The remainder of class had been- tense, for lack of a prettier word. Jasper hadn't begged for my attention, nor did he try to subtly earn it either- but it's like I could...like I could feel him. And not in the sense of his presence- I mean that I could feel his emotions? They were being emitted in waves and I had to clench my fists to stop from running out the room. This is new for me, I've always been able to read people pretty well- but never have I felt someone else's literal emotions. This isn't my doing- this is his. And he's not letting this go.

When the bell rang I was out- my bag prepped on my shoulder and my chair kicked back. I thought I'd be able to make a smooth getaway, but Jasper was prepared. My arm was caught in a binding grip and the sudden grab caused my body and my heart to stop. My common sense was screeching at me to get away- but in the back of my mind I noted how good it felt to touch his strikingly cold hands. Even through the layers it felt like dry ice on my skin- it was so cold yet burnt me deliciously.

"Anita, we need to talk"

I rounded on him in an instant and attempted to snatch my arm away from him, my free hand working to push him back. At this moment, Jasper wasn't interested in keeping up appearances even though we had started to gather some attention. It felt like I was trying to move a bolder, and it only worsened when his other hand clasped around my wrist in a firm hold.

"Mister Hale, Miss Rodriguez, does there seem to be a problem back there? Class has been dismissed, you may take your leave"

It was silent for a second, but I felt his grip loosen and that was all I needed for me to rip my arms from his bind and rush out the room. Jasper was hot on my trail and I was not in the mood to talk.

"Anita-"

"Just drop it, Jasper"

It came out just below a whisper as I pushed pass the class door, if he was a normal human being he wouldn't have been able to hear me- be he's not normal. He's not even human, and the way he paused in his steps only further confirmed it. With a little magic, One second I'm exiting my 7th period History class, the next I'm at the school's front entrance, the entrance door closing shut behind me, successfully separating me from the persistent vampire.

My footsteps stuttered as the word passed through my conscience, it's the first time I've used the word so confidently to describe him. Or maybe it's because the lack of concern I seemed to have over him being one. My mind traced back to the three vampires I encountered yesterday and my body raked a shiver my mind I was quick to dismiss them from my mind- no, vampires still terrify me. Just not this vampire.

I think that thought terrifies me more.

"Anita! Hey!"

It's weird how attached I can get to someone, what's this- day two? And here I am exhaling air as if I was holding my breath for over a minute. But it was undoubtedly relieving to hear Bella's voice amongst my chaotic introspection.

"You have no idea how fucking glad I am to see you"

I swung my arms around her figure and she froze as I expected she would. I was quick to release the poor girl.

"I'm sorry, today's just been so ass- I really needed that"

Bella's surprised flushed face transitioned to one of concern flatteringly fast as her hand gently touched my shoulder. It was comforting to see her display so much care.

"What's wrong? You seemed stressed earlier too, does it have anything to do with that?"

I've always been pretty good at keeping secrets, for my livelihood I had to.

My family was always a little weird, even when I had no idea about our lineage, I knew that we weren't normal. I obviously kept this to myself, growing up in NY you learn that people can be assholes, especially little kids. When I was finally in the loop, I knew better than to tell anyone, I never trusted anyone enough to want to tell them.

Until now. As a sorceress I have a sense of clairvoyance when it comes to relationships. I can always tell when someone is going to be good for me or not- it's probably why I'm so ready to tell her about how awful it was for me to lose my great grandmother, and how lonely I felt without my twin brother, or all the things I can do. Shit it's probably why I'm so ready to look past the fact that the Cullens are vampire just so I can- oh shit- Vampires.

"Honestly I'm a mess right now, but I'll be fine B, I just need find some time to think"

Bella nodded. "Yeah, overthinking makes everything better"

I snorted and shoved her playfully just as we reached her car. "Ok Boomer"

"I'm not a boomer!" Bella flushes when a few head turned to stare at us.

"Ah fuck em, they're just wondering why we're enjoying life"

"That made it worse, anyways, i was wondering if you wanted to hang out over the weekend? I don't have anything to do and Cha-my dad is just gonna be home watching the game, so-"

"Yes, yeah I'd love to, just let me tell my mom, I'll have her drop me off Saturday, text the the addy and I'll pull up"

"Do you want a ride today? I can drop you off again, it's such a far walk I don't think it's safe for you to be walking home right now"

A flash of red ran through my mind and I shivered. I'm not ready to handle that right now. I don't wanna walk the trail to my house and I don't want Bella driving on it alone.

"U-Um my mom's gonna pick me up today, she needs to watch over my brother so I got her to give me a ride- she should be here in a couple of minutes" it was a lie and even though I had to- i still felt guilty for doing it. But if those vampires catch my sent with Bella in the car, I won't be able to protect her- I'm not that strong yet.

My eyes were fixed on her as she got into her car. Even if I wasn't next to her, Bella's still at risk as anyone else for being attacked and unlike me- what can she do to stop them? Not a damn thing. She'd be dead in the matter of seconds and they'd be moving on to their next meal...unless.

"Bella, um before you go, I want to give you something- my mom was told about how dangerous the a-animals can be before we moved here" Swinging my bag off my shoulder I was quick to open it and shove my hand inside, imitating the action of looking for something "and I want you to have this, my grandma is a mad religious and she gave me a couple of 'charms' that are suppose to protect me, good luck charms basically"

After a small buzzing sound that Bella couldn't here, I felt a piece of metal appear in my left hand along with a chain that ran through it. I pulled it out and shoved it into her hand.

"You're sort of my only real friend here so just- be safe, ok?"

Bella stares down at the old looking necklace- charmed items are often passed down for generations, they're hard to make because they are permanent magic holders and meant to last lifetimes. My grandmother did give me some before I left, but this isn't some cheap store bought necklaces you'd find at a flea market. This is the real deal. You have to focus on what you want to protect someone from before you give it to them- in this case, I focused on Bella being protected from the murderous nomads.

I was blown away when Bella hopped out of the driver's seat to give me a bone crushing hug.

"Thank you! H-Honestly, I just- wow- no one's ever done something so sweet before, it means a lot to me, Nita"

I felt warm as I hugged her back, pressure building slowly behind my eyes as I tried to refrain from tearing up - I was not joking when I said I needed a hug. Today's been stressful.

"Don't sweat it Bells, just please, keep it on, here's one for your dad too, he can clip it onto his uniform, i know it's silly but it gives me a piece of mind, animals are dangerous"

Bella accepted the pin for her dad and we parted ways after talking a bit more.

I was so lost in our conversations that I'd completely forgotten I had just rushed out of school before she caught me and was on the run- until I was reminded.

Eyes as black as the night sky revealed to me the anger bubbling beneath the surface as I locked onto the gaze of Jasper Hale. Unfortunately, he wasn't alone and his three sibling all gave me a look of their own.

I didn't bother hiding the annoyance I felt and was glad to see the way his face scrunched in anger when I gave him a taste of it. For a moment, it looked like he was gonna stalk over to me, but he knew better than to give the school another rumor to spread. I was filled with (disappointment) relief when he settled for forcing his door open and slamming it shut so loud that the entire parking lot went silent to observe the usually quiet family. When the noise returned it was buzzing with a life it hadn't had previously and I scoffed. This school is filled with clowns.

It took a minute for me to find a good spot, but once I found myself a secluded area I was quick to manifest myself home.

"Ma! You home?"

It was silent, eerily so. I dropped my bag on the living room's table and made my way to the kitchen.

"Ma? David? Dónde están? Ma-AAAH"

A vase flew past my head, in an attempt to avoid it (a late reaction at that) I tried to hastily lean back but basically threw myself onto the ground.

"You gotta be- Really?! That was it? If I was a vampire, you'd be dead"

My mom appeared over me, her eyes squinting down i at me in an almost tangible disgust as my little brother helped me to my feet- he was laughing though.

"Ani guess what! Ma's gonna start training us today!" It was then did I noticed their active wear and David's elbow and knee pads.

"Papo, you can't say guess what and then- wait that's starting today?"

My mom must've conjured you some ropa while I was getting up because in the next second my workout clothes were being thrown at my face. She's so out of pocket sometimes.

"Get dressed, we start in ten minutes"

Part of me wanted to groan but another part of me was actually excited about training- it's why we moved somewhere so secluded instead of going to another city- to practice our magic freely.

"What's the objective for today, boss?"

My mom rolled her eyes but her smirk presented itself proudly. What a superiority complex she has.

"You're gonna be focusing on building a barrier and your brother is going to start Sensing"

I snorted and turned to David with a knowing smirk of my own.

"Good luck, kid, that's the most boring lesson ever- ow!"

My mom shook her hand and the chancla, a sandal, that she kicked off her foot and into her hand with ease disappeared from her hand as if it had never been there. My arm stinging slightly as I attempted to rub the pain away told me otherwise.

"Sensing is the most important part, it's something that separates us from other humans- don't discourage him"

"I wasn't! It's just so boring!"

"Ma! I wanna learn what Ani's learning"

"Woah, David, you think you're on my level?"

"Ay dio- ANITA deja de molestarse tu hermanito" (stop messing with your brother)

"I'm not messing with him!"

"Yes you are messing with me!"

"Anita!Why aren't you dressed yet?"

"MA"

Training wasn't as fun as I had hoped it to be. I mean, of course any sort of magic is cool and interesting- but that's to look at. When you're the one learning to perform such skills it's a whole other story. It's not that it's boring it just takes so much concentration, so much strength, so much out of you. You have to be in the moment for every moment, not a single distracting thought is allowed or else the blocks you piled will come tumbling down and you have to start building from the foundation. We finally called it a day around eight at night, four hours after we had started, and I was back in my bed by ten.

This time I had enough sense to set my alarm for 5:30 am before I put my phone on it's charger.

As fast as my head hit the pillow did I jump up and rush to my phone. I had almost forgotten something so important to my emotional health. Going to my messages I went to my most recent chain and smiled as I read my twin Daniel's latest message:

Ma's training you? That's cap- Ma knows she doesn't have the patience to teach us, she couldn't help us with our math hw w/o yelling. Txt me when you're done, pa's been bugging all day since Ma told him about the vamps.

I responded late as fuck. Ma wasn't playing about training b. She deadass had me sweatin bullets today.

I followed up with a lengthy message for him to wake up to. Also, turns out this town is full of vamps, I just found a coven of them that've been here for two years- but they have golden eyes. I haven't told ma yet so stfu, I'll tell you more tomorrow, fuck I wish you were here, it's weird not seeing your ugly face puto.

Daniel was quick with the shits, I tried to quiet my laughter as I read his response.

Ugly? Puta where? Im the one the nurses rated 10/10 when I was born- don't play me, play yourself.

I scowled at the true story before another message followed quickly.

And I miss you too sis, be safe and don't fuck the vampire.

I choked as my cheeks flamed, my finger fervently pressing against the screen and already halfway trough my response when my brother, once again, interrupted me by text.

Don't bother hiding it, the way you spoke about some dude yesterday was off, and you said his eyes were gold? And you not telling Ma? I won't say shit but I'm deadass Anita, don't fuck with the vampire, I will kill him and I mean it.

I'm not! Jasper's just a guy! Besides I've got too much on my plate to worry about what I feel for him.

Oh shit, why did I send that? What do I feel for him? Why did i tell Danny?!

You better not feel shit for him- he's a vampire Anita, he ain't safe for you and I'm not gonna tell you twice.

I huffed indignantly and hoped he could feel it- our twinnection isn't doing well since we're so far apart, but he better not think ima sit and listen to him.

I'm not a kid, D. I don't even know why I said that but I sure as fuck didn't tell you for you to be a dick about it. I already said I wasn't trying to get with him, so how about you fucking trust me- ok?

I stared at my screen expectantly but his response didn't come in text. It was a faint whisper stating in the back of my head and if I hadn't been so focused on getting a response from him it probably wouldn't have come through- but it did., even if a bit brokenly.

'Sorry...I should...trust...more...' my ring illuminated as he spoke into my conscience. It was welcomed and made me feel nostalgic to hear his voice like this. My twin is my closest friend, we shared everything together- even our thoughts.

I responded through the phone.

You're breaking up, but I heard enough. Thanks bro, I love you.

'...love...too...careful'

I will, y ten cuidado también, Florida tiene los locos. (be careful too, florida has crazies)

I put my phone down and climbed into bed and placed my ring on the nightstand beside me, exhaustion hitting me like a train and my mind ready to submit. My eyes began to droop as I pulled the blanket over my shoulder, just before they shut- my mind projected a pair of beautiful golden eyes and a pretty face and I was lulled to sleep.

"Early in the morning I'll come calling,

I'll come calling home to you"

To the strums of a guitar and the delightfully raspy voice of James Vincent McMorrow, my mind was coaxed into consciousness and I stretched my limbs to their limits.

I was tired still, and I stared out my dark window trying to convince myself that I should get up because I had school. But then I realized school meant socializing and socializing led to awkward confrontations- especially when pertaining to a certain Cullen-Hale boy and his not some normal family. My mind brought up Alice's sullen expression from the parking lot yesterday, she looked so dejected when our eyes caught yesterday. I felt her glum, i wanted to be her friend and get to know her- we had plans to hang out, and now I pissed off her brother. They're a tight knit family, if one is wronged then they're all wronged. I get it, even if it doesn't benefit me in this instance. It's just another thing that makes them seem more humane to me.

You know what- fuck it. I don't care if Jasper and I are on offs right now- I want Alice to know our plans are still standing! I'm not gonna let my contradicting feelings for him stop me from getting to know her, she's fucking cool.

With my mind energetically awake, I rolled out of bed and marched to the bathroom- ready to take on today's problem's head on. Not leaving it for last minute, I picked up my ring from my nightstand and slipped it onto my left hand. I can relate to Sweeney Todd, my arm does feel complete when I have my ring on.

I checked the forecast and sighed at the glum tone of the day- no sun, strong breeze, settling on seventy degrees- this town needs to liven up. However, I'm not planning on dressing out of weather and threw on a pair of light wash ripped jeans and an over-sized puffy beige sweater. Seventy degrees in cake to me, I eat that shit up and if I was in the mood for it, I would've worn a dress today. However, pants mean I'm in charge and I plan to be in charge today. The sweater, however, was thinner than most puffy ones and it hung loosely around my shoulders so I could put my necklace and hoops proudly on display. I put my hair into a high bun for the day and framed my face by swirling my baby hairs. I put on some light rosy blush and a few flicks of mascara and brow gel before glossing you and rushing down stairs in a pair of black slippers with straps around the ankles.

"About time, I let it slide the first two days but this is day three baby"

My mom talks as if I didn't just wake up- loud and full of attitude. I still smiled hearing her voice while I entered the kitchen. David was still asleep and ma was roasting bagels as she scrambled eggs.

"Self service boo, coffee's in the port, no sugar added yet, put your own bagel in the toaster, I''m finishing up the eggs and bacon- anything else is in the fridge- save some food for you brother"

"Thanks ma, you da best"

"Bitch please, tell me something I don't know"

What a woman.

Bella texted me offering a ride and I was eager to accept, kissing my mom and my awake but groggy brother goodbye before rushing out the door. I stared down at the trail before me that lead to the main road and squeezed the straps of my bag. I can't be scared forever, I know that it's only been two days since the incident but I can't afford to wallow in fear- this is my new home, I'm not about to tip toe around it anymore...plus I'm wearing one of the protection charms- so I should be undetectable by those three assholes. They did not have to do the doe like that.

My walk went uninterrupted and I waited uneventfully for Bella's truck to pull up and whisk me away. When I got in the passengers side, I could immediately tel something was off as she greeted me. Her fingers drummed against the wheel anxiously and after a couple of unimportant dialogue I asked her what was on her mind.

"I'm just nervous, he wasn't there yesterday and I just want to confront him and get this over with"

"Bella"

"I know you think this is pointless but it's just- I can't get him out of my mind? There's something about him that seems off to me and I don't know why but I want to know what"

My blood ran cold and my heart clenched. Oh fuck, Bella don't do this.

"I mean, what if it's something he's embarrassed about sharing?"

"It's not that, I can- I can feel it?" She said it more like a question, but I knew she was telling the truth.

"He's different, they all are, but he- I just want to know why"

The look she gave me as we pulled into the parking lot told me everything I needed to know. We were in the exact same boat.

"Just be careful looking for answers, you don't know what you might find"

Did I think Bella's going to find out their vampires? No, but she's too observant for her own good, she already knows something's off and she's only been here for three days, what could she learn in a month from now, or even just a week?

"Do you know something? It's just the way you said that sounded like a warning"

"That's because it was Bells, I don't know what's going on with them, but you're right- they're different. I just want you to be cautious"

Bella modded but her eyes lingered on me before she opened her door and I sighed as I did so too. She's too observant for her own good. Bella's scoff from the other side of the car had me turning to see what she was looking at. Just as my head perked around a large silver Jeep rounder the curve and passed us. Four figures occupied the vehicle- a certain copper haired teen was missing once again. Unfortunately for me, a certain honey blond wasn't and he made sure I saw the look of determination on his face as he drove past us.

You've gotta be shitting me.