Chapter 4

A/N: So, Monday is going to be really busy, so I am posting this chapter now instead of on Monday. I want to thank everyone for the reviews and follows. Thanks to SassyNoles, Maplestyle, and 2 Brown eyes for prereading and Alice'sWhiteRabbit for her beta skills. No real questions to be answered so let's see how things are going.

The rest of the school day went by without incident. For the class period that I was in with Alice and Edward, he sat on the other side of the room with some other friends, and we basically ignored each other. Alice told me that Edward was still really uncomfortable with her. Mainly because he knew her and Rose the least out of the whole circle of friends, and how out of control she was when she first arrived.

I was kind of nervous about talking to Carlisle, but Alice said it was most likely to see how today went and to figure out my daily schedule. They were still unsure of my exact powers and their extent, so I probably would have more training at the beginning. Also, I needed to get them under control. After relaxing in my room for a little with Jessica and getting to know a little more about her, we finally went to dinner. I got my food and followed Jessica to our table. I noticed there were two guys I hadn't met yet, but I recognized them in that last class sitting with Edward.

"Hey, baby belle," Emmett said as I sat next to him. Alice was on my other side, and she smiled at me.

"Hey, Em. How was your afternoon?"

He shrugged and waggled his eyebrows, causing me to laugh. "So, I'm sure you noticed some unfamiliar faces that you haven't met yet. Bella, meet Caius and Seth. Guys, this is the new girl I was telling you about earlier. She arrived late last night."

"Arrived? More like we kidnapped her," Rose said, joking around.

"Oh, that's so unfair, Rose. If she were conscious, I'm sure she would have come on her own," Alice added.

I snickered. "You sure overestimate your powers of persuasion, Alicat. Then again, I was pretty mad."

Alice pinched my cheek. "You never could stay mad at me."

I swatted her hand away and laughed. "Your ego hasn't deflated any since I last saw you."

She stuck her tongue out at me, causing us all to chuckle.

"So, Bella, what are your powers?" Seth asked. He was probably a year or two younger than me. He had deep russet skin, and his features were Native American. He reminded me of the boys at the La Push Reservation back in Forks. He was endearingly adorable, and I immediately felt a kinship with him. I smiled at him. I grabbed my water bottle and unscrewed the cap. I squeezed the water bottle, causing the water to jet out of the top, and I froze it before it could fall and make a mess on the table.

"That's pretty badass, Bella," Caius said, and Seth looked a little stunned.

"What about you guys?" I asked.

"I have what they call Atmokinesis. I can control the weather and everything related to it," Seth answered.

"That's awesome. So, like you can make it rain or snow whenever you want to?" I asked.

"Not yet, but once I learn how to use and control my powers, I'll be able to," he replied.

I nodded and looked at Caius, expecting him to answer my question.

He smiled. He was pretty attractive. His hair was a little darker than Jasper's. It was more of a dirty blond than Jasper's honey blond. It was kinda curly but more in a tousled way. His eyes were sharp blue, a lighter shade than Emmett's. "Aerokinesis and energy manipulation. So, I can manipulate air and the wind. Plus, added bonus of energy manipulation in that I'm kind of like a human battery. I can create massive amounts of energy."

"Wow," I said, a little overwhelmed.

"Bella, I wanted you to meet Caius because his power is kind of like your energy manipulation, but I didn't know if that's actually one of your powers or not," Jessica chimed in. "Like you can't create it, but you can absorb it and change it."

"Yeah?" Caius asked, his eyebrows arched.

"I think so. I'm not sure, and I have no idea how I did it, but I kinda froze one of Mr. Cullen's offices."

We all sat around talking, joking, and eating. I found out a little more about our two new tablemates. Caius had been here almost as long as Edward, and little Seth had just arrived a few months before Alice and Rose. We finished eating, and after disposing of our trash and stacking our trays, we all went outside and found a picnic table to hang out at. It was nice to get some fresh air, and I wasn't used to hanging out with so many people at one time. I sat against a tree right next to the picnic table, and Rose joined me. There was only so much room at the table, so Caius came and sat on the other side of me as well.

I was talking to Caius and Rose when Carlisle came and found us. He made polite small talk with the entire group, and soon, I was following him to the office that we had spoken in earlier today. He asked me how classes went, and I told them that they were great. We talked about classes, and I told him that I was in choir in Forks, and he said that was an option here, but it was more like an overall band, choir, and music class.

He tried to make sure that I was in classes with Emmett, Alice, or Rose, which unfortunately put me in the same classes as Edward. He was in the music class, the first class that I had with Emmett, my second and last class with Alice, and a few in the middle with Em and Rose, respectively, put me in his classes too.

Carlisle told me that usually first period, once a week, was put aside for training, but he wanted to start me with three times a week for the first week, then go down to two times, eventually moving me down to once. With this extended training time, that meant I would have training with other students a couple of times. Tomorrow, he wanted to start, and he told me that he would be training with Caius too, so I would be in on that as well.

After we got all my classes hashed out, I wanted to ask Carlisle about my powers. "Mr. Cullen, everyone keeps throwing all these words around that I don't necessarily understand, and I was just wondering what my powers are called."

"Well, we only know for sure that you have what is called Cryokinesis, which is the ability to manipulate frost, ice, snow, and cold temperature in general. I have a hunch that you have the ability to manipulate energy and a psychic shield, meaning you can shield your mind, but these are theories, and I'm not sure if they're actually secondary powers, effects of circumstances, or part of your Cryokinesis. That's what we'll try to find out. Don't fret over this, Bella; like Emmett said when he first met you, not all powers are as obvious as others. Rose had no idea she had a mental paralysis power until we did some training, and Alice was unable to use her telekinesis power until training, and it was like that for several others. We'll get there."

I nodded. I felt a little better, like less of an anomaly. I was different from regular humans, but being around gifted people, it still felt weird to have powers that I knew nothing about, and with all the fuss that Alice and Edward were making, I felt like there was so much more that I was capable of. Carlisle and I talked a little more, and then soon I was being dismissed to go do what we "young kids did." I left his office in a good mood. I headed back to my room, unsure of where everyone was now.

I didn't have to wonder for very long because when I found our room empty, I went back to where we were all sitting before, and everyone was still there, but the guys had taken to throwing around a football, and Jess, Rose, and Ali were sitting there, talking, eating candy, and cheering on the guys. When I arrived, Rose and Alice scooted apart for me to sit between them. Rose handed me a Tootsie Pop, and I told them about my meeting with Carlisle. They bemoaned my having every class with Edward, but Alice told me that maybe it was a blessing and would cause us to eventually get along. I had to agree with her. Rose pointed out Caius was in a lot of Edward's classes too.

"So."

"So, he likes you, B."

"What? I just met him."

"Oh, honey, you are still so oblivious to guys, aren't you? He finds you attractive, babe."

"But I'm not looking for a guy, Ro. I already have enough on my plate to deal with."

"So, you need to get it out of your head that dating equals lifelong commitment. You are 16, not 30. There's nothing wrong with dipping your toes in the water and finding out what you like. Do you find him attractive?"

"Well, I have eyes, so of course I do," I said, laughing.

"Okay, so that's a start. Take it from there and see where it goes. If nowhere, then no harm, no foul. Or just wait for him to grow a pair and ask you out."

"I like that plan, for sure," I said, and we all laughed together. This gained attention from the guys, and before we knew what hit us, we were collectively tackled by all five guys. Sweating arms and legs tangled with ours, and we all groaned and laughed. There was some wrestling, tickling, and pinching to get the guys off us. They sat with us, and Emmett ate half a bag of the chips we were munching on. I had to get a new Tootsie Pop because my previous one had ended up in the dirt. Not eating it after that.

Now that Rose had pointed it out, I noticed that Caius kept sneaking glances, but it seemed that Edward had noticed too, and I'm not too sure what he thought about that. When I caught Caius staring at me, I smiled at him and suggestively licked my sucker. It gave me a little thrill to have a cute guy give me that look. Rose caught this exchange once or twice and winked at me.

Eventually, it started to get dark, and we had to head to our rooms. We all pitched in to clean up the area of trash and put the snacks and candy back in the big bag Alice had brought out. We all walked to the dorm rooms. It was a co-ed situation, but the boys were roomed near each other, and the same with the girls. I was still sharing with Jessica until there was a room found for me, so I was glad I didn't have to be alone for the first night there. Jessica and I got ready for bed in comfortable silence.

When I laid down, my eventful day caught up with me, and I fell into blissful sleep.

I woke up the next morning feeling off. My dreams were seriously messed up. I couldn't remember what they were about, but they had me on edge the minute I opened my eyes. I rushed through getting ready for the day and followed Jessica to the cafeteria for breakfast. I grabbed a yogurt and orange juice, not willing to commit to more, and sat down with my meager breakfast. Only Rose and Emmett were at the table right now, but more would be joining us soon. I gave them both what I hoped was a smile, but I'm sure it came across as a grimace.

I inhaled my yogurt, and then sat, chewing on my thumbnail, staring off in space. I was trying to remember what I had dreamed, and it was there but just out of my reach. I was vaguely aware of the conversation and the table filling up with all my friends. I wasn't aware of anyone trying to get my attention until Alice laced her fingers with mine. I looked down at our intertwined hands, and then looked up at her.

"What's wrong, Bella? I can't read what you're thinking, but Jazz said your emotions are screaming? Come on," she said, tugging me to stand and follow her out of the cafeteria. She gave me a hug, and I soaked up the comfort like a sponge. Alice and I always could have entire conversations without speaking a single word.

"I had a dream, Ali. I can't remember a bit of it, but I know that it scared me and set me on edge."

"Bellsy, we all had dreams when we started here. You aren't quite human, babe, and you never really have been. Now that your powers have manifested and gotten stronger, you're tuned into another reality. I wouldn't let it bother you too much. If you continue to have weird or scary dreams, then maybe talk to Mr., C about it. He really is here for us to use as a resource. Or if that doesn't make you comfortable, then talk to Mrs. C."

I nodded and looked down at my shoes. Alice tucked my hair behind my ears and lifted my head to look at her. She studied my face, and then she looked over my shoulder, not moving. I looked over my shoulder and didn't see anything. I was about to ask her if she was okay when her eyes focused, and she looked at my face again.

"Everything is gonna be okay, Bells," she said, but her smile was forced, and I momentarily saw the panic in her eyes.

I opened my mouth to ask her what she saw when I heard Caius call for me. I looked behind me, and he was headed in my direction.

"Hey, it seems we both have training this morning. Do you want to walk with me over there?" he asked me, smiling.

I nodded and looked at Alice. She looked just like herself, and I told myself that I was just imagining things. Everything was fine. "I'll see you later, Alice."

"Yeah. Bye, Bella."

I smiled at Caius and nudged him with my shoulder. He shrugged on his zip-up hoodie, and then fell in step with me on the way to the training building.

"So, what can I expect from this training session?"

"It's all about learning control and trying to push ourselves to see what we really can do. I have to say I'm pretty excited to see what you can do."

I gave him a sly smile and stood still. I cupped my hands together and produced a perfect ice ball. I opened my hands and showed it to him. He grabbed my hand, making it lay flat with the ice ball still in it. He moved his hand in a circle, and the ball started spinning and lifted off my hand. I giggled, and Caius gave me an adorable smirk. The ball went soaring off, and then took a dive to the ground, shattering.

"Oops," I said, giggling.

"Yeah, sorry, I got distracted."

I shook my head, and we headed toward the building again. "So, is there something going on between you and Masen?"

I laughed, loud. I looked at his amused expression. "I'm sorry, but the only thing going on between me and Edward is an animosity that is completely unfounded on his end."

"And on your end?"

"He's an asshole. It's completely justified on my side. Why do you ask?"

"Just want to see what kind of competition I may have."

I smiled to myself. "You don't have any competition."

We arrived at the training room, and Caius opened it for me and allowed me to walk in before him. Carlisle was there waiting for us.

"Good morning, Bella, Caius."

We both said good morning, and Carlisle ran through the safety rules of the training and the fact that there were two of us in the same space. He said that he had some things he wanted to try because we were trying to see the restraints of my powers. We nodded, listening to him. Caius took off his hoodie, showing a sleeveless black shirt that hugged his muscles. He pulled his hair in a short ponytail. I took my hoodie off, a midriff-baring workout shirt underneath it, and I was wearing black leggings. I also pulled my hair into a ponytail. I saw Caius' eyes linger on my stomach, and I internally high-fived myself. Carlisle had us stand several feet apart. He asked Caius to start generating his energy.

Soon, Caius started to glow, like he was a pumpkin lit from inside. His eyes turned the color of lightning, and I was actually a little overwhelmed. He looked scary. I knew internally that he most likely wasn't going to hurt me, and Carlisle was here, but if I ran into him in some dark alley, I'd probably run for my life. I stood there, completely captivated.

"Okay, Bella, I want you to close your eyes—this usually makes it easier the first time." I followed his instructions. "Perfect. I want you to think of how you felt when you absorbed Edward's energy the other day and see if you can search out that same feeling."

I thought about the buzzing feeling I got when my skin changed color—it felt like that but more intense. Like little zaps of electricity, but instead of hurting, I craved it. I felt an intense charge a few feet in front of me. It made me gasp—it was consuming, and I wanted it in my veins.

"Do you feel it, Bella?"

"Yes, I do."

"Imagine it seeping into your skin and becoming part of you like it did last time."

I did exactly what he said, and I sucked in a breath when I felt a rush of intense strength and pleasure course through me. I felt like I could tear down a building with my bare fingers. I opened my eyes and saw that my skin was starting to turn that pale blue color—it was almost white, and it looked like it had snowflakes embedded in it. I fought the urge to push the energy out.

"Now last time, you tried to get rid of that energy. I want you to fight that feeling. Think of the power becoming part of you, driving you forward."

I felt the barrier that was around when I blocked Jasper out, and I tentatively pushed it out. Carlisle was standing near me, and I pushed it out so he was within my barrier. I heard him gasp. I heard his voice in my head.

Can you hear me?

I answered him in my thoughts. Yes.

Did you do something with your shield?

Even though I knew I didn't need to, I nodded. It was draining to keep it up, and I felt the barrier snap back, and I dropped to my knees and almost fell to the mat, but I was caught by Caius. Carlisle kneeled near me too and picked me up. I stared at the ceiling, hearing the garbled conversation going on, and then I let the blackness swallow me.

A/N: Not a whole lot of Edward and Bella in this chapter, but Bella's powers are growing, and she is starting to learn some new stuff. What do you think about Caius and what were her dreams about? Is Alice hiding something? Let me know what you think and leave a review. Until next week lovelies.