THE CALLIE SWAN SAGA

NEW MOON : IN FINE FEATHER

WRITTEN BY MELISSA ROSENBERG

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY STEPHANIE MEYER

ADOPTED AND ADAPTED BY REGALGIRL94

CHAPTER ONE

BIRTHDAY WISHES

"For death begins with life's first breath. And life begins at touch of death." John Oxenham.

If it is true that life begins at touch of death, then my life began when Victoria almost killed me. And Bella's life began when James almost killed her. Everyday I found myself feeling my crescent shaped scar on my shoulder through my clothes.

I was chasing yet another animal. But it wasn't a deer this time. It was a bat. I made the connection though. I yelled out, "Jasper!"

I was determined not to trip. I tried to get Jasper to stop flying away. He was supposed to stay and protect me. Like the big brother I never had.

I heard a growl behind me, but I didn't look. I had to get to Jasper. "JASPER!"

Despite my determination, I did trip. I fell to the ground and grunted in pain. I looked up from my hands and knees, "Jasper!"

But the bat flew away, and faded into the darkness. I heard the growl behind me rumbled deeply and turned to see my wolf. I stared into his almost-black-but-brown eyes and felt myself start to get lost.

"What am I going to do...?"

The wolf didn't answer. It just looked at me. Then it started backing away.

"No. Don't go."

It turned on its paw and trotted away from me. And I couldn't chase after it.

"Come back-"

The dirt floor fell out from under me and I fell into fire.

I shot up into a sitting position, panting. My skin felt sticky with dried sweat and heated. Out of instinct I felt my scar on my shoulder. It always felt many degrees colder than my other skin. My mind flashed back to Victoria. I hoped I never heard from her. But she escaped.

I let out a deep breath that I had been holding. I got myself out of bed and got dressed and ready for school. Then I remembered, it's Bella's birthday. Her eighteenth to be exact. Ha, she was whole year older than Edward now. Well he was like 150 years older than her so it's moot point.

I picked up my present, a box filled with past pictures and scrap booking equipment. I conspired with mom and dad.

When I walked up the stairs, dad was walking down them. He smiled at me and kissed the top of my head before continuing down the stairs. The door was open to Bella's room so I just walked in, "Hey old lady," I smirked. All the more to annoy her with.

She glared at me, "You and Charlie aren't funny."

I rolled my eyes, "Spoil sport. Here." I held out the box to her.

She groaned and took it. When she opened it and sifted through all that was inside she looked up at me awkwardly, "Thanks."

I shook my head, "Come on we gotta head to school."

I pulled up by Bella's truck as usual. When I got out I heard Bella saying, "I can help you with it – but first.." she pulled out her camera, "I need a picture. My mom's expecting a scrapbook full of memories."

Angela blushed embarrassingly and held up her own camera, "I take 'em, I'm not in them."

But Eric put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in. Jessica arranged her hair, "You'll photo shop my nose if it looks big, right?"

I rolled my eyes at her as Eric called out jokingly, "Don't worry, I'm in the picture; no one will be looking at you guys."

Jessica scoffed at him, Angela pointed her camera at Bella, Mike and Eric joust and Tyler was just walking up when Bella took the picture.

Angela looked at me then took Bella's camera, "Now one of you two."

I looked behind me to see if Edward arrived. Nope. Not yet. I turned back to see Angela looking at me. I raised my eyebrow, "Me?"

Angela laughed, "Yeah, you. Let's get one of the two sisters."

Both me and Bella blushed but we stood by each other anyway and smiled for the camera. Angela shot a picture with Bella's camera and her own. Then we saw she was looking behind us.

This time when I turned lo and behold there was the Edward Cullen getting out of his Volvo. That's not conspicuous at all... sarcasm.

"Oh good," Mike drawled, "Cullen's here."

Jessica dryly agreed, "Yay." The friends moved off.

Edward walked up to Bella just as Tyler walked up to me. Oh yeah, we're dating. A couple weeks after the prom, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I said yes, I guess. I knew he wouldn't hurt me.

He didn't hold any power.

Tyler smiled adoringly at me, "Hey baby."

Ugh. I hated that pet name. Baby. It sounded so cheap.

But I smiled anyway, "Hey."

He smiled at me, "Ready for your junior year? Almost done," he teased.

I smirked at him, "You're a senior, dude. You're closer to the end than I am."

He playfully glared at me, "Smart Alec."

Just then I heard, "Bella!"

I looked to see Jacob walking up to Bella and Edward walked up to me. He smiled down at me, "Hello Callie."

"Hey Eddie." He always smiled and chuckled when I called him that. I think me calling him that made him feel like I truly accepted him.

Jacob jogged up to Bella.

Bella gasped at him, "God, Jacob, you know steroids are really bad for you?"

Jacob grinned, pleased with impressing Bella, "Wouldn't seem so drastic if you came around more."

"I will," Bella promised, "But isn't your school like, ten miles that way?"

Jake held up a used car part, "Just here buying this for the Rabbit. I'm almost done with the rebuild. Gotta come take a ride when it's done." Then he pretended like he just remembered, "Oh, and hey, happy birthday. Your dad told my dad. So..." He pulled a small woven dream catcher, feathers dangling from it. He handed it to her. "I saw it the other day and thought of you – it catches bad dreams."

Bella took the dream catcher gingerly from his head, "This is... actually kinda perfect. It's great."

Edward had his hand on my shoulder and walked us to Jacob and Bella, Tyler on my heels. "The bell's about to ring."

Lo and behold the bell rand just then. Jacob gave Edward a sarcastic smile, "Ooh, look at you, all psychic."

"I don't have that particular gift. But I can read a watch. I'm clever that way," Edward idly smiled.

Bella squeezed Jacob's arm, "Bye, Jake. And thanks again."

Edward guided her off. Jacob glared at their backs before looking at me and smiling, "Hey, you coming down to the rez this weekend?"

I nodded curtly, "Yeah."

Jacob grinned awkwardly, "Embry will be excited. See ya then." And with that he walked away.

Tyler put his arm around me, "I'll walk you to class, baby."

I nodded and walked with him, not saying anything. Classes passed by like minutes. But in third period I was called up to the office. I passed the office aid and went right into Principal Walker's office. I took in the sight of the slightly balding and robust man sitting at his desk and stood in the doorway, "You wanted to see me?"

He looked up, startled – I can be very quiet when I want to be – and stammered, "Yes, yes, come on in. Close the door, take a seat."

I lightly closed the door and took a seat in one of the plastic chairs.

"It is my understanding that you are quite advanced in your studies," He stated.

This wasn't news to me. I was way smarter than any old junior. I used to play soccer for school but it all went down the drain after my diagnosis. When you're depressed, you don't have a drive to do much else to do besides studying. Ergo, I'm an advanced student.

So I nodded, "Yes."

He mumbled to himself and then started, "I would like to place you in senior level classes. And I would like to do this soon so we can get you on track to graduate with the senior class in the spring."

I totally didn't hear a word he said after 'senior level classes'. "...what?"

He chuckled, knowing I must have been shocked, "I want you to skip junior year. I believe that you can be successful and go to college next fall."

I raised my eyebrows, "You're serious?"

He chuckled again and nodded, "Yes I am very serious. What do you say?"

I couldn't speak for a couple minutes and just stood there gaping at him. But eventually I got my wits about me and stammered, "Yeah, I'll do it. um.. thank you?"

"It's no problem Miss Swan. Just go out and ask Mrs. White for your new schedule."

Mrs. White smiled joyfully when I came over, "Here you go dear. It's so nice to see young kids so dedicated to their education."

I nodded amiably and walked to my new fourth period.

Then lunch came.

The Cullens had successfully integrated with humans in the form of Bella's friends and my... boyfriend. When I told them that I was skipping a grade they were all excited for me, Angela especially.

Jasper kissed my forehead as usual. And as usual Tyler's hand gripped mine tightly. He was always jealous of every guy friend I had. Jasper and I had grown closer and closer. We were like brother and sister. People liked to spread rumors that we were having a passionate love affair behind Alice's back. But that couldn't have been farther from the truth. And Alice knew that. So no harm ever came from these rumors.

I had also gotten closer to Angela. She was always so nice to me and always eager to listen to my problems. She always played mediator and she never took sides. But she always had an opinion about an issue and saw the rational side of everything. She saw the big picture and didn't dwell on the gossip or details.

We'd always talk before or after school and even at lunch if we sat near each other. I liked having her as a friend.

Another person I had grown closer to is Rosalie. After she saved my life and prevented me from becoming a vampire, I had felt I had a sort of debt to her. But she spent all the time she had telling me how much I didn't and how much she didn't regret it. She was like a big sister to me now.

Alice had told me about Bella's party. I didn't believe her at first. How did she get Bella to agree to this? But it's hard to argue against a future seer.

Alice had forced me to go to her house to help set up for the party – even though she did all the work in ten minutes – and to get into a knee-length red dress. Ugh. (link on profile).

Soon it was dark out and the party had started. Emmett was out installing a new stereo system in Bella's truck. Rosalie was standing still against the wall, but she managed a small smile for me. And a bigger one when her husband came in. Alice flitted around the room, finalizing everything. Jasper stood by the piano, his arm around my shoulders. Carlisle and Esme stood in the corner whispering to each other like first loves.

Suddenly Alice left, then returned tugging a reluctant Bella to the top of the landing, Edward right behind her. The living room housed hundreds of pink candles and rose-filled crystal bowls. The Cullens – and me – gathered slightly to look up at the birthday girl. Smiling warmly – sans Rosalie.

Bella looked ready to disappear but Edward dragged her down the stairs. Esme hugged Bella tightly – not too tightly – and then let Carlisle hug her, "Sorry about all this. We tried to rein Alice in."

I for one loved it. A celebration was what we all needed.

Esme smiled, "Like that's even possible. Happy birthday, Bella."

There was a flash! Alice snapped a picture of Bella with her camera, "Found it in your bag. Mind?"

Bella shook her head. Emmett moved to Edward's side and nudged him, "Dating an older woman. Hot."

Bella faltered at that. Edward gave Emmett a look but he didn't get it, "What?"

Rosalie stepped forward and shoved a silver package at Bella, "It's a necklace. Alice picked it out."

Bella offered a small smile. Alice flitted over to her and Edward and held up the camera, "Show me the love!" Edward pulled Bella into his side, looking deeply into her eyes. Alice took the picture. "For your scrapbook. Now open your presents!"

Alice dragged my sister over to a table piled with elaborately wrapped gifts and a huge cake with a stack of china plates.

"Alice, Callie and I are the only ones who even eat the cake. That thing could feed fifty."

"Hope you're hungry! Here, this one's from Emmett." Jasper and I stood away from the group, I could tell he was being cautious. I leaned up and quickly kissed his cheek, letting him know that everything would be okay. He smiled thankfully at me. I laid my head on his shoulder.

Bella opened the gift to find an empty car-radio box. Emmett grinned excitedly, "Already installed it in your truck. Finally a good stereo system for that piece of-"

"Don't hate the truck," Bella said.

"Open mine!" Alice chimed in. She handed her a box. Bella started to open it but she cut her finger on the paper, "Ouch – paper cut."

A drop of blood fell from her finger.

I felt Jasper's arm tighten almost painfully around my shoulders. I felt another pair of arms wrap around me – Esme – and pull me away just in time. Jasper lunged out towards Bella, teeth bared, eyes black.

Edward flung Bella behind his own body. She crashed into a glass table.

"JASPER!" I yelled, trying to get his attention. But Jasper slammed into Edward, thunder clapped.

Edward pushed him away, hard. Jasper flew backward hitting the grand piano. He jumped back to his feet, ready to lunge again.

Stupidly, I reached out to him, "Jasper, calm down. You can fight this."

But when I got his Jasper's way, he wasn't listening. He flung me into the side. And I crashed into the wall behind the presents table. When I bounced off the wall and I fell, I hit my head on the side of the wooden table.

I blacked out.

I don't know how long it was before I woke up. But I did wake up. I was laying down on one of the many beds in one of the many rooms. I groaned and opened my eyes. When I did, I saw Jasper and Carlisle leaning over me worriedly – Jasper more so.

I tried to sit up but Carlisle had to help me up and placed me against the head board. "You suffered a minor concussion. I don't recommend any strenuous activity for at least a week."

"No problem doc." I smirked mischievously.

Carlisle smiled, "When you get home, get some rest. I know you actually do sleep now a days. Forks has been good to you."

I nodded in agreement, "It has."

Carlisle excused himself then.

Jasper was standing inhumanly still against the wall on the far side of the room. I stood up slowly, "Jasper..."

"I could have killed you," he interrupted me, obviously pained, "You and Bella. I'm a monster."

"You know that's not true," I argued, my voice hard and bitter.

"Yes it is," Jasper growled, his accent becoming more pronounced.

"No!" I shouted, loudly. "No it isn't. You are not a monster. You are a vampire who isn't used to being constantly around humans. And Bella's blood was practically out there for the taking."

"I should have had more control," Jasper whispered.

I walked up to him and put my hand on his face, "How can you expect to have control with so little exposure? You spent centuries drinking human blood. Then you suddenly switch to a strict animals-only diet. You've never slipped up before. And it must have been the hardest thing in the world. One little blimp on the radar doesn't count. It was nothing."

"No matter what you believe, we're leaving," Jasper whispered painfully.

I almost didn't hear him – almost refused to hear him. I gaped at him for who knows how long. "...what?"

"We're leaving Callie. My family and myself. Edward decided almost immediately." Jasper said with a blank expression.

My hand fell from his face, "What the hell are you talking about? Leaving! You can't leave!"

Jasper looked at me, his face carefully blank. He was trying not to show any emotion.

"If Edward leaves Bella, she'll never be the same! What is she going to do? What is she – what am I gonna do? You guys are my family! You can't just leave and drop out of my life!"

Jasper sighed through his nose, "We have to leave, Callie. We're a danger to you."

"Have you even thought that I'm a danger to myself! I've battled depression for two years now. And it's because of your family and Embry that I got pulled out of it. I'm not completely healed but I need you here so I can be."

Jasper let his blank facade fall and an expression of anguish took over his face, "It's not my choice, Callie. Edward wants to protect Bella. We have to go."

"You don't. Don't go." I whispered.

Jasper's face grew hard again, "We're leaving. But promise me you won't regress. Unlike Edward, I won't completely abandon you. I can't. I'll be in touch. And maybe when I have more control, I'll see you again. I promise."

I felt tears start to pool and fall from my eyes, "Swear." I held out my pinky.

Jasper let a half grin break into his lips and he looped his little finger with mine, "I swear, darling."

A week later the Cullens left.

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