A/N Sorry it took me so long guys! Took a while for me to get inspiration on this chapter, but I finally did it. My gratitude to all my reviewers and I point out that Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and its characters (mutter, curse etc.)

BPOV

"Bella? Bella!"

I was rudely awoken by a shaking of my shoulder. Groaning, I pried my eyes apart, squinting into the bright sunlight that was pouring in through my open window…wait, sunlight? I sat straight up, nearly knocking over Charlie, who was bending over me, trying to rouse me. He stepped back, then smiled at me, his eyes twinkling.

"Now who's oversleeping, Bells?"

I frowned. Overslept? I normally only slept a maximum of seven hours – to me that was sleeping in.

"Strange…" I muttered, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "Okay, thanks for waking me, Dad. Wouldn't wanna miss school!" I gave him a half assed smile, and he chuckled in return.

"Whatever you say, Bells. By the way, you have exactly ten minutes before school starts."

I stifled a string of curses, jumping into action immediately. Considerately, Charlie left the house, giving me the opportunity to speed around the house, showering and dressing in two minutes flat. Grabbing a pop tart on my way out the door, I bypassed my rickety truck in favour of a dash through the forest. I'll be late if I don't. Besides, no-one will notice.

As I ran, I could appreciate the full beauty of this place in daylight. Although the day was, like most, overcast, the light still managed to break through the leaves and permeate into the very core of the forest. It's a pity that at night this place harbours something darker.

Clearing the trees in a matter of moments, I reached the lot just as the bell rang. Emerging nonchalantly from the foliage, I made my way swiftly into the building, hoping nobody had spotted me. It seemed my luck had run out.

"Hey, Bella!"

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face as my pixie bounced up to me. Wait, my pixie? Ignoring that rampant thought, and pushing the worry of my spiralling feelings to the back of my mind, I became conscious just in time to receive a quite unexpected hug from said pixie. I struggled to keep my coherence and to not concentrate on the feel of her body against mine. Breathing deeply, I managed to murmur a 'Hey, Alice' before her entire presence engulfed me once more.

"Sleep well?" Alice asked in her sweet voice as we turned to go off to our lessons.

"Surprisingly well, actually," I nodded, casting a glance at the captivating girl at my side. I detected a small frown in her features when I said this.

"Why? Do you normally have trouble sleeping?" Deciding it probably wasn't best to try and weave a lie around me that I couldn't keep up, I waved off the question.

"No, I just don't normally oversleep – today I did."

She was about to ask something else, but I had reached my classroom by then. Damn school.

"Well, I'll see you at lunch, Bella. Sit with me?" I was surprised at the request.

"Won't your family mind?" Her expression remained cheery.

"Edward might get jealous, but then he just wouldn't understand. Everybody else will be fine with it; in fact, they'd like to meet you at some point." I nodded, and gulped at the thought of making awkward conversation with the Cullens. As if reading my mind, Alice piped up once more. "Don't worry, they're not as scary as they seem. I gotta get going, but I'll see you in a few hours!"

With this, the pixie placed a delicate peck on my cheek and skipped off. And I was left standing there, like a complete fool, stunned at the thought that Alice Cullen had just kissed me. Okay, it was on the cheek, but still…

APOV

Carlisle had arrived back home early this morning; he was really worried. Not bothering to call everybody into one room this time, since we were all in the house, he notified us of the happenings at the hospital as soon as he entered the door.

"The boy who was mauled two days ago was discovered tonight with the IV ripped out of his arm, a wound on his wrist reopened and covered in leaves, twigs and other things. The window was left open, but due to the hospital smell I was unable to detect a scent. I have no idea what happened to him, but I want every single one of you to be on your guard. This just got serious."

I didn't like Carlisle's worried tone as he recounted the events, and immediately slipped into my visions, trying to locate anything out of the ordinary. My efforts were in vain, though.

"We'll all be careful, Carlisle, and we'll so be ready if things get out of hand," I heard Emmett say from his and Rose's room. I sighed. My bear of a brother was always looking for another way to prove his strength. Murmurs of agreement were voiced throughout the house, and I heard Carlisle sigh heavily, before heading to his study. Lying back on my bed, I closed my eyes. Trying to think of anything but this new worry, my mind once more drifted to Bella.

I would never have thought her to be a sporty person, and yet she seemed to handle dodge ball pretty well. I just couldn't resist chucking a couple of balls at her, just to see if I could catch her out, but even when I pushed to the limit of human ability, she still kept at it. I admit, I was getting a bit frustrated, when she suddenly went down, almost too easily, whilst trying to grab another ball. Wanting to speak with her, I had let myself get out too.

You have no idea how my heart soared when she said that she was into girls! I tell you, I had a morbidly difficult time trying not to squeal and jump up and down. Of course, I already kinda knew it, but for her to trust me enough to tell me – she hadn't exactly paraded it around the school – made me blissfully happy. And the way she tried to tactfully convey her annoyance with Edward would be something I could torment him with for days!

I smiled to myself as I remembered the pleasurable tingles I'd experienced when she had taken my hand then. Just being around her instilled in me some kind of hazy elation, like the feeling you get on a sunny summer's day, just lying in a calm place, taking in the things around you – you never want it to end.

I heard a choking noise come from downstairs, and I frowned when I realised Edward had been peeking at my thoughts again. Irritated, I all but yelled in my head. Don't like it, don't do it, creep.

Calming myself and my mind, I took the opportunity to practise something I'd been working on for a while. I figured, since I didn't have human memories, that I would work on a way for vampires to achieve a sleep-like state. It would work like meditation, in a way, and just serve to calm me when certain things or people (Edward) got on my nerves. I'd asked Carlisle about it, but he said there was nothing on record about anything like that for me to go on. So at first it was a complete failure. But slowly, slowly I managed to build up a technique where I could reduce my brain activity to a minimum, and therefore feel as if I was sleeping. It passed the time, let me tell you!

So when I finally peeled open my eyes, it was to Rose, who was going ballistic because according to her, we were going to be late.

"Oh don't worry about that Rose. With our driving and all, we'll never be late!" I replied, giggling as my sister's face pulled into a scowl. Not even bothering to reply, she huffed and flounced out of my room, leaving me to shove on a change of clothes – I don't think anybody would have been in the mood for my outfit indecision today if Rose was anything to go by – and went out to the car, slipping into the backseat before Edward could even start to protest.

"Just drive, Edward," Emmett ordered, glaring when my brother looked like he was going to whine.

"Fine."

We pulled into our usual space just as the bell rang, and I caught sight of Bella heading to her class. Zipping out of the car as fast as humanly possible, I approached her.

"Hey, Bella!"

She turned, a grin on her face as she registered my presence. Forcing myself not to be rendered incoherent by her beauty, I pulled her into a firm hug. She whispered a "Hey Alice" into my ear, and I shivered slightly as her warm breath fell on my skin. Pulling back, her eyes locked with mine for a few moments before we headed in the direction of the school building. In the hopes of hearing her sweet voice again, I started a conversation.

"Sleep well?" She actually seemed to consider the question, and I was rapt as I watched several expressions flit across her face, before settling back into an easy smile.

"Surprisingly well, actually." I felt the corners of my mouth turn down slightly, and I voiced my worry.

"Why? Do you normally have trouble sleeping?"

"No, I just don't normally oversleep – today I did." I shrugged internally. All humans seemed to oversleep every now and again. Hell, I probably did the equivalent this morning.

I had more questions, but we'd reached her class. I scowled, not much liking the idea of not seeing her until P.E.

"Well, I'll see you at lunch, Bella. Sit with me?" I asked, slightly nervous that she would turn me down. I didn't want to have to sit with her at the same table as Edward, but I refused to abandon my family like he was so ready to do yesterday.

"Won't your family mind?"

"Edward might get jealous, but then he just wouldn't understand. Everybody else will be fine with it; in fact, they'd like to meet you at some point." Well, I hoped they did. I'd just have to deal with Rosalie if she wasn't civil. Bella didn't look convinced. "Don't worry, they're not as scary as they seem. I gotta get going, but I'll see you in a few hours!" I assured her, planting a kiss on her cheek before I could chicken out, then heading to my own classes, impatient for lunchtime to arrive.

"Guys, I invited Bella to come sit with us. I hope that's okay?" I held gazes with each of my siblings in turn as we seated ourselves in the cafeteria with a look that said Tough shit if you don't. There was a slight pause, before Emmett pumped his arm in the air.

"Alright! I finally get to meet the girl who has my little sis all loved up!" He cheered, before stretching out and ruffling my hair.

"Thanks, Em," I replied. I turned to Rose, who was scowling. She shot a quick look to Edward, before looking down.

"Fine," she muttered. I was a little surprised that she didn't put up more of a fuss, but shrugged it off. Edward, meanwhile, was burning a hole into my forehead with his glare.

"How did you get her to sit with us when she said no to me? What makes you so special? I can't believe this!" he hissed, his face screwed up in the midst of his tantrum. I put my finger to my chin, pretending to think.

"Hmm, I dunno, maybe it's 'cos I'm not bugging her every other second about going out with her? Or creeping around asking her what she's thinking? Can't you just read her anyway, dumbass?" His expression changed after I had said this and he looked down at his shoes, mumbling something. I tilted my head to the side.

"What was that?"

"- I can't read her…"

Rose looked gobsmacked. Emmett's jaw had crashed through the floorboards (not literally, but you know what I mean).

"Dude, come again?" he said, scratching his head.

"I can't read her mind, Emmett! I don't know what's going on, I can hear everyone, but when I listen to where she is…nothing." Oh this is priceless! Yes, yes, yes, now I don't feel nearly so bad for her; she doesn't have him prying in her head! Edward growled at my thoughts.

"You know I don't always enjoy seeing people's private thoughts, it's just what I-" I heard a throat clear behind me.

"Is this a private conversation, or can anyone join in?"

"Bella!"

I jumped up speedily, throwing my arms around Bella's neck, praying that she wouldn't ask. Clearly, God hated me. "You came…" I whispered in her ear.

"I said I would, didn't I?" she replied, her hands settling on my hips, something I registered with glee. We held each other a moment longer, then I pulled back and gestured to the seat next to me, ignoring the low growl that was coming from Edward's direction. I caught a slight frown on Bella's face, and maybe even a flicker of annoyance in her lovely brown eyes as she seated herself.

"So, Bella, I know you've probably already heard about us, but I'll introduce you to my family anyway. So, this is Emmett and Rose, and you've already met Edward, I believe. Guys, this is Bella," I jumped in before Edward could make any comments.

"Nice to meet you, Bella," Emmett grinned, offering his hand, which Bella eagerly took. I was surprised to see my big brother wince slightly as he pulled back. "That's some grip you've got there, girl!" A wide grin spread across Bella's face at this.

"Aww, you really are just a big teddy bear, aren't you Emmett?" I looked at Bella in surprise. She was perceptive; most humans were terrified of Emmett. Who was currently pouting.

"Hey! I can be really scary when I want to be!" he whined, before matching her grin with one of his own. Phew. At least I don't have to worry about them getting on. Bella then turned her attention to Rose, who I noticed was making her best efforts to keep a smile on her face. I appreciated that, but Bella seemed to sense her strain anyway. She simply nodded at my blonde sister.

"Rose." Rose seemed to relax a bit, happy that her control on her temper wouldn't be tested too far.

"Bella."

Then her gaze fell on Edward. She plastered a polite smile onto her face.

"Edward, I hope we can turn over a new leaf in our relations, but I really would like to clarify that I have no romantic interest in you whatsoever. In fact, I probably should mention that I'm gay, so if any of you have a problem with that, tell me now." She kept eye contact with each of my siblings in turn, seemingly daring them to say anything. And my brother had to go and be an idiot again.

"What? Isabella, don't be silly. Can't you see we're made for each other? Same sex love isn't real; don't delude yourself any longer, please." Bella stared at him in disbelief, as did the rest of us.

"Dude, are you for real?" Emmett whispered to him, shocked, but on the verge of anger. I looked back to Bella – she looked ready to explode.

"Alright, Edward, have it your way. Number one, don't call me Isabella. Number two, of course same sex love is real, how can you be so stupid as to not accept that? And number three, HOW DARE YOU ASSUME TO TELL ME WHO I AM MADE FOR AND WHO I WILL GO OUT WITH? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER!"

Whoa. Bella was seriously pissed off. But Edward just wouldn't let it be. He replied calmly, almost patronisingly.

"Of course I do, Isabella. You are mine, after all. I mean, you are so appetising to me that you couldn't not be. So get all these notions out of your head and come with me to dinner this Saturday."

My family and I were looking at him, wondering if he realised what he just said. My brain was screaming at me No! Bella is NOT his! And appetising? She smells really good, sure, but not good to eat. Well, not in that way at least… And then it was gone. In the gutter as my imagination took a rather dirty turn.

In the next second, Emmett was keeping a tight hold of Edward as he all but snarled at me, snapping me out of my fantasies long enough to wonder what the hell Bella was thinking of us now, and whether she was so scared that she had run off. But when I looked over, she just had a confused look on her face, as if trying to figure something out. Uh oh. NOT good. She turned to hold my frightened gaze for a moment, then her eyes widened, and she started moving for the back door, phone in hand.

I looked back at Rose in panic.

"Go. Quickly!" she whispered, as Edward finally gained the sense to sit back in his seat. It didn't help that the caf was utterly silent, with everybody's attention focused on our table. As fast as was feasible, I hurried out after Bella.

I followed her scent to the girls' bathroom, but she appeared to be speaking to someone. I listened from outside the door, hoping no-one would pass by and ask what I was doing.

"WHAT! Rick, are you sure? …But, what about the eyes?...Is that even possible?...I'm panicking here Rick, I mean I've seen nothing out of the ordinary, no hostility apart from that one issue last night…yes, it was new…no, all of their eyes are like that, they're at the school for God's sake! Are you sure it's not…yes, Alice is…no, Rick, you don't understand, I can't…please Rick…alright. Okay, I'll keep you updated. Yeah, bye."

Her voice had gone from shocked, to scared, to sullen in a few short minutes. As she clicked the phone down, I heard quiet sobbing come from inside. That was too much for me. Before I knew it, I was in there too, approaching her. Never mind that cryptic phone conversation. Never mind that we might have blown our cover. My Bella was hurting.

"Bella?"

"A-alice?" She spun around in surprise, her eyes wide. My heart ached as I took in the tears making tracks down her cheeks.

"What's wrong, honey?" I made to move towards her, but she stepped back.

"Don't pull that crap with me Alice. And I thought you were different. But you're just like the rest of them." Her voice wavered towards the end of the sentence. I tried to act clueless.

"Bella, what are you talking about?" Again I tried to reach for her, and again she pulled away. Taking a minute to control herself, she lifted her head to face me and look into my eyes. I gasped. They were no longer the warm chocolate brown, but a bright violet. Slowly, she raised a finger and pointed at me.

"I know what you are."

I blinked, and the next moment she was gone. Just…vanished. Venom tears burned my eyes, but never fell as I collapsed, dry sobbing, on the bathroom floor. All I could do was repeat the same thing over and over again in my mind:

She left me…

A/N I really hope you don't hate me too much. I have reasons, I do! All will be revealed in later chapters, I pwomise! XD Review!