The next few days of school were the calm before the storm. Having gotten acquainted with the Cullens and their scent, it was far easier to cope. Alice did approach me on the second day, but received the same welcome and in a sense 'gave up' for the rest. While I had noticed the love-sick puppy Edward and his human interest getting closer, it was indeed the least of my worries.

No ideas had come to me regarding the war torn Jasper and the impending realisation of his lack of mate. I had unfortunately come to the conclusion that there was nothing that could be done short of finding his proper mate, and that would end up being worse than just letting he events unfold. So I decided to do nothing.

As soon as I arrived at school I could sense immediately that the pixie Alice had seen the vision, for I could feel the frustration of the both of them. I also knew that I would no longer go unnoticed. Since this called for special measures, I once again grabbed the closest human and sprinted straight into the closest closet. The four periods went by without a hitch, as the Cullens did not attend them with me. However, I knew that Lunch would be the deciding factor.

And I wasn't wrong. I am never wrong.

Sitting on the table in the corner, my senses were heightened exponentially, as I never desire surprises. For the first few minutes the only abnormal activity was the fact that love sick Cullen had chosen to sit with his human rather than his clan, and talk of a missing student. However, the peace did not last. For Jasper, who had previously noticed that my feelings could not be felt, was slowly getting more and more anxious to find the one whose feelings would not affect him. Even quieting my heartbeat did nothing to stop his need to find me. Eventually he noticed me in the corner.

Even though I was properly prepared, the sudden movement shocked me. In the split second I had left I decided to lead him outside, away from humans, as his control will have severely decreased and he may draw unwanted attention in our direction. So I headed for the woods, with him hot on my heels. As soon as the safety of the trees enveloped both of us, I faced the vampire.

"Good afternoon," I said as politely as I could while trying hard not to take in air. For the forest, while providing cover, increased the scent of vampire to levels that I could barely cope with.

At first he refrained from uttering a single word, basking in the fact that for the first time he does not have to cope with a flurry of emotions. Yet soon his curiosity overcame his emotions.

"Good afternoon," he replied, just as polite as I was being. The southern accent was unmistakeable, and it did not take long for me to make the connection between his scars and the infamous southern territory wars that the vampires had over one hundred years ago.

To keep up the human mask, I asked the question that all humans do, "Are you alright?"

While the pained smile that he gave was already an indication that any human would pick up, he replied in the same human manner, "I'm fine. It's just my family. They can get a bit much."

I decided to be, in a sense, honest. "Oh. I would not know, being an only child."

His smile was dazzling. "Then you are lucky. There are times when I wish I was too, especially with relatives such as Rosalie and Emmett." He stops and considered for a moment. "Actually, those two I can deal with, as I have done so for a while. No it's Edward and his new girlfriend who annoy me the most."

Knowing the cover story; that they were adopted, but that the blond beauty Rosalie and this scarred Jasper were actually related, I decided to join in with my own dislike of the puppy and his human. "Yes, I would say so as well. From what I know of your brother and his girlfriend, their blooming love for each other really would drive someone like you up a wall in annoyance." I understood that at this point in time the pixie was a sore topic, and certainly one that I had no desire to get into. Therefore, I refrained from mentioning her.

However, he had picked up on a point that I had somewhat carelessly approached. Smiling, he inquired, "And what do you mean when you say 'someone like me'?"

I was not one to get flustered by mistakes of any sort, and took the question in stride, careful to avoid more sensitive issues, "Someone who prefers solitude rather than attention, who likes to keep to himself."

Now smiling broadly, he asks, "Someone perhaps like yourself?"

A slight smirk found its way on my face, "Perhaps..."

However, instead of staying playful, he takes this response as an invitation for him to approach the more sensitive topic. With a sigh, he sits down on a fallen log. "Then maybe you will understand and be able to help." He looks at me. "You know Alice?" After a nod of conformation from me, he continues, staring at the ground. "For a while now I have really felt like I met the one. I thought we would be live the rest of our lives happy together. But now it has come to my attention that it was. It meant to be after she told me that she had a..." He abruptly pauses, realising he was about to reveal the secret of his true identity. I made sure to show no changing emotion on my face, lest he figure out that I know, or get afraid that he broke his cover and leaves. He continues. "...that the relationship did not feel real anymore. Lately I must confess that this train of thought has also run through my mind. But when she said this, it truly was over. So my question is, what should I do now. How do I continue living when the best thing in my life is now gone?"

The last two questions he asked while looking directly at me, as if he expected me to have the answers. But I had no clue, for I had never been in love, and did therefore not know the sting of a truly broken heart. And yet I attempted to give him some. "One foot in front of the other. I cannot promise you that the pain will go away. But I can tell you this: One day you will meet the one. I promise."

He hugged me then, comforted and hopeful.

But I took a breath, and the scent of vampire flooded in and overtook and thought processes. It became all I could think about

Oh no...