Chapter 5:

Bella was mostly silent while eating breakfast. She and Lucas being the only ones eating. She could not help but let her gaze rest on him a few times, the angel in question seemingly completely unbothered. His youthful appearance did not fool her as she had seen him the day before as the warrior he was – marked by the years of existence behind him. Yet she could not help but admire his profile. He was beautiful in a more mundane way in this form, compared to the Cullens. He was approachable. His gray eyes stared out at nothing while he chewed, his strong jawline locking a moment, before he continued to chew and he blinked before looking down at the empty plate with a soft handsome smile. For he was just that.

A part of her felt betrayed that she even considered the possibility of being with the angel, knowing it was not possible as he did not have the answers to whoever else could be her fated if she chose to sever her bond to Edward.

And then there was Edward.

He was still the most beautiful man she had ever seen (even if he was stuck as seventeen). He'd been more mature than most boys her own age when she met him, of course that reason would be obvious as to why later. The drawn feelings towards him were still ever present, and it was painful to even think to be apart from him. Even playing with other possibilities hurt her, as she did not want to hurt him. Lucas had told her to think of her own happiness. But when her own body betrayed her, her soul, how could she make a clear decision?

Lucas put his plate in the dishwasher. His human form more subdued and he would not listen in on anything except what his enhanced hearing picked up on. He met Bella's eyes as he turned and saw her own eyes widen and her familiar blush stretch over her cheeks. He tilted his head a bit to the side, studying her. Not a whisper came from her mind. Knowing that it really worked he relaxed his stance a bit more. He as well as his siblings were good at blending in amongst humans. It was going to be fun to help Alice and Edward blend a bit better in at their senior year. Maybe he should have approached them earlier on after all, he thought as he made his way out of the kitchen.

"Thank you, Esme," he said as he passed her.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Esme said happily. Her soft and warm gaze resting on his.

"A homecooked meal made with love always tastes better," he answered her and grinned as she smiled widely in return.

"Carlisle's cousin?" Jasper asked, as he fell in step beside Lucas as he continued to make his way out.

"It's the best I could do with my appearance, I could be his brother, but that would be quite something as year gap. And distant cousin." Lucas winked. Jasper chuckled.

"I wish I could see the female population of Forks high when they hear that. On second thought, I'm very glad I already graduated." Jasper shuddered, imagining all the emotions that would hit him. Teenagers, he thought with another shudder.

Emmett laughed loudly when he heard Jasper and joined them. Sad to miss out the daily fun, but glad that they all were sticking close. "Even without vampiric beauty, Lucas here got something going, that's for sure. Warrior vibes mixed with model material. The girls will swoon, and some of the boys too," he teased.

"Humans don't bother me. I won't interact in those ways as I simply cannot feel attraction in that way. I can be a friend, but that's all," Lucas said, shrugging.

Jasper tried to project a small amount of lust onto Lucas to check just that, but it was as if it hit a wall and never met the man at all. "Odd," Jasper muttered.

"You just had to try, didn't you?" Lucas said, staring at the vampire.

Jasper shrugged in response.

"Isn't that boring?" Emmett wanted to know.

"I wouldn't know. I don't know what there is to miss," Lucas answered.

"It's quite interesting," Jasper said. "I feel so much from you, but subdued. You don't smell like food. And I can marginally affect your emotions, but only with those that you are familiar with. You look human, and yet I can feel and I know you are other."

Emmett nodded in agreement. "Your heart beats strongly, but I don't feel for eating you. Something in your scent is throwing me off. I assume that is the other about you."

"Emmett," Jasper hissed.

"Don't sweat it," Lucas said. "It's not offensive. It's the whole reason of the disguise. I won't stand out amongst humans and attract unwanted attention while I am after my own targets. I'm not food material to a vampire, I'm quite sure you won't be able to penetrate my skin with your teeth."

"Wanna test?" Emmett asked with a grin, while wiggling his brows, showing all was for fun.

Lucas held his arm out, surprising the vampires. "You might lose a few teeth, so be mindful," he warned.

"But you skin is so soft," Emmett commented as he poked the arm.

"Yes, but I'm to be protected from myths, remember?"

Emmett nodded.

"You're really going to do this?" Jasper asked his brother incredulously.

Emmett grinned in answer before he took the arm and tried to bite, first softly, but feeling that the skin did not budge, he added a bit more pressure. Nothing. He stopped before he could damage his teeth as Lucas had said and stared at the arm.

"Now we know for sure," Jasper commented and shook his head.

"I assume you don't want to test?" Lucas asked Jasper.

"I'm fine, I was convinced even before Emmett decided to test this out." Jasper shook his head again at his brother's antics.

Blinding light engulfed the three and then Edward stood, blinking, in front of them.

"Was about time," Emmett said as he took in his brother.

Jasper raised a brow towards Edward. His emotions were definitely calmer than they had been, but there was also an air of confusion around him. Voicing this, Lucas said it was probably due to his sister Ariel.

"I don't understand. Why take me away, tell me things, just to have me forget again?" Edward asked.

"To help you. I think you have an idea, even if you do not directly know. You can use that knowing for your own benefit," Lucas answered. He'd been on the unfortunate side of Ariel's gifts several times over all his years.

Edward heard the slight annoyed tone in Lucas' mind as he thought of his sister. At least now he could relate to the angel.

Bella came down the stairs at that point, ready for school. She looked refreshed, but wary as she took in the group that pretty much blocked her way.

Edward took in her guarded look and the hurt that flickered through her warm eyes as she gazed upon him. Excusing himself he hurried to change so he too would be ready to go. Alice had already laid out clothes for him and he thanked his sister silently before making his way down again in a matter of seconds.

Bella tried to not let Edward affect her, but that was impossible. She couldn't just turn off her feelings. When he came back down in a hurry, she had to control herself from running into his arms. One part of her really wanted to, while another part was simply too wary of him and the way he had treated her.

Lucas drew her subtly into the conversation, making her relax as his comforting presence eased her emotions and her mind. She briefly joked about Emmett's teeth (after hearing of what he had attempted), making the brothers and Lucas laugh when Alice came and announced that it was time to go. Waving bye to Emmett and Jasper, she walked with Alice to the car.

Lucas waited, observing what she would do as Edward went to the front. Bella hurried to sit in the back, dragging Alice with her. The pixie-like vampire shrugging happily, not caring either way about their car ride. He slid into the passenger front seat and tried not to think too much about it all. He let out a bit of his angelic powers, creating an illusion upon both Alice and Edward. Bella would see through it because of her mental shield, but they should be spared from the other humans at least.

Alice practically bounced in her seat. "Thank you!" she said excitedly.

"What exactly did you do?" Bella wondered. Not noticing anything different.

"Humans won't take notice of their otherness. Their instincts will still tell them that there's something off about both Alice and Edward, but they won't question it. Blending in is easier this way, also if having or wanting to interact with other humans. I would if I were you by the way in the future. It's less suspicious." That was a both yes and no, he knew, help wise at that. He wasn't telling them to become best friends with humans, but making a few acquaintances and being less hostile, maybe even acquiring some contacts for their eyes, would help their blending in, if they decided to continue with the high school ruse. He understood that Bella was the only human they had let themselves get close to for the simple sake that was their nature and the fear of exposure. But by doing so, they distanced themselves, and actually drew attention. Yes, they had relied on Alice's gift and Edward's to see or know if something would be out of the ordinary, but why not relax a bit more? Interact and learn. Or do something different, entirely, and enjoy life.

Edward snorted from that last part.

Alice gave him a look that he caught from the mirror.

Bella just stared out the window. Going to school when so much had changed was almost embarrassing. She walked alongside Alice, avoiding Edward, which in turn created their own whispers and talks, besides the new guy that was starting after the school year had begun. That he too was a Cullen did not go unnoticed by the students of Forks high.

It occurred to her, or it was more that she remembered then that both Alice and Edward had made sure that their schedules matched hers as much as possible so they could stick together at the start of their senior year, and in those classes with Edward, she always sat beside him. She swallowed. Waving to Alice as she parted and joined him. The year was going to be long if she had to endure the strain between them.

Jessica hogged Bella between the next classes, wanting to know the latest gossip. "Come on, Bella. How could you not tell us about the other Cullen hottie?" she complained as she dragged Bella along.

"I've been busy," Bella muttered, feeling her blush cover her cheeks.

"Is it true then? Are you and Edward over?" Jessica wanted to know.

"Yeah, we are," Bella muttered. Better to get it out of the way now.

"Ouch. And you still have to sit beside him, that has to suck."

"I guess."

Jessica stared at her, obviously contemplating whether or not to grill her more about the case. At that moment Lucas came up beside them, asking how Bella felt.

Grateful for the distraction he proved to Jess, Bella said fine, as she noticed Jess stare up at Lucas. Agreeing to meet at lunch, the three parted to their own classes.

Lunch proved to be interesting. The group Bella first had come to know, wanted introductions to Lucas, and now that Edward and Alice were also sitting with them, the table was more than crowded. At least it only lasted a short time, before Lauren went to sit with the cheerleaders, her obvious flirting unanswered. Tyler and Austin went to another table of their friends'. Angela, Ben, Eric, Jessica and Mike stayed. Bella was between himself and Alice. On his other side sat Jessica, chatting happily of what was going on. Mike was not able to stop staring at Bella, even if he supposedly was still together with Jess. Angela, Ben and Eric were talking about something completely different. While Edward stared daggers at Mike.

Bella breathed out when it was time to leave. She had felt again, like the zoo exhibit. The rumors had taken their own spin out of hand, but that's all they were. Rumors. Mike had been awfully creepy, while Edward way more silent than usual. His once relaxed demeanor was no longer such as he had been when they had been closer. At the same time, she found she did not mind. It was nice, the change. All in all. Lucas interacted naturally with the people around him, and seemed content, though oblivious to any sort of flirting. According to Jess, it was more likely he was gay. Yep, the gossipers were having a great day. Even if there existed enough around her and Edward's breakup, due to Jessica, no doubt, she was left alone. Lucas' arrival was plenty fuel to the gossipers. Although she could have done without Mike's staring.

Lucas felt odd when he jumped off at Bella's with her. There was as if something under his skin was prickling and urging him on as he caught her just inside when she stumbled. He thanked the higher powers that both Alice and Edward were out of reach as he felt his own body start to react to the close proximity of Bella. Her form resting against his as he helped her regain her footing did nothing to stop the unfamiliar emotions as they made themselves known more strongly.

Bella turned then, smiling. "Thanks," she said, her own flushed face taking in the bewildered look on Lucas' as his cheeks were slightly flushed too.

He blinked and swallowed; his mouth suddenly very dry. "No problem," he said, his voice sounding a bit hoarse as he let go of her.

"Charlie won't be home before a bit later. Do you want to eat here?" she asked as she made her way towards the kitchen, not thinking too much into anything as the angel seemed to regain his usual composure quite fast.

He smiled, relieved. Whatever oddness had occurred it had let go and he felt as he usually did. At ease. "That would be great, thanks," he answered as he followed in.

Erlos blinked and met Talia's eyes. "He's quite strong. It's hard to influence him at all," he told his sister.

"But you did it?" she wanted to know. "You managed," she then stated.

"Barely. If it keeps up like this, I will need to go there sooner than I had planned."

"Hm. It seems I need to look at a few paths," Talia then muttered and stood. "Rest a bit until I'm back."

Erlos nodded and then thought, Whatever Talia has planned to do, it better work.