A/N: Well, happy birthday to me. And for my birthday, I'll write you guys a chapter.

Wrote: 7/9/10

Chapter 3

Edward POV

Aura is hiding something. Something big. That scar . . . it's the same thing a vampire would leave. Only she's not a vampire. So she knew another vampire that sucked the venom out? Where, in Arizona? Why would any self-respecting vampire be in Arizona? I stare at her as Alice and Rosalie drag her into multiple stores.

"Why is he looking at me like that? Oh, God, he's not thinking about that scar, is he? Oh, that's stupid. He's probably really protective. Then again, he might be really suspicious of me now and might not trust me ever again. Eh, his loss."

I frown at her thoughts. Why couldn't she think more of the scar? That stupid little mark is gonna drive me over the edge! I huff and cross my arms leaning back onto my heels, still staring at her.

"Hi."

I jump and look to my left. There stands a blond with a bubble-gum pink streak in her chin-length bangs. Her eyes are electric blue and lined in dark black with bright eye shadow all around. She has lip rings on her bottom lip and a stud on the right side of her nose. Her hair has volume. A lot of volume.

"Hello," I respond, inspecting her thoughts.

"Mmm, he's hot. Wonder if he has a girlfriend? He was staring at that girl, but maybe he's a stalker. Doesn't matter."

"I'm April. What's your name?" Her lips pull down in a little pout that seems to be an unconscious action. "Oh, so hot. Love his hair, wanna run my hands through it . . ."

"Edward. Do you live around here?" Stupid, making conversation with the cannon fodder.

She sighs and looks away. "I wish. This place is awesome. I live in Arizona. The sun and the hot and all. Up here is nice. I won't be going home any time soon, though. I'm visiting a friend that lives in Forks, I think."

I frown and look closer at her. "What's her name?"

She frowns as well. "How'd you know it's a girl? Anyway, her name is Aura. Aura Swan."

Aura and April. Has a nice ring to it. At the moment I think that, a voice squeals loudly, "APRIL!" We both turn to see Aura trying to get over here.

"Aura? Is that you? You look different!" April announces as Aura slips out of Rosalie's and Alice's unrelenting grasps.

When said girl reaches us, she's breathless and two very annoyed-looking girls are right on her trail. She pauses to take a deep breath and calm her rapidly beating heart. "You look different too! You're . . . are different." She blinks a couple times. "Did your brother come with you?" Her voice is audibly changed from her excited voice to a wary voice that I've heard maybe twice.

"Slow down, girly. I know that's different. Yes, Kristopher is here, not that I want him to be. I see you've made friends with some animal lovers." Her gaze flicks to the five of us then back to Aura. "Didn't take you very long. What are you, a magnet for 'em?" April sighs and turns back to me. "I'm sorry, Edward. Its very nice to meet you. My name is April Lafell, and I was one of Aura's friends. I was around when she got that one scar. The peculiar one. You've seen it?"

I nod then look back behind me. "Uhm, this is Emmett, Jasper, Rosalie, and Alice," I say, indicating each with a hand gesture.

"Pleased to meet you all. Aura and I haven't spoke in a long while, so excuse me for asking, but I'd like to speak with her over some lunch. If you'd excuse us." April puts an arm around Aura and leads her away in the direction of the food court.

Aura POV

When we get a safe distance and plenty of people around I drop the happy-to-see-you act and give a long glare to 'April.'

"Shade, what in God's name are you doing here? And Kristoff as well?" I sigh and move toward a Taco Bell line.

Shade drops her act as well, her eyes losing the blue and turning into a dark red. She can't change her hair because of so many people around, but if she could, she would change back to her flowing white."Well, we had to make sure you weren't spouting off stuff about our kind. Seems you just found more to hang around with, dear Shadow."

I glare at her. "I haven't gone by that name in a good while. It would do you well to shut up." I turn back and order a number eight without lettuce with a Pepsi. While I hand my change to the cashier, who flirts with me unendingly, I hear Shade move and stand next where people pick up their food.

She grins when I get there. "What? You don't like your name anymore? But Shadow! You used to love it!" She leans closer. "Like you loved my brother," she hisses.

My head snaps around to face her and a swear that I would kill her with my eyes if I could. "Shut. Up. I was young and stupid."

"And now you're not? Its only been a year, my dear. A year for you to spread the secret that would not only kill us, but kill you as well. Isn't that what you wanted? To die? Didn't you want to get away?"

She's pushing me. She's pressing all the right buttons that she thinks infuriates me. And she's right. I set down my tray calmly then turn to her, fire burning in my eyes. "You should leave. Leave and never come back," I say sedately.

"Ooh, I got her mad! Maybe I should run and hide!" She grins and gets in my face. "Watch what you say, Shadow. It might get you in trouble." Her eyes get black, telling me she's not messing around anymore. "Kristoff would not shut up about you. He still thinks there's a chance for you two. You need to tell him to get his facts straight. If not, I'm afraid your precious animal lovers might find themselves with angry vampires on their trail."

My temper snaps. "Do not threaten them. They have done nothing to you. Take a step back, bitch."

Cold hand close around my wrists. I jerk and try to thrash against them. "Shh, be still. There is no need to fight me, Shadow."

I calm at the familiar voice then tense up and try to jerk away again. "Let me go!"

He runs his nose down my neck. "Why? You smell so good. You feel so warm. I've missed you." His cold, fragrant breath fans across my face and neck.

"Please, Kristoff. Please, let me go," I whimper. His grip slackens minutely, just enough for me to get my hands free and push Shade away a few steps. I pick up my tacos and my soda and quickly blend into the crowd.

Shade a.k.a. April POV

"Damn it!" I hiss. I glare at my stupid love-sick brother so hard it's a wonder he doesn't burst into flames. "You know she doesn't love you! You know it! Yet you still try! You still go after her like a lost puppy! Get over her! She's defiantly gotten over you!" I push past him, making my eyes go back to the bright blue I had chosen before, and following her unique scent to where we had first seen each other today. She's standing with the bronze-haired one, whispering quickly.

I feel my eyes get dark then force them back to the jovial blue that I had first met them all with. That's my speciality. I can change my appearance and scent at will. I had been approached by The Three Brothers on multiple occasions, them saying they would love to have a vampire with my skills in their guard. I had politely refused with my Shadow and my Kristoff in tow. Also, I can change other's scent and appearance, so I didn't have to worry about getting in trouble by having a human that knows about Us. Even if the leader of The Brothers, Aro, saw her today, he wouldn't know it was her.

She's someone who can do what I can as well. She can't control it when she gets angry and her eyes turn either red or black. Maybe, if she became a vampire, it would be stronger, more controllable. Maybe The Three Brothers would be coming to her, trying to gather her up.

The idea of it all makes me laugh as I walk calmly to the group. The multitudes of scents waft around me, making my throat dry and start burning. I push it away, knowing that I had fed only three hours before. Every head of that six-person group turns to look at me. I give a jolly grin and stop in front of Shadow.

"Well, it was nice seeing you. Aura, Kristopher and I will see you again soon, right? You still have to tell Kris, remember?"

She unwraps a taco and bites into it hard. She glares at me just as hard. My grin gets larger. "I remember. I will remember for a good while after that, April." She sneers as she says my fake name, twisting it into a dirty word. She slips the straw into her soda and take a long gulp. Her eyes close, but not before I see them change to a blood red color that makes my stomach rumble.

When she looks up, her eyes are back to that strange violet color that makes me envious. How come this back-stabbing, cowardly human gets the awesome eyes? Not fair! I push the anger away, trying to calm and not let my eyes or hair go back to normal. Edward and Jasper exchange a look then move their stares back at me.

"Well, until next time." I turn on my heel and blend back into the endless crowd.

Aura POV

I stare after her, feeling something going on with my eyes. Its an uncomfortable feeling that makes me close my eyes and push the heels of my hands up into them. A cold hand is placed on my cheek. I roll my eyes before opening them, making sure the discomfort is gone. When I do look, I'm seeing topaz framed by thick black lashes. The irritation caused by that stupid vampire slowly slides away like run-off on the side of a mountain.

"Aura," he says, a peculiar expression gracing his perfect features. "You know your eyes have a red tint, right?"

I blink about three times and frown, my eyebrows knitting together. "Nu uh. You're kidding. My eyes are pure purple. You having trouble seeing?" I look at him with one eyebrow raised.

"He's not the only one who saw it," Alice mutters, looking off in the distance with a blank expression.

Edward turns his attention from me to the pixie girl, seeming confused. His expression slowly goes as blank then he turns to me. "We need to get you home now. Charlie is sure to be worrying."

"Its only four. He said to be back by seven." I frown deeper, the discomfort returning.

"There it is again!" Edward leans forward, looking in my eyes. I feel my knees go weak and start to tremble. I've had vampires look me in the eyes, but I've never had one make me go breathless. "Aura, how are you feeling right now?" he asks as he flicks a look at Jasper.

I hesitate. "Breathless. A little irritated at Sh-April. Did I say breathless?" I giggle a little, startling not only Edward, but myself as well. Oh, you freakin' vampire, making me all giggle-and-laugh like a freakin' crushing prep. Why do you do this to me? I sigh, all need to giggle dissipating with a heavy feeling of fatigue falling on my shoulders.

He stares at me, something changing in those perfect eyes. Slowly, they're getting darker, turning into a deep, dark black. "Aura . . . there's something I need to do. Will you let me?" He's leaning forward slowly, his face just inches from mine.

I lick my lips, seeing him watch the movement. I take my bottom lip into my mouth, worrying on it with my teeth and his tongue flicks out to wet his lips. "What is it that you need to do, Edward?" I ask coyly, a small smile forming on my lips.

He growls quietly, sending shivers down my spine. I lean forward, pressing my mouth to his and wrapping my arms around his neck. His mouth is cold and warm at the same time, hard yet soft. The taste, Oh God, the taste! Better than anything in the entire world! I moan and lean into him, feeling his hands ghost over my sides and lock behind me at my lower back. Its like dancing with danger, the thrills and chills mixed in. Our mouths open, his cool and delicious breath sliding into my mouth, making me shiver again. His tongue flicks over my bottom lip, making me jump. He chuckles, sending vibrations through him and into me.

I pull away when I finally need to take in some fresh air. Well, as fresh as air can be these days. "God, I feel like I was turning blue!" I announce, taking deep gulps of the precious oxygen.

He chuckles again, not moving his arms from around me. "You kind of were, love. I was about to let off, but you were determined to not let me go."

Emmett scoffs. "You were eating each other's face. Seriously, weren't they Jazz?" Emmett looks at the southerner with a grin.

Jasper nods, a sly smile on his face. "I imagine so, my brother." His expression goes innocent when Edward looks at him. "What? I didn't do a thing. Swear." He gives a grin that makes Edward tense. When he said 'thing,' it came out as 'thang.'

I run my fingers through Edward's hair, momentarily distracting him from whatever he was about to do. His hair is soft as silk, luxurious as Egyptian cotton. I start to tug, pulling it into weird little spikes. After a bit, he looks like he's had someone running their hands through his hair all day. Well, actually, it was only a few minutes. Yeah, I'm that good.

When I stop, he groans. "No, no, don't. That felt good."

I laugh. "Poor Eddie." I roll my eyes and lean in to kiss him again.

Like the first, we stand there with our arms around each other tightly, breathing into each other's mouth. This time, Alice and Rosalie link their arms around mine and pull me away. "No!" I exclaim, surprised and angered. I feel that twinge in my eyes again and ignore it. "Edward! Save me from the insane people!" I call.

Emmett and Jasper are walking alongside him, both grinning, with their hands grasping his arms to keep him from rushing over and saving me.

"Noooooooooo!" I yell as they pull me into yet another store. These next few hours are going to be torture.

A/N: Sooooooo? Whatcha think? Personally, if the kisses are supposed to progress to something hotter, I think I might have to up the rating. ;) Do you think I should? Go on, tell me! Press that thing right down there and LET ME KNOW! It can't be perfect, I

must have errors. Cuz no one's perfect. Is Jasper not southern enough? Should Edward and Aura kiss more? Should Aura kill April or Shade or whoever the hell she is? Or should Edward kill April or Shade or whoever the hell she is? What do you think Kristopher or Kristoff or whoever the hell he is will do?

If you totally just skipped over that, just review and tell me what you think. :P