A/N: I changed the title to better fit the story, and because I felt the title By Moonlight was both cliché and unrelated to the plot of the story. Anyway, thank you for reading, waiting so long for this update, and I hope you're enjoying the show.

CHAPTER FIVE

ROSALIE

After the Valentine's Dance, I stood in front of one of the numerous bathroom mirrors, Alice beside me humming to herself.

While I removed my make-up beside my adoptive sister, I decided to admit forthright, "I kissed her. It was impulsive."

Alice made an eager squealing sound. I crumpled the wipes in my hand and tossed them agilely into the antique white trash can. Why was I honest? I should have kept my brief relations with Bella Swan a permanent secret from all but Edward. Perhaps he would tell Alice regardless, and I was only shortening my suffering.

"But you're not impulsive," Alice said with a sly smile. She looked like a frog that caught a particularly juicy fly. "You're the coldest person I've ever met, so, I mean, you're into her and you're a liar and I love it."

I forced myself not to sigh, forced myself not to show any signs of defeat despite feeling it coursing through my entire icy body. "Okay. Maybe I'm into Bella, but it obviously can't be since she's a wolf, whether or not she… imprinted on me or not."

Alice giggled, eyes briefly bulging. "Like… like the baby dinosaurs in Jurassic Park? What does that even mean? Ooo! Is it a sex thing?"

Furiously, I muttered, "No. It's some weird wolf thing, and is very gross, so I will politely decline your invitation to date Bella Swan."

"Why do you keep fighting it? It's so silly!" Alice tossed her make-up wipes into the trash and melodramatically threw her arms up. She inflicted pure torture upon me.

"First I thought she was a human. Now I know she's a mortal enemy of the vampire race. Those wolves are designed to kill vampires. I'm not going to date Van Helsing. Oh, not to mention the cherry on top; she's a singer!"

Alice giggled and chimed, "Van Bellsing."

I sharply sighed. It was honestly remarkable what I would tolerate from those I called family.

"She isn't right for me. I barely know her, and for countless reasons it would be an insane love affair," I stated, assured in my beliefs.

Alice waved her hand dismissively.

"All love affairs are insane," she said airily, eyelashes fluttering. "You don't get to choose with these things—with romance—it's all random I bet. They just happen and you get caught up in the storm."

I paused for a moment, unwillingly plunging deep into thought. Images of Bella Swan played like a slideshow, flashing through my mind. None of them added up to the grand romance Alice imagined for us.

All I could say was, "When you put it that way, it sounds so chaotic. I hate chaotic."

With a lofty sigh, Alice commented, "And maybe that's why you've never been in love before."

"It would be quite a stretch to say I am in love with Bella—"

Alice interrupted, "Van Bellsing."

"To say that I am in love with Bella, just because I gave her one kiss." I shook my head.

"I can't think of a time I heard about you kissing somebody. That means something. Plus, my vision of you confessing your love for her! Come on!" Alice clenched her small fists and rose up on her tip-toes. If she was going for intimidating, it did not work.

I hated every second of this. "Listen to me, Alice. I chose to avoid romantic entanglements and I'm happy with that decision."

"Are you, though? You must get lonely."

"I don't. I like my own company very much." That was true.

"Invite her hiking."

"Then eat her?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Alice giggled again. "No. Take her to that waterfall we found the other day. It's so pretty."

"My answer is no, and that is final. Please stop trying to pressure me," I coldly said, and I hastily walked away.

I could hear Alice groan from the other end of the hallway.

[X]

The next morning, Carlisle tentatively approached while I was watching Cleopatra for the eight thousandth time. He smoothly sat across from me in the living room on the pristine white furniture.

"I was hoping I could talk to you."

Hastily, I paused the film and politely inquired, "About what?"

"It's about Bella Swan and possible… a possible cross-species liaison."

"Cr-cross-species liaison?" I stammered out. He must be kidding me.

Gently, Carlisle waved his hand as he explained, "I searched for better words than that but it was the best I could come up with."

"Oh," was all I could manage to say. Then I cobbled together a few words. "I don't think it will come to that. I only kissed her. Wait—who told you I kissed her? Alice?"

"Edward. He was concerned," calmly said Carlisle.

Note to self: murder Edward Cullen, I thought.

"There are many things to keep in mind," said Carlisle. I wanted to cringe. Was this some perversion of the sex talk? That was the last thing I needed.

"Please don't do this," I begged.

"In all the noir movies you love, have you ever heard the phrase Cherchez la Femme?"

"Look for the woman," I replied, already confused. "It seems a bit sexist and outdated."

"That's not precisely what I mean. I want to say that love is the most dangerous thing in a world of… monsters. I suppose I could call us that, call her that, in a casual fashion."

"I don't know why I have to say this so often, but I'm not in love with Bella."

"Do you know how we caught Amunet in the end?"

I whispered, "How?"

"Aro—Aro endangered Angelique—and Amunet ended up buried alive for centuries over the love of a mate. And it isn't just you slipping up. If she did… the wolves are dangerous. She could accidentally tear you apart. I know you're used to being invincible…" He trailed off, as if discarding the end of his planned monologue.

I tried to laugh, but perhaps I took him more seriously than I wanted to. "You're worried the vampire slaying werewolf will kill me if I kiss her once? Or are you worried that I'll rip her throat out?"

Carlisle explained in a remarkably level tone, "A little of both. I won't stop you from pursuing her; that isn't my place. But I want you to think about—"

"I'm not weak enough for love."

Carlisle sternly said with a fierce look in his eyes, "The weak would never fall in love, Rose. Love is only for the strongest people."

"I respectfully disagree," was all I could say. I would not stand down.

Carlisle ignored my cold comment and continued, "I know you're teenagers. Just be careful, and if you need my opinion as a doctor—"

My perfectly sculpted eyebrows shot up. "Please, please stop there."

He gave me a brief smile and left the room as quickly and quietly as he came.

I tried to focus on the film but could not. The conversation played in my head on repeat as I tried to process every facet of what was slowly happening with Bella Swan.

Oddly enough, this conversation solidified the situation for me. I pulled out my phone, scrolled through names, conversations, endless messages I left unanswered, and found Bella's contact.

I texted, Care to go hiking with me tomorrow?

She could not have possibly replied quicker, even if she had vampiric reflexes.

I'd love to! What time?

[X]

On Sunday morning, I strode downstairs to find the entire family gathered around the television. I smoothed my shirt and stood before them.

"I am going on a date with Van Bellsing," I said, surrendering to the nickname my siblings so affectionately latched onto.

Alice grinned as if it were Christmas morning. Edward gave a slight, noncommittal shrug. Tanya seemed as impartial as her mate.

Emmett gave me a thumbs-up and requested, "Take pictures."

I shot him a golden glare.

This was my family.

I inexplicably loved them with all of my ice-cold heart.

[X]

When I arrived at Chief Swan's home, I saw my date waiting for me on the porch. Bella was dressed rather improperly in my opinion, wearing jeans, filthy converse sneakers and a flannel shirt. They did not at all match my yoga pants, jacket, hiking boots and expertly coordinated top. Of course, by this point I knew I should expect that coming from someone with such lacking fashion sense, but I made a few observations and then a decision.

"You don't go hiking much, do you?" I asked, corner of my lip twitching.

"I, uh, no…" Bella rubbed her neck, staring at me.

All I did was tighten my flannel shirt wrapped around my waist and beckon for her to follow. She scampered after me, still so clunky on her feet—still so much like a human when I knew she was a wolf. Were they not supposed to be nimble predators?

At best, I could see her as a wereduck.

"Get in," I ordered, slipping into the driver's seat of my car.

Bella obeyed like a good, sweet girl and sat beside me. She strapped on her seatbelt. It was amusing to think that neither of us needed one, yet I always latched my own.

"Were you ever a model?" Bella asked as I pulled out of her driveway.

I laughed. She blushed.

"Is that supposed to be a pick-up line or something?"

"No. I was just curious. You look like one."

"Perhaps for a short burst a long time ago," I said honestly, leaving out a few key details involving vampirism. "I was thinking we could go to this cute little waterfall I found. Can you swim? I imagine it's a doggy-paddle."

"I can swim," said a reddened Bella.

"Good." I shot her a smile, hoping to loosen her up a little. Perhaps I was not as adept at dating as I wanted to believe. It was my first since I turned, after all. "It's a really magical place but I don't want to be responsible for you drowning."

"Gee, thanks, Rose," said Bella.

I teased, "Was that sarcasm?"

Bella gulped and nervously replied, "I, uh… yeah…"

She looked like she wanted to disappear and I felt a pang of remorse.

"It was endearing," I said, hoping that would help. My date did brighten up a bit, thankfully.

"So, where are we going?" Bella sweetly and softly inquired, studying me intently.

"Somewhere beautiful," I said, twisting the knob to turn on the radio.

Bella smiled languidly as classic rock accompanied our drive towards the forest.

[X]

It took me little time to relocate the waterfall. Bella and I engaged in rather easy and flowing small talk while we marched through the woods side by side. We approached the waterfall from the top and Bella looked unsure of herself. Yet, she made it to the top of the cliff and gazed down with me at the tops of the emerald evergreen trees.

"You were right when you said somewhere beautiful," Bella remarked, as I expected.

"I am rarely wrong." I winked at her and she inhaled sharply. For a moment, I tried to remember what it was like to breathe involuntarily. I could not.

"I expect you to jump in with me," I said, edging towards the verge. Bella remained behind, rubbing her arm. "The water is deep, I promise."

"It's still a good way to kill me."

"If I wanted to kill you, you would know."

"Sometimes I wonder."

I smiled and turned to her, extending a hand.

"Want me to carry you, Miss Badass Werewolf?"

Bella blushed. I tensed every muscle in my body to avoid breathing in the scent of her blood too deeply. She walked forward and stood with me.

"Yeah."

It was not the answer I anticipated, but I took her anyway. In one move, I swept her up into my arms and took a running jump. She screamed bloody murder until we plunged into the water.

The pool hit me like lightning, even if the cold did not affect me. Sheer force felt like it might crush my bones. Bella kicked away from me and inhaled deeply and desperately at the surface. I swam up and knew precisely how magnificent I must look as I reentered the world.

Birds sang above and I noticed their chirps for the first time today.

Still slightly sputtering, Bella swam to me. I waited, motionless save for lightly treading to keep myself afloat. She moved so close to me that my mind flashed with visions of ripping out her jugular and letting her sweet, delicious blood splash over me.

I started to edge back but she took my hand and pulled me closer. Hastily, I shoved the unwelcome fantasies to the back of my mind and dragged her closer to the shallows. I touched my toes to the pebbles, barely able to feel them through my expensive hiking boots.

Beneath the frigid water, my fingers lightly traced up her muscular waist. I seized her and held her there, her feet balancing agilely atop my knees. Bella squeezed her eyes shut, looking so human, and I eyed her curiously.

I tried to remember a time I was so overwhelmed that I just had to shut the world out. I could not. Was I truly human that long ago?

"Can I kiss you?" Bella asked as I pulled my fingers away and let her settle, standing.

"Later. If you're good." I smiled and waded out of the water.

Bella followed, drenched, dripping, a bit clumsy even for a strong wolf. I turned to her and patted a boulder. We both sat down.

"It's pretty from here too," said Bella.

"I know," I purred.

Silence.

"I was wondering something," said Bella, nervously wringing her trembling hands. I tried not to look too closely at her purplish veins. We locked eyes. "At the bonfires we have in La Push and… other times too, we… the wolves… we talk about cold ones."

My eyelashes fluttered. "Cold ones?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

"Vampires," softly said Bella. "And if wolves are real… why wouldn't they be too?"

I began to panic against my best interests. "I suppose humans have depicted vampires in their legends for thousands of years. Perhaps they—"

"When I told Billy who I imprinted on, he…" Bella trailed off and gazed at a mossy tree for a few moments. "He said you were… and I know it seems silly but… he said you and your family…"

She gave me a pleading look, but I could do nothing. Of course, the wolves would know. How could I expect her to evade curiosity and their ire? I immediately thought of the Volturi, and the consequences of telling Bella the truth.

I said, "If you don't… if you don't say what you're thinking I certainly cannot answer."

Bella whispered, "You're a vampire, aren't you?"

I hesitated. It would be wise to deny the claim. Yet, I knew a loophole was likely when it came to the Quileutes. They were creatures meant to be kept secret too.

Therefore, trying not to fear the Volturi, I replied, "Yes. Not the human-eating kind, though. We only drink the blood of animals."

She stared at me in both awe and acceptance. I entertained the piercing gaze because I remembered what it was like to wake in a world in which legends were true.

"That's… that's kind of cool," said Bella. I cocked an eyebrow in response. "I—I mean a vampire and a—a werewolf, right?"

Irately, I snapped, "It is not kind of cool. We are opposing forces. Your kind was born to destroy my kind. Did they not teach you that?"

"Yeah. Opposing forces…" Bella trailed off, her cheeks flushed.

I studied her closely. She did look beautiful in this light, but not as beautiful as me. I breathed her in a little too much by mistake. Her blood sang the sweetest cries of a siren on choppy seas and I felt I would be willing to drown and crush my bones against salty slick rocks to drink her blood.

It prompted my insanity, my risky next action.

"You see, how many times could we even touch before one of us slips up?" I asked, locking eyes with the wolf. I took her feverish hand in mine, a clash of ice and fire. "Once?" And I touched one of her fingers to my lips, tempting myself too dangerously. "Twice?" And another kiss, a slight slip into my mouth. "Third time's the charm?" I brought myself too close to sucking on her third fingertip and released her hand. She set it on her lap.

Bella shivered, and I doubted it was from the cold. She feared me, whether she was born to destroy vampires or not.

"It's—it's worth the risk to me, not that I have much of a choice in it."

"A shame that your kind doesn't get to choose who you love."

"I don't think anybody does."

"It may be," I said. "Well, perhaps you should get acquainted with my lovely vampiric features. Do you want to see why we can't go in the sun?" I asked, and Bella nodded.

Airily, I strode towards the sunlight. It glistened on the water, but as I turned and let the light bathe me, Bella's jaw dropped. I knew I sparkled more than the waves behind me did.

"Woah," was her highly eloquent response.

"I know." I walked back to her and stood. She remained seated, gazing up at me like I was an angel. Not a beautiful creature to lust over, like most humans saw me. Like I was a true, honest angel. Maybe that felt good.

"Us monsters are full of surprises, huh?" Bella said. "The other day I found out…"

I thought my pursed lips might be the reason she shut up about whatever werewolf adventure she had. Perhaps I should have apologized and prompted her to tell me, but I did not know what words to use. They were not me.

Yet, I said, "I don't know if it's us monsters, precisely. I've only realized it today, but we're both more human than monster."

"Why?"

"Because a wolf must think of her pack first, and a vampire must think of her coven first. We have a thousand years—a set of instincts—and they make us that Halloween version of selfless. But this—this relationship, if we can call it that—it's selfish."

"I don't…"

"Bella, the thing about being human is that you can only think about yourself. Is that not what we are doing right now?"

"Maybe," murmured Bella Swan. I hoped I struck a chord in her maze of a mind. "I never thought a lot about myself. I always had to take care of my mom, and now my dad and I know that's not how it's supposed to work, but it's how it's always been. I think this might be the first selfish thing I've ever done."

"I don't know—save for your little wolf imprint—why we're interested in each other. I think I might be attracted to the danger. Or maybe how you look at me."

"Uh…" Bella's expression was blank.

I continued, "Beyond that, I am honestly baffled by why I find you so attractive. I've seen spiderwebs with more volume than your hair."

Bella laughed, despite the insult.

"At least I don't sparkle," said Bella.

Playfully, I snapped, "Hey! My diamond skin is sexy."

Bella lifted her shirt to just beneath her breasts without hesitation, revealing chiseled lean muscle straining against her ivory skin. "So are my new abs."

With a small smile, I remarked, "I like this confidence. It's refreshing."

"I like you. You're, uh…" She trailed off with that familiar moonstruck gleam in her smoldering russet eyes. I ate it up.

At last, after letting her sweat for a moment, I purred, "Refreshing?"

"You're you. That's… all I've got." Bella shrugged and gazed off into the tree line. "I don't really know if it's good enough."

"I would call that good enough," I said in utter earnest.

Bella slightly smiled as we gazed at the crystalline waterfall.

After a long silence, I made a choice. It was not an easy one.

"Bella?" I placidly inquired.

She perked up, shoulders straightening in a solitary jolt. "Yeah?"

"I would very much like to watch the sunset with you this evening," I said, keeping my eyes away from her and my feet turned away. I could not afford to seem too interested.

"Really?" Bella breathlessly asked, eyes wide.

"Your house would be preferable, if I am not intruding," I stated coolly, clasping my hands on my lap.

"I'd love that!" Bella eagerly replied.

I faintly smiled, but erased the expression from my face the moment I noticed it.

BELLA

On Saturday, the morning after the Valentine's Dance, I headed down to La Push again. Billy promised to tell me the origin story of the Quileute wolves, and said he had something important to tell me. I eagerly seized the opportunity to escape Forks for a little while.

"Somebody's on Cloud Nine," commented Jacob the moment I hopped out of my truck onto his gravel driveway. "Was your dance actually fun or something?"

"She kissed me," I admitted, unable to suppress my dreamy smile. "Rosalie Hale kissed me."

Jacob smirked and I blushed twice as furiously.

"What did it feel like?" he asked.

I answered honestly, "I felt like I was cuddled by a thousand kittens."

That made him burst into laughter and I wanted to vanish into thin air. I am accomplished at a few things—sudden athletic prowess, for example—but avoiding embarrassing myself was not one of them. Not even close.

I did not make it much further up the driveway before Billy stopped me. Small talk never came easy to me, and it certainly did not when it came to my apparent real father. At least he seemed to have something important to say.

Billy gestured at the tan, muscular young man hovering on the porch with Jacob. "This is Sam Uley. You two probably have a bit to talk about."

"I think we met at the beach a while back." Pause. "A bit to talk about?"

Billy bluntly explained, "He phased two days ago."

"He—he—uh—like me?" I stammered out before taking a deep breath and trying again. "Sorry, sorry, uh, he's like me?"

"He's only the first. There will be more," said Billy, seeming neither happy nor sad.

Suddenly, it hit me like a truck going full speed on the highway. Why did I never think about my half-brother until this moment? I felt like a dreadful older sister, but, then again, I was only just getting used to being one. It barely sunk in yet.

"Jake too?" I inquired under my breath, my eyes averted.

Billy somberly nodded. "Or so I expect. There now, with a pack partially formed, is the matter of the alpha, however."

"The what?" I began to think that the wolf lessons would never end, and I felt like an idiot in this strange new world.

"The leader of the pack," said Billy.

"Sam is leader?"

"You should be."

"I should be?" That was a freaking shock. Why did people never tell me these important details?

"You are the oldest descendant of Ephraim Black. It would've been Jacob if you didn't phase."

"Maybe it should still be Jake. He knows everybody here better than I do."

"Once he phases, you'll have opportunity to hand it over to him if you choose. For now, we need you to walk each member of the pack through phasing, to lead them. They need it."

I glanced over at Sam Uley. He looked like he could take care of himself. I did not know why they needed me to lead them.

"I, well, I guess you can't make responsibilities go away by ignoring them," I said, knowing how much I wished they would. I adjusted my raincoat before walking over to Sam.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey," he replied, sounding surprisingly kind. He always looked intimidating to me. "I guess you're a wolf too, or something."

"What's your story?" I asked.

"I was pretty confused by the whole thing. Old Quil felt my damn handshake and figured it out from the fever. So, now I'm a wolf."

"I was also pretty confused." I shifted my weight awkwardly from foot to foot. "It's weird, huh?"

"Yup." He shoved his hands into his pockets.

"I'm supposed to walk you through everything. I'm supposed to be the alpha, or something."

His eyes flashed. I fought the urge to recoil.

"Nobody said anything about an alpha."

"Billy just told me," I softly said. "He said that his descendants were supposed to be in charge of the wolf pack. We're not going to be the only two, y'know and—"

Sam gruffly stated with smoldering eyes, "You're an outsider, and if you think anybody here is gonna follow you, you're wrong."

I heard two options in my head. The first was to admit he had a point and ask for help. That was what Old Bella would have done. New Kissed-by-Rosalie-Hale-and-a-Wolf-Alpha Bella had other plans in mind. I leaned in, resenting how much shorter than him I was.

"You're going to follow me whether you like it or not. I was born a wolf just like you, if not tougher, and even if I was raised off the reservation, I'm the alpha and you're going to shove it and deal with the way things work like a grown man. If you want to fight me for it, feel free. I'm waiting."

Sam scowled. "We'll see," he grunted.

I did not have another ounce of intimidation in me, so I just nodded, wishing my fever would fade for once. It honestly made embarrassment much more uncomfortable.

He strode away and headed to the backyard with Billy. I turned to Jake, whom looked like he was about to burst.

"What?" I asked.

"That was kinda badass. I didn't know you had that in you."

I turned up a palm and shrugged. "I didn't either. But he probably had a point. I bet the wolves… I doubt they're gonna want to follow me."

"Hey, stranger things have happened. Didn't you just tell me that an incredibly hot chick kissed you? You. Bella Swan."

"Ha ha." I invited myself inside.

Jacob followed, smugly snickering.

[X]

We sat down to dinner and I felt a twinge of nerves when Sam Uley joined us. He avoided eye contact with me, for which I found myself grateful. Jake looked amused by it.

"Bella has some news," said Jacob and I blanched. "Her imprint finally kissed her."

I blushed and bowed my head.

Billy politely inquired, "I never asked who your imprint was. Do I know her?"

"Rosalie. Rosalie Hale." I could not help but say her name in reverie.

My biological father's dark eyes widened in shock; mine narrowed in confusion.

"Bella," sternly said Billy, capturing my complete attention. "Do you remember when I told the story of the cold ones, and how the wolves were born to defeat them? The Cullens are cold ones."

"The…" I tried not to laugh; it seemed so absurd. "The Cullens are vampires? That can't be."

"Even humans have told stories of them for millennia. Why would you not believe?"

"Because—because it's crazy. Am I supposed to believe every myth is real now?"

"Why would you not? I grew up immersed in magic when no one else was. At your age, I hoped I would run into a cold one and get to use my powers. You're a vampire slayer, like me, like my father. If you don't believe in them, you won't be a good one."

I stood there, mute for several lengthy seconds. At last, I asked, "But she's my imprint. How could I be supposed to protect her and slay her at the same time?"

Billy shrugged and shook his head.

"I don't know, but I want to find out."

On that we could agree.

[X]

After the beautiful morning by the waterfall, it happened. Something amazing happened.

My vampiress beau, Rosalie Hale, asked to meet me at my house in the evening, and she dropped me off before heading home to properly dress herself for this second occasion.

I panicked the minute her shimmering car rounded the corner and slipped out of sight.

Faster than I had moved in some time, I ran upstairs and started digging through my closet. I must have an outfit that would look good in Rosalie's eyes. Once I found something, I stared in the mirror and felt good about myself for about two seconds.

I then remembered what she looked like.

Maybe if I did something with my hair. It was still damp and messy from the waterfall and woods. I headed into the bathroom and started poking at it. I swept it into a side ponytail that I thought looked quite good for about two seconds.

I then remembered what she looked like.

My cheeks flushed and I felt even hotter than I usually do. Panic surged through my veins as I frantically tried to get ready for my second date with Rosalie Hale. It needed to be perfect.

I yanked open one of my chipped bathroom drawers and extracted what little make-up I had. While I doubted I could put it on like an expert, I certainly knew how, and I ended up with some mascara and lipstick and it did wonders for my confidence.

While I never could be as beautiful as her, at least I felt less unprepared.

Yet, an ounce of extra confidence did nothing for my nerves.

[X]

A few hours later, I was on Part II of my date with Rosalie Hale, and it was sublime so far.

It astounded me how I looked at her and looked at my surroundings. The world suddenly had more clarity and I saw things in fragmented but vibrant images. They mostly flowed together smoothly but at times became choppy and wild. I saw her in the most beautiful pictures that felt like witnessing colors I had never before seen.

The sharpest image right now was that of the lipstick stains on my Capri-Sun straw. Damn; that was why I never wore the stuff. Too messy for an already disastrous girl. Dark pink, still shimmering on the ugly yellow plastic. It tasted like the kiss I shared with Rosalie. My first kiss ever.

Rosalie reclined on my porch like a glorious, glamorous creature, a Queen of Saigon with her exotic lace fan she used only for effect and her careless expression. She stayed out of the sparse sun. It was a dark rainy day, like almost always in Forks.

I summoned my mediocre courage and spoke my mind to the heavenly creature beside me.

"So, are we… are we a couple?" I asked anxiously, twisting and jabbing the straw as I spoke.

My nervous tick betrayed me; the straw suddenly punctured the sleek plastic pouch and sticky sweet strawberry-kiwi splashed onto my skin and clothes like a solar flare. I gasped; Rosalie laughed. It sounded like windchimes.

"Let me clean you up," she offered, smoothly rising, blonde hair swishing like a fairy tale princess, molten golden eyes glowing like a kitten in the dark and she grabbed me with smooth, ice cold lily-white hands. "Do you have a garden hose?"

"Probably. I just moved in," I replied as she pulled me to my feet.

"Stay still," said Rosalie, and she dove down from my porch.

When she returned, she carried a weathered emerald green hose. This looked bad. I began to panic, but she seemed so calm that I could not help but simply accept my terrifying fate.

At this point, the juice soaked into my jeans and lapped at my bony, pallid feet. I stood paralyzed by embarrassment and fear.

She sprayed me and I screamed. Rosalie laughed while I shuddered, yelped and bounced up and down. When she was done, there were mascara stains on my hollow ruddy face. Charcoal black, meandering freely, ice water making me shiver.

We stood laughing on that porch like children playing in a sprinkler in those old days before cold electric screens imprinted on hungry, addicted eyes.

I emerged from the water at long last and let her look at the fake happy tears on my face, accidentally baring my soul for the first time in a lifetime.

The heat radiating from my perpetually feverish body quickly dried my damp arms. I gazed at them in the dim spring light in brief awe. It looked stranger than after a shower.

Rosalie stared. She looked unnerved.

I anxiously asked, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no," said Rosalie, waving her hand dismissively. "I just think we've… we've opened up a little more than I'd like. More than I usually do with other people."

I furrowed my brow, yet again perplexed by her. "Is that such a bad thing?"

"Um… I don't know. I think this conversation would be best held at another time. You and I have a little ways to go before we can get… gushy or speak of anything too serious and sentimental," said Rosalie, and I could not disobey her to save my life. Maybe it was the imprint; maybe I was merely nervous about my first ever romantic interest.

Breaking the tension, she sprayed me with the hose again and I jumped.

The water soaked into my flannel shirt and clung to my uneven, imperfect slender waist. I took a step forward and slid halfway across the porch in a panic. I nimbly grabbed onto the rail and held myself in place, but I could not help the embarrassment.

She laughed, perfect white teeth exposed, and I looked for fangs before she closes her lips again, her molten golden eyes glowing like a madwoman released in the night and she dragged me to the hammock beneath the darkest shadows from the looming evergreen trees. We sat side by side, toes pressed hard against the stoic ground as we in flawless unison rocked the uneasy net back and forth like a cloth swing-set.

"Can I kiss you?" I asked for the second time today.

Rosalie remained silent for some time. "Just this once."

I leaned forward and tried to press my lips against hers, but with my eyes squeezed shut, I missed and my mouth landed on her nose. She burst out laughing and I recoiled. At least she was lovely outrageously happy like that.

"I—sorry." I wanted to fade into nothingness.

"That was kind of cute," said Rosalie. "How sickening." Pause. "Do it again."

I pressed my lips on the bridge of her nose again, and could not suppress my own laughter.

We remained there, holding a surprisingly ordinary conversation for two mythical monsters.

The sunset tonight was beautiful, but not as beautiful as my imprint.