The Cullen library held books in every genre in a plethora of languages. Philophosy in Greek, folktales in Italian, and a few manuscripts in Austrian. Ren kicked her feet up on the table chewing on the end of her pen. She had been left alone for a few hours, the clan had all gone hunting except for Carlise who was expected to come back in a matter of minutes.

It left her time to think and be alone with her thoughts. That was hard with a mind reader in the house. The school had been, she her eyes a disaster. She couldn't do anything about others either, they did what they wanted. Never though, had she been turned against everyone. Jessica was loyal, however, a bystander when others overpowered her.

It was all too difficult, she couldn't even bring herself to go and call Bella and complain about anything. It was pretty childish.

The cold outside cast a fine juxtaposition to the warmth inside the home. The radio downstairs was turned on, Ren could hear the smallest murmur through the walls. It was different to have such a quiet house that didn't creak and croak as the pipes expanded or someone walked slightly down the hall.

For the moment Ren took in a breath to relax and rest a small book on her lap. It was in Italian scrawl, she'd taken Italian in school until last year so she was expecting to understand something but every word made almost no sense, so instead to occupy her time she balanced a ball-point on her knee. A knock came at the door of the library, Ren blushed embarrassed, and scooped up the pen putting it back, and shutting the small red book aswell. She floated over to the door and paused to open the door peaking out.

Carlise was at the other end, he smiled pleasantly, it was a fatherly smile. "Hey, I'm just checking in."

Ren rubbed her eyes tiredly the book reading made her eyes dry, "Hi Carlisle," she pointed back, putting one hand in her sweatpants pocket, "I'm just reading."

"Sounds nice," Carlise said he gestured inside, "Can I?"

Ren saw no issue, it was his house anyway. The library was a communal space, she wasn't sure why he'd ask permission. She shrugged opening the door. "Sure, as long as you don't take my spot."

Carlisle smiled friendly, "I wouldn't even dream to do so, carry on with your reading I just wanted to grab some books for later and ask if you wanted a snack before Esme comes home."

Ren refused, "Oh no I can't eat anymore. I'm good."

Carlise walked over to the philosophy bookcase near the edge of the library. The room only held one window, Edward had said it was to protect the books. She sat back down and opened the same book putting her finger over the word she tried to read as she mouthed it back to herself. Carlise watched her intently.

"Do you understand Italian?"

Ren looked up quickly, "Oh no, I took a class or two for a few years, I'm just trying to decipher what I can honestly," she changed the conversation, "how about you?"

Carlise nodded, "It is a useful language in the vampire community."

"Fluent?" Ren asked putting down her book to listen to the patriarch.

"I am, the rest are functionally so, I suppose," Carlise said, "Esme is better in French than me though."

Ren was sure he was just being modest. She only spoke good ole' English but she was sure he'd had years to practice. She propped her feet up and started reading again. But got curious, "Why is it useful?" Carlise she could tell was hesitant to tell her he diverted his eyes for a few moments. "You," she paused watching him, "Don't have to tell me or anything, I'm just a human after all y'know."

"Are you afraid of my family?" Carisle asked.

"Why don't you ask Edward?" Ren grumbled back, "He knows what I think."

Carisle smiled highly looking up to the heavens, "My son is secretive about such things, I leave it to him to tell me when I need to know."

"Oh," Ren said dumbly tilting her head, she hadn't thought of that, "Well I mean before everything happened I was pretty scared. But now I know that you guys don't eat people I'm okay."

"That would manage the fear knowing that we don't I suppose," Carisle said, "But not all of our kind is like that."

"Is it . . ."

"Difficult?" Carisle added, Ren nodded slowly biting her lip, "It is hard to ignore."

."For you?"

"Yes, but not as much as before," Carlise said, "I've learned to ignore the scent around me to the best of my abilities." Ren nodded, so they weren't going to kill her. Very comforting to know. Carlise found the last book that he needed and then turned back to Ren. "Do you have any more questions?"

"Why have you taken me in, isn't it a risk?"

"Yes," Carlise said, "It is a risk, but Edward has explained that you need guidance."

Ren scoffed, mother hen.

"Guidance?"

"Everyone needs support, Ren. I have the ability to help people," Carlise reasoned, "Maybe you don't think you need us to help you but at least play along, we all are here to help you become an adult."

Ren looked toward the carpet. "Fine. I'll bite."

"Was that a joke?" Carlise smiled. Ren tried to hide her grin.

"No," Ren said, "maybe."

"Interesting," Carlise trailed, "would you like help with Italian?"

She felt like a small ant in the Cullen house, she watched the rain dribble down the large window in dreary boredom.

The Cullen house wasn't home, she wasn't sure what was. It was a bit morbid.

It was like a game to see how long it was between each Cullens visit when they'd bring food when they'd try offering her a book. As hours passed the more impatient she'd become, Ren wasn't particularly comfortable to go and sit in the living room with the others. She didn't know them, and, really she didn't want to know them. Slowly the impatience drew away to an impartial dull husk.

While she read a book and fiddled aimlessly with her earphone wires music playing softly in her ear, Edward in his teenage wave of angst scuttled in. He carried a box set chessboard, different from the glass one situated downstairs, and a box of nicotine patches and gum. He threw the box letting her catch it. She read the small print with skepticism looking back up at him.

Collapsing onto the bed, Edward sighed closing his eyes.

"Get off my bed, you don't even sleep," Ren said yanking a throw blanket from underneath him childishly, she sat down, leaning on her desk. She waved her hand in his general direction. She hoped that he'd bring a snack with him.

Edward always made some time to hang around her, first just listening to music. She wouldn't talk with him in her pettiness. He'd launch into conversation with himself, it always had a snarky undertone.

Edward looked up and smirked lightly, "You don't sleep either," he patted the bed sitting up, "Come up here."

She rolled her eyes and slowly marched over to the fluffy bed, and sat crossed legged like a petulant child. Ren wanted to say that she had been sleeping much better but really she had only been sleeping six hours. Edward rolled his eyes back at her. She wanted to say to him that she was so fucking lonely. He ignored her thoughts instead of unpacking them, he reached over and grabbed the chess set bussing his hands.

Ren had noted Edward was a fidgety vampire, always holding something or moving his hands unconsciously. She wondered if that was part of the reason he picked up piano. Of course, she had never heard him play, but she knew he'd be good with years to practice.

"Alice has bought you a fully functioning wardrobe, complete with hair products and shoes for every occasion," Edward opened the book continuing to talk, sliding his eyes over to Ren, "my mother taught me to play, originally, Carlise thought it would help to continue."

"Though she wasn't fond of me?" Alice had always been distant, Ren paused, "What was your mom like?"

"Her love of fashion triumphs overall it seems," Edward said exasperated, Ren noted his avoidance of talking about his mom, "Your hair looks nice."

Ren touched her shoulder-length bob, it was black to a full black. It made her face look fuller and jaw more powerful. She had finished her sessions with Rosalie a few hours ago after getting the perfect color of black. She didn't even know the difference between them.

She didn't say a thank you out loud to Edward but through mind-reading, he got the gist of it. She scowled down at her homework. She hadn't started, it was September first. She had to finish it before September fourth. It wasn't like she could go over and leech of Jessica's homework either. "Can you leave yet?" Ren could tell the Cullens did not know how to deal with her. At least she assumed Bella's quiet nature was an endearing quality of her character, not a trait Ren had acquired to slowly make the coven go insane.

"What do you want for your birthday?" Edward said instead of responding to the thoughts that bounded around her head, she appreciated that he didn't call upon her thoughts as a shred of evidence that she liked the Cullens. Because, obviously, she wasn't fond, and she wanted to leave. "Also, Dinner?"

Ren tried to think of something she wanted, anything at all. But she hadn't really come up with anything, she wouldn't even feel guilty if the Cullens bought her a ridiculously expensive gift, they were loaded. Money was just a construct to buy whatever their immortality pleased.

For example, Rosalie herself had five cars, Esme had an island somewhere out in the pacific, and for fun, Edward collected signed, authentic records from his favorite musicians. She didn't even count the house that must have cost over three million dollars. She didn't understand how Bella felt any sort of normalcy visiting the Cullens when in reality it was a mangled supernatural shit-show.

"Yeah, some salad please would be nice," Ren muttered. She had to eat, even if she didn't want to. Edward clicked his tongue but got up off the bed picking up the chess set. Everything he said made sense. It was correct. Ren still couldn't shake the feeling of manipulation, but... but all social interactions were manipulation, right? Accidental or otherwise.

"Really salad?" Edward drawled out looking her up and down, Ren shot him a heated glare. He stopped. "Want to play?"

Ren scoffed, "No," and as icily as she could remind Edward that despite him trying to act like nothing had changed, she now questioned every time he'd come to talk and dally. "Why would I play? Also, you eat people so don't judge."

Edward didn't give a response but did start to set up the board, he looked back up at her through his long eyelashes, "I eat animals."

"Potato, potato Edward," her smile was slow and poisonous. Edward chose not to retaliate.

"Esme says her apartment in New York is finally completed. White or Black?"

Ren rolled her eyes but got up and sat opposite him, he wore a plain grey jumper and a pair of sweat pants. Model off-job kind of look Ren thought. Effortless. "Wait. She designed it?"

"It's a hobby of hers, you start first. I'm sure you've played chess before," Ren scoffed, she had but she wasn't any good. She tried to seem excited, but everything had little life to it. She struggled to sit opposite Edward, she looked down to the flooring. Edward continued to set up the pieces on the board in silence. Her hands were clasped at the side, her sweater, a blue pullover was warm.

They began slow. Taking time to mull over every move. After, a few moves. Ren had figured Edward used his mind manipulation to his advantage and had invaded her mind to win. Honestly, Ren was competitive and she didn't like cheaters.

Edward took another of her pieces, she scoffed.

This was defiantly cheating.

"This is not fair." She complained as Edward took another peice.

Edward looked up from the board, he was fighting an amused grin. Ren knew it was as close as one got to genuine happiness from the sallow vampire. Ren took her piece and tried not to think of where she would put it, to try and combat Edward. When she looked up Edward only looked bemused.

"I can't help what I overhear," he said cheekily.

Ren sighed, it couldn't really be helped that he could hear every thought. But she hoped at least that he wouldn't spill juicy secrets that resided in her head. Like the time she accidentally walked into-

Her face burned as Edward's eyes watched her, amusement radiating off of him. He looked out the window. Ren looked as well, she could see much of anything through the thick grey fog. She could hear Esme shuffling up the stairs, her footsteps were featherlike and dainty Ren had observed.

Now, the feelings of shock and fear only came ever once and while when thinking of Cullen's little 'super man' secret. Ren tried not to be too terrified, tried not to seem extra careful not to hurt herself or seem to avoid the vampires but she supposed it was normal to do so.

Bella on the other hand seemed to have no qualms. The skinny pale brunette seemed to accept the fact like it was eggs and toast. Normal.

Ren wished when observing Bella have so much love for someone like Edward to disregard the natural predatory signals the Cullens gave off. It made humans stay away, they always felt as if they had some barrier around them screaming danger.

Evan's slap had started to blossom on her skin, Ren thought Edward saw it before she did with his immortal eyes. Because he stared at the mark in deep darkened anger. Ren had noticed this about Edward, he was quick to hot red anger quite quickly, yes. But the deep bubble of disgust when he was really truly angry broiled through the room like thick tar. She tried to not take offense to him staring at her face like that.

She knew maybe, yes. Of course, she should've known. Evan wasn't ever nice to her friends and was even colder to Edward. Maybe e was using her infatuations to his advantage, but she seemingly was a willing victim.

But, who else comforted her after her Mom decided she couldn't stay? Evan was also the inherent cause of why she couldn't go home.

"Thanks, Esme," Ren drawled out reaching for a warm steaming blueberry muffin. Rosalie and Emmett sat on the couch and watched television while Ren entertained Esme in the kitchen. She could say no to the maternal monster of a woman. So Ren decided to let it be, let her cook to her heart's content.

Ren took a bird-like portioned bite chewing on it softly. School had started and she had stayed in her room. She couldn't face the mass. She knew it would've been okay, but her nerves spiked at the thought. Bella had dropped homework, they took most of the same classes, she seemed jealous that Ren got to sleep in the Cullen house.

"That's okay dear, let me know if you need anything else ok?"

"I should be fine, thanks, Esme," Ren gave her a grin. Internally she was sure that she'd hit something if the women asked if she was okay one more time. It was probably the bruise that made the woman worry even more.

Esme let herself look at Ren's sickly frame. Ren crossed her arms and tilted her head. The vampire was a bit much sometimes. She had been hounded to eat food and do things all the time. She wasn't sure if she enjoyed being told what to do, it grated on her nerves. She fingered at her bracelets and rings.

"How are you, Ren?" Rosalie called from the couch, she didn't look away from the t but Ren took no offense to it and leaned over lazily on the marble counter.

"-I, yeah I'm good," Ren moved a hand through her short black hair, "I want to get back to normal. Go back to school, that stuff."

"And your friends?"

"I kind of lost most of them I think."

"How?"

"Mike kissed me," Ren said she look straight out the window thinking of the darkly lit bathroom.

"You didn't kiss him?"

Ren's nose crinkled, "No."

Rosalie didn't pry further, instead handed Ren a magazine and asked her to pick out some clothes she liked. They sat together in the living room, talking about jackets and sweaters and other meaningless things. Ren supposed that Rosalie started to not mind her around, and she opened up a bit.

It made the Cullen house less like a prison of her freedoms.

"Edward is back also, word of advice, no one here plays chess with Edward anymore," Rosalie said looking out through the wall to hear a noise too small for Ren's human ears. She ignored the latter of her sentence, she tried to brush it off as behavior of the blonde. She had woken to the girl earlier today screaming at Edward about playing his music at two in the morning, frankly she was impressed and scared.

Ren shook her head in disbelief, "What could've told me? How do you know they are back?"

"I can hear him," Rosalie said flicking blonde hair out of her eye. Ren could see by her and Edward's attitude how they might've not gotten along. They were both a bit prissy. "Edward we're in the parlor."

Emmett got up wandering over to the kitchen, Esme had pulled out a book. He had a lazy smile drawn on his face, as he grew closer Esme looked and gave an expression that said 'be careful she's fragile.' He continued forward and patted Ren on the back, she straightened her back. She hadn't really talked much to Emmett.

He wasn't intimidating but her was big and tall. He had this big dopey grin.

"Hey, kid."

Ren raised a brow, "Really kid?"

"Hello, children," Carlisle gracefully walked down the staircase, his pace seemed less so a doctor and more a lord. He had a youthful expression, Ren would say almost as youthful as in the eyes of Emmett. She could also see the strength and power he held over the room. It seemed unconscious that he did so as he did it with such ease. He held a book in his hand, a medical journal of some kind she thought by the cover.

After he had helped her with her Italian she'd become way less afraid of the man. He was kind.

The blonde put it down on the kitchen island and flounced over to Esme who smiled largely. "Hello, Darling."

Carlisle had taken the day off, he had said that morning it was 'the human thing to do, normal doctors can't work every day and nightshift and stay sound of mind.' Ren eyed the book, it was about diet. She wondered if he read it out of curiosity of her presence.

"We're back," Edward muttered walking through the door a backpack slung over her shoulder. "As you all know."

Alice and Jasper followed behind. Ren smiled at the couple, she hesitantly waved as Jasper looked over curiously. He smirked and waved back, mimicking her mischievously. Alice on the other hand stuck her head up letting her feet guide her upstairs.

"Alice dear arent you going to greet Ren?"

Alice stopped and turned slowly with wide pixie-like eyes, and bit out a sharp reply sniffing the air, "Hello, Ren."

"Hey, Alice." Ren tried to remember that she was in their space. She hated that she did so, but couldn't leave either without Edward breathing down her neck. There was no way to stop the feeling she was being greedy.

Ren turned toward the door, she could hear a second voice. It was a high pitch, nasally girlish and petty. A smile crept onto Ren's face, looking over to Edward to confirm, which he did. She shot up happily. Edward stood, shaking his head. He didn't hesitate to offer a hand to help her up from the floor. He paused to wait by the door.

No way it was actually her Ren thought.

"Jess!" Ren exclaimed.

"Ren!"

Ren was tackled into the tight embrace similar to that of a cobra with an artificial strawberry and vanilla shampoo smell.

"I missed you so much," Ren said, "With everything going on-"

Jessica withdrew, "You could've called to say you're coming back, Edward picked me up," she went back to hugging Ren, "I missed you so much, Forks just isn't the same without you. I had to hang out with Lauren, she literally leeches the fun out of everything with her attitude. Oh, Mike broke up with me. Well, I guess I broke up with him but-"

Ren frowned, Mike and her didn't exactly get along. Edward watched from the door, Jessica almost squeaked and tried to put on a facade of cool. "He's not worth our time anyway. Oh yeah, Edward, Jess."

Reasonably Ren knew Edward wasn't especially fond of Jess. She was a bit too preppy, pretty, and petty for poor Cullen. Jessica and she had stalked Edward around last year, he was cute. Ren though had changed since. He now was just the asshole who wouldn't leave her alone. But, she wondered if he was the one to set the meeting between her and Jess. She sent him a quick playfully salute. Edward smiled lightly crossing his arms waiting for the best friends who were hand in hand swaying to each other.

"Glad to be back?" Edward questioned. Ren looked over and mouthed a 'thank you.'

Jessica whispers into her ear, "Holy shit Ren this house is so nice, I knew the Cullens were rich but I didn't think it would be like this."

When another week passed by the time Ren had gotten used to the Cullens.

Maybe even call them friends.

Before Ren had to be back to school she wanted to get back to a sort of normalcy, and while the Cullens had been nothing but kind hosts she was averse from overstaying her welcome. She'd had over a couple of days talked with multiple families in Forks to host her.

The Swans were the most adamant. Then, a few days later Charlie pulled up to the house in the red pickup truck mustache and all. Ren awaited the arrival on the steps pulling her wooly green sweater closer as the wind passed. Her mom had decided that she didn't want anything to do with her now that she was an adult. It really hurt but, there wasn't anything else to do.

The door clunked shut and Charlie stepped out, she hadn't seen him since he'd gone to Seattle for her. Charlie was the best. She tried to bring her old wide grin to greet his hands on her hips, "Hi Charlie. Thanks so much for letting me stay."

Charlie shrugged like it was nothing, "I'll be upgrading to two teens, we have the extra room near Bell's it's a bit small but-"

"I'm sure it's great," she turned around hearing the rest of the Cullen family walk out of the house meeting her on the steps. "Esme-"

Esme came over and engulfed her in a soft hug. Ren froze a moment and then hugged the brunette back, Esme withdrew patting her cheek as a grandmother would with a small coo in her voice, "It was a pleasure dear, you can come back any time."

Emmett put a few of the clothes Alice bought into the back with ease, Charlie watched each come out of the house before finally, Bella arrived hand in hand with Edward. Ren looked over to Charlie to see a small smile on his face and an eye filled with love for his daughter. Bella walked over struggling to part from Edward's grasp. She gave him a last kiss before opening the door of the truck and sliding into the grey fabric seats.

Calrise came behind his wife wrapping an arm around her waist, in his other hand was a familiar green book. "Here," he outstretched his arm, Ren took the small book in her hands opening it, and viewed the aged and yellowed pages. She looked back up and tried to hand the book back. It was generous of him but she couldn't take the beautiful book, it was old and with the ornamental gold leaf print that wrapped the sides, it must have cost a fortune. "I insist, I've read it already, I'm sure the man who let me take the book would be gracious enough to let you read it. My home is always open if you want lessons in Italian."

Ren smiled, "molte grazie," Cautiously Ren looked down to the book and then hugged it to her chest, "Thanks Carlise."

"Prego," Carisle said fluently fixing his dress shirt and simple cuffs. "Thank you, Chief Swan."

Charlie awkwardly leaned on the side of the truck watching the interactions, he softly his hand on the bonnet as if to say 'no problem.' "No need to thank me, Ren do you have everything?"

Ren mocked a salute, "Yes chief."