Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyers owns Twilight. I do not. I do however, own my 'gang'.

A/N: Also thanks to my awesome Beta, Blueboarderchick.

Thank you to my reviewers.

You guys might want to read my author's note below.

To Chloe my anonymous reviewer, I'm glad I've got you all addicted to my story.

Chapter 25

I think my heart just about stopped when Zach asked, "The Cullens aren't human, are they?"

A heavy silence descended as we stared at each other. This was the last thing I'd expected Zach to ask me and my mind was rapidly trying to figure out what to say.

I hedged, "What do you mean, are they human? That's crazy talk. Of course they are." Looking at him, I fiddled nervously with my hands.

"You're lying. You're a bad liar, Izzy. You always have been." Narrowing his eyes, he moved toward me.

"I'm not l-lying." I stuttered, taking an instinctive step back.

Zach began pacing the room, rambling to himself. "This is crazy. Stuff like this can't be real. I mean I grew up hearing the legends and never believed a word of them…" My eyes widened, as I listened to him. Legends? "… the cold ones... it's nuts. It can't just be a coincidence."

Racking my brain, I tried to remember where Zach told me he came from. Suddenly it came to me. Zach was from the Makah Reservation! The same place Emily came from. They had their own legends of the cold ones. Crap! How could I have forgotten something as important as that?

In the meantime, Zach was looking at me intently, "Izzy, I need you be honest with me because these past few days, I felt like I've been losing my mind. Are they… the Cullens… c-cold ones?" He whispered frantically.

I grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the toilet where I flushed it to drown out the sound of our voices. "I want you to tell me what you know and try to keep your voice down."

"I've always been a guy that relied on his instinct and these days my instincts have been telling me that the Cullens are dangerous. Which was crazy because they look so harmless." He said in a quiet voice.

I nodded encouragingly and flush the toilet again.

"I've also been noticing things around them. At dinner, it doesn't look like they eat the food on their plates. When we went skiing, I bumped into the thin one, Jasper, and almost broke my shoulder. I don't even think they sleep. No matter what time of night, there's always someone up. Not to mention that their skin is cold as ice and as pale as death. They're not normal, Izzy."

(Flush)

"What do you think cold ones are, Zach?" I inquired. I had to discover just how much he knew.

He took a deep breath, "Well, I know they don't age, they drink blood and I almost forgot… they're freaking vampires!" Zach hissed hysterically.

I sighed in defeat. The goddamn cat was out of the bag.

(Flush)

For the sake of Zach's sanity, I decided to tell him the truth. "Zach, you're right. The Cullens are… vampires."

Zach was instantly suspicious. "So what is this, Izzy? Did you bring us home for dinner?" He accused harshly.

I shushed him. "Damn it, Zach, calm down. The Cullens are not like that. They drink the blood of animals." I tried reasoning with him. I could see the prejudice that had been bred into him. It wasn't his fault. He'd been raised to believe that all vampires were soulless monsters.

(Flush)

"I don't give a shit if they drink animal blood, Izzy. There's nothing stopping them from switching diets!"

"Zach, please believe me when I tell you, the moment they decide to slip and kill humans, I'll be the first to die because to them, I smell much better than you guys do. Okay?" I said trying to placate him.

Zach stared at me incredulously, "Okay? Are you out of your mind? For the past four days we've been sleeping in the house of the undead and you didn't tell us. They could have murdered us in our sleep at anytime-"

(Flush)

I interjected, "But they didn't, Zach. The Cullens are good people. None of them asked to be like this but they're just trying to live along humans in peace. I would never have brought you guys here if I thought you might be in danger."

"I can't believe you're okay with all of this. And Edward… he even kissed you. You made out with a corpse, Izzy." Zach shivered in disgust then his gaze turned leering. "Did you sleep with him? There's a word for people that sleep with corpses, Izzy." It was never a surprise whenever Zach the lecher made his appearance but this was a new low.

Gasping with mortification, I smacked his arm, "That's none of your business and the answer is no. I never slept with him." Returning to the topic at hand, I shook my head. "But that's beside the point, Zach. I just want you to know that the Cullens are the same people you met from before, Zach."

"I just bet the others are going to freak out when I tell them."

He startled me again. I grabbed his arm. "Zach, this has to stay between us. You're not even supposed to know. You can't tell anyone else."

He pulled his arm away. "And why the hell not? They have a right to know what they've been hanging out with, Izzy."

If he only knew that Liz and Taylor were keeping secrets of their own, he really would lose his mind. "They can't know for the same reason I didn't tell you myself. It's not our secret to share, Zach. The Cullens have been nothing but nice to you. You can't tell anyone. We're bound to keep this a secret."

Shaking his head, Zach sighed in defeat, "Fine, I won't say anything, Izzy. But I can't stay here anymore. I know you think they're so great and everything but I can't be around them. I'm sorry."

I rubbed his arm as a sign of my acceptance. I knew it would take time for Zach to be able to come to terms with the Cullens. For me, finding out about the existence of vampires and werewolves had been a life altering experience. "I understand. It's a good thing we're leaving for the airport in a few minutes." I joked lamely.

Opening the bathroom door, Zach followed me back into my room.

"By the way, what's the deal with you flushing the toilet so many times? Did you have something in there that refused to go down or what?"

For a second, I debated whether or not I should tell him about the super hearing abilities of vampires. But then the implication behind his words hit me. Eww! I blushed and turned around to smack him again only to catch him smiling at me. I then realized that that was his way of telling me things between us would be okay.

I heard a knock, and then Alice opened my door. I felt Zach stiffen next to me. "Hey, Bella, are you ready to leave? Everyone's downstairs waiting for you guys…" Her voice trailed off at the apprehension on Zach's face. She looked at us with concern. "Is everything okay?"

Assuming that Zach had no intention of speaking up, I replied, "Everything's fine, Alice. We were just coming down." I would tell her about Zach when we got home. I didn't think Zach could handle being in that house a moment longer.

Frowning slightly Alice said, "Okay, then." She left us alone.

"I'm all for getting the hell out of here. Come on, Izzy." I followed Zach to his room, where he collected his suitcases. As we walked down the hallway, I heard him muttering under his breath, "… living dead… Nosferatu… Dracula." The poor guy must've been so relieved to be going home today.

Just as Alice said, everyone was waiting for us in the living room. Under the watchful gazes of my friends I hugged each one of the Cullens goodbye. When I got to Edward, he took both my hands in his and raised them to his lips. Receiving a chill, I shivered slightly. After our confrontation, Edward had respected my wishes. Alice told me that he even been scolded by Carlisle and Esme for what he'd done. I could tell he was really trying his hardest to be on his best behavior.

He released my hands with furrowed brows and I wondered if he was listening to Taylor's thoughts again. But I was surprised when he shot a quick glance at Zach, who was standing as far away from the Cullens as he could get. I guess he knew that Zach figured out what they were. As Edward shifted his gaze back to me, I nodded slightly, trying to convey that their secret was still safe. He seemed to understand this as he hugged me once more. I wasn't worried about Zach keeping quiet. Even though, he had a reputation as a womanizer, Zach was the kind of guy to always keep his word.

Suitcases in hand, we walked out of the Cullen mansion and climbed into the car. We waved at the Cullens as Alice pulled out of the driveway and drove us to the airport. Before we boarded the plane, a melancholy Alice hugged me goodbye. I knew she hated that I lived so far away from them but was trying to put on a brave face.

I pulled Alice a safe distance away from my friends with a need to ask her something. "Alice, will I be happy… you know, in the future?"

Her eyes glossed over as she looked into the future. "I don't know, Bella. You haven't decided yet."

With one last wave, we board the plane and flew out of Alaska.

On the plane ride home Ryan was sneezing up a storm and by the time we'd gotten back to the apartment, he was running a fever. It was very apparent that he'd contracted the flu. And of course, Ryan, being the outbreak monkey that he was, infected Liz and me. So, three days before winter semester was due to begin, I had an awful cold.

It was the late afternoon, as I lay beneath my blankets cursing Ryan's existence. I heard a knock then my door opened to reveal Taylor. "I come bearing medication." He lifted his hand showing me a white paper bag.

I coughed then sniffled, "My savior."

Taylor brought me a glass of water to take my pills then I drank some cough syrup. Flopping back on my bed, I felt feverish yet chilly at the same time.

Taylor leaned over and fixed my blankets. "Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

My eyes were already closing down on me and I mumbled, "Okay." I fell into a fitful sleep.

I tossed and turned the entire night. Taylor had slept in the chair next to my bed and every time I'd opened my eyes he was there offering food and medication. Sweaty and disoriented, I awoke to Taylor gently shaking me. "Come on, Isabella. Time to get up. You have to eat something."

I groaned as he helped me sit up. "Taylor, I'm not hungry."

Taylor refused to be discouraged. "You haven't eaten anything all day." It was daylight outside my window. I was surprised I'd slept so long. "I made you some chicken noodle soup." I didn't know he knew how to cook. I wonder who taught him. It couldn't be his dad. Liz told me that their father had been an absentee parent throughout their childhood.

Inside my mind I said aww, that's so sweet but outside I said, "Thanks."

He set the tray on my lap. "Do you need me to feed you?"

Even though I was in the mood to be coddled, I said no. I wasn't sure of his feelings for me and I didn't want to encourage him just in case. Plus Taylor feeding me would just be too… intimate.

I drank a spoonful. The soup tasted really good and I felt my dormant appetite flowing to the surface. I set my spoon down when I was done and Taylor pushed my tray aside. He brushed my moist forehead with his fingertips. "You fever seems to be getting better."

I sighed, "Yeah but I still feel like crap. I think a bath might make me feel better."

"Good idea." Then Taylor helped me out of bed. I felt slightly dizzy and the room swam around me.

I let out a small squeak when Taylor scooped me up into his arms and carried me into the bathroom. Inside, he set me on my feet then left closing the door behind him. After turning on the shower, I removed my sweaty clothes. I opted to keep the water nice and cool as I was still feeling a bit warm. Ducking under the shower, I let the water soak my hair. After I'd rinsed off my shower gel, I stepped out of the shower feeling refreshed. Just as I'd wrapped myself in my robe, I heard a knock at the bathroom door.

"Isabella, are you finished."

"Yes."

Taylor opened the door and scooped me up again. He then carried me back to my room and sat me on my bed. I realized that while I was having my shower, Taylor had changed the sheets on my bed and he'd even gone as far as to lay out a fresh change of clothes.

A light blush crossed my face. Taylor sure knew how to make a girl feel special. "Thanks a lot, Taylor."

He shrugged, "No problem. Now do you need me to help you get dressed?" His green eyes twinkled mischievously.

My blush darkened as I replied, "I think I can handle that, thanks."

With a smirk, he turned and left the room. Thankful that he hadn't laid out my underwear, I rummaged through my dresser in search of some. After drying off, I pulled on my clothes. The tiredness returned so I decided to go back to bed. I must have dosed off for a few hours because the next time I opened my eyes it was nighttime again. As I rolled over I was able to make out Taylor's dosing figure in the dim light of my room.

A small smile crossed my face. Taylor was much too kind for his own good. I decided to try to get him to leave and maybe get some sleep in his own bed. "Taylor?" His eyes snapped open as soon as I said his name.

"Do you need something?" He came and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Yes, I need you to go home and get some sleep. That chair can't be comfortable and if you keep hanging around me you'll get sick too." I croaked. My throat felt dry and achy. I really didn't want him catching this cold too.

"Are you sure? Ryan and Liz are out of commission with this flu and Zach has our apartment under quarantine, so if I leave you'll be on your own." His eyes were filled with concern.

"I'll be fine." My statement was ruined by a sickly, hacking cough.

"That's it, I'm staying." By the resolute set of his jaw, I knew I wouldn't have any luck getting him to leave. Taylor had a stubborn streak identical to Liz's. I drank some more of the cough syrup after he passed me the bottle.

I stopped him as he was about to return to his chair. "Well, if you insist on staying, you might as well be comfortable. Here… hop in." I pulled the blanket back and patted the space next to me. Despite my seemingly bold gesture, I was a little anxious. I'd only previously shared a bed with two men and they were ex-boyfriends. Of course, Taylor was my friend. My sweet, kind and ridiculously handsome friend who I was attracted to. And who might also have a thing for me.

Taylor raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I don't want to have to fight you off me, like the last time." I knew he was referring to the time I accidentally fell on him.

My cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. The big jerk! I threw a pillow at him which he laughingly caught. "I think I can resist your charms."

His arm brushed against mine as he lay down beside me. "Just keep your hands to yourself."

"Oh please. You are not that hot." I smirked.

"So you think I'm hot?" He made no attempt to hide the blatant amusement in his voice.

"Just shut up." I huffed and rolled over with my back facing him, trying to hide my bashfulness.

A heavy silence followed until Taylor broke it by poking me in the back. I squirmed and stifled a giggle, "Stop." He poked me again. "I dare you to do that one more time." I warned with fake sternness in my voice.

When peace and quiet prevailed again, I allowed myself to relax until… poke. Giggling, I rolled over to face him. In the dimness of my room, I saw that Taylor was on his side smiling too. "You shouldn't poke a sick person. Why are you bothering me?"

His smile faded a bit as his eyes held me steady in their gaze. "I just wanted to say…" He sighed heavily. "… I'm glad to be back home."

I smiled gently and punched his shoulder lightly. "I am too." Hanover was home. At least until I was able to figure out what where I wanted to move to after college.

A short moment passed and I felt my fatigue return as my eyes began to close down on me. As I drifted off to sleep, I thought I felt fingertips brush my hair off my cheek. It wasn't until morning that I would encounter a roaming hand that would ignite a bunch of confusing feelings.

A/N: Okay truth time, I know you guys miss Jacob but to be fair, I did say that this was Bella's journey.

If you're hoping that I'll have Bella drop out of college to go chase after a man she's convinced doesn't love her anymore, you're going to be disappointed.

Just relax and enjoy the story. I have a huge problem with the way Bella's portrayed in most stories.

I'm tired of reading stories in which Bella can't function if she isn't within two feet of Jacob or Edward.

That's how this story came into being.

I do hope you guys will stick around for the ending... but for those of you who can't wait. I understand.

Coming up next:Bella breaks her bed and screams penis at the top of her lungs.

It's summertime again and she also gets a phone call from an unexpected source.

You know what to do if you want your chapter before next Thursday.Review!