Time continued in Forks, and there was no longer much of anything that piqued my interest. Everything carried on without my distinct notice. Lurching, time presented itself to be a distant friend. We were in touch rarely, yet simultaneously existing. The constant emotional roller coaster of my cousin left me exhausted. As she continued to gain popularity, I began to feel more alone. Her group of friends would allow me to sit at their table, if only so that she would too, but I had stopped trying to make conversation. It felt like a betrayal, watching Bella make friends so easily when I was experiencing the chill of loneliness.

Ambrose. Ambrose would've noticed. He would have talked to me, engaged with me. He wouldn't allow me to be on the sidelines. My cousin always pushed me to live my life, regardless of his opinion on my choices. What has my life even become? A sickening shade of well-hydrated greenery. The thought of what I forsook to be in this foggy, nameless, blameless town made my heartache.

There were so many things I had taken for granted. Hilda's dutiful caretaking. The plants, the kitchen was always in a state of chaos, the seemingly endless cup of tea. She made our house a home. Bella and Charlie don't care for that. Their mortal lives move at a constant pace, drawing to a quick end. It's not meant to be morbid. It's not. But, these drawn-out periods of silence make me remember that my life will be much longer than theirs ever could. I had enough time to realize what it meant to live beyond the normal amount that was given. Perhaps that's why it was so easy for me to lose my grasp on something that is seemingly finite. It wouldn't be finite for me. Do we ever appreciate the things we do not take the time to think about?

Bella's truck rumbled onward as we made our way to school. She was just off these past few days. To put it lightly, she was captivated by the mystery of Edward Cullen. Her enamor towards his absence earlier had not taken its course.

"Are you sure you'll be okay today?" She turned to me, eyes examining me carefully at the red light.

"Bella I'm fine," I curled my words at the end, trying to seem energized. I wasn't sleeping well, Salem was on edge almost every night now. If you own a cat, you understand that it's hard to sleep when they are behaving strangely. This also applies to companions. "It's snowing today, so we'll go to La Push next week with everyone, right?"

"Yeah." She grimaced. I knew she would take every opportunity to not go, leaving me to fit in this group dynamic.

The school parking lot was our worst nightmare. With people hanging out before the warning bell rang, the chatter, and worst of all, the Cullens. Bella tried to be sneaky and glance over to them, but hit the curb hard, making me smack my head on the window. She muttered an apology and pulled into a spot far enough away from everyone to where she could wait a few moments and resolve her crimson blush. I could see Jessica laughing and looking our way. Humans could be especially cruel to one another. I knew her vendetta for my cousin was due to her crush on Mike, but what she didn't realize is Bella didn't have the slightest inclination towards him. Her attention was wholly focused on Edward.

"Sabrina!" Angela called me. "You'll still go, right?" She asked this with almost a maternal concern. It was sweet.

"Only if I don't have to surf!" I shouted back, grinning wide. "I'll bring red vines!" She smiled back at me, pleased with my answer. Maybe Angela can be a friend.

"I don't see what the point of this is, he's being a cowardly-" I heard coming from a distinct voice to my far right.

"Rose, stop. You don't understand." Alice snapped back.

I accidentally locked eyes with Alice, and she waved at me. This made my aching head muddle with confusion. How had I heard them so easily for once? Normally their discussions are inaudible without an eavesdropping spell. Not that I did that regularly. I didn't wave back. I wasn't wanting to admit that I had heard what I heard, especially since I got the feeling Rosalie would not take kindly to the idea. Walking on eggshells around the Cullens was beginning to become a task. Why not have a little fun with it?

I took a confident stride in their direction. Bella audibly shuddered next to me.

"What are you doing?" She all but hissed at me. I glanced at her, winked, and carried on my path.

"Hello," I said brightly when I reached the small group. "I don't think we've all met before. My name is Sabrina Spellman. I'm Bella Swan's cousin."

Alice beamed at me. "Hey 'Brina. I love your sweater, is it cashmere?" It occurred to me that she knew what mischievous things I was up to.

"I think so, I bought it in this town called Riverdale, next to where I used to live. They have this amazing thrift store because all the wealthy moms can't keep clothing from last year's season." I drew a breath of courage, "But if I were you, Rosalie, I would lower my voice when discussing family matters. You wouldn't want just anyone listening in."

Her beautiful face shifted slightly to a mix of emotions. She seemed surprised that I caught her, but also angered. It was barely noticeable, but the twitch of her lip gave her away. Emmett touched her elbow lightly, chuckling to himself. Alice and Jasper also seemed amused.

"See you in Spanish," Jasper said as I walked away.

It felt like the air was pushing me forward as I made my way to the building. I was amused by my actions. I didn't mean to make a nemesis out of Rosalie, but I also just couldn't help myself. She reminded me of the Wicked Sisters, encapsulated into one person. I'm sure she was at least a tolerable person. There was nothing like stepping on thin ice to get you through an otherwise boring day.

That's when I noticed him.

Bella's traveling, school-skipping crush. He seemed to be waiting until the very last second to get to his classes. I don't blame him for that, I would too if Bella would let me sit in the truck and let it idle for an extra ten minutes. The window tint on his car left nothing else visible other than his silhouette. I don't know why people insist on this false sense of privacy. When you are around a witch, your energy can still be identified through Earth magic. Those who are skilled in the practice can connect themselves to the ground and see everything without opening their eyes. Though I am not so skilled myself, I got used to knowing that I was never truly invisible, despite how often I wished I could fade into the background. Instinctively, I knew Bella would be different the rest of the day. She was never boy crazy until now. Even my passing comments on Harvey and I's relationship left her blushing.

((( )))

The first half of the day was a complete bore. I wanted to pay attention. The snowflakes in the window of the Spanish classroom drew me away from Señora's lesson. I found myself disappearing into my head.

The library of the Academy was my hideout. There I could pretend my life was okay, that my friends weren't mad at me. That Harvey didn't leave me. The wood fire was crackling softly, and I sunk into my chair. I had a stack of books to my side. I had every intention of sitting there for the rest of the night until I was tired enough to go home.

"Hey there Spellman," A deep voice said.

I turned to look at the person coming to my side. It was Nicholas Scratch. He looked heartbreakingly handsome in every sense. Hair disheveled, full lips, inviting eyes. I found my heartbeat quickening as he sat in the chair across from me.

"Hey Scratch," I said, trying to seem cool.

"Why are you alone in a library on a Friday night?" He looked at me deeply, though we were alone, it felt like we were the only two people in the world. I felt intoxicated by his presence.

"Just trying to catch up on my reading. Balancing my dark education and mortal education takes a lot of time." This was true- I was starting to fall behind in both areas.

He grinned like the Cheshire cat. It was clear he knew this would be my answer. "Well, I can offer my assistance in any way you might need, or," There was a pause. The moment was filled with an invisible spark. "We can find something better to do tonight, and I'll make it up to you tomorrow."

"What do you have in mind?" I leaned forward towards him.

"Follow me," He stood up, extending his hand towards me. Eagerly, I took it, and he flashed us out of the Academy.

We were in the woods between my house and the Academy. The full moon made everything glow around us. The clearing in the trees canopied perfectly, leaving a clear view of the sky. Despite the cold, my body was warm with excitement. I would later learn he would always have this effect on me. At this moment, right before knowing Nick well, it was exciting.

I turned to look at him. "So your idea of a fun Friday night is kidnapping me, taking me into the woods, and what?" I teased.

"Why don't we look at the stars? It's too beautiful of a night to spend inside."

"Alright Scratch, but don't get any funny ideas. I need to be home soon."

And there we were, two people, spending time together for the first time. Nothing really happened, not that I necessarily wanted anything to. We talked about the constellations, traded stories about the academy, and joked with one another. There was never any silence that night, the conversation just kept going. It was this perfect little pocket of peace. For the first time since all the drama with my friends in Greendale that I let myself relax. I didn't know Nick before this night. But, talking with him made me feel like I could be myself. I didn't have to put on a false front. I found myself getting caught up in the moment, looking too deeply into his eyes. If he minded, he didn't say.

The harsh thrill of the bell brought me back to reality. I moved slowly from my seat, gathering my things. For a small moment, Jasper caught my eye. He looked at me with a flickering sadness, as if he understood the ache in my heart at that moment. I looked away quickly, grabbing my bag, and strode out the door as quickly as my legs would take me.

Before going to the lunchroom, I went to the bathroom. I was too caught up in my thoughts to force myself to talk to Bella's friends. Splashing cold water in my face, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. The air became still and my skin had taken on a sudden electric prickling sensation. Nausea swept through me.

My eyes locked onto the mirror, and there I saw in its reflection Mrs. Wardwell standing to my left. Her arm was extended, as though she was trying to grab me through the class. Startles, I jumped backward, hitting my back on the door of a stall.

I pivoted on my heel and ran towards the lunchroom. My eyes scanned the room for my cousin. As adrenaline was pumping through me, I didn't take any notice of my surroundings, crashing into Edward Cullen.

My shoulder made contact with his arm, and pain flooded through me. It was like bouncing off of a rock. I knew instinctively there would be an awful bruise. I took half a second to look at him. His ember eyes peered down at me as if this collision shocked him as much as it did me. His skin was cold. He had snow in his hair, of course, he was cold.

He shouldn't be that cold I thought to myself.

"Sorry" I muttered as I walked towards where my cousin sat.

Not daring to look at the Cullens, I focused on Bella. I could hear their laughter in the background. My mistake did not take away from them enjoying their previous snowball fight.

"What was that about?" Bella examined me cautiously.

I shrugged, trying to conceal my emotions. "I just wasn't paying attention. Like usual Bells."

"Edward Cullen is staring at you, Bella" Jessica giggled to my cousin.

"He doesn't look angry, does he?" Bella asked her. I didn't understand her infatuation with this boy.

"He's probably angry because Sabrina crash-landed into him" Mike joked, hoping to steal her attention away from Edward. This seemed cruel to me. He unnecessarily made a joke out of me. No one else noticed my shudder.

"He's still staring!" Jessica said excitedly.

"Stop looking at him," Bella hissed.

She snickered, but she looked away. I raised my head enough to make sure that she did, contemplating violence if she resisted.

Mike interrupted us then — he was planning an epic battle of the blizzard in the parking lot after school and wanted us to join. Jessica agreed enthusiastically. The way she looked at Mike left little doubt that she would be up for anything he suggested. I kept silent. No part of me wanted to be involved in this.

For the rest of the lunch hour, I very carefully kept my eyes at my table. There was too much that had just happened to continue to engage with them. The air still felt like it had been wired. Magic hovered over me like a betrayal.

((( )))

I couldn't concentrate for the rest of the day. My mind was swimming with questions that I couldn't find the answer to. When the final bell rang I let out a sigh of relief. Skirting my way through the halls, I made headway to the truck, knowing that Bella would wait for the parking lot to clear before we left. Her nervousness around attention benefited me today. I would have time completely to myself to sit in the cab before I had to think of what to talk to her about.

The rain had faded to a mist when I walked into the parking lot, but happiness flooded my body when I reached the dry interior of the truck. I looked around me to make sure it was clear to use magic to dry my hair. That's when I noticed the still, white figure. Edward Cullen was leaning against the front door of the Volvo, three cars down from me, and staring intently in my direction. I met his stare with a challenge, and he gave me a slight nod. I nodded back, assuming he meant something along the lines of forgiving me for my actions at lunch. I didn't dare to recite the spell.

His gaze shifted away from me, and I looked onward to see him looking at Bella. I studied him. He seemed to be on guard, watching her cautious steps. She didn't seem to notice him until she got to the truck. Inside the cab, she sat down in a huff. While handing me her jacket and turning the beast on, I knew she saw him.

She swiftly looked away and threw the truck into reverse, almost hitting a rusty Toyota Corolla. It was hilarious how flustered she was. Lucky for the Toyota, my cousin stomped on the brake in time. It was just the sort of car that the truck would make scrap metal of. I took a deep breath, hoping she would try again with more caution. We didn't speak as she pulled out once more. Bella opted to stare straight ahead as we passed the Volvo. As I was chuckling at her, I took a peripheral peek, and I swear I saw Edward laughing with me.