We ran for two hours straight. Not stopping for anything or anyone. Except for a water proof bag. I had learned form Alice that she has good friends in Edinburgh which is a medium sized city in Scotland. The plan was to stay there for the rest of our lives now. And settle down. The scene in the forest crossed my mind over and over again. Only the end when we ran as Dom and the rest of his pack attacked Damon. They must be dead by now. I only pray that it was fast for them and not painful. It hurt to remember the events so I tried to focus on the now. We were approaching the north coast of Scotland and would only be running for a five minute period when we got on land. Alice had told me that her friends specifically live Lauder road. She also said if the worst comes then we can go to the many other friends that she and the Cameron's have around the world. It was still night when we hit land and Alice instantly had her phone out the bag.

" I'll tell them to meet us at their airport." She paused as the phone rang. " Hey Lauren listen were in Scotland…yea we've just not long came on but we were thinking of meeting you at the airport…yes and don't worry, we have practice of that…right see you in a couple of minutes then." She flipped the phone down and put it in the bag.

" Practice at what. And so Lauren is the name of your friend, and how did she take the news of us being so close."

" Yes Lauren is one of them and she took it fine. I'm always welcome and anyone I approve of. there's also Jesse and Anna." She read the confusion on my face. " they said they will meet us at the front entrance to the airport. Since we all look sixteen to eighteen, they don't have cars so we need to take the bus but its fine. They know the city like the back of their hand."

" If they look that young then they must still be at school right."

" Yes they go to a private school next to holy corner. Watson's George I think its called." Again she seen my confusion and gave reason to the name. " it's a traditional Scottish school name. you'll have to get used to it because it will be our school for the next year and a half." I laughed as we neared the airport. It was about the same size as our one and had the name Edinburgh stamped on it but the city, with its lights and castle in the background looked amazing. We rounded the airport to the front entrance and slowed to a walk. I looked around trying to spot Alice's friends. There were a lot of people going into the building with suitcases for the time of night it was. I didn't have to look long. I spotted all three of them waiting at the entrance. There were two blondes and one brunette. There was one guy with them as well which I could tell, wasn't a vampire. His heart was a painful beat in my head as we got closer.

" hey guys. How are you all."

"Alice, my god how long has it been." All three of them hugged her and the stared at me. The accent was quite a nice difference compared to the usual.

" You never told us you started dating" one of them said.

" Yes and you didn't think you would keep It a secret for long once we showed up." she growled at them embarrassed.

" No I'm not dating him. Mason is like the rest of my family." She turned to me and pulled me over to them. " Mason, this is Lauren Anna and Jesse." They all waved at me as Alice said there names. Lauren was blonde and had a modal face. I was used to how vampires looked now so I didn't take much notice Jesse was the other blonde and Anna was the brunette. They were all the same size and build of Alice but there personality's were very different from what I could tell.

" And who is that." Alice pointed at the guy just behind Jesse."

" This is Andrew. He knows about us so its fine to be yourself and well. He's my boyfriend." Alice's jaw dropped and Jesse took Andrews hand and pulled him into view. He looked very much like David but had Short brown hair and bright green eyes.

" Hey." He said nervously. He did seem pleased to see me though. Probably been hanging around with a bunch of girly vampires for two long.

" now we have the

pleasantries out of the way." Alice chirped. "We best be getting back to your place."

" Yes that's right. Lets go get the bus so we get back in time." They four of them walked in front of me and Andrew for a while. Andrew turned out to be an alright guy. I was right in thinking that he was glad I was here because he openly admitted it.

" So how can you tell who's nicer and not get trapped by their beauty." He was trying to decipher life as a vampire I though.

" Its quite easy. Once you become one, it wears of on you. Mostly because you become as good looking as they are." He nodded thoughtfully. Lauren got up and signaled a blue bus to stop for us with the words Express, number one hundred on the front. Lauren got on first and took money out and told they diver she wanted five tickets. We got them and sat up the stairs as the bus took us into the city. Alice and her friends sat and chat amongst each other that whole way.

" So have you two known each other long, how did you meet." Lauren was scraping every peace of information she could get out of Alice about what's been happening across the pond. The scenery was nice to sit and watch. We were in the city now and going past shops on the left and a large castle on the top of a rocky hill on the right.

" This is our stop guys." Jesse said as she got up. " We need to get another bus but, this is princess street and we live in Spylaw road." That was fine with me. It was three clock in the morning and it wasn't really that dark. It was summer mind you. The other bus journey wasn't long, it only took ten minutes. The bus took us straight to there house and it was a nice house. It was almost as big as the Cameron's but it was a lot more fitting for the area. All the houses round here were of an old Victorian style. Except for theirs.

" guests first." Alice and me got pushed in first and into a large spacious sitting room dash living room. It was white and it ran the length of the house from front to the back.

" Nice house. I approve." they laughed at my comments. Lauren went into the living room and motioned for us all to sit.

" Alice, Mason. I want to hear what made you come here and then what your plans are." We ran over everything that happened. Many times her mouth fell open. But by the end, it was pressed into a thin line.

" So you have just pissed of one of the original vampires," She said, anger in her voice. " The first and strongest of all of us." I could only nod at her words. Alice mimicked me. Lauren started to pace back and fourth. Jesse was explaining who Damon was to Andrew and how they are the first ever vampires to exist. Anna was staring at Alice like she had shouted at her. Lauren stopped dead and turned to us.

" Do you realize that you have promised our deaths by coming into contact with us." Jesse hissed at the words but Alice took no notice.

" They wont find us. Remember the wolves gave us an escape route." Lauren frowned, not impressed.

" They have scouts and people that can track over continents."

" That's why we doubled back a couple of times and swam so we could loose our trail we were leaving. They wont find us." Lauren calmed a little by Alice's reassurance. I had a split second to let my mind wonder free. If Dom and his pack survived then what did he tell Richard. Did he believe it and if so, then how did he take it. But would Dom tell Richard for me. I'm sure he would, he was still my friend putting aside our differences Anna got up and headed for the door.

" I'm going to hunt before dawn breaks." I had hunted not long ago but I wanted my thirst under control before attempting school.

" I'll come too. If you don't mind." She smiled and we both went out. Anna ended up coming with us as well leaving Alice and Lauren in the house together. It was a large change being in Edinburgh from my usual city. It was so historical and it was so different. Not to mention the smells where all different with the animals. There were hardly any forests in the nearest hills but there were some sheep all over it. Id never tasted sheep before so it will be a first. I let my senses take over and I had gone through three sheep. They tasted just the same but in the process, I had broken away from Anna and Jesse. I felt the initial shock of being lost but then I remembered I had a vampires nose. I just followed my scent back. The lights were of in one room when I got back which I could tell would be Andrew.

" Hey. Back so early. Alice was in her dressing-gown and had her head in a Watson's rules and dress rules book. " I'm just reading up on our new school. We're going to start it at the beginning of next week which is now four days away. Did you know this schools one of the biggest in the united kingdom."

" No I didn't. sounds quite good. Where do we get our uniform though." She pointed to a brochure that read Aitken and Niven on the front. " Ah. Looks like its going to be quite fun.

The days flew by. We had been fitted for our uniform at the shop for a perfect fit for a little more money. It was completely maroon except for the crest and the shirt underneath the blazer. The trousers were obviously black as well. They way the schools work over here means we would be going into S5 as well. I had become accustom to the city and landscape of Edinburgh now. I had visited shops in Princess street called Next and River island to get the latest British fashion. Turned out the fashion was Super Dry over here so we had to go to a different shop in the Princess mall. Everyone in this city seamed to be a lot friendlier than in America.

" Hi their. Your new here aren't you." an old husky voice came from behind us. Standing there was either a butler or job owner or someone. He was in a suit and was staring at both of us.

" Yes we are how did you know."

" Ba I can tell tourists a mile away." He smiled " What's you names then."

" Alic-" I put an arm out to stop her.

" Why do you want to know our names can I ask." The man seamed lost for words.

" I, I'm just curious."

" Well we best be off then bye." I pulled Alice away with me and we headed back to home.

" That was weird." Alice said. I thought. Surly everybody in Edinburgh are like that and surly not we're not going to have more today.

" Yea. Anyway lets get back." she nodded and we headed back. One of the hardest things to change was our accent. Me and Alice both had four days to change to a Scottish accent and it was quite difficult but we got there. It was six thirty on Monday morning. We were getting the number forty five straight there. I was in the living room watching the television. Anna walked past and dumped a back on me.

" it's a day three today so if packed your stuff. You have biology, physics, maths and art. I'm in your maths and physics class and Alice is in all your classes." She carried on into the kitchen were Jesse and Andrew were discussing today's assignments. Alice came down the stairs in her uniform and she suited it. It was also the first time I had seen it from the outside as well. It looked better than any school uniform I had seen. The way the blazer joins with the tie and trousers was effortless. She chuckled and sat beside me.

" Ready for school again then."

" I suppose so. What time do we leave." She looked at the clock and back.

" Twenty five to eight, so five minutes."

" Oh well that's good then. I'm dying to get back into school." Jesse and Andrew came back through With Lauren and walked out the door.

" We should be on our way then Alice." She got up and walked out with me. The sun wasn't much brighter here than in America. Sure it looked different. We walked down the road until the bus stop and waited. I watched the cars as they passed, reading what type they were and trying to calculate how fast they were going. We weren't waiting long. The bus came round the bend and it was quite full. I used my bus pass which id got on the weekend up town to get on along with the others.

" We're sitting upstairs at the back." said Jesse as she tugged Andrew up with her. I followed them up and it was a swamp of blue.

" These are all Heriots people." Lauren told me as we walked to the back. There was only two Watson's people at the back sitting in the corner, both boys. Jesse and Andrew slouched beside them.

" Craig, Gavin. How's life been then." Andrew said. One of the boys with short hair that was cropped up at the front spoke. He was average height I could see and was quite thin.

" yea its been a good one. Chelsea managed to beat Arsenal last night. Well chuffed. Craig here was going for Arsenal to win but I knew Chelsea would so I made a bet with him. isn't that right Craig." Gavin turned to Craig who was sitting right in the corner. He had brown medium length hair and had a face that resembled a chipmunk. He turned and took on a mock confused look.

" Eh ye but I don't got the money just now." Gavin laughed at him and turned back to us.

" Typical Craig. Who's the new guy with you." Gavin's eyes fell upon me. Andrew patted a hand on my shoulder and smiled at Gavin.

" This is Mason. He just came from America but he was born over here." He leaned forward to Gavin. " that's why he still has a Scottish accent." Gavin bent round Andrew and nodded to me.

" Alright Mason."

" Alright Gavin." I said back.

" So do you support a football team. Or a Rugby team." I hesitated for a moment.

" Same as we do Gav." Andrew said coming to my rescue. The girls were all at the other corner bickering about some other girls around Watson's

" I didn't see you doing your entry exam or doing your tour thing."

" No I just got told to start straight away. Besides iv got these guys to show me around." I waved an arm at the others sitting talking. Gavin nodded and continued to talk with Andrew about physics and the football game. The journey didn't take long. Before I knew it we were getting off at the gate of which I could see read, George Watson's College. The school was magnificent. We were walking on the left hand side of a football pitch and on the right hand side of a car park. The school itself was one long building that lined the front of the pitch and I could see the building was made up into a H block. We walked past the first corner and I could see inside the windows of this part and could see plants and pictures of animals in it. Must be biology. There were two separate smaller building inside the space between the two main blocks of the school. One read on it Drama while the other I couldn't see but I could make out kitchens inside it which probably meant it was Home economics.

" We usually hang about at the back of the school until the bell goes." Andrew was telling me. " Plus most of my friends and that go there. You can meet all of them as well."

" that's good." I said. We got to the door which faced onto the astro turf and stood just inside it. Gavin went to his form class and Craig stood with me and Andrew. The girls went to their form class as well. I was in Andrews form class so I wouldn't get lost.

" So are you and Alice a thing." Craig said dumping his bag on the floor.

" No. we're just friends-"

" Yea but I give it a week before she asks you out though." He was obviously very observant.

" Yes I can see some signs," I said coming to a conclusion of the conversation. " I mean I'm not blind but I'm not making any moves back. I'll just wait until she asks." I continued. Craig laughed and looked up the stairs just inside the second set of doors which led inside the school.

" You cant wait all the time." He said. " You have to make a move sometime or she might leave you in the dust." I contemplated that for a minute, I mean I did like having her as a friend. I didn't think what it would be like with her as my girlfriend.

" Ah there's Alan." I followed Andrews eyes and saw a boy with long brown hair that stuck to his face and was very straight for hair that long. I could tell he was quite tall for his age but as for him being mature, that was thrown out the window when I saw his reaction to as all looking at him. He stopped and saluted us and the tried to imitate a slow motion walk to us.

" Well it's the squad." He pointed to me. " Ah so this is the new guy they were talking about. Nice to meet you…. " He put his hand out and I shook it.

" Mason." I replied.

" Mason. By the way good hand shake. Bun-room." I let go immediately thinking I had used to much strength but Andrew just laughed and with him being around vampires all the time I figured it was just the way he was.

I met several others. Another Andrew, Steven, Patrick, Johnny, another Andrew which everybody calls Daley and Angus. There were many more as well and they all liked me instantly. I could also hear most of them complimenting me behind my back so I guess I was going to have good friends here. It was quite annoying as well. My being a vampire meant I looked like something out of the movie to all the girls. They all fell over their words when speaking to me. I could get used to it but when they goggled at me. I shivered. I didn't think about the events back in America. I was trying to push that out of my mind and live in the present. A fresh start. I got to my form class and was met with Patrick again who was sitting next to another person with short curly brown hair. About the same build as me and height.

" Mason." Patrick beckoned to me to sit next to him. " Come over here." I walked over and sat next to him. The boy next to him raised his head and looked at me.

" You must be the new guy then. Names Luke." I had gotten used to the exact phrase Luke used. You must be the new guy.

" Yes. Nice to meet you Luke." He smiled and started to talk to Patrick about some session thing and made him laugh his head off.

" Mason." Our form teacher called.

" Here." I called back. She came over and put some pamphlets next to me.

" My names Mrs Stevenson and you'll need these." She smile politely and went back to her table. Luke and Patrick craned their necks to see what I had been given. It was just a list of my subjects which I already new and what house I would be in.

" aw yus your in Preston. Good good." Luke patted me showing me the badge that I got.