Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, Stephanie Meyers does. But I do own my own copies, and they're locked up in a nice, secure safe, so don't go getting any ideas!

I decided to sit alone for the moment. (A/N: Don't worry, sheesh) I grabbed a tray and sat down, my long delicate fingers picking apart the bread roll. I know it sounds cliché, but the Cullens looked like models among the humans here. Of course, I probably looked like one myself. With pale skin, luscious hair, bright eyes with their delicate lacework of bruise-like shadows underneath, we could pass for relatives, even without registering all the subtle similarities that could only be seen by a vampire. With that unpleasant thought of discovery by the Cullens, I quickly used some of my powers to shield myself from suspicion.

I simulated the sound of my heart beating, and put a slight flush of colour in my cheeks. I left my eyes as they were, besides darkening them slightly, keeping the shade of them somewhere between topaz and black, so they appeared a light shade of golden-brown.

Being vampires we were all related by our 'blood', or rather, venom. These were my sister and brothers, the other originals, vampire descendants. I have never turned anyone; I don't believe my lifestyle is suitable for that level of responsibility.

I heard someone approaching my table. Turning around I saw that it was a boy with a childish round face and carefully spiked hair. Various people had noticed him and were thinking essentially the same thing: Poor Mike Newton, he doesn't have a chance.

Mike confidently strode up to my table, grinning. When my expression didn't register any positive sentiment about his plucky action, his self-assurance wavered a bit. When he spoke, his voice came out small and timid.

"Hi, I'm Mike Newton. Uh… is this seat taken?" He gestured at the table. I gazed coolly up at him, arching a flawless eyebrow. There was no need to reply, his self-esteem fled, and he beat a hasty retreat back to his friends.

Many of the students here were amused by Mike's rejection. I offered my level stare to everyone who thought it was funny, until the chuckles died away. Turning my attention back to the Cullens, who showed no sign of having noticed my little show, I listened in on their conversation, too fast and much too quiet for any human to hear.

Alice spoke first, her voice high and lively. "So Edward, what's the new kid thinking?"

Edward gave a low snarl, "I can't read her, Alice. Everyone else is thinking about Newton's little rebuff." So they had noticed. Edwards statement was true; apparently things like Mike's embarrassment didn't happen in Forks. Looking at the vampires, I amended that last thought – at least not before the Cullens first arrived.

Alice looked puzzled at this new piece of information. "I wonder why you can't read her Edward, it's the first time something like that has happened. I've had no visions of her arrival either," she pondered aloud.

"Alice, your visions are rarely about humans. It's probably just because I haven't fed in a while," Edward replied. So Alice's power was future-telling, and Edward could mind-reading, fascinating. Of course, Edward was ignoring the obvious fact that he could read everyone else. Maybe he thought he could read them but not me because I was new. How I wish I had an excuse to risk reading his mind, or Alice's. I was intrigued.

"That's never happened before. Still, do you want to go hunting tonight, Edward? We can get some deer, or go out further and find some delicacies."

Nodding his head ever so slightly, Edward agreed. "I think some mountain lion sounds go to go. Deer gets mundane after a while."

Alice grinned, elated that Edward would hunt with her. "Sure, I need a little scenery change anyway. We'll go to the usual spot." I inwardly groaned, my fears being confirmed. But I was still a bit elated, because now I had a reason to read Alice's thoughts.

Because she would think about the 'usual spot', and not a specific location, I would have to read all the thoughts she has ever had – a process I call deep-probing – seeking out the hunting location. Carefully, hoping that she would be okay, I deep-probed Alice's thoughts, but didn't take any of them into myself to review later. I didn't want to invade the privacy of Alice, for some reason I thought of that as an abomination. Relieved that she didn't go into spasms or show any sign that I was affecting her, I missed the location of their hunting spot, a rare mistake.

Before I could probe Alice again, every Cullen except Edward left the cafeteria. He was staring moodily off into space, so he surprised me when he turned to stare at me.

Luckily, my superior vampire reflexes let me arrange my face into curiosity from my expression of intense concentration, faster than even Edward's eyes could track. Acting the human, I timidly lowered my face to stare at the table. I added an extra hint of pink to my cheeks, feigning embarrassment.

I swiftly raised my eyes to the sound of a discordant clattering, to see Edward abruptly shove himself to his feet and storm, gracefully, out of the room. His should-be golden eyes were an onyx black. Not being able to read my mind must be more annoying than I realised.

So, later this evening they would be hunting and I would have to follow the two young vampires, no great feat. Glancing at my timetable, I saw that I had Biology II. One thought leap out at me, sullen and angry: Now she has class with that awful Cullen. No way she's gonna want to go out with me after him! There was only one male Cullen in my year. Boy, Mike was really jealous of Edward.

I jogged, human slow – for how can you call it speed – to Biology II, too find there was only one spare seat. Wondering if this was fate, I made my way up to the table and sat down. I shot a little smile at the person sitting next to me.

"Hi, I'm Bella Swan," I said to Edward.

That's the end of the third chapter. R&R, point out errors, ideas are welcome, et cetera. Thanks for reading!

Ninja Spork