{Chapter}

~Liberty Point of View~

I glanced in the mirror trying not to worry about how today would go. I took a breath walking downstairs to see Virginia at the table with breakfast waiting. I smiled fondly knowing that since a few days ago when I spoke to her, it has been surprising easier between the two of us.

"Are you worried about school?" Virginia questioned as I sat at the table.

"No, not really, I am just going to try to keep my head down and out of the drama" I said honestly knowing that my iPod would be important today.

"If you get overwhelmed, please call me and I will have them send you home" She said in concern as I nodded.

"I appreciate it, I don't think you need to worry though" I said softly taking a bite of the pancakes "You have a shift at the hospital today?"

"Yes, I will be gone when you get home from school and will be home around 7 tonight" She explained as I smiled at her.

"I hope you don't have a stressful day" I said as she chuckled in amusement.

"Being a nurse is always stressful" She said as I nodded in agreement, knowing that I gave my nurses a run for their money.

The rest of the meal was eaten in relative quiet. She read the newspaper as I read from my book. It was a new release from Cormac McCarthy called 'The Road.' It was an interesting read so far and it let my mind have a little bit of reprieve from everything that I was facing. I never had the chance to read this one in my world either, so that was a plus.

"I am going to head out" I said after washing my dishes leaving them to dry.

"Ok, be safe" Virginia stated as I nodded squeezing her hand as I passed.

"I will" I promised knowing she was nervous about me driving.

The drive was easy, even if my thoughts were anything but. I blasted the Skillet songs that were available through the speaker staring at the school. I felt comforted by their voices, the same ones as the ones that saved my life in my world. I took a deep breath looking over the students in the parking lot. I had to exist here until I could find a way to go home and return to my life. This was the way to do that.

I stepped out of the car finding comfort in the chilly air that was so sharply contrasted to the heat of the dessert. I grabbed my bag putting it over my shoulder feeling the eyes as me. I walked past the students towards the school to find my first class hoping that I would not have to deal with anything.

"Hi" A teenage girl said happily appearing in front of me "You must be Liberty"

"Yes" I said looking at the girl in confusion, who was she?

"I am Angela" She said happily as I nodded grateful it was her and not one of the idiots "I am here to show you around and make sure you know where to go"

"I appreciate the help" I said knowing that I couldn't just snap at the girl for no reason.

"Can I see your class schedule?" She questioned and I handed it to her, extremely grateful Virginia had picked it up before today "Oh, you are really smart. You are in a lot of AP classes"

"Is that a problem?" I questioned in confusion as she shook her head.

"I am just surprised they assigned me to you instead of another AP 11th grade student" She explained as I softened recalling that Angela was the sweet innocent one.

"Perhaps you are just as smart and they know you wouldn't overwhelm me" I offered to assure her, she reminded me too much of Kelly to snub her.

"Yeah" She said with a laugh before becoming sad "I am sorry about you know…"

"It is okay, let's just not talk about it" I said seriously pausing to bite my lip "If you could pass that around? I really don't want to be asked and told that all day long"

"I understand, I will see what I could do" She said softly giving me a sad smile.

Angela was as nice as the books stated she was. She was smiling and happy as she showed me the school. She pointed out the classes that I would be attending. I knew there were a few of the classes that were shared with the various grades. AP Biology and AP Art History was among them, as she pointed out she was in those classes.

My first class was AP Calculus, which didn't scare me. I loved math, always had honestly. I walked into the class giving Angela a small wave. I was grateful that there were very few students and found a seat in the back. I was happy to plug in my earphones waiting for it to start. It wasn't until I felt the air change that I looked towards the front of the class to see a girl with pixie hair and a slim build. She turned towards me as my eyes clashed with golden ones.

It took everything in me not to tense. Not to reaction to the change I sensed in the air around me. I knew without a doubt that this girl had to be Alice Cullen. There was just no other option really. Her description was spot on. She smiled brightly approaching the back as I fought the urge to follow the movements. I could still sense her clearly as she took the seat next to me.

"Hi" She said gaining my attention as I almost flinched, why was she talking to me? Weren't they supposed to stick to themselves?

"Hello" I barely managed in greeting back to the vampire near me.

"You must be Liberty" She said happily, like shining with it in a way that was extremely rare "I am Alice Cullen"

"Nice to meet you" I said honestly since I found comfort in her happiness, in knowing she was proof I was not crazy.

"Nice to meet you too" She said brightly as the teacher walked into the room.

"Good morning class" Mr. Smith stated eyes looking around the room landing on me "We have a new student today; would you like to introduce yourself?"

"Sure" I said knowing this was routine for new schools "My name is Liberty Hayden, I just moved here recently. Please don't ask, I am sure you heard why"

"It is nice to have you here" He said smiling motioning to the class that smiled at me "Today we will be learning about Definite integrals, will that be a problem? I can have someone assist you"

"It's fine, it will not be an issue" I said with a laugh, knowing that I had studied much more than that.

"I can help if she has any problems" Alice offered with a smile as the teacher paused before nodding in agreement.

"That is very nice of you, Alice" He said before turning to begin the lesson.

I listened vaguely to the class taking the notes to look like I was paying attention. The problem was the eyes of a certain vampire that were focusing on me the entire class. I was confused as hell as to why she was. Hadn't the Cullens avoided Bella after finding out she was a singer? Was I in another realm then that all together? I didn't understand and honestly, the last thing I could manage right now was more questions in my life.

"We can hang out and exchange notes" Alice said the moment the bell rang before I could even stand up from my desk.

"I will think about it" I said pausing at the upset look on her face "I just kind of want to get through the day"

"Okay, I will look forward to it" She said seeming to skip at my side "Which class do you have next?"

"Social Science" I said wondering if her ability should have already given her that answer, did it work like that?

"I have a class down the hall, I will walk with you" She said all too happily before I could get away from her.

"Thanks" I said allowing the action because I already knew better than to fight the sear vampire.

I wasn't at all surprise when she smiled twirling away with a soft goodbye when we reached my next class. I quickly found out that Social Science was the only class in the beginning of the day to not have a Cullen in it. I knew from their reactions they were well aware who I was and the problem I caused for their family. My third period had Jasper, who just seemed tense as hell the entire time. Rosalie was glaring so hard in my fourth period that I wondered if actually could catch things on fire. Emmett was in that class as well, but all he did was smirk. I considered dropping the class that shared with their grade.

"Hey" Angela said waiting for me at my locker as I was all too ready to hide at lunch and listen to music.

"Hi" I said wondering why she was here.

"I realized that we had the same lunch, I figured that we could eat together. I will introduce you to my friends" She explained brightly "They are excited to meet you"

"Cool" I said when it was anything but cool, that meant that this was the lunch all the fucking Cullens had as well.

I found myself being dragged by Angela to her lunch table. I was quickly trying to prepare to face the dreaded conversation. Still the closer I was brought to the table, the further away I wanted to be. Damn Angela for reminding me of Kelly.

"You must be Liberty, I am Jessica" Jess said happily, and I gave a forced smile in return.

"Yep" I said knowing well who this girl was, did I have to put up with this?

I tensed ignoring the feeling that overwhelmed me as they entered the cafeteria. I briefly wondered if Edward was okay now. Considering his reaction, I hoped that if he was here that he was able to control it better. It was torture not to look at what was causing the air to be so hard to breath in. I lasted only a few moments before glancing quickly forcing my eyes away before I could really take in any detail.

"Those are Doctor Cullen's foster kids. They moved here from Alaska a few years ago" Jess explained while I tried not to glare at her. I hadn't fucking asked who they were, why did she say anything?

"They tend to keep to themselves" Angela whispered across the table, this conversation was happening whether I wanted it to or not.

"Yes, because they are like all together, like together together. The blonde girl that is Rosalie and big one is Emmett. They are together, I am not even sure if that is legal" Jess said seriously, and I gridded my teeth together harshly to keep my mouth shut from the remark wanting to break free.

"Jess they aren't related" Angela said seriously looking at me with a sorry look.

"Yes, but they live together, that is weird" Jess said sharply before looking at her friend "The little dark-haired girl is Alice, she is really weird. She is with Jasper, the blonde one that always looks like he is in pain"

"The last one is Edward Cullen, totally gorgeous but apparently, no one here is good enough for him" Jess said with jealously and I bit back a chuckle "like I care. Seriously don't waste your time"

I didn't need this shit. I really didn't need her making statements or giving me information, I never asked for. I fucking hated drama, dreaded it really. She went to continue as I took a breath. I wasn't one to take shit laying down, I wasn't going to be able to change that now.

"Look Jessica" I said stopping her in her tracks "I want to like you, I really do. But it is my understanding from your own statement that you never actually associated with them. More like they haven't associated with you or anyone here. I really don't think any of them are weird for that, they stick with each other. There could be many reasons for that. Jessica, you really should not judge them when you truly don't know them. If you want drama, then I can't associate with you"

"You are right, sorry" Jessica said looking stunned at the information before she surprised me by smiling asking "So Liberty? That is a unique name"

"Yeah, my father was a soldier and named me. Something about me representing freedom" I said softly fondly recalling my father.

"That is pretty good, can we put that in the article?" Angela questioned making me remember that from the book.

"Um, is there any way to get you not to do the article? I prefer not to be in the center of attention but if you must because I can imagine in this small town the most exciting thing that happens is the change to the cafeteria menu" I said seriously causing Jessica to laugh in surprise.

"Good one" she said as Angela smiled as Ben snapped a picture as Mike was messing around as if trying to gain my attention.

I blinked at the flash feeling stares hard on my back and turning my head slightly as my eyes clashed with gold. I wasn't at all surprised to find him staring. He couldn't read my mind and I was a singer as well. I knew that had to mess with him, so I was just a puzzle for him to solve. I just had to keep him off my trail long enough to find a way home if that was possible. I really needed to start looking into that.

I turned from the table and his gaze knowing that the description of the family in the story didn't do them justice. They were all beautiful and just seemed that while their basic descriptions were spot on, they were otherworldly. I would be lying if I denied that Edward was attractive but still, I couldn't bring myself to allow a reaction to him.

Edward looked a lot like Robert Patterson, just more bulk to him. It was like if you took Robert Pattison with Zac Efron's boyish charm and mix it with Gerard Butler's bulk, you would get the true Edward. He had a messy brown hair style with flawless pale skin and those deep golden eyes from the book. If I were a normal teenager, I would be swooning over him.

The bell rang, and I breathed a breath of relief. I sighed deeply fighting the urge to growl as Mike came next to me, I let him lead me to class ignoring his flirting. I was not a teenager and somehow having one flirt with me made me feel dirty. I was about to walk into my next class when Mike's statement hit me like a bullet, that he was in my class. Which meant that my next class was mixed with tenth graders, which meant that this was the class with Edward in it as well.

There was no escaping this, no way of going unnoticed if I was in his fucking class. The one Cullen I wanted to avoid because I had an inability to keep my mouth shut. I sighed pulling my hair out of its ponytail covering my neck. I wasn't about to make it worse by showing the curve my neck. I took a breath as I followed Mike into the class. One look at the teacher told me that I would be spending the class next to him as well.

"Please have a seat next to Mr. Cullen Miss Hayden" he said in direction.

I turned taking in the look on Edward's face. He didn't look ready to kill me in the moment. The golden eyes were a relief as I moved forward. I tried to ignore noticing him tensing as I took the seat. I was thankful for my hair being done. While he seemed in control, I really didn't want to be a human blood bag for a vampire. I had to trust that he wouldn't be here if he weren't sure he could manage it.

"Hello" He said as I was opening my book, the simple word shocked me more than it should have.

"I am Edward Cullen; you must be Liberty Hayden." He said holding out his hand being polite as I took it surprised that it wasn't as cold as I had been expecting.

"Nice to meet you, Edward" I said softly trying to hide my shock at the unexpected greeting.

~Edward Point of View~

I stepped out of the car hearing my siblings getting out to head into the school as I noticed her right away. The woman with flaming red hair that glistened even in the cloudy sky, and I couldn't take my eyes off her. I growled lowly at the urge to follow, to see if now I could read her mind. So, much Rosalie's disgust I followed at a safe distance in an attempt to learn more her. I had hunted, drank as much as I could, before school. I knew that I would have a class with her, Alice had confirmed that. I had to ensure that I wouldn't lose control then.

I still couldn't believe the fascination I felt for this girl and couldn't understand it. I found myself unable to stop shifting through students' thoughts to catch glimpses of her throughout the day. I found myself watching her through my own siblings' eyes slightly angry they were so close to her and yet I found myself so far away from her. What made me what to be the one to be near her? I couldn't even name the various emotions that I had never felt among the thirst I felt for her blood. I was drawn to her in a way that sickened me, why would a human fascinate me? I was destined to spend an eternity in hell.

I couldn't understand what was happening to me. I saw her smile at Alice and pure rage course through me, why should I care if she smiles at my sister? I wanted her to smile at me, but why would I care of her reaction to me? I tried to control my mind from wondering as I walked into the cafeteria. I was finally going to see her. I couldn't control my eyes from finding her at the table when I walked in. I couldn't help but want to know why she didn't seem happy to be there. Briefly I was graced with her staring at me before she looked away, without any reaction.

I listened to Jess explaining us to her. She had not reacted as I had expected her to. No, this strange girl proceeded to defend us. The action cause Alice nothing but happiness. She had talked to her, been able to be close to her without risking her life. I couldn't understand why that made me angry. The moment her eyes found mind and I stared at her unique sapphire eyes; I felt my world still. I would give anything to know what was in her mind, to know her. I couldn't understand why, but I needed to know her. I needed to unlock her secrets. The human that never reacted to us the normal way, the way the others had. Just what was this girl?

'You will be fine' Alice thought when I tensed when the bell rang, and I doubted her assurance.

I struggled to remain calm as she walked into the classroom, I had to act human. I couldn't even remember how to start a natural conversation with her. I felt like it was an eternity passed before I watched her walk through the door. I took a breath of fresh air before she sat next to me, and I was thankful that her hair was down covering her neck.

"Hello" I said as softly as I could careful not to frighten her.

"I am Edward Cullen; you must be Liberty Hayden." I said holding out my hand without thought.

"Nice to meet you, Edward" She said softly taking my hand.

I watched her reaction to the coldness of my skin closely as her voice drifted over me. I relaxed when I saw nothing abnormal in her reaction being careful not to take too deep of a breath. Her scent was dangerous, the monster was more dangerous. The small breath still caused her scent filled my lungs swirling around me filling my mouth with venom. I struggled for a moment keeping my focus on her soft look allowing the fascination that was building to know her mind won over the thirst.

"Today, we will be beginning with the study of the process of evolution" The teacher said turning to the board causing Liberty's attention to focus on the class.

The action caused me to bite back a growl, not understanding why I wished for her attention. I stared at her trying to gage why this girl was attracting my attention. I looked at the waves of her red hair seeing the various shades within as my hand twitched of its own accord. I glanced at her face from the side seeing the marks that enhanced her, a small scar on her lip that brought into focus her frown. My eyes narrowed on the freckles on her face, identifying and memorizing them. There was a small birthmark on her left cheek that was small like a tiny heart, barely noticeable to human eyes. The more I stare the more fascinated I become.

"Can I help you with something?" She whispered glancing at me as I fought the urge to grow, staring at humans wasn't normal and I was making her uncomfortable.

"How do you like Forks?" I questioned before I could stop myself, somewhere Emmett was no doubt laughing at my attempt to speak with this girl.

"Will you stop staring at me if I answer that?" She questioned as I tensed knowing that it was out of my control.

"Sorry" I mumbled why this girl had to be so different, had reading minds made me socially retarded?

"It is okay" She said shrugging her shoulder turning to the teacher.

I was seriously starting to believe this girl had broken me. I couldn't turn away from her, from wanting to know the answers that her mind held from me. I felt the building panic from the thought of her being offended by my inability to speak properly.

"Forks is fine" She said taking me by surprise as she glanced at me "It is a small town with colder weather, which is different but not necessarily in a bad way"

"You like the cold?" I questioned in disbelief as she bit her lip chest shaking in an attempt to stop from laughing, great now a human girl was laughing at a vampire. Did this girl have no survival instinct?

"More like I don't mind it" She said in amusement "I don't mind the weather at all, it is out of my control. I have no need to like or dislike it"

I was slightly stunned at the information, the simple statement. What was this girl that nothing about her was normal? Everything I knew about teenagers and their reactions were not to be expected from her. It was surprising and upsetting at the same time, the one mind that was enjoyable to hear and she was blocked from me.

"How about you?" She questioned drawing me from my thoughts as I was confused at her question "You moved here pretty recently, do you like Forks?"

"Yes" I said knowing it was a place where we could exist in peace without the constant presence of the sun stopping us.

"Any tips?" She said with a look of pity, and I almost laughed when I understood what she was doing.

Of course, she would be attempting to make this more comfortable. The last thing I needed was to be comfortable. I couldn't feel at ease with a girl who even know caused burning in my throat. It was manageable, controllable, and so dangerous. The girl who eyes shined with fire and didn't seem to care about gaining friends, was trying to comfort me in my sad attempt to speak with her. What had my world come to?

"Buy a raincoat" I said seeing she was becoming confused, and I relished in the shock laugh from her lips.

"Oh, I will. I wouldn't worry, I happen to love the rain" She said glancing behind me out the window "It just makes everything feel clean, like everything is washing away"

"Eyes front" The teacher said appearing in front of us.

I had been so thoroughly taken by her response that I didn't sense him coming near us. I hadn't ever heard anything like that. But it was truly that look in her eyes, the softness and fondness there that held me captive. I chuckled in surprise, just who was this girl?

She glanced at me when the bell rang giving me a small smile before picking up her bag. I followed her path through the minds of others as she walked. I watched her reactions to others, just as unique as the girl herself. She was unpredictable, unrestrained in many ways and reserved in others. She was pleasant, social even, when approached directly. She seems naturally comfortable being alone, that is when she was most relaxed. The more I tried to understand the more fascinated I become.

'How was it? Did you kill her?' Emmett thought to me as I passed causing me to roll my eyes giving him a shake of my head

Emmett smirked walking out of my sight hiding his remaining thoughts from me. It was never a good thing when he did it. I walked into the class closing my eyes finding that Mike was thinking of her. As much as it angered me, I kept watch over her through his eyes. I would ensure she was okay and solve why she was the one to cause this. It was how I got through the rest of school, ensuring I knew where the girl with the shielded mind was.

~Time Lapse

I went home unable to calm my mind and I knew from the thoughts of my family I was getting on their nerves. I left to hunt but once I had my feel, I didn't end up home. I ended up at her house watching the window that her scent came from. The window was open, and the lights were dimmed but I heard no sound. Before I could stop myself, I was scaling the side of the house as quietly as I could. I paired into the window seeing her wrapped in the sheet sleeping softly.

I climbed into the window as my lungs filled with her scent and the now familiar thirst filled my body. I breathed in the scent deeply telling myself that this would help my control. My eyes drifted over her body twisted in the sheets. I noticed the slight scar of her leg that was three inches long before I was cut off by the sweatpants she wore. She was wearing a large blue t-shirt that hid her form from my eyes.

It was sickening to me that I was no better than a stalker the way I was with this girl. I was the monster that lurked in the darkness, and she was my prey. My dark fascination with her mind and thirst for her blood. Still, I couldn't bring myself to leave her, still I couldn't leave this room. I could not even remove my eyes from her sleeping figure. She was uniquely beautiful underneath the moon light that shined through the window.

She twisted in her bed grabbing onto the sheet clutching it in her hand and whimpering. I was next to the bed before I could control myself, the look of pain of her face hurt me in a way I had never felt since turning. I reached out a cold hand and touched her cheek shocked when she leaned into my touch with her face relaxing. The warmth of her skin was in sharp contrast to my own cold skin. My thumb moved over the skin of her cheek amazed at the silk like feeling of her smooth skin.

My eyes drifted to the slight fluttering of her eye lashes as she continued to dream. I wished that I could see what she dreamed of and to know what her nightmare was about. What has caused this unique creature pain in her sleep? The more time I spent near her scent the more pleasant her scent become to be and the more I watched her the more my fascination grew. Why did this woman affect me so?

My eyes drifted to her lips when she sighed in her sleep and she breathed in deep seeming to relax more, was she relaxed by my presence? The last thing I needed was for her to feel safe in the presence of the very monster that lusted for her blood. I was a soulless monster who did not deserve happiness, she was an innocent filled with a rare light. She was a light to the darkness and something I couldn't help but want to claim.

I watched her the entire night until the sun began to rise and left the house to hunt. I needed to hunt after being surrounded by her scent. Strangely enough the more I was near her the more I wished to protect her from the world, from her nightmares and from those that wish to harm her including the most dangerous thing after her and that was me.

I would not anything harm this human; I would not harm this human. In all my undead life, I had never met a more unique human.