Let's take a second to recount my fate. I had discovered the Cullens were vampires, kissed (Gah! I hate that word!) Emmett, doused Edward with holy water/garlic (Not to mention hitting him with a frying pan. Poor guy. I'd hate me too.), discovered they were veggie lovers, and was currently being harassed in a totally sexual way by a guy not just in front of his parents, but his whole family. Life's just great, ain't it? Worst of all, I swear that his dad's eyes were as big as saucers.

"Emmett, dear," said the black haired woman hesitantly. "Could you possibly. . . um, put the girl down?"

He dropped me like a red hot poker. "Sure, Mom."

Oh, great! What was I supposed to say now. "Hi, Mrs. Cullen! I know it looked like me and you son were totally trying to get it on on you porch, but I swear we weren't. Well, maybe he was, but I was totally saying 'no.' Is that a new sweater?" Yeah. That would go over really well.

Jasper rolled his eyes and gave me a hand up. "Don't worry about it," he said, and strangely, that made me feel a whole lot better.

Carlisle flicked his eyes over to Edward. Edward shook his head wiht a slight smile at me. Only an ass would think this situation was a bit funny.

"Hi, Dad," Emmett practically screamed at Carlisle as he gave him a big hug. "It's so good to see you! I brought Jaz!"

I rolled my eyes and contemplated how awful his voice was. Too loud and fake like he was hiding something. Besides, his father wasn't blind, therefore I'm quite sure he knew I was here.

"Hi, Jaz," smiled Carlisle sweetly totally blowing off his son. "I'm glad you decided to come."

Like I had a choice! "Uh. . . You're welcome?"

He took my hand like the perfect fairytale prince. "Please come in." I just nodded. Do people this chivalrous even exist?!

The faces at the door quickly disappeared as I entered. Carlisle led me through the hall on the right. I could hear Emmett muttering something to Jasper behind me. He was so annoying! That wouldn't have normally annoyed me, but I was already P. with the whole "Refresh My Memory" incident. We entered the dining room, or what I guessed was the dining room. It was mostly the mansion sized table and half a gillion chairs around it.

My x-rays were spread out at the latter end of the table, and the various Cullens were seated around it fixing their hair and playing tic-tac-toe respectively. When they saw Carlisle and I, they perked up and tried to give me a friendly smile (except Edward who was wearing a distracted glare). Carlisle sat me down beside him.

"Jaz," he said excitedly. "Have you ever broken something before?!"

I didn't know what to make of him or say. His eyes were bright and curious. Luckily, I didn't have to answer.

"Your wrist is completely healed! I've never seen anyone heal this fast! Ever!" He paused. "Okay! So there is one exception, but that's all! Jaz, do you know what this means?!"

"Uh. . . I'm wierd?"
"No! Of course not!" He waved a hand impatiently. "You're exceptional! Rare, I admit. But special!" He grasped both of my hands and looked deep into my eyes. "Jaz. . . what I want to ask is. . . " He was biting his lip which in a vampire is disconcerting.

"Yes?"

"Can I take your blood?!" he exploded. "And your pulse after excercise?! Maybe even a CAT scan?! What abou-?!"

"Hold on a minute there," I said. My head was spinning. "You want my blood?!"

"Just a small sample," he said. "Enough to run tests on, study, -"

"Taste?"

"--- Do you mind?"

There was a mutual gasp from around the table.

"It's not like I'm gonna bite her," he spat a little irritably.

"Hold on! What's the deal with biting?"

"Well," explained Alice, "we're venemous. One bite and BAM! You're a vampire!"

"It's not that simple," muttered Edward. "It's hard to stop drinking. If we bit you, you'd probably die. We would suck you dry."

"What is being a vampire like?" I couldn't help it. I was curious.

Edward leaned forward as if about to tell a fascinating story. "We're strong, hard, and sparkle in the sunlight." It explained a lot. "Fast, immortal, and inhuman." I felt my breath catch. I wanted it. "But-" There is always a catch. "Our souls are damned to hell. We can't feel all you can. The pleasure of food is gone. Your identity fades. Bloodlust replaces your human emotions. Life, frankly, is hell."

I swallowed hard. Bloodlust. "Do you lust for my blood?"

Edward breathed in deeply and fixed me with his stone cold eyes. "Yes, and it is so very sweet."

I couldn't move or breathe only look into his eyes. The danger I'd always felt around them suddenly became real, and it felt so very good. "Edward, how old are you?"

"Ninety three and forever seventeen." He blinked and freed me from his spell.

Forever sixteen. Sweet. I smiled briefly at the pun. What would I miss? The drunken guardian? Abandonment? Oranges? The only thing I might miss would be food. When you think about it, that's pretty sad. I stood up and clenched my hands by my sides being careful to keep my head up.

"I have to go to the bathroom."

"First door on the right," said Mrs. Cullen with an understanding smile. I couldn't begin to think what the crap she thought she understood. I mean, she'd only known me for a total of ten minutes, if that.

I stormed out after a mumbled 'thanks.' I practically hurdled in the bathroom. It wasn't as luxurious as the rest of the house. It was white, red, and practically unused. The lock clicked,and I sank down on the floor. I did something I should never admit to. Ever. I cried. I cried for my mother and father I never knew, the friends I wished I had, and the life I wanted to lose. Nothing has only bad points.

What would it mean to be immortal? Would it be lonely? Would I need someone to share it with? I couldn't see why. I had been alone my whole life. What would a little longer hurt? There were so many adventures in the world and so much life to live. I wanted to live it. I stood up and splashed my face with hot water to try and get the red out. As far as I was concerned, I wasn't dying. Just being reborn. My old life was now gone. As cheesy as it sounds, somehow it felt like my tears had ended that life.

When I entered the room, Edward's eyes narrowed. I met his gaze straight on. I was strong and (apparently) durable. I could last what he threw at me. I wanted an unending life, so I could live the present and help the future. I smiled a wry smile inwardly. It seems almost like I'd be a super hero, and who knows? One day I might help people like that. I would have plenty of time to decide.

"No," said Edward forcefully.

"No what?" What did he think I would say?

"You're not becoming one of us."

My eyes narrowed. How had he known my question? I'm not THAT easy to read! "Why not?"

"We might kill you," he shrugged.

"Boons come with risks," I shrugged back.

He slammed a fist on the table making a loud cracking sound. "This is NOT some kind of freaking boon!! It's a curse!!"

Mrs. Cullen put a hand over Edward's fist. "Calm down, Sweetheart," she smiled. "No need to break the table. . . again."

Does someone need anger management or what? Edward glared at me hatefully before promptly standing up and leaving the room.

"What's his problem," I asked no one in particular.

"Edward hates being a vampire," Mrs. Cullen replied while examining the crack with a small frown. She looked up at me. "Of course, not venemently. He's the kind to get rid of what he truly hates."

My eyes widened. Suicide? Surely, she couldn't be serious! "But, Mrs. Cullen-"

"Esme," she said with a smile. "We're all on first name basis here."

"Uh. . . Okay. Esme, isn't everyone for the change besides him?" Silence. "Emmett?"

"Sorry, Babe." I let the rude comment slide.

"Carlisle?"

"Definitely not! You're an amazing mystery all by yourself!" I should've known.

"Jasper?"

"Wouldn't want you to miss out on donuts, would I?"

I glared at him a moment. "Alice?"

She shrugged. "Why not?" Finally! A yes!

"Esme?"

"I'm gonna have to go with my sons on this one." Her face was slightly apologetic.

Oh joy! I get one out of six votes. Thanks for all the confidence. Well, I guess I shouldn't be hard on them. They've only known me for a total of two days. Oddly enough, I was being quite rational. Yeah. Be surprised. I bet I could convince them eventually though.

"What now," I asked. "Do I just go home and return another day?"

"It would probably be best if you never returned," pointed out Esme in the nicest way of saying "Never come back" I've ever heard.

"What?! I'm supposed to just forget everything?!"

"It's the humane choice," she sighed.

"Humane?"

"Well, if you insist on remembering us and treating us as face, we either have to kill you or turn you," said Alice. She licked her lips at the word 'kill' which rather freaked me out.

"You are real," I said.

"Aren't you afraid," asked Jasper curiously.

I seriously thought about that for a moment. My danger thrill was nice, yes, but for some ungodly reason I didn't know, I couldn't bear to leave this strange and mysterious world I had somehow uncovered. It was wierd. What I couldn't decide was whether I was willing to die for it. Briefly, I wondered how much I would regret it if I took the 'safe' road. I couldn't bear it. Better to live a short full life than a long empty one.

"No." My eyes were hard and determined. I would not fear my world. The one I had chosen.

--

Thank you for reading! When I was typing this out, I got something very. . . dirty out of Edward's description of a vampire. See if you catch it! Please review!