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I didn't contact Rosalie or Emmett, with Aiden lurking about. I thought I would just concentrate on one obstacle at a time. I explained to Leah that I just wanted time, and she said that Rosalie didn't mind waiting. It gave me time to work on my final projects and get my papers written, even if I had a good month before they were due.

I let the weeks pass. Spending hours in the library, with Bianca or at work, hiding seemed a more fitting description. Leah hounded me about Emmett, warring down my patients. I tried to put the pieces together myself, finding where Emmett fit into my life…in my family. It was obvious Emmett was related to my grandfather, but after they disowned him, we never heard anything from them. I thought Emmett was a cousin or uncle. I didn't see any evidence, and I didn't consider that a direct relation. Most of my great uncles had passed away only two leaving children, both girls. Emmett could be the son of one of them. I really did want to find out, just to settle my curiosity.

I logged into my email, hoping to divert myself. There was an email from Matt…

Katie-

I miss you. I have made some really good friends and I met a girl. Rachel likes her, but I really want you to meet her. Christmas can't come soon enough. Any plans for Thanksgiving?

I know things have been tense and I am sorry about Aiden. He has gone home, but please do not see that as a reason to find danger. I love you. I just can't have anything happen to you. I know you've been worried, conflicted, I hope Aiden leaving will help you relax.

Rachel and I miss you so much. Rachel sends her love. Be safe.

-MPM

I began a reply:

Matt-

I miss you. I am relieved that Aiden has left. Please don't worry. I am fine, and I am not in any danger. I do have some common sense. I am delighted that you found someone. I can't wait to meet her. Give Rachel my love.

I miss you.

-KEM

I missed him, hearing he had found a girl was bittersweet. I wanted him to find his love, but I worried that we would never truly be accepted. Leah entered the room, pulling me from my thoughts.

"What are you doing for Thanksgiving?" She asked resting on her bed.

"That's weird, Matt asked the same thing." I said to myself. "Working, I think."

"Can you get it off? You should come home with me."

"I appreciate the offer, but I would rather not."

"It will be fun. I asked Bianca. She's coming." Leah implored.

"Leah, I can't." I felt horrible, but I did not do well with Thanksgiving. As observant as Leah was, I wondered how she didn't notice my diet.

"If you change your mind, we would love to have you."

"Thanks." I closed my laptop grabbing my apron for work. "Oh, Matt said that Aiden went home."

"That's good."

I shook my head walking out the door. Leah continually expressed her dislike of Aiden, and how Emmett worried that I was friends with someone so dangerous. The paradox of trying to have friends and family mix happily.

The bar was already packed when I wondered in for my shift…frat boys. They were playing pool and taking up the entire back of the bar, which meant I would have to take half of them. Brittany loved the attention; she sauntered around swinging her hips to the music.

It only took an hour before I was fed up with fending off drunken boys. Normally, it didn't bother me, once you shoot down their ego they back off, frat boys were different. They took it as a challenge.

"Aren't you glad you're working tonight?" Trent teased.

"It's great. No tips and getting my ass grabbed every five minutes. What could be better?"

"If they get too bad, let me know."

I grabbed the pitcher of beer, shoving my way to the table.

"Come on, baby, you know you want me." A dark haired boy slurred.

"Not interested." I glared walking away.

"Bitch," he said loudly.

I leaned against the bar watching Brittany rub on the boys. She was flirting hoping for a good tip, the boys were hoping to get her drunk and take her home. All people were the same, only wanting to help themselves.

Last call could not come soon enough, when Trent said the words I was ecstatic.

"Hey, beautiful."

"Rosalie, what are you doing here?" She found me cleaning tables as people strolled out of the bar.

"Leah said your friend was gone. I hope you don't mind I came by."

"No." I stammered. "I'm sorry I've been bitchy. I'm just not used to having so many people to deal with in my life.

"We invaded your space, and you were not that bitchy." Rosalie smiled. "Can we start over?"

I nodded. "I will be done as soon as everyone leaves. If you want to wait for me, we can talk on the way back to my dorm."

"I will be outside." She touched my arm lovingly before leaving.

Her skin was cooler than any normal person. It reminded me of Aiden. I knew he wasn't entirely normal. I stopped wiping the table, the pieces finally falling into place. I knew what they were, but they could never know what I was. I was afraid to think about what that meant. Matt found out about Aiden, and knew there was something different about us, but assumed it was just the inhuman powers we possessed. Aiden is the one that told us we needed to keep our secrets, that we would be killed or kidnapped if anyone knew about us. Aiden told us these hidden monsters did things to him, and he wasn't quite a normal human. He was like Matt and me, with inhuman abilities. Aiden had explained that his were physical, where Matt's were mental, and that's why there was such a change in temperature between us. He explained that Matt and I wouldn't age like normal people, just as he didn't. He helped us manage some of our fears. Rosalie must be similar, some unnatural human.

I was wiping down a high table when Greyson told me I could leave a bit early, not making me stay to finish cleaning up. Pulling my bag over my shoulder I went to look for Rosalie. I needed to give her a chance. Maybe prove to myself that I figured out why there could be something between me and Emmett.

Rosalie was leaning against the wall looking completely at ease. She followed me to my dorm room, neither of us initiating the conversation. I didn't mind the silence, but most people found it awkward trying to fill it with dribble.

"Katie, do you believe in supernatural beings?"

I shook my head, swallowing my fear. Aiden had warned us about admitting this to people, and that those trying to harm us would ask us this type of question. I suddenly feared for my life, not wanting to be killed or harmed because of what I was. Since I wasn't sure about Rosalie, I began to realize I may have been fooled to trust her.

"It was nice to see you Rosalie. I need to get some sleep, maybe we can talk again."

Running up the stairs and pulling my door open with more force than necessary, I was safe in my room. Leah sat up angrily.

"Sorry," I whispered tip toeing to my bed.

"Did Rosalie find you?" Leah yawned.

"She walked me back here."

I changed and crawled into bed. My mind drifting back to Rosalie, it was an odd question to ask a random person, but I knew she asked for a reason. It was casual, she was relaxed. She must have figured out what I am or suspects. Why else would she be so calm and casual if not to call me out…I couldn't trust she didn't mean me harm, that she didn't fool me into believing her lies.

I did my best to avoid Rosalie and Emmett over the weekend, it was complicated since they would show up at work, but I could fake busyness. I had never been more delighted to have Monday morning arrive. Classes would keep my mind occupied and there was not much time for Emmett or Rosalie to corner me. I just didn't want to Matt in any danger if Rosalie figured me out.

Chicken, I thought over and over to myself. There was no other explanation for my avoidance.

Leah was relentless about Thanksgiving, but I continued to decline. She enlisted Bianca, but I still held my ground. Leah spent most of Wednesday packing trying to get me to go home with her. She was planning to leave after classes. I relished the idea of having some alone time, not excited about two days with no school or work.