AN: So I sort of made it in the nick of time. It was harder to get started writing again than I expected. But I hope now that I've finished this, the next two won't be as hard to start again. I hope you all enjoy it, and thanks for being patient with me!

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Deadly Affection – Reimagined

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of it's characters. I just make them do silly stuff.

Chapter 24: Out and Proud

Bella PoV

We rode in silence on our way to school. I had taken to holding Alice's hand as we drove, the stereo playing some song I didn't recognize. It held elements where it seemed like it might be classic music, but then it suddenly changed it's beat to a frenzied cacophony at seemingly random intervals. It was oddly entrancing.

''Can I ask you another question?'' Alice piped up, letting go of my hand to turn the music down. I turn to her, and see that she's staring at me with an odd look. I nodded for her to continue, trying to understand it. ''Would you want to know you were going to die before it happened, if given the chance?''

Wow. Ok. So that's a bit heavy this early in the morning. No wonder she looked weird. ''What brought this on? Is everything alright?'' I asked her, keeping an eye on her facial expression. A general look of surprise was all I found.

''What? Nothing, I was just trying to continue our little game. To learn more about each other?'' She replied, and I felt stupid for getting all paranoid about it. Given her talent, as morose as it was, it would probably come up at times. Though her visions weren't set in stone, so if it ever did come up they would know how to avoid it.

Then again, according to old proverbs one usually finds one's fate, on the road you take to avoid it. Or some similar nonsense. I don't believe in fate anyway. ''Right, sorry. Well... I don't know. I haven't actually thought about it. But I think... if my death was absolutely certain, then I wouldn't want to know.'' Although, how could one know for certain unless they tried their best to stop it? One might try harder, if they thought it to be the end. Or they might not. I guess that's where it becomes certain, when one gives up.

An issue came to mind then. Would Alice want to know? With her ability, she will likely see her own death before it happens. Unless I do something about it. I could do that for her, if she wanted. But the question died on my tongue, as she suddenly lurched back in her seat with a gasp.

I knew why immediately, having seen her get visions before. The far-away look in her eyes, and the way she froze up completely. I would have been happy for this, if not for the fact that we were in a car, driving down a busy road. And there was a turn coming up in about five hundred meters. Somehow she had managed to maintain the speed, and there were no break lights blazing in front of us. So if she just managed to get out of her funk in time, there shouldn't be a problem. Or so I kept telling myself, as we started to get closer and closer to the white line on the right.

''Alice? Alice, come back to reality. Come on you little pixie, before you wreck your nice car.'' It fell on deaf ears of course. Well, not really. She'd told me several times how sorry she was whenever she zoned out like that. Sensory input gets in and she remembers what happened, but she can't respond to it in the moment. Which seems really inconvenient, considering if she ever got into a fight with another vampire, even a fraction of a second not paying attention could spell disaster.

I grabbed onto the steering wheel, and tried to turn it to the left so we wouldn't run off the road. But even using my improved strength, I couldn't budge it. Alice's grip was just too tight. ''Alice! Come on you crazy imp! Get it together!'' The sound and vibrations that started rumbling through the right side of the car alerted me to the fact that we were getting closer to the ditch with each passing second.

I started to panic when I noticed break lights ahead. There was only seconds left before we'd crash. On the bright side, I didn't have to worry about the ditch. I felt it coming closer and closer to the surface as time slowed down. It was the only move I had left right now to stop an impact. Seems I have to endure Edward hating on me a few days longer. And stop Alice from... experiencing me or whatever.

I saw the blue light erupt from my chest in the corner of my vision, just as Alice blinked. Her eyes raced from side to side to take in her surroundings, before she slammed on the brakes. I immediately powered back down, somewhat surprised at just how fast that worked. It was a little uncomfortable, how the pressure built up inside me as I tried to force it back.

The car lurched forwards as we came to a complete stop. I didn't look to see how much space we had before we'd hit the car in front. My eyes were focused on Alice. How she suddenly seemed to start breathing again. How her eyes fluttered as she inhaled. How the gold in her eyes seemed to swirl as she turned to me as her eyes dilated ever so slightly. Would the cramped quarters of the car make it more difficult for her to resist?

Our staring contest came to a quick conclusion as a car-horn started blaring behind us for a prolonged period of time. Alice quickly put the car back into gear and started driving again, and I noticed her swallow a couple of times. Which indicated to me that I had gotten her hunger up. Yet she still proceeded to breathe in through her nose.

''Are you okay?'' I asked, returning my focus to the road. I could feel tingling in my extremities as I exhaled, melting into the chair. I could do with a little less adrenaline in the morning, even if I was having a great day so far.

''Yeah I'm fine, sorry about the scare.'' Alice replied with a forced chuckle. My heart was still racing in my chest, such that I could feel the blood pumping through my veins. I don't doubt the vampire in the car was extremely aware of this too. ''Hey, did you go blue again?''

It confused me that she had to ask. ''Yeah... I had to, to get you to stop the car before you wrecked it.'' I answered, annoyed with myself for answering with an excuse. ''You were right though. Your visions did come back...''

''I'm always right.'' Alice replied. There was an urge to remind her that that wasn't the case, but I held my tongue. At least she wasn't mad at me for mucking it up again. I looked at her, just to make sure. I was given a stark reminder that she was, in fact, a predator. Her jaw was clenched and eyes narrowed. I would have expected her upper lip to be trembling, if not for the fact that they were as marble.

''So, did you see anything interesting?'' I asked timidly as we pulled up to the parking lot. I could see eyes turning to us as she found a parking spot near Rosalie's car. Among them was Angela, who was sitting with the rest of the gang, though the others hadn't noticed.

''Why yes I did.'' She replied with a forced smile, turning off the engine and getting out in a hurry. I followed suit, barely remembering my pack. The Alice that greeted me outside the car was like a completely different person. Now she was all smiles, as she stood there waiting for me come grab her hand at the back of the car. I took her hand all the same, as we strolled towards the entrance. It was a bit eerie to see her switch like that, but I guess I was right about her being able to fool me with acting. If I wasn't in the car earlier, I don't think I would know she was upset at all.

I started questioning myself on how badly I'd fucked up. I mean, she hadn't really been upset the last time I turned blue. Well, unless you count the fact that it made her stalk and kill a fucking bear. This didn't seem like Alice to me at all, at least if it was the case that I had caused this. She would know that to turn around like this would get me upset. Or did she. In my eyes, if Alice was indeed upset with me over this, I would have expected her to stay in the car for a minute, and talk it out. Or at the very least not try to put forth an image for the other students that wasn't true. She didn't strike me as petty or vain.

It didn't negate the worry completely, but it helped me see things more clearly. Her mood had switched for sure, after I had forced her out of her vision. But that was only necessary because of us nearly colliding. With how everything I knew about Alice told me she had more compassion than most, that also has a dark side. It can make it easier to assume the burden of guilt. We had nearly crashed, right in the middle of a conversation about me wanting to know I was going to die ahead of time. It was entirely likely that she was blaming herself for almost causing an accident. And while even I didn't know the extent of what my red cloak could protect me from, I had no doubt I would have been quite alright with the blue one. But I hadn't told them about how... invincible, it made me feel.

We had gotten to the end of the parking lot when I started paying attention to my surroundings. The hushed whispers of students was like a low hum to my ears. ''Do I want to know?'' I whispered to Alice, who just smiled and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, placing hers around my hip. Guess the commentary probably wasn't that flattering, but then again we're in high school. When is it ever.

It also reinforced my suspicion that she wasn't mad at me, but I wanted to know for sure. ''Hey Alice. You weren't mad at me before because I messed up your visions again, right?'' I made sure to keep my voice low as we went into the building, almost whispering into her hair.

She turned to me with a confused smile, and I suddenly became very aware of how close our faces were. ''What? Why would I be mad about that?'' She whispered back. Before I had the time to continue my questioning, she turned to look down the corridor. I felt her grip tighten around me for a second, as she started waving to someone. And at the end of the hall, I saw Jasper standing alone. He didn't look as affected as I had come to expect when at school, and was actually smiling for once. Which I noticed several of the humans close to him also take note of, some staring for entirely too long. ''I'm also fairly sure my visions are still there, so there is no need to worry about that.'' She stage whispered as she led us toward her brother.

I tried not to stumble, but somehow my feet just wouldn't cooperate with me. The squeak of the linoleum as I tried to regain my balance drew even more attention to us. To the point of where my blush just would let me be. I wanted to ask her what she meant by that. I was so sure... Well I guess I can't really know if I did pull her out of her vision or not, but the timing seemed awfully accurate. Could it be that it wasn't my fault to begin with? That seemed unlikely as well. My blue cloak seemed to have been the only irregular occurrence within that short time-frame to where Alice noticed her visions being gone. But perhaps that played a part in itself. Time. I only flared up briefly in the car, maybe a second or so. Or it could be something that isn't actually connected to the cloak, but rather a secondary thing that kicked in? Not that I can remember sensing anything.

I was so in my own head that I didn't register Jasper trying to greet me. ''Welcome back.'' He said with a smile.

''Sorry, got a little lost in my own head for a minute. Good morning Jasper.'' I took a step forward and held out my hand to shake. He took it after a second of hesitation, and I felt his cold hand very gently try to form itself around mine. It was a little awkward as I tried to shake it up and down, with him having to let his arm be moved for anything to happen. But we worked it out over a laugh, and the three of us started walking further into the school. Alice in the middle, and all three of us holding hands. It was not hard to guess what the whispers around us were about, given the amount of people staring at us from behind.

''Anyone bothering you guys?'' Jasper asked, and it felt somewhat surreal. He must surely hear what they are saying all around us. But then again, they weren't actually bothering us.

''Not really. Though you might want to loose Mike when you're heading to sixth period, Bella.'' Alice said as if thinking nothing of it. What an odd way to warn me. Clear and concise. Who knew she had it in her. ''Hey! When am I ever not straight to the point?'' She leveled me a look that would probably terrify any other human in this school. But I could see the hidden mirth in her eyes.

''Well, there is the whole thing where you played me like a fiddle, so I wouldn't run away.'' I was much worse than her, trying to pretend to be hurt. Jasper chuckled quietly behind her.

''She's got you there Alice.'' He piped up, but chose not to look in our direction, finding the ceiling much more interesting. ''So, your sight is back then?'' He added a little more subtly. She just nodded and resumed to looking ahead, the playful attitude seeming to have vanished.

I quickly understood that the two vampires were leading us to my class as we navigated the halls. ''Should I tell Edward that we're fine, or would it be better to wait for lunch?'' I asked them, completely failing in my attempt to change the subject.

''He already knows.'' Alice replied without missing a beat, tapping our hands to the side of her head. Right, mind reader. Wonder how he's going to take the news. It's hard to make a guess, as he seems to change his mind on how he feels about me every time we meet.

And so we walked in silence the rest of the way, whispers following us with every step.

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I was a little anxious as I made my way to second period, having avoided Mike as best I could on the way there. I still had to deal with Edward, and I had noticed him looking in my direction through the walls. Probably already privy to every concocted scenario in my head. But I defied my trepidation and sat down in my seat without speaking to him. Without even looking at him, even though he knew I did it intentionally, I pretended like he didn't exist. Even as he stared into my back from across the classroom most of the period. Try as I might, I wasn't able to follow along with Mr. Jefferson through the lecture.

I was starting to get tense by the end, and as such my mood was steadily dipping into the red spectrum. I think I might actually have chewed Mike out if he had tried to start bothering me as I packed my things, but that didn't seem to be an issue. He was called on by Jefferson just as the bell rang. The little imp sure was annoyingly accurate in her predictions by the looks of it. Maybe I wouldn't actually need to try to avoid him. But then, would I be able to before gym started? I pondered the issue as I headed to Trig, meeting up with Jessica on the way there. She seemed oddly quiet, only saying hello before walking in silence. It quickly started annoying me.

''You're not one for awkward silences... Speak your mind Jessica.'' I said, bumping into her shoulder gently. After a brief look at me, she looked down at floor. It seemed as if she was mulling it over, with how she curled her lips sideways.

''Well... Don't get me wrong, but... Well..'' She started mumbling quietly, keeping an eye on the riveting chessboard design of the floor tiles.

''Just say it plain.'' There was perhaps a bit more bite to my words than I intended, by the way she looked at me. I held my hands out to indicate regret at the outburst, somehow managing an apologetic grimace.

''How can you pretend everything is normal?!'' Jess blurted out in one go, loud enough for bystanders to hear. More stares. Yay.

But I think I understood her. The flustered look as Alice came over with the rose yesterday. The timid response from her earlier. She was envious. Perhaps she had even experienced an attraction for another girl, but she had been dissuaded by the stigma. Not that it was my place to pry. But it helped me find a way to navigate the conversation.

''What do you mean?'' I opted to play dumb. To reinforce just how stupid the stigma was. She took the bait hook, line and sinker. The way her face twisted was almost comical. This also had the unfortunate side effect that we stopped walking.

''How can you pretend you aren't blatantly showing off that you're... you're...'' She hissed in an attempt to whisper. Not that it helped, considering it was louder than the other conversations going on around us. Kind of a dick move, to bring in the general audience like that. Though it wasn't necessarily her intention. But in the end, it did involve them in a way, so I'd just have to weather any possible blow back from them eventually. Wonder if Alice saw this as well.

''That I'm gay? What does that matter?'' It was crucial that I don't make her see me as opposition at this moment. That would only lead her to getting defensive, and reinforcing her own conviction that it's wrong. And I'd probably loose her as a friend in the long run.

''It's not... Normal!'' I heard in her voice the frustration that I expected to be there. Or was that confirmation bias? Maybe, but there was still hope. By now, a few people around us had started to listen in. Most seemed to be curious, which wasn't a problem. But I noticed a couple of older boys sneering from the corner. I also noticed Emmett leaning against a locker not far behind them with a grin on his face.

''So?'' I replied, emphasizing my disapproval by crossing my arms. It could come off as defensive as well, but that was a risk I'd have to take. ''I understand that we're brought up to consider a man and woman the norm. It was necessary for our species to get where it is today. But when you get down to it, what does it matter if someone wants to spend their time with someone of their own sex?'' I said clearly, so everyone that had gathered around could hear. ''Look at it from a practical perspective. By 1960 there were an estimated three billion humans alive. By 2000 that had doubled to six. In forty years we managed to double our population. And it's expected that the rate will only increase in the future. So it's not like a few percentages of the population opting to take themselves out of the business of procreation is ever going to make us go extinct. Not that the ladies have to opt out of that entirely anyway.'' By this point the hallway was silent, or close enough. There were still students further down the hall, though it seemed the ones passing by stopped to listen.

Jessica's mouth opened and closed a few times, and it seemed she wanted to respond. But douchebag one and two didn't yet seem convinced, so I felt I had to hammer it home. ''And as for the 'moral' argument on the matter, what are morals but a set of rules to ensure the continuation of our species? When there are millions dying of starvation each year, who the fuck is going to claim the moral high ground, when it would only exacerbate the problem? We've actually beaten the game of survival on this planet so thoroughly, that we only consider apex predators a fucking nuisance when they end up killing a some livestock.'' I felt myself start to get worked up as I spoke. The profanity was probably not necessary for most of those listening, but it seemed like it was starting to convince one of the douchebags. The other dude seemed angry, and started pushing him. Probably the leader.

''So to sum it all up for you Jess, the reason that I don't mind the fact that my gay relationship is common knowledge, is because it really doesn't matter in the long run. I am not neglecting any duties, if there can even be such a thing, and I'm not hurting anyone else. If people are too narrow-minded to see that, why should I value their opinions on the matter?''

Jess closed her mouth, with a far-away look in her eyes. There were murmurs starting to flare up around us, just as I noticed the head douchebag elbow his way through the crowd. His friend was still near the corner, and it looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. When he noticed Emmett start to move into the crowd after the head honcho however, he seemed to reluctantly follow along. Which I saw Emmett take note of out of the corner of his eye.

To be fair, they wouldn't even have a chance against Emmett even if it was two on one. Maybe if he was human? Nah, probably not even then. The vampire didn't even seem bothered in any case, with the casual smile still stuck on his face. But he kept his distance, as head douche got to the front.

''Oh yeah? Well it doesn't matter how you try to spin it, you're still a dyke!'' The shit managed to croak out, much louder than he needed to, to get everyone's attention. The self-assured cocky grin on his face, as oohs and aahs was heard from the crowd.

Had I still felt like I did when I left the classroom, I might have entertained knocking the little bitch out. But even as heated I had gotten, trying to explain myself to Jess, I felt sorta happy. I didn't even feel the need to turn to face him fully, only turning my head in his direction. ''I wonder when you feel the most hypocritical. Spewing that shit here, or when you're at home, jacking off to lesbian porn.'' I smirked to Jessica and gently tried to nudge her in the direction of the next class.

I did keep track of the kids movements, almost expecting him to lunge. He wasn't that far away from us, and I had a bad track record when antagonizing pubescent boys. He did seem to recoil at my immediate dismissal, but I now learned why Emmett was standing in the middle of the crowd.

''OOOH BUUUURN!'' His booming voice echoed in the halls, and several students starting laughing along with his jeer. His face burned with embarrassment, and I saw his his posture change to one that expressed anger, as he stalked in the opposite direction of me and Jess. I decided to take note of his features, so I could recognize the douche if he ever tried to get back at me. I already knew how fragile a boy's ego was. The crowd quickly dispersed as the bell rang for next period to start, the hallway becoming like an ant-farm as everyone scrambled to their rooms.

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Mr. Varner gave both me and Jessica a stern talking to, as we arrived too late. But thankfully no detention. I would hazard a guess that Jessica's grades had something to do with that. He didn't want to punish his best student.

Jessica was silent for the first part of the lecture, but at least she didn't complain about sitting next to me. And as the class progressed to individual tasks, she didn't seem disgruntled when I asked what the rest of the gang thought of me and Alice. I figured the joy she seemed to get from sharing gossip would help calm the waters again. And I might have picked her brain a bit to help me out with the drudgery that was trigonometry.

It seemed as if everything was as normal by the time the class ended, and she was back to happily oversharing anything interesting things she had heard by the time we met up with Angela. Who, it turns out, is a nosy little monster when you get right down to it.

''I already told you Ange, we're just starting to get to know each other! We haven't even kissed yet...'' I felt really embarrassed to admit that, but she just wouldn't stop prying. Swan powers ahoy. What felt even worse was the part left unsaid. That it was by my wish. I still didn't know why I was so nervous about that. I had kissed other kids before. Though none of them were of the fairer sex, but still. Perhaps because of some innate thing, related to what I am? Nah, that just felt like an excuse.

''What?!'' Jess hissed besides us, much too loud.

''¿Algo que desee compartir con la clase, señorita Stanley?'' Came the raspy voice of Mrs. Goff. Queue the stares. Swan curse just lets me have it, and I try to hide my face with my hair.

''No señora Goff. Me disculpo por el disturbio.'' Jessica replied smoothly, returning her gaze to her book. It appeared we were in the clear, as the teacher stuck her nose back into the cheesy romance novel paperback in her hands.

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Contrary to my hope, the two did not let up for even a second once class was over. They were grilling me even harder actually, and I wanted to tell them to get a girlfriend of their own, so they would stop hassling me about how it felt, and how I knew it was right and shit. I was saved by the knowing grin of Alice, standing by my locker. And I'll take her conniving ways over the incessant questions any day. I almost ran to her for sanctuary.

''Save me!'' I faux pleaded with her, and the chimes of her laughter greeted me like an old friend. She didn't seem to complain as I crashed into her cold body, resting my head in the crook of her neck.

''I heard you took on a bully in a crowd earlier. And you really need me to save you from your friends?'' Alice teased, ruffling my hair. She laughed harder when I mumbled yes into her shoulder.

''Uhh, we're not... Uhh.'' Jessica started saying defensively behind me, and I knew I might have taken the joke a little too far.

''She's only joking, Jess, don't worry.'' Alice replied to her with a brilliant smile. My my, what a presumptuous little elf. I stood back up and gave her a playful glare, to which she just poked her tongue out at me.

''I'll see you guys later, okay?'' I said to Angela and Jessica, who were still staring at us. Somewhat knocked out of their reverie, they just nodded and turned around and walked to their own lockers. I pulled the books out of my backpack and stuffed them into my locker with Alice watching me like a hawk. ''Penny for your thoughts?'' I asked her as I locked it up.

She looked hesitant for a second. ''I'm wondering if I might have caused to much of a stir for you, with my selfish desires.'' Alice admitted quietly. I didn't know how to respond. I could get defensive, and proclaim how I didn't find it to bother me. But that would be a lie, and Alice would know that. She knew me well enough that when I tried to make a joke about it, she knew it actually really did bother me a little, deep down.

''Wouldn't have it any other way.'' I said with a smile. I guess I sort of knew it would have to be like this anyway. But it was worth it in my eyes. I decided to take the initiative to hold hands this time, as we headed for the cafeteria. It seemed to brighten her mood.

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AN: That's the first chapter done. I hope you liked it, and if not you know what to do. I'll try to get the next chapter up by the twenty-ninth, and then the third one by the fourteenth next month again, so the updates will be back on track.