Chapter twelve: Snowballs.

At some point throughout the next half hour of drink after drink after drink, Amber joined in with the little party going on at the table. So, there was me, Nathan, Amber and Mercedes all sitting having fun. I wasn't sure how many drinks I had, nor did I care. All I knew, was I was having fun. The music was fast again causing my head to pound, but I didn't care. Not in the slightest.

Amber and Mercedes were actually carefree in talking to me, not that I understood exactly where the conversation was going. Apparently, we were talking about the play.

"Brittany is hoping to get Juliet," Amber said; sucking at the straw. The whole time Mercedes came back from the restroom, she had only looked at her phone once. Now, it was in her bag and she was chatting freely.

"Yeah... And she wants a certain someone to get Romeo," Mercedes laughed, poking her finger towards Nathan.

"You're kidding, right? Nate here asked me to help him with his understanding to that play! And! I have Alec helping me,"

The girls burst into a fit of laughter. I laughed along also, resting my head onto Nathan's shoulder. He put his hands up in defence. "Hey, don't shoot me down. I don't understand all that... weird old English talk. I mean... Thy and Forsooth. What's with that?"

Again, we laughed. I picked up a cup and took a large drink yet again. The dude who was supplying the stuff — who I found out was called Cameron — had gone to get yet another batch of the stuff. We had a random bottle of Coke in the middle of the table, though. So, it wasn't all bad. We had poured the remainder of the Vodka into the bottle in order to get rid of the evidence of Vodka. It was my idea, because I was smart like that.

"So, Alec is the English Lit genius then?" Nathan asked, sipping his own drink. I nodded, making a subtle 'mm' sound, while I swallowed the remainder of the liquid.

"Yeah, he knows EVERYTHING about Willy Shakespeare. He even made me read lines in the rain," I laughed.

Amber and Mercedes eyes grew wide. "What scene?"

"The balcony one?" I shrugged, leaning back into the chair more. They laughed.

"Your hair would have been ruined!"

"It was!" I replied, shrugging.

"Well, here's to Alec being a genius, who will eventually get us all to pass English and Drama!" Nathan raised his cup. Wait, what? Us all? What had I just done? Oh, who cares!

I raised my cup, as did Mercedes and Amber. "To Alec!"

We all downed the drink then and there, but were in the company of the very man we toasted. Alec, standing next to Brittany, watched with curious eyes. Though, when I looked up and caught his eye, I saw the look. He smelt the alcohol. Oh, who gives a crap! "And what is to me?"

Amber giggled while Mercedes nibbled at her cup. "You're gonna' teach us all your skills in English, duuuuuh."

"I am?" He replied, his brow arching.

"Yeah, Reny said. Right, Ren?" Mercedes laughed.

All attention turned to me. Even Alec's judgeful eyes. Oh, he had a nerve, judging me. When he was getting freaky on the dance floor leaving me with my crush and enemies. Though, I don't think I classed Amber and Mercedes as enemies anymore. They were pretty cool.

"I need to pee," I said quickly, climbing over Nathan's lap and towards the edge of the seat; before I could fall off the edge, Alec caught me. I pushed myself out of his arms and onto my feet. Then, staggered off towards the stairs, ignoring Alec saying 'excuse me for a moment,'

He was beside me, gripping my arm just as I took a step onto the stairs.

"You're drunk," He said sternly.

"Ammm nooot!" I scoffed. "I had like.. a few drinks," I shrugged, continuing down the steps, trying my damn hardest to get my arm free. He didn't give in, however.

"Renesmee,"

"Don't Renesmee me," I pointed to his face, putting my best pissed off face on. "I wouldn't have done this if you hadn't gone all... Whatever that was with her!" I snapped.

"Excuse me?" He frowned. "Done what with whom exactly?"

I laughed sarcastically in his face and continued down the stairs, still staggering. As soon as my feet touched the bottom step, I was over Alec's shoulder.

"I'm taking you home," He said.

Home? I didn't want to go home! I wanted to stay and dance and drink and have fun and forget everything I had saw going on between Brittany and him and... and... Just forget him all together!

"Put me down, Alec!" I slapped at his back. He didn't react. Not at all. He simply continued to carry me through the crowd and towards the door. I heard him telling Ivy that I was in need of sleep and that he planned on catching a cab. Pahaha, as soon as I got down.. I was coming right back!

After a few more hits on his back and fast paces from Alec, the night air consumed me, causing a shiver to ripple up my spine. Then, everything turned into a blur. He was actually freaking running? Running with me like this on his back? Was he mad? Clearly he was mad, due to him basically kidnapping me from my friends and refusing to let me down. "Alec, put me the hell down now or I'll bite your ass!"

"You're so childish, Renesmee. Getting drunk out of spite? Honestly, I expected better from you."

"I mean it, Alec! Put me down or I'll do it! I don't care how disgusting it sounds. I will bite you!"

"What will your father think? You're fifteen, Renesmee. You're not even an adult and yet you expect to be treated like one? How do you expect anyone to treat you like a mature girl if you go out and do something like this?"

That was it. He had his warning. I lent down as far as I could and let rip. Sinking my teeth, hard,into his marble skin of his rear end. I heard a low growl escape Alec's lips and he swung me around so he was carrying me bridal style. Allowed me to glare towards his face. Alec continued to run, getting faster and faster.

Eventually, the swaying became too much for my stomach to handle. Being moved left to right, my stomach following each direction. My head was spinning, due to the blurs of trees surrounding us. It all because way too much.

"Alec, I'm going to be sick."

He glanced down, and I figured I must of looked like I was about to barf, considering he stopped and let me down. Instantly, I rested under a tree and placed my head down onto my knees.

A few moments of silence passed before Alec made an attempt. He moved forward, putting his coat over my shoulders. "Are you alright?"

I took a deep breath, letting the spinning stop. Well... slightly stop. I didn't look up. The swaying of the ground was still affecting me far too much. "No,"

"Would you like me to call your father?"

I glanced up, against the spinning. "No," I let out a breath, "What I want... Is," Standing up, I steadied myself against the tree and putting my arms through the arms of his coat. I felt some what warmer."to go back to the club and dance with Nathan,"

"Renesmee, you did your fair share of that. It's time to go sleep the drink off,"

"Oooh, someone was watching me dance with Nathan." I laughed, jumping up and taking hold of a branch and swinging. Alec continued to glare at me. His eyes were red again. Yaaaay.

"It's my job to watch you," he said quickly.

"Do you watch me sleeping too? Because... My dad used to do that with my mom. Freaky, huh?"

He frowned, shaking his head. "I have no desire in watching you sleep,"

"Why not? D'you think I'll be an ugly sleeper?"

Alec frowned deeply. "Renesmee, we're getting off track now."

"You do! I'll have you know, I'm a very beautiful sleeper. I don't drool, I don't talk... I think. I don't snore. I am very, very pretty." I continued to swing back and forth.

"I'm sure you are, but can you get down and let me get you home?"

He took a step towards me. Did he really think I was that stupid? That I'd let him grab hold of me again? Aha, he should have known better! Before he got too close, I jumped down and drunkenly ran my way to another tree. Hiding behind it.

"Renesmee, stop this."

"Neeeeeeevvver." I said quickly, moving out and beginning skip along. Weaving my way in and out of trees the best I could. Every now and then, I had to grab hold of a tree to stop myself from falling. Alec was walking behind; keeping a distance since he knew I'd probably end up rushing off anyway. He was learning, I'd give him that.

I felt so free, just... Running in and out of trees. Not a care in the world. As if it were all in my taking, all in my grasp, all mine. All I had to do was run and be free. I could fly with the birds. I could run with the wild horses. I could swim with the fish. All I needed to do was run and never look back.

"You being quiet is pissing me off, Alec!"

"What would you like me to say? After all, you bit me when I was speaking."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop being so... cocky and sarcastic and... Dick like, you little bitch boy."

Alec laughed, sarcastically; while I continued to wind in and out of trees. "Bitch boy?"

"Yes! Running around doing Aro's deeds. Being all seductive and shit. Making girls fall for you just by looking at you. Getting into peoples heads and playing them like puppets. Making me like you!"

"I did nothing of the sort. I never asked for any of this, I was simply trying to be kind."

"That's the thing!" I turned around, glaring at him while trying to stand still. I eventually came up with the solution it was my shoes causing me to stagger. Taking them off, I held one within each hand. "You're not kind!"

"Ten points for Miss Cullen! She finally understands!"

I waved my hands into the air with my shoes. "Whoo! Ten points! Go me!"

He rolled his eyes, causing me to just throw my shoes at him. One hit him in the chest, the other he caught swiftly.

"This is all your fault! If you hadn't of come here, I would have gotten Nathan on my own. I would have lived. I wouldn't be under threat.. I wouldn't have met you and become your friend, I wouldn't have gotten jealous!"

"You got jealous?" Alec said suddenly, his eyebrows pulling together. By this point, I didn't care what he thought. "Jealous of what?"

"Of you and Brittany, who else idiot! The way you were touching her.. The way you were dancing with her... That was meant to be me!" I screamed. God, It felt good to get it off my chest. "Not that... that... Bitch!"

"I... I do not understand," He blinked.

"Of course you don't. Because you're a Volturi guard. You don't understand anything. You just go out, mess with people, kill them and then run home to your precious little sister and act as if you have nothing to care about in the world!"

"Because I don't have anything else to care about in the world, Renesmee."

"But you should care about me!" I hissed. "We. Are. Friends!"

He tightened his jaw, causing me to walk, clumsily towards him. He was holding my shoes, both hands by his sides. When I came close enough to him was when I felt the coldness on my cheeks. I was... crying? I didn't give a shit!

"Don't you feel anything for me at all?" I whispered. "Anything?"

Alec stared blankly at me. Nothing present on his face apart from a stern look. I really hated that look, but him saying nothing gave me the chance to speak yet again. Only, this time I brought my hands to his face. "You care about me, don't you? Even just a little bit?"

He swallowed, to what I noticed. His eyes never gave away anything though. I continued to stare into them, being drawn into the scarlet red burning into my very soul. I needed to take my chances. I needed to be impulsive for once in my life. I went up onto my bare toes, allowing my hand to take hold of his cheek. "It's not bad to feel, Alec. It's what defines us from being monsters,"

He didn't so much as blink. I let me nose graze across his and then lent in to seal it; seal everything. But...

Everything went black.

—xXx—

I awoke to the smell of pancakes and hot coffee. My eyes opened heavily. The sun was out, but it was somewhat calm and... white outside. I sat up, stretched and let my eyes graze across my fingertips. They moved up and checked my hair, which was a mess. All over the place. What.. happened? I was oblivious. All I could remember was... Jealousy.

Oh, crap. Piece by piece things came into the clear. Dancing with Nathan. Drinking with Nathan. Becoming somewhat friendly with Mercedes and Amber. Yelling at Alec. Then... Blackness.

"Morning," I glanced round towards the figure coming from the kitchen; holding a tray. I frowned.

"Feeling better?" He asked, coming closer and setting the tray down onto the coffee table. I glanced at it, letting my eyes eat in what was there first.

Pancakes. Toast. Eggs. Bacon. A cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice. All set out neatly on a tray for my taking. I was stunned to say the least. I mean, had Alec cooked all this?

"I wasn't aware of what you prefer in the morning, so I took the liberty in giving you coffee and orange juice."

I shook my head, still taking it in. Alec was wearing his robes again. "Its perfect. Thank you... But why?"

"I figured you would have a hangover and you would need a sturdy meal before you returned home to your parents."

Oh crap. My parents. "Did I stay here all night?"

Alec nodded. "I couldn't take you home in that state. Your father would have forbidden me in seeing you again, thus the choice of your destruction would of been set."

Well, when he put it like that I felt slightly better. Me sleeping over in my own home with Alec around was a bit of a nerve jerker but if it was to secure my life then... It wasn't that bad.

"My dad's going to see I was staying here," I whispered. Alec chuckled and shook his head.

"No, no. Your father will only find out if you think about it when around him. He can only hear what you think about in his presence, not hear every thought in your head. That is Aro's gift,"

Oh, well... I always thought he could see everything, thus why I was forever hiding beside Bella. But he never said anything to keep me otherwise, thus he must of wanted me to think that to make me fearsome of doing something wrong! What a douche! Well, I'm on to you dad. The only real problem I had now was the whole what to think when around him. Because lately, there was always one thing on my mind. Alec.

"Well, eat up." He took a seat onto the chair. I sat up and moved round to the food. I took the coffee in first. Allowing it to burn down my throat and warm me from the inside. A shiver ran through my whole body. Then, my stomach growled indicating how hungry I actually was. I wasted no time in digging into the food. First the pancakes, then the eggs and bacon and before I knew it; I was left with toast. Bit by bit I chewed and swallowed until I was left with one piece left.

"Have you anything planned for today?" He asked, while I still chewed. I shook my head. "Go home, shower... Come back here?"

He scoffed, shaking his head. "I won't be doing anything today,"

"Why?"

"Look outside," was all he said. I arched a brow, shoving the final piece into my mouth and getting up. I was still wearing my outfit from last night. Great. Moving quickly towards the window, I peered outside and was overcome with the scene of complete and utter beauty. Snow.

It spread out across the land like a blanket, fresh and untouched. Calling me to go and make a mess. Have complete and utter fun. I could do that, couldn't I? I mean, there was no rules to say I couldn't! Hey, maybe I could get him to come with me! I turned, my large smile must have given it away, since Alec shook his head.

"Oh, come on. You're not scared of the snow, are you?"

"No, not scared. I just don't like it."

I groaned, moving right over towards him and sitting on the arm of the chair. He looked up at me, seemingly unnerved. I'd have to ask why, but my thoughts were on getting him into the snow.

"Please?" I gave a pout. He frowned.

"With sugar on top?"

The frown deepened. "Ugh, fine. I'll give up five points for you to come into the snow."

"But I gave you ten last night." He noted. This caused me to frown.

"You did?"

He nodded, letting out a low chuckle. "Just before you attempted to kiss me."

My eyes widened. "I what?"

Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap! I was dead! I tried to kiss him? He wasn't making that up, he couldn't be! From what I knew of Alec, he was honest. Even Grandpa said so! He wouldn't lie to me. He was a gentleman. Could be a right dickhead at times, but he was a gentleman. He wouldn't make something that serious up! If he did... Then I'd kick his ass! I'd scream and kick and kill him!

"R... Really?" I asked, wide eyed. Alec nodded, shifting in the seat ever so slightly.

"Don't worry, I stopped everything before it got out of hand. Nothing happened," and nothing ever will happen. He didn't have to say it. I knew exactly what he meant. I felt somewhat better then. Who knew his gift would have stopped me making a complete and utter fool of myself. I nodded slightly, patting his shoulder and getting up.

"Well then I think a day in the snow is what we need to put that behind us." I said quickly, making my way towards the hallway leading to the rooms. He watched with intense eyes. I could feel them, burning into my back.

"Where are you going?"

I glanced over my shoulder, giving a friendly grin. "Shower then get dressed into warmer clothes."

He scoffed just as I entered the bathroom and shut the door. As soon as I was behind it and in my own personal space, I leant against the door and let out a deep breath. How could I have been so stupid! Think Renesmee, think! What made you stupid enough to even consider trying to kiss him? Clearly jealousy was the main culprit but why was totally oblivious to me. I enjoyed spending time with him, yes. Granted, but then again I enjoyed spending time with my human friends also. Jealousy had never played a part in my personality. Not once. Even as a child, I never got jealous. Maybe that was due to the fact I always got what I wanted, but still.

Oh, stop dwelling on it. It's a figment of the past. You can't even remember it and Alec shows no real corruption of entering his personal space and taking his lip virginity. Then it hit me...

Alec had used his gift on me in order to stop me kissing him. Why? Was he like me in a way? Had he never kissed anyone? Surely, at his age, he must have kissed someone. Loved someone in his lifetime? It made me wonder to the fact... What if Alec had done it not only to stop me from ruining my first real kiss and wasting it on a guy like him... But what if he didn't want his real kiss with someone like me?

I shook my head, coming to the conclusion I was thinking all too much. What I needed right then and there was a nice warm shower; and that I was going to have. Turning on the taps and letting the water run for a few seconds, giving it time to warm up; I peeled out of my clothes and set on into the warm water.

—xXx—

I had bound to have reached the half hour mark within the shower. So lost within feeling the warm touch consuming my body, warming each and every curve. Eventually though, I felt I had to get out otherwise Alec may have thought I might have drowned or something. Pft. Stepping out of the warmth and placing a dressing gown over my skin; I quickly tiptoed out of the bathroom, down the hall and into my room; where I shut the door and locked it. Alec was still sitting on the chair, since I saw his feet on the table. Whatever he was doing, I figured I'd find out once I was dressed. Waltzing over towards the cupboard, I pulled out a pair of black leggings a long sleeved white top and my favorite pair of fluffy cream boots with a matching coat. Fake sur, obviously. I might eat animals, but I was against wearing them.

Strange, I know. But hey, I was allowed to be.

Once I was dressed, I put a hair band over my head, pulling my hair out of my face but still letting it hang loosely over my shoulders. Due to it being wet and allowed to hang freely, as it dried; it curled naturally. With the band in place, I put a hat over the top. The kind you saw Dappy from N-dubz wearing. Wasn't much of a fan, but I did like his hats.

I moved out of the room, making sure I hung my robe up. Couldn't let Alec live in a shit tip, could I? I scoffed, skipping down the hallway and into complete and utter view. I gave a spin once I was in Alec's sights. "How do I look?"

Alec arched a brow, looking up from the newspaper he was reading. He folded it and continued to look at me. I spun yet again, grinning.

"You look... Like some furry flea ba-"

I glared, putting my hands onto my hips. My actions caused him to stop mid sentence. Good. He was learning. "You look perfect, Reny."

"Good answer. Now, c'mon. I have a gift for you. We can play in the snow for a while then I'll give you it." I jumped forward, grabbing his hand and for once I did the pulling. Dragging him out the door and ignoring his complaints. He managed to shut the door in time but was still being pulled along. I didn't stop until we reached the back garden of my grandparents home. From what I could tell, they were inside. Well, a few of them. I could hear Grandpa, working. I could hear Edward on the piano, but that was all. Weird.

"Your father and Carlisle are the only ones home," Alec said, clearing it up in one.

"Maybe they went hunting. Let's go say hi," I shrugged, continuing to pull him up the stairs leading to the patio of the back yard. I pulled open the kitchen door and stormed right in. Once Alec was past the kitchen door and by the door entering the stairs leading to the living room, I let his hand go.

"I'm home!" I called out. "Alec and I are going to be out the back if you need us!"

The piano stopped playing but the typing from upstairs didn't. Grandpa' obviously wasn't as phased as Edward probably was. I quickly pushed Alec back out the door and into the snow.

Alec walked on in front of me, his hands behind his back. "I don't see how you could possibly have fun in this," He was saying. I ignored it and leant down; picking a ball of snow and making a circular ball within my hands. Quickly, I threw it. To my complete and utter delight, Alec wasn't expecting it. It smashed against the back of his head; colliding with his dark brown hair.

He froze. I managed to count to three before he turned around slowly. My lips were curved deviously. "What. Was. That?" He said through clenched teeth. I could feel my eyes dancing with. Flakes of snow that were falling caught in his hair, ones in which I hadn't caused to be tangled in there. But hey, this was all the more fun. I put my hands out, exaggerating my shrug.

"I have no idea, Alec. I mean... It could've been a tree not being able to take the weight of the snow anymore. Or... My hand feeling the cold of the snow and throwing it away, accidentally hitting you in the head."

Alec's eyes then began to dance with a cunning gleam also. Uhoh. I knew I was in for it then. Shit, shit, shit, shit. "Oh, well since it was an accident, I suppose I can let it pass just this once." He was leaning down to the floor while speaking this. His own hands cupping the white frozen water. "I can see what you mean about the cold," He made it into a firm circle then tossing it into the air and catching it again. "Very... unbearable." He threw it, which I managed to dodge by ducking quickly.

"Ha! Missed!"

Alec lent down yet again, giving me the chance to rush on down the stairs and across the white wonderland, further down the yard. Alec got my back this time, but I had one ready; getting his chest. And he thought we wouldn't be able to have fun in the snow. Pft, I showed him wrong.

—xXx—

-Edward's POV, inside the house-

I had my suspicions. From the moment Alec stepped foot within Forks, Renesmee would become victim to their devious ways. I hated to say it, but sometimes she was gullible when it came down to friendship. Hell, I had sat countless days listening to her head go on about her friends within school. How they meant everything to her. She took friendship seriously and was totally different to when I attended Forks High myself. I was determined never to make friends, never to attract anyone, never be kind. And yet here she was, the open book, ready for anyone to read. She would happily befriend anyone in dire need of a friend. Anyone who would let her... Even a Volturi member.

I honestly didn't expect for Renesmee to work her magic so quickly on the boy. Wait... Boy? Was that even a way to describe Alec? He was many, many years older than myself; which made it all the more concerning. Alec was known to be emotionless, carefree with no hits of mercy at all and yet here he was; playing in the snow with my daughter. My own flesh and soul. I would say flesh and blood, but considering the blood which circulates through my veins wasn't my own but some mountain lions or elk, blood wasn't the best word choice. Her infatuation with a young boy at school was a wake up call for me as it was. A warning that my little girl was no longer little any longer, and yet.. I stand here, watching from the window of the kitchen as he prances around with my daughter, the only hope in my entire being that we all still have souls, corrupting her delicate mind with a friendship that would go down in flames the moment he leaves. Renesmee, and I was sure of it, would be crushed. Like I said, she didn't just love her friends, she adored them. I was pretty sure she would put her own life on the line for them if it meant there would be no harm brought to them.

I sighed, my hands clenching tightly to the worktop. I should go out there and put a stop to this. Put a stop to it all. Tell that... child to be professional and stop putting false hope into my daughters head that they could ever be friends.

A soothing hand rested onto my shoulder. Not the way Bella, my darling, my love, my life, comforted me. But my father. Carlisle had emerged from his study without my knowledge and came to my side, seeing for his own eyes what I was seeing.

"What can we do, Carlisle?" I said, looking up towards my father figure.

"Is there anything we are able to do? Edward... Look at them," He replied, turning his own golden eyes from mine and out the window. Taking in the very scene of Alec, laughing and running after Renesmee; while she hid behind a tree, peeking out from the side. When he would turn to the other side, Renesmee was two steps in front of him; already dashing across the canvas of pure snow, tossing a snowball over her shoulder towards him.

"I've seen that look before.." Carlisle said, then turning his eyes to me. I glanced towards him, jaw clenched tightly and dreading what he would say next for I already knew it. I saw it myself. "Doesn't it look familiar?"

The red flare to her cheeks, the large gleam I spotted in her eyes was what I dreaded. What I hoped and prayed wouldn't happen, but it was out of my hands. It was out of all our hands.

Carlisle didn't have to say anything else. He gave a gentle squeeze of my shoulder. "How about we run some paperwork into the hospital,"

I glanced up towards him and nodded. Work, that's what I needed. I followed him out of the kitchen and out the front door. All I could do now was stand by and watch. Renesmee might not know it yet, but she would. All we could pray for now, was she wouldn't be so crushed when he left. All I could do was be there if she was. That's what fathers were for after all. To protect their daughters but let them make their choices and have a shoulder for them to cry on when things didn't turn out as planned.

—xXx—

Alec eventually caught me, much to my dismay. But I did manage to somehow cause him to fall over into the snow; still gripping me. He was laughing, which was a good sign. I always did like it when Alec laughed. It showed his true side. It made him seem more human than any clothes or contact lenses. I rolled out of his arms, resting into the freezing snow beside him. Granted, I was shivering but I ignored it. It was far too much fun to be bothered with catching a cold. Alec was gazing up into the white sky with his angelic smile still on his face. I couldn't help but watch him with my head turned to him.

"Did it ever snow in England?"

Alec turned his head to look at me, much like the night with the stars. Though, snow was falling and covering us gently. I had noticed a few flakes had gotten caught within Alec's thick eyelashes.

"In England?" He repeated, frowning in confusion.

"Yeah. I hear that it gets cold and stuff like that. Did it ever snow?"

Alec pursed his lips before giving a gentle shrug. "It may have. I can't remember the weather to be honest."

I simply nodded, resting my head back and looking up to the sky. "Would it be wrong if I called you my best friend, Alec?"

Alec turned his head away also, copying my moves. "Yes."

"Why?"

"Isn't that classed as two timing?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "No. And who would I be two timing you with anyway?"

"Your mutt,"

For once, him calling Jacob that didn't bother me. I laughed, unaffected by the insult. "Jacob isn't really acting like a best friend lately."

"And I am?" He replied sarcastically. I rolled my eyes, nudging him with my elbow.

"You now what I mean, Alec. You're here for me more than he is," I mused.

"Only because I have to be,"

For some strange reason, there was a pang of pain within my chest. I was hurt with that statement, for whatever reason. Whatever it was, I looked to him; my chocolate eyes giving away I was slightly offended. "And because you want to be... Right?"

Alec looked to me, taking in my eyes and sighed deeply. He sat up, shaking his head and letting the snow that had collected up in it out. "Isn't your Romeo and Juliet recital on Monday?"

Oh crap! I forgot about that! I knew exactly what Alec was doing. He was changing the subject, and to my own dismay he completely achieved that. "Yeah, I still have to pick out who I'll be working with and I think, but I'm not sure, I get to pick the scene we do too. Might be wrong, Mr. Herd or Miss. Wood might tell us what scene we'll be doing."

"Why not pick Nathan? I'm sure he'd be thrilled to be your partner, and as for the scene that's easy. Go for the death scene. It's the climax of the whole thing," Alec said, his spine twisted so he was turned to look at me but still facing forward.

"Nathan? And isn't the end all..." I puckered my lips, letting a loud kiss noise echo throughout the backyard. Alec let a low chuckle out but nodded none the less.

"I don't think so," was what I concluded.

"Why not, might I ask?"

I laughed. Sometimes, his well-mannered, full on talk was pretty hilarious. You got used to it after a while and frankly enjoyed it. I often had to remind myself not to end up sounding like him. I could just imagine the looks on my friends and family's faces if I were to turn around and speak with proper education, etc. Hell, Bella and Edward gotten so used to me saying 'jackass' to Jacob that when I said his actual name after a while of calling him that they looked as if they had just came out of a heart attack!

"Because..." Oh god, here we go. "I don't want to kiss any guy, especially Nathan, on demand."

Alec's brow arched. "It's just a simple kiss, Reny." He chuckled.

Simple? Maybe for you. But it'd be my first kiss, damnit.

Alec picked up on the silence and leant back so he was leaning against his elbow. Eyes resting softly on my face. "You're nervous?"

I shrugged.

"Will it be your first kiss?"

Damnit! Was I that easy to read?

I blushed, rolling my head away from him.

Alec didn't say anything. He was quiet for a few seconds before letting out a breath. It was then he broke the silence. "Well, I think it's... honorable that you wish to wait,"

Pft. I didn't want to wait. I wanted it over and done with. It was embarrassing, being a fifteen almost sixteen year old girl and not having kissed anyone yet. Not even experiencing the slightest bit of romance. But I didn't want to kiss someone just for the hell it it. I wanted to kiss someone because I wanted too. I wanted it to be perfect, for it to feel like not kissing that one person would be the end of the very world as we knew it. That our lips touching would be the saviour to us and that nothing would stand in our way.

"That's what you think," I mused. I glanced back towards him, finding his eyes. "My mom said... The first time she kissed my dad it was like magic. Like.. nothing else in the world mattered. Is it true?"

Sneaky of me to try and get some information out of Alec. But all I wanted to know was if Alec had kissed someone in the past. Wasn't so bad, right?

Alec closed his eyes and cleared his throat, running his tongue across his lips then set his eyes back onto me while I continued to watch with curious eyes.

"I wouldn't know." He stated.

"You've never kissed anyone?"

Alec scoffed, shaking his head. "I have. It just wasn't... Magic, as you state it."

"What was it like then?"

His lips tweaked upward slightly. "That would be telling," He said in a playful tone. "It may vary on whom it is your sharing it with."

I etched in a little closer towards him, eyes still intent with curiosity. "Who did you share it with?"

It didn't come out confident. More of a breathless whisper. In all honestly, I wanted to know a lot more than what I thought. I had that feeling yet again. Within the pit of my stomach. The churning disipare at the mere thought of Alec's heavenly lips merging with someone else. I had tried to kiss him and I felt completely and utterly stupid in even considering trying. I believed that Alec would never show any act of love or... whatever it was that spurred someone on to kiss whoever, but he had kissed someone. He had felt that overpowering feeling to lock lips with someone. But he refused to with me. Instead, he numbed the ass off me and carried me home. He would rather kiss some other girl he had no 'magic' with than me, a friend. And by this point, I classed him as a close friend. Was she more special than me? How more special could you get? I was a freaking half vampire!

He looked away and I saw him swallow whatever was in his throat. His breathing was deep and his face looking as if he were concentrating. Was it possible he was going to tell me the name of the girl who had stolen the lip virginity of him?

"Change of subject," Alec then said, standing up and brushing down his black robes. I sighed mentally, leaning further back into the freezing snow. "Would you like to read lines today, Reny? You may pick the scene."

I glanced up towards Alec, holding out his hand to help me up. Gently, I pressed my hand into his. For the slightest of moments, I was sure I felt a small, but it was still there, spark travel up my fingertips. Holding back the gasp I let Alec pull me to my feet in a quick motion.

"Fine... But we read them here today." I said, demandingly.

"Here?" Alec replied, his brow arching. I simply nodded.

"Yup. Either out here in the snow or inside."

Alec paused for the smallest of moments, allowing my hand to drop and slowly his hand to raise and touch my cheek. Again, there was that electric spark. "You're colder than your usual temperature. Perhaps it would be best if we are inside for this session. We wouldn't like you catching a cold now, would we."

"Then we can come out and play in the snow afterwards?"

Alec bowed his head. "If you wish,"

I grinned, taking his hand yet again and pulling him towards the house. Everyone would get to see how cool Alec really was when around me! They'd see the real Alec!

A/N:

Hey guys. So, sorry about the wait. As I promised; the update.

I hope the long wait was worth it.

Large thanks to everyone who reviewed. Really keeps my muse running high. I'll admit, I did loose the want to write for a couple of days; and re-read some of the reviews. Really helped me get back on track with this story. So, thanks again. I hoped you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I did writing it.

Keep the reviews coming. (:

-C.H.