AN: So that's ten chapters done now, and I feel like we're finally getting started on this whole thing. Thanks to those of you who have stuck with me so far, and I hope you will continue to enjoy the crazy rabble I put up here.

And I know this was almost three weeks late. I apologize for this, and will set myself to work to catch up to my schedule again. Maybe there's even an additional chapter in it for you guys yet again. Wink Wink.

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Small update:

I had messed up which day of the week it was in this chapter somehow. The accident is happening on friday, not thursday, as I previously wrote. That, and a few spelling mistakes I found is all that was changed. Sorry for the inconvenience.

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Deadly Affection – Reimagined

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of it's characters. I just play around with them.

Chapter 10: Wheels in Motion

Bella PoV

Still somewhat put off by how lunch had ended up being a complete mess, I got to my class and sat down next to Edward. He was staring intently at me since the moment I got to the door. It was like he was trying to stare a hole in the side of my head.

''Sorry.'' He murmured, turning his gaze to the teacher starting the lesson. ''Were you being honest?'' His stance, even while seated, was what I could only understand as tense. It was obvious he still thought I would try to give away their secret. I almost laughed.

''Why would I?'' I tried to speak silently, but I couldn't stop myself from chuckling.

''Anything you and Mr. Cullen would like to share with the class?'' Mr. Molina asked in a boisterous voice, the faces of almost every student here turning to look at us. The burning feeling on my cheeks from my blush was numbed by the one in my eyes, and I shut them tight behind my shades. Squirming in my seat, I was having trouble mustering the courage to respond when Edward jumped to my aid.

''I apologize Mr. Molina, I initiated the conversation. It will not happen again.'' His crooked smile turned into a weapon that seemed to be confusing the poor teacher. A little fucking late there, Romeo. I jabbed at him in my mind, and I noticed his smile turn up a little further.

''Sorry.'' I added, staring into the book on my desk, trying to figure out where he had gotten before we interrupted. I could see Mike's grin turn into a frown at Edwards words. Did he think he honestly had a chance with me? The boy was probably going to look quite handsome in a few years, but he still acted like a child. Edward cleared his throat, probably trying to suppress a laugh.

''Very well then. I'll keep my eye on you two. Now, who can tell me more about how the digestive system works in dogs, and how it's different to us?'' Mr. Molina asked the class, looking around at the other students, trying to establish eye contact again. Thanks.

I noticed him nodding beside me, but not another word was uttered between us for a good fifteen minutes, as the teacher kept glancing in our direction every now and then. And with Edward choosing not to speak, even when Molina didn't seem to pay attention, probably meant that he was keeping a keen ear out for us as well. And for once I felt like I was actually learning something in this class.

I was starting to think that Edward wouldn't try to continue the conversation at all, when I noticed him scribbling in the corner of his notebook. And for the first time since last week I noticed a weakness in my second sight. I couldn't see what he was writing. Both the paper he was writing on, and the ink that he scribbled, were the same dark blue 'color' that the clearings I had made in Phoenix was. Like it was drained of energy. As I looked around, I noticed that all of the books looked the same. Frazzled by this fact, I turned my head over to the side to look into his book, as he subtly pushed it in my direction.

'Why would you not?' Edward had written with fine penmanship. Like you would see them use in old movies and such. The question was vague, but then again, all of them had been so far. Or irrational. But it would be a clever move, to keep the questions vague, so if we were caught, it wouldn't give away any secrets. Again, I noticed him nod slowly.

So I don't know how much you know about me yet, but I'm quite new to this whole supernatural shtick. I haven't met anyone else that weren't human since this started. So if I have the chance to learn how the world really works, and maybe even make some friends along the way that I can be open and honest with, why would I intentionally ruin that?

His face was a mask of calm focus, directed at the teacher. And as I noticed him about to turn back around after writing on the blackboard, I guessed it must be because he would have another look at us. So with some more speed than I really needed in my panic, I turned my head around. My hair swung into my face as Molina's eyes caught my glasses.

As his eyes narrowed, I knew I had barely made it in time, and thanked whatever was out there for the fact that my glasses were not taken from me. At least yet. If I get into anymore trouble, I think that would be the first punishment. It's what I would do in his shoes in any event.

So several more minutes pass as Edward and I give the teacher our attention again, still being scrutinized all the while. By the time I notice Edward scribble another note into the corner of his notebook, class is almost over. 'How can I believe you?' Again the flowing lines of his penmanship impress me, and makes me wonder just how old this dude really is. He couldn't be that old, right?

Well that's kind of a stupid question to ask me if I was trying to be disingenuous. I would have thought up an answer to the question in order to be able to fool you, if that is even possible. If I was a spectator in this, and you wanted my advice, I would tell you to ingratiate yourself with me, and wait for me to make a mistake. If both parties were trying to screw each other over, your mind reading ability would certainly give you an edge in figuring that out. Though I guess the most honest and basic answer I could give you would be self-preservation. Trust that I will do everything I can to survive. That does not include trying to fuck over a large group of vampires when I'm not even sure if I can beat you in a one on one fight.

He looked at me out of the corner of his eye, seemingly trying to decipher my expression for falsehoods. Trusting his skills to keep the teacher from catching us again, I turned to him and slowly pushed my glasses down my nose, letting him stare into my blazing red eyes. I didn't know if it held any truth when it came to me with my powers, but I figured it would show him that I was trying to be honest. To the front right in the room, I saw Mike looking over his shoulder towards us, and I slowly pushed my shades back up before looking back to the teacher. And then the bell rang.

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It was getting closer to night as we had finished dinner at home. The sun had set a couple of hours ago and I was currently lying in bed.

''So how're the kids reacting to you?'' Audrey asks with a laugh. She knew better than most how awkward I can be, having been one of the few who bothered to keep me company in Phoenix. I think she had heard the antsy mood I was in, tossing my pillow up into the air and catching it time and time again.

''Well I found out I'm not the weirdest student in this tiny town.'' I had called her to try to calm down, not to be questioned like a criminal. Okay, so that might not be true, I kinda just wanted to vent. Seriously, how can stupid ass vampires be so... stupid.

''Meaning you have already made friends?'' She asked without any finesse at all, though I know not to expect it anymore. She tried to be sneaky with her questions at first when we got to know each other, but that just made me mad. I appreciate honesty.

''Sort of, I think. It's... weird. There's this family of adopted kids that kind of stick to themselves most of the time, making them the resident outcasts. Guess who fit right in?'' To be fair, Jessica and Angela both had been very nice to me, but they weren't the kind of people I enjoyed hanging out with. Maybe Angela, and then only if I could be honest with her. Which was not going to happen. And there the guilt of keeping this secret from Audrey came back to stab my emotional heart.

''Would one of them be among those weird students you mentioned?'' Audrey asked with a chuckle. The image of a tiny vampire stomping off like a brat came to me like a flash, and I laughed with her.

''In fact, yes. It's like I'm a beacon for weird people.'' I jested, enjoying the sound of her gasp on the other end. My pillow went flying off at an angle this time, and I had to get off of the bed to pick it up.

''Why you little!'' Her attempt at scorn was quickly crushed as she started laughing for real this time. ''So tell me about your new friends.'' Her voice is hoarse as she finally calms herself down enough to speak.

''I don't actually know if we're friends yet. It's complicated.'' I say with a huff, thinking about how to proceed with getting to know them now that Alice is mad at me. I would still have classes with Edward, but he needed to get the stick out of his ass before that could progress. ''There are five of them, three boys and two girls. They moved here two years ago I think, and they still haven't opened their little group up to the other kids.'' I tried to recall what Jess had said about their official cover back on monday, but it was hazy.

''Wow, five adopted kids? Their parents must be loaded!'' Audrey sounded a little surprised, but I got the feeling that it wasn't because of any perceived wealth. ''So are any of them hot?'' I know I should not have been, but it was my turn to be surprised.

''What? Why?'' I blurted back defensively, knowing I sounded like the proverbial deer in the headlights. The grip I held on the piece of cotton in my hands threatened to rip it apart.

The barking laughter on the other end confirmed that she understood me perfectly. I just hope she wouldn't get jealous with me, having found a group to hang out with so soon, that I considered hot. I really should have thought this through more before calling her to vent about said group.

''Okay... Yes, they are all hot. That's another weird thing about them. It's like they adopted these kids from a fucking fashion show, or a gym advert or something.'' Knowing what they are, I would hazard to guess it's one of the traits vampires use most to get close to their prey, though they wouldn't need to. Useful to hunt quietly though, lure them into your own little dungeon, before feasting on their blood. I balked at the mental image.

''You don't say. Why don't you describe the two girls for me.'' She had stopped laughing and it sounded like she was starting to get jealous. Or she was living vicariously through me.

''Well, there's Rosalie. She's the poster child for blonde bombshell if I've ever seen one. Long, straight blonde hair. Figure that's like the front page of the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated. Legs that go on for days.'' I chuckle to my self, hearing Audrey's slow breathing on the other end.

''And then there's Alice. She's like a petite elf, being even shorter than me. She has short, raven-black hair that points everywhere. She moves like she's dancing everywhere she goes. Eyes that you could just drown in.'' Also kind of cute when angry, despite her tiny stature, but I chose not to add that.

''Hmm. I think I need to move to Forks, B. Sorry for the inconvenience, but my people need me. You know how it goes.'' I could tell she was joking, but I entertained the idea.

''Don't tell me you're going to come turn all the ladies here into incoherent lesbian groupies?'' I asked with fake incredulity.

''Why yes, I shall, starting with these two you described. By the time I am done with them, they shall be but trembling messes mewling my name.'' Audrey jested back with a sultry tone. I could practically see the grin on her face.

''Sorry to burst that bubble A, but I think they are both spoken for. Within the family, no less.'' I was actually curious to know what she would think of that. Would the stigma of incest mean any less for her? Probably not, but it could affect how severely she thinks of it with them being adopted siblings. Pillow goes up.

''Um, wow. Okay. Hot. I guess I can understand why they keep to themselves.'' And then hits me in my face, having been to stumped to catch it .If I knew Audrey as well as I think I do, I'd think she was actually kind of turned on. I tossed the pillow off the bed.

''A, really?'' I didn't need to say anything else. I knew she knew what I meant.

''What?'' She tried to play innocent, but gave up almost immediately. ''Come on, think of how fun it would be to have a sleep-over!'' With a bunch of vampires that doesn't even sleep. Okay, eww, the mental image. Just no. ''I wouldn't mind a few extra bedfellows.'' The giggle at the end makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

''Who are you, and what have you done to Audrey?'' I ask her incredulously. ''Since when were you into that?'' My eyes flare up as I find myself getting agitated with this line of thinking. My mind is struggling to understand why though. We had talked about fantasies when it came to sex before, as the awkward memory of having to turn down a very turned on Audrey can attest.

''Well since around puberty I guess. Since when did you become such a prude?'' Audrey's retort strikes a chord. When did I become so prudish. And the answer is there before I have to give it a second thought. My powers. It's affecting how I think on some level, whether it be because I know what they are, or that it's some sort of self-preservation mechanism.

''Small town prejudice is getting to me maybe, I don't know. Anyway, how's Phoenix doing? Has the looting and pillaging started now that I'm gone?'' I would ponder the extent of the changes in me later.

''Ohh yeah, Justin even started a small cannibal gang, running out of the ruins of the school, I think. Real crazy shit.'' The sarcasm was dripping through the phone, and I noticed something else. His name felt distant to me, even though it had only been a week. Guess a crazy threat like vampires will do that to you.

''Is he back to school yet? I thought it would take weeks for him to recover?'' Better to feign guilt than to give her clues to how messed up Forks really is.

''Well he's out of the hospital, but he's still not back to school. A group of us went over to his place to say hello after hours. It didn't really seem like he was that hurt, more like he was just being lazy.'' Audrey said with some mix of disinterest and disgust. She have always been very diligent with school, so I suppose to see Justin seemingly ditching because he had an excuse was getting to her.

''That's good to hear. I hope he doesn't resent me.'' I felt like gagging, uttering such platitudes with no feeling. I was completely indifferent to that jerk now. No matter what he said or did, he would never be a threat to me again.

''Funny you should say that. He was cursing you up and down the walls of his room the entire time we were there. Insolent brat this, demon bitch that, and so on. He really needs to see a shrink.'' The loathing she held for him were clear as day, and it almost warmed my heart.

''That, or he needs to get another hit upside the head.'' I grumble out, feeling the surge of anger course through me at the insults she had relayed. From the silence on the other end, I would guess she is surprised by my sudden mood swing. ''Listen, I gotta go. I have some homework I need to get done before bed. Call you later?''

''Sure thing B. Talk to you later.'' She sounds hurt at my sudden dismissal, but says nothing of it. I would have felt more guilty if not for the possibility that I would suddenly ruin my bed and maybe even my phone in a fit of rage.

''Later A! And tell your mom I said hi!'' The last pleasantry through gritted teeth before I hit the end call button and leaped out of the bed, rushing to the window. The rush of cool air as I opened it hit my face and chest, helping me control my anger.

I really got to work on that.

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Friday morning had mostly gone off without a hitch compared to yesterday. I had even gotten to school early, which was why I was currently standing beside my truck finishing up the last bits of my trig homework that I was too tired to do last night.

The parking lot was starting to fill up by now, as some of the students started had started heading inside. I could still see two vamps next to their cars parked near the entrance. Rosalie and Alice. They were talking to each other, while staring in my direction. One guess what the topic was. I didn't turn around to face them, or even acknowledge them in any fashion. I didn't actually know if they knew I had this second sight. I wondered if Edward reading my mind could see what I saw, when several things happened at once.

One of the arrogant kids that I shared a table with at lunch on monday, Tyler I believe his name was, came speeding into the parking lot. What he didn't know was that a few cars in front of him, one of the parents of a freshman was just about to pull out of his spot, and he hadn't seen Tyler coming.

A crash was inevitable with the speed Tyler was going at on this icy tarmac. I started turning around to face the danger just as the speeding car took a sharp left to avoid the reversing one. The mass and poor traction of his vans rear tires resulted in an oversteer, and he was rapidly skidding sideways. Towards me.

Time slowed down exponentially as my power surged through me. My hands raised towards the incoming van instinctually, but I thought better of it. There would be a lot of spectators running to the crash in a few seconds, and I didn't know if I could stop this without my cloak. Or even with it. In the back of my mind I noticed one of the silvery-neon figures dart in my direction at speeds most humans would struggle to see. The surprise made me stumble the first step around to the front of my car, away from the point of impact. What was more surprising was that it was Rosalie.

In the time it took me to get away from the crash, she had gotten to where I was standing when it started, and she looked ready to catch the van that was now merely three meters away from us. More power surged to my limbs as I felt my arms and legs start to bulge beneath my clothes, before I took a step back and grabbed a hold of Rosalie's right hand and yanked her back.

'This obstinate bitch better appreciate this' I cussed in my mind, as the look of surprise on Rosalie's face met my own. Her fingers entwined with mine as she gripped on while becoming airborne. The sound of my fingers breaking were nearly drowned out by the screeching of the tires. As she passed by me, blonde locks whipping in my face, she righted herself midair. I was briefly impressed by the core strength the feat would need, as I felt the muscles in my shoulder strained and finally snapped, causing me to wince in pain.

As the thunderous crash of the van impacting my truck sideways, Rosalie landed on her feet with ease. Her face was one of horror as she looked down to our hands, seeing my fingers bending ways they should not.

''Fuck, sorry!'' She hissed, releasing her cold steel grip from mine, inspecting the damage. The feel of her cold fingers numbed the pain somewhat, as they started to snap back into place. For the first time I could see genuine shock on her face as she witnessed it.

''Don't worry, it'll heal.'' I muttered, rubbing my shoulder as it burned with pain. I was grateful it was dulled by the power surging through me. But my shoulder seemed dislocated, and was taking longer to heal. ''Could you?'' I asked, giving a pointed look to my shoulder.

She seemed to snap out of it, and grabbed my elbow and shoulder and twisted a bit, before pushing it back into place with an audible pop. Screams were starting to sound around us, having only been a second since impact, and people were streaming to us.

I debated internally if I should be angry with Rosalie for causing me pain, or to be thankful she tried to help me out. I was still upset with her over monday, but I didn't feel like I would pop my cloak even with her right beside me, starting at my face. ''We really should get out of here.'' I muttered, turning my head to inspect the damage to my car. It didn't really seem to have taken much damage, other than the mirror being bent as it broke through the window of Tyler's van. His head suddenly popped up, leaning to the side to inspect the damage. His eyes bulged as he saw me standing there unharmed.

''Oh thank God you're okay! I thought I was going to hit you!'' The strained voice of Tyler piped out. His face was bleeding profusely as he had a gash going down from his hairline to halfway down his eye, and shards of broken glass pierced his skin all over. Thankfully nothing that wouldn't heal, but he would bear scars from this.

''Yeah, we managed to dodge out of the way in time just barely.'' I was going to ask him how he felt when I noticed his eyes started to bug out. Then his eyes shifted to look just past me, and he pushed back into his seat. I turned to Rosalie and quickly took in the fact that her eyes were pitch black, and her lips were raised in a snarl. The menacing look on her face gave me a brief pause, but I pushed through it. ''We need to go!'' I hissed as I put my arms on Rosalie's shoulders and pushed her backwards. The intense stare turned to me as I was forcing her back several steps. I surmised that this was the look of a vampire that was about to feed. Probably the last thing many humans had seen before their lives were prematurely ended.

I couldn't tell if she was completely in control at this point, as while she looked like she wanted to tear my head off and feed on my blood, she was letting me push her back slowly but surely. I could see behind us that the other kids had surrounded the cars and were focused on Tyler, although a few looks were spared in our direction. Hopefully I obscured most of Rosalie's face from their prying eyes.

I hoped I was far enough away that Tyler wouldn't hear me bark her name, not that he would hear much over the sound of all the kids rushing to him. ''Rosalie!'' I shook her shoulders hard, trying to knock her out of it. All it did was make her release a threatening growl, so I did the next best thing. Whatever way you look at it, this was as stupid as you could probably get with dozens of humans milling about and a vampire in your sights, but I didn't know what else to do. With my open palm flying through the air, I noted another silvery-neon outline at high speeds heading towards us. The tiny form quickly appeared beside us, holding onto my wrist gingerly, just shy of Rosalie's face.

''Rose! Get a grip!'' Alice hissed out, grabbing a hold of Rosalie's right arm and squeezing so hard I could hear something akin to the sound of stone crumbling. It was almost comical to see her nearly lifting her sister up to the side with one hand, while still being more than a head shorter. At which point I released my grip and crossed my arms in front of them.

''I need to get out of here!'' Rosalie hissed, trying to retreat out of Alice's grasp. I looked her straight in her black eyes, mine probably flaring red. Not that I could tell by the reflection, as I just noticed my glasses were gone from my face. Looking back to the scene behind us, I noted that they were lying in the grass near the front of my truck. Must have fallen off when I pulled Rosalie away earlier.

''Rosalie! Calm down!'' Her eyes met mine, and I noticed they were slowly regaining their usual golden color. She was standing as still as a statue. Talk about deer in the headlights. ''We need to act normal. That means no sprinting off at vampire speeds right next to a crowd of humans. Okay?'' At this point I took note of everyone in the lot milling around, and that coach Clapp was currently on the phone. He had probably called nine-one-one. In front of me, Rosalie nodded rapidly, which messed up her perfect blonde hair.

Alice looked to me with a look that seemed like a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude. She locked elbows with Rosalie and started walking at normal pace towards their car. I closed my eyes and let the power in my fade back, feeling the range of my vision slowly decrease. When I felt somewhat confident my eyes were back to normal I turned to follow. The adrenaline and power being mostly gone, I could feel my muscles being quite sore and tickling ever so slightly. Ten or so steps later, the feeling was gone, probably having healed.

''Holy... Are you okay?'' Alice piped up as I caught up to them. Rosalie was already seated in her car, and with a slight nod in my direction, she drove off. There was probably a good explanation for why she left, but I couldn't figure out why. The immediate danger had passed, right?

''Yeah I'm good.'' I didn't bother telling her I felt completely drained. There was nothing she could do about that. ''Good thing your sister managed to snap out of it in time.'' The way Alice's face contorted in what I could only guess were a mix of confusion and shock didn't do her any favors. If my ears didn't deceive me, I think she even manged to snort somewhat quietly.

''Ohh Rosalie snapped out of it, did she?'' The tiny elf's hands were dragged roughly through her short black hair. ''I don't know how you stopped it, but she-'' one hand pointed in the direction of the red convertible driving down the road. ''-was going to kill half of the people in the parking lot!'' The statement didn't even phase me, to my own surprise. I did however feel a sting of pride over the fact that I was apparently the one who stopped it.

''So much for your vehement defense of your family. Didn't take much for one of you to nearly end up feeding on humans, did it?'' I whispered exasperatedly, immediately regretting my words as I saw Alice's face wince. ''I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.''

''No, you're right. It wouldn't take much for one of us to kill a human. In fact, it is hard for us not to do so.'' Her eyes were drawn to the ground as she spoke. I finally was able to imagine them actually abstaining from feeding on humans, seeing her like this. And it made me question my own sense of morality, imagining what it must be like for them to go to school, surrounded by temptation in such a sense.

I had claimed not to care if they fed on humans, but the fact that they apparently tried so hard not to made me feel relieved. Somewhere along my line of thinking I had conflated my wish not to judge them for what they needed for survival, with my misanthropy.

I must have overestimated my dislike of humans to have this reaction, but I could not figure out why. As these thoughts were swimming in my head, Alice's eyes locked onto mine with a look of determination.

''But that doesn't mean that we should. And it doesn't mean that we should want to.'' Her jaw was set, with golden eyes boring into mine. It felt like the cacophony behind me suddenly died down to a muted hum as we stared at each other. And a strange feeling bubbled inside me. Anticipation.

The prospect of my future suddenly felt a lot brighter than they had when I woke up this morning.

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AN: I hope you enjoyed reading, and I would love it if you could tell me what you think!