AN: Did anyone catch the nod to Mass Effect in the previous chapter? I stayed silent about it, hoping someone would point it out, but no one did. Nevertheless, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, as it gets more into the characters themselves.

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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 15: Making Friends

Bella PoV

I couldn't quite wrap my head around the fact that Alice had been alive for more than a century. The amount of things she must have seen. Experienced. It made me dizzy just thinking about it. She was alive before both world wars. Before mankind's first missions into space. Hell, even before we knew Pluto existed. You'll always be a planet to me, little guy.

I hugged my pillow tighter to me, imagining it was something else completely. What I wouldn't give to have been able to witness some of the greatest accomplishments mankind has achieved. Then again, with how rapidly technology was improving now, some of the things that seemed so ordinary nowadays would probably seem extraordinary as time passed. History never stopped being made. Well, unless nuclear war broke out and left the world in ruins. On a cosmic scale, our little achievements probably meant jack shit. Stars being born had more reach than what hairless apes would ever have.

Then again I guess you can't measure the two against each other. No point trying to measure the ocean by counting raindrops or whatever the saying is. I rolled over on my side and reached out to grab my phone. The sound of the rain beating against the roof was the only thing heard in the house, but still it felt somewhat comforting.

Charlie had gone down to the reservation to meet Harry, leaving me alone in the house. I had excused myself from going down there of course. Dad didn't even question it.

And for as exciting my life had gotten all of a sudden, I felt bored. It was odd. Logically I would have expected myself to enjoy some me time right about now. But it was as if I was standing on a precipice, and I wanted to jump over the edge. I wanted to know everything, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out where to start.

What was it like, being a vampire? What else could they do, beside being fast and really strong? Did they have a weakness, like me? What had they experienced in their time on this earth? Who were they before they became vampires? It would be rude to demand to know their life stories, but I was curious. Who in their right mind, knowing what I know, wouldn't be.

I huffed in frustration, trying to get the myriad of thoughts out of my head. I reached over to my night table and got my phone. What better way to focus on something else than call Audrey. I froze with my thumb just about to hit call. When I talked to her, I would usually vent about the things going on. That had been made harder by the fact that I had to hide what I was from her. But with this whole ordeal with both the Cullen's and the Quileute tribe, there wasn't much else on my mind. Even with how I redacted the story about meeting a strange family that was kinda into each other, I think she knew I was keeping details from her. If I spun up a whole tale about how they helped me out with some natives that didn't like my shtick, she was bound to start prying.

So Audrey was kind of a no-go zone. Instead, I scrolled further down my contact list to find my mom. I hadn't talked to her in a few days either, and even though I would still have to lie, her harebrained nature meant she wouldn't dwell on it too much. So I hit call and put the phone up to my ear.

A few rings later, the elated greeting of my mother had me recoil slightly. ''Hey baby girl!'' I could practically hear the smile on her face. In the back I heard Phil say something to her, but I didn't quite catch it.

''Hey mom.'' I replied a little startled at her high spirits.

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I was early to school monday morning, careful to pick a parking spot less prone to being smashed. So early in fact, that the Cullen's had yet to arrive. And given the fact that they were far more interesting than actually going to school, I had decided to wait for them. Not that I was wasting this free time, as I completed the last few trig questions while sitting on the hood of my tank. It was still chilly out even though the snow was gone, but I barely felt it.

The startling 'meepmemeeeep' of a car horn coming into the parking lot drew my gaze as I was putting my books back in my backpack. I couldn't help but smile as I saw Alice almost leaning in front of Edward to get at the steering wheel, with her waving in her usual, excited fashion. I debated internally if I should make a joke about how her mood should be examined by the CDC, with how infectious it was. But I opted against it. Didn't want them to know just how weird I could be just yet. Better to ease them into it.

''Hey Bella!'' Alice called out in her impossibly melodious voice, having hopped out of the door before Edward parked properly one space over from where I was. What was more frightening was how she came barreling towards me at what would be a somewhat fast speed for humans. I leaned against the front of my truck for support as she crashed into me, slowing down at the last moment so she didn't actually hurt me. There was noticeably less restraint in the hug she had enveloped me in.

With her being a little shorter than me, her face ended up at my collar bone and I saw her eyes flutter as she breathed in. The cynical part of me grumbled about how she was she was acting like I was on the menu. In a sort of sick way, I felt it was kind of flattering. I knew Alice wouldn't bite me, yet the fact that my smell was appealing to her was kind of an ego boost. I really should get checked.

Edward snorted as he passed us, seeming like he was in a hurry to get away from me. 'I'll win you over in time, Eddie.' I thought to him, but he made no motion to suggest he heard it as he stalked into the building.

''Hey there imp. What's got you in such a good mood?'' I asked her, noting that the three other Cullen's were walking up to us at a normal pace.

''She's been going like this since you left yesterday'' Rosalie replied with a shy smile, holding her arm around Emmett's. It actually caught my attention, to see her smile. I hadn't known her long, yet I could tell it was an honest one.

''Stop being mean.'' Alice muttered from her position, exhaling one last time before letting go of me. I felt goosebumps forming where the air touched my skin. ''I'm just happy about getting to spend more time with my new best friend!'' The way she bounced as she made her statement giggle. I also noticed her pupils were slightly dilated, which struck me as odd.

The dark center of her pupils contrasting with the gold of her iris and the white of her eye drew my attention. As her pupils slowly returned to what I could guess was the norm, faint traces of a pattern moved in the gold. Giving it an illusion of being liquid almost. It was entrancing.

From the corner of my eye I noticed Emmett grinning, which snapped me back to reality. So much so that I had to catch my breath. He played it off as nothing as he placed a kiss in Rosalie's hair, which reminded me of yesterday.

''I wanted to apologize again for... you know. I know you said I have nothing to apologize for, but I still feel guilty about it.'' I said breaking the silence. Alice frowned as I turned away from her. That pixie really must live for being the center of attention.

''That is kind of you to say, but you are already forgiven Bella. '' Rosalie replies softly, leaning her head on Emmett's shoulder. They really look happy together. Feeling my throat constrict a little, I elect to just nod my head in response.

''Can you test something for me real quick?'' Emmett pipes up with his booming voice, holding three cylindrical metal rods. ''Try to hold these while powered up. I need to see what kind of metal to use for the weights.'' I look at him as if he's grown a second head.

''I can't do that Emmett. Cloaking up means I gotta get naked. And we're in school!'' I hiss at him, feeling indignant that he would take my dignity so lightly as to not even bother.

''Can't you just activate it around your hands?'' Emmett says like it's the most simple thing in the world. How stupid must he... Then I felt myself drawn back to a memory of last week. I had managed to keep my cloak limited to just my hands when I had to destroy my ruined clothes. So it was possible. But no way in hell was I risking another set of clothes while at school.

''I have managed that only once.'' I grumbled bitterly, mad for my lapse in memory. I breathed deeply and tried to let the anger fade. I chuckled to myself, remembering a line from The Hulk that came out years ago.

''I won't risk it going to shit and blowing up my clothes before we're done with school for today.'' I explained to him.

''I can see the logic behind that. Why don't you hold onto them, then you can test it for yourself when you get home?'' Emmett suggests, holding them out in front of me to grab.

''Sure.'' Taking them from his giant hands, I placed them in my backpack. The rods were somewhat heavy, but I found that I didn't mind the extra weight much. ''It's about time to head in for class. I'll see you at lunch, right?'' I asked them, trying to hide the uncertainty. Again my cynical side piped up that I didn't need them to eat. I could sit with the humans if nothing else.

''I hate that I don't have any classes with you.'' Alice said, the spring in her step revealing that it didn't put her down much, as she locked arms with me and dragged me along. I was acutely aware of the looks from the couple behind us, as they followed into the building.

''Finally we can start getting to actually know each other. What's your favorite hobby?'' Alice asked almost too quick for me to understand. Her enthusiasm was hard to resist, and I found myself grinning.

''Well, Tinker Bell. If you want to know everything there is to know about me, it's only fair to return the favor right? So a game of twenty questions?'' I asked as Emmett guffawed behind us. Alice frowned at the nickname which struck me as odd, only to again take into consideration how old they actually were. It was practically impossible for me to be the first one to come up with that.

''Fine.'' She groans out like a child who's toy was stolen. ''So, favorite hobby?'' Alice asked, before letting go of my arm and turning around to the couple. ''See you at lunch. And Rose, don't bite Lauren's head off.''

''What's she going to do today?'' Rosalie asked, rolling her eyes. The humans milling around us seemed to instinctually give us a wide berth, and I noted it was almost time for class to start.

''She's going to give you a piece of her mind for scaring Tyler friday. Which you did, so be nice.'' Alice pointed out, before turning back to continue walking without a response.

I heard a faint grumble from Rosalie as we left, before Emmett called after us. ''See you later Tinker Bell!'' I could see Alice bare her fangs briefly at the mention, as Emmett laughed.

''Bite me Emmett!'' She growled after the retreating pair, with us still walking towards my class. The other kids in the hallway gave us odd looks as we went. ''So, are you going to answer?'' Her voice soft as velvet as she half-whispered. It gave me chills.

''Errm... Well, I do like reading. And watching movies. Anything that let's me escape from the dread of existence is generally good.'' I replied matter-of-factly, my brain still feeling a little numb. Alice just looked at me with furrowed brows, as if disapproving my answer. ''That is until I became... This.'' I added with a shrug. There was so much new stuff to figure out that I hadn't really had time for the mundane.

''That's... Actually kind of sad. Didn't you go out with your friends and do stuff down in Phoenix?'' Alice asked in a hushed whisper. It almost made me chuckle, how she was trying to keep that hidden from the other kids around. While I had never had many friends, I never found that to be a bad thing. I was much more of a quality over quantity kind of girl. Which in retrospect to my situation here in Forks was sort of skewed.

''I believe it's my turn to ask a question. So...'' I said, eyeing Alice up and down. Asking her the same question was a route I could go. But from how she dressed just a tad more... seriously, than the rest of her family, I had a good guess what the answer was. ''Your hobby is obviously fashion, so what else could I ask.'' I stated, keeping a keen eye on her face to see a reaction. And the half-suppressed smile was confirmation enough. ''What's the most selfless thing you've witnessed?''

My question stopped Alice's pace, and got those golden eyes to stare directly into my own. I was faintly aware of how things seemed to slow down again, but I paid it no mind as I tried to understand the thoughts going through her mind. Without taking her eyes off me, her hand snaked into my pocket and retrieved my shades, before she gently placed them on me.

''Not only do you cheat, but you go straight for the jugular when you first get the chance.'' Alice breathed with a grin. ''I very much approve, and will respond in kind you little she-devil. It's just a shame we're in school.'' She continued, her grin turning positively predatory. The hair at the back of my neck stood up, before her face turned to contemplation, and her eyes averted from mine.

Time seemed to speed back up as we started walking again, the crowds around us grew more frantic. Class must be about to start any minute. ''While some would argue it to also one of the more selfish things I have seen, there is only one thing that comes to mind. And please don't pressure them to tell you this, as it's sort of privileged information.'' Alice started, seeming somewhat torn if she should actually tell me this at all.

''It was a vision of Rosalie carry a bleeding Emmett in her arms, as she raced to get to Carlisle in time to turn him. Her eyes were completely black with hunger, yet she ran for miles with a bleeding human in her arms, not even once considering feeding off of him.'' The reverence in her tone so clear that it conveyed how hard that must have been. And it made me feel like I had intruded once again into their lives, without being worthy of the information.

I didn't really know how to respond to that. And thus we walked on in silence, both staring ahead. And then we were suddenly at my destination, with Mr. Mason ready to close the door. ''See you at lunch Bella.'' Alice said as she untangled us and left for her class. I sincerely hope she wasn't about to use her speed to reach her own class in time. That would be kind of reckless, even though there shouldn't be anyone else in the halls now.

And everyone was staring at me. Great.

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Edward had ignored my attempts to communicate during gov, both written and psychic. I was glad to see that Tyler was still in one piece, even though he had his right arm in a sling. The scribbles he made with his left were illegible, but I suppose that was the price he had to pay for causing that crash.

Jessica was a menace during trig, almost getting us caught for speaking on several occasions as she bombarded me with questions. Sure it had started innocently enough, with her asking if I had been okay after going to the hospital. But it had quickly escalated to trying to get information about a certain blonde Cullen. It hadn't gone by as unnoticed as I had hoped, but thankfully their theories went along the lines of contacts and an interrupted tryst between me and her. I almost burst out laughing in class.

Angela managed to rein her in during spanish, but she was no less curious. She was just more delicate with her questions. Which brings us to my current predicament of how should I lie. We were about to enter the cafeteria as Angela had asked me if there was anyone I was interested in. And while it was laughable that I could ever get in between the blond bombshell and her bodybuilder, such a thought made my mind envision forbidden fantasies.

Which I had to abandon quickly as I was painfully aware of the whole Cullen family sitting at their usual table. Including Edward. I did notice the table now sported an additional, unused, chair. Next to Alice. Bad mind. For shame!

Clearing my throat, I prepared the statement in my mind. ''I've only been here for a week, girls. That's hardly enough time to get to know anyone.'' The lie went by my lips effortlessly, and the disappointed looks on their faces told me they believed it. ''I'll see you later.'' I said, almost skipping towards the Cullen table.

I had elected to make lunch at home in the morning, seeing as how my appetite was getting to become somewhat of an issue. While I did have some money, it was far from enough to cover food for very long. And right now I was feeling particularly ravenous, thinking about the sandwiches currently in my backpack.

''Hey guys. Thanks for getting me a seat.'' I said as I sat down. In the back of my mind, the cynical voice screamed about getting chummy with five freaking vampires at once, but I ignored it. It was sort of unnerving, knowing their natural food source was really everyone else in the room. Yet here they sat, pretending to eat. More like ripping their food into smaller pieces then tossing them at the end of lunch, but it seemed I was the only one to realize that.

Taking out my lunchbox, filled to the brim with goodness, I found they were all staring at me. Confused, I looked between them, trying to understand what the deal was. But I came up empty. ''I'm sorry, was the seat for someone else?'' I ask feeling embarrassed with the attention I was getting.

''No, it was for you. We were all just a little shocked with how untroubled you seem. It's strange for us to be approached so easily. Refreshing, I would even say.'' Rosalie responded with a kind smile. In the back of my mind I'm watching Alice's reaction. A slight rise of the corner of her mouth at her sister's words. If she were to ask me the same question I asked her earlier, I would struggle to find a single thing. It was endearing me to her even more, that she didn't hog the conversation all the time.

''If only everyone else knew you're just softies, the lot of you.'' I joked, opening my lunchbox. Alice and Jasper chuckled, while Emmett looked outraged. He was about to speak when Rosalie nudged him in the ribs. As she got his attention, she shook her head slightly, and that seemed enough. He smiled to her, before kissing her hand affectionately.

''What's the most selfish thing you've ever done?'' Alice asked from beside me, drawing my attention. I gaped at her, shocked that she would ask such a thing with everyone here. Then again, she did warn me she wouldn't hold back.

''Really? You want to continue this here, you little imp?'' I said with a hint of a threat, to warn her that I wouldn't hold back either. Alice's grin didn't falter in the slightest, so I sighed in defeat and started thinking. What's the most selfish thing I'd done.

Recent events came to mind. Lying to my dad. Allying myself with vampires to survive. None of them were really selfish. Almost attacking Jacob. Almost killing Justin. Killing that one bird. There was more guilt in those. Leaving my mom to live here in Forks. That was somewhat selfish, though I had little choice in the matter. But it set me on the right path.

''Making my dad come down to Phoenix to visit when it was his turn to have me over.'' I answered bitterly, feeling bile in my throat. The table grew silent, and the smiles faded.

''Wow. That's low.'' Emmett said quietly. A low, humorless chuckle escaped me, as most of us looked deep in thought. Everyone but Edward, who was staring at me with scorn.

''Tell me about it. The first time I suggested it, it seemed like the logical choice. I hated Forks, and I didn't have to sit on an airplane alone for hours twice a year.'' I explained with a sigh, the self-loathing practically punching the air out of me. ''I never considered Charlie's feelings on the matter. And he never complained. Not to me at least. And then it just became the new normal as the years went.'' As I started to feel angry with myself, the alien feeling of Jasper's power trying to calm me enveloped me. But unlike yesterday, I let it in this time, knowing that if I get too angry I might expose us.

Taking a deep breath to clear the last motes of hate, I continue. ''Now that I think about it, it's possible one of the reasons I'm so protective of Charlie might lie in my guilt for how I've treated him.'' The table falls quiet for a spell, before Alice breaks it.

''How old were you? When you asked that the first time.'' Hearing her sad threatened to reignite the embers, so I clung to the calm that Jasper was pressing on me.

''I don't remember exactly, but I think I was nine or ten. Somewhere around there.'' I answered, clearing my throat and shoving another sandwich into my mouth. Noting the depressing mood that settled as I ate, I pressed to leave it. ''I believe that's two questions, imp.'' While it might be bad manners to speak with your mouth full, it did it's job.

''Damn, you caught me.'' Alice teased back with a dry chuckle. ''Then shoot. We gotta get this game moving again.''

And just like that it was in the past. I just hoped my honest answer would help them know me better. At the very least, I felt better for sharing it, even though it was hard.

''Let's see... Oh, this might be good for everyone, if you'd like to join in?'' I asked, getting nods from four of the five. Edward just up and left the room without a word. At least not one that I heard. ''Okay then. What's something you prefer to do the old-fashioned way?'' I felt really clever about that one, considering the time they've been around. But the looks I got back told me they've already spent enough time thinking about that one, as they started answering one by one.

''Sewing by hand.'' Alice said with a smile. Thinking about it, I should have seen it coming. Vampire reflexes probably came in handy doing that too. With how much time she must have had honing her skills, I imagine she's quite good.

''Chopping down trees with a proper axe. Not that there's much reason to bother with the axe anymore, now that I'm awesome!'' Emmett said with a grin, flexing his biceps. The answer seemed like a reflection of who he had been once. Looking at his physique, it wasn't actually that hard to consider him being a lumberjack in his human life.

''Using real elbow grease to fix up cars. Power-tools just make it boring.'' Rosalie responded, looking pointedly at me as she spoke. She probably got the response she was looking for as she started giggling at my double-take. The blonde bombshell was a mechanic?

''Seriously?'' I gaped, cutting Jasper off. He seemed to take it in good stride though, content to watch me make a fool of myself. ''Is she just messing with me?'' I asked Emmett, who just shook his head with a proud smile.

''What, is there something wrong with that?'' Rosalie challenged, and if not for the fact that I knew she expected my reaction, I think I'd have been scared I might have pissed her off.

''Hell no, more power to you for being proud of what you like to do. But it just kind of has to upset the cosmic balance, mixing so much hotness into just one person. Save some for the rest of us, would you?'' I lamented, making Emmett laugh loud enough for many in the room to take notice. I saw Jess and Angela whispering to each other shortly after. Guess the interrogations wasn't over for today.

Alice harrumphed beside me, crossing her arms and frowning in displeasure. Why I couldn't tell, before she was so kind as to let me know. ''Sewing by hand is cool too!'' Her whole demeanor could be summed up into a simple word. Cute. Who knew vampires could pout?

''Sure it is, Tinker Bell. But it didn't really come as a surprise.'' I said, ruffling her short spiky hair with my left hand before I really thought about it. It was surprisingly soft compared to her unyielding skin.

While she didn't stop me from doing it, the pout never did stop either. It wasn't until I saw Jasper's eyebrow raise questioningly that I pulled my hand back. The feeling of heat on my cheeks told everyone what I felt.

Jasper didn't comment on it however, instead choosing to answer the earlier question. ''I guess it's not really a thing I do anymore. More something I miss doing from when I was human. Ridin' horses.'' He says starting calmly, yet a twang of an accent came out just at the end, seemingly by mistake. He's strangely focused on a spot on the table, before he smiles briefly to himself. While riding horses was still something that was pretty common to this day, the way he said it was off.

''Why would you not ride horses anymore?'' I asked, wanting to say something completely different. And I realized how stupid the question would be to a vampire. It would simply be useless. They could run faster than horses on foot.

''Unfortunately, animals seem to have better instincts than humans. Most tend to panic when they catch our scent.'' Jasper replied, his voice calm and collected again. ''That, and we kind of consider them food.'' He continued with a toothy smile.

''But you're in school, surrounded by your intended prey. And there are recorded instances of prey and predator getting along, if they grow up together.'' I press on, however fruitlessly it may be. ''So there's not really anything stopping you, other than taking some precautions. That and you'd have to own your own farm probably. So money might be an issue.'' By this point I'm just being obstinate.

''I mean, I know it would be purely novel experience for you. And I'm rambling about it. But if you miss riding so much, work for it damnit.'' I start to get self-conscious as they all just look at me as if I've grown a second head.

As I stuff my face with another sandwich, trying to look everywhere but into someone's eyes, I keep on muttering. ''If you want something, go for it. Don't wait for it to fall into your lap.'' I let my hair fall like a curtain around my face, in an attempt to hide.

Low chuckles start to emerge from the four other occupants, as they look between each other. ''You are right, of course. There's not really anything stopping me, apart from myself.'' Jasper responds kindly, flashing his teeth as he shows me a genuine smile. ''Perhaps I will try my hand at rearing a colt, in the future.''

''You really are strange.'' Alice cheers, as everyone continues tearing up their food some more. I was down to my last sandwich, but felt like I'd had enough for now, so I put it back into my backpack.

''I still have a question, imp.'' I teased as I straightened up in my chair, my mind racing to find a question one could ask a vampire. She just looked at me expectantly, almost as if she knew what I was going to ask next. Which could mean I wouldn't come up with anything original. And that made me redouble my effort to find something interesting. And while I found one that struck my fancy, I didn't want to ask that in front of her siblings. It might not be in everyone's best interest to know.

So I went for something safer. Funny how that worked. ''If you ruled a small country, what kind of weird laws would you enforce?'' I asked, and Alice didn't miss a beat to even pretended to think about it.

''I would make it illegal to make small shopping centers. And there would be state-funded fashion shows. Hmm, what else... Maybe a holiday, dedicated to myself.'' She said very matter-of-factly, while daintily checking her nails for imperfections. Something told me her response might be an impersonation of someone, but I couldn't tell who, or when. There were low chuckles from the people at the table, which was either a confirmation, or this was just a very Alice thing to do.

''So. My turn.'' Alice continued with a cheshire grin that had the hairs on the back of my neck stand out. ''What single event has had the biggest impact on your life?''

And I just felt stumped. I could think of three things off of the top of my head to respond with, but none of them would warrant the look on Alice's face at the moment. They were just obvious. So I started thinking some more on it. Learning I had powers were certainly quite a shock, and it did feel like an important milestone in my life. But I don't know if it's had the biggest impact on my life. At least yet, my view on it might change in the future.

Meeting the Cullen's were also a bit of a turn around. And learning about vampires being real. And shape-shifters and werewolves. But they just seemed like small epiphanies compared to learning that I was not completely human myself.

Was there anything from before just this year that might qualify? My mom and dad splitting up, and moving down to Arizona? It did send me on a different path, surely. I couldn't even imagine what I would be like if I'd grown up here in Forks with Mike and Jessica and the rest. How different I would be, and act.

I don't even know if I would have my powers if we hadn't moved down there, but that might be the case. Rosalie thought it could be something that was inflicted on me, and it did first manifest itself in Phoenix. But it was just conjecture until I found proof.

The squeal of a chair being scraped along the floor brought me back out of my thoughts. I couldn't locate the source, but it did make me realize that all four other occupants of the table were staring at me, awaiting an answer. Alice's smile had turned from a creepy grin to a more comfortable happy one, which had me suspecting she was waiting for an answer that somehow stroked her ego.

But why would she ask such a question of me, that had so many easily apparent answers, if she wanted that? Was the response I was going to give been somehow obvious to her visions? Would I give her the answer she wanted just from the question, or because I believed that's what she wanted? Was I already so hopelessly lost to this little imp?

The cynical part of me reared it's ugly head, roaring in defiance. I would not be a simple plaything to anyone. I was my own person, damn it. Who does she think she is? Playing with my emotions like an accordion, to make herself feel better. I noticed her smile fall, and the monster in me grinned. That's right. You won't get what you want for nothing, you little she-devil.

Jasper turned in his seat to look at Alice, who seemed like she was staring through me. I'd wager it's her seeing another vision of what I would respond with. Then he turns to look at me with concern, and the beast stills. If Jasper reacted to her, that means her emotions must have shifted. And she had been happy a few moments ago, so was what I was going to say now going to hurt her? We were just making friends. I don't want to push her away. I don't want to make her hate me.

But I don't want to lie to make her feel better either. I want to get to know them as they truly are, not as some gilded representations of what they could be. And if that was going to happen, I would have to honest with them. To get where I want to be in the long term, instead of focusing on the short term.

The interaction we had that night when I figured out what they were came to mind. How Alice had reacted to me accusing them of being murderers. It was probably the one moment that decided where my future would end up, in regards to staying in Forks. As Alice had said at school the day after, if I had told Edward I knew, the situation would have become untenable. What would his response had been instead? What would my response to his reaction had been? Would I have left to live on my own?

It hit me that this might have been the answer Alice was hoping for. To get to feel good about making me change my mind about staying. About becoming their friend. And I guess I do owe her for that. I fear what would have happened to my parents if I hadn't. But I don't think that's what's been the single most important event in my life.

''I'm sorry.'' I said quietly, hoping Alice and Jasper would understand. Emmett looked between us with his silly grin slowly fading, still awaiting an answer. Clearing my throat, I gave it. ''The greatest change to the direction of my life, would probably have to be when my mom and dad split up.'' The mood turned somber around the table, and I noticed Alice's strained smile. It didn't reach her eyes this time.

It was Rosalie that broke the tension. ''It is unfortunately becoming quite the common occurrence in this day and age. But you seem to have matured into quite the capable woman, despite your hardships.'' Her tone was kind, yet I didn't know if I should feel offended by her words. It might have something to do with her being from a different times, because I believe she meant it as a compliment.

It also brought to the forefront of my mind that yes, they did grow up in a completely different time, when women didn't have the voice they do now. How strange it seems to me, that when they grew up, something as simple as getting a divorce was considered heinous in the eyes of god. And how strange it must be for them to see how that has changed.

''Thanks Rose.'' I said with a smile, which she returned. I looked to Alice, who seemed lost in thought. I wondered what she had seen me respond with, to have her draw back into herself like this. It made me hate myself that I did this, even though the cynical side of me insisted I actually didn't do anything. I felt a little conflicted about it considering it had all been in my mind, yet I knew that Alice could see me responding without me actually saying anything. I feel like I should apologize. But not here.

''Maybe we should continue our little game later Alice?'' I ask, trying to get her attention. To my dismay, she only responded with a nod.

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The rest of the day went by quickly. Edward still didn't respond to any of my attempts to start a conversation. Thankfully the subject of the lesson was interesting enough for me to ignore his brooding demeanor.

Mike did hunt me down as we went towards the last class of the day, gym. He was apparently as in my interactions with the Cullen's as Jessica, who also tracked us down on the way there. It was funny to see how nosy they both could be.

''Is there something going on between you, Emmett and Rosalie?'' Jessica managed to ask with a straight face. I burst into laughter imagining the kind of scenarios going on in her head. I laughed so hard that the sound of metal bars banging against each other in my backpack got their attention.

''What was that sound?'' Mike asked. And the laughter just died in my throat. I didn't really know how to explain to them that I had a supernatural science experiment going on in my backpack. Then again it was frankly none of their business.

''Oh it's nothing. And yes there is something going on between us Jess. We're becoming friends. Is that wrong?'' I ask, maybe with a tad more sarcasm that was needed. I was actually a little impressed with her. She pays more attention that I thought. Too bad she was just too into conspiracies to consider the simpler option. Then again, the rumors about the three of us had probably been simmering since my first day here. And today was the first time all three of us has been in a good mood at the same time. From an outsiders perspective at least.

''That's not what I meant.'' Jess protested as we entered the locker-rooms, leaving Mike. ''What I'm asking is if you three are a thing.'' She whispered, as we were not alone in here. I still couldn't suppress the smile at the thought.

''No. For your information, Rosalie and Emmett is the most solid couple I think I've met. And I genuinely like them both. I wouldn't dare try to get in their way.'' I said, possibly laying it on a little thick. I just hoped that she could disseminate that throughout the school so that particular rumor didn't become a thing.

''Then why was Emmett laughing at you as if you'd told the worlds funniest joke?'' Jess asked as she was stripping down. I made a conscious effort to shut down my second-sight at that point.

''Because he's a genuine and funny guy, once you get past the big, scary exterior. And I can't all the credit, it was Rosalie that set up the joke.'' I replied honestly, trying to focus on myself as I almost stumbled putting my shorts on. I heard her stop moving, so I looked over my shoulder at her.

She looked shocked, with her mouth hanging open and her sweater pressed half-way down her breasts. It was an oddly pleasing sight.

''Rosalie made a joke? Rosalie? The ice-queen of Forks? That Rosalie?'' Jess asked as she finally managed to come back to reality. I was a bit surprised to hear that, as I've never seen any reasons for why they would call her that. Then again, she was extremely pretty, which probably got a lot of attention in a school full of hormone-ridden teenagers. Her hating the attention after the first few kids got the nerve to ask her out, even with Emmett in the equation, was inevitable. So it would make sense to be harsh on those that dared, if only to stop even more from bothering her.

''She's kind when you don't try to hit on her.'' I said honestly, closing the locker and getting ready to leave. 'Too much, anyway' I think to myself, somehow managing to stop myself from blushing.

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AN: So as I believe I've stated before, I want this story to be more of a slow burn when it comes to Alice and Bella. But that doesn't mean I can't have fun with it. So here's a little omake of the cafeteria scene.

THIS IS NOT CANON!

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- Clearing my throat, I prepared the statement in my mind. ''I've only known Alice for a week. Fuck-waitwhatNO!'' The words tumbled out before I could think, and now it was too late. The looks of both Angela and Jessica were ones of shock and victory at my Freudian slip.

I could also see that a lot of the kids in the cafeteria had turned to look at us after my outburst, the room quieting down. I tried not to use my second sight to see what was going on behind me at the Cullen table. I just wanted to run out of there, before they did anything.

That was, until I heard the sharp wolf-whistle from Emmett, before he started singing. ''Bella and Alice, sitting in a tree~'' Some of the student body even joined in, though it made the song die into a muddled mess, mixed with laughter.

I forced myself to turn around to actually look upon their table to see their reaction, and it surprised me. The beaming smile on Alice's face was practically glowing, though she was halfway towards me by now, going slightly faster than a human would. The rest of them, apart from Edward were grinning and cheering. Even Jasper looked happy, though that could be attributed to his empathy power being overwhelmed.

''Come here you minx!'' Alice growled huskily as she gently cradled my cheek and leaned into me, placing her soft, cold lips to mine. Wolf-whistles was heard from several places in the room, along with hollering and cheering. My second sight sputtered and failed at about the same time I started loosing feeling in my feet. I actually had time to muse to myself that I was loosing consciousness, but I disregarded it as I focused on the feeling of her cold tongue gliding over my lower lip. Then everything went black.

I'm thinking I might have to do this more. It's been along time since I've made fun little asides to my writing. It was surprisingly refreshing.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If there is anything that was unclear or that you believed was off, please don't hesitate to tell me.