(Twilight theme by Stephanie Meyer)

(A/N: I am looking for a beta! I need someone to proof read and help with continuity issues I am having in my story; plus I love collaborative work. If you are interested please send me a PM!)

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Monday was overcast as usual; that morning as we stepped out of our house I saw a familiar black eclipse in my driveway. Bella was leaning against it and smiled at me. She was wearing a school uniform.

"What is with the outfit?" I asked her by way of a greeting.

"I just had my fitting for my senior year uniforms. I wanted to give you the first preview."

"He is sending you to a private school?" I laughed a bit.

"Yes, but I get to enjoy the rest of my junior year 'slumming' it in public school. My guardians insisted on better education and a 'higher caliber' in my peer group. So we are moving to Anchorage next year. Oh and by we, I mean just me. They are sending me into a dorm environment. They think Alaska is what is going to sort my behavior issues out. So get a good look before I am exiled to yet another sunless state." She did a smooth pencil turn and gave us a good look at the very sterile ensemble. She looked around and did another turn changing her outfit to a more casual tee jeans and chucks outfit.

"Need a ride to school?" She asked with a hopeful tone.

Emmett ran up to the car and climbed into the driver's seat. "That is so thoughtful Bells. I would love a ride to school."

"Would you like to drive Emmett?"

"Well, if you insist Bella sure I could drive us. Edward are you coming?"

"I was actually going to pick you up today . . ." I ignored Emmett and said to my girlfriend.

"Yep a little pixie called me and I wanted to surprise you instead." She said wrapping her arms around my waist. Alice was grinning from the backseat of Rosalie's BMW.

"Emmett you will not be third wheeling it on their first public appearance!" Rosalie growled at him and he pouted like a child as he vacated the car.

Bella got up on her tip toes and whispered into Emmett's ear, "You can drive home, promise."

He smiled and leapt into the convertible making it look tiny. "Shall we?" She said doing a grand Vanna White impression. I got into the passenger side and Bella took off towards school. We parked in the back of the parking lot, but it did not help. I got out of the car and opened her door for her. Every set of eyes were glued on us. So many questions, I tried my best to block them out and I put my arm around her. She smiled up at me and it was clear to everyone we passed that we were together. I am not going to lie it was a thrill to walk through the school and know that she was mine. I was practically flying. She chose me. I was happy even if I only had a couple months to enjoy her company. We have lived in Alaska before and I know we will figure something else out.

I reluctantly let her go to class, as we walked away from each other I was aware of the stares and thoughts darting between the curious teens. After each class I rushed over to her classroom to wait for her. I had seen this done a million times and I was excited to be doing it finally. Whenever she saw me her face lit up and it made me so happy. People began to think about how miserable my face used to be. Most were happy for us; confused and happy.

At lunch we snuck off and sat under a huge willow behind the school.

She conjured up a picnic blanket and we sat on the ground.

"How was the rest of your weekend?"

"Not too bad, behind the irate lecture I received I think Quinn is actually proud of me. I wish he did not call the guardians though. I really do not care for Alaska, but I suppose it could be worse. They could have taken me out of the country all together and sent me to live with the elders. At least with this new school on my transcript I can still ensure that I can go to the college I want; anything to get them to relax."

"Alaska is not that bad, that is where we lived before coming out here."

"Well of course you would like it there. I mean there is barely any sun. It will be okay I guess, they are allowing me to pick a body guard this time. In LA I was stuck with this groady little man with absolutely no sense of humor."

"Why do you need a body guard?"

"I am not allowed to live by myself and Quinn looks too old to live in the dorms. I am the youngest witch; it is just how it is done. Until I hit 100 I am like a glass figurine to them."

"Who are you taking with you?"

"I was originally going to take my friend Chuck, but she imprinted and now refuses to move. So I called Jacob Black, we met at the party on the beach and he has been sparring with me in the evenings for the past few weeks. Quinn has become close with his father and Jacob has become a really good friend."

"Jacob Black? The dog from the reservation?"

"Edward don't be so small minded. His people are an offshoot of my people. He doesn't spew that derogatory crap when your name comes up."

"Why don't you talk about him? I didn't even know you knew him."

"Edward, I am going to drop some knowledge on you. Do you want to know the secret to getting people to like you?"

I shook my head and answered just to humor her. "Okay, fine what is the secret?"

"Attention. When you are with someone you give them your full attention. You don't talk about other people. If you concentrate on them it shows them that you actually care about them and think they are special. Why would I spend the few moments I get to hang out just you and me talking about other people?"

She was beautiful in the dim afternoon light. I just blurted out the first thing that popped into my head.

"Why don't we just skip town after this? Go live somewhere else?"

"Really?" She said skeptically. Did she really think I was this much of a bore? Of course I would want to do anything that would keep her close to me.

"Yes, why not? You can always do the school thing later, we have forever."

"What about your family?"

"Rose and Emmett are moving away next year and Alice and Jasper will stay with Carlisle and Esme. You and I are free to go anywhere you want."

She bit one side of her bottom lip and tried to contain her excitement with the idea. I didn't even let her answer I grabbed her up in a passionate kiss and heard little snickers coming from the cafeteria. Emmett and Jasper were thinking encouraging words and I ignored them both.

She pulled away from me smiling, "You are going to get us suspended if you keep this up Edward." She stood up and grabbed her back pack.

The idea of a Cullen getting suspended made me laugh. Every teacher considered us to be the perfect student. The dating our adopted sibling thing was a little odd, but it never interfered with our classes so they did not care. Bella was still considered a bookworm and our relationship was not so far-fetched in the eyes of the faculty. The teenage population thought differently.

The end of the day didn't come soon enough. I waited around for Bella and Alice to get out of rehearsal and was surprised when I saw Quinn enter the school. He headed straight for the bench Emmett and I were sitting at.

"Hello Cullens, is Bells inside?"

"Yes, they should be wrapping up in about 10 minutes."

"How is the exciting world of small business ownership Quinn?" Emmett asked.

"Business is pretty good; your classmates drink their weight in coffee and soda every day, so I am pretty happy. How was your spring break?"

"Hunting was fun."

"Did you enjoy San Francisco?"

"Well, I enjoyed the city, but we went to see a show and I thought it was dreadful. Edward spent some time with the natives and I think he had more fun than the rest of us." Emmett really likes Quinn. Quinn reminds him of me in a way so he is always nice when he is around.

"Really? Who showed you around?" Quinn asked me. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to say. . . Well no use lying I guess…

"A set of twins, Joaquin and Laurent Roux. They took me to a few places and then I met back up with the family afterwards."

"Were you with them at Nektar?"

"I actually left them at that point in the evening. It looked like a mess so I went to check on Bella."

"Those two have a very interesting ability don't they?"

"What is their ability?" Emmett asked.

"They absorb information through proximity. If you notice they seem to know every one's business. It is very fortunate for Bella that they seem to be entertained by her."

"Well, they didn't let on that they were digging around in my head for any secrets, so I think it will be alright."

"I hope you are right. I did want to warn you though, after the incident last week you may want to keep your new relationship on the down low."

"What incident?" Emmett asked me upset that he wasn't in the loop.

Quinn looked amused. "If you are going to endanger your family with this relationship you should probably let them know to be on guard, Edward."

"Why would they be in danger?"

"Doesn't your kind have a thing about territory? That is why Jeremy's life was cut short; he was torn apart by his own kind for protecting Bella. If you are with her you should be on guard. James' pride was hurt by Bella and her lack of foresight in picking her companions. You should probably have the past talk soon. I am going to wait for her inside the auditorium. Bye Emmett. Edward."

I looked at Emmett a little nervous to see his expression.

"Don't worry Edward; I know that if you actually thought that this was dangerous you would have warned us. Quinn is just being dramatic, but you might want to consider having the past talk with her. How much do you actually know about her?"

The auditorium emptied out and we waved as Quinn walked past us to his car. Alice and Bella came over to us and Bella threw her keys with super speed and accuracy into Emmett's hands.

"Mind dropping me off at the res? I have to go there for my lessons today."

"Sure, no problem, if you want I will stay and give you an actual challenge."

She looked at Emmett as if sizing him up and said, "Well, I am sure I won't hurt you too badly. If you need the practice you can help out."

"That sounds like a challenge pip-squeak."

We got into the eclipse and Bella sat shotgun with Alice and me riding in the backseat.

"Do you want to come and watch? You will get to see Jake phase, it is pretty awesome."

"Yes!" Alice said for both of us.

Bella hit her speed dial and Jacob picked up, "Hey Bells, you on your way?"

"Yes, I am leaving school right now. Do you mind if I bring some friends to watch?"

"Who are you bringing?"

"Alice, Emmett and Edward. Emmett thinks he can teach me a thing or two."

A stream of laughter was crackling from the phone. "Okay well I have never seen those things in action so bring 'em along."

"See ya in a few Jake."

Bella gave us directions to a newly made clearing. Jake was standing in the middle half naked wearing only a pair of black cut off sweat shorts.

"Dramatic much?" Bella said giggling at the sight.

He smiled, "You love it though."

She stepped into the center of the clearing and Jake motioned for us to step out of the circle. Bella covered her eyes then extended her arms out I felt a pulse of energy then it was gone. Alice leaned into me, "Concealment circle, it shields us from prying eyes."

"Alice are you joining in as well?"

"No thanks Bella, once was enough for me."

"I guess it is just you and me Emmett."

She put Emmett in workout clothes and changed into a sports bra and yoga pants. For the first time I saw her bare midriff and noticed she had a tattoo in white along her ribs.

L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux

I walked over to her and spoke softly, "What is essential is invisible to the eye." I translated out-loud, then pointing to her ribs to clarify when I received odd stares.

"Do you like it? I got it when I turned 16."

"It is very fitting."

"Well you better step back so we don't bump into you."

We watched the lesson and the mixture of magic and physical attacks was fascinating. Jacob and Emmett almost had her at different points, but it proved fruitless. Alice sat next to me looking smug. Emmett was able to make contact, but she managed to get away time after time.

Jacob Black once removed from the circle was easy to read. Mostly it was critiquing her attack style when she was with Emmett. Once in a while it would be appreciating the view, but nothing that was out of the ordinary for thoughts around Bella. He made it a point not to think about me. Anytime he would look at me he would quickly think of something else. He was excited about Anchorage and the adventures he might get to have.

I almost felt bad that he would not get them, and then I thought of having Bella all to myself and traveling. I could not feel guilt with that much joy in my heart.

Afterwards Bella and I went back to her house; we dropped off Alice and Emmett on the way.

"You ready to help me with my next lesson?"

"What do you mean?"

"What two lessons do I have every day Edward?" She opened French doors that connected the living room to a room with mirrors and a ballet bar on one side. They converted the formal dining room into a dance studio. "When we saw the house online I practically begged for this room. It is not like we eat much anyway and we are more the bowl of cereal sitting at the counter kind of people."

"Do I get a tour of the rest of the house?"

"That is right I owe you a tour of my room."

She led us up the stairs and we stood in front of her bedroom door. She slowly opened the door and it was a sky blue room with the trim varnished in a dark chocolate brown. She had a desk and it was covered in pictures and books. She had a bookcase filled with composition books and journals. If there was any doubt that we were perfect for each other it was gone. Her bed was unmade and the sheets complimented the color of the walls.

"I think I like this room better than the other one."

"Thank you, this one is actually lived in. She fell onto her bed and directed my attention to the ceiling. It was covered with glow in the dark stars like in a child's room. I lay down next to her and she blacked out any incoming light and the stars glowed brightly. In the dark I could still see her perfectly. She pointed a remote at her TV and music slowly filled the room and we relaxed as sonic youth's version of superstar swept over us. She put my hand over her steadily beating heart and I could feel its relaxed rhythm and the blood coursing through her veins.

"What is the last thing you dreamt about?" She asked me in a low voice.

"I do not remember. Most of nights were spent in the hospital and I don't remember much due to my illness."

"Would you like a second chance to dream?"

"Trust me if I could fall asleep I would have found a way by now."

"Troubled blood with sleep's unease; remove the cause of this disease; awake eternal nevermore"

She placed her head on my chest and the strangest sensation fell onto me. A feeling I had not felt for 108 years; fatigue. Then I began to dream . . .

(A/N: What do vampire's dream about? Please let me know what you think they dream about.)