(Lorelei's P.O.V)

{Flashback}

"Don't go," I pleaded with Grayson for the hundredth time. "Please."

A whisper of a smile played on his lips as he took my face in his hands. "You're being paranoid, Lynna. Nothing is going to happen to me."

"But I saw—" He cut me off with a quick kiss.

I kissed him back with as much passion as I could muster. A sense of panic swelled with in me. When he pulled away, his blue eyes were dancing.

"You don't really believe in that sort of thing, do you? It was just a dream," he said to me.

"I was awake, Grayson. It wasn't a dream. Just stay with me. Please," I was begging.

"You know I can't do that," he said with a shake of his head. "It's a tradition."

I folded my arms across my chest. "Fine. Then I'm coming with you."

"Football team only. No exceptions. You know that. No girlfriends allowed." He looked me up and down and grinned. "No matter how adorable they are."

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. What I saw wasn't a dream, was it? I was awake, so it couldn't be. Could it? Perhaps he was right. I was being paranoid. I ran a hand through my hair out of exasperation and frowned.

He laughed softly. "Lynn, I will see you first thing tomorrow, okay? We'll go on that picnic I promised you. Just the two of us."

He grabbed me by my hips and pulled me against him. I clutched at the fabric of his shirt before standing on my tippy toes to crush my lips against his. He kissed me back eagerly. I deepened the kiss as I entwined my fingers in his hair. He groaned in response before he pulled away. He stared down at me with lust dancing like wildfire in his bright blue eyes.

"Trying to seduce me into staying, huh?" He teased with a grin. "Nice try. They'll be plenty of time for that tomorrow, okay?"

I nodded. "Okay," I whispered. "I love you, Grayson."

He flashed me a breathtaking smile as he turned to the door. "I love you more."

{End of Flashback}

Grayson was wrong. There was no tomorrow. The last four words he said to me still echoed in the crevices of my mind.

I love you more.

My heart ached painfully at the memory as I dressed for school. I was dreading the second day of school far more than I dreaded the first, which was really saying something.

I pulled on a pair of gray sweatpants and a plain t-shirt before I put on one of Grayson's hoodies that Noah had dropped off for me yesterday. I put my hair in a messy bun and glanced at myself in the mirror for a split second.

My dull reflection caused me to sigh. I wasn't always this way. I used to actually take pride in my appearance. I loved shopping for nice clothes and fixing my hair. I loved putting on makeup and getting dressed up. Now, I just didn't care. I wanted to care, but I couldn't bring myself to. I was depressed. What more can I say?

I managed to nibble on a plain piece of toast for breakfast before heading out. The ride to school was mostly silent. Dustin was still half-asleep when we pulled into the parking lot. I turned the car off and laughed quietly when I saw that he had actually fallen asleep. His face was pressed against the window in a comical fashion.

"Wakey, wakey," I said to him as I got out of the car.

He groaned before stepping out as well. We bid each other farewell and went our separate ways.

A sigh escaped my lips as I walked into history and made my way to my assigned seat. As luck would have it, Edward Cullen was already there. I hesitantly sat down beside him and scooted my chair as far away from him as possible. I could feel him glowering at me as I stared straight ahead, trying to focus on anything but him.

(Edward's P.O.V)

"Will you please be nice to my friend?" Alice pleaded with me as we pulled into the parking lot.

I rolled my eyes. "She's not your friend."

I was the first one out of the car, not paying any mind to my adopted siblings as I shuffled off to class.

She will be. Alice's thoughts rang out, earning another eye roll from me.

I knew Alice had no way of knowing if her and Lynna would actually become friends or not. Alice couldn't see Lynna's future. I overheard her talking to Jasper and Emmett about it. She said she felt like something was blocking her. As if that made any sense. I wasn't sure why she even bothered trying to catch a glimpse of a simple human girl's future. Who cares?

I was in such a hurry to get to my first class that I didn't even bother to stop at my locker to get my textbook. Not that I would need it regardless. Why was I in such a rush anyway? I chalked it up to wanting to get away from my siblings for a few minutes, knowing that Alice and Emmett would join me in class shortly.

I was the first to arrive to the classroom for which I was grateful. I immediately went to my seat and waited. Waited? But what was I waiting on? I wasn't sure.

Every muscle in my body tensed when I caught her scent in the air. Warm vanilla with a dash of strawberries. It was intoxicating. It was all I could do to keep myself firmly planted in the seat when she rounded the corner and stepped into the room.

The sound of her heartbeat echoed in the empty room. Her sapphire eyes widened and her heart rate quickened when she saw me. How easy it would be to kill her right here, right now. There were no witnesses. Alice couldn't see the human girl's future so she would have no idea. The thought of sinking my teeth into the fleshy skin of her throat had me seeing red.

Why did it seem as though her scent was so much more intense today? That's when I realized— I wasn't as numb today as I was yesterday. It felt as though the lidocaine that had been circulating through my veins for the past twenty years was starting to wear off, and I was starting to feel the effects.

The golden-haired girl slowly walked towards the table and sat down with a reluctant sigh. I had cut off all breathing the instant I recognized her scent, but I could still taste her sweet flavor on my tongue.

The girl scooted her chair as far away from me as physically possible, and I was surprised by how much that bothered me. Why did that bother me? I didn't want the daft girl anywhere near me. I felt my face twist with anger as I glared her way.

Despite how much I hated myself for it, I couldn't help but memorize every detail of her face. She was an angelic looking girl. Her features were delicate and feminine in every sense, with her glowing skin and plush rosy lips. She wasn't wearing an ounce of makeup either— which, clearly, the girl didn't need it. I had a feeling she wasn't wearing any, not because she thought she was beautiful without it, but because she didn't have the mental energy to care about such a frivolous thing.

I was too busy admiring her natural beauty that it took me a moment to notice the dark circles under her eyes from many a sleepless night. My brows pinched together in.. worry? No— Curiosity. Plain and simple. I was simply curious about the human because her mind was a mystery. That's all. Nothing more.

In a feeble attempt to distract myself from her face, I tried to hone in on her thoughts. The same hushed whispers occupied her mind, the words running together in mangled echoes. I focused with every ounce of concentration I possessed. That's when my head started pounding. The strange sensation forced me from her chaotic thoughts as I massaged my temples, trying to ease the throbbing headache.

How odd.

What a peculiar girl.

What an odd, peculiar human girl.

I squeezed my eyes shut tightly and focused on the rhythmic sound of her heartbeat as I waited for the 'migraine' to subside. That's when I felt her eyes trail my way.

"Are you okay?" Her gentle voice washed over me.

I clenched my fists at how sincere she sounded. She actually sounded worried. She was really getting under my impenetrable skin.

"I'm fine," I snapped through clenched teeth, my eyes still closed.

"If you say so," she mumbled as she peeled her eyes from me.

I was thankful when other students starting spilling in— being alone with her made me feel ill at ease. My two bubbliest siblings sat down behind us, causing my frown to deepen.

"Good morning, Lynna," Alice greeted her with a smile.

Lynna turned slightly in her seat to face Alice. "Good morning, guys."

Emmett beamed at her. For some reason unbeknownst to me, I wanted to smack the smile right off of his face.

"Alright, class. Everyone pull out your textbooks and turn to page 306," Mr. Turner said to the class.

The sound of pages turning filled the room. I watched as Lynna opened the book and landed on the page without even having to sift through the pages.

"Mr. Cullen. Where's your textbook?" The teacher said to me as he shuffled in my direction.

I shrugged. "Don't know, sir," I said to him.

I knew exactly where it was— in my locker, safe and sound. He looked at me with a solemn expression. I didn't bother paying attention to his thoughts. I didn't care enough to.

"Very well, then," he turned his attention to the girl beside me for a split second. "You two will just have to share until Mr. Cullen finds his 'missing' book."

Lynna stiffened in her seat. Her entire body went rigid. I watched as her mouth opened and closed, like a fish out of water, as she stared up at the teacher with a horrified expression.

"B-But Mr. Turner," her voice was weak yet panicked.

I couldn't help but smirk at the clearly distraught girl. A delicious blush crept to her cheeks. The blood pooling beneath her skin caused my mouth to fill with venom. I was tempted to take a breath— to taste her potent scent in the air, but I refrained.

"Thanks for your cooperation, Lynna. Maybe your studiousness will rub off on your boyfriend," he told her with a grin.

Her blue eyes widened. "He's not my boyfriend," she was quick to say. Too quick.

I chuckled lowly at her frantic expression.

"Well, regardless. Remember— Sharing is caring, Miss Holloway," he stated before he turned and walked back to the front of the classroom.

Who wouldn't want to share with him?

She's crazier than I thought. That guy is seriously hott.

What's her deal? I'll share more than a book with him. Mmm.

The thoughts of hormonal human girls rang through my mind, causing me to roll my eyes in annoyance. I couldn't help but wonder though— Every other girl in class would have been more than happy to share their textbook with me. But not her. Why?

Lynna clenched her little fists and glared at me. Blue fire danced in her eyes. I couldn't stop the amused smirk that sprung to my lips at the sight of her.

"You're going to need to come a little closer if we're going to share," I spoke in the softest voice possible, hoping to get a reaction out of her.

Her heart didn't stutter nor did it race. She didn't blush or bite her lip nervously. She just continued to glare at me in aggravation. Alice and Emmett were far too focused on the interaction. It was quite annoying. I raised my brows at the blue-eyed girl and waited for her to oblige.

"Come on. I don't bite," I teased with a dry chuckle.

Emmett laughed quietly behind us. Very funny.

Stop teasing her. Alice scolded me.

I paid no mind to either one of them. Lynna sighed reluctantly before she scooted a bit closer to me. She was still too far away to 'share' the book in my opinion. I rolled my eyes before I took it upon myself to close the gap.

The warmth of her body enveloped me when I got within a foot of her. I felt my eyes widen in response. I tensed in my seat and hoped that my siblings didn't notice. Sitting close to the human girl felt… electrifying? I was on edge and not just because her blood was singing to me.

Lynna looked at me with bewildered eyes causing me to believe that perhaps she was feeling the strange sensation as well. Thankfully, a wave of numbness washed over me, so I was able to compose myself.

The girl didn't speak a word to me throughout class. Not that I wanted her to. The human was nothing more than a thorn in my side, after all. When the bell rang to signal the end of class, the blonde girl was the first one out the door, and I wasn't sure why that made me feel even more hollow than I already was.

(Lynna's P.O.V)

I wrapped my arms around my torso self-consciously as I walked into the gym after changing into my gym clothes. I felt naked without Grayson's large hoodie covering my body. The shorts were far too short in my opinion even though they were up to the strict school dress code; they went halfway down my thigh but that still wasn't long enough for me. The material hugged my body and I hated it.

My only salvation was the baggy t-shirt I was wearing, but it still didn't provide me with enough coverage in my opinion. I felt exposed. I could feel my anxiety trying to kick in. My stomach churned anxiously as a hot flash flooded through me. Noah ran up to me with a bright smile playing on his face that quickly fell when he studied my expression.

What's wrong? He asked with a frown.

Dustin ran up to me with a basketball in his hands. His eyes clouded over with worry when he looked at me. Damn, does my face really give myself away that much?

"You good, sis?" He questioned with a quirked brow.

I nodded. "I'm fine, guys. I just don't like wearing.. this."

Noah's brows furrowed. Why?

Understanding flooded my brother's eyes. He knew all too well about my insecurities. He had been there through it all. He had seen me at my breaking point when my eating disorder was literally eating me alive. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Alice gliding over in an elegant manner.

"Is everything alright?" She asked us in her musical voice.

Dustin's eyes grew to the size of saucers as he took in the petite supermodel. He scratched the back of his head nervously. "Uh, yeah. Err– yeah. I'm alright, I mean. We're all alright," he stuttered out.

Alice offered him a kind smile before she looked at me. "You look like you're going to be sick. Are you okay?"

I inhaled a shaky breath and started fanning my face with my hand. "It's really hot in here. Is it really hot to you guys? I'm burning up. I need to sit down."

I sank to the ground like sand and placed my head in my hands. My ears started ringing. I inhaled slowly, trying to get a grip on myself. Noah sat down in front of me and took my hands in his. He stared into my eyes with a look of sincerity and I instantly felt calm. My best friend understood. I wasn't alone. I was okay. Everything's okay.

I nodded my head in confirmation. Noah stood up and helped me to my feet.

Thank you,I signed to him with a genuine smile.

Noah nodded and gave me the kindest of grins. Alice raised her dainty brows and Dustin looked at me quizzically.

"What did he do?" He asked me curiously.

I laughed softly as I grabbed a basketball and started dribbling across the court.

Dustin called out in confusion, "No, seriously. What did he do?"

(Edward's P.O.V)

I was the first student to arrive to Chemistry. I wasn't sure why, but I sensed that a habit was forming. Up until now, I never felt the need to be early for class. Perhaps it was due to just wanting some quiet, alone time.

All of a sudden, her sweet scent filled my nostrils, causing fire to ignite in my throat and lungs. Every muscle in my body tightened before I cut off my breathing. I looked up at the doorway to see her walk through. Her face fell when she saw that I was already here.

Her mouth turned down in a frown as she reluctantly made her way and sat down next to me. She, once again, scooted as far away from me as possible; the sound of her chair scraping against the floor caused me to scowl. Did I frighten her? Is that why she didn't want to be close to me? I shook my head in annoyance. Like I care.

I tilted my head and studied her features with scrutiny. Her face was flushed, her cheeks reddened. She had gym last period, so that was to be expected. Ugh, who cares if her face is red? I needed to get a grip.

She fascinated me though. I couldn't deny that— and not just because her mind was a maze of mangled whispers. She didn't seem to be interested in me whatsoever, and for some reason, that flamed my curiosity even more. The fact that she was incredibly easy on the eyes certainly added to the fact as well. And she was apparently psychic? How could I forget that little tidbit?

My eyes fell to the giant hoodie that hid her body from sight. I knew the hoodie belonged to Grayson, who I believed to be her deceased boyfriend. What happened to him? I knew she would never tell me, but perhaps she would tell Alice eventually?

I mentally slapped myself. I needed to get a grip. Seriously. I don't care what happened to him. I don't care to know the strange, psychic human. After all, I didn't even like her to begin with.

I started drumming my fingers on the table, wanting to catch her attention for some reason. She paid me no mind as she stared down at her lap. Why wouldn't she look at me? I watched as she started playing with the long sleeves of her hoodie. Was my staring making her nervous? It appeared so. Good. She should be nervous.

I rolled my eyes at my inner monolog. I should really just kill her already. The girl was clearly miserable. It was written all over face. She spends her free time in a cemetery for crying out loud. I would be doing her a favor. Perhaps I should follow her home after school. Maybe she will go to the cemetery? It would be sort of poetic to end her life where her dear Grayson was buried.

One drop of her delectable blood would satisfy me for eternity. It was a win-win situation if you ask me. I would be eternally satiated and she would be reunited with her lost loved one. That sounds like a happy ending to me. The only obstacle— or should I say, obstacles— was my family. Alice was oddly protective of the girl, as was Emmett. Jasper too, of course, on account of Alice. And I knew Carlisle and Esme obviously wouldn't approve. They valued human life far more than they should; I once valued human life as well. I still do, I suppose. To an extent. But she smelled far too intoxicating to go to waste. If another vampire caught wind of her scent, she would be dead in a heartbeat.

I wondered if Alice was seeing what I was planning? Perhaps not, since it involved Lynna. Or maybe I actually had no intentions of harming the girl. I loved my family, and I knew I had a ways to go before I fully earned their trust back. If I killed the human girl, that would be taking two giant steps back in their eyes.

I was pulled from my thoughts when the dumb jock walked in. His eyes immediately went to the girl sitting next to me.

Shame she wears that big ass hoodie all the damn time. She shouldn't hide that body of hers. His thoughts rang out.

I narrowed my eyes in his direction at his comment. That guy was irritating at best. To my dismay, he waltzed right over to Lynna and placed his hands on the table, causing her to look up at him with wide eyes.

"Yes, Ty?" Her soft voice flooded my ears.

Did she have to speak so softly— so elegantly? I clenched my fists as a surge of anger surged through me. And why did she call him Ty? Was she close enough to the guy that she had a nickname for him? I was sensing a history between the two, and I was genuinely surprised by how much that seemed to bother me.

"Got any plans this weekend?" He asked with a toothy smile.

She wasn't fazed as she stared up at him. "No. And I don't plan on making any either," she spoke in an even voice.

She was perfectly calm and collected, but also firm. Still, his grin didn't falter.

"Oh, come on. We're having the bonfire at my house this year," he told her.

At this, her heart skipped a beat. I wondered why.

"I thought that was just a football team tradition," she fired back with a deep frown.

He winced slightly at her words. She blames me for what happened. I know she does.

Blame him for what? What happened?! I was dying to know.

"It was," he spoke in a slow, careful voice. "But we all decided to change things up this year."

Her lips parted in surprise before she furrowed her brows, appearing to be deep in thought. Sorrow swam in the depths of her blue eyes. She couldn't hide that from me.

Tyler sighed as he took in her forlorn expression. "I think it's time for a new tradition, don't you?"

Her sapphire eyes danced with emotion. A moment passed before the girl nodded. The boy beamed at her.

"So? Will you come?" He urged, hope dancing in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes at his hopefulness. I had a feeling the girl would say no. I was on pins and needles as I awaited her answer.

"I can't," she told him with a sigh. "But.. Thanks for inviting me," she was quick to add when saw the dejected look on his face. "Really. I'm sure you'll catch a lot of heat for even inviting the freaky weird girl. So, it means a lot that you did."

Why does she call herself that? Because she is psychic?

He smiled down at her once again. "You're not freaky. Just freaky hott," he teased.

I felt my brows fly up my forehead when a delicate blush crept to her already flushed cheeks. He made her blush. A scowl crawled across my face as strange emotions simmered within me.

"Really, though. You're not weird, Lynna. Just.. different. You're special." The sincerity in his voice was as plain as day and I hated him for it.

More than anything, I hated her. I clenched my fists as a small smile started playing on her lips.

"Thanks, Ty. But I am a little bit freaky and a whole lot weird. But that's okay," she said with the lightest of laughs.

"Grayson loved you anyway," Tyler said to her as he stared into her eyes.

Her lower lip trembled as her bright blue eyes welled up with tears. "How did you–?"

He rolled his eyes in a playful manner. "Grayson told me about that stupid little rhyme you guys used to say to each other. You two seriously disgust me." He laughed in jest.

They had a rhyme? I felt a tugging sensation in the center of my chest where my undead heart was located. A solitary tear slid down the left side of her face, leaving a shiny trail along her flushed cheek. An unwelcome feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. I wasn't sure what to make of it. The horrible feeling subsided when the girl gave him a heart-wrenching smile and a genuine laugh.

"Yeah. We were pretty sappy, huh?" She chuckled as she wiped away the stray tear with her sleeve.

"Unbearably so," Tyler laughed along with her.

They were silent for a moment, clearly reminiscing. I saw through Tyler's eyes how much the couple had loved each other. Lynna looked at Grayson like he held the key to the universe, and she clearly held his heart. In his memories, I detected a faint hint of jealousy— of anger. Evidently, Tyler has had his eye on Lynna before Grayson's untimely demise.

When I saw the way Lynna looked at the deceased human boy, my stomach churned uncomfortably. I was briefly reminded about the short time in my existence that I was looked at like that, though the way she looked at Grayson seemed to be much more intense. Doesn't she realize how fickle human love is? Eventually, the flame would have died out and she would have been left a heartbroken, sobbing mess. He would have shattered her mortal heart into a million unrecognizable pieces. Then what?

She would have healed. Slowly, but surely. She would have picked up the remains, piece by piece, and pieced herself back together. Maybe she would have even had help from the next boy in line, waiting to do his own irreparable damage. Or maybe she would have ended up like me. Alone and angry, without a heart at all. Maybe she would have had the same hollow feeling in her chest that nothing could fill.

As I looked at the girl, who wore a smile that didn't quite her eyes, I wondered if perhaps she was more like me than I realized. Maybe the damage had already been done. Maybe she was hollow too.

(Lynna's P.O.V)

Chemistry was once again incredibly awkward. Edward Cullen's staring problem still hasn't improved. He was silent for the duration of the class, which made his incessant staring all the more unbearable.

My stomach rumbled noisily as I walked into the cafeteria. I singled out Noah, who was already sitting at a table with Paige. He was looking at her with stars in his eyes as they passed a note back and forth between them. I didn't bother going through the lunch line. I got a bottled water from the vending machine and sat down in front of Noah.

"Hey, guys," I said/signed. "What's up?"

Noah looked at my bottled water and frowned. Still not eating?

I shook my head. "I'm not hungry," I lied.

I was starving, but there was no way I could eat in a cafeteria full of people. And certainly not with Cullen's burning eyes constantly on me. At least Noah couldn't hear my stomach growl in protest. Paige certainly could though. She looked at me with worry in her big, brown eyes.

"Are you sure? I can go through the line with you," she offered kindly.

"I'm sure," I assured her with a false smile. "I uh.. I'm going to have a big dinner tonight. Don't want to spoil my appetite." I lied yet again.

Big date? Noah teased with a grin.

I rolled my eyes in a playful manner. "You know better than that. The only date I have is with me, myself, and I.. and a huge tub of ice cream."

Right. Noah grinned as he looked over my shoulder. That guy is staring at you again.

I looked over my shoulder and met the dark, haunting eyes of Edward Cullen from across the cafeteria. He was sitting with his family who were all picking at their food. His sister, Alice, locked eyes with me and gave me a friendly smile and wave before turning back to her family. She leaned her head on the shoulder of a guy with the same porcelain skin and honey-gold eyes as the rest of them. The only one whose eyes were different were Edward's, I couldn't help but notice. His eyes were as dark as midnight skies, but sometimes they appeared to be a strange burgundy color which I found both intriguing and unnerving. A shiver went down my spine as I tore my eyes from his devastatingly beautiful face. I looked at Noah and Paige with a frown.

"He never stops," I said to them.

It's like I said before. He thinks you're pretty, Noah smirked.

Paige laughed quietly. "I think he's right."

I shook my head. "No. That's not a look of fondness. He looks at me like he wants to rip my head off." I put the bottle of water to my lips and took a sip.

Or rip your clothes off, Noah quipped, his smirk growing.

I nearly choked on my water at his words. My eyes threatened to bulge from their sockets.

"You're ridiculous," I couldn't help but laugh as he teasingly wiggled his eyebrows.

I felt Edward's gaze intensify, if that were even possible. My body felt like it was on fire. With every ounce of courage I possessed, I turned and locked eyes with him. He was glowering at me with a look of pure hatred. I somehow managed to glare back. I wasn't sure if I had it within me to hate anyone, but Edward Cullen was certainly testing that theory.