Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

I stared absentmindedly at the patterns of the wooden table top in front of me, bored. I blocked out the voices that were all around me so that they subsided to a mere, background hum. It was especially useful that day, since everyone around me were all preoccupied with the arrival of a new student. She was just another human girl, so I didn't really see what all the fuss was about, but it didn't take much for humans to get worked up.

I looked around the cafeteria, hoping to catch a glimpse of the girl, to see if there was really anything special about her. I saw her sitting beside Amber Wilson, a girl that I had noted was rather reserved upon my family's arrival in Forks; while all the other girls in the school had scrambled for my attention or that of my brothers, Amber had not been the same way. I tilted my head to the side slightly as I took note of this new student. Well, I would gladly admit that she was beautiful…for a human. She was dark-skinned, and she had exotic-looking features, as if she came from the Middle East, or probably the tropics. That was probably why everyone was so excited, I concluded, realizing her name was appropriate; she had insisted everyone call her 'Tiana', the Tahitian word for 'beautiful', rather than her full name of 'Christiana'.

Amber glanced at me and then leaned over to whisper something into Tiana's ear. However, I was able to hear her even from where I sat.

"Don't look now, but I think Edward's looking at you…"

Edward Elric!? Where!?

I was confused by this, watching as the new girl looked around before her gaze rested on me, seeing that I was the one watching. I looked away when she noticed, feeling very rude for staring.

Oh…

I could tell she was embarrassed as she turned her attention to Amber, asking about us. "So…who are they?" Her voice was surprisingly pleasant: soft, shy, and delicate.

"The new girl is curious," I informed my family, my voice very low and fast.

Rosalie sniffed once, the only acknowledgement that she had heard me, but didn't really care; shallow, as always. Jasper shifted slightly, as if he were uncomfortable. Alice's eyes widened slightly in interest, and Emmett laughed softly.

She making it good? he asked.

"No, it's just the basics. I'm disappointed," I replied teasingly.

I heard Amber speak again. "I'm surprised Edward was actually looking interested in you. He seems kind of like a lone wolf, and he doesn't seem to really be interested in dating or anything." All of them seem fairly lonely…

The new girl glanced my way, and red stained her cheeks as she looked down at her food, clearly embarrassed that I had caught her staring. I looked away for a moment, fighting the sudden temptation that had overcome me. We hadn't hunted in a while…

But I had to look back at her when I heard her think, He's cute…before her mind became a jumbled blur of ideas for angels, romance heroes, and seductive villains. I smiled in amusement, realizing she was a writer, and had been inspired by my looks. She looked at me once more, but ended up blushing and looking away a third time. She returned her attention to Amber, attempting to be distracted by the conversation, but I heard her thoughts were still on me. I looked at my tray and began to play with a bagel, bored again, but still smiling.

Why are you smiling…? Alice asked, a slight tone of amusement in her voice.

"The new girl…" I replied, not giving them any further explanation.

Rosalie sighed, but I couldn't tell if she was disgusted or frustrated, or even both, before she stood and took her tray full of food—merely a prop—and glided away.

Should we go now? Jasper asked.

I nodded slightly and the rest of us stood to go to our next classes.

I sat down at my place in Mr. Banner's classroom, allowing my things to spill across the table. I looked up at the ceiling, feeling bored yet again, as the humans began to trickle in from lunch. I glanced towards the door when I heard Nicholas Kluth's thoughts.

Yes! Tiana's in this class! Hey…we've had all our classes together…That's awesome! I can probably ask her out…

Tiana's really nice…I think we'll be good friends…Amber Wilson thought as she entered the classroom with Tiana.

Realizing at once that the new girl would have to sit next to me, as there weren't any other seats available, I quickly gathered my things into a little pile in front of me. She glanced my way, yet again blushing and looking away.

"Ah, yes. Christiana McKay. The only place we have left is…yes. You'll be sitting next to Mr. Cullen," Mr. Banner said, glancing in my direction. I hope he'll actually let her learn on her own…

Tiana also glanced at me, her eyes widening slightly as her cheeks darkened. Wait, I have to sit next to him…!? Oh, I really hope I don't make a fool of myself…She came down the aisle to take her seat.

As she settled into her chair, the heater blew in my direction…her scent coming with it, and it hit me hard. I was staggered, overwhelmed by a wave of thirst. Her scent was so sweet, so inviting. For a moment, I wildly thought that it didn't matter there was an entire roomful of witnesses—I just wanted to taste her.

She glanced at me, her long braid flying in a small arc around her, sending another wave of her delicious scent into my face. I saw my face reflected in her eyes, and I looked away angrily. I sensed that she had, as well, and I chanced a quick glance at her to find that she looked hurt.

I felt a twinge of guilt, but it was overpowered by self-loathing, for her eyes had reflected the face of the monster that I fought to bury for decades. Her scent was like a cloud of perfume, stifling me with its sweetness, its temptation, as I registered the usual signals of hunger: the excess venom, the burning throat, the tightening of the muscles caused by the anticipation and yearning to spring into action, to begin the hunt…

I balled my hands into fists, fighting against the instincts of the predator. No. I wouldn't do it. I couldn't do it. My family had worked so hard to establish a life here, and I wouldn't ruin it by losing control and killing the twenty-some humans in the room.

The heater stuttered for a few minutes, stopping the flow of air that was bringing Tiana McKay's scent to me. I quickly breathed in the relatively untainted air, and managed to regain a bit of self-control. I wouldn't do it, I promised myself. I wouldn't force my family to run, and I wouldn't turn into the monster I hated so much.

I edged away further from her, going as far as the table allowed, turning my face away before the heater could start up again and place me in my own personal hell. She glanced at me before she looked straight down at the table, confusion furrowing her brow.

What did I do…? I just met him…!

I clenched my fists tighter. One little hour. I had to survive one short hour. I had to do it—if not for my sake, then at least for my family's. This mere human would not make me make the biggest mistake of my eternal existence. I took one last deep breath and held it, fighting the instincts just in time for the heater to start up again.

One hour…But more murderous thoughts entered my head as I thought of what I could do at the end of that hour. I could introduce myself and offer to take her to her class. I would use all of my charm and manners to enchant her, to make her say 'yes'. I would lead her to my car, saying I needed to get something I forgot, and then I could kill her, out of sight…

But then someone would notice her absence, and I would immediately fall under suspicion for being the one person she was last seen with.

Perhaps, instead, I could offer to take her home, and kill her there…But I didn't know what her parents' work schedules were like, and I couldn't risk them being home…Maybe I could lead her out to the forest instead…

I shook my head, scolding myself. I had to stop these thoughts, these impossible plans…I couldn't allow the monster hidden within me to take control.

The hour stretched on and on…And finally, finally, the bell rang. I immediately took off with my books, not caring if someone noticed my unnatural speed. Thankfully, however, they were all focused on the new girl, or on packing up their things and getting ready for their next class.

Instead of going to my next period, I went to my car, to hide like a coward. I needed to clear my head…

I slid inside, rolling down the windows and turning up the heater. I played a CD and leaned my head back against the seat, sighing with relief as my head cleared. I could still taste her scent on the tip of my tongue, but at least I was able to think clearly and sensibly now. I took in another deep breath, inhaling the untainted air, and decided that I had to avoid any similar incident at all costs. Turning off my car, I quickly headed to the main office.

I opened the door and approached the secretary. "Ms. Cope?"

She jumped slightly and looked up at me. She smoothed out the front of her shirt as she let out a small, nervous laugh. It's just a student…There's no need to be so jumpy…Shaking her head at herself, she smiled. "Yes, Edward?"

"I was wondering if I could make a few changes to my schedule?"

"What sort of changes?"

"Would it be possible to change Biology to a different study of science?"

She blinked a couple of times, confused. "Is there a problem with the class…?"

I should have known that she would have asked. It was only human nature to be curious, to try to pry. But, of course I couldn't tell her the real reason I wished to switch. "No, there's no problem…It's just that I already know the material…"

Of course. "I'm sorry, Edward, but it's a little full in the other classes…"

"I wouldn't cause any trouble," I said, fighting to remain calm and not let my irritation show.

No, I don't think he would… "I'm sorry, but I just can't—"

"Then could I drop the class and use for a personal study hall, or…" I trailed off, on the verge of desperation and my irritation growing.

"I don't think that's possible, Edward."

The door opened, but I didn't really register the person who entered. I leaned closer, forcing a pleading expression onto my face, momentarily cursing the fact that my eyes were currently black from thirst. "Please? I'll find some way to make up for it. There has to be something other than sixth hour Biology."

Ms. Cope was obviously flustered. I think I lost my train of thought…Oh, yes… "Well, I could talk to Mr. Banner, and see what he thinks, if you would like…"

The door opened again, and a cold rush of air entered the room along with one of the other female students bringing in a stack of flyers to Ms. Cope, the two exchanging a few words. As the student left, I slowly turned around, not because of her, but because the scent of the first person who had entered the office had carried with the wind. Tiana McKay was enclosed in that small, warm space with one other frail human and a hungry demon. Surely it would be better to kill two instead of one…?

Does he really hate me that much…?

No, I had to get out.

I whirled around to face Ms. Cope, trying very hard to fight my instincts. "Never mind. Thank you for your help, but I suppose it really is impossible. Good day." I turned again and stormed past the new girl, stirring the air so that her scent followed me outside. I was trembling with longing and anger, and was only briefly brought back to reality when I was hit by the refreshingly clear air outside.

I hurried to the Volvo and slid in, breathing hard as if I had been suffocating—which I may as well have been. My siblings stared at me in alarm.

What the hell happened? Emmett demanded.

Are you okay…? Alice asked cautiously, and I briefly registered the fact that my sister had probably seen me change my mind several times during sixth hour in regards to how I could kill Tiana McKay. Of course she would have been worried.

"Later," I growled, quickly pulling out of the parking lot before she could be there.

No, tell me now.

"You should know…" I muttered.

She stifled a sigh. Yes, but why?

"Alice…You weren't there…You didn't smell her…"

Was it that disgusting? Emmett teased, although it was quite possible that Alice had already told them about what I had almost done. Nevertheless, I didn't have the patience for his jokes.

"No, just the opposite," I snapped. I then sighed. "I need to go away for a bit…clear my head."

I'll miss you…Alice thought, and I could tell she was genuinely disappointed. You should probably tell Carlisle and Esme…

"I'll tell Carlisle after I get you home…But if I tell Esme, she'll try to stop me…"

Just drop us off here, Alice ordered, and I screeched to a stop. They got out and practically melted into the forest. I didn't waste any time in making a U-turn in order to find Carlisle at the hospital. He was there in a matter of minutes, but he stopped when he saw my face.

What happened?

I quickly recounted the day's events. "So I'm leaving for a little bit…I might head up to Denali and visit Tanya's coven…"

Carlisle nodded sympathetically. I understand. Take the Mercedes. We traded the keys for our cars. Take care, my son.

I gave him one last look before I left. The sound of the tires squealing against the pavement as I sped out of town seemed like a painful reminder of the shame and anger clawing away at my insides.