Chapter 7 – Alice

Alice's POV

She was the new girl.

The new girl that everyone was talking about.

The new girl who, according to Edward, everybody was thinking about.

I hadn't given her much thought until the day I found myself looking at her through the window of the school canteen. Quite often, I didn't take that much of an interest in anyone at Forks high school. Sometimes, if I saw someone wearing something I liked, my interest was fuelled, but only marginally.

But that day, well – I knew that day was going to be different. On my way to school I'd had a vision, broken and fragmented, it appeared I would be sitting with the new girl in biology, but I didn't actually know what she looked like… until now.

As soon as I'd got to the door, something had held me back from entering. My eyes had taken a quick scan of the room, and seemed to rest naturally on her. I could only see the back of her, long chestnut hair tumbling around her shoulders. She was looking down at something, but I couldn't make out what. Moments later her head turned as she glanced around the room, and I saw her properly for the first time.

I was immediately aroused and fascinated by her.

I'd entered the canteen, and joined the rest of my family with my usual gaiety, my eyes never leaving her. When her chocolate brown eyes met mine, I was compelled to smile and the slash of red that appeared across her cheekbones….

I felt flattered.

And then confused.

No human had stirred any form of emotion in me before. The feeling was fresh, felt pleasurable, and I knew from that moment on, I had to know her better…

Of course, things seldom run smoothly, more so for a vampire like me. My step had quickened on the way to Biology; finally, I would get to meet her. But being so close had fuelled not only my desire, but my hunger. Now I knew how hard it was for my brother, Jasper. I had always kept my yearning for blood under control, and then she'd sat next to me…

The craving, the longing and lust had hit me with such a ferocity I was left reeling.

I wanted her, wanted to taste her blood…the desire had mounted; I could smell her intoxicating scent…

I'd moved away from her, and I knew my actions had caused her some discomfort, which in turn caused me discomfort. She didn't understand my behaviour, but then neither did I.

As soon as the bell had sounded, I'd bolted, like a coward. All of my senses were heightened by her. The urge to lean over and taste her exposed neck had shocked me, but the desire to claim her lips with my own had overwhelmed me more.

Taking a few weeks off school had been Carlisle's suggestion.

I could see that both he and Esme were concerned. Edward, it seemed, couldn't read her thoughts which both fascinated and intrigued him. Carlisle seemed a little worried; Rosalie seemed almost livid and couldn't understand my fascination with a 'mere human'. Emmet had teased me, but I expected that. Jasper had kept silent when everyone else was present; he knew me better than the rest of them and only mentioned 'her' when we were alone together. I knew I could rely on him, and his words, though cautious, were soothing. He had faith in me, he had said. And he knew I would find a way to be me again. Esme had sat with me, asking gentle questions – some I could answer, many I could not. Taking my hand in hers she given it a slight squeeze, "you can't help your feelings Alice" she has said, adding "I would like to meet Bella one day". I realised I desperately wanted that too.

For two weeks I had fed like never before, but still I yearned for her. But as the days passed, so too did my mania; I began to realise I could control my desires, that I was merely craving to be near her. Jasper helped, projecting calmness towards me whenever I felt myself going slightly crazy. And when he had handed me her notes and I'd sat on my bed and read through her words… I felt that bit closer to her, even though it was merely pen and paper.

And then I'd read her poem.

And I found myself smiling, and hoping – hoping her words were about me. And without really thinking, I'd scribbled a note on the bottom.

And then I'd had a vision. Chief Swan, hugging his daughter, murmuring that the storm would soon pass. Her voice, a little shaky, replying that she would be "just fine dad" and that she "wasn't a child anymore" but I knew… she still feared them.

As soon as I heard the first 'crack' of thunder, I knew my destination. I'd walked towards the door and found it blocked by the huge frame that was my brother, Emmet. His usual goofy smile was gone; instead he wore a worried expression.

"I know where you're going Alice" – his voice was quiet, as if he didn't want anyone else to hear but me.

"I have to" came my reply. I didn't know if he was going to stop me. If he tried, he would have probably succeeded, but instead he stepped to one side.

"I know" he'd said, adding "be careful sis".

I had merely nodded, and walked. Then I thought of Rosalie and how pissed she would be…"Emmet, please don't tell…"

He'd cut me off "Rosalie"? He asked.

"Yes".

Had I the right to ask him that? They were soul mates, they shared everything...

Emmet's face had then changed to his usual grin, without another word he had swung me up into a bear hug and whispered "tell her what"?

Sometimes, Emmet had the ability to shock me. I kissed his cheek. "Thanks bro".

It hadn't taken me long to get to her. I'd stood, looking down at her restless form. I wasn't certain how my need would react to being so close to her again, and I was pleasantly surprised. Oh, the craving was there, I knew instinctively that it would never subside, but I knew I could control it.

She looked so beautiful.

I knew she was dreaming, I felt myself getting closer and without realising, her name had escaped my lips. She was my catalyst. My incitation and motivation for existing. The questions Esme had asked me before formed in front of me as pieces to a jig-saw that were slowly being pieced together.

Her eyes had fluttered open and looked up at me hazily, and she had smiled. A compelling smile that penetrated my state of mind.

I wanted to stay, like that, all night. But her eyes had then blinked a few times, as if to gain focus, and I knew it was time to go. Half-asleep and groggy Bella may have smiled at me, but fully-awake and alert Bella would have wondered what the hell I was doing in her room. So, resentfully, I had left – so too did the storm.

I knew then that I had to go back to class, I had to see her and speak to her – I had to be me.

And that's exactly what I had been. Having her talk to me, and smile with me...had my heart been able to, it would have skipped a beat when she laughed. I was bewitched, aroused and fascinated by her. I knew I wasn't the only one interested in her; and it bothered me when Mike had sauntered across the room at the end of class. I wasn't the jealous type. I knew Bella didn't feel anything for Mike, her body language was so expressive… but I was envious. I'd seen him with her, seen him touch her… I wanted that, more than anything… and it may have happened…

Until sister dearest had turned up. She'd demanded to know what game I was playing, that I was acting out of character, getting too close to the "human", putting our family in danger…

I'd had a vision that she would turn up, so I'd left the poem for Bella, hoping she would see it, read it, and want to spend more time with me.

The day had passed; I hadn't seen Bella again despite looking out for her. And now here I was. At home. Sat, listening to Edward as he played a haunting melody on the piano. It seemed to match my mood.

And then I'd had a vision; Bella, at the hospital with my father, her blood on his hands… vampires don't often feel fear, but the possible impending danger to Bella was too much to bear.

I dashed out of the room, only to come across Rosalie and Esme.

"Let me guess" Rosalie had almost hissed, "You're going to see the new girl".

Esme had placed a hand on Rosalie's shoulder, "Do what you have to do Alice" she said. I smiled.

"What exactly are your intentions towards her Alice" Rosalie had continued. Had she asked me that before, I wouldn't have known what to say, but now the answer was clear.

"To make sure she is okay, Rosalie"

And I knew, deep down, I would ensure she would always be okay.