If Lettie was in awe of their home, it was nothing compared to the way she walked wide-eyed through the hallways of Forks High School. Though the buildings were nothing special, two-story brick squares attached by a series of covered walkways, it did have a sort of backwater charm. No real sports to give the school any fame, though there was a newer basketball court put into the gym only a year before, and they had a nice building dedicated specifically for the arts. The hallways were the standard dirty linoleum, and the lockers were painted the school colors, a godawful mustard yellow and dark brown, which did nothing but make the fluorescence even harsher on the eyes. The classrooms were filled with desks that had seen better days, and teachers that matched, the small-town blues slowly creeping up on them as they spent year after year teaching students who talked about nothing but leaving.

But Lettie didn't see any of that. Her mind swam with endless curiosity, eyes scanning every new thing before her. It wasn't simply metal lockers, it was a secret room for privacy in an otherwise public space. It wasn't just a cafeteria, but a bustling hub of social interaction, of a real-life theater production right before her very eyes. It wasn't just a boring lecture on the syllabus, but an entirely new world of things to learn, one that hadn't even been a possibility for her in the past.

The perfect distraction from her guilt-ridden mind.

It was easy to forget that Lettie was from a different time. Frankly, it was all too easy for Edward to think of his family as only the present, ignoring the lives they led before joining the family. Though he had spent the last hundred or so years of his life in the presence of a person 300 years his elder, Carlisle had done a fantastic job adapting over the years, pretending to change just as a regular human would. Rosalie and Alice upkept their hobbies to the trends, Esme designed to fit the time, and even Jasper had gotten rid of most of his outward indicators of his youth, only letting his accent out when he was comfortable and at home. Lettie, even with the small changes she had seen over the years as she was trapped in her home, was just that; trapped, with no real way to see how things were moving around her. Small changes were easy for her to accept. Hairstyles and clothing evolved drastically in the time she lived, so those changes were not necessarily that far-fetched, though he did think fondly about the first time Lettie encountered so many women wearing shorts, both in awe and hastily covering her eyes for modesty's sake. Technological advancements happened so rapidly, but with Lettie's penchant for curiosity, she seemed to have a good idea of what technology could do, especially since she remembered vividly the first introduction of the telephone and roller coasters.

But there were small things that made Edward feel the smallest bit of pity for her.

"School?" she had asked, tempering the rising hope.

Though the night before was full of awkward silence, the morning seemed to bring along with it a sort of understanding between them. The two were in agreement that his family should be protected from Lettie's world, but a schism was still felt even as Lettie engaged in lighter conversation by the time the morning light revealed itself. Edward had offered to take her on a walk before he needed to head to school, both for her benefit and his.

"With what happened, I don't trust Alice to not try again." Without thinking, he raised his arm, allowing Lettie to use it as a brace as they climbed over the uneven terrain. "It's only if you want to, otherwise I can get you a nice spot in the woods-"

"I never believed I would be allowed." Her voice was soft, dreamy, as if she was speaking to herself despite the way their eyes met. It was only then that Edward realized, not only would Lettie be going to a modern school for the first time, it would be the first time ever that she would be taught outside of a small group of women, in an actual building for education. "School? Where we will be able to learn amongst peers? Other students?"

"Yeah." He ran a hand through his hair. "We go to school to keep up appearances. The younger we start, the longer we can stay. If nothing drives us away, Carlisle and Esme can stay almost 12 years before people start to become suspicious." Lettie thought about that for a moment.

"Truly?"

"Humans often only see what they want to see, and Carlisle has gotten very good at playing human." Edward barely needed to hear her thoughts to see the concern on her face. "It would be no problem for you to come. I've most likely already learned what will be taught, so you can do the work at your own pace, and I can fill in any gaps you may have."

It was as if he had promised her the moon.

She could barely contain herself as she bounced around the house as Edward got ready for school their first morning, talking his ear off about all the things she wanted to learn as he packed his bag. Since he was supposed to play the role of a 15-year-old, too young to drive on his own, Esme drove him in the morning, but his inability to respond didn't seem to deter her excitement, mind racing as she watched the trees fly by. She stood beside him diligently as he played the role of new student, his siblings piling into the front office to receive their schedules and explore the school before the first bell rang. Only Edward and Alice were starting as Sophomores, as the others barely passed as Juniors, meaning Edward would have most classes without one of his siblings present.

For the first time whilst starting a new school, Edward didn't feel so lonely.

Lettie stuck by his side throughout the whole day, keen eyes scanning each room as they entered to learn what she was supposed to do. He watched with amusement as she squared her shoulders when walking behind a mousy student on their way to English, and hunched them as she encountered a group of dreary-faced people on their way to Geometry. When allowed, she took the vacant seat beside him, otherwise, she dutifully took any seat she could find, often turning to catch Edward's eye whenever new information surprised her.

It took more than a little effort not to break in the middle of class.

His morning classes were spent fending off eager students and pretending he didn't notice the stares of the entire classroom, including most of his teachers. Their thoughts were overwhelmingly loud, a constant stream of questions about who he was, what he was doing there, when would be the best time to approach. Theories were popping up left and right, though Edward noticed plenty of people circulating the story Esme had been sure to plant in the minds of the town's gossipmongers.

More than a few people tried to sit at their table during lunch, but a swift glare from Rosalie deterred most from actually taking a seat. Some more brave students actually did, but their thoughts and visible discomfort promised they wouldn't try again so readily. People who sat beside Edward during classes tried their best to interact with him, but his curt responses were enough to shut any thoughts of friendship down quickly.

By the time afternoon classes were well underway, Lettie understood that while she could talk to Edward as much as she liked, he wouldn't be able to reply as freely. Simple answers could be jotted down on the margins of his notebook, discrete enough that no one around him would notice, but there were more than a few questions that required a longer discussion. Lettie got especially excited when Edward started writing down all the questions he couldn't answer right away on a separate sheet of paper. The class itself was sleepy and boring, but Lettie made him enjoy the monotony just a little.

He also found it incredibly amusing that the most dedicated and attentive student couldn't even be seen by the teacher.

The end-of-day bell rang just as the student's jitters reached its peak, more legs bouncing than an orchestra pit before a performance. Lettie seemed to pick up on the anxious energy in the room, eyes whipping back and forth to the students who dared to whisper behind the teacher's back. With a shrill ring, students practically sprang out of their seats, Edward included, knocking his hand against Lettie's arm to get her to follow closely behind him. She watched with delight as Edward spun the combo into his locker with ease, replacing books to mimic the students around him.

"My family always has a debrief after the first day," he whispered into the locker, bringing Lettie closer by her sleeve. "It's technical and boring, so how about I give you some time on the porch, and then we can head into the woods to do homework together?"

Lettie's smile and sparkling eyes were answer enough.

"It's only the first day, but there were no suspicions besides being new in town," Edward reported to the family, half his mind concentrated on Lettie's movements on the floor below. Even though there was no real reason to believe she would be able to hear them, there was a small part of him that feared she would accidentally find out about his mindreading, and the look of betrayal that would color her face when she did.

"There was plenty of jealousy," Jasper added, leaning back in his chair as he crossed his arms. They sat in their usual seats, near monarch style, with Carlisle at the head of the table and Esme and Edward on either of his sides. Jasper sat beside Esme, with Alice at his side. Rosalie sat across from Carlisle at the other end, and Emmett, ever the faithful husband, sat at her side, leaving a lone chair between him and Edward. Jasper turned his gaze to Edward, thinking of the faces of the people he was most concerned for. "We'll have to see as the rest of the week progresses before I can give accurate information on who to steer clear of."

"I haven't seen anything." Alice was as cheerful as ever, practically bouncing in her chair as she remembered the new faces of the day. She was particularly interested in a group of wallflower students dressed in all black that remained in the far corners of every room they were in, mind imagining all the different ways she could use them as inspiration.

"They had plenty to say about Esme's story," Rosalie grumbled, snuggling back into Emmett's arm that was draped over the back of her chair. She was well aware of the need for a story, sometimes giving her own input to their new identities, but it never stopped her from complaining about people's innate curiosity, and their belief that they would know her simply by a couple made up rumors. "I don't get why I-"

"Because it is generally frowned upon to date within a family," Edward reminded her, snapping before she could get into it again. "You know why."

Because of their speedy move, they went with the simplest explanation for each member of the family. Esme's fertility issues coupled with Carlisle's love of family made the adoptions easy to explain, as well as Esme's desire to take in the poor orphan niece and nephew. It was rare that many people dug past the surface of their story, but it was starting to get risky playing the role of parents and adopted children, especially with all 5 of them playing so close together in age. Forks would allow for peace for several years, maybe more so than usual if each of them went off to college, which would give them plenty of time to craft a better story for their next location. Maybe Lettie would like to go to college…

"There's no need to squabble," Esme reprimanded them gently. "I'm sorry, Rosalie, if my story made you uncomfortable, but you know as well as the rest of us that this situation was…abrupt. I'd appreciate your flexibility on the matter for now."

"Esme is correct." Carlisle laid a gentle hand on his wife's shoulder as he went to stand behind her. Ever the protector. "If it becomes too much for you, I'm happy to pull you out by whatever means necessary, but for now, we deal with the cards we were dealt."

"Did things get set up at the hospital?" Jasper asked, using his words and abilities to diffuse the situation. He had to be careful - Rosalie was not kind to anyone who used their power against her without permission. Emmett assisted by rubbing his foot against his wife's calf.

"Without a hitch, as Alice predicted. You can reach my office at any time through the window, but you all have been registered under my name to visit whenever you need. Medical records were input without any trouble, and a secure line is already installed in my office." Carlisle gave Jasper a soft look. "There should be little to no reason for you, any of you, to come anywhere near the hospital."

"Great, is that everything?" Without waiting for a reply, Rosalie stood, giving a pointed look to not have any disturbances, and disappeared into the garage. Almost instantly, the sound of metal on metal began.

"Some stuck-up girl tried to get Rosalie's number and then insulted her shoes when she said no," Emmett supplied, shrugging his shoulders. Edward sighed. "So, who's up for a round of Halo?"

"I think I'm going to take a page out of Rosalie's book and get some peace and quiet," Edward said, standing up with the rest of the table. Rosalie's exit was a clear end of the discussion. Neither Jasper nor Emmett put up much fuss, rushing into the living room without him. Alice gave Edward a quick squeeze on the arm as she passed, mind focused on the closet of clothes she hadn't finished organizing upstairs.

"Are you alright, dear?" Esme asked, a worried look on her face. Carlisle gave her a gentle smile. My darling wife, how well you take care of our children . "The day wasn't too overwhelming, was it?"

"I'm fine, really. I think I just need some time alone, clear my head."

"If you're sure…"

"I'm sure." He gave a small smile to his parents. "I think I'm going to go on a hike, explore the area."

"Stay East of here," Carlisle warned, ever mindful of the pack of wolves that lay dormant near the water. Edward gave him a single nod, before disappearing out the door.

Lettie was on the porch, just as he left her. Head tilted towards the sky to soak up the last bit of warmth from the day, dress pooled around her legs as she sat on the bench, feet tapping quietly against the wood floor. His family's thoughts were still loud in his mind, but now that he was closer to her, Edward could faintly make out the soft sound of Lettie's inner thoughts. She was thinking about the clearing they had left only days ago, the summer sun beating down on her after years of being surrounded by darkness. In an instant, that clearing was wiped from her mind, Stephen's horrified face appearing before her as he screamed about a monster, tumbling down the hill into a pool of his own blood. She shook her head violently, wiping the image from her mind in order to bring back the calm of the clearing once more. Again, the sunny skies of the clearing turned dark as the horrified look of a man appeared, the same man Lettie thought of often, her father , tripping backward and crashing into a piece of furniture. Lettie physically shook her head again, ridding the look and returning to the clearing. It took only a few moments for Stephen's face to return.

"Lettie," Edward called softly, mindful of listening ears. He couldn't stand to watch it again. Her head jerked up at the sudden noise, brows creasing and a wobble of her lip reflected on her face before she could control them. Just as quickly as she wiped the memory, so too did she wipe away the sad look, a dim version of her smile tugging at her lips. It was an expression Edward knew all too well. "Are you ready to go?"

"Oh!" She stood, fidgeting with her skirt before hastily rubbing her eyes. Edward took a step forward, bending to get a closer look at her face. "Yes, quite ready. Did you and your family have a pleasant meeting?"

When she removed her hand, Lettie jumped, not expecting Edward to be so close. Her eyes were glittering, like someone who was on the verge of tears, but there were no clear tear tracks on her face, nor was her face swollen. She turned her head before he could look any closer. The question was on the tip of his tongue, but with the chance of his family overhearing, he held back, instead swooping down to grab the necklace that sat on the bench, and stepping in front of Lettie so she could climb onto his back. She did so without a word.

Having lived in Forks previously, Edward already had a good idea of where he wanted to go. Somewhere he could talk to Lettie without being overheard, or like he was talking to himself, far enough away that his family wouldn't be able to get to him easily, and no chance of any real distractions. This was time for him and Lettie, and he wasn't about to squander that opportunity. They flew past town easily, heading northeast through the woods, crisscrossing over rivers, and bounding past trees. Selfishly, the trip should have only taken a few minutes, but Edward was enjoying the elated thoughts of his companion too much to take the direct route.

Reade Hill was one of the places his family had visited during a hunting trip when they were first exploring the area. Though it seemed like a good place to start, it quickly revealed itself to be a horrible hunting location, as there was a popular hiking trail nearby, and a preferred mountain bike trail, making the area much too populated and rowdy for animals bigger than deer to feel comfortable. They had left almost as quickly as they arrived, but there was something about the view at a nearby cliffside that stuck with Edward. And, as they arrived, Edward was overcome with that same feeling. Though the view wasn't entirely unique, overlooking the dense trees of the Olympic State Forest and its numerous trails, there was an indescribable feeling that settled in his chest. Lettie's rushing thoughts agreed.

They spent a moment looking out at the view. The gray clouds seemed to lazily roll between the dense tree coverage, trickling down, down, down, until they disappeared into the canyons of the mountains. Though the view was captivating, Edward couldn't help his eyes as they drifted to the companion beside him, barely crawling off his back before becoming transfixed with the sight before them. This view was nothing like the clearing they had spent all those weeks in. The clearing had provided them shelter, a hidden secret for the two of them to share. Here, though…here they were on display for everyone to see, a fair trade so they could look out upon land that seemed to stretch on forever before them. For the moment, she was unable to think of anything but the view.

Her silent thoughts set him on edge.

"If there's something that's bothering you…," Edward started after a moment, before effectively clamping his mouth shut. If there was something that was bothering you? Of course, there's something bothering her. She watched someone nearly die! He closed his eyes tightly, willing away the embarrassment of asking such an obvious question.

Though, was it an obvious question? Because there was no one else he could tell about Lettie, there was no one to confirm his suspicions of her depression. His mind reading did well to uncover what people were feeling most of the time, but he was no empath. Thoughts only revealed so much.

His nonexistent breath hitched in his throat at the thought. This would be the perfect moment to reveal his ability, surely. Lettie wouldn't have to speak her feelings into the world, she could keep them close to her chest for as long as she liked, and know that he understood her anyway. He could reveal them, explain himself and the reason why he kept it a secret (though he himself was still unsure of that), and face the consequences. Would she be upset? Accepting? Realize he has no control over it and it's not like anyone can really edit their thoughts even with the knowledge he can hear everything?

Lettie was a kind person, he knew that well enough from the time they'd spent together. Would she think of him differently?

"I want to express my gratitude." Edward blinked, too lost in his thoughts to notice that Lettie had turned to face him. Her expression was subdued, but kind, a small, barely-there laugh escaping her lips. "I find myself desiring to do that often, it seems."

"Thank me?"

"You have shown me only the greatest kindness since our first meeting. You saved me from confinement and showed me the beauty of nature once more after I had thought it lost to me forever. You have introduced me to the world of education, the kind I never would have dreamed of attending. You have given me companionship." A chill ran up his spine. "These are things I can never begin to repay."

"Oh…" Edward trailed off awkwardly. No one had ever thanked him so earnestly before. "It's not a problem."

"And yet, despite all the kindness you have shown me, you continue on, asking of my wellbeing when I have not been the kindest to you as of late."

"You had something traumatic happen to you. No one can expect you to bounce back from that so easily. It's barely been two weeks."

"Many others would have." She gave him a sad smile. "You have my thanks, now and for the years to come. Though there is little I may offer, know that I am in your debt."

"You're my friend," Edward reasoned. A thrill ran up his spine as he said it. A friend . "These are things friends do for one another."

"Friends…yes, I quite like the sound of that. Do friends in this modern time differ from the past?"

"Not as far as I am aware."

"Loyalty, trust, patience. These are still the virtues of friendship?" Edward felt his throat slowly drying.

"Yeah, I suppose they are."

"Then, Friend Edward, you are a very good friend to me." She shook her head, turning to gaze back to the horizon. After a moment, she said, "I fear I cannot find the words to describe my thoughts of my being, of my existence, and the bond we share. Is it terribly selfish to ask for your patience, just for a little longer?"

"Lettie." Edward stood with full conviction, tilting down to catch her eye. Despite the cloud-covered sky, she glowed as she always did, her eyes twinkling with unshed tears. "I only ever want you to be happy. Tell me now, tell me later, never tell me. Just know that I'll always be here for you whenever you need me."

There would be another day to tell her , he settled, watching as her face twitched against the need to cry. For now, she needed time to mourn. Mourn Stephen's accident, mourn her immortality, mourn the loss it didn't seem like she's had space to mourn in the past. Find her way through the feelings she's had since the accident, and come out strong enough on the other side to share them with someone else.

Lettie's lip wobbled.

"Thank you," she whispered, tapping her head gently against his. Her hair tickled his cheek. Edward swore he saw a tear fall from her eye, though it disappeared into nothing before it could hit his shirt. "Thank you, Edward."

oh my god I don't know how I keep posting the wrong version and making everything covered in code :((( thank you for reading anyway!