~If a human knows of the vampire's existence there's only two paths from there. Turning or death. And I didn't fancy either.~

CHAPTER TWO - DAZZLED

The annoyingly loud alarm blasts next to my ear, startling me from a peaceful sleep—probably the last one I'll have for who knows how long. I slam my hand down on the radio, silencing the alarm and heading to the bathroom. I purposefully set my alarm earlier than Bella's so I could be ready before her and we didn't fight over the bathroom. I usually showered at night but a hot shower before arriving at a new school would help soothe my nerves. I knew dad was gone for work, he usually left at the ass crack of dawn. I took a long, hot shower, still trying to convince myself it was the best choice to come here for Bella's happiness, the sister who always seemed to sacrifice everything for our hair-brained mother and me. When I had extreme panic attacks and depressive episodes as a child it would always be Bella who stayed by my side and slept in my bed to keep the nightmares at bay. The nightmares were really just flashbacks of my past life and it was too hard to remember them for the longest time. I had no idea how to cope with everything and so I shut down or broke down instead.

I shut the water off, ringing my hair out and wiping any remaining water from my face before taking a large breath. I quickly dry off and head to my room, hearing Bella's one alarm start blasting. I take my time getting ready, not very hungry, not that I ever really am when I first wake up. I check the mirror, my eyes lingering on the face that has become mine the last eighteen years. It was my senior year and I had not a single clue what I was going to go to college for. Despite the passion I remember holding for my previous major, my ambition was now lacking. I still held a loving passion for animals but it was hard to go into a field I wasn't fully into, especially when it came to potentially saving lives. Dad and mom seemed fine with me taking a year off after graduation, honestly I think they're just scared of me having more breakdowns despite it being years since they've ever had to witness one.

I grab my phone and backpack, sliding my feet into my brown loafers and head to the kitchen to make coffee. Twenty minutes later, Bella hops down the steps, peeking into the kitchen and letting out a very audible, relieved, sigh at only seeing me. I raise an eyebrow as I raise my mug to my lips, "You know, dad will notice how much you hate being here if you continue to act like that."

Bella swings her head towards me, trying to play it off innocently, "What do you mean?"

I set my now empty mug in the sink, "You know what I mean. I think you'll actually enjoy it here, Bells. I think a small town is much more us, Phoenix was just so overpopulated."

Bella nods as she grimaces remembering the hundreds of kids that made up our old school, grabbing an apple and gesturing to the door, "You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." I grumble, my nerves getting the best of me. This could very well be my last day of living if Edward were to hear my thoughts.

I follow Bella to the door, letting her get in the truck to start it while I put on my coat and lock the door. When I get in the truck, the heat is on full blast, making me hum in delight. "I'm glad you're letting me drive. You're driving is terrifying. It's amazing you got a license before me." Bella snorts.

"It's not that bad." I mumble, pouting at her. "I am older, you know."

Bella just hums, "That doesn't automatically make you a better driver."

Pulling into the nearly empty parking lot gave me chills and I pointed to an open spot by the office doors, or what I assume are the office doors. Bella slides into the spot easily, parking the killer beast. "Let's get our schedules and then park closer to the main doors." I suggest as I hop out of the truck.

We walk inside, it's a small, brightly lit office that seems to be blasting heat constantly as I almost start to sweat while in my warm coat. I noticed a woman who didn't seem busy and approached her desk, the plaque reading Ms. Cope. She glances up as we both stop in front of her desk, surprise flashing in her eyes. I put a sweet smile on my face, my acting skills kicking in, "Hello, we're Vega and Isabella Swan. We've come to collect our schedules."

She grins back, "Oh, of course! Let me get those for you girls!" It doesn't take her anytime to grab two folders, each with our names scribbled on them. "Here you go. There's a map in each of the folders, both are marked with your classes in case you need help finding them. There's a slip in there that you have to get all your teachers to sign and bring it back at the end of the day."

I grab the folders, handing Bella hers while I check mine. First was English 12 with Mr. Honmer. Next was Spanish with Mrs. Groff—it wasn't a class I needed but they wouldn't let me take two free periods and they didn't offer French. Then Art with Mrs. Klintz. Finally lunch, followed by Physics with Mr. Macdemellin. After is U.S History with Mr. Jefferson—I nearly snorted reading the name, it was a class also unneeded, as it was already taken in Phoenix but they didn't offer another senior history class. Gym second to last. And finally, my free period. Which sucks because I have to wait for Bella to finish school. Maybe I should look into getting my own car. Bella taps my arm, letting me know she's ready, "Thank you, Ms. Cope. Have a good day." I say before leaving and stepping into the brisk air.

Bella and I both hop in the truck, "What's your schedule like?" She asks as she backs up and heads to a better spot, closer to the main doors.

"It's okay. Some classes I don't want to take but they won't let me take a half day or have more free periods." I sigh, irritation racking my brain.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Bella mumbles.

I chuckle, "You don't have to apologize for anything, Bells. It's not your fault this small town's curriculum is weird."

We both glance around the parking lot after stepping out of the now parked truck, spotting similarly old used cars spread through the parking lot. Bella let out a small huff, clearly not ready to start the day. We both start walking towards the school when a lanky arm lands across our shoulders and a skinny body squeezes between us. I fought back the cloudiness in my vision and the pressure in my brain. I almost wanted to hit whoever this was. Who the hell...

I side eye the new and unwanted person, sliding out from under their arm, it was an asian boy who was skinnier and shorter than other boys our age, with greasy black hair that seemed to stick in his line of sight. Bella finally wiggled free, pausing to stare at him awkwardly—something she was good at doing. The boy started speaking with a large smile on his face, "You're Isabella and Vega Swan, the new girls! Hi, I'm Eric. The eyes and ears of this place. Anything you need, tour guide, lunch date, shoulder to cry on..." Bella and I glanced at each other, was this kid for real?

"No thanks." I grunt, moving to turn away.

"I'm kind of the suffer in silence type." Bella murmurs, shrugging apologetically.

Eric moves in front of us to block us once more, "Good headline for your feature." He wiggles his eyebrows before continuing, "I'm on the paper, and you're news, babes, front page."

Bella's face is painted in a horrified expression, "I—no. I'm not news. I'm serious, not at all."

"You'll have to count us out." I clip in a cold tone.

Eric holds his hands up in surrender, "Woah, chillax. No feature."

"Thank god." I mumble, nodding towards the doors and starting to walk. I pause when Bella isn't following, hearing her ask for directions.

"Sure, I'm going there myself." Eric grins, a bit too brightly. That kid is definitely not Bella's type, poor guy.

I shuffle through the doors, leaving Bella in Eric's care as we had different classes. I stepped into English 12, a middle aged man in a green sweater and khakis was sitting behind the desk. The room was still empty, no doubt the students waiting until the last minute to have to come sit in this hellhole. I clear my throat, signaling my presence, "Oh! Oh! Sorry about that, I was checking the email." The man muttered embarrassed, a pink flush on his cheeks. He seemed nice enough and I didn't think he'd cause much trouble. He glanced at me, "You must be the new student."

I smile, "Yup. I'm Vega Swan. Nice to meet you. I have this slip for you to sign." I say as I hold out the paper.

"Of course! You can sit at desk twenty-five." He informs as he takes the paper and sits back down. I nod and make my way to desk twenty-five. I don't have to wait long for the other students to start filing in, only about seven minutes. I'm just glad he didn't force me to do a self introduction.

Lunch finally arrived and I quickly texted Bella to let her know I'm running late and I'll find her when I get there. In reality, I'm in the bathroom having a mini panic attack, staring at my reflection trying to gather courage. This could be the beginning of a very quick end. I take a deep breath before making my way to the cafeteria. Late enough to hopefully avoid Jessica's awkward introduction of the Cullens but early enough to not be noticed by everyone.

I stepped into the cafeteria, which was so loud nobody noticed my late arrival as other students filed in around the same time. I quickly spot Bella, nodding once, completely avoiding that other table and head to the food line. I snagged an apple and a water, my appetite truly not with me at this moment. As I'm waiting in line, which seems to be taking forever due to some poor person who dropped all their change at the front, my eyes found their table. I almost had a heart attack realizing where my eyes went but it was too late. Luckily none of them noticed me looking, Edward's gaze was focused on Bella and thus the rest of his family were speaking with him. Jasper was missing though, which I thought to be unusual but maybe he didn't exist in this world? Or maybe he was having some control issues? Edward didn't flinch at these thoughts so maybe he couldn't read my mind? And now I'm panicking because I am thinking things I am not supposed to! I pay quickly and make my way to Bella, actively avoiding looking at their table.

I slide into an open seat next to Bella as Jessica says "Anyway, don't waste your time."

Bella nibbles her lip as she shakes her head, "I wasn't planning on it." But I have a hard time believing that as her eyes drift back to Edward. I risk a peek over as well and see his eyes are already on her, frustration blooming across his face. I could tell Bella feels awkward so I bump her knee with mine. She glances at me and smiles before gesturing to me and then to the two girls at the table, whose eyes are already glued to me, "Everyone, this is my older sister, Vega. Vega, this is Jessica and Angela."

I smile, nodding at them as they flash awkward smiles at me as well, "Nice to meet you. Hope Bella hasn't caused too much trouble."

The girls shake their heads, letting out small chuckles, "Not at all. If anything the guys are the ones causing trouble…" Angela jokes lightly. Jessica's eyes pinch a bit, clearly not finding it as funny.

"Hmm, first day and already breaking hearts…" I lead off sarcastically, glancing at Bella with a joking smile.

She bumps me with her shoulder, "That's always you and you know it." Shaking her head as her eyes glance back at Edward. My own follow without thought, coming to rest on golden eyes and nearly sending me into cardiac arrest and it's not because of the statuesque beauty. But my worries seem to be for nothing as Edward's face twists in pain and he quickly averts his eyes. I don't put much thought into—because I don't want to be dragged into anything by overthinking—as I turn my attention back to the girls. The end of lunch comes sooner than expected so I wish the girls goodbye as I head to Physics. I could feel the eyes on me as I walked through the hallway. A new girl with some fashion sense always tends to draw attention but I ignore it as I greet the teacher.

Physics passed by at a painfully slow pace, finally allowing me to head to U.S history, my second favorite subject in this life—English held first. I walked into the room noticing instantly that there was a Cullen sitting at one of the desks. His shoulder length, curly honey blonde hair and whiskey colored eyes drew me in. His eyes were focusing on me as I felt the air leave my lungs and a warming sensation spread through my body. It felt like a missing puzzle piece finally found its way home. "Ms. Swan? Your slip?" A deep voice broke me from my trance as I nearly jumped a foot into the air and I could feel the embarrassment running through me as my cheeks surely turned pink.

"O-oh yes, here it is." I stumble out as I hand him the paper slip, silently cursing myself for being dazzled so easily. Despite looking at all of the Cullens earlier, and believing they all were extremely attractive, none of them had dazzled me like this.

The teacher directed me to my seat, which was next to the dazzling being. I hadn't realized until just now but Emmett sat behind Jasper, a hand resting on the blonde's shoulder and his eyes never leaving the back of Jasper's head. I forced my heart to calm down, surely Jasper would not kill me here. I knew he had a fairly low tolerance of being around humans and perhaps that's why the seat next to him has remained open. And here I am ruining it by filling the last seat available.

I kept my gaze forced away from the attractive man in the seat that would be next to mine until the end of the school year. I uncomfortably slid into the seat at the joined desk, trying to discreetly glance to my left at him. It was very obviously not discreet, considering he was a vampire and was already staring at the side of my head. I was practically begging the class to start as I quickly moved my eyes to the notebook I took out. "I'm Jasper Hale." My eyes shifted back to him as I heard his introduction. I could listen to his voice all day, smooth like honey with a soft southern twang. He easily shook off Emmett's hand and the larger man's eyes cut to me, clearly nervous and unsure of what to do. And that made me nervous and unsure.

"Vega Swan, but I'm sure you knew that already." I awkwardly responded. Still confused on why Jasper Hale, of all people—vampires?—was speaking to me willingly. Didn't he usually avoid humans? And would I be safe sitting next to him? But I couldn't deny the inexplicable feeling of completeness being near him. It's like the air around him was warmer in the dreary town of Forks. Or perhaps I was dazzled and confusing my feelings. Either way, it was certainly a distraction. One I did not need.

"Vega…" He murmured my name and I was nearly melting into a puddle as my deliriously, dirty, mind took it one step too far, propelling me into a daydream of him groaning—I was broken from that thought as I think I see him inhale deeply, his eyes turning from whiskey to obsidian. And it wasn't from the lights. I nearly panicked thinking he would lose control and snap my neck, draining me instantly. But that didn't seem the case as a small cocky smirk pulled his lips. And that's when I remembered Jasper's powers. And I wanted to crawl into the nearest hole and die there. Even more so as Emmett let out a rather obvious cough that was no doubt done to disguise a laugh. What was I even thinking letting my mind catapult me into some dangerous waters about a vampire. My eyes never left his as he spoke, "It's nice to meet you, Miss. Swan. How are you liking Forks?"

I swallowed, answering honestly, "Just Vega. It's been okay. I don't mind the rain but the cold is a bit much. I've only been here for two days though." I very much ignored the fact that I wore a short skirt paired with tights and complained about the cold. Beauty is pain.

He nodded, "Where did you move from?"

I hummed as I remembered the sweet heat of Arizona, "Arizona. I miss it…but I think I can grow to like it here. It's more…peaceful." And it was perfect for curling up with a soft warm blanket and reading or writing—a new found passion I held in this life.

He leaned closer, his eyes serious as I unintentionally shifted towards him as well, only breaking out of my daze as the bell buzzed, signaling the beginning of class. He pulled away, his body growing rigid as he took in his surroundings. His eyes pinched as though he was in pain. I shifted back in my seat, alarmed at how far I had leaned in towards him. The allure vampires held really was something else. I had promised myself to not get involved with the Cullens personally. I would support Bella from the sidelines but I didn't want to let any of the Cullens know I knew what they were. If a human knows of the vampire's existence there's only two paths from there. Turning or death. And I didn't fancy either.