Chapter 21.

A/N: I promised an update before the end of December, so here it is. :)

That Saturday, I'm waiting anxiously on the couch for hours. At least, it feels like hours; it's probably only thirty minutes. Snowball senses my unease and circles my legs, occasionally glancing up and meowing at me, as if to ask if I'm alright. After ten minutes or so, she finally decides to pounce onto the cushion and settle on my lap. According to Rosalie, she wasn't a huge trouble when we were gone; although Snow accepted my return gracefully, she hasn't really left my sight since then.

Alice squeals, and I know she and Rosalie are returning from their rooms. Isn't it bad enough that they forcibly applied make-up to my face and straightened my hair for once? At least, I was able to make sure that the make-up looked natural. I would've done it myself, but it's not like I always wear make-up. Plus, Edward has seen me without it.

"You look adorable," Alice coos, as she sees me, stirring Snow in the process. I paired a black and white printed sweater that sort of hangs off the shoulder with jeans and black boots.

Rosalie reaches around me to pet Snowball. I think they grew even closer while we were gone; she's now openly affectionate with the kitten. "I think we're having fish in the dining hall tonight. If that's the case, I'm bringing back extra for you, Snow."

She meows happily as if she understands, but she's probably just happy that somebody's rubbing her.

Rose ceases, and she and Ali walk to the door. "I've been waiting for forever to say this, but have fun on your date!" Alice giggles, and they exit. I merely roll my eyes in response. Then I hear them speaking outside with someone else that I can only assume is Edward.

This, of course, is followed by a knock on the door. Right on time. "It's open," I call. I move to shift Snowball off of me, but she isn't having it.

Edward laughs when he sees my situation, "Here, let me help." He lifts Snow in the air, and her arms and legs extend, preparing for anything, but he simply scratches behind her ear.

I watch the two of them lightly as I grab my bag and my keys. He places Snow onto the floor and escorts me to the door. Once we enter the hallway, he turns to me, "You look beautiful, by the way," Edward comments.

"Thanks." I notice my old scarf around his neck, but I choose not to say anything about it right now. I find it sort of endearing though. "So where are we headed?" I inquire, as we step into the brisk night.

"If I tell you, then there is no mystery to this."

We take a left from the females' dorm-house, and I nod. "Uh huh. So we're going to your dorm?"

"Precisely," He acquiesces.

Benjamin, his roommate, is just leaving when we enter the dorm. He greets me in his Egyptian Arabic accent. "I am going to Tia's dorm after this. I'll see you later, Edward. Bella, it's always a pleasure to see you."

When the two of us are alone once more, I comment on the aroma. "Am I lead to believe that you actually cooked something?"

He scoffs. "Bella, I'm not foreign to the kitchen. I made my famous grilled cheese sandwiches all the time back home."

"Really?" I laugh.

Edward admits, "Garrett, being the teleporter that he is, definitely assisted with this meal. It's from one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago."

I sit on one of the bar-stools, as he places two plates of spaghetti before us. "I hope you don't mind spaghetti."

I shake my head. "I love Italian food, trust me."

"Then, I made a good call." Turning away, he opens the refrigerator, cursing lowly. "Shit, um. I forgot to send him to get drinks. I wanted this to be perfect, but is water okay?"

"Yes. Water is fine." I reply, not knowing what to say about the sentiments within that statement. He cares this much about the date. Edward returns with glasses of water along with forks and napkins. Then, he begins stripping of the layers that he donned in order to brace the cold. It's almost funny watching him peel off these layers until it's just him in a green sweater, and he sits beside me.

I twirl the fork around the spaghetti and pierce through a meatball. Upon chewing the food, I sigh and cover my mouth. "This is amazing."

He smiles. "I thought you'd like it. I'll have to take you to the actual restaurant sometime."

"So, it's just you and Benjamin here? No secret third roommate?"

"Nope. It's just the two of us." He replies, still grinning. "Benj is a great roommate. I'll be sad when he graduates in a few months."

I haven't really given thought to the fact that this is the last semester for the current fourth-years. I know so many of them, that I'm not really looking forward to saying goodbye just yet. Plus, the amount of people in our elemental field is going to be diced in half by the end of May. Edward notices that I'm focusing on my thoughts right now and asks what I'm thinking. To him, I say, "I'm only wondering what other elementals are out there, and whether or not there will be more people added to our field with the next incoming group of people."

"Ah," He responds. "I'm sure the HM's have something planned. So, my January mission will be next week."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I just thought that I should tell you. Benjamin and I are partnered with someone from the healing field."

"Okay," I say, knowing that he can't tell me much more than he already has.

I take my empty plate and place it in the sink. I'm about to wash it when he stops me. "Don't worry about that," He says, joining his plate with mine. "I'll do the dishes later. It's really only a couple of plates and cups. Now c'mon."

He leads me to his room, which coincidentally is located in the same location as mine is in my dorm. However, his room is vastly different. A whole section of his wall is dedicated to pictures. Pictures of his life from when he was a baby until right before he came to Volterra. Another wall is just filled with Chicago memorabilia. Then, the wall across from the bed has become a storage place for stacks of CD's organized on tiny shelves. It's unbelievable. I've never seen this much stuff in one person's dorm room here.

Whistling lowly, I comment, "Somebody is extremely sentimental."

"Slightly." He laughs.

Now, I understand why he was so surprised to see the lack of... a personal touch in my room. I'm unsure of where to sit, but he sits comfortably on his bed. Thus, I decide that I'll sit at the foot of it.

"So, tell me about your mission," Edward implores. "I need to know what to expect."

I shrug. "I think they're all kind of different, but alright." I'm not sure how much I can divulge to Edward now that the mission is over, but I give him the gist of it. I mostly dwell on the scenery and brilliant landscape. "It was amazing and so serene, being in the forest again. There was this river that cut through it; you would have enjoyed it, I think."

He nods. "It sounds breathtaking."

"It was," I agree. "It reminded me of my old town, minus the rain. I actually- well, being there made me think a lot about Forks."

"Oh," He says, fiddling with his fingers. "Is that supposed to be a good thing?"

"I was really conflicted while I was there. I hadn't been that close to Washington since I've come to Volterra. It would've been so easy to just go... but I had to realize something. I'm not sure why I was suddenly so nostalgic, but that's not my home. It never really was."

"That's good then, right? You know where your real home is."

Edward finds my hands that are lying on my folded legs, and he gingerly removes my white gloves, one finger at a time. "Why do you always wear these?" He inquires curiously.

No accusation is found within his words, only curiosity. So, I find it safe to respond. "My hands are always cold. Most people don't like that."

He takes my palms in his, spreading warmth to them. "I've lived in Illinois my entire life. The cold doesn't really bother me."

My lips curve, forming a small smile. "Well, they also served as protection, I guess. And people felt more comfortable once my hands were covered by gloves."

"That seems restricting more than anything."

I shrug, and he slides me closer, just a little. I don't seem to mind.

When he finally walks me to my dorm, we stall, standing outside. I don't think that I really want this night to end, but it has to eventually. He says that he'll see me tomorrow, and I can tell that he's hesitant to go as well. His lips brush my cheek, but suddenly it's not enough.

I move forward, my lips meeting his. I know he wasn't expecting it, so it takes a moment for him to respond. Then he's kissing me back. It's only for a few moments, and then I pull away.

He wears this silly grin afterward that's practically plastered to his face, and I'm inwardly smiling like a fraction of the way as I close the door behind myself.

"Elemental recomposition," Dr. Carlisle introduces, "is the art of combining two or more elements to form a new one." He writes the name of the ability on the dry-erase board along with the all six of our elements. "I've already compiled all of the matches that I can think of, but of course, if you all are able to brainstorm any other pairings, let me know."

"Firstly," He draws line from 'ice' to 'fire'. "Guess what ice and heat makes?"

"Water," We reply.

"Precisely. Fire and sand..." He connects the two words, "makes glass. What's especially important is that you find the right combination of both elements in order to make the new one.

"Fire and electricity could make an interesting combination.

"Lava is made can be generated by fire and earth.

"This last one may not be a new element, but plants can definitely be enhanced by that of an earth user." After finishing this statement, Dr. Carlisle stands back, satisfied with his work and the many lines that connect all of us.

When Gianna raises her hand, the instructor calls on her. "So," She begins. "Plants need water. Is it possible that the water, plants, and earth can all be combined together for a strengthened attack?"

Our elemental mentor smiles as he nods his head, glad to see that she is thinking about the process. "Of course."

Benjamin contributes, "If that's the case, then water and earth also make mud."

"That's the spirit!" Carlisle says excitedly, unable to contain his mirth. "Who knows? There are probably even more combinations. During this month of February, this is all that I want you to be focusing on, alright? Now, let's get started with our exercises."

We enter the Chamber, our special adjoining room that enables us to practice our powers in a safe indoor environment. The seven of us, including Dr. Carlisle begin with our routine elemental box exercises and five sets of elemental blasts. Then, the mentor calls Edward and Eleazar to the middle of the room and instructs the rest of us to stand back.

"Alright, Eleazar," The blond instructor casts his blue eyes on the sand-wielder. "I want you to construct a sphere of sand. Hold it steady in the air." The Spanish elemental user does as he is told.

"Good," Dr. Carlisle continues, "No matter what pressure you're about to feel, keep it in the air above you. Now, Edward, torch that sphere."

Edward stares intently at the object and decides to take a few steps back. He raises his hands toward the sand, and fire flows from them, shrouding the beige sand. I can't really tell what's happening because all that I can see are flames. However, Dr. Carlisle directs, "Edward, more flames." And apparently, it's still not enough because he receives the command again this time, a little more forceful. Although Carlisle still says it like a father to a son, knowing that he's capable of completing this.

"How are you holding up?" Carlisle inquires of Eleazar whose hands are beginning to shake a little.

"It's getting denser," is his response.

"Maintain that; you're almost there, and... Edward, begin to decrease the amount of flames you're giving it... Good."

When they finish, the end result is a sphere of glass; it's not completely smooth or translucent, but it's glass nonetheless. Dr. Carlisle says that the more that they work on this ability, the quicker they'll be able to produce glass, and if they perfect it, they might be able to jointly wield it as naturally as they do their own elements.

The rest of the class period, I work with Edward naturally. We are able to produce water by adding my ice and the heat from his flames. I've never really pursued any manipulation of liquid water, as ice is my forte. I keep trying with the water, but it's not very tangible, and it feels too slippery and weak. I'm sure that Benjamin feels the same way about sand since he has earth; it's a good thing we have Eleazar.

Anyway, I can't generate water by any means, but after the ice melted, the small pool of water that I was struggling to maintain fully dropped, splashing both of us in the process. Edward takes it in stride with an easy, encouraging smile. "Let's try it again."

So, the entire time, I'm trying to manipulate this flimsy excuse for matter, and it's hardly cooperating. I'm frustrated as hell by the time Edward and I go to our mythology class. He notices my mood and says, "Don't worry about it, alright? We've got this whole month to get this one move down."

"I know," I reply. "But other combinations rely on water. I'd rather perfect this as soon as I can."

"If you want," He says, "We can practice together a little later." Edward says it as a casual suggestion, but I know it's something he really wants to do.

Who am I to deny him this? "Yeah, of course." I nod.

We can barely enjoy the first ten minutes of the mythology class and the lecture on nymphs when Miss Esme receives a telltale knock on the door. I automatically straighten in my seat, and I see Edward do the same. Rose, who can't usually be bothered with this sort of thing, even peers to our right to find our favorite headmaster at the door.

I sigh, already knowing where this is going. He speaks politely to Esme, though his eyes are intent on me. Three seconds later, our teacher turns to us as well. "Edward, Bella, and Rosalie, you're needed with the Headmasters right now. If you drop by this room before our next class, then I'd be happy to let you know what you missed."

"Thanks," The three of us reply, but it isn't necessarily the cheeriest response.

It feels like I was just on that last mission, and this is already happening again. But, it occurs to me as we're walking toward the door that it's the three of us. Edward and I are going on a mission together. My palms begin to sweat as we meet Caius on the other side of the door. The headmaster seems to sense my nervousness as he gives the three of us a once-over, but he purses his lips and says nothing.

In the conference room, the three of us take our seats across from the Headmasters. Headmaster Marcus dims the lights as Caius greets us -finally- and turns on the holographic projection. "I'm sure you three already know why you're here. The three of you separately accomplished the missions that you were assigned to last month. And now, you'll be given a new mission.

"This assignment will take you to Las Vegas, Nevada. There have been robberies of casinos in the region."

"No offense," Rose interjects, "but doesn't that seem a little petty? I thought we were fighting murderers, not some small thefts."

As if offended by her interruption, the headmaster narrows his forest green eyes at Rosalie. In a manner as if he's talking to a small child, he explains, "Most of the world's best casinos are in that city. This thief seems to only be targeting the most popular places. This person already garnered a total of millions of dollars."

"Okay," She stares blankly as her mind processes the information.

"If these are the best casinos, then shouldn't there be cameras everywhere?" Edward inquires from my right.

Caius nods. "You're correct. There are. However, this person hasn't shown up on any of the cameras."

"That's odd," Rose comments.

"Indeed. So you all are going to get to the bottom of this." He settles. "Only one of the many casinos hit has been able to offer footage of what they think is the perpetrator. We were able to obtain said footage, which we shall now show you."

I watch the hologram intently. A hallway is depicted. The video lasts five seconds before it ends, with the footage fading to blackness. "What are we supposed to be looking at?" I ask.

Headmaster Aro speaks up this time, having been unusually silent until now; he gives out directions. "Caius, play the video once more. Modify the speed of the playback. Isabella, pay close attention."

Caius' eye twitches a fraction of a movement at the command, but I am able witness this response to Aro. I can deduce that he has an issue with being told what to do. However, without a verbal reply, Caius plays the video once more. And that's when I notice it. A dark blur. Headmaster Caius freezes the frame, and the blur becomes a little more solid.

"Is that a... fedora that he's wearing?" Edward spies. The image isn't the best. But once Edward points it out, I'm able to sort of see it as well.

"So since he's not showing up on the cameras, and this footage had to be slowed down until we could finally see something, are we to assume that the person has super speed or something?"

Caius nods. "That's what we've deduced. So, you all will be going undercover for this mission until you identify the target. We have an idea of where he might strike next; a pattern has appeared."

Headmaster Aro hands each of us a file of documentation, and he tells us to review it before we meet again in a few days.

The next day finds Jasper and I walking together to lunch. I'm not one to withhold information from him, so I want to be open about my unusual homesickness that resulted when we were on our last mission. So I tell him, "We were close enough to Washington. For like, a few hours there, I wanted to return to Forks."

"Really?" He's surprised.

"Yeah," I nod. It's crazy just thinking about it now. "I think I have to embrace my past, not run from it. And I've been ignoring it long enough. That town is a huge part of my past, but I realized something."

"Go on."

I shrug. "There's nothing left for me in Forks. I love your parents, but I just saw them recently, and they're not mine. My dad doesn't really care about me, so who would I be kidding if I returned?"

Jasper opens the door to the dining hall for me, and we enter. Stroking his chin in thought, he replies, "Perhaps you need closure. Maybe that's what those feelings brought up. You've held a lot inside, B. Maybe you're right. You need to confront it... And left out everything you've been holding in."

"I get the feeling that we're no longer talking about Forks itself."

"Not quite," He admits.

But he's right, and his words are exactly what I need to hear. "Yeah, closure," I test the word for the first time.

When we are all seated at the table, I find that I'm not the only one with problems today. Rosalie stabs her salad with a little more force than usual, until she finally opens her mouth to tell us what is going on. "So," She says semi-spitefully, "It looks like I'll be down to third place in the mental field. There's a newbie who's extremely powerful."

"When did this happen?" Alice inquires from her left.

Rose rolls her shoulders in a shrug. "I don't know. Maybe a couple of weeks ago."

"Oh, I haven't heard of him."

"Yeah. There hasn't been an assembly for him yet, I guess. No doubt he'll easily be a level five whenever he is tested. Damn first-year." She sighs. "And I don't think that his roommate threw him a welcome party. I mean the guy is kind of quiet and reserved anyway."

"A level five?!" I repeat with shock. That kind of thing doesn't happen often. Well... Edward is a total exception to the norm because the same happened with him. Except, he's no first year. It would piss Rose off surely if this new kid advanced a year the same way that Edward did, but I'm not going to add to her worries.

"Dang," Emmett agrees.

"Yeah," Rose says. "David is quite special."

Jasper, who was previously drinking from his water bottle, now nearly spits the drink out. We all stare at him incredulously, and he calms his reaction. "Sorry, um, what did you say his name was?"

"...David..." She repeats. "David... Roads? Um, David Roe...?"

"David Ross?" Jasper supplies.

"That sounds about right." She nods. "But, what does it matter?"

"I just thought that he sounded familiar is all."

Rose returns to piercing her lettuce, but she responds to Jasper. "Hmm. I doubt it. I think he's from Florida. Washington is kind of directly diagonal to that on the opposite side of the country. The chances of you knowing him are so slim."

Jazz pries for more information. "Well, what does he look like?"

She sighs. "Do we have to talk about this? It's not like I'm best friends with the guy."

"It's a simple question."

Rolling her eyes, she decides to satisfy his curiosity. "Fine. Dark blond hair. Kind of boyish. Brown eyes, I think. He's probably meditating right now. That is practically all that he does."

Jasper's gray eyes sweep the room but don't find the kid in question. "You know, guys," He rises to his feet, grabbing his plate. "I'm not really hungry anymore. I'll catch up with you later." And then, he's gone.

We all stare at his retreating figure. Edward inquires, "Is he alright? He's acting weirdly."

He looks to me for information, but it's not like I know anything. I turn to Alice. She just says, "I don't know. This is random behavior."

Jasper's POV

The best place that one could go for meditation would have to be one of the courtyards. Of course, one would want to go somewhere that others aren't. That rules out the eastern and western courtyards. This leaves the Southern courtyard, and that's where I plot my course. David Ross fits Rosalie's description, and when I see him, that's when I know that this has to be the same person whose name was on that mysterious list. I'm still not sure why his name would be there unless the Headmasters knew that he was going to come. Perhaps, I'll finally be able to get the answers to my questions.

He does look young. Maybe only thirteen or fourteen years old. He sits above the ground; his body hovering just out of reach of the dirt. His eyes are closed in meditation. He's a telekinetic; the outdoor furniture all around him is frozen, suspended in mid-air.

I'm not sure how to gain his attention, so I decide to be bold. Removing my right glove, I disintegrate the bench that is closest to me. The ashes begin to fall to the ground before some force prevents them from reaching the ground. Sensing a shift or disturbance in his realm of objects, David opens his eyes to find me standing there; however, he doesn't break his concentration. I'm impressed.

"You disintegrated my bench," He states as he observes the ash.

After reintegrating it, I return the glove to my hand. Extending my hand, I greet, "I'm Jasper."

"David."

He doesn't shake my hand. Well, this is one rude kid. I force a smile to my face, knowing that if anything I need to remain on his good side. "I don't believe we've met before. You must be new here."

"Yes," He replies. It's evident that he doesn't want company, but that won't deter me.

"Well, if you ever need anything, David, my dorm number is Room 214. Don't hesitate to find me. I don't mind showing you the ropes of Volterra."

Finally, the kid's brown eyes show a glimmer of life, meeting mine warily, searching for a motive. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

"No problem, dude. Hey, by the way, who's your roommate?"

"My roommate?" He inquires cautiously. "His name is James."

A/N: Thanks for reading. Please leave a review. I love hearing your feedback; it really helps the writing process.