I am now."

It was our little joke. Whenever I spaced out, we referred to it as my own unique way of 'sleeping'. Of course, we didn't sleep. We couldn't. I may still possess some of my human features including the familiar blushes, but that didn't mean I had retained sleep. Sleep seemed to be something for the undamned. James felt that we were damned to this 'everlasting darkness'. And naturally, I agreed with him. I wasn't worthy enough for the joys of sleep. I never could be again.

James reached down and tugged softly on a strand of my hair.

"Hey, you gonna be here for long?" He asked quietly.

I shrugged. I was too lazy to do anything right now.

James nodded to himself and ran a hand through his hair. He walked back out of our room silently.

And I didn't care.

Not anymore.

That frightened me. What was wrong? What was missing?

I stretched out on the huge bed. It was much too comfortable. I felt sleepy. I just could not sleep!

"Why..." I murmured quietly.

I blinked, then sat up.

"James?" I called out cautiously.

There it was again.

It wasn't James. I didn't recognize the voice.

I hopped lightly off the bed and stepped towards the closed door.

Pressing my ear gently on the wood, I listened intently.

"Where is she? What have you done with her?" A voice angrily demanded.

A spark of recognition flooded through my senses. I knew this voice. I just knew it. Or...rather, I had known it before...in my human years anyway.

It sounded like a sad angel. This angel shouldn't be feeling so...horrible. I wanted to know what was wrong.

I slowly opened the door. It did not squeak. I stepped out and immediately someone gasped.

James ran quickly to my side. I stared at him questioningly.

"Bella, go back in your room. I'll tell you when to come out."

I frowned. Since when did I take orders from him?

"Wha--" I started to say.

"Bella." Someone breathed my name. My head turned automatically towards the other voice.

I coud feel my eyes widen with shock and...slight recognition?

I could tell right off the bat that it was another vampire, no doubt. He had the same pale, hard white skin with purple shadows under his eyes that indicated a lack of sleep. He looked to be young, maybe sixteen or older. He was muscular but not overly so.

He was beautiful.

But then I noticed his eyes.

They were staring back at me with an expression that I didn't understand. Was it longing? Sadness? Dare I say...love?

But I did not know this stranger as he seemed to know me.

Then my hand flew towards my mouth in astonishment.

His eyes...never mind the strange expression in them...

His beautiful, piercing eyes were a strange gold.

Just like mine.

I had never seen another vampire who had eyes like mine. I had always assumed that I was one of a kind. I never knew that there were others out there who followed my weird diet as well. It was just that my conscience always got to me everytime I considered drinking human blood. I was that freaked out about it.

"Who are you?"

The angel's eyes became devastatingly sad again. I felt lost in them.

Before I could find my way back to the surface, James sneered at the vampire.

"You see? She does not know who you are. Go away. You have no business here." James growled.

I frowned at James. Why was he being so rude to the angel? And should I remember him? I wished I did. He seemed like a person worth remembering.

"James, quit being so rude." I gently scolded him.

James slowly, even for a vampire, wrapped his arms snugly around my slight frame. He buried his nose in the crook of my neck and inhaled.

I blushed. Why was he doing this in front of the angel? Oh well. It wasn't like I was available...

The angel crushed his hands into tight fists. His eyes went deep black. He looked terrifying.

"Why don't you go wait for me in the bedroom? Put something nice on for me." James whispered silkily in my ear.

I felt him pinch my bottom before he gently pushed me away towards the bedroom. I was sure my face was a deep red now.

I floated on cloud nine to the bedroom. I felt so giddy, never mind the angel vampire. I loved James, not him...whoever he was.

Did I?

I think I did.

"What did you do to Bella?" I heard the angel growl menacingly.

James laughed once. "I found her alone. We became fast friends, imagine that! Now she is my mate. So you can leave us alone now. I look forward to whatever she has planned for me...if you know what I mean."

A furious roar sounded throughout the small house. I hugged myself before quickly shutting the door and sitting on the bed. James would protect me. He wouldn't let the boy hurt me.

And then, the angel spoke the most confusing words yet.

"I won't kill you because that would hurt Bella. But one day she will remember and I will get my revenge on you. Watch yourself, scum."

I heard James walk farther away from me and towards the strange angel.

"I look forward to that day. I wonder who she'll chose to go to when she does remember?" James laughed at the end.

Then his voice abruptly changed.

"Now get out of our home."

Something glass crashed to the floor. A door slammed open, then shut and a growl was cut off.

I was shaking.

James opened our bedroom door a minute later. He walked over to the bed and hugged me close. I relaxed in his tight embrace. He was here, safe, with me. That's all that mattered.

"It's okay, baby. I'm here. I'm always here. Nothing's going to happen to you." James murmured soothingly in my ear.

I sighed and kissed his neck.

I felt him shudder beneath me. I smiled.

"I'll go change now." I whispered in his ear before easily breaking free from his secure hold.

James smiled with anticipation.

"I'll be waiting."

As I walked towards the bathroom, a question popped into my mind. I wasn't sure if he would answer it though.

"James?"

"Hmm?" His voice was muffled.

"Who was that? Why did he seem so angry?"

Silence.

I waited, still moving towards the bathroom but this time on autopilot.

Finally, an answer:

"That was just an old friend gone bitter. Seems like he lost a contest..." James' voice trailed off.

I nodded to myself, opening the bathroom door and stepping in on the cool tile.

"What was his name?" I asked.

James sighed. Then he told me.

"Edward."

I shut the door.