Leaving Greendale wasn't as easy as I wanted it to be. My leg was bouncing quickly as my cousin Bella make the hour-drive to Forks from Port Angeles. As Salem sat in my lap, on high alert due to the new and quickly changing surroundings, I had to remind myself why I left. It hurts my heart to be so far away from the Aunties, Ambrose, and my friends. I prayed to Satan that the ache would stop once we drew closer to my new home. I couldn't shake the sense of liberation that I felt. Though it felt like there were three large lacerations across my heart, I was finally free. I didn't have to carry on being torn in two parts. Salem drew closer to me, sensing my pain.

The nice thing about Bella picking me up is that she's okay with silence. I couldn't tell her everything about why I left, but she didn't ask. It was pleasant. The only thing she really mentioned was that she set up my room for me, far better than Charlie had for her three weeks previously. I gave a warm thank you, because honestly, Charlie didn't know the first thing about teenage girls. Now he had two living with him. After my parents died, Charlie and Renee took me in. My parents wanted me to have a mortal upbringing, and not be forced into the Church of Night. I think I stayed with them for a few weeks, but my Aunties came and saw how unhappy Renee was being with Charlie and two young children, and offered to bring me in as an attempt to relieve stress in the household. I now know that they wanted to bring me up to use my powers. What they did back then for the Swans was kind.

Bella's truck roared as we traveled down the highway. It was certainly old, and the fact that it was still running was impressive. The comfortable silence became uncomfortable as I realized what I had gotten myself into. New school, new friends, new everything. She seemed to pick up on my change in energy.

"So 'Brina," She said in her soft, and slightly awkward voice. "How are you doing with everything?"

I didn't know how to respond. Should I be honest and say what I was really thinking or say the expected answer? "I'm nervous Bella. Everything is so new and different. The Pacific Northwest is so different from Greendale already. I'm used to small towns, but I don't know-"

"How you'll find your niche?" She interjected. "Being new isn't easy, I think Eric will try to write that new kid feature on you like he did me. The people are nice here. I'll try to help you, but I'm still getting used to Forks too."

"Yeah," I agreed. "I just hope I can be happy here."

Silence overcame the truck again. I could tell we had gotten closer to our destination due to Bella's white knuckle grip on the steering wheel tightened, if that was even possible. Her breath hitched as a black Volvo appeared in front of us. The car was in sight for a moment, then suddenly sped up, and was quickly out of sight.

"Where's Charlie when you need him?" I joked.

She let out the breath she had been holding and looked longingly ahead. "That was Edward Cullen. Apparently he always drives like a maniac."

There was a tone to her voice I couldn't quite comprehend. It seemed like anger, unknowing, and yearning all mixed together. I left it at that. Bella wasn't one to go for the heart-breakers. If anything, I had more dating experience. I had certainly seen more witch-orgies. Salem had risen with shackles raised when the luxury car appeared. It was a short moment, but it left me wondering what was so special about the Cullens, and what my trusted protector had noticed that I didn't.

((( )))

We arrived in Forks shortly after seeing Edward's car. I knew the town was small, but the unrelenting rain and heavy fog made it seem tiny. As Bella pulled into the driveway she noted that Charlie would be home shortly, given that his shift would end on time for once. I couldn't imagine what would keep the chief of police long given the amount of people in Forks. It didn't take long to unpack my bags and head up the stairs.

The study room had been converted into a make-shift room for me. Gone was Charlie's desk and dinosaur age computer. Once you walk up the stairs the door is on the right hand side, facing the street. Two small windows granted my view into the road as well as the luscious greenery I had been accustomed to. Not that I needed it, but it would be the perfect spot to keep a watch on the house. Though Bella's truck as well as the cruiser blocked my view of the entryway of the house. Between the windows was a simple modern, slim desk made out of light-wood oak. I noticed it was half the width of a normal desk, most likely to conserve space in the already small room. My bed did not have a frame other that a box underneath it, not that I minded. It sat low on the ground with a crimson comforter and pillows that looked like they were made out of clouds. The space had been made by Bella, and it reflected her taste. A tall dresser similar to hers was on the wall to the left of my bed, most likely to make up the almost pathetic closet across from it. I had storage underneath the bed. I decided my small collection of books would go there. The contrast between the dark wood of the floors complemented the navy color of the walls. It was dark considering Bella chose have string lights hanging low on every wall rather than a lamp. I would change that as soon as possible. Otherwise, I was incredibly thankful for the work she put in to making the new area feel a little more like it was mine rather than belonging to a guest.

As I put down a bed for Salem I noticed my phone illuminate with a text.

Nicholas: The Academy isn't the same without you, Spellman.

I shook my head and grinned. I suppose you'll just have to mourn my absence.

Oh I'll mourn, and cry myself to sleep every night.

I'm sure you will.

I didn't bother to even look at his following text. I knew that if I stayed Nick and I would've been a thing. The boy was a hopeless flirt at the Academy. Inside me I felt lucky that he paid special attention to me, but in the same token I knew that I was just the new thing for him to fixate on. It didn't help my desire for attention. When I was getting the cold shoulder from Harvey, Nick had open and willing arms. Harvey had broken my heart when he found out I was a witch and resented me for my actions. He had been my first love. He was so precious and mortal. That very reason is why I had to stay far away from him. My love for him did not triumph the fact that he did not belong in a world full of magic. I knew that my mother was a mortal and survived long enough to have me, but I couldn't help speculate that it was due to the fact she was a mortal with a witch that she died. Plane crash aside, I had my theories.

The night carried on with little of significance. I sat through a painfully awkward dinner with Charlie and Bella. I must have become used to Aunt Hilda's cooking because Bella's all American dinner of steak and potatoes left something to be desired. They both tried to have a conversation, but the silence between us fell and it remained that way. I helped Bella with the dishes, and as Charlie turned on the baseball game I went upstairs to decide how I would make the best out of my time in Forks. While reading one of my father's essays, Salem suddenly rose from his bed and leapt onto the windowsill.

"What's wrong boy?" I asked him aloud. I knew better than to expect a response from my Familiar, but it was best to communicate with him verbally. Peering over to where he was, all I saw was the sun peeking through the fog to set over the forest.

He remained at his newfound post almost the whole night, and as I drifted off into a light sleep, I couldn't help but hear Bella's floor creak due to the hush that had fallen in the house. Maybe she couldn't sleep either.