The hospital was busy, busier than I expected from such a small town. However, we didn't wait long for Bella or Tyler to be admitted and half an hour later I was even allowed to see the two. I was eager to check up on Bella and dip, as heartless as that sounded. The whole ride here Bella had been giving me a look that she usually reserved for the Cullens. It was a scrutinizing gaze that conveyed a deep yearning to understand and a subtle warning. It seems that I had been wrong to assume Bella hadn't seen my magical escape from getting crushed by Tyler's van. I didn't know whether to avoid her gaze or feign innocence- like I've said before: Bella is unnaturally perceptive. I don't doubt doing either would've set off her alarms.

This is why I wasn't at all surprised by the way her eyes narrowed in suspicion at me as I entered the unit she was being kept on. It seemed more like an urgent care facility by the way the unit was open and filled with patients side by side on stretchers instead of beds. Bella's "bed" was right beside Tyler's, who was with his parents, the hospital curtain meant to partition the two was drawn back and allowed for me to focus on Tyler's bandaged head instead of Bella's piercing gaze. By the way she huffed I assume she noticed this deliberate action too.

"Ty, you good man? I was worried about you, are you feeling ok?"

Although I was doing this mainly to prolong an inevitable confrontation with an impatient brunette, I meant what I said. Despite my self-enforced distance from Tyler and his gang of friends, i still recognize them as people with their own lives and problems. I would hate for anything truly bad to happen to any of them. Tyler looked shocked by the sincerity in my tone, not that I blame him- I tend to come off as a bitch. Under different circumstances I might have shuddered deterredly at his blushing cheeks and feigned cocky smirk, but it was all so Tyler-like that I was just grateful to see him alive period. But then his face drained of color and my brows scrunched in concern.

"Oh shit, you were there too, right? I remember seeing you next to Bella! Anita, I'm so sorry, honestly! I hadn't meant for any of that to happen- I didn't know-"

"Ty, chill my guy, I'm not even a patient here- you are, we're good"

Tyler nodded so fervently I'd been afraid his head was gonna pop off his neck from the sheer force. His mom beside him thanked me for my understanding before trying to reign in her son by shutting the partition. Despite my soothing, I could tell Tyler was not at all relieved by my words and I almost groaned knowing how persistent this kid can be. I was likely to deal with his ambush again. However, it was sort of endearing how guilty he felt, it meant he had a compassionate heart and enough sense to recognize he was being a little reckless on icy roads. Although that's more of the school's fault for not clearing the ice with a bunch of idotic highschoolers behind the wheel.

Bella took the closed curtain as a sign for her to start talking- but by the fucking grace of God we were interrupted by a brunet male with a mustach and- oh it's her dad. Thank you, Chief Swan, you are a blessing.

"Bella!"

I felt my insides churn at how utterly distressed her father sounded as his footsteps pounded towards us. I was pleasantly taken aback by the way his eyes full of concern flickered between his daughter and I. He must've been told about my "involvement" in the accident. In a week I've been to Bella's house a couple of times- her dad loves me.

"Thank God, are you two ok" it was breathed out faster than I've ever heard the man speak. It's almost alarming when compared to his usual laid back drawl and had me spieling out an apology without any real context behind it. I just felt bad for his worries, specifically the ones focused on me. However, nothing could really compare to the way my mom came bounding in through the double doors, a loud smack! resonating thoughout the unit and causing me to jump. Or was it the way her ring rang in a high pitched buzz that only I was able to hear. Coming in a second behind my rampant mom was a platinum blond haired man with porcelain pale skin and golden eye- oh it's Dr. Cullen. The Vampire daddy, the Vaddy?

"Anita!"

If I thought I felt bad for worrying Charlie, it was nothing compared to the way my heart stuttered seeing the glossy eyes of my mother with her cheeks stained red and puffiness surrounding her eyes.

I was quick to console her by throwing my arms around her frame and squeezing tightly. Her hands rubbed my back up and down as she cried into my shoulder.

"Mami, estoy bien, me fui antes de que algo pudiera pasar" (im fine, i left before anything could happen)

She didn't say anything, I still think she was too shocked to see me ok to say much. I mean, first I'm attacked by a group of vampires and next I'm almost hit by a car? It hasn't even been a month and already we've got problems.

"Anita, i still believe that you should be admitted in order to ensure you are truly in good condition"

I sighed at Dr. Cullen's words and couldn't control pouting slightly at the thought of going through the admission process just to be told I'm alright. My mom nodded and was about to open her mouth to agree but I swiftly interjected.

"Ay Mami, I'm fine, ya le di! Ya tú sabes, i left before anything went down"

My mom must have misunderstood what I meant when I told her I "left" before anything could happen. So, as discretely as I could, I tapped my ring finger with my middle finger, trying to convey the message. By the way her eyes snapped directly into mine, and the her ring's buzzing decreasing dramatically, I knew she got the hint. Unfortunately for me, my discretion proved futil, he tried to hide it, but I saw the way Dr. Cullen's eyes flickered from me to my finger before trying to swiftly go back to his clipboard. Not only had he noticed my little message, but Bella seemed to catch onto what I was implying- even with the little that she understood and jumped in.

"Yeah, M-Ms. Mercado! Anita didn't get hit at all! It's almost like she disappeared before the van could hit her!" By the way her eyes flickered to me- I knew she had chosen her words all too carefully. My mom recognized this as well and her ring piped up angrily, at who? I couldn't tell, but I knew I'd hear it when we got home.

"Guess all those years in softball finally paid off" ma's been doing this for a while, the excuse rolled off her tongue like butter and filled in any holes.

Bella didn't dare show my mom she wasn't falling for it, but she had no problem glaring at me scrutinizingly. I would also be hearing from her later, it seems.

Dr. Cullen came to my rescue when he began to inspect Bella closely. My mom and I used this time to dismiss ourselves, bidding my nosy brunette friend a goodbye. My mom told me to wait for me in the parking garage, she'd leave work early but she needed to finalize some documents and save some files before leaving. Before leaving Bella completely, I made the hasty decision to mouth some hefty words.

I'll explain it all tomorrow

She couldn't respond due to her father's and Dr. Cullen's prodding, but the light jut of her chin told me she agreed.

I made it a couple of hallways out the room, nearly toward one of the hospital's many exits before being stopped. I could feel my eyes roll into the back of my skull as my feet stomped admittedly childishly at the sight of a broody vampire leaning against the exit's door. Edward must've found something amusing about my reaction because he could seeing him try to wipe a smirk off his face before he straightened his posture. I didn't bother attempting a spree as he made his way towards me, not necessarily menacingly but I could see the interrogating intent behind his eyes. When he was about a foot away I took a step back and glared, symbolizing that he was close enough. Thankfully, despite the situation we found ourselves in, Edward was respectful enough to accept my unspoken but obvious demand and he stopped before me.

"We need to talk" he said is as if he wasn't sure, slow and almost exasperatedly as if he was exhausted. And too be honest, I understood that exhaustion a little too well. Having to hide what I am for so long, hiding what I've learned since I moved here, the training- we moved here to fucking get away from the bullshit. Not pile up some more. So, despite the aprehension that built in my chest at the thought of future consequences- I took a chance.

"Yeah, i sorta got that, but not here and not now, I'm already gonna hear an earful of it when I get home for slipping up in front of Bella, if I tell my mom that our local bloodsucker saw me too, she'd kill me"

Edward surprisingly chuckled at my words, which was the complete opposite response from what I expected. I just called this man out, I just admitted to knowing his secret, pretty rudely too- and he's laughing at my poor attempt to alleviate some tension? That's a little suspect, almost like he was already aware of my discovery.

"I don't relish telling my family that our secret's been discovered by a stranger"

"So how about we get a little more acquainted?" After saying this I stuck out my hand and offered him the best grin I could given our circumstances.

"Anita Rodríguez, a proud member of the supernatural community"

The copper haired teen scoffed at my words, but his poorly hidden smirk dissuade my offense. A cold, icy hand extended towards my own before taking it in a firm but gentle grasp. His eyes met mine and although he wore this amusement on the surface, I could tell he was just as nervous as I was about this turn of events.

"Edward Cullen, a fellow member"

I snorted with an eye roll, but didnt bother ruining our cordial atmosphere with a sarcastic comment. That can wait for later, when we both can handle another joke.

"By the way, I will be asking about your and Bells-"

Edward opened his mouth, most likely to deny the accusation I had yet to make, but I waved him off before he could speak.

"Don't bother, Eddy boy, it's obvious as the night is dark, I just want to make sure she's ok, friend duties you know"

Edward looked more uncomfortable at the prospect of having to discuss his feelings than at my revelation of his family's secret. However, this is a necessecity. I don't plan on telling Bella about the Cullens, it's not my place- but I'm not gonna watch her become a meal.

"She's not my meal"

It was said with so much conviction that I felt I was a direct response to my own thoughts. I blinked in surprise, unsure how to respond for just a second before regaining my senses.

"Sorry, still wrapping my head around things, Can you give me until Monday? I need to get my head straight"

Edward lip twitched toward the end of my sentence, as if I had said something funny. I was grateful to see him choke it down before unnecessarily clearing his throat and nodding to agreement.

"That is understandable, until Monday, Anita"

"God you're a geezer"

Edward didn't choke down his clearly amused chuckle that time. Our confrontation ended with great timing too, because when I turned to exit I noticed Rosalie and Carlisle slowly ascending towards us. I signaled my leave to Edward before making a swift exit- I've got enough on my plate.

The home treatment was as expected- a lot of yelling, of lot of frustrated tears, a couple of threats of moving before ultimately my mom settled on upgrading my training regimen for the next month. This honestly wasn't as bad as I was expecting, I was sure she'd have my head on a fucking stick for threatening exposing us. But my mom also has the sixth sense that tells her someone's relationship with her. It also relates to our ability to sense when someone might try to fuck us over or when we're in serious fucking danger. I should've known she'd sense it with Bella too, but when we were arguing there seemed to be something else on her mind. It had to do with Bells by the way ma worded it.

"Does she know already? Has anyone else to her?" It was a weird question because why would she know about sorcery? In New York we weren't the only family on the block with a little magic, and almost everyone we knew personally was like us- but that's because we had to form family alliances to ensure our safety. It was getting dangerous to be a sorcerer without a coven and some connections- hence why we dropped everything and left. Daniel doesn't even practice his sorcery like ma and I do because he was so put off by the violence that was breaking out over territory. It's like a magical gang war and we didn't want that.

But outside of New York? You're not likely to see more than one actively practicing coven in a town. A sorcerer's magic is stronger hereditarily and if it's not practiced and passed down then it goes away after a couple of generations. My family is a pretty strong sorcerer coven and my magic is pretty strong because of it being practiced religiously for generations- but their was a big decline in magic around the industrialization period. Many families stopped practicing and it severely weakened their bloodlines abilities.

Or at least, this is what ma told me. I knew some of it, like the bloodline getting stronger the longer magic is practiced. I had no idea about the industrialization piece though, but it makes sense.

"Ma why are you telling me this"

Is what I asked at the time. She was rambling and she only did this when she was unsure about something. My mom doesn't like to assume, she likes concrete evidence- but I can tell she has a hunch she's right. And a sorceress always follows her intuition.

"I think Bella might come from a weak bloodline, but it's their- I feel it"

I snorted, I truly did. Bella? My Bells? The girl who can't even pass a volleyball is a sorceress? Entertaining my mom, I placed a hand on my hip and shot her a question.

"Then why haven't I been able to tell? I know how to sense another sorcerer"

"The sorcerers you're used to are from bloodlines, but those from weaker bloodlines can easily pass off as normals"

I dropped my hand from my hip as my brows furrowed. This was the first of me hearing of this and I had to seriously take it into consideration. In my head I was running through a list of telltale signs:

Did I sense a magical energy from her? No

Has she ever reacted to my ring making noise? No

Did she show to have a sixth sense? N-maybe. Oh shit- maybe?

"She knew the van was coming, at the time I was hopped up on adrenaline, but Bella reacted about the same time as me when the van came towards us"

I hadn't missed the way my mom flinched at the mention and I shuffled towards her with my lowered arms out. I forgot how recent this all had been, literally happening a couple of hours ago.

"Sorry"

She didn't say much as she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed before separating. That's a lot of affection coming from her.

"Upstairs, in my room, the charm with the arrow's head, of you're lost it points you the right direction, it's a metaphor"

"Abuelita loved her metaphors"

I winced, another sensitive topic I had glided over. We just lost my bisabuela and today ma could've been identifying my body in an autopsy room. I really need to give it up for her being so calm about everything.

"Yeah…she did, go get the charm and get to bed, unless you got something else you want to tell me?"

I did my best not to freeze up, knowing that she was just teasing. But fuck, she wouldn't be my mom if she couldn't tell if something was off with me.

"Anita"

It was a fucking warning and I knew- I knew- I should've just told her right then and there. But I didn't. Because I was tired and the day had been exhausting and it had only gotten more confusing as the time passed. So I just shook my head, promising myself to tell her once everything blows over, before rushing off to take a much desired shower.

I needed a sad-girl-hours shower- cause a bitch was stressed.

The following day had been a complete 180 compared to the day before. I had gotten up early, something I had finally returned to doing since our move, and was ready for whatever shit show awaited me outside of my home.

The weather seemed to be the only consistent variable because it was just as wet, gloomy, and frigid as the previous day. I was happy that I the jackets I used in New York would be of some use though, when we moved I wasn't all that into the idea of being in some hot ass state that thinks seventy degree is chilly. Fifty degrees is chilly. And since it's chilly, I can be a little cute today- cause chilly is tolerable.

First and foremost, I put on my ring- because I forgot it one day and I cannot stress the anxiety I felt without it. Next I decided to throw on some fishnet stockings as a base for my legs before covering them with some highwaisted stylishly ripped jeans that hugged my waist but left a lot of room in the pant legs. I followed up with an oversized mid-rift sweater that snuggly encompassed my frame and stopped just above the lining of my jeans. The sweater hung off one shoulder and was solid black that made my gold necklace and hoops pop out. On my feet were the same old black booties I've been rocking with because they're my favorites. They're simple, cute, and that grip on ice is wild.

I didn't bother packing a jacket because a hoe never gets cold and it would ruin my aesthetic so fuck it.

Before leaving out the house to meet up with Bells, who would most likely try to grill me about the promise I made yesterday, I grabbed the charm ma had me get and slipped it over my neck.

I gave my mom and brother a hug and kiss goodbye before rushing out the house to meet up with Bells. I wasn't surprised to see her truck waiting for me on my side of the road. Bella knows I'm always there before she pulls up and with her clearly wanting answers for yesterday's event- I figured she'd be here earlier today. As I walked up I could feel the slightest bit of aprehension swelling inside of me. It's not everyday you tell someone you're a sorceress before adding "hey, you may or may not be one too"

Speaking of, I asked myself what Bella was in my head and as I opened the passenger door and looked at her- my sixth sense pulsed. It was the same feeling I got when another sorcerer was present, this ineffable knowing that appeared out of nowhere. No questions needed because you just know. And now I know: Bella is like me. The problem with that being? She doesn't know she's like me, cause she doesn't even know people like me exist.

We talked as we usually did and it was astonishing how well this girl could restrain herself from asking the questions that her eyes held. I mean, I could practically see them bubbling up inside her. So I cut the small talk and went straight for the good stuff.

"I just hope we don't have to do any actually planting in today's trip, I'd literally kill ever-"

"I'm a sorceress!"

I just blustered it out, not even checking to see her response before I started to ramble.

"Like alchemy, charms, enchantments, magic sorceress. I come from a long line of sorcery and when the van was about to hit me I used magic to get out of the way"

I don't know why the fuck I hadn't expected this, but Bella hit the brakes. Hard. And although I had my seatbelt on, the way the back of my head hit the seat left me seeing stars for a second.

"ISABELLA"

"IM SORRY"

She pulled to the side and took the keys out the ignition. It was then that I noticed how her hands shook lightly. I wanted to comfort her but her reaction had set me on edge, I was consumed by the belief that I'd made a mistake. The truck was silent for a couple of minutes, it got to me so bad that I found my hands fidgeting with each other as I allowed her time to process what I just said. But I also took this as a good sign because she hadn't brushed it off as a joke like I expected her to. Bella seemed to be seriously contemplating my mini monologue as we were parked off road. I actually jolted when her head turned to me sharply with furrowed brows, I was so englufed in my fear of rejection that I almost missed her words.

"Prove it"

It took a second to register, but when it did I momentarily shook off the enchantment that made my ring practically invisible. My hand was raised in our lines of sight between us, fingers spread to display the ring my prominently . Bella regarded the bulky piece of jewelry as if she'd just noticed it, which only further detered my belief in my mom's speculation of the girl.

"I knew I'd seen that ring before"

It was a mumble under her breath but I caught it regardless. I did my best to brush it off as I recanted my previous thought. So she had seen it before, fan-fucking-tastic. Just another for sure conversation we have to have- that ones gonna be reserved for much much later

"This ring is like a channel, it allows me to control my power and even stores excess power, like energy. Sorcerers were once referred to as witches, but we differ from them, and yes- they exist too, our magic is more practical, sensible. We have certain laws we abide by like regular humans abide by the laws of physics. I am human still, just letting you know."

I paused to let her process what I'd just said. I was thankful for her quick learning because I'm not a patient teacher and my nerves are a little frazzled from the scare she gave me just moments ago.

She nodded her head to continue, i took a chance to relax after noting how her features had calmed and her eyes looked at me rapt instead of repulsed. To say I was relieved would be an understatement, my worries were miraculously alleviated by her innocent interest.

"Think of magic like energy cycling through the body, we absorb it, we channel it, we emit it. Being able to channel magic is what gives sorecers the ability to do what we do. The fun cool stuff, the scary dangerous stuff, our sixth sense- all because of our bodies being adapted to channel magic over generations. The more a generation practices or at least keeps up with magic- the better the next generation gets at using it."

I knew Bella had no problem understanding the basics because she's a smart girl, I mean ridiculously smart, does she have much common sense? No, not really, but she's fucking smart. Now while I was giving her a little background information, I was actively demonstrating what I was saying with a raised palm settled safely between us. In the center of my palm was a torn piece of paper.

Bella watched as smoke began to fume from the piece of gradually brown paper before flick! the paper erupted into flames- which I quickly swatted away because my dumbass actually forgot fire burns.

I, too, lack common sense.

"Woah! Are you- what the hell!"

"I know right"

It wasn't the nose appropriate response, but I was so smug about me being a sorceress. It's a huge part of my identity that I have to fucking hide from everyone- it's nice to be able to gloat a little.

What I should've expected but was all too eager to partake in was Bella's fountain of questions that she drew from. I mean, this girl was spewing them out like water out the faucet. But if she was the water than I was the drain, dutifully taking in every question she gave me.

Bella was halfway through the history of sorcery by the time we pulled into the parking lot.

"Bells, we can talk more about this later but when we're not alone we cannot talk about it- at all, if people heard and word traveled, even if nobody believed us, my family could get in big trouble"

It wasn't necessarily a lie. If word got out it could happen, but word would never get out because no one would ever believe it enough to gossip. The reason I had to lie was because the Cullens had conveniently pulled into the lot a couple of minutes behind us and I can't exactly tell Bella to be quiet because the vamps are around.

Bella nodded wordless with more vigor than the girl usually expresses. It made me smile seeing her taking it so seriously, I knew tell her would be a good thing.

We strolled towards the big yellow school buses that I honestly never seen before now- and I was suppose to use them to get to school. Our stroll was interrupted by a brown hair pink faced Mike Newton who practically gravitated towards Bella as he played around with a basketball in his grasp. Bella made sure to elbow me in my side when I groaned a little too loudly at his presence.

"You're alive! You're alive!"

I snorted at the frankestkne reference and frantic flare of hands. Mike was a nuisance, but he grew on you- like mold.

If I'm gonna be honest here, I blanked out. Like completely. I probably nodded a little before departing to let Bella deal with him alone- I'm pretty sure she didn't appreciate it but she's more tolerant of him than expires my social clock after a couple of minutes and I have a long day ahead of me.

"Anita, you should sit with us!"

I jumped noticing Alice Cullen was approaching me with the blond of my dreams. Not saying which ones though.

He was staring at the back of her head in surprise as she bounded towards me giddily. I expected her to stop just before me so I made the ugliest yelp when her tiny arms circled around me in a firm hug- but she's so adorable. I could practically feel her excitement being tramitted to me through her hug. It was infectious and as quickly as I had shrieked, I laughed with a matching exuberance while my arms around the chilly brunette.

"Sure thing babe, I'm always down to ride with you"

Alice did the closest a vampire can get to an unlady like snort and playfully shoved me away. I didn't miss the way Jasper quirked a brow before rolling his always with a poorly hidden smirk. It's cute when they act like they're not amused.

"I'm so excited!"

"Yea, planta really hype me up too, I just love how green they are"

We started to make our way towards one of the yellow buses as Mr. Molina called to gather his students. I ended up sad who he'd between go two blocks of ice as we walked, which was fine with me- I like being the center of attention. I'm a Leo.

"It's the best trip the school has, we went last year too- Mr. Molina likes us"

"Didn't peg you as a teachers pet Alice"

"Hey, I'm not a teachers pet! You're just jealous that he likes me more"

Which was probably true, I consistently get on this man's last nerve and almost always get threatened a trip down to the principal's off with him.

"He has it out for me! I swear!"

"Darlin, maybe if you paid some attention in his class he wouldn't be so hard on you"

"Jasper we've talked about this, love- not in public, my heart can't take it"

This is the thing with Jasper that I really like, his reactions aren't set in stone. Sometimes he can be really cocky and smug, in his own silent Jasper way: subtle smirks, narrowed eyes, a frame that just screams "I'm in charge". But there are moments when I catch him off guard and he gives me this look of disbelief. However it's the overpowering awestruck look on his face which he followed up with a booming laugh that had my heart racing and cheeks flaming.

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind, ma'am"

"You said that shit last time"

I'm not proud to admit that my voice was just above a murmur, not that my mumbled speech made it better.

"Pardon?"

"You heard me!"

I huffed, turning to Alice to avoid the inevitable teasing that he was about to pursue- but she was gone. I picked up her voice a couple of steps behind us and turned to see her with her arms looked through Bella's, tugging my poor friend behind her.

Edward was with the two and he, unlike Jasper, looked completely annoyed by Alice's interference. Both girls caught my questioning gaze, and while Bella shrugged her shoulders also confused- Alice's wink and smug smirk told me what I needed to know.

I turned back to Jasper, but jumped seeing some guys shoulder heading straight for my face. Suddenly I was being pulled into none other than Jasper fucking Hale's side, his right arm curled around my frame a little too securely. If I didn't like the kid, I would've yelled at him to let me go- his grip is uncomfortably tight. But not only do I like him- I also have bigger things to worry about.

Such as the way Jasper came to my defense and demanded the oblivious kid to watch where he was going. The boy straightened his shoulders and turned with a face that said he was ready to start shit, but when his eyes latched onto Jasper's his body shoulders fell with a plop.

"Y-Yea Sir, that was my fault"

"I ain't the one you have to apologize to"

Although I stood much straighter, Jasper's arm didn't release me. Instead, it settled itself around my waist line in that deathly grip that I was enjoying a bit too much. The boy once again stuttered out an apology, eager to get away from the angry blond. I dismissed the kid cause I wasn't really mad and Jazz pulled me out the way in time so I wasn't hurt. The boy didn't stick around longer than that.

"You know, usually I'm not for a man speaking in my place- but damn you make that shit look good"

"Just get on the bus, Darlin"

"Yes sir"

Neither of us commented on his hold on me. Especially not when it loosened but his hand still firmly resides on my hip as he ushered me into the bus.

I don't know what this is we got between us, but I like it. If all I gotta do it accept his vampirism to have this with him, bitch that ain't nothing but a thing.