Hello there!

I want to thank all of you for your kind words. I'll miss my dog a lot, but he lived a long life and I am thankful for that (he would have turned 15 in exactly one month from now!) To all of you who lost a pet, too: I wish you strength and keep the happy memories of your pet close!

So, here is the next update ... it was already finished, I just needed to proofread once more. I hope you like it!

And since we have reached another thirty reviews over night ... it's time! Make a wish!

Tell me what you wish for in your review, or pm me!

Fish.

Seriously?

What the hell was she supposed to do with fish? Stare at them? Knock on the glass?

Well ... if she got piranhas and could feed them with something living, that'd be cool. Or a shark!

But her Mom would probably just let her have a goldfish.

She had hoped the compromise would be something different, something ... less boring.

Maddie wanted something to pet and to play with, for heaven's sake!

So on the next day Maddie was quite excited to go to school, because she could feel a plan forming in her head. That's why she stayed in her room listening to Kelly Clarkson and sang along. Edward wasn't allowed to listen to any music whatsoever, so Maddie chose to put on the music he hated. She didn't like it either, Rose had bought the CD for her in a futile attempt to get her little sister away from Metal and Rock music and over to something more girly, but now it was perfect to keep Edward out of her head, because she didn't want him to know about her soon-to-be plans. Plus this music aggravated him a lot, so Maddie was thoroughly enjoying herself.

After looking at the clock on her bedside table however, her eyes went wide with shock - she had completely forgotten about the time!

Changing into her stupid uniform as quickly as possible, she then stuffed her books into her backpack before stopping dead in her tracks.

She had to take care of one more thing before she could leave the house.

So she quickly skipped out into the hall and knocked on Edwards door, entering when he told her to.

"It's time," she said all business-like and came to a halt right in front of him.

"Madeline, don't do that." He seemed quite unwilling, but unfortunately for him - he owed her.

"Give me your hand," Maddie ordered and grinned.

"Ah ah ah. I know you can do it without touch. Show me." He flashed her one of his lop-sided grins - he was curious, that's why he wanted to try it that way.

Maddie just looked at him as if he was kidding her. "No. I only tried it a couple of times, and never on anyone except for stupid school girls."

"So?"

She sighed when she heard her father call her from downstairs to leave for school; she didn't have time for this shit.

"It might not work properly, I don't wanna risk it," Maddie pressed out.

"Risk what?"

The look he gave her made Maddie nervous, so she started singing in her head again. "Your hand," she said through gritted teeth.

"Fine. At least I am not to blame when you get yourself in trouble again."

Maddie laughed at that. "Remember last week? Who got an ass beating and who didn't, huh?" she queried while tipping her index finger against her chin as if she really was trying to remember.

He groaned, then reached out and Maddie took his hand in hers. She inhaled deeply before looking her brother straight in the eye. It took a moment longer for her to connect with Edward's mind, but when she felt it, she could start giving him orders.

"You are unable to hear my thoughts and you cannot see any visions Alice is having of me." Maddie stopped for a moment, thinking. "Oh! Better yet: You are unable to hear Alice's thoughts as well."

Then she let go of her brother's hand and watched him come back. He blinked a couple of times, then looked up at her.

"Silence," he whispered, then said, "Good. Thanks for sparing me your crazy thoughts ... it's like a child's birthday party in a slaughterhouse in your head."

She winked at him, laughing. "You're welcome."

"Wait! I can't hear Alice either."

"Yup, consider it a bonus. Bye!" Maddie hastily said and waved him goodbye.

After she left his room, her plan was suddenly clear.

She should just get a pet herself, Maddie mused, while pacing up and down in her room. That way she could prove that she was indeed responsible enough. And if anyone ever found out about it, she would definitely be allowed to keep it since she had alrady taken good care of her little pet for a while.

Perfect plan.

The thing was: How do you hide an animal from your vampire family?

Well, a stuffed animal would be easy ... but a real one? A noisy, pooping one?

Ha!

School!

Brilliant!

Her parents wouldn't see it there, they wouldn't smell it there, and they wouldn't ever know it even existed.

When Carlisle called again, Maddie picked up her backpack from the floor, then started to descend the stairs to meet up with her father who called just again, this time sounding unnerved.

Maddie wanted to hurry down the stairs but, like always, it wouldn't work the way she wanted to.

Alice blocked her way on the second floor.

"Alice ...," Maddie moaned, clearly not in the mood for a lecture.

"I cannot believe Edward gave his consent ...," she said, pondering it over. Then looked Maddie straight in the eye. "Don't do it, little sister, you hear? I am telling you just this once. It is a stupid plan."

Carlisle called again and started to walk up the stairs, very much impatient now.

Maddie grew nervous - she did not have time to discuss this with Alice without having Carlisle overhear.

"I know what I am doing," she mumbled fiercely. Then she just hugged Alice when she saw her father standing in the hallway, saying, "Bye Alice!"

"Madeline, I have been calling you several times already. We are going to be late if we do not leave immediately," he rebuked, waiting for Maddie to walk over to him.

"Sorry," she said. "I am ready now." She smiled up at him and he just sighed and returned the smile.

They left the house together after saying goodbye to Esme and headed for Maddie's school.

"You are very cheerful today, sweetie," Carlisle stated with a smile when he steered his car onto the big road that would lead away from Forks.

"Yep." she beamed up at her father.

"And what got you in such a good mood?" he asked skeptically. That she was that happy after last night seemed peculiar. Maddie normally would be sulking right now. Did she behave like this because she was hiding something? Or was she finally starting to grow up and accept that she wouldn't get her way this time?

"Dunno. I just feel happy today." She grinned over at her father, before turning the radio on. No need to have him ask too many questions.

When they reached the school about twenty minutes later, Carlisle stopped the car and turned towards his daughter.

"Be good and have a nice day at school, sweetie," he said and hugged Maddie for a brief moment.

"I will, Dad," she replied, gave him a sweet smile and opened the passenger door of the black Mercedes.

"Edward will pick you up after school today, I have to work longer."

"Okay! Bye, Daddy!" she said while getting out and then closed the door.

Carlisle waved to her before he finally drove off.

Perfect.

Now it was time to realise the plan - she would have rubbed her hands if it wasn't so cliché.

Maddie walked into the school building and hurried towards the office. Luckily there was only one secretary currently in the room. That made things a lot easier for Maddie.

She walked over to the counter and said, "Mrs. Fisher?"

"Yes, honey, how can I help you?" the older woman with badly died hair said, stood up and walked over to her.

Maddie looked her in the eyes, deep in the eyes, until she felt the connection. "Dr. Carlisle Cullen just called and excused his daughter for first period. She will come in later to attend her classes, that is why you have not seen her yet. Now go write it down," Maddie said and blinked, breaking the connection.

The woman blinked, too.

Piece of cake.

Maddie left the office again and walked out of the school, ignoring the stares other girls gave her. She walked into the wrong direction, after all. At least that was what they were thinking.

She left the property and walked on in the direction of the city centre. There was supposed to be a pet shop; days ago she had searched for it online before starting to ask Esme for a pet.

She couldn't help herself but skip every now and then, before she reached the first shops. They were boring, only hardware and a small corner shop selling groceries.

A couple of minutes later however, she reached the drug store. The pet shop would be on the other side so she turned to her right and walked on until she saw the sign over the entrance.

Yaaay!

She immediately pushed the door open and walked in; a bell rang, indicating to the owner that a customer had entered the store.

"Hello there, welcome," a guy said. He was fugly. Greasy hair, dirty glasses and a pimply face. And that was just what Maddie detected out of the corner of her eye.

"Hi," she replied absentmindedly; she would alter his memory one way or the other soon, so there was no need to waste her manners on him.

She scanned the numerous cages and terrariums for her new pet.

What would it be? A big spider? Hm, no.

Maybe a hamster? She liked hamsters, they were cute and nocturnal.

She nearly decided to get one, before she realised that nocturnal would be more than dumb. Well, if she would be allowed to keep one at home, it would be awesome. During the day she was at school or somewhere, but during the night she mostly stayed home. Not willingly, of course, but her parents wouldn't see reason and let her go to a party or to the movies the moment it got dark outside. 'We have to keep up appearances.' she heard Carlisle say in her head, and she rolled her eyes.

So a hamster was out of the question.

Then she got a better idea ... some animals could change their daily rhythm to the one of their owner. The exact same animals she was currently looking at. What a coincidence.

"Can I help you?" The stupid guy had walked up behind her.

"Yes," she slowly turned around on her heel and smiled sickenly sweet. "I wanna have two rats," she said, before adding in a harsh tone, "Now."

"Where is your mother? I cannot sell you any pets without a statement of agreement from your parents," he explained to Maddie while scratching his pimply nose.

She growled in annoyance.

This bloke monkeyed around with her precious time, ugh.

He stood there waiting so Maddie decided to start right away. Looking him deep in the eyes she entered his mind. Not really entered, but it was like opening a window to plant new, wonderful thoughts into somebody's head - in this case, his.

It wasn't too hard for her, which meant: This guy was a simpleton. The dumber a person was, the easier she could influence them. Funny, eh?

"Be quiet while I take a look through your shop. And don't move." She always had to phrase her comments very carefully or people would start acting funny.

Then she continued to watch the little rats of all colours in the big cage right in front of her. They seemed a little panicky all of a sudden, but Maddie couldn't care less.

A white one with red eyes caught her eye. Who would have thought there were rats that looked like vampires? Hah!

The next one she chose had pretty fur, it was of a warm brown colour and the rat's eyes were all black.

Yes, she wanted to have two, so they wouldn't be lonely.

"Hey, you," she said and looked back into the guy's eyes. He stood there stock-still, as if trying to compete with a statue.

Good.

That way she didn't need to make him look at her first, his blank stare was already in her direction.

"Come over here and sell me this, " she pointed to the brown rat, "and this rat." pointing to the white one.

The guy retrieved a little cardboard box, opened the cage and fished the two creatures out of it to put them into the waiting box.

"Do you have rat food ... or something?" Maddie asked, sounding unbelievably annoyed. She was grossed out by this guy and wanted to leave as quickly as possible. Gosh, humans were sooo slow.

He nodded his head in response and walked over to a shelf which held boxes with all kinds of pet food.

Handing her a little box, she smiled up at him, then asked, "What else do I need, huh? What do you think, stupid?"

He frowned at Maddie's question, then shook his head lightly, deciding he must have heard wrong. A sweet, little school girl like this wouldn't just insult him, right? "Do you have a cage already?"

She snorted. "Sure."

No, she did not. Whatever for? It wasn't possible to hide a cage at school, now was it? Idiot.

"Do you have toys and litter?"

"Yeah yeah, I have everything," she answered dismissively with a wave of her hand.

"Then you are all set." He walked over to the register before looking at her again, asking, "Can I see the consent letter of your parents?"

That again.

She pushed her tongue against the inside of her cheek in annoyance and took a calming breath, before ordering, "Look me in the eye."

He did, what an idiot. And he wasn't even under her influence ... for now. That changed a second later.

"My parents called you just minutes ago and told you to sell me those rats and the food," she snapped. "Now let me pay for them so I can leave your stinky store." Now he was under her influence.

He told her the sum she owed him and she paid. Of course she could have just taken the rats with her without paying, but then it would be stealing, right? And stealing was wrong.

"You have never seen me here. You would never recognise me anywhere." Before severing the connection, she added, "And get yourself new clothes, you look like a hobo. Deodorant wouldn't be wrong either. Buy some and use it. And go to the dentist, for fuck's sake! Ugh, you're hideous!" With that said, she left the store, happily carrying a brown bag that held rat food and two little rats in a box.

She quickened her pace while walking back to school. She needed a little time to get everything ready for her new pets, Sam and Francis. And it would suck if anyone saw her carrying stuff into the school.

But she made it there without trouble, and still had enough time to spare to find her locker, opening it and putting her books into it. Then she spread some of the rat's food in there and released the little creatures.

Cute.

They were trembling a little, but probably just because they had been stuffed into a tiny box by that shithead. Now they could get acquainted with their new home.

She closed her locker with a happy smile and walked down to the main office.

"Good morning, Ma'am," she greeted the secretary and let her forearms rest on top of the counter.

The lady squinted at Maddie and said, "Madeline, isn't it? I must have misplaced my glasses, dear."

"Yes, it's me. My Daddy just dropped me off, he told me to let you know."

"That was very thoughtful of him." Mrs. Fisher nodded, then said, "Send your parents my compliments, will you?"

"Sure, Mrs. Fisher," Maddie replied, then looked around the room, waiting for the secretary to dismiss her.

"Good girl. I will sign you in now and tell your teacher that your absence has been excused."

She sighed. "Thank you, Ma'am."

"Then off you go, dear. You next class is about to begin."

"Yes, Mrs. Fisher. Have a nice day!" Maddie said with a sweet smile and wave her hand.

"You, too. Study hard, child."

Maddie turned around and rolled her eyes. She hated that office and the people that worked there. But it was better to be overly polite at all times in case she got into big trouble here. Nobody would ever imagine that a sweet and polite girl like Maddie could get into a fight, right?

And then Maddie left the room for her most exciting class of the day: History ...

So, what do you think will happen next?

Tell me in your REVIEW!