Chapter Eight: Invitation.

"Act like a couple?" I repeated. Was he insane? If Nathan thought I was with someone else, he wouldn't consider even coming near me, never the less trying to steal me from Alec. I mean, did Alec even look at himself in the mirror? From the moment he set foot onto the school grounds he was pretty much the talk of the school; the envy of every guy and the lust of every girl. Even Brittany for goodness sake! Then again... Brittany clearly wanted him. So, Alec could lure Brittany away while I spoke to Nathan, right? I doubted Alec would take it that far. Considering he had said himself he saw no interest in her what so ever. I wasn't being funny or anything, but the moment he rejected Brittany I saw the shock on Amber and Mercedes faces and yet also the hope that maybe he'd be interested in them. Fat chance. If Brittany wasn't good enough, I highly doubted those two half-wits would be.

"Not full on as in swapping saliva," He scoffed. Oh, great. At least that was in the clear. "Just go along with what I say, alright? It won't be so hard. You'll have him eating out of your hands by this time next week, if we're convincing enough."

Next week? That quick? To think, this time next week I wouldn't be single. I'd have a guy, I'd have a prom date. I'd have my first real kiss from a guy. That would be the perfect leaving memory! Forks would be where my life actually started. If I got Nathan, I'd know I would be capable in getting anyone. I'd have the confidence in myself I lacked nowadays.

"By next week?"

He nodded, pulling his eyebrows up into a arch; obviously a look to entice me into agreeing. Not that he needed to give me that look. His words were already pulling me closer and closer.

"So, not a couple... But not not a couple?" I frowned, slightly confused. I needed to know everything if I were to sell it to everyone else.

"Pretty much. I'll seem interested," He started. Just that simple statement made me want to laugh. Alec interested in me? Aha. That was hilarious. "All the things a interested guy would try with a girl. Make it seem we're on the verge of a relationship. It'll push him into trying also,"

Alright, I think I got it. "So, I've to be flattered and oblivious to Nathan?"

"Yes. But not too oblivious. You don't want him to think you're not interested in him."

Oh god, no. I've always been interested in Nathan. Who hadn't?

"Okay, I'm in..."

Alec nodded, bringing his hand to the back of his neck, giving it a gentle scratch. "Right, so... Dinner time for the human's, right?"

I didn't need to ask how Alec knew of this. The scent filling the air was of cooked food captivating the corridors as it drifted out of the cafeteria. I was surprised as to why Alec wasn't wanting to gag. I nodded, adjusting my bag.

"Lets get going," I mused. He returned a gentle smile; nudging my arm ever so slightly.

"Don't worry. If he comes to suspect anything... I can rip his throat out."

"Alec," I hissed, slapping his arm. He chuckled, pushing his hands into his jean pockets. Alec had a strange way of joking, but I was beginning to enjoy it. I even couldn't resist smiling and holding back the giggle wanting to escape.

—xXx—

Sitting at the table, I noticed that Suzannah, Shannon and Ivy were sitting rather closely to Alec. Leaning in a all to little close. They obviously got a whack of his irresistible scent enough to knock you off your feet. Alec was sitting, spinning the water bottle top of my drink effortlessly on the table. The girls were watching him, in silence, even Ivy; which was a slight worry considering she never shut up.

Absent minded, I turned my attention towards the populars table. I caught Nathan's eyes in my direction. Maybe Alec was right. Maybe Nathan was interested in little ole' me. Nathan shared a smile; which I returned. Our smiles always were the same. They always meant the same thing. 'Hello.' That's all we ever got out of one another ever since the lunch when Brittany had come and pierced her claws into him yet again.

"I need a drink," Shannon suddenly said, causing my head to turn back to my group.

"Ditto," Suzannah added.

"Me too." Ivy added. All three stood up.

"We'll be back in a few minutes." Ivy announced, scurrying along with the other two. I didn't want to think why they were off to get a drink. Perhaps it was due to the fact Alec was playing with my bottle cap.

"So," Alec said, once we were alone again. "He's looking, isn't he?"

"He was.."

"Told you,"

I smirked, taking a bite out my sandwich. Chowing it down until it was mush, I swallowed it quickly. "Maybe you should take a bite of something... Too look more human," I suggested, receiving a glare in return.

"I'd rather spend one thousand years under Jane's illusion of pain than allow that dirt touch my lips."

"Ouch, harsh. What did the sandwich ever do to you," I smirked, rubbing my hands together to rid of crumbs. Alec, like most situations, rolled his eyes.

"Speaking of gifts," I slid in with much approval. Real smooth, Renesmee. Silent praise for myself later. "... What's yours like?"

"Mine?" Alec repeated, returning his eyes back to the cap and switching the direction of its spinning. "It feels like nothing."

"Alec, I'm serious."

"So am I. It feels like nothing. You can't hear, taste, smell, move, etc. It cuts off all scense. You float off into your own state of mind. No pain. No nothing. For all you know; you're dead already."

I blinked, leaning in ever so slightly. "Can you show me?"

Alec, looking up, watched me with intense eyes. His lip quirked by the tiniest bit, clearly intrigued by this thought.

"Now?"

I nodded, slowly. He stopped the bottle cap with one quick move, almost causing me to jump. He sat up, letting his eyes move around and then set on someone. "Alright. See that cafeteria woman,"

I followed his eyes to the target. This wouldn't hurt her. After all, it felt like 'nothing' right? "I see."

"Keep your eyes on her."

Three seconds ticked by.

Four.

Five.

"Nothings happening."

"Wait for it..." Said Alec, head up proud and smug. He knew exactly what he was doing. That's what kinda scared me. It wouldn't hurt her, would it? No, Alec said it felt like nothing. He wouldn't lie to me...

Seven.

Ei—

The woman, who had been carrying a tray of empty bottles and empty packets that stored food; fell to the floor, surrounded within the filth of others. With a sudden stir, everyone had jumped up to see to her. I, however, stood up onto the chair and peered over the crowd of heads. She was much like Alec's usual expression. Emotionless. No movement at all. To be honest, she looked dead.

"That's... Cool," I whispered, wide eyed. "How many people can you do at once?"

"This entire room if I wanted too."

I turned to him, jumping back down and staring right into his eyes. "Really?"

He nodded, rather proudly. "Would you like me to demonstrate that also?"

I shook my head, frantically. "No, no. One's enough."

Alec smirked, returning his eyes back to the bottle cap. Two seconds after his eye contact broke, the woman got up; unsure as to why everyone was surrounding her, why an ambulance was being called and why she was on the floor. It was pretty darn hilarious, if I was honest. I'd have to remember never to piss Alec off to the extent of him doing that to me. God knows what would happen. I'd probably wake up with my mouth sewn shut, considering it always seemed like I was the one who started the arguments.

"So," I said, picking bits off my sandwich again. "Wanna go to the park after school?"

Alec glanced up through his eyelashes, peering right at me. Oh, that heavenly look. His eyelashes were thick. Long. Brushing over his marbley skin.

"The park?" He repeated. "Are we four?"

I rolled my eyes, taking a bite. Who cared if I talked with my mouth open. Alec was the only one around, and I certainly wasn't trying to impress him. I made it clear we were stuck being friends; whether he liked it or not.

"Well, I'm going. You'll have to come with me because it's your mission."

"Oh, do I now?" Alec smirked, taking my bottle of water and putting the cap back onto it.

"Yup. You're like my puppy,"

There was a spark within Alec's eyes, devious and cunning. He had thought of a sarcastic comment. There was always that prying fire of light within those irises of his; even if the blaring red was fighting to be the dominant colour with the blue.

"Nice to know you have grown tired of the old dog,"

The left corner of his lip quirked up, revealing a playful half smile. A flare of heat rushed in over me. Whether that was anger about his comment about Jacob, or guilt for neglecting Jacob over the past few days, I wasn't sure. All I knew was I really didn't like that feeling. At all. Opening my mouth to speak, the silence was stolen by Shannon, Suzannah and Ivy returning from their delayed trip to the drinks bar.

"Did you see that? She just fell right to the floor!" Ivy practically squealed.

"I did see it. I hope she's alright..." Alec replied, giving me a cheeky glance. I had to hold back the giggle.

—xXx—

As the end of the day came; I was resistant to remember the last lesson. Gym. Of course, Alec couldn't of been in my class, considering it was all girls. But he was on the other side of the gym, with Nathan, Chris and the other laid backs and jocks. Blending in so nicely, like I had presumed he would. Never would I have thought he would have actually came to my school; but I guess Alec did that a lot. Well, with me anyway. Did the unexpected.

But Alec blended in all too well. In fact, he was actually making friends. If he was so adamant Jane wouldn't be so thrilled he and I are friends, I wondered what she would do with him being friends with a pack of humans. I figured she probably had the sarcastic gene he showed off most of the time. Come up with a comment like 'Didn't Aro tell you not to play with your food,'

It wasn't so much that he was making friends, because once you got past the hard, bitter, sadistic, evil shell and saw the real Alec, once he finally allowed you in; Alec was a pretty amazing guy. Though, I guessed he grew up a little too fast. In all means, he had too. He was turned into a vampire at a young age, became a part of the Volturi guard, got a reputation as a fierce fella and to top it all off; was expected to go through with missions of determining if people should live or not.

Nathan seemed to take a shinning towards Alec, though. He was patting his back and laughing at my last glance of them walking through the door to the guys locker room. Whatever he was saying to them all obviously was winning them over. They were all huddling around him, laughing, grinning. How he could come into the school and be probably as popular as Nathan by now, I'd never understand. Nobody gave me a second look, probably because I never gave them a reason too. But he did it so effortlessly, it made me think. Think to the extent of a headache. Was Alec a peoples person in his human years? Surely he had a lot of friends, due to the skills he had in making the entire football team, the laid backs and every girl swooning after him, eating out of the palm of his hands.

I pulled on my jumper, adjusting my hair afterwards.

"Alec's getting popular," Shannon said, pulling back her own hair. I rolled my eyes to myself. Sometimes, I believed those girls had the ability to read my mind. Ivy was the one to answer.

"I know. At this rate, Ness you'll be dating one of the populars!"

I swung round, frowning. "What?"

"Oh come on. That little scene between you and Alec in the corridor. Apparently, everyone was talking about it." She laughed.

Oh, crap. For a moment there, I thought she meant Nathan. For a moment, I believed Alec's plan in order to manipulate Nathan, well... more of push him into asking me out, was out of the bag! That was a close one.

"That was nothing. I had something in my eye..." I shrugged.

Suzannah laughed, her back to us all; since she was pulling on her top. "Yeah, and something in your hair."

Thanks, Zan. Put me in shit even more. I gritted my teeth, sitting onto the bench and putting my foot up. Taking the laces within my hand, I began to pull them tighter.

"It was nothing. Trust me. If something was going on between me and Alec, I'd tell you. For now... We're just messing around," I smiled.

—xXx—

—In the boys locker room—

"So, what's with you and the Cullen girl?" Chris asked, towel over his bare shoulder, while he pulled his sneakers on. Alec didn't look up as much. He was too busy pulling his black shirt on, mentally reminding himself to be quick. He could feel the contact lenses dissolving as the seconds ticked by. The venom was really working hard to vanish whatever was resisting Alec's eyesight. He hoped he could get out before the natural flare of his eyes returned.

"Renesmee and I?" Alec repeated.

"No, wait... I thought it was Reny," Nathan laughed, a hidden tone within his voice. Alec was quick to pick it out. Jealousy. He couldn't have been more pleased with himself, mainly because A; Renesmee had basically given him permission to lurk into Nathan's brain, learn everything that would drive him insane and B; he was getting the chance to... be a teenager? Something he hadn't gotten in his own human times.

"We're... close friends,"

"Please," Chris smirked; now pulling on his shirt. Seemed he had been roaming around with his shirt off the whole time while being in the changing room. How it was possible for a group of guys, mainly the ones still gelling their hair; could love their looks, he would never know. To attract the opposite sex, he figured. "Running your hands through her hair? Rejecting Britt for her? Sure you're not pulling our legs, A?"

A. The irritable nickname Chris had been calling him from the first few moments of their gym lesson together. Alec was tempted to call him 'dinner' in return, but decided against it. There would be no hurting anyone within Renesmee's school. He had promised her and was not a man who went against his word.

Alec, rolling his eyes, pulled the Volturi necklace back onto his throat. Instantly catching Nathan's attention; who put the towel down within a second and had the crest in his palm, examining it.

"Dude, this is sick. What is it?"

"My family's symbol." Said Alec, removing it from Nathan's hands and then putting it under his white tee-shirt once again.

"Is that a real ruby?"

Alec, arching a brow, nodded. He was about to ask why he would even think it was a fake, but then again; this human had clearly never saw a real jewel before. Whereas Alec had been around them for god knows how many centuries.

"So, Nate. You planning on asking Britt to the prom anytime soon?" Chris asked, taking his chance at the limelight again.

"Naah, I'm thinking of putting it off. I kinda have my eye on someone else,"

Alec's lips tweaked into a secret smile. This plan was coming together all to greatly.

"Oh, who?" Chris asked, obviously wanting to rate the girl on looks and see if he should try and talk his friend out of it.

"No one you know," Nathan muttered, giving a small glance towards Alec. Alec pretended he hadn't seen it, going along the lines of sorting the collar of his shirt.

The bell rang. Alec headed right for the door.

"Off to meet your darling Reny?" Chris mocked, toying. Alec scoffed, giving a shrug and walking backwards through the door.

"Someone's gotta'" was all he replied before the door swung shut, freeing him from his supposed newly found friends.

—xXx—

"The more you deny it, Nessie; the more we're going to believe you two have something going on,"

Ivy summed it all in one. No matter how much I tried to deny this little affair they thought Alec and I shared; it wasn't going to change their minds. They were adamant that he and I had something. Something I wasn't telling them. All in all, I wanted to spill the beans on what was actually going on. In fact, things would be much more easy if everyone knew what I was. What Alec was. What my family was. Then we wouldn't have to move. Granted, we may actually get run out of town with pitchforks and all that jazz, but at least I wouldn't have to lie to my best friends every waking moment. I was sure they would understand; after all... They were all Vampire diaries mad. Ivy and Shannon were head over heals for Damon, whereas Suzannah was the odd one out. She was completely and utterly devoted to Stefan. I wasn't as interested as I pretended to be, if I was completely honest. It was just something we always watched when staying at one another's houses. As you can probably imagine, Ivy and Shannon's walls were plastered with pictures of Damon, canvases scattering all over the four walls. Suzannah's was pretty much the same, but mainly with Stefan. I was sure they even went as far as reading the books and planning on saving money for buying tickets to a convention at least a few years away.

As I would have suspected, Alec was standing at the wall waiting on me. I smiled to myself due to getting away from their naggings on wanting to know what was going on. I'd finally have silence of that subject. In fact, I had the park to look forward too...

"Bye Nessie... Tell lover boy we'll see him tomorrow," Ivy purred in my general direction, pulling the driver side door open while Suzannah and Shannon packed into the back.

My heart stopped. Great. I knew who heard that...

I turned, letting out a breath and continuing my walk towards the immortal resting casually on the wall. Once I was close enough, I cleared my throat. "Have a nice day?"

"Surprisingly, yes."

"That's good, but I don't suppose you plan on coming back tomorrow," I could only hope. I really did prefer the routine of me going to school, coming home and then going to see Alec. Not him being at school with me, aggravating Mr. Yates. Coming up with plans to push along my love life. Become the hottest guy in school and even cause my best friends to become suspicious of us! There wasn't even an us. There could never be an us... right?

"On the contrary, lover boy is coming back tomorrow," He scoffed, jumping down off the wall. I groaned, walking right towards the stairs. Alec was quick to follow.

"Oh come on, Reny. It isn't so bad," He chuckled, "At least it's just 'lover boy' and not what those humans were saying to me."

I stopped, looking up to him. "What were they saying?"

"Your darling Reny,"

Chris. I knew it, right away. That was such a Chris thing to say.

"Nathan was getting jealous," Alec said, rather smugly to himself. "In fact, he's planning on asking someone 'they don't know' to the prom..."

My heart skipped a beat. "Really?"

He nodded. Before I could think, I had thrown my arms around him into a large embrase. Tightly, might I add. Alec just stood there, though. His face was blank, eyes wide. I backed up after a few seconds. "What's wrong?"

He blinked. Ha! It was usually me doing the awkward blinking thing. "What was that?"

"A... hug." I arched an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you've never gotten a hug before!"

"I can't say I have," He straightened out his shirt. "Please... refrain from doing it again. It's... weird."

"Oh yeah, hugging is weird but pushing me against a locker and giving me that eye thing you do isn't..."

Alec rolled his eyes, pushing his hands into his pockets. "We have a stalker," he said quickly.

Just as his words finished; the sound of Nathan's voice called out.

"Alec! Reny!"

Reny? Had he really called me that? I glanced to Alec, who was smiling smugly. Proud little git. Seemed his nickname was sticking. He was clearly happy with that. Did he really hate 'Nessie' that much?

"Hi.. Nathan," I whispered, putting a strand of hair behind my ear that had fallen loose. Alec nodded as a greeting.

"Hey.." He breathed, stopping right beside us. "Are you guys going to the new club getting open in Seattle tomorrow?"

Tomorrow? That was a little bit short notice. Why would he even consider asking us... Wait a minute. This club, Nathan asking. All the populars were going. Only the populars knew about it and Nathan was asking us, basically inviting us to go along too! This meant...

"There's a new club?" I asked. Alec was clearly none the wiser as to what I was planning on doing. I had a feeling it would take a little bit of convincing him to go along with it..

"Yeah, if you want.. We could all carpool?"

"Who's we, exactly?" I said, biting my bottom lip.

"Me, you, Alec, Chris, Mercedes, Brittany, Amber and your other three friends?"

Of course he didn't know their names... yet.

"Oh," I said, adjusting my bag on my shoulder. Alec took the liberty in taking the bag off my shoulder completely, holding it for me. Nathan eyed him, only for a short moment, but I saw it and I was sure Alec did also. What a great mental thought you just had Renesmee. Those two boxing right there in the parking lot, over who would hold your bag...

"The rest of the guys are meeting us there." Nathan quickly added.

I nodded ever so slightly, taking in the information. "Aren't we a little young to be going to a club," Strictly talking about me and you, Nathan. Alec's been legal age to do whatever he wants for centuries, I added mentally. I heard Alec's gentle scoff at my words. He clearly understood who I was aiming 'we' at.

"Nah, it's a underage night. It opened last night for the adults, this weekends for the teenagers to entice us to go when we're legal. Not to worry though," Nathan reassured, a cunning grin appearing on his lips.

"Amber used her charm," Oh, is that what you call it? "She'll be able to get us drink no problem. Can't have a real party without booze,"

"I don't know... My dad would never allow me to—"

"No bother. You don't have to drink. I don't think I will be either. My dad's got me doing runs at five am. He wants me to get started on this scholarship for college early."

"Oh, cool," I smiled. He laughed, bringing a hand to the back of his neck and scratching it ever so slightly. He bobbed his head for a nod. "Yeah, joys of having the coach as your dad,"

I let a small laugh pass, then nodded my head. "Yeah, sure. I'm sure the girls would love to come too,"

Nathan grinned in triumph. "Awesome. So, we meet here at five. Takes three hours to drive so we'll get there about eight. See you then?"

"You betcha."

Nathan backed up, grinning before turning and running back towards his group of friends waiting idly to the conversation that had just taken place. He high fived a few guys once he arrived.

Alec cleared his throat after the moments of silence he had just projected. I looked up to him, while he scoffed towards me.

"Don't say a word,"

"You betcha," He replied sarcastically. I groaned, making my way back towards the stairs. Alec was beside me the whole time. All I had left to do now was think on what I would wear and even more importantly, what Alec would wear...

A/N:

Oh. My. God.

I can honestly say I LOVE YOU GUYS! I ask for 55 reviews and return to more than 60? Thank you so, so, so, so, so MUCH!

How have you lovely guys been in my absence? I hope all is well!

Anyway, here is the longed for update! I hope you enjoy. More and more drama to come!

Review? If I get... 80 reviews, I'll update right away. No two day/three day waiting. Can we do that?

Thanks for waiting!

-C.H