Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, I merely play in the sandbox, I do however, lay claim to my original characters Ella, Adrian and others and the inclusion of the Fey world.

AN: I feel like I'm now on the home stretch of writing, being that, there are only 29 chapters left to write and post. There will probably be - what I consider - a lot of rambling before the main event but hopefully when this story comes to a close it's done in a way that pleases the majority of you ~Hannah

Chapter Seventy – School

I had not thought about school seriously in some time. It had become a blur in the background of my life. Going through the motions in learning was something I had never experienced before but life had been getting in the way. Too long I had let life dictate what would happen to me and seeing my grades slipping was something I couldn't ignore any longer. Soon I would be finishing school and entering the next stage of my life and I couldn't afford to miss out on where I wanted to be because life was sending me more curveballs than I could manage.

There was so much in life to be grateful for. Dad and Christine's wedding was fast approaching. Bella had been officially presented as the 'consort' to Adrian and spent an increasing amount of time in the Fey world and my family had double in size and laughter. My relationship with Edward was finally back to a page that we could both agree on and a place where we both got to openly love each other without fear of repercussions. Lauren was loving Italy life with Alec, the skype calls we had were always full of fanciful tales and laughter galore. They were often interrupted by various members of the Volturi but neither of us minded because we both felt privileged that we got to see this softer side to the feared Covent.

However tall I stood, I could not fake my way through good grades. It was time for me to knuckle down and seriously study if I wanted a chance at my chosen college. Art and music were my strong points but I needed to up my grades in the more basic of classes, history, English etc. While not as important as art and music, I did think they would play a part in my applications to college. Fortunately for me, I had a wealth of information available to me. Each Cullen had set aside time to help me study, even Emmett who I assumed would take the piss. It was sweet that they wanted to help me so and recognised that I was serious about getting good grades. They could probably pass the exams with their eyes closed, so learning from them was a bonus to my repertoire.

Studying in earnest, wasn't the most exciting thing to do in life, in fact, it was downright boring and after a while the words I read blurred into one. Yet, I powered on. Every moment I wasn't at school or with Edward I was studying. I was taking this more serious than Bella which was saying something. I think she was concerned for my wellbeing, she thought I was studying too hard and would work myself into an early grave.

Overly dramatic was my sister's middle name.

School had taken on a surreal like quality, that made me think I was floating on a cloud even though I could see my feet walking with my own eyes. The absence of Lauren had been the talk of the school for the first week we'd been back after Easter. It was a mix between people believing she'd died or had been sent to military school or rehab. No one seemed to believe that she had been accepted into the posh Italian school. Not, that I paid much attention to the rumours floating around school because they changed daily. Jessica was much more subdued since Lauren had left her side and dare I say it, I could almost tolerate the girl now.

Lauren had always been the instigator in the drama between the three of us and since her complete one-eighty, I'd been forced to open my eyes. I still disliked Jessica but I wouldn't turn her away if she came knocking on my door. As life turned around me, I was reminded that everyone acts for a reason even if those reasons aren't seen first. I would try and rise above any viciousness that came knocking in favour of presenting a polite front. From my own experiences, you never knew what was going on in someone else's life. I say life because if I'd have said mind Edward would have made a joke about how he could know those details.

Smart Arse.

Edward and I were still viewed as a 'Golden Couple'. It was funny that the Cullen's had gone from being the 'weirdoes' that everyone ignored but secretly wanted to be, to being the talk of the school and the ones that everyone wanted include. In Fork's history, I don't think any transfer student had even made as big a splash as Bella and me. I mean the things that had changed for the better or the worse since we'd been here had almost entered double figures. I wasn't sure how I felt about being a part of a 'Golden Couple' simply because of all the attention it bought with it and not all of it was good!

I would never get used to people staring at me but I think that stemmed from all the looks Renee gave me while growing up. You know, the ones where people look like they've sniffed something disgusting.

It always surprised me how interested others were in my relationship with Edward. Sometimes I felt like I was under a microscope, they were so determined to deduce why we were together and what I had that they apparently didn't. Never did it occur to them that Edward loved me because I was myself. No, they all assumed it was something I gave, or something extra I had that led Edward into my grasp.

I suppose it was easier that way, for them to imagine I was giving off poison rather than admit that they just weren't what Edward went for.

I wasn't supposed to be procrastinating by thinking of what the school thought about Edward and me as a couple. I had more important things to think about or rather, I had a niggling thought in my head that just wouldn't leave me alone.

What has sparked all this studying and the need to improve myself, was the announcement of 'career day' and the compulsory aspect of having to talk to a 'career counsellor'. Even though the 'career counsellor' would have no lasting impact on my applications to college, I still wanted to impress them with what I had and where I wanted to go. I knew there were several premier colleges for Art and Music, it was just a matter of choosing one and hoping I got it. I was going to take all the advice the 'career counsellor' offered.

Alice told me I had nothing to worry about and that my future in terms of exams and college was set in stone and not going to disappoint. She said it was unlikely to change but I knew from experience that Alice's visions did change and I didn't want to rely on chance with such an important decision.

Which is why, I sat before the 'career counsellor' looking every inch the quiet, polite student as I soaked up every word of wisdom she offered. Her red hair, a bottle job I think, lung loose and brittle over her shoulders and her lipstick, applied in a hurry was on her front teeth. I wasn't there to judge her on appearances however, and instead wanted to gain all I could from this meeting and work out if I needed to add anything more to my catalogue of skills.

"So, you're looking for an art and music school?"

"Ideally. Those are both my passions and my strengths. I know it will be a hard slog to get accepted but I'm prepared for that."

"They only accept the best into those schools, are you sure you want to go down that route? I can't persuade you into applying for Art and English, can I?"

"No thank you, art and music is where I want to go."

"Well, there are many premier colleges and academies for art and music, have you thought about any in particular?"

"I'd prefer one that was close to Forks or somewhere on the East Coast."

"Not ready to fly the coop?"

"I prefer to keep my family close, we're a tight knit group."

"I see, well, there is ACMA in Seattle, that stands for: Academy of Contemporary Music and Art. They only accept thirty new students a year. Then are several in New York but I would say the best is AAM, the Academy of Art and Music. Of course, I can give you a more defined list of all the schools if you would prefer."

"I would appreciate that but thanks for telling me the names of the top school's as well."

"I have read through your teacher notes and see that you stand a good chance of getting accepted to a premier Art and Music school. You just need to keep your other grades up to show you are not all about Art and Music only."

"Of course, I understand the need to show that I'm not only talented in music and art. Although I'm not going to pursue subjects like maths, English or science, I at least have to prove I'm good at them."

"What does your family think of your choices in college?"

"My family is very supportive in everything I do. Of course, Dad would prefer us to stay closer to home like any parent would but he also wants what's best for me and if that takes me to New York or elsewhere, he won't stand in my way."

"That's good, young people don't realise in this age how important having a supportive family can be."

"I am very lucky in that respect."

"I see here that you're in a relationship, how is that going to impact your college applications?"

"Excuse me?"

"You're dating Edward Cullen are you not? I spoke to him earlier today, very charming young man. The whole family are very charismatic."

The way that word rolled off her tongue caused a shiver to run down my spine, or that could have been the way her tongue peeked out her mouth and ran across her top lip. I was sure that her mind wasn't exactly thinking PC thoughts in that moment.

"What does my relationship with Edward have to do with me applying to colleges?"

"Young love these days gets in the way of pre-designed plans. I imagine you fancy yourselves 'together forever' but I'm sure you realise the amount of 'high school sweethearts' that stay together is slim."

"I'm not sure why we're talking about this or why you are suddenly interested in the lasting nature of my relationship…"

"I see so many kids on days like today, I can't help but fall for the gossip they tell me. So, tell me, how serious would you say your relationship with Edward is?"

"Why do you want to know? Hoping to get a look in yourself? I wonder what the state would think about your impure thoughts…"

"How dare you."

"No, how dare you. I came here for advice on what colleges to pick and what grades I need to get there but you seem more inclined to dissect my relationship with Edward, which by the way, is none of your damn business."

"I'm sorry if you feel that way, it was not my intention."

"Bullshit. No good career counsellor would dress themselves in a skirt as short as yours. Do you get a kick out of teasing adolescent men? I think we're done here and word of caution, back off from the Cullen's because every male member is taken."

"We'll see about that."

"Yes, we will, one move and I'll be calling the police."

The end of our conversation called for a dramatic storm out of the counsellor's room. I felt physically sick from the turn of conversation. I didn't know how old the counsellor was but that was just disgusting. I knew that the Cullen's 'Aphrodite' beauty dazzled a fair number of humans but I didn't think it corrupted their minds as well. At least I'd gotten a fair amount of detail out of the woman before she'd started to fantasise about my Edward. I dreaded to think of how his appointment had gone. Part of me wanted to ask him yet at the same time, I wanted to bury the memory of that appointment and shower away the dirt I felt at her line of questioning.

"The counsellor is a pervert."

"Jeez Alice you scared the crap out of me."

"Don't worry, you'll get over it. She was practically racking her eyes over Edward, Jasper and Emmett."

"Did anyone say anything?"

"Edward did."

"He didn't!"

"Yep."

"What did he say?"

"Casually reminded her that her attempts to woo Carlisle in the past had failed dramatically and that he didn't think she'd want to further embarrass herself by being carted off school premises by the police."

"That's hilarious. I guess that's why she was pressing me so much about my relationship with him. She kept asking how serious we were but I called her out on it. Seems Edward and I are more in tune than we thought."

"It's unfortunate that we sometimes have this effect on mortals, it is one of the less attractive perks of becoming a vampire."

"At least she gave me some good information about colleges before she went all weird."

"You know you don't have to worry about college applications."

"I just prefer to cover all bases Alice. I don't want to rely on your gift or any other."

"No, it's just, we already applied on your behalf."

"What?!"

"Now don't be mad, you were getting so stressed and we just wanted to help. It was Esme's idea, she spoke to Charlie about it, he's worried about you. Besides, Esme did all her research before putting in your applications and wrote some killer references for you."

"I'm not sure how I feel about this."

"Well, you're about to feel pretty darn good about yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"We got three out of five acceptation letters in the post, provided you get the grades they require."

"Are you serious?! What colleges?"

"ACAM in Seattle, AAM in New York and AMA in Vancouver."

"Vancouver? That's in Canada."

"I know, I'm not stupid Ella. These are all exceptional colleges and in places that we could follow you."

"I didn't think of that. I'm sorry. I guess I got so one track minded that I forgot about the weather conditions you have to hide in."

"I know, that's partly why we acted without your consent. We also wanted what was best for you. I hope you don't think we've taken the choice from you. You still get to decide which of the three colleges you pick."

"I've been a bit out of things, recently haven't I? Thanks Alice, while I'm a little peeved, this does take a weight off me. I was stressing about the college application process. I mean how do you write that you were kidnapped in a way that doesn't compromise your education?"

"Goodness, I'm so relieved. I mean I knew this was the outcome, I'd seen it but I still worried I was wrong and you'd actually be pissed with what we'd done."

"You doubt your gift?"

"Sometimes. Things don't always go as planned you know."

"The things that you see that don't happen, do they ever haunt you?"

"All the time. That's the thing with this gift, it's great to an extent but I'm still left wondering 'what if'."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright, for every up there is a down, that's just how life works."

"Still…"

"Don't worry about it Ella, there are worse things in life to stress about."