Chapter 7

I was still kicking myself when I woke up.

I was seventeen years old, and never, not even once, had I had romantic feelings toward anyone. I'd assumed that was just part of my abnormalities.

Now, I wasn't so sure. Maybe I just hadn't met the right freaking bloodsucker yet.

Why is this happening to me?

It wasn't fair. I'd done everything I could to help my family, now my stupid hormones were sabotaging me.

Stupid, masochistic, confused, hormones. Can't you even tell the difference between human and vampire? The parasite you're going nuts over probably isn't even a boy. Hell, I bet he's older than Charlie. How gross can you get?

As if that wasn't good enough, you're now making me copy Renee's boneheaded move. You're slowly morphine me into my mother! Do you have any idea how cruel that is?

I pushed that thought to the back of my mind, in favor of another, even worse topic.

Psychic! How and I supposed to compete with a psychic? How am I supposed to hide from that? Does she see everyone's future, or does she have to specifically look? Is she automatically going to see it if I do something odd, like using my telekinesis? How far into the future can she see? Has she already seen be doing something, that I haven't even done yet?

I agonized over how to avoid her disastrous, to me, talent. I couldn't see our futures being predetermined. There had to be some amount of choice involved in our lives. Otherwise, what was the point. It made no sense that we would lack the choice to improve our lives, or to work hard to accomplish our goals, if nothing we did was going to effect our lives.

Operating under the assumption that choice mattered, then I had to be very careful about what I did, and said. No telekinesis, no writing anything she might see. Not that I spent a lot of time blogging about my parasitic mother and her hardheaded husband, but still.

I would have to monitor everything I did, every reaction, so that I wouldn't inadvertently give myself away.

As things stood, I didn't think they suspected anything. Hopefully, that meant my future wouldn't... pop on her radar.

I would have to avoid Edward at all costs. If she could control her visions, she would almost certainly use them to look out for her family. That meant I would have to avoid all contact with them.

Considering I shared a Biology class with him, I would have to avoid them as much as possible.

Great time to start crushing like a school girl, idiot.

I mentally berated myself until it was time for school. I got ready in record time, and went downstairs to see that Charlie was gone, as usual.

I made sure to lock the door and replace the key, before I left. I was a city girl to the bone, and didn't feel comfortable leaving the door unlocked.

School was tedious, but I kept myself busy by mentally abusing myself. Maybe that would be enough to snap me out of this self destructive streak.

It was Friday, for Gods sake. I should be excited about the weekend. But no, I was studiously ignoring a certain vampire, while trying to keep an eye on his family through my telekinesis, without actually looking at them. The psychic vampire might see me looking, and that wouldn't be good.

Could my day possibly get any worse?

Of course, since I'd asked, the fates had to ensure that it would. I knew I shouldn't have thought that.

I was staring into the only empty corner of the room, trying to avoid making eye contact with anyone, when Jessica practically pulled Ben by his arm, right into my line of sight.

I started to look away, to find something inanimate to stare at, but stopped when she ran her hand down his arm and tried to hold his hand.

What a bitch!

I glanced away from the scene as a whole, and focused solely on her lips. Not that I needed too, the body language was extremely clear. People lied all the time, pretended to be comfortable, or that they liked the person they were talking to. Their body language never, ever lied. It was an unconscious reaction to their true feelings. 'Ben, would you like to be my date for the dance?'

I switched my gaze to him, 'Thanks, but I'd rather just go with the group.' He said, tugging at his hand gently.

I watched as Jessica's face twisted into an expression that could only be interpreted as cruel, 'You know she won't ask you. She thinks she's too good for you.'

He turned, staring at Angela, 'She's right.'

I paid for lunch, mentally going over every prank I'd ever heard of. Jessica was a vicious slut, she deserved a little payback. Or a lot of payback.

She knew Ben was Angela's, and she certainly didn't have any sincere interest in him. She'd thrown herself at him purposefully to hurt Angela. Why anyone would want to hurt someone like Angela was beyond me, but she was going to pay for it.

I sat beside Angela. The angel rescued me from Mike, yet again. With her on one side, and Jessica on the other, I was left to glare intermittently at Jessica.

It was a great plan, at least until Jessica rudely elbowed me, quite painfully I might add. I glared at her, silently asking what that was for.

In typical, false Jessica fashion, she smiled apologetically and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you that hard, are you okay?"

"Fine," I muttered, staring at her disbelievingly. Why let her believe I was stupid enough to buy that. "What do you want?"

She actually had the nerve to look hurt, "I just wanted to say how nice it is that you're going with us to Port Angeles tomorrow."

Watch out world, Jessica actually has a talent. If I hadn't known better, I would've believed I was being unjustly rude to her.

"That's it?" I muttered, rubbing my arm.

"I just thought I'd be nice, there's no need to bite my head off for it." With that, she turned around and started talking to Lauren, effectively ending our conversation.

I turned to Angela and signed, "What was that all about?"

She just rolled her eyes, and signed back, "She thinks you are trying to steal Mike from her."

I laughed, Mike, seriously? The troglodyte, with B.O., and a personality disorder. The one who's scent makes me want to gag.

"Mike Newton, the same Mike who stalks me, the same Mike I can't stand? That Mike?" I almost laughed again, the idea was preposterous. If she wasn't such a man stealing bitch she might see that for herself. Anyone with even remedial comprehension skills could tell I loathed Mike.

She simply nodded, "That very same. That's why I wanted you to go with us to Port Angeles, my parents won't let me go alone and I didn't want to be trapped with them." I easily understood that; vipers had kinder personalities than those two.

I'd seen posters about the dance and even seen other students discussing various things about it, but for the first time I was actually curious. "Have you asked anyone?"

"No, I'm just going with a group." She blushed and looked like she'd rather be anywhere else but here. Normally I'd identify with her and let the subject drop, but not this time.

"Is Ben included in the word 'Group'?"

She blushed again, "Is it that obvious that I like him?"

I laughed as I leaned over to hug her, "Yes, it is exactly that obvious. But it is also obvious that he likes you too."

"He could have any girl in this school, why would he want me? Besides I bet he would go with anyone who asked him." She signed, looking down as if she were ashamed.

Stupid girl!

"How about the fact that he's constantly sending you these sad, longing looks whenever you aren't looking? How about the fact that he thinks you're the prettiest, smartest girl in this school? How about the fact that he thinks you don't want him because he sees you as perfect and doesn't think he's worthy of you. Just like you don't think you are worthy of him. How about the fact that the both of you are going with this idiot group because the other one is? Now if he isn't brave enough to ask you, then you need to be brave enough to ask him because he's miserable."

She stared at me, her mouth slightly open. "But,"

I cut her off, "But nothing. If I wasn't positive of this I wouldn't risk hurting the only friend I've got in this place. If you need more proof, I saw him say those same things to Jessica, five minutes ago, when she asked him to go with her."

That wasn't, technically a lie. Just a little artistic interpretation.

She stared off into space for a moment before turning back to her lunch, as if our conversation never happened. I'd done what I could, it was up to her now.

I played with my food, moving it around and tearing it to pieces. I didn't like to think about actually consuming it. It was more natural looking than anything I'd seen here so far, but I wasn't feeling well.

How could I be feeling anything but crappy? I was crushing on a vampire, and didn't have a clue what to do about it.

It seems as if only seconds had passed when the bell rang, signaling lunch was over and it was back to Biology. I was halfway between the cafeteria and the Biology building when I saw Angela talking quietly with Ben.

They were standing sideways, facing each other so I couldn't read their lips, but I was skilled at reading body language. Perhaps watching them would be enough to comprehend the gist of their conversation.

Angela moved back and forth, shifting her weight from one foot to the other and repeatedly clasped and unclasped her hands, while somehow managing to simultaneously press them against her stomach. This is good. She was nervous and talking to Ben at the same time.

Ben didn't look much calmer; he was blushing profusely, and smiling like a lunatic at the same time.

Yes, Yes! She's doing it. I resisted the urge to clap my hands, and jump around like a cheerleader. The smile, on the other hand, wouldn't be suppressed.

I watched, as they talked back and forth for a few minutes, each of them seeming more nervous as the seconds ticked by. But near the end of their conversation, each of them smiled widely at each other and nodded frantically.

"He said yes! He said yes," I chanted to myself, irrationally excited for them. I watched Angela step backwards, away from Ben. This time I could read their lips, "Well, I'm going to... "She gestured behind her.

He nodded, "Yeah, me too."

They stood there, staring at each other, before they simultaneously said "Bye," turned around and walked off, in opposite directions.

Too bad they were walking in the wrong direction for their classes, I mentally slapped their foreheads.

They seemed to realize their mistake milliseconds after I did; they spun around and smiled sheepishly at each other as they passed. Each of them flushed bright red as they realized the other had caught their slip.

My smile grew wider as I watched them until they walked out of sight; I'd done a good thing, even if I did have to meddle in order to get it done.

Whatever. It was still a nice way to thank Angela for being the one person in this entire town who was genuinely nice to me.

Still smiling, I turned -intending to try and make it to biology before I got detention- and ran into a stone wall, or at least it felt that way. I knew it wasn't really a wall, I just wished it was.

I used my shield to protect me from potential fractures as I stumbled backwards.

Embarrassed, I didn't attempt to adjust my ungraceful position on the wet grass. Simply opening my eyes and looking through the hair that had fallen to cover my eyes.

Please don't be Edward, Please don't be Edward...

I mentally high fived by guardian angel when I brushed the hair out of my eyes and saw none other than Emmett Cullen smiling down at me, like I'd lost my mind. Not that Emmett was any better; one vampire's just as bad as the next but the idiot, teenage girl part of me was extremely happy it hadn't been Edward who witnessed my humiliation.

Blushing, I tried to get-up gracefully. It just didn't work that way; the second I got my feet underneath me I slipped and fell again. I saw him laugh delightedly at my predicament, and while I was used to it, I didn't like it. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you," I said sincerely, hoping he would take the hint and leave.

I abandoned that hope when he laughed as he leaned over and grabbed my biceps, easily lifting me and setting me on my feet. "I don't get that often," He chuckled as he let me go, leaving me surprised at his behavior. He acted way too familiar for someone who just met me.

I recovered quickly and smiled wryly as I looked him up and down, "I would imagine not."

I ignored him as he laughed again -reinforcing my impression that he would be fun to irritate- and started picking the dead leaves off my clothes. There wasn't anything I could do about the wet spots that covered my entire pants leg. It looked like they'd decided to absorb everything in their path when I fell. Not the most embarrassing thing that had ever happened to me, but it wasn't exactly my most graceful moment either.

I froze when he started plucking leaves out of my hair but after a second, when he didn't seem threatening and simply kept trying to remove the leaves, I relaxed. Bending my head to make it easier for him to see, not that he needed the help. He was huge, even bigger up close, he probably had trouble breathing at that height.

Good thing vampires don't need to breathe. Crap, I need to get away from him, why is he being nice to me? Shouldn't he avoid me like every other human? This is not good!

When he leaned back, I assumed he was through, and raised my head just in time to see him finish saying something.

"I'm sorry, can you repeat that? I'm deaf and I need to see your lips as you speak." I blushed a little as I spoke, wishing, for the millionth time, that I wasn't deaf. It would make my life so much easier.

"Sorry," He murmured. "I forgot about that. I was just commenting that you seem to fall a lot." He grinned like he was teasing me. I cocked my head to the side, studying him; could he really be joking with me?

Forget that, how did he know I fell a lot? Were they watching me?

I didn't immediately register his words, but when I did, I blushed and looked down, "Yeah, I do. But it's not my fault; gravity just doesn't like me."

He threw his head back and laughed, and I would have sworn that I felt my chest vibrate from his laugh.

Although, on second thought, I probably did; as big as he is, I imagine his laugh would be deep and loud.

When he stopped laughing, he looked down at me, still smiling and asked, "Where's your next class?"

"Biology, with Mr. Banner," I answered, wondering why he wanted to know.

He smiled again, a sly smile that made me nervous. I wasn't afraid; he didn't smile like that. Instead it was a mischievous smile that meant he was up to something. "That's close by, I'll take you."

He moved to fast, not vampire fast but still faster than most humans could, bending down he grabbed both my legs in one massive hand and threw me, upside down, over his shoulder.

I felt us moving as I struggled, knowing that without my telekinesis I wouldn't be able to make him do anything. "Hey, put me down."

I felt his back rumble, and knew he was laughing at me. I tried to be mad, but it was kind of fun and I was positive that he was just playing with me so I couldn't summon even the smallest degree of anger. Underneath the fun was worry, why was he paying attention to me? "Stupid, Lumberjack," I muttered, snickering.

I felt his back rumble, where my face pressed against it.

After a few seconds, I muttered. "I'm starting to get sick. So, unless you want to get puked on, put me down." Which wasn't a complete lie, I was starting to feel light headed, but I wasn't that close to puking either, so maybe just a little fib. Not even a fib if you consider the fact that it would be true in the future, so it was just a prophetic statement.

There, I like that one. That's what we'll go with.

I felt hands grasp my sides and lift me off his shoulder.

He set me on my feet, gently. Keeping his hands on my sides until I'd steadied myself, "You shouldn't be such a wimp, besides we're here." He delivered the 'wimp' comment with a haughty smile.

I stuck my tongue out at him, "Stupid Lumberjack."

He mimicked my expression; sticking his tongue out.

Suddenly, he froze and glanced toward the biology room door, "Nice to meet you, but my sister is waiting for me. I have to go," he said through his teeth, his eyes flashing from honey-gold to deep black.

I instantly tensed, and prepared to defend myself should he attempt anything, which I fully expected him to do. I saw that same look on Laurent's face when he smelled Renee's blood. It meant that he'd smelled something very enticing from my biology room, and it did not bode well for any humans in the area.

Screw hiding, I wasn't letting him slaughter a bunch of helpless kids.

I used my shield to cover the surrounding classrooms, and rooted myself in place. I fully expected to have to fight and maybe even kill this bearlike vampire, But instead of attacking, or growling, or doing something even remotely threatening, he turned swiftly and walked towards the forest outlining the school grounds a few dozen yards away.

Astounded, I stared at his retreating back, monitoring his every breath with my telekinesis. Or I would have monitored his breath, if he'd been breathing.

He even had the control to move at a somewhat human speed until he reached the forest's edge. The second he was no longer visible, I felt his speed increase significantly until he was out of my range a half second later.

He's going to hunt! He has the control to hold his breath, against whatever tempted him, and run to the forest in order to hunt animals, instead of the humans! Absolutely incredible! Phil wouldn't even have been able to do that, not that easily anyway.

I waited a few minutes, to see if his control would snap, motoring every square inch my telekinesis would reach, waiting for any movement that wasn't normal. Or human, I should say human, as vampires are much more normal for my life than they should be. My life has revolved around them for almost a three years now, in one way or another.

I marveled at the lumberjack, as I made my way into the classroom oblivious to the fact that I was arriving twenty minutes late. I didn't pay attention to anything or anyone, simply acting on auto pilot.

Halfway to my table, my stomach rolled and my legs refused to support me.

I sank to the floor as my mind came back to reality. The first thing I became aware of was the smell... Rust and salt, a more disgusting scent couldn't possibly exist. The second I realized what was happening, I clamped my hand over my nose and mouth and pressed my other hand to my chaotic stomach.

From my position, kneeling on the floor, I looked up and saw several students and Mr. Banner staring at me worriedly, while surrounded my wet, bloody cards. Of course; they were blood typing, which also explained the Lumberjacks reaction. Which was even more impressive now that I knew it was actual blood that he'd scented. The control it must have taken to turn his back on that... incredible!

'Are you alright, Miss Swan?' Mr. Banner asked.

I'm kneeling on the floor, shaking, sweating, pale as a ghost and holding my breath, does anything about my current condition suggest to you that I am 'all right'?

Instead of voicing my thoughts, I murmured, "I already know my blood type, Mr. Banner." I could feel sweat building on my face and arms, my skin felt cold even as my body seemed to burn.

I was still staring at Mr. Banner, trying not to breathe, so I saw him say, "Mr. Newton, please take Miss Swan to the nurses office, but come right back; you aren't getting out of class."

I opened my mouth to tell him that I could do it myself, but Mike had already taken by backpack and was wrapping my arm around his shoulders in order to pull me off the floor.

Why Mike of all people, why did it have to be him? Anyone would be better, James even; at least I could kill him.

I didn't breathe again until the classroom door closed behind us, only when I was sure I couldn't smell the blood anymore did I allow my body the oxygen it desperately insisted on.

As Mike towed me slowly across the school grounds I focused on breathing evenly and getting my feet back beneath me.

By the time we made it around the corner of the Spanish building and out of sight of the Biology room, I was able to move under my own power. Even if it was a struggle to take each step and my legs trembled as I did it. I would deal with anything if it meant getting Newton's hands off me.

I pushed Mike away stumbled to the sidewalk, not even bothering to expend the strength it would take to sit, instead I just allowed my knees to give way and plopped ungracefully to the ground.

"Are you okay, Bella? You look green." Mike sputtered, nervously.

The miniscule amount of strength I'd been able to recover seemed to seep away as he spoke, and I slumped to the side; abandoning my somewhat dignified position for the embarrassment of ease. Holding myself up was just too much. I didn't know if my weakness was due to a miscalculated recovery or the possibility that Mike was making me sicker than normal.

I wanted it to be Mikes fault, but mentally I knew that it was that those few steps had pushed my weakened body too far, too soon. "I'm fine Mike; I just need a few minutes." I tried to make my voice sound like one of authority, but it felt it come out as a whisper. I turned my head, where it lay on the sidewalk, so that my cheek would press against the cold, wet concrete. "You can go back to class; I'll be fine in a minute." Please, please, please go away? I don't think his presence was helping me any; even his smell nauseated me.

I jerked when I felt warm fingers brushing the hair out of my face. Anger bubbled up and I slapped his hand away. "I'm fine Mike; I just need to rest for a minute." I opened my eyes and glared at him.

I wasn't surprised to see Mike kneeling beside me, his face a scant three inches from mine. I expended the rest of my near non-existent energy supply to move away from him careful to keep my face against the concrete. Mike was still bleeding and every breath I took made it harder to stay conscious.

I watched Mike carefully, noting when his expression changed from worried to angry. At that moment I was glad my shield was already in place. Normally I wouldn't bother wasting it on someone like Newton, but in my weakened condition, I could barely raise my head.

Mike opened his mouth to say something, but stopped and glanced up and to the left. Wondering what had distracted him, I followed his gaze.

Crap, just my luck; I'm weak for the first time in since I came here and who happens to find me, a vampire. One of the very same vampires who've made my life a virtual cage since I came here.

I literally couldn't do anything for fear they would see or hear, now when I'm at my weakest they manage to find me.

I watched Edwards as he jogged across the parking lot at a human speed. It struck me as surreal, watching him move so slowly, for a vampire anyway, I'd grown accustomed to Phil defying the laws of Physics, seeing someone capable of doing the same thing hurrying at such a slow pace was slightly humorous. On second thought, it may have been the frustrated look on his face that made me want to smile.

I stared into his eyes, as he slowed to a stop and started speaking to Mike. The concern and sadness there affected me more than I was comfortable with. I wanted to comfort him somehow, do something to make him feel better. What is it about this boy that gets to me; I questioned myself before my world went black.