After meeting up with Bella, who offered me not only a ride but also her number, i was disappointed to hear that Jasper's brother, Edward, was a complete ass to her. He was being a douche in their biology class, the entire time his face had upgrade from annoyance to pure disgust when she walked into the room and he was silent the entire time while giving her what she described as the evil eye. And then, when she was about to request a schedule change (smart girl) she found him arguing with the lady at the front desk trying to switch out of biology! As if she was the problem, the fucking huevos on this kid! I tried to consolidate her, but I understood her need for closure was too strongly to ignore it and offered to be there for when she confronts Edward. Bella looked grateful and accepted it before we got into her truck and spent the ride trying to avoid bringing up the Cullen's, it was a smooth ride back and felt like it ended all too quickly as I asked her to drop me off on the side of the road. I didn't want to be home so soon and preferred to walk the path to my house.

"Ok, but he careful! Charl- my dad says that the woods are full on animals, wolves and stuff"

"I will, thanks for the ride, Bella, see you tomorrow!"

"Yea, see you tomorrow"

The walk was helpful, the things I wanted to share with Bella about Jasper were allowed to freely roam my thoughts. I was sorta afraid when Ma told me we'd be living a little deep in the woods, it's supposed to help spread our magic so we could use the spiritual energy of nature as a balance, but I was worried about feeling trapped, surrounded by energy. However, the tall trees were nothing like the looming towers in the city, I was comforted by the lush green tops and earthy scents that encompassed me. I could feel small waves of energy being shared and if I focused hard enough, I could hear a light hum that synced with the humming of my ring. I decided that I wanted to spend just a little more time in the forest, the sun was out, and I couldn't sense any larger energy signals in my area. So, I went off course but I'm no dummy. Kneeling down so that my hands rested firmly on the ground, I focused placing my energy into the damp solid soil beneath my fingertips, in a matter of seconds the spot I was touch rumbled quietly and dirt was uprising followed by the stem of a flower, then the bud, then the petals until a single buttercup was produced, a faint yellow glow shinning brighter than the light outside. The glow was a sign of my energy flowing in the flowers system, it would also act as a beacon for me to follow when I want to return on the path.

Within a few minutes, I found myself padding deeper into the woodsy terrain and familiarizing myself with the land. The grass was green and healthy, the trees strong and lush, the animals vibrant and animated. I don't know when I sat down, but I easily found a log to sit on and just took everything in. The move, Bella, Jasper, his family, this town, all the way to now. It's the first time in a while that I was able to simply exist. I closed my eyes, wanting to feel the woods, it was almost like charging a battery, my ring was practically buzzing, and my body felt tingly, like millions of butterflies were dancing across the surface of my skin. It was absolutely enchanting. When I opened my eyes I jumped back, almost falling off the log I perched on. Standing directly front of me was a doe, no deer- no doe, it had big beautiful brown eyes with amber flecks and smooth light brown fur. My surprise didn't end there, however, because I noticed that the small clearing I was in was now flourished with new life stemming from the soil. A batch of buttercups were peeking from the dirt, along with some roses and a couple of dahlias. I blinked at the arrangement I had subconsciously set and did my best to get out of the clearing with the least amount of damage to the beautiful garden. The doe gently kicked away from me deciding to do doe stuff, I guess. Holding my hand out in front of me, I focused on detecting the beacon I placed earlier. As my powers spread out I could faintly see a glow outlining my left hand before I felt a tugging sensation on my ringed hand on my hand, directing me to the beacon I had placed.

I only made it a couple of steps out, when I heard a thump behind me, it was a heavy, full sounding thud. Without hesitation, though with much dread, I turned my body to an angle so I could see what it was. Nobody was there, but that doesn't mean there hadn't been someone a second ago, my evidence? The dead doe that rested in the center of the clearing. Its head swiped cleanly off its body.

I didn't bother inspecting, I immediately broke out into a sprint. My escape was obstructed by something ominously waiting for me, in my direct line of path. Placed purposefully in the center of the trail was the severed head of the doe staring into my soul. I was so scared that a tear trailed down my cheek and my breath became ragged. Then I heard a malicious feminine cackle followed by three distinct thuds that sounded from behind me, they were heavy enough to shake the earth beneath my feet and rattle the leaves. I couldn't stop the tears that trailed down my cheeks as my ring trembled in anticipation on my finger. I was terrified, but I refused to go down without a fight. Someone made a step toward me- I could feel it- but they never got the chance to touch me.

The best way to describe it would be to envision waves emitting from your body, these waves are actually your spiritual energy and depending on how well you can control it, you're able to manipulate your waves frequency, how fast they're being emitted, and the waves strength. When I heard that first crunch of dead leaves, I forced a large wave of energy from all sides of my body, waves expand the further out they go (as well as weaken) but whatever tried to attack me was inhumanely fast and in a second was closer to me then I had anticipated, which fortunately for me meant they got hit by my energy at one of its strongest levels. To give you a reference, if this was a normal person, they should be dead by now because this is equivalent to being hit by a full blown semi-truck. But as I turned to where they once stood, I was surprised to find several trees severely damaged, but three still moving figures in the distance. I didn't bother waiting for them to come back, however. I snapped my finger and now stood in the center of my living room, on the sofa rested my mom and brother, snuggled up beneath a thick pile of blankets watching something on the tv.

My mom was quick to notice me, more specifically she was quick to notice the way my ring was practically ringing in panic.

"Anita, qué pasa? Porque estás llorando? Cálmate y dime ahora!"

And so, I did- I told her the doe, the clearing, and the three creatures in the forest that I stupidly never got a good look at. I had been too busy trying to keep my cool and was afraid if I saw them that I'd lose it. Ma in a hurry told me to erase my scent and snapped her fingers, the lights in the house turned off, as well as any sound possible. It was deafeningly silent, my little brother was curled into my side, shaking as we waited in a pool of suspense. My mom stood beside us, eyes shut and her hands moving organically through the air, she said nothing, but I knew was she was doing. She was scanning the perimeter, she took in a gasp of air and I knew she could see the area I had escaped, but whatever it was that tried to attack me was long gone.

She released her breath and opened her eyes, as she did so the lights flickered back on and energy flowed through the house once more making everything feel lively again.

"Anita, are you certain don't know what they looked like- not in the slightest?" My mom's voice had an edge to it, it was pleading but I wasn't sure for what. It seemed to go beyond wanting a vague description.

"No, I mean it was definitely three people, human shaped people, maybe some red? But I couldn't tell exactly what I was looking at, I had this really bad feeling when I sensed them and then my ring started shaking on my finger, they were really fast too! And they completely demolished a doe in under a second!-"

"Vampires"

"W-What?"

I chocked, I physically choked at my mom's revelation. I would have laughed had she told me under different circumstances, but not now, not when my family had been so close to- I just felt like throwing up. But my brother had started crying and I wasn't going to let him see me fall. I stood up straighter, sucked in my tears, and stared my mom dead into her eyes.

"So, what now? Should we leave? This house is cute and all, but it's not worth our lives"

My mom was silent all for two minutes before she shook her head.

"No, we're staying-"

"Mami!" My brother cried, his green eyes shedding tears at a rapid rate while he gripped my sides frightfully. I pulled him closer to me while staring at my mom incredulously.

"Ma, you're bugging! Did you not see what those things did?! Did you not just hear me? We could've died!"

"Don't you think I know that, Anita?! I'm aware of the situation! But no matter where we go, we'll always be at risk of running into them! They're everywhere, Anita- everywhere." Her words died down into a forceful calm. "But I checked the history of Forks and although we came at the wrong time, the vampires you encountered are nomadic, they'll leave and won't return, it's how their kind operates"

"So, what? We wait it out? Why not just find them and deal with them ourselves instead of-"

"ANITA NO!"

I jumped at the ferocity in my mom's eyes, her lip turned up in a snarl, her cheeks enflamed, and her ring letting out dangerous energy- I could've sworn I heard glass crack somewhere in the house as she shouted. Yet what stopped me from commenting was the overwhelming sense of fear I know I had just instilled in my mother. A strong Latina woman who raised three kids on her own in a city ran by supremacy and violence- she was scared.

"Listen to me, we are strong, and we are powerful- but we are still human! We eat, sleep, shit, bleed, and some day we die! Just like everyone else- if we ever need to, we can hold our own, but to try and fight three vampires who're however old is a fucking loca! You've only been practicing for four years! Four fucking years! You know enough to get out of a situation, not to finish one! You understand me? We are going to lay low until they leave, you will go straight to school and back for now, am I understood? And on MY mother! You WILL stay hidden, 'cause let me find out that you tried to confront these monsters- you gonna have to worry about me! Ya heard?!"

"Ma-"

"Don't 'Ma' me, I want a yes ma'am!"

"Ok ma!"

"Anita, on God I will drag you!"

"Ok! Yes ma'am! Understood!"

"David, this goes for you too! You don't leave the house unless me or your sister is with you! You feel unsafe you come straight home! Recuerdas cómo hacerlo?"

"si, mami"

"Ok, ok good, go take a shower and get ready for bed, Anita sígueme, we need to talk"

My night ended with my mom telling me everything she knew about vampires, from how to spot them, to how they feed, to different ways they trap humans. She's told me of her encounters with them, from meeting some surprisingly amazing vampiries to killing some expectedly wicked ones. My mom promised that she'd teach me how to properly defend against them, as well as teach me to be on the offense in case these nomads decided to stick around for longer than necessary. At some point during her basically reiterating what she already told me (as moms do) I found myself concentrating on the Cullen family that seemed to fit some of ma's warning signs of pale perfect skin, ethereal beauty, but ma said their body was basically crystallized and hard as marble due to the venom, they shimmered in the sunlight, and were cold to the touch. I did compare Jas- the Cullens to Greek statues but the was purely an optical observation, I made sure to avoid skin contact because people are uncomfortably warm and...moist (I hate that word), it makes skin contact unbearable for me. On top of it all, ma said a sure sign is a vampire's blood red eyes, which I remember catching a glimpse of from my attack.

"Ma, have you ever met a vampire with that didn't have red eyes?"

"No, unless they're hungry a vampire's eyes are usually red, in the case that they're starving then the turn black, but they're also have a red tint to them- why?"

"Just curious"

I didn't mention the Cullens' name; I have a theory with a lot of holes in it, I can't go around making assumptions. I decided that was enough excitement for me and attempted to distract myself with the work I was given today, but I couldn't fucking focus. And the most annoying thing about that, was the fact that my mind wasn't even on topic. I should've been concerned about the three blood drinking nomads roaming Forks, but instead I was worried about my theory holding true about the Cullens. Were they vampires? If they were then what? Everyone says they've been here for two years and no one's mentioned a recent string of murders or missing bodies- even Ma said that Forks had a pretty clean record for a place so local and isolated. Yet I had a feeling, an inkling that they were something more, something dangerous, a feeling that only ever seemed to subside when I was with the blond beau. Did- did I just fucking say beau? I'm a fucking cornball for that- honestly Nita!

My workbook slammed shut in a huff and I pushed myself away from my desk in a fury. I began to angrily strip off my clothes and gathered some bathroom essentials, plus some relaxing herbs. I just needed to calm down and go to sleep. I don't care that it's

Only 8 something in the afternoon, I'm fucking worn. A bitch is gonna lay her ass in this tub for an hour, prune up, and go to bed.

. . .

So, it turns out, not everything goes according to plan, big surprise there. I deadass stayed in that tub until my fingers pruned, and I sure as fuck laid my ass down for some good Zs- but did I get any? Nah, I didn't.

What I did get was three hours of restless repositioning, just to end up knocking myself out with a sleep charm. But guess what a bitch forgot to do- set her fucking alarm. So here I am, waking up at 6:50 am to Bella calling my phone, offering a ride that I had to refuse because I just woke up!

"Oh shit, fuck, I overslept! Bells, I don't wanna make you late, especially since you have someone you want to do before school starts-"

"Anita! I don't want to do Edward! I want to confront him!" I had just rolled out of bed and was peeling off my sleep wear for a quick shower.

"No, I hear you, I do, any idea what you're gonna say to him?"

"I- uh" the water hit my back and I arched my spine, swearing at the cold stream of water that was running down my back. I must've made a sound because Bella was asking me if I was alright in the next second.

"Y-yea, I forgot to turn on the hot water and now I'm deadass freezing my ass off, but you said you were gonna ask him about his fucked-up face, right?"

Bella snorted on the other end and I could see her nodding in my head before she actually responded. I already applied soap to my body and was going over with a body wash, for the scent of raspberries.

"Basically, it's just so weird, y'know, I didn't do anything to him, and he looks at me like I killed his cat or something"

"I know, I want to say it's his normal, but I've seen him talk to his family- he only pulls that shit with you" Bella's sighed rang loudly as I began to step out of the shower and almost busted my ass on the tiled floor.

"Well, let me know how it goes, I don't think I'll be able to finish this convo in one piece, girl, I almost died twice"

"Cold water won't kill you, Ani, and I'll be sure to let you know if you make it to lunch on time"

I smiled at the nickname she most likely didn't notice she was using. It's so common for people to just say it out of nowhere at times but hearing how comfortable she was with me felt good- it sucks when people aren't the same level of friendship as you.

I didn't bother planning my outfit, I threw on my signature chain, hoops and gloss in an instant, following up with some light blush because I got a crush and I'd like to present myself well. Following this was a fitted, long-sleeved, olive colored mock turtleneck shirt (the one that falls below the adam's apple) that I was happy to pair with a black corduroy over all them dress that hugged my body and stopped just below mid-thigh. I through on some thick thigh-high socks that were so soft and left just an inch or two of skin showing. I'm not a prude, but I don't need my teachers saying I'm "distracting" any one because a little leg is showing, it's a losing battle and I hate the attention it brings on me simply for having a bit of extra meat on my legs. I threw on some small heeled black booties and was quick to pile whatever was on my desk into my bag.

"This is my second morning without coffee, I'm going to fucking murder someone today"

It was my biggest concern right now; the fuck is a vampire going to do to a caffeine addicted Latina sorceress who's lacking the caffeine? I'll throw hands on sight today- Mr. Morrison, I'm talking to you, Lil bitch. I passed by my mirror on the way out but froze as I glanced at my reflection. Should I do my hair? I put some product in it and barely dried it but should I put it up? It's lacking the usual volu-

"ANITTAAA, it's 7:15!"

And there's my sign to go. My mom was quick to get on my ass as I came barreling down the stairs, my backpack hanging off my shoulders, and- my ring!

Rushing back upstairs i heard my mom calling after me. The ring was sitting on my work desk and I berated myself for almost leaving something so important, especially when I need it most.

I didn't bother with the stairs and simply appeared at the doorway of my house. My mom was quick though, sliding from the kitchen entrance and shooting toward me.

"Be back right after class ends! I have to go back to work after I drop your brother off and I'm not gonna chance him being alone, ya heard? And stop waking up so fucking late, birdhead"

"Don't call me a bird, bird" I gave my mom a quick kiss before she could respond and hugged my brother; telling them both I loved them, I was quick to exit the house. As I pushed the front door open then scenery changed from the front yard of our house to the inside of my school's girl's bathroom, which was appreciatively empty- not that it mattered. To anyone that would've been inside the bathroom it would look like I regularly opened the door and entered the bathroom. My phone rang just as I exited the bathroom, but I was stopped from answering when a girl with cute pixie styled brown hair and beautifully golden eyes paused directly in front of me. I mean we were practically chest to chest I had a been just a little shorter.

"Oh shit!"

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you! You're Anita, right? You're new here, my name's-"

"Alice, you're one of the Cullens- not to seem weird, you guys are still a hot topic it seems"

"Oh, it's not a problem, Forks is such a small place, we still get told about how a fire got started in home ec because someone put straight flour into an oven, that was three years ago apparently. I love your outfit, by the way, it's so cute!"

I would've said she snorted but it seemed more like a scoff coming from her as she rolled her eyes playfully at the memory. I smirked at the familiar story that was told to me three times now.

"So I've heard, I've never been some place so secluded before, this school honestly doesn't let anything go, and thanks! Your jacket is so hot, by the way"

I don't know when we started moving or if Alice truly had to go to the bathroom, it seemed more like she'd been expecting me. These thoughts didn't come till much later because I was too preoccupied by the charmingly lovely Alice Cullen. It was much like when I spoke to Bella or Jasper, there was this good feeling involved. However, a sliver of something else kept gnawing at the back of my head as we spoke. Her eyes were strikingly golden, and her skin iridescently pale, like light bouncing off a marble surface. I felt no warmth radiating off her body, if anything it got a little colder after talking for a couple of minutes. Not that I really minded, I'm from New York, I was at the hospital while my brother was being born in the middle of a blizzard.

We stopped just outside my first period class and i honestly didn't want to go in. Not for the typical "I don't want to go to school" reason, but because I was enjoying my conversation to the fullest. She seemed honestly interested in what I had to say and she always managed to get my full attention when she spoke. It was nice to have someone else to talk to, not that Bella isn't great- I just always had multiple friends, nothing crazy but I liked getting all types of perspectives and feedback. It was refreshing.

But when she smiled a flash of blood red eyes appeared in the forefront of my mind and sent a shiver down my spine. Part of me wanted to reach out and grab her, just to get it over with, but another part of me said don't. Alice is so sweet and genuine, if she was a vampire- what would come of knowing? Unbeknownst to me, it seemed the universe had other plans.

"Thanks for walking me to my class, Alice. I hope we get to talk more later! You're such an cool person, I'd love to get to know you more"

Alice beamed at my words and I felt myself soften. How could someone be so cute? Is this even allowed?

"It's no problem, Ani! I'm so glad I finally got to talk to you!" It happened in an instant. One moment she was a foot away from me and the next she's wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into a hug. My heart stopped at the cold lifeless texture of her skin. I could tell that she was consciously watching her strength as she gently squeezed me- her skin felt as solid as it appeared and I had no doubt that in this moment, Alice Cullen could've killed me in a second. The worst part was the way my ring flared up on my finger, buzzing as my energy threatened to protect itself against the small brunette that was hugging me- simply hugging me.

"We're gonna be such good friends! You'll see!"

And then she says something like that, and I'm left feeling guilty about ever assuming she'd do such a thing. I felt bad about thinking a vampire could kill me- No, nope. Not even, 'cause you know what, ma's never seen a vampire with golden eyes! She said so herself! And I've seen her eyes, when someone's wearing contacts you can tell, there's a discolored ring around the iris that doesn't fit the eye.

I heard Alice call my name in confusion as I peeled myself back and stared into her eyes- this was probably weird but maybe one day we could laugh about this, who knows?

Exactly what I though, no discoloration. "My bad, Alice, you just have beautiful eyes, you bring pride to the brown eyes community and the short hair community- I'm thinking about converting over, still haven't decided-" Alice perked at the idea and shook me by the shoulders with a sense of urgency.

"You should! You'd look so cute with a wavy bob! Let me do it, I'm really good with hair!"

I laughed and promised that when I'm ready, Alice could have a go at it; hair grows and I'm always down for change.

I just hope I'm right about this, I was serious about wanting to know her better. Besides, ma said that she met some good vampires before! Sort of.

Oh wait, I wonder who was calling me earlier?