Twilight and New Moon Belong to Stephenie Meyer.

I would just like to take a second to explain something from the last chapter that many people seemed to be confused about. Edward isn't Brendon, and Edward was not actually present. The power of Bella's memories simply made it seem that way. Sorry if I confused anyone. Anywho, enjoy chapter 8!

I didn't go to school the next day. When my mom had asked what was wrong, I had told her simply that I fainted in class and wasn't feeling well. She questioned why, but I just told her that the post moving stress must be getting to me. She let me stay home.

All I did was lie in bed, and think about how much of a jerk I was. Brendon had done nothing wrong. I had simply moved in to a town that a vampire lived in, that was not his fault. In kindergarten perspective, he was here first. I had had no right to yell at him like that. He had actually helped me when I was unconscious, but instead of thanks, I had screamed at him.

But the past couldn't be changed, I knew that lesson all to well. And now Brendon was aware that I knew he was a vampire. He had probably moved out of the state by now. There was nothing I could do to fix this.

After wasting an entire day chiding myself, I got up the next morning and went to school. When I got on the bus, some curious eyes watched me. Of course, everyone knew of my little 'talk' with Brendon by now.

Amber, the girl who had spoken to me on my first day, walked up from the back and once again sat in the seat across from me. She crossed her legs in the aisle, and her arms were also crossed in front of her chest. Her face was one of annoyance and disgust. She spit her words at me when she spoke.

"You should know, Brendon Williams isn't in your league. Don't even try to go for him, because if you do, you'll have to deal with me. He's mine."

I should have known that this would be about him. Everything in my life seemed to be centered around him these days. I was a little surprised to hear that he was still around though. I sighed; this was only going to further complicate my life.

"Don't worry Amber, I don't like Brendon. And he more than likely hates my guts right now. Really, he's all yours, take him." I told her. She seemed a little taken aback by my answer. Her face looked stunned for a few seconds before she composed it again.

"Whatever, I just wanted you to know the rules." And she got back up and walked away. I turned and looked out the window. This was going to be another long day.

When I got into homeroom, Stacy walked up. She looked really worried.

"How are you feeling? I tried to call you about a million times yesterday, but no one answered." Had the phone rung? I never even heard it. I must have been too absorbed in my self loathing to notice. I looked a Stacy with a smile.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. I was just feeling really bad yesterday. I'm better now, though." I told her. I wasn't going to say I felt fine, because I didn't, but she didn't need to know all the details.

"That's good! I though you had moved again or something. And I hadn't even gotten to take you shopping yet." And she pouted. It worked, and I laughed. But I knew my happiness wouldn't last for long.

As I walked into first period, he was sitting in his seat, just as I expected. I took a deep breath and walked over. He saw me coming, and stood up, but I held out my hand.

"Don't, please let me just say this first." I started, starring at the ground, "Thank you, for, you know, helping me the other day. That was really nice of you." I paused, and looked up. His face was shaken, but still composed, so I continued.

"And I'm sorry. I had no right to yell at you like that. None of this is your fault, I shouldn't be yelling at you because of my messed up past. That was totally uncalled for, and you have every right to hate me. I understand if you do." I turned away and sat down. He just stood there for a second, and then sat down next to me.

We sat in silence like that for a few minutes. I thought we were finished, but then he turned to me.

"You're wrong." He whispered, and I turned to look at him. His eyes were doing the same unfair smoldering that his eyes used to do, but now they were filled with a sense of determination. "I don't hate you. I don't think I could, even if I wanted to."

I felt my eyes grow wide, and I was about to reply, but Mr. Hardener began his lesson. We went on starring at each other for a few more seconds, then we turned to the front of the room. We both knew this conversation was far from over.

When lunch came around I walked to get some food with Stacy. She was saying something but I was too deep in thought to hear her. I was trying to think of what Brendon had meant when he told me that he didn't hate me. What wasn't there to hate? I screamed at him and basically told him to go die. Then he said he couldn't hate me even if he tried. What did that imply?

"Bella, were you listening?" Stacy said, and I turned to her and shook my head no. She sighed, "Sometimes I wonder where your mind is. I just told you that Brendon is looking at you. I think he wants to talk."

I turned my head around to see him sitting at a table by himself. He smiled at me and waved a hand to the chair next to him. I smiled back then turned to Stacy.

"I'll see you later, okay?" I said and she just giggled and said,

"Knock yourself out."

I rolled my eyes and walked over to Brendon. I sat across from him instead of the seat he had motioned at. He didn't seem to mind. He sat there in the sun sparkling like a diamond, just starring at me with his amber eyes. I remembered another time I had been invited to sit with a vampire, and my breathing became hard, and the hole in my chest began to burn. I wrapped my arms around myself, and tried to forget. Of course, Brendon noticed.

"Are you alright?" he asked, probably thinking another one of Monday's episodes was coming.

"I'm fine," I lied, and quickly thought of a way to change the subject, "So, you're not angry? You know, that I know what you are? I thought that once you figured out that I knew, you would-"

"What, move?" he cut me off with, "No, of course I'm not mad, my family isn't like that. We don't need to be afraid of people knowing. Not that we tell everyone we know, we still try to keep a low profile. But if someone finds out it's not a big deal."

I was trying to find out what he meant. His expression was calm, almost bemused, but his words made no sense.

"How is sitting there glittering and shooting sunbeams into the air keeping a low profile?" I asked, and his eyes grew wide. "And what do you mean people knowing is no big-"

"You can see me?" he asked cutting me off again.

"Of course I can see you, you're sitting right in front of…" his eyebrow raised and I understood what he meant. "Oh, you mean the glittering. Yeah, I can see it. Why, can't everybody else?"

He shook his head, "No, they shouldn't be able to. Well, they can but...well…it's kind of complicated…" he said, with a sympathetic look on his face. I leaned back in my chair and put on a serious face.

"Try me," I said, "Supernatural is my regular."

He laughed and continued, "So I'm guessing you know then, that my kind sometimes have extra gifts, besides the ones that are obvious?" I nodded, so he went on, "Well I must have been a rather convincing human, because my gift is one of perspectives."

My face must have been extremely confused, because he laughed and went on.

"You see, without saying a word, I can change someone's perception of something. If they find something they think is boring or uninteresting, I can influence them, so that suddenly they adore and admire it. Or if they find some action to be dull, I can change their perspective so that it's their new favorite pastime."

"Well then, you must set all the latest fashion trends." I joked. He smiled.

"That is the basic concept."

"But how does that mean that you can sit in broad daylight?" I asked, still confused.

"Well, you see, I just change their perspective. They still see me, but instead of finding me mesmerizing or captivating, they find me dull and uninteresting. My shine doesn't seem at all strange or unusual to them. Some of the more curious I actually have to influence more, to the point where they find me to hideous to look at, much less mention, but they are few and far between."

I listened, in awe, as all the pieces began to fall into place.

" Oh, I get it!" I said, a little too loudly. Some people looked over, so I dropped my voice. "That's what you meant, right? About people knowing not being a big deal? You can just change their perspective so that they think it's fine and ordinary!"

"You catch on quick." He said, a little bemused. I wondered if I should be insulted. "This doesn't freak you out?"

"No, it's actually quite similar to a gift of some one else I knew." I said, remembering Jasper. Boy, was that a dumb idea. Wasn't rule number one to forget the family that I had left behind? I stopped breathing and clutched my chest again, the pain coming back. He sat there looking at me, perhaps waiting for me to say something.

"Why are you telling me all this?" I asked once I was composed, "Is it because you're just going to make me think this conversation was a bad idea and never bring it up again?" I asked. His brow furrowed, and he seemed to be deep in thought.

"No, I wouldn't do that to you. I don't think I could, even if I wanted to."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"For some reason, I don't think I can influence you to do anything. I keep trying, but you never seem to do any of the things that I try to get you to do. The first week I tried countless times to get you to think talking to me was a good idea, but you never did."

"Is that why you kept starring at me in economics?" I questioned. He nodded, then chuckled.

"When you looked over that one time and asked why I was starring, it scared me. I had been trying to get you to talk, and when you did, I wasn't expecting the hostility." I glanced away, embarrassed. He just laughed. "I had wanted you to like me, because you seem…different, from some of the other girls around here. Not just that I can't influence you, but you seem…I'm not sure of the right word… observant, and insightful. Almost as if you understand more of the world than you should."

"Well, I know about your kind. Is that what you mean?" I inquired. He nodded.

"That's part of it. Maybe I could tell from the start that you knew, and that's why I was attracted to you."

"You were attracted to me?" I asked, but then the bell rang and lunch was over, "Wait, you need to tell me about…" but he got up and looked at me with amusement in his eyes.

"Perhaps we should talk more. I want to know more about you. What are you doing this afternoon?" He asked. I was stunned for a second, then collected my thoughts again and replied,

"Nothing, at least I don't think so. My parents don't get home till later, so I'll probably just be watching TV." His answering smile was dazzling.

"Then tell me Bella, have you ever ridden on a motorcycle?"

Did I answer questions, or just raise more? Please tell me what you think. Even if you hate this story with a passion, tell me why you hate it, so maybe I can fix things. And if you find spelling or grammer mistakes, let me know. Please, please, please review!