A low purr rumbled through the forest. That philosophical dilemma of "if a tree falls in the forest, and there is no one around, does it really make a sound?" ran idly through my mind, along with an almost impossible maths equation to entertain myself as I drove. I had it almost figured out when the trees cleared and opened.

"Welcome to Forks" the sign proudly said. I sighed gratefully, at last, I was here. I cast a look in my rear-view mirror, catching a glimpse of the bags that simply would not fit in the boot. It saddened me that my entire life had to change after all these years. My home now lay in a heap of ash. My sisters all but moved on, taking mates, making a new start, still committed to hunting only the black souls.

After almost 200 years in existence, the mystic mansion was outed. A curious and nosey neighbour with an uncanny knowledge of the paranormal reduced all of us to separate and run. It was a major news story in Chicago. Twenty-one dead in a tragic house fire, no survivors. Twenty deceased runaways took our places in the charred house, burnt beyond recognition for any test the police may do. The annoying and curious neighbour was the only male, and made the total twenty-one, after he pushed Parker to the limit and she backhanding him. She killed the fragile human instantly with the crushing of his skull. In a heart wrenching, child-like voice, she asked "it's time to move on, isn't it?" and so that's what we did. Packed all our possessions into suitcases, those suitcases packed into our favourite cars, and left in the middle of the night, without a trace, as Victoria ensured our home, our entire life, burnt to the ground.

We didn't really discuss where we'd move on to, but Victoria pulled me aside before I drove off, and whispered "Forks, Washington State" into my ear before tapping the roof of my car twice, telling me to drive. So I did what she asked, I drove to Forks, doing my research on the way. Small town, 'popular' tourist stop (yeah, that's what they all say), almost constant cover of clouds. So, there's the reason, Victoria wanted me to have a semi-normal existence. I drove with my phone in my hand. I looked at houses, enrolled myself in the local high school and booked a hotel room, just for now. And, of course, memorized the entire town layout before moving onto the "unsolvable" maths problem. Sure, unsolvable for some.

It was a quaint little town. The type you drive through and buy an ice-cream, or a bag of lollies, but keep passing through. As I slowly drove down the main street, I was able to read the shop facades. Butch. Baker. Candlestick maker?

'No freaking way!' I laughed at the speciality candle making store situated on the main street.

The street had a handful of people on it. All stopped and stared at the shiny, dark blue Porsche, I drove. I turned down my music so I could hear what they said. Most simply commented on the rareness of seeing my car here, but one comment confused, yet fascinated me at the same time.

'Want to bet it's another freaking Cullen?' a blonde haired boy, about my age, said to another boy.
What the hell? I pushed it from my mind and I pulled into the hotel. Could you call it that?

The man who ran the place wasn't overly tall and if he had a pot-belly and a stained white singlet, he'd fit right into the stereotype. But he didn't, he dressed in a plain blue cotton polo and jeans. He was a little stronger smelling than others, but I couldn't fault him. Until he opened the door to my room and left me, sneaking a gawk at my behind as he left. Perve.

My gagging didn't seem to do the room justice. I walked, paced really, the disgusting room a few times, pushing various items with the toe of my shoe. But I resigned to the fact that the bug infested room would have to do for tonight. School started, for me at least, tomorrow.

That night, I wandered the town. I wore a simple white dress with my hair falling in long trestles down my back. Yes, I was planning on playing the ghost card tonight if anyone saw me. It was a fairly normal town from every perspective. People making love in their bedrooms in the darkness, drug deals being made in dark alleys, a drunkard layabout stumbling home after too many beers at the bar. Typical town going-on's. I wandered slowly; the rain felt pleasant on my cold skin, soaking through my clothes. Every so often, I'd stop and throw my face to the sky. The wind that had been constantly blowing in from the coast since I arrived suddenly died down and I froze. The distinct smell of vampires was everywhere around here. I sniffed quickly, trying to inhale as much of the smell as I could.

It was old, that was a comfort. But there were many, not so comforting now. I hoped, for dear life, that they'd already moved on. That was the last thing I needed: a group of life sucking immortals finding me and knowing my little secret.

I sighed, wishing with all my heart I was going home to find Bree with her head in a book, or to have another meaningless conversation with Zooey, or just sit with all the girls gathered, lounging over each other. My heart ached at the constant reminder. Tonight, I would sleep. At least in my unconscious state, I wouldn't feel the ache pounding my chest. With that decision, I turned myself in the direction of the hotel.

When I awoke in the morning, feeling achy and exhausted from sleep, my covers still draped over my floating body, I realized that I would be going to school for the first time in my life. And, I had no idea what to expect.

I was ready too early, even with taking time to absorb some energy from the mains grid on behalf of the stinking motel. I ran up there power bill nice and good, pay back for such a disgusting room.

I had no books, no pencil case, no student card and no records. I was horribly unprepared for school, and my slack, almost empty, backpack showed that. All it held was some light makeup – eyeliner, blush – the usual; a pen, I'd stolen it from the hotel room; and Pride and Prejudice, a first edition, that I was currently reading purposely at human pace.

My phone tucked neatly into my dark blue skinny-jeans' pocket, a snug, purple, long sleeved V-neck and a black, wool shrug, I'd had for years, covered me comfortably, and a pair of sky-high, purple, suede heels completed the outfit. Sorry, but not even high school could take me away from my shoes.

I thought I'd be way too early for school, but after figuring out all my paper work and convincingly forging previous education details, I was left with only minutes to spare. I rushed to my locker, exuding grace and perfection in my scurry. I could almost feel the stares burning a hole into my skin. Or at least, the back pockets of my jeans. Organizing a locker when you have very little was quite pointless, but it gave me time to think, and kept my hands occupied and face turned away from the children. The vampires' scent I'd smelt yesterday was strong. It confused me to no end why they would come here day after day, unless they were enrolled here, too.

Impossible. I shook my head at the ridiculous thought and looked around. The bell cut short my gawking. I quickly made my way to my first period class.

Okay, this was utter torture. I realized this by the second period. I knew everything every one of these teachers taught and it was going to blow my mind. I had made the decision, a long time ago, to learn something new every day, but these teachers were making that insanely difficult.

I filed out with the rest of the students at the end of the class. My heels made it so I was taller than the majority. I stood at the end of a hallway when the smell infiltrated strongly to my soul. The vampires were here, at school with human children. Were they completely insane?

I watched through the people, trying to get a solid glimpse of the vampire that I could smell. From a distance, I could only see their hair. It strangely reminded me of Anthony's unusual brown colour.

Time had slowed down by the time the children parted in the wake of the vampire and the boy finally came into view and stared back at me with golden eyes.

My jaw went slack. My mouth dropped open. My cheeks ached with unshedable tears. Every thought in my mind was screaming rationality. The vampire in front of you is not Anthony. But, the likeness was indescribable. It vetoed any rational thought I had ever had, and would have in the future.

My legs were pumping underneath me, my heart committing to the run before my brain. In one swift movement that lasted less than a second, my arms folded around his neck and my legs wrapped, firmly, around his waist.

My face buried deep in his neck. I was dry sobbing and incoherently snivelling. 'It can't be you; please, tell me I'm not dreaming.'

Light kisses trailed behind my ear, running slowly down my neck.

'Oh, Isabelle,' Anthony moaned, his fingers wrapping eagerly in my clothing to pull me closer. 'How I've longed to hold you just one more.'

My mouth was feverish in its need to find his. Living and working with prostitutes ensured my actions had moved forward, consistently, with the change of times. I saw no need to restrain my attitude to the 1900s, when I lived as a young woman beyond her time. It was obvious that Anthony had not formed the same ideology as me.

In all my need to feel him, my tongue slid gently along his bottom lip. In shock of my touch, his jaw slackened, allowing easy access to his mouth. He moaned against my lips and joined me in a fight for dominance. I submitted and was rewarded a hundred times over for my decision. He and I were indescribably hot together.

I was quickly losing all control. If I didn't restrain myself soon, both Anthony and I would start levitating in the middle of the hallway, not the most ideal situation for a bunch of human children to see.

I moaned into his mouth again and reluctantly pulled away.

'Oh, Anthony, I'm sorry but I must keep in control,' I murmured softly, nuzzling my nose back into his neck.

His rumbling laugh vibrated my body. Oh, God, that felt amazing. Would there be more of that?

'That's a name I haven't heard in a while.' He was smiling with his eyes closed as he inhaled my scent.

I took a half a second to comprehend and argue with myself that I had heard him right, before peeling myself away from his body to look him in the eye.

'What do you mean that name? That is still your name, isn't it? I mean, you haven't changed it, right?'

I was talking in questions. I was profusely confused. I figured, he might have had the same reason to change it as the girls – a fresh start.

He laughed again, holding me tighter because I'd pulled away. 'Anthony was firstly Peter's name for me, and then yours. It was a term of endearment. Peter hated my name, saying only pompous, inbred royalty had the name of Edward, but, now, over the years it has become so ingrained that Anthony sounds strange.'

Edward, his name was Edward?

'What was your entire name, Ant?' I asked, the hurt and irritation in my voice seeping through.

'Edward Anthony Masen?' His question, I figured, was in response to my change of mood.

In an instant, I had released myself from him in my anger; I floated an inch off the ground. He noticed, and his eyes bugged out.

'Edward Freaking Masen?' I hissed, almost spat, at him.

He nodded only once. 'Now Edward Cullen, I took my sire's name after I was changed.' He said it so low no human could hear what he had said.

My whole past flashed before my eyes; the look of endearment in Anthony's eyes as I placed my hand on his bent arm at Peter's memorial; how he never let me go; the chaste kiss we shared the steps. It all made sense, now. If I was betrothed to anyone else, my father would have quickly stepped in and guided me to them, nipping my affection in the bud. But, he hadn't. He let me go without another word. Because, I was already owned by Anthony.

I should have been ecstatic, or, at least, relieved. But no; I was pissed off. Why the hell had he lied to me? He hadn't he told me of his true identity? If he had just said something, something, on the lines of: "Hey, Isabelle, guess what?! My name isn't Anthony at all; it's Edward, and your mine!" Dredged from the past was the memory of my two weeks' spent in the frozen slums, hunger overcoming my body every day, my shame of living in rags. I would never have met Victoria, never of been changed into a ghost. I would have been a wife, a lover... a mother not like my own. The one thing I was sure I would never become now. There would be no brown-haired, green-eyed children playing on the grass in front of our house as I watched from the veranda, my belly swollen with another child. No baking lessons with my daughters; no fishing trips with their father for my sons. The realisation that I had simply thrown my whole life away because of my love for a man who I thought would never be my husband, who was actually my fiancé, shattered my heart.

A light cough behind me forced me back down to earth. Four more vampires stood behind me, staring in wonder. The short, black-haired, pixie-like vamp was the one who had caught my attention.

'Isabelle?' Edward asked lightly, curiously.

I turned on him viciously, slapping him across the face in an almighty smack. 'It's Bella now!' I clarified, sneering at him, then the four others who stood in shock.

I stepped back from him, my rage rolling off my body, my face still scowling. I raised both my hands in front of me, making my actions obvious to him. I clicked my fingers, both hands together, and showed him one of my talents.

I simply disappeared from his existence.

Again.

Edward lurched forward to where I stood, arms flailing, trying to hold on to me. And, when he realised he couldn't, in a straggled and pained, heart-wrenching cry, he called my name.

'Isabelle!'

My invisible state allowed me to cool down as I watched Anthony and the strange vampires.

'BELLA!' He tried, yelling it. It was no longer straggled and pain, but angry. 'Dammit Isabelle!'

His angry fist came close to smashing through a wall. Instead, with a deafening crack, he hit the other vampire with the huge chest.

The big, curly-haired one hardly flinched, but I knew with that sound, it would have hurt. It dazed Edward for a second. He didn't calm down like he should have, only sent him further into a crazed state.

The vampires didn't know what to do to help and just stared at him, trying to contain his damage. In their stilled confusion, I was able to observe them, too.

He was a big, burly man who had tried to restrain my Anthony. Wait. Edward: not Anthony. I shook my head to clear its thoughts. Behind the big one was a tall blonde one with blood red lips. I knew she couldn't see me, but she still intimidated me by her presence. In front of Edward was the short girl. She reminded me so of a pixie. She was hissing at him various forms of "she's not gone; she'll be back; I still see her; she's still here".

I was in despair watching him. My heart ached and felt broken. That's when I noticed the last vampire. This one was tall, with dirty-blonde hair, looking straight at me with the emotion on his face that I felt in my heart.

I quickly checked if I was still invisible, and couldn't help but stare back.

'Edward, man, calm down, she is still here,' he said, and Edward was suddenly calm.

They stared into each other's eyes for a minute, then turned straight to me.

'Isabelle?' he asked.

He sounded broken with that pathetic voice.

I couldn't bare it. I wanted to curl up in a ball in the middle of the hallway and imitate the ghost I really was. Edward was barely holding it together, too, and class going to finish soon. What would happen if the human children were to see Edward now? My selfishness to stay silence could get someone killed, push the Cullen's out of town and make an entire mess of their lives. I would not be responsible for someone else's life turning out like mine.

My fingers snapped again. My signal allowed me to have better control over my body and avoided the embarrassing disappearing acts I endured in my early years.

I was standing back in the hallway; Edward was still nowhere near control.

'Get him home. NOW,' I yelled when they couldn't seem to get it together enough to move.

I snapped again, disappearing, as the family tackled Edward to the ground, him howling as they did, and got him out.

The exit doors slammed shut and the bell rang. Human children came burling out the doors, looking confused to what just happened.

'Christ, it sounded like a demolition zone out here!' a boy commented, looking around, confused.

'I know, right!'

'I could have sworn someone was knocking down a wall our here.'

I couldn't stand there any longer; not seeing how close these children had come to exposing a secret the whole world convinced itself wasn't true.

I ran.

Oh... oh my, Edward... let the turmoil begin