twifanatic1: Yes they own a lot of pointless things and it will only get worse. Don't worry; Edward will not have a mate of any sort. I never let him have anything like that in my stories; I'm just too mean him most of the time. Ah, and your question brings up an interesting thought. I will tell you though just because, they do not know, but there are suspicions.

Twilight Crazy Fan: Yes, I also thought of all the gossipers and lack of privacy. Also Edward could just listen to the student's thoughts and the surprise would be ruined. The Cruor's, on the other hand, have a trick up their sleeve so Edward can't eavesdrop.

NotSoSlightlyCrazy: Good questions because the Cruor's don't know Edward and the vampires she knows are one and the same. You'll just have to see.

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! They mean a lot and keep me going. Like I promised the Cullens will be in this chapter. Option 1 won by a long shot, Option 3 was second but honestly it wasn't even close.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; I am a poor college student. If I did own Twilight it would have Nikel not Edward. I do own OC's.

Chapter 8: Last one standing

'And all I need from you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'

'Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing

'We started for the Cruor's home. I was with Nikel and Zach; of course, Nikel drove nobody lets Zach drive a vehicle unless it was to race. Zach did own Mitsubishi Eclipse to drive around town it was just nobody let him drive. Not if they were going to be on the road as well. It was just safer for everyone.

"Bella if you bounce any harder, you're going to flip the car." Zach announced, from the back seat. I couldn't help it; the news of the Cullens return had me nervous. I didn't want to see them, it would hurt to see them I just knew it.

"Does it really matter if I flip the car? You'll just walk away anyways." I retorted instead of voicing my worries. I didn't want to talk about it. Though I knew I should warn them the Cullens were vampires.

"Well Nikel would, I might have some issues depending on the crash of course. Oh, you should try it I'm curious now."

"We are not flipping my Mustang!" Nikel yelled, rubbing his hands on the steering wheel. I just shook my head. What could I say, the boy was weird.

"Fine, Bella do you want to go out driving with me and flip my car?" Zach asked, looking at me with all seriousness.

"Um, that's okay Zach, maybe another time." I replied weakly. I could never tell if he was serious and that scared me sometimes. He just shrugged and sat back as we approached the house. We must've been driving slower than usual, because I looked in the rearview mirror to see Allina right behind us. She had to pick up the younger ones so she had to have been speeding to catch up to us.

"Hey Nikel," Allina called out as we all got out of the cars and headed towards the house, "Do you remember Jonathon saying he was going to be home earlier than normal?" She jerked her head towards one of the cars parked in the garage.

Nikel shrugged, "How the hell would I know? Maybe the hospital let him off early."

Sam rolled his eyes, "Come on Allina, you know Nikel lives in a cave. He never hears anything."

"Says the guy who's always playing video games in his room," Nikel commented, dodging the elbow Sam tried to hit him with. He returned it with a smack to the back of the head of his own.

Allina and I just rolled our eyes at our boyfriends and walked around them to lead the way to the house. Boys always had to fight, it was bred into them. Their back and forth play fighting was cut short a thump. We both turned around to see both boys on the floor. We gave each other a confused look before looking back at them. Zach and Jamie stopped from their place behind them and looked confused as well.

Only Loretta seemed to know what was going on, "You both are really annoying. I'm going to go find Daddy, enjoy walking to the house." With that she walked past all of us to be the first in the house.

Groaning, the boys sat up and looked at their shoes. Allina started laughing first quickly joined by me. Their laces were completely knotted up. Not just a normal small knot but the strings were completely balled together. Loretta really outdid herself this time.

"Do we leave them or help?" I stage whispered to Allina, while looking at the boys.

She shrugged indifferently, "Let them figure it out."

Zach and Jamie sidestepped their brothers and followed us into house while we all ignored the shouting of the two trapped boys.

"How long do you think it will take them to figure out they can just take off their shoes and walk inside?" Jamie asked once we were safely inside.

I rolled my eyes at him, "Its Nikel and Sam, we'll be lucky if we see them by dinner."

He did a little nod of agreement and took off.

I hated when I was right. The boys finally came inside just as dinner was being served. Made by Allina and myself, none of the boys knew how to cook and Tabitha was working another late night it seemed.

"What took you so long?" Loretta asked innocently, taking her seat across the table from Nikel, Zach and I.

"Yeah seriously, it was over an hour." Allina scolded, from her spot between Loretta and Sam.

"Loretta, apparently, added an extra oomph to her prank. The laces would keep retying as we tried to untie."

"Why didn't you just take the shoes off?" I asked, looking back and forth between them.

"Damn it!" Sam yelled, smacking his forehead, "we frickin' crawled to the door. Why didn't you think of that, numbskull?"

Nikel raised an eyebrow, "Actually I did but I figured if you were smart enough to think of it yourself, who was I to tell you. Plus it was funny to watch you crawl to the door."

"You crawled too!"

"Yeah but…shut up."

"Geniuses." Gabriel grumbled, before digging into the food.

Everyone else followed suit the conversation forgotten for the moment.

"What is this? Something is wrong with the food!" Zach whined, poking it with his fork and frowning. He then looked at his fork, "What is wrong with my fork!?"

"First off, where the hell did you get that? That's a carving fork; there are only two prongs on it, what is wrong with you? Second, you took a scoop of guacamole. Chicken, which is the main course, is next to it." Allina explained, with a sigh, "Why do I bother?"

"I don't know." Zach replied shaking his head. Nikel, Sam and I groaned. What an idiot.

Dinner calmed down after that until Nikel decided to ask the question everyone was wondering, "So Dad, what are you doing home early?"

He put his fork down and shook his head, "They hired another doctor at the hospital so we all have our hours changed."

"Who'd they hire?" Gabriel asked, quietly.

"His name is Carlisle Cullen. He use to work at the hospital but he moved away because he had a better job offer. I think his wife missed the small town or something because they moved back. I didn't hear too much about him, all I knew was my hours changed. I work at midnight tonight until ten so you guys won't see me tonight." I froze at the mentioning of the Cullens, but quickly caught myself when Nikel threw me a worried look.

"It's a school night; would we see you anyways at that time?"

Sam spoke up, "Well maybe not you, Gabe, but the rest of us non-nerds probably are usually up still at midnight."

"Who asked you?" He grumbled under his breath.

"Jeez, Gabriel, don't be such a crab-ass." Zach replied, "Learn to take a joke. Right, Nike?"

Nikel looked up from his meal to glare at his step-brother, "One I don't give a shit. If Gabriel wants to have stick up his ass let him. Second, you're not allowed to call me Nike."

"Why not? Bella calls you Nike."

"She's my girlfriend, you're not."

Zach pouted playfully, "Well you never asked me."

Jonathon stood up and headed for the stairs, "And I'm getting out of this conversation while I can."

Zach got up, "I'm getting out of this conversation as well, simply disgusting you people are."

We all watched as Zach walked out of the room. I looked at the rest of the family, "Did that make any sense?"

Allina snorted, Its Zach does it ever?"

I shrugged, "On a good day, sometimes, if you're really lucky."

Dinner finished soon enough and we all went our separate ways. I went back up to Allina's room to this weekend's events. Allina really wanted to go out somewhere with all of us. Nikel gave me a quick, but very nice kiss before he and Sam headed outside to work on Sam's McLaren F1; apparently they were planning on using that vehicle on Friday in another one of their races. Jamie and Loretta went into the living room to start an 'epic' battle, as they called it, of Mario Kart. Gabriel went to work on homework like he always seemed to be doing and Zach decided now would be a good time to finally use that white crayon to color a picture. It was turning out to be a peaceful night. Of course, whenever I thought something like that, I was always proven wrong.

It was just after eight, Allina and I were going over the pro's (Which was her argument) and the cons (Which was my argument) of going to a dance club. I felt that I was winning when voices outside caught our attention. Trading looks of confusion we went to Allina's window and looked down to see Nikel and Sam talking to seven people I was told I'd never see again.

"Shit." I muttered, moving away from the window.

"Are those the Cullens?" Allina asked her voice shocked as she turned to look at me.

I nodded, "Yes."

"They're vampires." She said in the most matter-of-fact tone I've ever heard her use, "Did you know they were vampires?"

"Yes." I said again.

She gave me an incredulous look, "You dated a vampire. Are you crazy? You hung around with vampires?!"

"So, you're a Shifter and Nikel's a Cosmic Troublemaker. What's the big deal?"

"Yeah Bella, we're natural Supernatural's, we were born this way. Vampires are the only Supernatural outside of Moonwalkers –or as humans call them Werewolves- that are turned not born. They're dangerous, they hunt humans."

I rolled my eyes, "Not the Cullens. They hunt animals, they don't hunt humans. In the Vampire world, they're the safest ones to be around. They have Gold eyes instead of Red which proves it."

"But they're still dangerous. Wonderful, we have to deal with fucking vampires. Thankfully, we casted the damn house," She grumbled to herself.

Wow, Allina rarely swore, she was pissed. Wait, "What do you mean casted?"

"Before we moved in we had the place casted by some of mom's friends who are Elves. Basically it keeps any supernatural outside our family from sensing us. Whether it's with their noses or extra sensory we're completely covered. It's like we're not there. I'm not sure they'll even sense what we are. Or at least not Nikel and me."

"So…essentially, you're saying the Cullens have no idea I'm here?"

She shrugged, "Unless they saw you in the window, no. The casting prevents that."

So I was safe…for now. As I tried to absorb that bit of information, I heard Nikel yell for everyone from downstairs. Apparently he wanted everyone to meet the Cullens. As soon as the door slammed shut, Allina and I made our way downstairs. She went outside while I waited by the window listening in on their conversation. Loretta sat with me.

"Aren't you going outside?" I asked confused.

"No, I'll listen with you for awhile. I don't like vampires; Mommy says to stay away from them."

We didn't say anymore we were listening. Nikel started the conversation.

"Everyone this is our neighbor, the Cullens. Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, Edward and Jasper," He was pointing everyone out, "They use to live here but moved away. Now they're back. This is most of the rest of our family. Allina's my sister and the rest are my stepsiblings: Gabriel, Zach and Jamie. Our half-sister Loretta is inside, she's seven. My mom Tabitha is working and my stepdad Jonathon I believe you met at the hospital, Carlisle."

"So you're Dr. Cruor's children. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Jamie wasn't one to beat around the bush and it showed now, "So what's with your eyes I thought Vampires had red eyes."

I peaked around the drapes to see the Cullens surprised faces, "Excuse me?" Edward was able to speak first. I winced when I saw his face again for the first time in months.

"Good job Jamie." Gabriel snapped, "You must've not gotten a good introduction to our father, Carlisle otherwise you would've smelt Shifter on him for sure. Jonathon is a shifter and, of course, so is all his biological children." I noticed he left out what Nikel and Allina were as he continued on, "We knew you were Vampires the moment you showed up though your eyes do confuse us. Of course, while you're in our territory you won't be able to smell us or use any gifts I know you Vampires sometimes possess."

"They eat animals, not humans so that's why their eyes are Golden." Allina spoke up, telling them what I said earlier.

Esme nodded, "She is correct in that. So I assume you all attend Forks High, except maybe Jamie of course."

"You assumed correctly." Zach stated, being strangely serious.

"Edward and Alice attend Forks High as well. Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper graduated last year."

"Well then I guess we'll be seeing you at school." Nikel replied I could hear the impatience in his voice.

"Yes, hopefully we can become great friends." Alice said and I just knew she was smiling. It hurt to think of her. She had been my best friend.

I looked at my watch and winced. I needed to get home it was getting close to nine. Doing that meant I had to go outside though...and see them.

I walked to the door, put on all my things and took a deep breath, I could do this. I wouldn't let them get the better of me anymore. I could be confident and sarcastic. I could use all that Nikel has taught me in this past month and show them.

With that thought, I opened the door and was greeted with the shocked faces of the Cullens. I ignored them though, looking instead at Allina, Nikel and Zach who were all standing next to each other.

"Some hosts you are leaving the guest in the house to have social hour in the yard." I teased, shifting slightly so my backpack was more secure on my shoulder.

Zach retorted first, "Guest? I don't think so more like moocher, freeloader, uh…other such words…" He started to drift off.

Nikel shook his head at Zach, "Really that's all you got?"

"Yeah well…" Zach bent down, picked up some left over snow and threw it in Nikel's face, "Cat Launcher Snow Attack." With Nikel effectively distracted he took the opportunity to run. To where, I didn't want to know. He'd come back in a minute anyways.

"Okay…I don't have anything to say to that." I said, shaking my head.

"I do, he's dead the next time I see him."

"Bella?" Alice whispered. Taking a deep breath I turned to face them.

"Hello Alice, everyone," I was surprised how unemotional my voice sounded even to myself; I turned back to Nikel, "It's almost nine."

He knew exactly what I meant by that and he went to get his Mustang out of the garage.

"Bella's right it's getting late, it was nice meeting you." Allina said politely before turning to me. Gabriel, Jamie and Sam already wandered back into the house, "Bella, I'll be picking you up tomorrow in Sam's car. Nikel promised to start working on my car tonight, okay?"

I shrugged, "That's fine. I can always drive myself, you know."

She snorted, "Not with that piece of crap you call a vehicle."

"Hey, don't dis on the classic's." I retorted, walking towards the Mustang as Nikel stopped to let me in.

His window was down, so he could yell, "Nice meeting you Cullens, and Allina, don't make fun of Bella's truck. You wouldn't want something bad to happen to your cars so you'll have to take that hunk of junk somewhere."

"You're so sweet, Nike." I teased, before getting into the vehicle.

"It's still bullshit nobody else can call you that!" Zach whined, reappearing by Allina. I don't know where he went and I don't want to know. Sometimes it was better not to question Zach. The Cullens started heading for the woods that divided their house from the Cruor's. I realized they must have run here.

Then Nikel said the one thing I wasn't sure I wanted the Cullens knowing just yet, just before they disappeared, "Sorry, Zach girlfriends get special treatment."

The last thing I saw before we began to drive up their ridiculously long driveway was the shock faces of the people I once considered my family. I snorted back a laugh, that's right the poor little human moved on. I was the still standing.

Okay, I know I don't have much romance between Nikel and Bella but there will be next chapter don't worry. This wasn't exactly how I wanted this chapter to go, but this is where my hands led me and I really don't have much control over what Nikel wants. I just write it. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think. Feel free to give ideas, they help me out and I'm not really sure where the story is going from here…..didn't plan that far out I suppose….Help?