Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. I do however, own the characters Ella, Adrian, the Fey Trio and any plot line related to the Fey world I've created.

AN: See, I can be good (: I worked hard to get this chapter out today as well. Of course it's riddled with grammatical errors and whatnot but I don't have time to edit. ~Hannah

Chapter Thirty – Pushing Forward

The thing about life was that it didn't stay all 'sunshine and roses' for long. Camp was going great, despite Marco's mood swings, the Swan's and Webber's were hanging out a lot as a family which I just loved and when I wasn't at camp or with family, Bella, Angela and I were hanging out with Tyler, Adrian and his visiting friends.

I'd even had a very short email back from Alice who'd said she was glad I was having fun at camp, said the family missed me and spoke of her annoyance/distrust of both Marco and Tristram. She mentioned that she hadn't seen Edward in a week but knew he was missing her like crazy. Apparently, she'd attempted to get him to phone me but he'd been adamant in that being too dangerous. Alice had ranted in her email about Edward being a stubborn arse for two paragraphs before signing off.

It was the third weekend in June, the Saturday in fact when the happiness ended. Adrian's crazy idea to go and have a picnic as the sun was making one of its rare appearances. Not in the woods of course because Dad said they were dangerous and filled with animals that could easily kill us but in a field, near to our house that overlooked the town square.

"What do you do for fun in this small-town Adrian?" asked Tristram.

"I agree, it is so dull here, why did you pick here?" asked Enzo.

"Tyler lives here," replied Adrian.

"So, doesn't mean you had to come here. You could have picked anywhere in the world to escape to and you picked Forks," said Gellert.

"Well it's a good thing I did pick Forks or I wouldn't have met Bella," said Adrian, gazing lovingly into Bella's eyes and kissing her gently on the lips.

His friends made disgusting sounds at their show of affection but I just laughed. My sister was happy meaning I was happy.

"Urgh you two are so mushy," said Angela.

"Say's the girl whose been sneaking off with Ben," replied Bella.

"What? You never told me that," I said, feeling a little left out.

"Sorry, it's a recent thing."

I huffed, making myself look more upset than I was.

"I'm really sorry!"

I smiled, letting Angela know I was only teasing and got a slap to the arm as punishment.

"I thought you said a coven of Vampires lived in Forks?"

I tensed though I knew there was no reason for it.

"There was but they left to deal with a situation."

"Man, only you could pick the one place that is already claimed by another species."

"The Cullen's are good people," said Bella.

"They're Vampires, there is no such thing as 'good people' in their culture."

"You don't know them at all so who are you to judge?" I demanded.

"Feisty but you should know not to trust a Vampire."

"They don't drink human blood," said Angela.

"Doesn't mean they aren't dangerous."

"I never said they weren't dangerous. You haven't met them so I don't think you should make such assumptions. I haven't made any assumptions about who you are have I?"

"That's different," said Enzo.

"Oh I get it, you're one of those fangbangers aren't you?" said Tristram sneering distastefully at me. "Should have expected it really, you look like the type."

"Excuse me?" I growled, wishing more than ever that I did have fangs that could tear out his throat in less than a minute.

"You did not just call my sister a fangbanger!"

"If the shoe fits," responded Tristram.

"If you're dating a Vampire then you certainly have moxie," said Gellert.

"How is dating a Vampire any different from dating a Fey?" I asked.

"How dare you compare us to a Vampire!" said Tristram.

"Yeah, we are nothing like them," added Enzo.

"Actually—"

"Don't finish that sentence Gellert!"

"Look, Adrian told me how you find your mate and how, if your mate turns out to be human, how you make them immortal. How is injecting your poison into their veins any different from a Vampire injecting their venom to turn their mate from human to Vampire? It's not."

I was furious. Not that I was planning on becoming a Vampire at all but I hated when people pretended to know things that they didn't. Or worse, when they pretended to be better than they were. I was serious in what I said, there was no difference between the way a Vampire or Fey turned their mates. I was sure that both species had good and bad aspects just as human culture did. I just refused to let them attack the Cullen's without retaliation.

"Alright boys, settle down. I think you've angered Ella enough for today. I meant what I said when I mentioned how easy it would be to send you back. Ella's right, you don't know the Cullen's, for Vampires they're above the bar. They don't fall into the usual stereotypes and while they can still be dangerous, so are we," said Adrian.

Neither Enzo or Tristram apologised for their words but Gellert did send me an apologetic smile. I was fighting the urge to get up and leave, I just didn't want to make a scene.

"I have been remiss in my duties however as I should have informed you more of the differences between Vampires and Fey's and tell you a little more about myself," said Adrian.

"Are you about to give us a history lesson in Fey culture?" I asked.

"If you like. Bella's my mate, you're her twin and Angela is your soon to be step-sister, to a Fey that makes you family."

"Basically, that means he trusts you," added Tyler.

I nodded, I'd been teasing in my history comment but I did want to learn more about the world of Fey.

"The Fey plane is alight with all colours of the rainbow, a warm summer breeze blows all year around except for the frosty mountains to the north of the world. Of course, there are plenty of Fey that walk the human world but humans do not notice them because of their glamour's. Though the Fey world is ruled by the Light Fey, there is a dark uprising of Dark Fey who have been growing in numbers through the years."

"What makes a Fey dark?"

"Magic, intent and emotion. Many generations ago Dark Fey did not exist but as with every culture, cracks soon began appearing. Certain Fey wanted more, more power, more money and essentially more than they were given. Our world is rich in magic and some of these Fey started turning to Dark Magic to fuel their desires, as the Dark Magic seeped into their bones it changed the way they thought and their intent got darker and their emotions negative. Dark Fey are no longer only made using excessive Dark Magic. A simple thought, or action can start the descent. They wish to rage war over us and ultimately become the rulers of the Fey world. It is a dark time for our people."

"Who rules?" I asked.

"I do, well my family does. I am next in line to the throne. I am here because of disrupt in the Fey world. My Father, the current King, thought the human world would be safer for me. He sent these three idiots here to protect me during the summer as the threats against me have doubled in the last few months."

"How do you get to the Fey world?" asked Angela.

"There are portal tunnels that sit just two seconds out of sync with the human world. You can only see them if you are Fey and know they are there."

"Are we safe?" I asked looking at Bella as I spoke.

"You are no more or less safe than you were with the Cullen's. There are risks everywhere, you could die from crossing the road Ella."

"How morbid," I replied looking at Adrian.

"I knew what you meant. I look after my family and I would never willingly put any of you in danger. There is always a plan waiting in the wings for any issues that may arise."

"You keep Bella safe, that's all that matters to me," I replied.

He nodded seriously. I knew in my heart that he would never do anything to hurt Bella or risk her safety but it was nice to hear it out-loud.

"Will it ever be on the cards for us to see the Fey world?" I asked.

"Maybe, one day, when the war is over and your safety is guaranteed, yes."

After the tension of the first conversation and the history of the second conversation, I was spent on 'heavy duty' conversations so it was quite fortuitous that the remainder of our picnic time was spent relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

By the end I felt better about the activity but there was one aspect of the day that stuck with me. Bella and Adrian of course were all over each other in a cute but also sisterly-sickly way. Enzo, Tristram and Gellert were having some sort of competition that required pretending sticks were swords that made them look ridiculous but was also quite funny and Angela was busy texting Ben, or so I assumed.

I missed Edward.

Three weeks without contact was a long time.

I missed his smile. His laugh. I missed his eyes and the way he would hold me.

I missed his heart.

I knew now how people who were in a long-distance relationship felt like and it wasn't good. For the first time, looking around at all the happiness, I wondered if I could survive an entire summer without Edward. I knew I was strong enough but I didn't know if my heart was also strong enough. I didn't want to think of the possibility that Edward wouldn't return because the negativity that came with that thought was enough to drown me.

Edward was the home of my soul and without him by my side I felt incomplete. I could feel tears burning in my eyes but I forced them away. I should be looking at the positives in my life and not focusing on the things that bought me pain. I had a fantastic group of friend's, a supportive family and was spending my summer doing something I loved. Yes, I was missing bits of myself and people that I cared about but they would not want me to wallow in misery. In fact, if either Alice or Rose were here they would surely chastise me for my thoughts.

Ignoring the things, I wished not to face, I concentrated on the here and now. With my friends, having a picnic and enjoying the summer sun.

Monday came all too fast in my opinion. It wasn't like I was mad at Monday for coming so quickly – like I could be when Monday bought school with it - but I felt like the weekend had passed too quickly for me. I felt like I'd been a kite in the breeze, desperately trying to stay in the sky while the atmosphere tried to bring me to the ground.

I had a one-on-one with an art tutor today. The tutor, a lady called Helen Sturgeon, had taken a great liking to me, or so it seemed. She said I had talent the likes of which she hadn't seen in a while. I was unused to people blatantly praising my work and still fought the blush that would appear every time she spoke of my work.

When she first mentioned a one-on-one session, I thought perhaps that I was in trouble but when she'd explained I'd been curious and weary. She hadn't explained what the session would entail other than how long it would last.

She arrived in a flourish, arms waving and smile so big it could have split her face in half. She carried an A3 canvas with her, the sun bouncing off the whiteness and making me squint.

"I wanted to challenge you. Your talent with art is incredible but this camp would be pointless for you unless we challenge you. I want to see what you are like with detail. Imagine a scene, it can be any scene and then zoom right in as if you are looking through a magnifying glass and paint what you see."

"Paint anything?"

"Yup."

"Could I include a magnifying glass or binoculars into the painting?"

"How do you mean?"

"Well, for example, if I drew out binoculars, what I drew within the binocular frame would be incredibly zoomed and what lay outside the frames would be seen normally and maybe even slightly blurred to show the contrast between the two?"

"Interesting concept. Yes, I agree you can do that, it will be fun to see the finished product."

I started sketching. At first it was unnerving because Helen was watching over my shoulder like a hawk but after some time she seemed to sense my tension and moved away. When I next looked at her she had bought out her own sketch pad and was busy drawing something. I didn't start painting in the session we had today but did fully sketch out the picture with pencil. Helen seemed pleased with the finished product from the positive sounds she made. She sent me on my way with a cheery smile and a wave of her hands. She was very dramatic. Dramatic people were scary.

The end of my one-to-one bought the arrival of lunch which moved into an intense music lesson. Afterwards I had a quick catch up with Sophie and Marco. We hadn't got to a point where anything made any sense or any progress was obvious but we were starting to map out ideas. We all had our own ideas and made sure that each idea was talked about, recorded on paper and given the time it needed before we decided if it was worth exploring or not.

"Leaving early again?" asked Marco.

"I'm not sure, why does it matter? It's not even evening yet."

"I was just wondering."

"Sure you weren't just trying to lay into me again?"

"Guys, please don't argue again," said Sophie.

"Sorry," I muttered.

"Hey Ella, I've never been to Forks, if I come will you show me around," said Marco.

"Why would you want to visit Forks? There is nothing there."

"Oh go on. I could come around for a visit at your house."

"I don't think so."

"Why don't you want me to come to your house? There is nothing wrong with me. I think you should invite me around."

"I said no Marco. I'm not inviting you around."

"You could invite Sophie as well if you're scared of being alone with me."

"No one is coming to my house."

"Oh come on, why not? Are you hiding something?"

"No."

"Then why won't you let me come to your house?"

Marco's voice changed in that instance and I knew that Sophie had noticed the shift as well. I didn't know why he was being so pushy in being so demanding in wanting to come to my house. I didn't want to invite him, A) because Marco was unpredictable and B) because I didn't want unnecessary people knowing where I lived.

Marco looked me dead in the eye, "invite me over," he said in a monotone voice.

I scrunched my nose up in annoyance, "I said no Marco."

My response seemed to anger him. What did he think? That I was going to bow down to his demands? I didn't work like that. Marco had given me many reasons not to trust him and this was just another one.

"Whatever, you'll invite me sooner or later. You won't be able to resist."

I glanced at Sophie, noticing the look of worry and agitation she had reflected my own.

"You know what, I think I might leave early. I'll talk to you later Sophie," I said, knowing I would because I had Sophie's mobile number.

"What about me? Aren't you going to talk to me later?" asked Marco.

"No. I'd rather not talk to you at all the way you're behaving. Unfortunately, we're partnered together for this project, so I'll see you tomorrow Marco."

I did feel sorry for leaving Sophie with him but knew she could easily retreat to her camp dorm.

The walk back to my car seemed longer than usual and the hairs on the back of my neck rose as though someone was watching me. Probably Marco.

Seemed there was a crazy person wherever you went. It was unfortunate that those people seemed to flock to me. Maybe that was my bad luck, like clumsiness was Bella's.