Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight.

A/N: This is my first vampfic attempt, so please bear with me!

I glanced at my class schedule and set off across campus.

And so it begins …

I'd attended this college 43 years ago, and the campus layout hadn't changed that much over time. I watched the students milling in social groups that broke and reformed again and again, darting away from me like nervous shoals of fish as I approached. No matter how much we tried to blend in, our predatory nature always seemed to trigger an instinctive response.

Decades of this behaviour had acclimatised me to the usual social isolation, but I still felt sorry for Alice. She, more than any of us, yearned for some kind of social outlet. Even though she had endured the purgatory of high school and college numerous times over the decades, she still started each new school with her hopes up, eager to make a new friend. For all that she and Rosalie had bonded as family, Alice still yearned for a deeper sisterly connection. This time, at this college, felt different. In the lead up to the college year commencing, Alice had seemed happier, anticipating something that she refused to share with any of us.

"See you soon, Edward," Alice called, taking Jasper's hand as she began to tow him off towards her first class. "I'm looking forward to hearing all about your first class."

Jasper sighed and shot me a look as he followed in his mate's wake.

"Later," he muttered, his lips a thin line as his nostrils flared in reaction to all the different scents swirling around him. Jasper's reflexes had been honed in battle during the Civil War, and then polished to a hard perfection after his human life had ended. He had occupied himself with years of fighting and killing before he had found Alice and his life had transformed yet again.

Waving them off, I set off towards my first class. A breeze eddied around me as I entered the building, and my head turned as I caught the trace of an attractive scent on the wind. It was more than attractive: it was undeniably delicious. I coughed as I choked back the slight rush of venom that had coated my mouth, wondering what it was that had set it off. As was the routine, we had all taken the precaution of hunting well before going anywhere near the college grounds.

Following the open corridor that ran the length of the building, I strolled towards the lecture hall indicated on my schedule, noting that the same scent seemed to pool at various locations, doubling back on itself before getting back onto the same steady course that I was taking. I shook my head. The scent was so appealing I had started to track it, and I swallowed hard again, shifting the strap of my satchel as I detoured around a group of students.

As I opened to door to enter the hall, the scent hit me again. The air inside was warm, some well-meaning person having overcompensated on the thermostat against the chill of the morning. The smell of so many warm bodies in a confined space washed over me, again combined with the faintest trace of that delicious scent weaving throughout it all. Closing my eyes to compose myself for the briefest of moments, I flickered my gaze around the room, and then chose a seat as far away from everyone else as possible.

Climbing the stairs towards a seat at the back of the room against the side wall, the thoughts of some of the occupants filtered through as I walked past.

How the hell did I spill coffee on my …

I don't think I'm in the right room …

Might see if I can get her number at the …

No way is he real …

I tried to hide a smile as I walked past them. No matter how much time passed, student insecurities were all the same. Already they were eyeing each other off, comparing and dismissing based on the superficial veneer of clothes and looks. Even the ones lounging with a carefully cultivated ease were radiating the same fears as everyone else.

Taking a seat, I set my books down beside me and leaned back, shuttering my expression as we all waited for the lecturer to arrive. No doubt Alice would want to know what the class was like if she hadn't looked for herself already, and Emmett would be ready to make a few jokes. I had to agree with the irony though, that one of us was choosing to study in the field of humanities.

Some of the girls were chatting amongst themselves, throwing curious looks now and then as I failed to respond to their flirting the way the other men already had. I stared past them all. Occasionally one of them would make eye contact, and then promptly wish they hadn't, shying away out of reflex and then assuming that their increased heart rate was one of excitement and attraction, rather than what it really was: a primal response based on fear. It wouldn't take long for the rumours to start: muttered comments amongst themselves that my family was strange, that the Cullens were remote and unsociable.

The door to the lecture hall opened, and the latest arrival hesitated at the threshold long enough for the closing doors to nudge against her rump, propelling her a pace forward. She clutched at the shoulder strap of her bag as she consulted a much-folded piece of paper, and then she looked up at the hall, chewing her lower lip. She approached the first row of students and bent forward slightly as she asked them a question, her shoulders relaxing as she received an affirmative response.

Her gaze flickered around the hall, looking for an unoccupied seat, and then made her way up the stairs, her pace slowing as her search remained unfruitful. I leaned back against the wall, thankful that my position allowed me to watch her at my leisure, unlike some of the human boys who turned in their seats to follow her progress. At last she found a seat and dropped into it with a smile of relief.

The lecture hall was filling as more students filtered in and occupied the seats, and the hum of conversation rose to a volume that was sufficient to drown out the buzz of voices in my head. I sighed and closed my eyes, striving for the inner calm that would subdue the internal chatter. The volume began to decrease to a bearable level, and then it happened.

The girl had settled herself into her seat and had taken a notebook from her bag. Now she leaned back in her seat and fluffed her long brunette hair off the back of her neck. The action sent her scent drifting towards me, and I stiffened as my predatory instincts roared to life.

I'd never some across a scent so exquisite. Carlisle had never told me, never warned me that a scent like that could even exist. I fisted my hands against my thighs as I fought for a semblance of self-control. It was all I could to sit still as my hunger fought against decades of discipline and denial. Her scent had ignited a thirst that I thought I had sated with a prodigious hunt a few days prior. I could imagine wrapping my arms around her, hauling her from her seat and sinking my teeth into the soft, warm flesh of her throat. I swallowed more venom again, as I imagined the feel of her hot blood spilling into my mouth again and again.

She shook her head as she laughed off a comment made by the person next to her, and her scent eddied around me once more. I shuddered, and then took a deep breath and held it. It went against my instincts, but it was the only act of self-preservation I could cling to. My lungs needed no air, but like other predators I used the air to track any danger in my environment. And my prey.

I kept myself as still as possible, watching her as she turned her head in response to a comment made by the person sitting beside her. She ducked her head and murmured a response, blood rushing into her cheeks. The sight and scent of it had me biting back a groan. I watched her in profile as she spoke. She was pretty, beautiful even, and there could be no denying her fragility.

I could snap her like a twig, she'd be dead before the fact could even register.

And yet there was something different about this woman. This human.

I watched the student that was talking to her again, leaning forward as he spoke, his expression bright and eager. He was like a child who had just discovered a shiny new toy. He did not seem to realise however, that his new toy didn't seem to be in the slightest bit interested. She was leaning away from him now, folding her arms as her responses became shorter.

The lecturer arrived and the buzz of conversation began to die away as he set up his presentation at the front of the hall. The lights were dimmed and he began to speak, outlining the course requirements for the semester.

After the first five minutes, I stopped listening to the lecturer and began to focus my attention on the woman sitting a few rows ahead of me. The male beside her was still trying to engage her in whispered small talk which she seemed to be doing her best to ignore. Against my better judgement I decided to eavesdrop. All at once every voice that I had been blocking roared into my head at full voice. I winced, trying to filter, to sift my way through the incredible din towards the one voice I sought.

It didn't take long to find the covetous thoughts of the man sitting beside her. Already he was planning on asking her out, wondering if he could tempt her with a coffee after the lecture was over, still not realising that his attentions were unwelcome.

Something was wrong.

The besotted male was broadcasting his thoughts like a clarion call, as were several of the woman sitting around him. Ironic then, that he should devote his attention to the one woman who seemed immune to his overt charms. I looked at her again, to see what she thought of his clumsy attempts so far, but I could hear … nothing. I frowned, and tried again. I could hear her heartbeat, and the steady pattern of her breathing, but her thoughts were silent to me.

Not possible.

My thirst was a constant burn in the back of my throat, but for the time being my curiosity for her, this ephemeral human, would give a temporary stay of execution.

A/N: I know this is very short, but I wanted to give you an idea as to what's to come. I hope you like it – all questions and comments gratefully received!