Author's Note:

I do not own any of the Twilight characters that may appear in this world.

I see that there are people viewing my story, and I certainly hope that they are enjoying it. If not, please let me know what you think I could do to improve. I wouldn't mind some feedback.

These chapters start the actual challenge of writing this story. I want to keep everything set from Alexa's point of view… but as we all know there will be a lot of story going on behind her back. This means that I will have to try to give you, the reader, details through supposition, conversation, and monologue. This is why we all love stories from another point of view :)

Wish me luck.

Chapter 4: What the Hell?

Squinting, I stared at my adversary. This was clearly going to come down to a battle of wills, and I don't lose. Ok, that's a lie. I lose all the time, but in most cases losing is just a means to winning. I don't think this battle qualifies though.

With a huff of frustration, I throw my brush into the sink. Stupid hair. Stupid humidity! Giving up (for now hair… for now), I settle for containment instead of outright submission, capturing my unruly mane in the confines of a hair band, and slap one of Bill's baseball caps on top. Looking at myself in the mirror, I sigh as I notice the orange poof ball sticking out the back of my head. I look like a rabbit with carrot farts. A hoodie is a definite must until I can get this under control.

Hair notwithstanding, I've actually enjoyed this last week. Bill not only got the transfer he requested, he somehow managed to convince his company to put him in charge of the local branch here in Forks. All of this meant that we got a moving company to pack up our house and haul it all up here, and then they actually unpacked as well! Considering how much I hate packing, moving, and unpacking, this has been a week of absolute bliss!

"Alexa, we have company!" I hear my mom shout from the stairs. I wonder who that could be. We don't exactly know anyone in this rainy place. Stepping onto the front porch, I'm greeted by the sight of the sheriff's car in our driveway, accompanied by the sheriff himself and a girl my age.

"How's it going Chief Swan?" Bill asks with a smile, shaking the man's hand with what looks like a pretty tight grip. I roll my eyes… men and their posturing. Could it get any more obvious? I notice the girl smirk at me and I give her a small smile in return.

"Oh not bad, fish are biting, that's all that matters" says the sheriff with a grin, and then introduces himself as Charlie, and his daughter as Bella. I give Bella a subtle head tilt, inviting her to follow me away from what I'm sure will be a riveting conversation about fishing, camping, and sports.

We make our way inside, and after I play a good hostess and ask Bella if she would like anything to drink, we settle in my room. Or at least, I settle. Bella opts to stand near the window, her gaze constantly twitching outside as we start to talk. I get the feeling that she is nervous about something. She even goes so far as to gently nudge my lace curtain out of the way a bit so she can see better. This girl is definitely on edge. I'm intrigued.

"So, Bella, are you from here?" I ask with mild curiosity. 'The conversation has to start somewhere, might as well get the basics out of the way,' I think to myself.

Bella looks back at me with a small smile. "No. Well, kind of, I guess. It depends on how you look at it. I was born here, but when my parents divorced I went with my mother, and we moved around a lot." Bella tells me all about the places she has been, and how she came to live with Charlie last year after her mother remarried. We talk for about fifteen minutes, about Forks, the school and what I can expect there, and our pasts. It is one of the easiest conversations I've had with a peer in a long time. This girl has a good heart, I can sense no evil in her at all, and I immediately like her.

"Oh, and watch out for Mike," Bella spills as I get up to take off my hoodie. Layers are great for outside, but the house is a bit warm. I'm starting to sweat.

"Mike? I'm going to need more details. Who is 'Mike' and why should I watch out for him?" I ask as I remove the offending clothing. The moment I pull the fabric over my head though, I hear a loud gasp behind me. Spinning around in a crouch, I try to assess where the threat is. But… all there is is Bella. And Bella is staring at me.

"Um… problem?" I ask, coming out of my crouched position, still trying to figure out what made Bella gasp. She's as white as a sheet, what's wrong with this poor girl? Its like she's seen a ghost. Oh shit, is there a ghost in this house?

"Its nothing, I'm sorry, excuse me!" Bella practically squeaks at me as she runs out my door. Well, that's odd. I look out my window, where I get a good look at Bella as she grabs her dad's arm and almost drags him to the car. Well, that was odd. And I never learned who Mike was...

The next day, Monday, is my first day in my new school. I'm sure this sleepy little town almost never gets new students. Add to that the oddity of transferring in only a few months into the school year, as a senior, and I'm sure the rumor mill will be buzzing. I just hope nobody actually looks into my past.

As I drive along the streets on my way to school, I try to take note of the few stores that look like they might actually be in business. I also notice a museum… a Timber Museum? What is that? I am resolved to check it out in the near future. I can't let an oddity like this escape exploring.

Pulling into the school parking lot, I notice that most of the student body seems to have already arrived. Kids are mingled in small groups around the usual mix of outdated cars and mostly rusted out trucks. My eyes are immediately attracted to the far corner of the parking lot though, where someone has parked the brightest yellow Porsche 911 turbo I have ever seen. It figures that even a town this sleepy would have a few rich kids. The Volvo next to it is sensible enough but who the hell drives a Porsche to school? I bet she's blonde. Yep, only a blonde would drive a convertible in this weather.

Finding the school office wasn't near the chore I thought it might be. As I step into the small building, I find the receptionist behind the counter, shuffling papers. I'm quick to introduce myself, and learn that her name is Mrs. Cope. Mrs. Cope is obviously flighty, disorganized, and extremely chatty. This is made evident as she scrambles to find my schedule. I mean, you get maybe one new student every few years, and you don't have everything ready when they show up for their first class? Isn't this your one job?

"Oh, here it is… but this says Cassie Stephens… do you have a sister attending as well?" Mrs. Cope asks with confusion and a lot of interest. She pins me with an expectant stare. I can almost see her foot tapping behind the desk.

"No, my birth name is Cassie, but I like Alexa and prefer to be called that." 'Please, please don't make this a huge issue,' I think to myself. Mrs Cope continues to stare at me, willing me to say more. I'm not rising to this woman's bait. I stare back, right in the eye, making it obvious to her that I am unwilling to say more on this subject.

After a moment, Mrs. Cope breaks the silence, "Well, I don't see why you wouldn't like Cassie. It is such a pretty name after all.."

"Because my name is Alexa." I interrupt. There is no room for budging on this issue. "No more, no less. Just Alexa, thank you." With that I pluck my schedule, map, and sign in sheet off the desk and make my way out the door, leave Mrs. Cope with her mouth agape behind me.

As I check my schedule against the map Mrs. Cope gave me, I feel someone tap on my shoulder. Without looking up, I say, "It is very rude to touch someone you don't know without their permission. Did you know that?" I look up and pin the blonde kid in front of me with my most withering glare. He has his hand raised as if to say "Hi" and his mouth is stuck open as he pauses to process what I've just said.

"Oh, um… sorry? My name is Mike, you're new here aren't you?" Ah, so this is Mike.

"Why yes, Mike, I am new here. What was your first clue?" I deadpan, turning to try to find my first class. Behind me, I hear another boy giving Mike a hard time about the new girl 'ripping him a new one'. With a smirk for poor Mike, I find my class and enter.

After hanging up my coat, I hand the teacher my sign in sheet and introduce myself. Of course I have to explain the difference in my name and the name on the sheet again, and resolve to change the name on the sheet at my earliest convenience, in the hopes of avoiding repeating this conversation over and over throughout the day. The teacher, Mr. Jefferson I learn his name is, directs me to an empty desk near the back and I settle in to wait for the bell to start classes.

As I settle in, I take out a notepad and a pen, and start trying to plan out the route from this class to my next, and so on. If nothing else, maybe I can avoid any more 'helpful boys' who think a great way to break the ice is to escort a lady through the halls. I laugh to myself at the absurdity of it.

I am distracted from my thoughts as a familiar face stumbles through the door. Well, it will be a relief to have someone to chat with at least. Then my thoughts freeze as a bronze haired boy follows her through the door. What. Is. That? It isn't his looks that have me so confused, although it is obvious that this one is not quite human. No, there is something different going on here. His skin tone and the way he moves remind me of a vampire, but that aura… I've only seen an aura like this around soldiers, or those that have spent a lifetime killing to protect. But… that doesn't make sense. Vampires are murderers, through and through. I've removed every single vampire that I've come across… usually by becoming lunch.

My confusion is only amplified when the boy turns to face the class, and I catch sight of his eyes. They are… yellow? Gold? And as he catches my eyes staring at him, they turn very confused as well. I'm staring at him, and he is staring at me. Neither of us move so much as a muscle, until Bella notices.

"Oh, hey! Edward, this is Alexa, she just moved here from Texas. Alexa, Edward… my boyfriend." I catch the emphasis she places on the word as she gives him a bit of side eye filled with unknown meaning. Edward smirks, glancing her way.

"For now," he states. What an oddball. Edward moves his gaze back to me as he and Bella sit in the desks to my right. I can tell he is still confused about something concerning me, and I think I'm making it pretty obvious that I'm trying to figure him out as well. Bella, her eyes still alternating between the two of us, is starting to look concerned. With a small laugh, I break the silence.

"Well, isn't this just an awkward circumstance?" I say with a hint of sarcasm.

"What do you mean by that?" asks Edward, now starting to look very suspicious.

"Well, you make me uncomfortable… but not in a bad way I think. And judging by how you are staring at me, I think I make you uncomfortable as well. Bella, do I stink? Does your boyfriend think I stink?" I stress the word boyfriend for comedic value. It works, as both Edward and Bella relax and smile a bit. Or, at least, Bella relaxes. I don't think Edward is capable. Nobody should have posture that good.

As Edward and Bella glance at each other, Bella gives Edward a playful nudge and a small smile. There's a lot of love in that smile, but her eyes hold questions. With a shake of her head, Bella looks at me and lets me know that although Edward has been known for making people think they stink, I can rest assured that my deodorant is working so far.

At that, the bell rings, and Mr. Jefferson calls the class to order. To my embarrassment, he calls my birth name and forces me to come to the front of the class to introduce myself. "Hi, my name is Alexa. Not Cassie. If you call me Cassie, there will be untold consequences." I stress as I stare at the children in the class. I turn, and give Mr. Jefferson the same glare. I've told him already, he should know better. I swear, I'm legally changing my name as soon as I turn 18.

At the back of the class, I notice Edward still trying to stare a hole in my head.

The next few classes are uneventful. I met a few of the other students, including a drama queen, a royal bitch, a wall flower, and a few players. They all introduce themselves in the manner of children, but to be honest none of them are putting off any vibes that concern me, so I don't even make an effort to remember their names. Mike makes another attempt to chat me up, but I make it pretty clear that I am not interested.

At this point, I know I'm making a reputation for myself as a bit of a bitch, but I can't really make myself care. I try to enjoy each of the lives that I lead, but it isn't hard to remind myself of my mission. I'm looking for my next monster.

As the lunch bell rings, I make my way toward the cafeteria with the rest of the students. 'The flow through these hallways is as dependable as the tides.' I smirk at that thought… Poseidon would be proud I bet. I haven't actually met him, he's a big fish. I smirk again, I'm cracking myself up today.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I hear beside me. Glancing up, I see Edward and Bella beside me, Edward again with a piercing gaze and a look of frustration. I swear its like he is trying to see inside my head.

"Oh, nothing too fishy, don't worry." I quip, again with more of a smile than is warranted. "You guys must be pretty serious huh? I haven't seen you apart from each other yet."

"If you think we are bad, wait until you see Alice and Jasper. They should be along in a few… oh, here they are." says Bella, turning to address the approaching couple.

I turn as well, and almost drop my books. Coming toward me is a girl who I could only describe as slightly fairy-like. She is willowy and thin, with pale skin and short, black hair. But her looks are not what has me on edge. There are dark waves coming off of her, the evil unmistakable. But, it is muted somehow, as if it is not just old, but decades old.

My eyes flash to her partner, and this time my books do hit the floor. The blond boy to her right has the same aura, but somehow darker, but again very old. What the hell is going on here. Then I see the rest of him, and I freeze. Hundreds of bite marks marr his body. Hands, arms, neck, every exposed surface is covered with pale silver crescents. If I had any doubts before, now I know… Vampires roam Forks.

In my shock, I hear a small mutter come from my own mouth, "What the hell?"

Bit of a longer chapter. Introducing Alexa to Jasper and Alice gave me fits, I'll admit it. Edward was easy, he is suspicious of everyone he can't make heads or tails of, don't you think?

Stay tuned, boys and girls, for the next episode, where the Cullens become even more suspicious, Bella and Alexa become better friends, and Alexa confronts the Cullens with what is going on in Seattle.

Actually I'm not sure what I'm going to fill the next chapter with...