A/N: Le sigh. I'm kinda sad right now. My dog is sick. He won't eat and he might die from his condition. Hello, depression, my friend. I've missed you so. Anyway, have a chapter. Writing makes me happy.

Chapter 4

The next morning, Sunday, I wake to the sound of the front door slamming, followed by a swear. A quite colorful one, too. I close my eyes, trying to force myself back to sleep. I fail at it and end up rolling out of bed onto the floor with a THUD. I groan and roll to my back, staring at the shopping bags that I had yet to unpack.

With a defeated sigh, I crawl over and start pulling things out and putting them on my dresser to examine them closer. The first thing I pull out is bright red silk. It looks kind of like a shirt. At closer inspection, it is. It's a long-sleeve fire truck red silk shirt that buttons up.

I grimace at it and set it down. Next I pull out a pair of six inch stiletto heels the color of orchids. These it stare at with wide eyes a moment. Then I shrug and stand, sliding my feet into the death traps. As I straighten, I wobble a little, then regain balance. I take a hesitant step, then another, and another, then start to slowly walk around my room. Its been a while since I had wore my boots.

When I make it back to my bags, no worse for wear other than a slight ache in my heels, I find a shirt the exact same color of the shoes. Its short-sleeved with a small black rose over the pocket area. It's a pull on, so I like it a little more.

Another few bags latter, I'm in the accessories. As I get near the bottom, something catches my eye. It's a silver ring. A silver ring with a lion done in red, making it stand out in vivid color. I trace the outline, seeing other little symbols in it too. The it clicks. This symbol is the Cullen crest. I drop the ring quickly.

Where I come from, when a "family" of vampires gives something with their crest on it, they're offering protection. But they also want something in return. Whoever, whatever, it is, they always want something in return. I can't accept it because I've already got the protection of a different coven. It may not be the best coven around, but I have that protection. Slowly, that discomfort comes back to my eyes, making me squirm around.

I turn and pick up the mirror that the coven had given me, tracing the gold dragon on the back of the pewter antique. Under it is a chalice. Over it is the Latin term, Momento Mori, translating to 'remember to die'. I sigh, thinking back to the times where everything was worse.

Flashback

(third person)

Arizona, 2008

A teenage girl is running down an alley, her hood up and her jeans soaking wet. Her feet have long gone numb from the cold. Its nighttime in the warm city of Phoenix, Arizona, but it had rained and a cold front had come in, making the place seem like a different planet. She pauses at the end of the alley, looking both ways when she gets to the street, then looking behind her. She looks back down the street to her right, staring longingly at her home, where her mother and step-father are probably still sleeping, it being two in the morning and everything. Then she sighs and turns left, walking slowly away from her family.

Behind her, a man dressed in black follows stealthily behind, ducking behind things when she glances back. He knows that sometimes he moves too slow and she catches just the edge of his black leather duster, but he likes the way her heart skips a beat then speeds a little when she does. He enjoys stalking his prey almost as much as he does feeding. Well, not even close to how much he enjoys feeding. He enjoys playing God for a few moments, deciding whether or not the human lives another day or dies.

She slips in a puddle, almost crashing onto the pavement.

A pair of strong hands catch her, steadying her cautiously. The owner of the hands turns the girl around to face him, smirking like he'd just been told he was now the owner of the world. "You should be more careful, my dear. I would hate for someone so young to be taken down by a puddle."

She looks up into his scarlet eyes, purple meeting red for the first time. Her heart picks up its beat and she tries to wrench her arms out of his hands. Without meaning to, he holds on tighter, staring into that beautiful purple.

So unique, he thinks, gazing at the girl more gently now, trying to look into her soul. So beautiful. I want to see these eyes forever. Then she blinks and looks down the street at something, breaking the spell she had unintentionally set on the vampire. He growls and shoves her away, making her stumble into a building. He cringes at the sound of her gasp of pain when her back hits the brick wall then turns and stalks away.

She stares after the man, feeling the ache in her back slowly dissipate. She rolls her shoulders then pushes off the wall. She hardly has gone anywhere, just a few feet from the alleyway entrance. She groans and walks faster to her destination, a slight limp in her step.

~A half-hour later~

The girl walks up to a plain red-brick apartment building, stopping to be paged in by someone. When a tenant presses the button to let her in, she wrenches the door open quickly, sliding quietly inside. The vampire follows, grabbing the door before it closes all the way. He steps inside, catches her scent, then creeps along after her up the stairs.

She pauses at a door and knocks two times, pauses, then knocks again. The door opens to show a tall pale woman with white hair cascading down her back and glowing red eyes set into a pretty face. Her plump lips turn up into a half-grin as she steps back to let the violet-eyed girl in. Her red eyes flick to the stairs to meet the red eyes of the vampire that had followed the girl. She growls under her breath, showing teeth in a silent snarl.

The male vampire nods, showing he understands the warning, then turns and walks down the stairs, sneering at the dirty steps in distaste. Ah, Shade. You always take my meals. One day, I'll get what I want. One day . . . .

Inside the room, the violet-eyed girl is sitting sedately at a round table in the kitchen area. To her left, a male sits next to her, red-eyed and black-haired. He smiles at her reassuringly, obviously in love with the little girl. He puts his hand over her's and she smiles back at him, sliding her fingers between his.

"Alright, love birds. Shadow, you were followed by a vampire. This is unacceptable. Do you understand?" the white-haired girl says, taking a seat in front of the violet-eyed girl.

The violet-eyed girl nods. "I understand completely, Shade. I apologize. Was he blond with red eyes and a black leather trench coat?" She quickly looks at her other companion, seeing that he's still staring adoringly at her.

"Yes. You've met him?" At the girl's nod, she continues. "His name is Tarence de Marco, the father of Maria de Marco, and our brother. He's been hunting in this area for a few weeks, so I imagine that he would choose someone like you for a meal. You are out at two AM while it rains in a hoodie that hides your face." The woman raises an eyebrow at the girl.

The girl looks down at her hand entwined with her other companion's. "I've come to say that I'm going to be leaving." The hand she's looking at tightens around her's almost painfully.

The male speaks the first time this meeting. "You're not leaving us," he growls, yanking her up and into his lap. In her ear, he murmurs, "You're not leaving me." The he slides his nose down her neck, turns her head, and kisses her deeply.

The girl closes her eyes, leaning into his touch, moaning when his hands graze over her sensitive sides. When she pulls away to breath, her eyes are the color of a fresh bruise. "I have to, Kristoff. My mother is sending me away to a town the size of a ant's brain. She says its to bond with my father, but I know its because she doesn't want me to influence her kid with Phil. She doesn't know that I know yet." The girls sighs heavily and tucks her face in the crook of the male's neck. "I don't want to go, believe me, I don't. I know no one there. Here, I have you guys."

"I don't want you to go either," the male mutters, slowly rubbing her back. "I'm sure my sister feels the same."

The woman rolls her eyes. "Of course I don't want her to go. I've grown attached to the little nuisance." She grins playfully at the girl when she looks back. Then she visibly sobers up. "I'm serious, Shadow. I would miss you. You're like my daughter." Then her gaze flicks to her brother. "Or my sister-in-law."

The male groans and rolls his eyes. The girl in his arms just laughs then sighs.

The woman leans forward in her seat. "I have a compromise. You tell us where you're going, we come along and meet you there."

The girl blinks slowly. "Why didn't I think of that? That's a great idea! Its Forks, Washington. I'll be living with my father, Charlie Swan. He's the police chief of that ant's brain-sized city."

The woman nods, thinking. "I'm pretty sure there's a coven there. The Cullers? The Cuddlers? Anyway, there's maybe seven people in it, so its really large. Maybe they can protect you until we get there."

The girl narrows her eyes. "I still don't see why I need protection. I've done nothing wrong."

The woman cackles. "Honey, you know about us. That's all it takes."

End Flashback

(back to Aura POV)

I turn the mirror around and gasp. My eyes are the color of blood. The mirror falls from my grasp, landing with a dull thud on the floor. I stare at my wall, shocked. Was it the memory that had me so worked up that I was seeing things? Maybe it was just seeing them here? I close my eyes, taking slow, deep breaths, then bend and pick up the mirror. I take one last deep breath, then turn it around to show my normal violet.

I give a shaky laugh and set the mirror back down, face down so it shows the crest of the de Marcos. Then I reach down and slide the ring on my left ring finger, feeling my defiant streak show. To hell with the vampire laws. I no longer give a shit.

I pick up some dirty clothes and go down stairs to wash them, stopping on the way to look at the clock in the hall. Only eight AM. I'd spent a while, maybe two hours, putting the clothes and things away. So I was an early riser today! I crinkle my nose in distaste as I continue down the hall. When I finish, I walk into the kitchen to see a note next to the phone.

Jake called. it said simply. Ah, shit. I groan and smack my forehead. I'd forgotten to call him after getting home yesterday. I sigh and pick up my cell, which I had plugged up right after getting in yesterday, going through my contacts to find him. I press dial and start rummaging around the cabinets, looking for something that doesn't need to be cooked.

"Hello?" he answers. He sounds like he was asleep. I smirk and pull down a box of poptarts.

"Hey, Jake. I'm sorry I forgot to call. Alice and Rose are freaking shopping maniacs. I didn't get away until late into the afternoon and then I just ate, showered, and slept. I was too tired to even try to do homework."

"Its cool, Aura. But, uh, no offence, you don't seem like the type to do homework."

I grinned and tugged on the wrapper of the poptarts. Smart boy. "Yeah, you caught me. So, how about lunch today? My treat. You know, to make up for not calling yesterday."

"Oh, I don't know. Let me check my calendar. Seems I'm free all day. Oh no, I have school tomorrow. The horror. Anyway. What time? I'll pick you up."

"Actually, I was thinking of riding my bike. Meet me at Forks' only diner at one?" I ask hopefully. I haven't rode Yew in almost a day now! Oh, she must think I've forgotten her!

"I think that's okay. See you there. Bye Aura."

"Bye Jake!" I hang up then jump up and run to the garage. When I reach the door, I fling it open and see Yew standing there and shining in all her glory. "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry! I didn't forget you, I swear! Things came up and I had to ride in this huge Jeep with people on both sides of me! Oh, I missed you!" As I speak, I grab a cloth and slowly wipe the chrome, making it shine brighter.

When I finish, she's gleaming. I smile lovingly, throw the cloth back on the table, then walk back to my room, looking for something to put on for my to wear.

~Twenty minutes before one~

I'm standing in my towel, my hair still damp, looking for a shirt. I know I have it in that color, I just down know where! When I get down to the bottom of a pile of clothes, I see it. I grab it before it can disappear and yank it out. "Victory!" I shout, holding the shirt into the air. The thing is, it's a white shirt. My only white shirt, to be exact.

I put on my black underwear, slip the shirt on, and plunge back into the mass of clothes.

~Ten minutes before one~

I'm standing in front of my full-body mirror, debating on whether I should wear my spider web ear rings or my silver hoops when my cell vibrates in my jeans pocket. My new ringtone follows closely behind, belting out 'Miss Murder' by AFI. I quickly pull it out and open it.

"Forks morgue, where we have the best cold ones. Aura Swan speaking, how may I help you?" I answer, deciding that spider-shaped studs would be best. I pick them up and start putting them on while I speak.

"I'm going to be a few minutes late, I got a flat," Jacob's rich voice tells me as I pull out my make-up.

"Oh no! Do you want me to swing by and get you?" I ask, doing my eyeliner at the same time.

"Naw, I got a spare in the trunk. I was just calling you to let you know. Nice answer, by the way."

"Thanks. Takes me a while to come up with 'em. Got to go, bye," I reply, fixing a smudge of my eyeshadow with my pinkie. He tells me bye and hangs up as well, giving me both hands to work with. I grin at my reflection then frown. I turn back around, pick up a black vest with white pinstripe, and put that on over my shirt. Much better. Then I pick up my black lipstick and resume my gussy-up-ing.

~Five minutes before one~

I pick up my helmet and set it down carefully on top of my head, making sure not to nudge my hair clips out of place. I sigh as I sit on the seat of my Nightster, looking up at the driveway through the garage door. I walk it out until its just outside the door, lean over, and press the button to close the door. I goes down smoothly and quietly. I walk Yew up to the street then crank her up. When she roars to life I grin and rub the handlebars. I turn her out onto the road and take off like a bullet.

~Twelve minutes after one~

When I get there, heads turn and I see Jake on the sidewalk, leaning on the hood of his car. He whistles appreciatively when I cut the motor, silencing her purr.

"What is that, a 2009 Harley Davidson Sportster Nightster? Nice." He eyes Yew for a long time, me standing just off to the side, watching him as he does so.

"You enjoy motorcycles?" I ask while we wait for our food.

He nods and swallows a mouthful of soda. "I always wanted one, but I don't have the money. I like Harley Davidson a lot, so I know about every model they've made in the past, maybe, ten to fifteen years."

I lean forward, excited. "Have you seen the 2010 models?"

He grins his blinding smile. "Of course I have. My favorite is the CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide . . . ." (pic on pro if you wanna see it)

We spend our lunch talking about motorcycles and eating our food.

A/N: Sooooo...yeah. Still sad. Review to cheer me up? No, really, I'm serious. I'd love to see that I have a review. It makes me grin and bounce in my seat, usually. So please review. I need your feedback, my dearies.