CPOV

I barely got to sleep last night after telling myself I would just forget the whole incident happened. I spent the morning focusing on the playlist for tonight's show, instead, hoping a music high would drown it out.

David and I sat at the lounge table in the hotel suite with a slew of complimentary breakfast dishes, practicing the songs for tonight. I'd thrown around the idea of playing one of David's songs, but there was no way we could learn it in a matter of hours. There wouldn't be enough time, so we were choosing more covers.

Travis was in the shower, probably using all the hot water. We were still in our pajamas. David's consisted of plaid sleep pants and an old-ish T-shirt, while I sported an oversized band T-shirt and cotton shorts underneath.

I pitched the idea of David and I doing a duet, since we couldn't perform one of his originals. I thought he should have a chance to showcase his voice, since he mainly sung backup for me. He truly had the dreamy, rough, emotional voice that girls fell for and loved so much. I couldn't count how many girls fell all over him just from finding out he was a musician. Travis was our drummer, and preferred to just be the beat instead of a voice. He wasn't much of a singer.

"Okay, we'll harmonize in the chorus, and then I'll take the second verse, and you have the first," I explained to David. He nodded, staring at my lips for a second.

"Got it," he said, propping up his guitar. "Let's give it a try."

He plucked out the beginning notes of the song, his gravelly, deep singing voice taking the first verse.

I wanted you to know that I love the way you laugh

I want to hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph, and I know it serves me well
I want to hold you high and steal your pain

I always got a delicious chill of goosebumps from hearing harmonizing in music. It was a powerful thing, and my own voice blending with David's always worked so well. David's voice was the reason that it gave Seether's a run for its money. But, I'd never be an Amy Lee. Her vocals were unmatched. I would never come close, but I'd had a lot of practice these last few years.

I joined him for the pre-chorus, and he made eye contact with me this time. I smiled when our voices collided, allowing myself to get lost in the song.

'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

You've gone away
You don't feel me here anymore

I took over the second verse, watching the muscles move in his hands as he picked and strummed. A small wave of insecurity washed over me suddenly. Despite my practice, I had my own nerves when it came to covering such a song like this, especially someone with such talented vocals. Though I knew I had no reason to feel this way, as the crowd's given response last night told me we were more than okay, it still rattled me.

The worst is over now

And we can breathe again

I want to hold you high and steal my pain away
There's so much left to learn
And no one left to fight
I want to hold you high and steal your pain

The verse ended, and David's furrowed brows told me that it was written all over my face. He stopped, planting his guitar on the floor, watching me.

He's been acting sort of weird since last night.

No, you're only thinking like that because you were almost neck-mauled by a beautiful boy last night.

Wait, no. No, no. Don't think like that. I haven't thought like that since ninth grade.

Never in my life had I ever dated. I had crushes, but I never even built up the courage to talk to them. I was inexperienced in every way, and therefore, had a huge stamp of innocence on my forehead. David, however, was the opposite. He wasn't a man whore, but he'd had his share of girls. Not that it defined him; he was goofy, loyal, and always there for me and Travis. I considered him a second brother; he and Travis have been best friends since they were kids, and they were just as close now.

"What's wrong, dudette?" he asked, placing his hand on my wrist. He rubbed it in a comforting manner, something he always did when he noticed me like this. "You nervous? Your voice was a little shaky there."

I wanted to shake my head; I didn't need him worrying about me and not being focused. I wasn't going to ruin this show for him. But, I didn't even have to shake my head, because he already knew. It was just rhetorical of him to ask.

"Hey. You're gonna be great. We know all the parts, and you know this song really well. I've heard you sing it before. What's crawled up your pretty little butt?" He joked at the end with a tap under my chin. He'd never said something like that before, and it made my stomach slightly flip. I shoved his shoulder playfully and laughed, breaking his contact with my wrist.

"Don't put 'butt' and 'pretty' in the same sentence, Sherlock. And I'm fine. I always get shy before shows, remember?" I shoved a syrup covered piece of waffle in my mouth. "I'll be fine."

Travis came out of the bathroom then, a towel wrapped around his waist. I could feel the steam from the bathroom making it's way in our direction.

"You used all the hot water, didn't you?" I asked, raising a brow. I picked up David's guitar and strummed away, attempting to sooth my nerves. The finger work gave me something to do, and required my focus.

"Aw dude, come on!" David complained, rising from his chair. "Some of us like to have a spa feeling in the morning!"

I snorted, and continued my work.

"Sooorrryyy," Travis exaggerated in a nasally voice, grabbing his clothes and going back to the bathroom to change. He saved the nasal reaction for when he did something on accident; but, this was hardly an accident. It was really quite funny, though.

"Guy eats my Doritos and takes my hot water," David grumbled. I halted my strumming and looked at him.

"You still love him, though," I said smugly. "You guys have been friends since elementary school. Plus, this is a hotel. I don't think the hot water runs out. He just likes to make the bathroom steamy." He was watching my fingers on the guitar.

"And, you could always replace your Doritos with ketchup covered tortilla chips. Then he wouldn't eat them," I added. His head snapped up to meet my eyes and his face lit up.

"That. Is. Genius! Dudette!" He raised his hand and high-fived me, holding onto my hand a little longer than is needed for a high five.

This was strange. He'd never done this before. Does anyone else notice this? Is it just me?

I pulled away and gave the guitar back quickly, before my blush had a chance to expose me.

"Yes, and now I have to go shower," I mumbled, grabbing my clothes from the bed.

After Travis finally finished his long shower routine, I took my turn and was glad that I moved my toiletries into the hotel bathroom.

While I was conditioning my hair, feeling relaxed by the hot water, I gave the song another try, knowing deep inside there was no problem with it.

The worst is over now, and we can breathe again
I want to hold you high and steal my pain away
There's so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I want to hold you high and steal your pain

'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

I washed myself and shaved my legs, the melancholy key of the song reminding me of the boy with the dark, coal eyes.

Why did he have those? And why did he try to attack me? His teeth were...

They could've cut right through my skin like...

Knock, knock!

"Hey dudette, I know you sound better in the shower and everything, but some of us gotta shower too, y'know!" David yelled outside the door, ever the jokester. I almost cut myself when I jumped, and rested my head on my knee for a second. I needed to forget about that guy. I'd never see him again, and I was fine now. He hadn't hurt me.

"Okay!" I yelled back. I rinsed the conditioner out of my hair, before shutting the water off and grabbing a towel. I stepped out and wiped the condensation off the huge vanity mirror.

Shoot. I forgot about my makeup. Now I have raccoon eyes.

Eyes.

What was with those blue contacts? Why did he say he hated me?

I know those contacts weren't just for fun. And I definitely knew the blackness of his eyes weren't a separate pair of contacts.

Those teeth were real, though. And his skin was pale, unnaturally so. And the temperature...

The only creatures in the fictional world that were pale with sharp teeth and strange eyes were...

You're not doing this forgetting thing very well.

"Stupid makeup," I mumbled, plucking a facial wipe out of it's plastic container and wiping my eyes.

This was going to be a long day.

~~~~~~~S~~~~~~~

Come a quarter to noon, after more practicing, we left the hotel to drive to town square. Robert was riding with us in the tour bus to give directions, so he and David were in the front while Travis and I were in the back lounging on the couches, squeezing in another Guitar Hero match.

I was laser-focused, switching furiously between red and orange combos and blue and green ones. Travis was keeping the beat with the heel of his foot. If I was being honest, I was trying to calm my nerves once again by playing a mind-numbing round of video games.

"How far are we?" I asked absentmindedly, finishing the song.

"Five minutes, kid. After your sound check, I'm taking everyone to lunch," Robert called from the front. "No, you can't drive on that side!" Robert jerked the steering wheel to the other side of the road.

"Jeez, sorry," David said harshly. "And we all have names. That's Cheyenne, I'm David, and her brother's Travis. We're not kids." I think he rolled his eyes at the end; I could practically hear it.

"What time is Cassie going to be there?" I asked, hoping to avoid a fight.

Robert glared at David for a second before looking back out at the road.

"When the show starts," he replied shortly. "She'll have other agents with her. They all flew in from L.A. to see you. Turn here, the guard's gonna let you in." He told David at the end, pointing.

"Got it," he said.

"Oh," I said. More agents? "They all work for her?"

Robert nodded.

"Yep. The more agents that like you, the more gigs you're gonna get and then you could be signed faster than Shirley Temple." He grinned proudly.

"You're joking, right?" I said bluntly. I wanted to travel, but be signed? I still wasn't sure about it.

"Nope," he replied happily. "If these agents approve, you could be right on the ball."

"Don'tcha wanna be big, dudette? We could go to Vegas! We've never been there!" David bounced in his seat and parked the bus.

"All right, let's get set up. The roads have been blocked off for you guys until the show. And from what I hear, a lot of the same people are buying tickets," Robert said, hopping out of the bus. He seemed happy about it.

"I don't know," I mumbled, flicking the curtains shut. We all made our way off the bus, and I took a good look around at what was Volterra.

Big, blue, wide open sky, cobblestone ground, vast buildings built into one another, shops, restaurants, and a huge fountain where a huge stage was being set up occupied my vision. I could see stage lights hanging from it, and a black curtain covered the back of it. Lights were being tested, and stools were being placed down. There were people with grey T-shirts setting it up. Everything was blocked off like Rob said.

I saw some people trying to sneak peeks at what was going on. There were also some street guards standing by the signs that probably said "Road Closed" in Italian. David and Travis were unloading all the instruments, cords, and amps, which more staff people took. I tore my eyes away from the gorgeous town square, and went over to help them, since they were always packing up for me.

I climbed into the trailer, moving past the moving guys and grabbed my keyboard stand. I handed it over to one of them and then picked up my hefty keyboard.

It should be, it cost quite a lot.

I made my way back to the opening and handed my keyboard to David, then jumped out.

"Psyched, dudette?" David asked with a smirk, following me to the stage. I shrugged.

"If you mean excited to sing, then yes," I replied simply. When we neared the stage, I could see Robert yelling at the people with the grey shirts about where to put everything.

"Ah, you'll loosen up after the sound check," he said knowingly."

He was right.

He hopped up on the stage, setting up my keyboard.

Thirty minutes later, we were finally warming up and checking all the mics.

He pointed to David. "Play me somethin'."

Almost immediately, David broke out into a riff from Don't Fear the Reaper. I cracked a grin; wouldn't put it past David to show off.

"Stop!" Robert yelled a handful of seconds later.

"Man," David complained under his breath, looking away from Robert angrily. "I was just getting to the good part."

"Don't worry, we have Guitar Hero mode planned for the show," I assured him. Travis was adjusting his ear piece, sitting at the drum set.

"One more time," Robert said ruefully.

David grinned, and continued with his riff. He listened, watching the controls again before waving his hand for David to stop.

"And that's how it's done," David bragged, his grin never leaving.

"Doritos, David," I deadpanned, staring out at the empty space where the audience would be. He always got distracted by the thought of Doritos, and it was funny. I needed a laugh before this show, so I took the opportunity.

"Maaaan, why can't they make a burrito flavored Dorito?" He groaned, throwing his head back. "It's not that hard." He threw his arms up.

"Drums," Robert commanded, pointing to Travis. He nodded, and did his part.

"Did you have your Doritos today?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at David with a quirked smile. He pouted.

"No," he grumbled, his lip jutting out. "I doubt freaking Italy has them here. When we get back to America..." He looked at the sky dreamily, closing his eyes.

"There's some in the tour bus," I said like it was obvious. "Remember? We bought you ten bags of the Party Size before we left."

I absentmindedly took out my phone, and aimed the camera at us for a selfie. I didn't know if we'd ever come back to this place, so documenting the experience seemed like a good idea.

"Oh yeaaah!" he said, relieved. He saw what I was doing, and held up his guitar like he was playing, sticking his tongue out in KISS fashion. I stuck my index finger and pinky up in the classic rock hand gesture, and snapped the picture. He jogged over to see what it looked like, swinging his bass behind his back.

"Do I look good?" he said, looking over my shoulder. He stood closer than usual, as I showed him the picture.

"Damn. I'd date me. We look good." He said the last part seemingly to himself. I snickered, trying not to think too much of his behavior. There was no time.

"All right! Let's get a few songs going and we'll get lunch," Robert called out. I ignored the goosebumps that appeared on my spine and snapped my head up. I pocketed my phone and David moved back to his spot.

"Upload it later," he said. I nodded at him, and asked if everyone was ready.

"Yep!" Travis said from his spot, waving a drum stick in the air.

"Let's rock!" David cheered.

(A/N: What do you think is going on with David? Hmmm? Any ideas?)

APOV

"Come on, Al," Felix whined, leaping onto my bed. I set my jaw; he was the most irritating immortal I had ever encountered. "Tell me about her! Did you drink her? Was she good? Are you having trouble getting it u-"

I swiftly kicked him off of my bed, sending him crashing into the wall.

Nobody was permitted to speak of the human. It proved difficult enough trying to keep her scent out of my mind, and away from the castle at all costs. I spent my time staying in my quarters after my talk with Aro, trying to think of ways to get out of this.

Although, there was not one. He claimed her to be my singer. She could not be. It was not possible.

I only departed when Jane had brought me three humans to feed on, none of which were satisfying enough, now that I had experienced the most powerful, tantalizing scent from her.

God forbid she end up as a tourist here.

"Our what, Felix? And don't call me Al. I have warned you many times against using that pet name," I hissed, aiming my palm at him. I was tempted, so very tempted.

He stood up and dusted himself off, holding up his hands in surrender.

"Nothing," he sang, unfazed by my threat. "We just wanna know who you got a crush on." His eyebrows danced at me, while an insolent grin graced his face. I growled at him.

"Leave before I end you," I said coldly. I allowed the dark cloud to float his way, beyond finished with his inquisition.

He backed up, vanishing through the door.

"I'm out!" he called, slamming the door. I growled louder when it shattered into pieces, and ripped from the hinges. "Sorry!"

I sighed, clenching my fists and bringing the mist back in. In my millennium of being immortal, I had never felt so mentally drained. Nothing had ever occupied my mind this much. I was losing my focus, and it was rendering me useless in my duties.

"Brother," my sweet sister whispered from down the hall. She danced through the empty doorway, and sat herself neatly on my bed.

Her scent distracted me from my thoughts, and lifted the fog swimming through my mind.

"Is the news true? Do you harbor human feelings for the human from the club? Aro told me of your visit with him." She spoke smoothly and tonelessly as always, but I could hear it. I could hear the disgust she held for humans, but concern for me. I took her hand in my own.

"Sister," I said, caressing circles on the back of her hand. She smiled.

"I do not enjoy having a singer. I do not want one. I do not want a mate. You know this. Aro believes bringing her here will make the Volturi more powerful." I hated that fact.

"Yes, I heard," she responded with a hard voice. "What could she possibly be for the Volturi? A songbird for vampires?" She scoffed. "It is practically useless. She would never fit in here. I do not doubt Aro's capability to choose powerful members, but this one does not seem to appease me."

I looked into her ruby eyes, identical to mine.

"You were not affected by her voice," I recalled instantly. I thought back to the previous night. Jane had been angry at Felix and Demetri for succumbing to the sweet torture that was her voice, but it held no effect on her.

"Of course not," she said, rolling her eyes. "Why would I pay such useless attention to some ignorant human other than to feed? Although I was tempted to use my gift on her for luring you."

I smiled at my sister lovingly. Killing the human would be easier than I thought.

Perfect.

"Dear sister," I purred, grinning. "How would you like to have that forbidden chance?"

She looked at me, her eyes lighting up with evil delight. She grinned back.

"You are genius, dear brother," she said proudly, jumping into my arms.

I drowned myself in her scent, all thoughts of the human dissipating for now.

Yes, I thought. I would soon have my freedom once again.

CPOV

Robert took us to lunch as he promised. We found a little bistro restaurant a few streets down from our location. David and Travis were wolfing down their respectable dishes, while Robert watched them, appalled.

"They always like that?" Robert said, raising an eyebrow and wiping his mouth from his chicken parmesan. I nodded, sipping my water.

"Yep," I said. "But I love them." I stated, picking up a slice of the spinach pizza I ordered.

"Hey! Hands off the fries, bro," David said, slapping Travis's hand. "You already ate my Doritos. Don't think I won't get you back for that." He pointed sternly in his direction.

"I said I was sorry!" Travis exclaimed, throwing his hands up. "It was one bag!"

Robert was flicking his eyes between the both of them before rolling his eyes and going back to his food.

"Guys," I said. They turned their attention to me. "I love you, but you're turning heads. Here, taste this." I gave Travis one of my slices. He took it and ripped the dough, spinach, and alfredo sauce with his teeth, then handed it back to me. He nodded.

"That's good," he said. I nodded my agreement and went back to eating.

"There, now he won't eat your food," I said to David.

"Well, what about my piece?" David whined, throwing his arms up, eyeing my pizza longingly. I rolled my eyes with a smile and let him have the rest of said piece. He grinned happily, and inhaled it like a starved man.

"You're the best, dudette," he said over mouthfuls of dough.

"So," Robert said then, putting his wadded up napkin on the table. I could see his tongue moving around his teeth through his closed mouth. "We were talking about sending you to L.A. next if the agents like you. They could get you a gig there and get your name out there. Then maybe in a few years' time or even a year, you could be the opening act for, say, Lady Gaga? Or..." He tried to think of more artists.

"I don't think we're ready for that yet," I said honestly. Travis and David were frozen mid-chew from listening to Robert. Their gazes moved to me. Robert looked dumbfounded.

"I really just want to say that I don't want us to be signed just for fame," I said. "That's not my reasoning for this." I looked to my friend and brother. "I don't know about you guys."

"Well," Travis said, wiping his mouth. He rubbed his eye underneath his glasses. "Let's just take it as we go. We'll play gigs, and if we decide it's too much, we'll stop. I'm not gonna force my sister into doing something she doesn't wanna do. That potentially will ruin this experience for her. We all make decisions together." He shrugged, leaning back in his seat and folding his arms.

I was going to cry. I gave him a grateful look, but was worried about David. I knew he wanted to be big, and his aspirations differed from mine. I felt like I was holding him back from his big dream of being a full-on rock star. He wanted his music to be heard, to express himself to the world, and I just...liked to sing. Just because.

"I'm with them," David replied, surprising me. "Lady doesn't want, lady doesn't do. Everybody who knows her knows she doesn't like fancy treatment. She's a simple woman." He shrugged, and winked a light brown eye at me. I smiled sincerely and looked at Robert.

"Not that we don't appreciate what you've done for us," Travis added. I agreed.

"We do appreciate you booking the hotel, and the complimentary services and everything. I just don't want to be rushed. I like to perform because I like it. I truly like it. I like the rush of singing and everything. I like being with these guys, and I like what we do. If you were to sign us so soon, I wouldn't be comfortable. If an artist isn't comfortable, they aren't going to do so well," I explained hesitantly.

Robert didn't say anything. His expression never changed. I glanced at my two goof balls. They were smiling at each other knowingly, probably because of me. David glanced at me, squeezing my hand under the table.

Again, strange.

"Well, damn," Robert sighed, scratching his dark haired goatee, staring at his plate.

"I've never been given that kind of explanation before. All right, all right, look," He rushed then, leaning forward and holding up his hands.

"How 'bout this," he offered, looking at us now. "I'll tell Cassie about your feelings. She can tell the agents to fly back after the show and if you want, you all can stay here and play a few more shows and get comfortable," he said, using air quotes for "comfortable" like a foreign word. "If you don't wanna stay, we could get you tickets right back to the States and your hometown, wherever you like. We'll pay for everything, including gas." he added, pointing at me about the fares.

"And wherever you choose to stay, we could get you gigs and the host would pay you. Cafes, restaurants, wherever you choose." He folded his hands on the table at the end. "What do ya think? With the money you make, you could then pay for your own hotels and stuff."

I looked to David and Travis. They looked back at me.

"What do you think?" Travis repeated his words, letting me decide. I looked at Robert.

"You don't have to do all that," I said. "I just don't want to be signed. Not so fast. I just want to enjoy performing. Not fame. And I'm sorry if that doesn't meet your standards. We've just always stayed small." I looked to the boys, inquiring them.

"I'm not going anywhere without my sister," was all my brother said.

"I want to be big someday, but...not today," David conceded. "I'm here by your side."

"All right," Robert said, waving his hands dismissively. "How about-"

"Robert, what are you pushing now?" A light voice asked. I could hear the authority and humor. Our heads turned to see Cassie sauntering over to our table in all her long-legged, dark-haired beauty. She donned black slacks, heels, and a white ruffled sleeveless blouse. Her black hair was perfectly curled, her eyes sporting a flawless smokey eye.

I heard David whistle under his breath, but not before hearing him practically choke.

"Hello, Cheyenne, David, Travis," she greeted politely, taking a seat between Robert and me. "It's a pleasure to see you all again."

"You as well," I said genuinely. I glanced at David and Travis.

David was painfully obvious with his flustering and gaping, while Travis was just sitting there, quirking an eyebrow at him. I could tell that he was trying not to laugh.

"Cassie," Robert said gruffly, but respectively. "I was just telling them about the agents and-" She held up her hand to stop him.

"Please, I heard all I needed to," she said politely. She looked at me. "We definitely won't force you to sign any contracts or stay in any locations rendered uncomfortable to you. But, if you do want to stay in Italy, perhaps we could let you visit other cities such as Sicily or Rome. They are beautiful places with many available venues. If not, you could return to your hometown or wherever you like, as Robert suggested. No strings attached."

Dang, Rome was my most desired place to visit. I had always wanted to visit the Colosseum, a standing piece of history. I bit down on my lip. With an offer like that, it was hard to refuse it. I mean, I would be going to one of my bucket list venues, and for free.

I looked at the boys; David looked ecstatic, but Travis was just waiting for me to decide.

"That doesn't sound too bad," I choked. "What do you think?"

"If you want to go," Travis offered. "You know I'm on board."

"I say hell yeah!" David exclaimed, buzzing with excitement, then glanced at Cassie. He shrunk into his seat and cleared his throat. "Uh, sorry."

"Okay, Cass, do I need to make some calls?" Robert asked, while I envisioned what the Colosseum would look like in person. I couldn't wait.

"When would we be going?" Travis asked. Robert was pulling the Italian bills out of his overstuffed wallet and placing them on the table, grumbling to himself about something I couldn't hear.

"As soon as you would like," Cassie answered with a single nod. "You could do tonight's performance and be traveling on the bus the following morning. With Robert's help, of course." She flashed her eyes to him, and he just nodded.

"Will you be going with us?" David asked, all too hopefully. "I mean, being that you're our agent and all, y'know..."

"Robert, please call the closest hotel in Rome and book a reservation," Cassie said, ignoring David, but staring at him all the same. Robert nodded, still grumpy I suppose, and got up from his seat to go outside. She smiled and took the empty seat beside Robert's, which was closer to David. I think he just about died; he was sitting up straighter, pushing his straight, light brown hair out of his eyes.

"I imagine you are all enjoying your stay here?" she asked, placing her shiny black hand clutch on the table. "I do apologize for Robert's behavior. He has never met a trio like you all before. You're all very young and he's not used to such requests."

"Oh, no problem, it's all good, really," David piped in first, his face flushing pink. It just got funnier every time to see him behave this way around her. Normally, he was smooth with the opposite sex, and he was the one speaking first and taking control. But, Cassie really had him wrapped around her finger, and she was hardly doing anything.

"This place is the-I mean, it's awesome," David corrected himself. He may have been a goof ball, but he had some manners. If Cassie noticed, she didn't let it show, except for the small smile she gave him.

"And Robert? Nah, me and him get along fine. We're like buddies!" His voice edged higher at the end. I raised an eyebrow, and decided not to call his bluff. Cassie just watched him with an amused expression.

"We weren't trying to cause trouble or anything," I apologized. "It's such a big commitment, and..." She held up her hand.

"I totally understand," she said simply. "Robert was offering extremities that were not necessary. He quite likes you all, it seems. He's been trying very hard to keep you. He's never been this way with other artists."

I was about to wave it off, when the waiter came over and asked her in Italian if he could take the check. She replied back fluently, and the waiter nodded before leaving.

My heart skipped a beat for a minute; I thought the waiter was the boy I saw from last night. I guess it was the shock of black hair that threw me off, but the waiter had a perfect tan and brown eyes. Nothing like the boy I saw, which raised the questions in my head again.

What was he? He definitely wasn't human. Or is that just from me reading too many novels? Would he show up at tonight's performance? If he did, would he try to corner me again? Would he tell me he hated me again and try to kill me?

Was that why he smelled me?

Forgetting! Remember? Never happeneddddd!

I was broken out of my thoughts when I heard my name.

"Cheyenne," my brother sang. I looked at him. He, David, and Cassie were standing. "You ready to go?"

"Oh, yeah," I said, pushing the thoughts away and joining them. Cassie looked at the watch that was on her wrist.

"I would love to stay longer, but Robert must take you back to your hotel so you can be ready for tonight," she said. "I must be going. The agents have just arrived at the airport, and I have to meet them."

Instead of a handshake this time, she approached me and wrapped me in a light embrace.

"It was lovely to see you again," she commented with a bright smile. "I know you will do great tonight."

David looked super hopeful that she would hug them too, but she shook the boys' hands and wished them the same.

"David," she smiled at him. I was sure that she knew by now that he was practically in love with her. He stared at her for way too long, and, if she hadn't ended the handshake herself, I knew he would have handcuffed their hands together. He looked like he was going to faint from just hearing his name fall from her lips.

"Travis," she shook my brother's hand next with a nod, before turning to leave.

"Man. She is a babe," he groaned when she was far enough away. It was too easy to know that he was holding that comment in through the whole conversation. I snickered.

David, the lovesick goofball, everyone.

"Come on, Dave, let's get you some Doritos," Travis joked, patting him on the back. We left the restaurant and Robert told us our hotel for Rome was booked. Same suite, same floor.

"Aw man, bro, I love you," David with exaggerated emotion, hugging him around the shoulders. He snapped up his head and grinned at me.

"Don't worry dudette, I love you too," he said. I smiled.

"Oh good, I was feeling left out," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

XxX

When we got back to the hotel, four o'clock was here. We had to be back at the stage at six to warm up, which only gave me about an hour and a half to get ready. We were also going to practice our songs one more time in the room before we left. As I was straightening my hair in the huge, flat screen-sized mirror on the wall, my butt tingled with the gnawing thought of the boy showing up at the show. I never got his name, so I didn't know what to call him.

Okay, just calm down. You're overthinking. This show isn't about him.

Volterra was a large place; he could be anywhere. He could've just been on a visit like I was. He could be gone already. But he had a trace of an accent, which I think was British. English, maybe? All I remember was that it was beautiful. His face was perfect, even with the pure hatred written all over it.

Too perfect to be human.

Stop. Focus. Don't let one person ruin your day.

I remembered my father telling me that in eighth grade. He was early into his illness. There had been rumors going on about me all because of a crush I had, and he was teaching me the art of ignoring petty people. My dad would want me and my brother to be happy with what we were doing. With where we were now. And I was. I am.

And that was all that mattered.

I finished my hair and switched off the straightener, turning to my makeup bag. I pulled out what I needed and got to work. Just as I finished with my eyeliner, Travis came out of the bathroom.

"It's five o'clock. We should practice before we have to leave 'cause David's driving," he said. I checked myself in the mirror a final time, and then went to join them. We all gathered on the leather lounge couch, David being our source of music.

"You feeling more confident this time, dudette?" David asked me, staring straight into my eyes. He didn't want me to doubt myself again.

I nodded. I had this.

~~~~~~S~~~~~~

Felix POV

"Is she really coming to the castle?" I exclaimed. Demetri nodded, flipping through an old Poe book while lounging sideways on a chair.

"She has a gift, I told you," he said, smirking. "But the question is if we can catch her. I tracked her. She is still here in Volterra. Jane has me keeping tabs on her."

"Wow," I breathed. Her voice was truly powerful. Never in my entire existence of being a vampire had I come across someone like her, and with such a strong gift at that. Humans normally didn't have access to their gift until after the transformation, given that their main skill was enhanced in this life. If she could sing like that naturally...

She is so singing karaoke with us when she gets here, I decided, glancing at Demetri. I'd ask him about it later.

At the moment, Aro was preparing for her arrival. He was telling the chef in the kitchen about our guest and sending Heidi out shopping for clothing.

"How soon do you think Aro would change her?" I asked. "We heard her. Alec heard her. She could kick ass." I lounged back and put my hands behind my head, watching dust particles dance in the air.

"Quite quickly, I assume. He saw what we experienced at the club, so I imagine he will want her changed immediately. Not to mention since she is Alec's singer, Alec will probably change her himself. If he would stop being such a pussy about his feelings for her." He rolled his eyes and sauntered over to the bookcase. He put the book back and brushed his fingers across multiple spines at once, searching for something else. I grinned.

"Ah, Al's just got nerves. He's acting like she has cooties. Once they meet, he'll be as smooth as the skin on my icy butt," I said, waving it off. Demetri snapped his head in my direction and glared at me.

"I don't want to hear about your butt," he said lowly. I threw my head back and laughed, then shrugged.

"Don't we all have marble asses? Heidi talks about yours all the time," I wiggled my eyebrows at him, joking.

"Although, I don't like hearing you guys through the walls everyday. It's really gross. Could you try to keep it down?" I grimaced. Those two got it on more than Alec and I combined, which was every couple of centuries. Vampires could be satisfied with one partner for a long time, but everybody and their grandmother was sure that Demetri and Heidi were mates. But, neither were willing to commit to such a thing.

Demetri smirked at my last statement.

"Well, I have to do something to block out your deaf tone renditions of Whitney Houston," he said. "I'm sure the castle can hear that more than Heidi and I. You sound like those wet dogs that the Cullens prowl around with."

"Never compare me to one of those mongrels," I growled, standing in his face in a sixth of a second. Werewolves were disgusting and idiotic. And they had some weird mating ritual of their own; implanting or something. No. Im...pairing? No.

Oh, who the hell cares?!

"I have to block out your rabbit humping somehow!" I continued. "You guys break more furniture than I break Alec's doors! And that's just on accident!"

"Well, perhaps when the human gets here, she can teach you to sing better," he smirked again. That she could. That she could.

I heard the footsteps ascending before I smelled the scent. Demetri and I turned to the door just before it swung open.

"Master," we said in unison. Aro held up his hand.

"Felix, Demetri," he greeted. "At ease. Do prepare for our arrival of the gifted human. She will be here within the next morning. I would like you both to see that she is as comfortable as possible. You will greet her and make up her room." He said in his crooning voice. We nodded and bowed our heads again.

"Yes, Master," we obeyed. He paused a second and a half after turning around, only to turn back to us. He pressed his fingertips together lightly.

"And do please quiet your activities while she is residing here. We wouldn't want to scare her," he said lightly, and sauntered, almost floated, out of the room.

Demetri and I glanced at each other, the silence heavy in the air. If we were human, we'd surely be blushing. Demetri threw his chosen book behind his shoulder and sped to the door.

"Where you goin'?!" I yelled exasperatedly. I had a bone to pick with him for comparing me to a fucking wolf.

"To fuck Heidi one more time before the human gets here," he said hurriedly, and shut the door.

Oh, Lord help us all.

"Aleeeeec," I whined, making my way to his room.

Haha, Felix asking Alec to use his gift on him for once xD Here's the rewrite. I hope ya'll are enjoying the re-writes so far. I know I am. It's gonna help the story move along better. Please review!