This chapter was co-written with the amazing ecandme. Without her, this chapter would have never happened. Make sure to check out her story "Crooked Halo's and Ink Junkies" available on both & Twilighted!

Never will I be welcome,
Amongst the heartless monsters,
You surround yourself with
Feeding off the pain and misfortune of others,
A maniacal breed of sub-human parasites,
Thrown into a feeding frenzy,
With the smell of fresh blood

Open your eyes and see the creatures for what they are,
A swirling mass of hatred and envy
And do not be naïve enough to think you are unaffected,
The conversion has already begun.

I had been so lost in my thoughts on the drive up to the Cullen's house that I hadn't noticed it until I was standing right in front of it. The three story sprawling mansion sat in the middle of a large clearing, dusted with multicolored wildflowers and surrounded by a canopy of towering trees.

Judging by the faded white paint, it must have been at least a hundred years old. A large porch wrapped around the entire first story, covered with potted plants of every shape and color. It was obvious that someone had taken great care to keep up this beautiful old mansion.

"Do you like it?" Edward whispered in my ear, sending a trail of goose bumps down my back. I spun around quickly, startled by his sudden appearance behind me. I hadn't heard him get out of the car, much less walk up behind me.

"It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen…absolutely breathtaking," I answered, turning back around to admire the house. Edward placed a hand on the small of my back, causing the skin underneath his fingers to tingle, as he gently led me towards the front steps.

"Esme has a knack for these things. She loves to restore and renovate old homes. Everything you see is her doing," he continued explaining as we entered into the foyer.

If I had thought the outside was breathtaking, it was average at best compared to the interior. The entire north wall was set from floor to ceiling with windows, completely bathing the first floor in a soft light. Fresh flowers adorned almost every available surface, adding splashes of vibrant color that contrasted with the white and cream décor.

Everything was open, bright and welcoming. I remained standing in amazement for a moment until I noticed Alice flitting down the staircase to my right, Jasper following right behind her.

"Bella!" she exclaimed, wrapping her tiny arms around me.

"Hi, Alice," I replied, reciprocating her embrace.

"Hey, Bells," Jasper added in his charming southern drawl.

"Well it's about damn time I get to officially meet the bad ass Bella," a voice boomed from behind me, causing me to flinch involuntarily. I spun around quickly and found myself facing Emmett. A wide, goofy grin spread across his face.

I started to smile back, but panic hit me before the smile could complete the trek across my face. If Emmett is here…then that means that Rosalie is too.

As if on cue, Rosalie rounded the corner, tossing an apple between her hands. She popped one hip and leaned against the wall. As she continued tossing the apple, her eyes locked on mine and narrowed. Suddenly fear and insecurity overtook my body, and I began contemplating fleeing the house and speeding back to Charlie's.

I took a tentative step backwards, my eyes still locked on Rosalie, and felt my back hit Edward's chest. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jasper raise an eyebrow in Edward's direction and I felt Edward shrug in response. Before I could convince my feet to listen to my brain and run, the bubbling mixture of fear and insecurity faded away and a feeling of calm overcame me. I furrowed my brow in confusion.

What the hell just happened? Get a grip, Swan, you're losing it!

"Come on, Bella, I'll show you to your room," Edward guided, holding a hand out to me.

Still puzzled over the sudden switch in emotions, I nodded and took his hand; following him up to the third floor, down a long hallway, and into a large bedroom. In perfect harmony with the first floor, the north wall was again completely made of glass, overlooking a stream and the vast expanse of forest.

The entire room was decorated in creams and chocolate browns. It was warm and inviting, mimicking the rest of the house. Edward was right…Esme really did have a natural talent when it came to decorating.

"Bella?"

"Hmm?"

"What happened downstairs?" Edward asked with a cautious smile.

"What do you mean?"

"Well one minute you seemed fine and the next you looked like you were… terrified or something. What were you afraid of?" he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Something in the way he asked that question made me wonder if I should be afraid. There weren't many things that I was afraid of, but one thing invaded my mind at the moment.

"Rosalie," I whispered.

Edward appeared slightly taken aback by my answer.

"Rosalie?" he asked simply.

I shut the door and walked to sit on the bed beside him.

"Well…" I started whispering. He cocked his eyebrow in confusion, and I couldn't help but feel my heart speed up a little at how handsome his 'confused' face was.

"What?" I replied to his expression, a little more defensively than intended. "I don't want Rosalie to overhear. She hates me enough as it is, why add fuel to the fire?" A look of amusement flashed in his eyes before quickly disappearing.

I sighed and continued, "She's beautiful, smart, classy and…a stone cold bitch. Yet…I respect her, her ferocity, and the way she carries herself. But…she hates me with such a passion and looks at me like I am below her. I can't stand the way she makes me feel insecure and insignificant…." I trailed off, embarrassed my sudden confession.

Edward stayed quiet for a moment before reaching out and placing a hand over mine. For the first time I noticed that his skin was as cold as his sisters. "That's just Rose. She can be a royal bitch, but deep down she's a good person. She'll come around, Bella, I promise. Just give her time. She's very…protective of her family." He stood and headed for the door. As his fingers wrapped around the doorknob he turned to face me. "And you are anything but insignificant, Bella. You are beautiful, smart and…feisty," he added, flashing me a crooked smile and disappearing out the door.

I leaned back and sank into the large down comforter, sighing deeply. I felt the heat rush to my face at Edward's compliment and inwardly cursed myself for blushing like an idiot whenever he was around. My feelings for Edward had progressed so quickly that it made me uncomfortable when they showed so blatantly. Thankfully no one was around to witness my pathetic little display of emotions.

A few minutes later there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," I called. The door swung open and in bounced Alice.

"Hey, Bella. Being antisocial?" she asked, flinging herself on the bed next to me.

"Nah, just mentally berating myself," I answered, throwing one arm over my face.

"For…," she inquired.

"Never mind that. Can I ask you a question?" I proceeded cautiously, peeking at her from under my arm.

"Of course."

I sighed and sat up to face her. "What are Rosalie and Emmett doing here? Didn't you say they were going to Seattle?" Alice nodded slowly. "So why are they here?" Despite my best efforts, I couldn't contain the hostility that carried through my voice.

Alice smiled sadly at me. "Up until this morning they were going, I swear. Something changed and they decided not to go," she rushed out, looking up at me nervously. "It's okay though right? I mean, you don't want to leave or anything do you?"

"Of course not. I was just curious, that's all." I answered, smiling reassuringly. "Besides, Edward promised me that she would chill the fuck out…eventually."

I intentionally left out Edward's compliment, afraid she would see right through me. I wasn't ready for that conversation…at least not yet. Though I was pretty sure the love sick puppy face whenever he was around was a dead fucking giveaway. If Alice suspected anything, she had kept it to herself.

Some psychic she is, I thought in amusement.

"Hey, Alice, do you have any coffee in that obscenely large kitchen of yours?" I asked, strategically changing topics.

"Sure. I'll go make some. Come down when you're done here," she offered, patting my leg and leaving me alone to unpack.

Ten minutes later the smell of fresh brewed coffee assaulted my nose. I followed the heavenly scent down the stairs and into the kitchen where Alice had set a mug, cream, and sugar on the breakfast island.

"You aren't having any?" I asked as I poured the coffee into the mug.

"I'm not much of a coffee drinker," she admitted, taking a seat next to me.

"It's quiet in here. Where is everyone?"

She sighed and looked out the kitchen window. "I sent them out. I wanted a chance to talk to you…alone."

"Ok. About what?" I asked, suddenly nervous. Please don't ask about Edward, please, I silently begged.

"Edward," she answered, focusing her eyes back on me. Fuck!

"What about him?" I asked defensively, sensing where this conversation was headed.

"I know you like him, Bella. And as intolerable as he is sometimes, I know he feels that way in return. He's just scared because he doesn't think he's good enough for you. I've told him that he's being unreasonable, but Edward is Edward. He refuses to listen to me, even though I do tend to know certain things." She smiled, tapping her finger to her temple.

I sighed in frustration. "Alright, listen. You're my best friend, so I'm not going to lie to you. Though I'm really not ready to have this conversation. Truthfully I'm not sure I will ever be ready for this, but as it is, I guess now is just as good a time as any. Yes, I felt a connection when we first met, but then he acted like such a dick and I kind of buried those feelings. Then I had this dream, and when I woke up everything just…clicked. It was like I couldn't deny it anymore. Everything changed so quickly and the whole thing just scares the shit out of me," I confessed, staring intently into my empty mug.

Alice's small frame began bouncing up and down on her stool, an obnoxiously large smile plastered on her face. "I knew it! You two love each other!" she exclaimed in a sing song voice.

"WHOA! No one said anything about 'love', Alice. Don't go getting all fucking giddy on me. It's not like I'm going to be running into his arms across a field of flowers or anything! Yes… there's an attraction, and yes there is some kind of feeling involved, but Christ, Alice, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not one for fucking rainbows and kittens," I warned.

I got up and stalked across the kitchen to the coffee pot, desperately needing a distraction. I was pissed that I had let my defenses down and allowed my insecurities show. It exposed weakness, and weak was something I definitely was not. Some people fed on that shit, eating it up and spitting it back into your face. It allowed them the opportunity to hurt you in ways unimaginable. It's why I had been so confrontational with Rosalie on that first day. She was definitely someone who thrived on the weaknesses of others.

"Bella, I'm sorry if I upset you. That wasn't my intention. I just needed you to know that you're feelings for Edward weren't one sided and I have no doubt he'll tell you on his own. But now you won't have to doubt yourself or your feelings so much in the mean time."

I turned around and smiled at her. "Thanks, Alice. I appreciate the heads up, but I really don't want to talk about it anymore. Can we just…do something else for awhile?"

"Sure. I think it's time for some girl bonding anyway." She smiled mischievously and hopped off her stool.

I followed Alice up to her bedroom, putting up one hell of a fight after finding out what her idea of 'girl bonding' entailed. Unfortunately, her persistence and unwavering ability to whine just happened to be stronger than my resolve to reject her.

Somewhere around the hour mark, voices sounded from the lower level, and I assumed that the others had returned. Another hour later I descended the stairs, feeling slightly abused after being primped, pampered, poked and prodded.

Edward sat reclining on the couch, watching a very animated Emmett and Jasper play some game on the Xbox.

"Have fun?" Edward asked in an amused voice.

"Ugh. I feel frilly." I walked to the couch and flopped myself beside him, propping my foot up on the coffee table.

"Well you look stunning. What color is that on your toes?"

"Passion Pink," I answered, my face twisting up in disgust.

"I got you! I totally fucking got you! What? No!" Emmett cried out, tossing the remote aside. "This is bullshit!"

"Oh quit being such a cry baby! You know I own your ass on this game," Jasper replied chuckling.

"Whatever, dude. Just…whatever…" Emmett pouted.

Edward leaned toward me and I felt my pulse quicken at his proximity.

"They're always like this. Emmett can be such a sore loser," he whispered, smiling.

I found myself watching his full pouty lips move as he talked. An overwhelming urge to grab his lower one between my teeth swept over me, causing me to blush slightly.

He leaned in even closer, talking directly into my ear. "And Jasper really does own his ass at this game."

His breath tickled my ear as he laughed lightly and I couldn't focus on anything else. I found myself holding my breath, fearing to breathe in any more of his alluring scent. The last thing I needed was a repeat of this afternoon. Passing out in front of his whole family would definitely give me away.

I found that I had unconsciously tilted my head, allowing him better access to my ear and neck. Down, girl, I mentally scolded. I quickly pulled myself back and straightened up, my gaze meeting Edward's in the process. The look in his eyes changed, darkened, and I saw it for what it was in that moment...lust.

"Oh for God's sake, get a fucking room already!" Rosalie announced.

I hadn't realized that she had come into the room. Again I felt fear creep upon me, but I refused to let her get to me. I couldn't show weakness. So I did something that I knew wasn't the smartest idea.

"Will you just get over yourself already? Seriously, being that bitchy is going to give you wrinkles." My verbal filter was officially broken.

Rosalie narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Emmett's booming laughter.

"Oh shit! Ha! Did you hear her? That was a good one!" He slapped Jasper on the back.

Rosalie's angered glare shifted from me to him, and he realized his mistake a moment too late as her hand connected with the back of his head.

"Ow… what the hell was that for?" he whined.

Wide eyed I watched, the whole scene taking no more than a few seconds.

Not answering him she turned to leave the room, but paused to glance back in my direction one more time.

"Fuck you by the way! You don't belong here; you're not one of us!" she hissed and then stomped up the stairs.

I couldn't have felt any more inadequate than I did in that moment.

All eyes fell on me, and I couldn't contain the flood of angry emotions that slapped me in the face. Tears filled my eyes, and my hands balled into fists.

The only thing I could think to do was leave. I needed to escape the vulnerability pushing through the cracks of my carefully constructed armor. Anger pulsed through me and I knew that soon the tears would fall. I refused to let them see me cry and I absolutely refused to let them see me cry because of her. I stood up, mumbled a quick apology and headed out the front door.

Chapter 8's title & lyrics are "Haunted" by Disturbed.

I'd love to hear what everyone thinks so far...so drop me a review if you're up for it :-)