CHAPTER 10

Stepping out of the school building I slung my book bag over my shoulder before bounding down the steps and walking along the sidewalk, the trees providing a nice shade from the sun high in the sky.

"Cecilia."

I spun around to see Jane standing at the entrance of an alleyway. She was dressed in an all black ankle length dress with a black cloak around her, her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight bun with the hood of her cloak down.

"Ugh… Jane. W-what are you doing here?"

I made my way over to her as she stepped back, further into the alleyway.

"Once you told my brother you were here alone, unprotected, he was… unhappy, worried and I was finishing up a mission in the states so I stopped by to make sure you are okay. I've been informed by Aro to stay by your side until you return to Forks."

"Oh. Well, I'm actually going to the airport tomorrow. Apparently the Cullens are sending Bella and Edward to Florida to see our mom and I am supposed to fly there tomorrow."

"Good. I will stay with you until you board the flight."

Jane's tone of voice left no room for argument as she followed me back to my dorm, I made sure to stay in the shade for Jane.

"Luckily my roommate has already left for the summer since her parents only live like two hours away so we will have the room to ourselves."

It felt weird having Jane in my little dormroom, she looked so out of place as she flipped through one of my textbooks I had left open on my desk. I instantly grew embarrassed as I looked at the state of disarray, I had clothes thrown every which way and even a bra was laying on the ground next to her feet.

"I ugh… I'm sorry about the mess. I wasn't expecting company and I am in the middle of packing everything, seeing how I won't be coming back again."

I rambled a little more until Jane cut me off with a little light airy laugh that almost startled me with how innocent and childlike it sounded.

"Do not worry. Your room reminds me of Heidi, for all her beauty and grace she can't figure out how to get her clothes into the hamper."

I couldn't help but laugh at what she said even though I did not know who Heidi was but the idea of any vampire with a messy room sounded comical to me. I shuffled around before I went and sat on my bed as Jane continued her examination of my dorm before she turned her gaze to me.

"My brother had given up hope of ever meeting you, his mate, and now that he has found you, he is terrified of you."

"T-terrified of me? Why is he terrified of me? I'm just a human and he is the most feared vampire to ever exist."

"He isn't terrified OF you. He is terrified of what you represent to him. A weakness, a living breathing weakness that is human. If our enemies found out about you… It would kill my brother if something were to happen to you. That's why the Cullens will be punished for leaving you unprotected."

I sat up, I had relaxed and laid down but now I was up, frowning at Jane as she picked up a rubix cube and started solving it.

"Why punish the Cullens? It is not their fault I had to come back to school and I am completely fine so no harm done."

Jane glared at me, obviously not happy at my defense of the Cullens.

"No Cecilia. It is not fine. What if I was an enemy of the Volturi or even a passing nomad you would be dead and my brother would have to go on for eternity without a mate, if he could even survive the initial heartbreak. Being a part of the Volturi is dangerous as a vampire, as a human it is a death sentence. That is why you will be turned as soon as you return to Volterra."

I flinched at her harsh words, I did not know it was that serious. I had, in my naiveness, assumed the Volturi were supreme and had no enemies. Seeing how her words affected me, Jane came and sat next to me, careful to keep some distance between us.

"All his life, my brother has wanted to love and be loved and my brother does love you, Cecilia. He may never say it but he will show it. I know you didn't ask for this but I do ask you to give my brother a chance. Try to look past the facade and scary stories the Cullens tell you and see the person he is. The person who shielded his sister from the flames that were meant to kill us as humans."