So here is my brilliant excuse: I FORGOT. Yes, I forgot about my one and only Fanfic. My bad. In my defense I got distracted with work, college, life and The Dresden Files. :) So to make it up I'll be sure to have at least two new chapters by the end of the week.. Promise

I straightened my skirt and blouse making sure to smooth out any creases, which was pointless since according to Leah the skirt was supposed to look wrinkled. I exhaled deeply as Leah once again fussed over my boring gray shoes, her words not mine, explaining that they didn't go with what she had in mind and instead held up a pair of stilettos. I gulped, stilettos and demigods don't go well together, and silently prayed for good ol' hostile Leah to come back.

We met two days ago when she accompanied Sue, her mother, to one of her weekly cups of coffee with Charlie. At first I had been taken aback by the strong aurora she seemed to radiate, one of power and resent, that I back tracked to my room when she finally laid her eyes on me. I have been in enough battles to know the look someone gets when they want to start a fight, and Leah was rocking it.

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Flashback

I sprinted towards the front door as soon as I heard the doorbell, desperate for any conversation not involving fish. Charlie was one catfish away from being introduced to Rayfinder. I swung open the door to find a young woman around her mid twenties, her glossy black hair and copper skin flaunting her exotic features, had I not known better I would have confused her for a daughter of Aphrodite.

"Umm.. I. Uh.. Hi? Umm... CHARLIE! THEY'RE HERE!" Smooth, I know. I mentally smacked myself and made a run for my room swearing I heard someone chuckle behind me. I know, I know I'm a coward but in my defense that girl had serious hostility issues. How did I know? Well if the cold hard stare she gave me wasn't enough to give me that impression, I could have gotten it from the way she sniffed the air around me with a disgusted face.

I lingered inside my room trying to buy time until Charlie called me down for dinner. I could have ignored him but I have never been good at disobeying, unlike my siblings I like rules and follow them to the letter. I put on my big-girl pants and trudged back towards the diningroom/kitchen.

Leah sat to the right of Sue a teasing smile playing with her lips as she met my eyes once more, "Coffee?"

"Uh, yeeaah?" My brilliance scares me sometimes. I sat at the head of the table with both Leah and Charlie at my sides. I let my eyes wander around the small room and met Sue's, she smiled a true genuine smile and turned towards her daughter, "See, I told you."

"Yeah, she has to meet Seth," Leah agreed.

"Huhh?" I'm telling you I should be qualified for Mensa.

"Charlie! Charlie! Come quick! HELP ME!"

"Stop being such a baby and stay still," Leah said disapprovingly and proceeded to pull on my hair again in an attempt to control it.

"So tell why I'm getting dressed up to go visit my cousin a few miles away?"

My new friend whacked me in the head with my brush, "because, you need to impress."

"Who? My cousin? I think she'll like me even with out these killer shoes and excuse me while I gag.." I made choking sounds for effect, " but is this much perfume necessary?"

"Yes, you stink," Leah deadpanned.

"Well.. pardon me ma'am but I'm not the only one!" I semi-jokingly stated, but truthfully I'm petrified. No one, I mean no one ever comments about my smell except monsters. I did a double-take on Leah, she doesn't look like a monster most don't besides I wasn't really kidding about her scent. She reeks of wet dog.

I halfheartedly giggled along with her, just because I haven't heard of a dog smelling, shapeshifting monster doesn't mean I won't keep a lookout.

Leah straightened my shirt once again and anxiously led me out of my room.

"Alright, let's go meet the Cullens."

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We rode in silence, the woods making any sort of awkwardness disappear. It's difficult to sulk when surrounded by such beauty, I was starting to understand why Charlie refused to leave this place. I sneaked a peek at Leah, she looked so natural in this setting and I had to smile when I saw the wistful look in her eyes as she gazed out the window.

Finally we pulled into a driveway worthy enough to land a small plane. Leah got out of the car with such grace that alongside her I must have resembled a drunken monkey.

I glanced up when I heard an unworldly voice rasp out my name and froze in place.

"Bella!" I think Leah called out in a greeting, but I wasn't completely sure. All I could think about was the height of my heels, the tightness of my skirt and the absence of my weapons. The monster must have felt my hesitation for she was suddenly surrounded by others of her kind and together they advanced towards me as I tried recall the name of her breed.

I stepped back and whispered loud enough for Leah to hear, "Empusa."

So what you think? Too short? Yeah, I suck.