A/N: Life has been… complicated over the past two years. I pulled this story because I was unable to finish it among other issues. To put it simply, I was facing harassment which had nothing to do with the fandom but had bled into this world anyway. I tried to stay away but found that I missed it too much. More on that and what I've been up to and working on at a later date. This story? Finished. And I'm thrilled to be able to share it with you after so long.

While I may have the time to repost the story, I don't have the time to beta the previously-posted chapters. Posting schedule? Probably twice a week. Not sure. If you know me, you know that I'm not the most disciplined person. We'll see. Expect it to happen regularly though.

Take care and enjoy the read!

Bite to Break Skin

Prologue

Bella

I can't remember a time when Edward wasn't a part of my life. My memories and my imagination seem to run together these days. I have these dreams of Edward from when I was little. Although I was no more than five or six, he is the exact same age, the exact same Edward. In my dreams, nothing about him is different, he hasn't changed one bit. I had these dreams for years, years before I met him. It wasn't until we came face to face just before my seventeenth birthday that I even knew for sure that it was Edward.

Edward liked to say that sometimes when two souls are so deeply connected, our hearts fabricate memories. I used to love to hear him tell me how it worked for him.

I've always known you, Bella, I've always loved you. Even before you were born, even before we met, my heart knew of you and my body and mind had to be patient, I had to wait for you. And time dragged on. I have a theory—our subconscious will fabricate experiences in order to make that time spent without our other half less meaningless.

I wish I could say that I believe his theory, but I don't really. There's something he's hiding from me and I only wish I knew what it was. The more I investigate, the more muddled my memories become. I have these flashes of being little and leaping into his arms, laughing. In these memories, he is in my bedroom at Nana Marie's, and he tells me stories about vampires. Of course I know my mind is betraying me and these memories could not possibly be accurate. Edward avoided me for years, there is no way he ever willingly told me vampire stories; but there is one memory that I cannot shake no matter how hard I try.

I am something around six years of age and Edward is—well, Edward is of course, seventeen. It seems he has always been, and I know he will always be seventeen. One day I won't be seventeen and yet, he will never age. It's a painful thought—growing old while he doesn't. And though the idea pains me greatly, Edward refuses to change me. He has every reason imaginable to make me into what he is but he won't do it, and he won't allow anyone else to, either. Edward has promised to tear each one of them apart before they had a chance to change me—even Alice. These memories, or rather, dreams, remind me that I am not ageless and that I will wrinkle, they remind me that what we have now, will have to end. One way or another, this will all end.

In this memory—this dream—we are in my bedroom in my old house. Seated in my grandmother's rocking chair, Edward rocks back and forth with the sounds of the music playing on my tiny princess-themed record player. A child's toy that came with children's records, but this one, this record, Edward brought with him. I hear the enchanted melody in my head and while I sleep, but I can't place it. I am no good with identifying music anyhow. As best a description I can give is say that it sounds both tragic and eternal—like Edward himself. In my memory—this dream—I know the piece well and I am following along, humming the notes. For the most part, Edward sits and watches me as I prance around the room in my cream nightgown and ballet slippers.

Just before the dream can end I look over at Edward and smile at him. I ask him if knows what awaits me in the years to come… and just that way.

"Edward, what awaits me in the years to come, do you know?"

A dream... it must be. What six year old phrases her sentences that way? As I wait for his answer I dance over to him, plopping on the trunk at the foot of my bed, now facing him and sitting still. He draws in a long unnecessary breath and tells me that he does know what awaits me. As the dream continues, I physically feel myself nervous and curious all at the same time.

My little six year old body is barely able to handle the tension. Edward slowly parts his lips and he speaks.

"You're going to live happily ever after, Bella. From now until your final breath, I will make sure of it."

I giggle and tilt my head sideways

"When I get big like you, will you marry me?"

He raises his eyebrows and lets out a slight chuckle and makes a face at me, trying to convince me that I don't actually want to marry him. If he only knew.

"But my darling little Bella, I will be so old by then. Wrinkly and grouchy. I will no longer have my boyish charms to entertain you with. You do not want to marry me, my darling."

I pout, crossing my arms across my little chest.

"Do not sulk Bella, little girls do not sulk."

I wrinkle my nose at him

"But I'm no little girl, I'm a vampire. You said so yourself, Edward. You also said that as a vampire you will not age."

He puts his head in his hands and leans forward, cradling it.

"So I did, love. I will make you a promise."

He lifts his head, leans forward and extends his arm to me. I reach out and grab hold as he propels my tiny body onto his lap.

"If, when you're all grown up and no longer a little girl—"

I frown, giving him a warning look as to correct him

"… when you're no longer a little vampire and you've grown into a beautiful adult… vampire… nothing would please me more than be betrothed to you, my love."

I smile at him and push him into promising me. Edward contends that it was merely a dream, a terribly vivid dream, and nothing more. Contrary to common sense, I still hold out hope that it was more than a dream, that it were true. And as the memories of those nights grow stronger, I find myself doubting his theory more and more, though I still cannot make sense of any of it.

Bite to Break Skin

Chapter One

Bella

"Bella Cullen."

I stand tall, looking at the cherub-faced boy before me, extend my right hand for him to shake and smile brightly. I really am happy to finally make his acquaintance. His blond hair, pink cheeks and baby blue eyes excite me: all so very cute, all so very average, all so very human. The boy before me who has introduced himself as Mike Newton is perfectly average and mortal and I can't help but blush at my excitement over it all.

Mike leans in and gives my extended hand a gentle shake. His hands are rough and not at all pleasant to the touch, but the warmth of his skin and clamminess that transfers from his hand to mine is wonderfully welcomed. The smile on his face is wide, brightly exposing his beautifully flawed, human smile. I notice that his teeth, though white for a mortal, are ever-so slightly tinted yellow. I'm being a bit of a hypocrite as my own teeth are ever-so slightly yellowed. The faint yellow tint is not a sign of bad hygiene or poor dental care; it merely serves as another reminder that I am a mortal; an average human living amongst gods and goddesses.

After a long pause, Mike releases my hand with a sudden jerk backwards and takes an infinitesimal step away from me. I sigh. I don't even have to see which one of them it is to know that it's Emmett. My bright smile fades to a look of defeat as I dumbly search for something to occupy my hands. I look at Mike's face again and see his unease clouding his face. Emmett's footsteps grow louder as he approaches, a show he is putting on for the humans. A man of his stature makes noise even if a vampire of his stature does not. I nearly speak before thinking and free Mike, knowing that's what he wants, but I catch myself before doing so. I want to get to know this boy, and to do that, he is going to have to at least acknowledge my family. I turn around and sure enough, Emmett is less than five feet from us and growing closer every second. I don't smile at Emmett and his usual bright smile fades as he looks at me apologetically. He knows he's intimidated Mike and it wasn't his intention.

From the corner of my eye I can see Mike is about to bolt, so without putting any thought to it, my right hand, still bearing a slight sweat from our handshake, reaches for the sleeve of his letterman's jacket and holds him in place. I don't have time to survey his reaction. Emmett comes up beside me and I feel a slight tug on the sleeve, but my resolve is steady—Mike is meeting Emmett whether he likes it or not. I plaster a phony smile on my face that Emmett knows all too well and smile brightly at my adopted brother.

"Emmy!"

I grin and allow myself to mentally giggle at using my private nickname for Emmett so publicly. Thankfully, he does not seem fazed by this.

"I'd like you to meet Mike Newton." I turn to Mike who looks like he's about to break a sweat or pass out—I'm not entirely sure which, and I smile forcefully at him, daring him to run. Turning my attention back to Emmett, I finish the introduction,

"Mike, this is my brother, Emmett."

Emmett smiles politely at Mike and nods his head.

"Hey, Mike. It's nice to meet you."

Mike lets out an audible gulp before he collects himself.

"Hi, Emmett. Nice to meet you too, man."

Emmett grins at me, forcing a blush to my cheeks. He knows exactly what I'm thinking. Ever the gentleman, Emmett excuses himself and continues down the hall towards his next class.

Once Emmett is away I release Mike's jacket from my clutches and smile sheepishly at him.

"Sorry about that, I wanted you to meet my brother."

Mike nods and blushes, obviously embarrassed at being caught trying to bolt. We begin walking together to our next class, biology, but I think it's going to be weird between us now. I think he's going to distance himself from me after seeing Emmett. After all, that has been the protocol since I moved in with the Cullens. Mortal friends are something of a rarity in my life, and though I've mostly accepted having the only beating heart in my family, I still sometimes desperately wish everything and everyone could just be normal.

Snapping me from my thoughts, Mike clears his throat as we enter the biology classroom. I take my assigned seat at the lab table, closest to the window, two rows back from the front, nestled in the "C" section of the alphabetized seating arrangement and I huff. I have no lab partner and have no idea why Mr. Banner can't just team me up with someone… anyone. At least if I had a lab partner, a human being would be forced to interact with me.

I look to the front of the room to see Mike engaged in a conversation with Mr. Banner, our biology teacher. They're both speaking so low that I doubt many others can hear the conversation. Mike is adamant about something and if I strained my ears I'm sure I could hear him, though I don't try. Eavesdropping is not something I am tolerant of. Living in a house with five vampires who all have a super-sonic-vampire senses of smell, hearing, and eye sight leaves little room for a mere mortals privacy. I decided a long time ago that I would not be like them in that way, even if they can't help it, it's still intrusive and rude. Remembering how it feels to have your privacy invaded, I put my head down on the table to block out any curiosity I might have about the discussion going on up front.

A loud thump sounds on the table beside me and I swing my head up to see Mike smiling at me as he takes the seat reserved for my non-existent lab partner and begins to shuffle his books around the table. I look at him quizzically.

"I convinced Banner that he should let me be your lab partner since you're new here and your lab partner still hasn't made an appearance yet."

I smile at him and my face heats up, and his baby blue eyes get that much bluer, or at least, I imagine they do. Mr. Banner had reserved the space beside me for a mysterious student who's yet to register with Forks High. The space is reserved for either Alice or Edward, though the appearance of either is highly unlikely. Still, in every class and every school where I am in need of a partner, Carlisle finagles it so the space is reserved for one of my mysterious siblings who is not well but is, hopefully, expected to make an appearance in the school year. This is information I don't share with my classmates, not even Mike. The Cullen's are a strange enough family without me adding fuel to the fire.

"So… Emmett is your brother?"

Mike seems somewhat uneasy about his own question. I just smile and nod my head.

"Is he like, your biological brother or something? I mean, you two don't look alike."

I laugh quietly. I'm well aware that we don't look alike. Vampires typically don't look like humans. I shake my head.

"No, it's just that I truly think of him as my brother. Adopted or not."

Mike nods, accepting my answer.

"Are you related to any of them?"

Them he says… and he says it so casually but it holds so much truth. I shake my head again.

"Rosalie is Jasper's older sister and Alice is Edward's cousin, but Emmett and I are not related to any of them."

I say it as casually as Mike does and hope Mr. Banner begins the day's lesson before Mike can continue his line of questioning. Carlisle has explained to me time and time again that being the most approachable Cullen, I'm bound to get the brunt of the inquiries and how important it is to answer the questions before any eyebrows are raised. So I do. Every time someone asks, I answer. Carlisle says that my patience is a virtue even if I am in the middle of screaming my lungs out at the frustration of answering the same damn questions the same damn way day after day. He is just happy that I wait until I'm home to throw a tantrum and Emmett doesn't have to swing me over his shoulder and carry me home himself.

"So how did Dr. and Mrs. Cullen procure all of you, then? And where are the other two you mentioned?"

Procure? Seriously, Mike?

I fight back the urge to roll my eyes and remind myself that I like this boy and I will play nice.

"Carlisle and Esme both grew up in foster care and they know not many people want to adopt a teenager."

I shrug like it's no big thing they're doing, although to the humans, it is a very big thing indeed.

"With Rosalie and Jasper and Alice and Edward it was like a packaged deal, you get one, you get the other… so that's how they procured four teenagers as opposed to two. And when Carlisle went to treat me in New York, Emmett was in the same hospital as I was. Another foster kid."

I don't want to get much further into our constructed history, though I have to if I want him to stop asking questions.

"So, long story short… Emmett and I met in the hospital and my grandma and Esme became very good friends during my treatment... and when she could no longer care for me, the Cullen's adopted me. But by that time, Emmett and I were a packaged deal, too."

I smile at Mike, praying to God that if I can possibly give him my best flirty face, he'll drop the inquires, but no such luck.

Mike pauses, mulling over my responses and then he notices I didn't answer the second part of his question. So I cut him off before he can ask it again. Some days I'm not sure which is worse, answering the damn questions or hearing them being asked.

"Edward and Alice still see some of their biological family. Their grandma is ill right now so they're in Chicago staying with her until she recovers."

Mike goes to open his mouth again, eyes alight with another question and before I can cringe, run for the door, or ask a question about him, Mr. Banner clears his throat and begins the day's lesson.

Thank you, Mr. Banner.

Mike mumbles a rude, nearly inaudible comment about interruptions under his breath and opens his books. I do the same and resign myself to the fact that Mike will surely pick up today's discussion tomorrow.

We remain silent for the rest of the class and I take notes furiously on the topic at hand, though I can't remember what the topic at hand is. Mostly, I'm just acting as a model student to avoid answering anymore questions Mike may have. When the bell rings to excuse us from class, Mike reminds me that we have P.E. together to round out the day. I smile at him, forcing myself to forget the recent conversation and focus on the fact that I really do want to get to know this boy. I nod my head in acquiescence that we'll be walking to the gym together, pack up my belongings and we head for the door.

On the way to the gym I start asking Mike about his family and other miscellaneous questions I typically wouldn't be so nosey about. Mike's parents are deceased and he lives with his grandfather who is a recluse and nobody ever really sees. Mike's grandfather has lived in Forks for his entire life and until he grew too old to educate Mike himself, Mike was home schooled. This is his first year at Forks High, so at least my family is not the only new addition to this tiny town and even tinier school. I nod politely at the appropriate times, noticing how well-adjusted he seems for a boy who's been through so much. Then again, who am I to talk? I'm an orphan who lives with vampires and so far I'm not in need of too much time on a therapists couch.

We part ways for our gender-designated locker rooms and are, thankfully, not reunited back on the gym floor. I search the gym to find Jasper across the room talking to another boy in our class, Tyler, I believe his name is. Jasper looks up to me and I smile at my brother. God bless Tyler, he's one of the few humans who approaches a Cullen. Jasper seems excited by the exchange taking place. He only recently became comfortable enough in a public setting to really chat with humans and he quickly found that they typically avoided him whether he was open to conversation or not. Seeing Jasper smile while talking to Tyler makes me smile and I decide immediately that I like Tyler.

Coach Clapp splits up the students alphabetically by last name and the A through M students are assigned to the left side of the gym while the N-Z students are assigned the right, each with their own net for two simultaneous volleyball games. I take my position in the back of the court and smile widely at Jasper who's on the other side of the net playing opposite me. Tomorrow I might be disappointed at Coach Clapp's methods, but today I'm silently thanking him for the break.

Gym drags on and on as I stand in the back of the court and avoid the volleyball at all costs. Thankfully my classmates are now aware of my extreme lack of coordination and they do their best to keep the ball away from me. Jessica Stanley and Angela Webber are two girls in my class who always take the same position on the court, right in front of me, and together, they block me from the ball. Neither has taken a moment to speak to me or even introduce themselves, but they're adamant about keeping the ball out of my reach—today, I will thank them for their efforts though I know they're only doing it to keep themselves and everyone else safe. I smirk to myself at the thought. Two human girls think they're keeping the gym safe from me while Jasper, the reformed vampire vigilante, stands center court and appears harmless as a fly.

Humans, they can be so dense.

And the moment I have this thought I have to remind myself that I too, am a human. A feeling of inadequacy is washed over me momentarily before Jasper senses my shift in mood and spreads a feeling of calm over me.

Bless you, Jasper!

"Alright, hit the locker rooms and get out of here! I'll see everyone tomorrow for another thrilling round of volleyball!" Coach Clapp's gruff voice echoes in the gym, bouncing off the raised ceilings and wooden bleachers as he excuses us for the day.

I walk back to the locker room without giving anyone a second glance and change as quickly as I can. I figure if I change quickly enough then I can find Angela and Jessica and thank them for their valiant efforts. I throw my gym clothes in my locker, and snap the combination lock shut, swivel the dial and walk off. I'm eyeing the locker room furiously before I find the girls at the other end. I step over backpacks, strewn about clothing and avoid a few pointed glares as I approach them. Jessica, with her dark brown, curly hair, is trying to free a curl from a tangled mess on the side of her head. Angela reaches over to help her and both girls laugh at the predicament. I clear my throat to get their attention and when they look over, both look as though a train is speeding towards them and their lives are in peril. I give them a small, uncomfortable smile.

"Hi, I'm Bella Cullen,"

I stammer. Angela is quick to correct her look of horror as she gives me a sincere smile and extends her hand to shake. I do the same and then extend my hand to Jessica who, after a long pause, accepts my hand as well. They each introduce themselves and we all laugh at the awkwardness of the situation.

"I just wanted to say thanks, or uh—thanks on behalf of everyone else - for, you know, keeping me away from the ball."

I nod after my own statement, hoping they respond well to the joke, and thankfully, they do. Both girls are kind and friendly enough, considering they're being forced into conversation with a Cullen. I decide to give them a break and excuse myself for the long walk to the parking lot. I exit the locker room to see Jasper standing to the side waiting for me. I give him a genuine smile and when I reach him we begin our journey towards Emmett's Jeep Wrangler.

"Is everything alright, Bella?"

Jasper uses his soothing voice and I roll my eyes.

"Shouldn't I be asking you the same thing?"

I look up at him to see his furrowed brow, but I don't say anything. I let him think on that for a good, long moment before the look on his face tells me he understands the depth of my question.

"She's coming home soon, and I am doing just fine. A little separation is good for the soul every now and then, don't you think?"

I scoff at him. I might be inclined to believe him if it weren't such a grand production every time Alice returns home from her travels. Over the years Alice has gone off on one expedition after another, whether it is vampiric or fashion related and returns home about once a month for the weekend. I don't understand why she stays away but she tells me that she has trouble sticking to one spot and enjoys the travel. I know she's full of crap but I don't argue. What I don't understand is why Jasper stays here with the rest of us. After Alice has been gone for a few weeks, Jasper becomes somewhat morose though he tries to hide it, I can always tell.

I miss Alice and I wish she would stay with us, I wish she would go to school with me. Hell, I miss Alice so much, at this point I even wish she would dress me. I laugh at my own desperation as I look to my clothes. Torn jeans, old black and white low-top Chuck Taylor's and an all-black hooded sweatshirt. Alice would have a heart attack, had her heart still pumped blood, if she saw me in this get up. The last time she visited I had to beg Emmett to hide half of my clothes from her so she wouldn't throw them away when she caught sight of them. In fact, every month when she visits, I beg and plead with somebody to hide them for me. I've gotten every member of the family to aide me in my efforts except for Rosalie. When I asked her she just told me my clothes looked like shit and needed to be thrown away. I think I'm just lucky she didn't rat me out to Alice.

"Bella?"

I look up to Jasper who's eyeing my cautiously. He places a hand on my back and rubs gently.

"I miss her too, ya know. But this is just what Alice does. She's an explorer. It would be unfair of me to ask her to live a life she does not want."

I cock an eyebrow at him and continue to walk, refusing to look at where I'm going. Jasper is guiding me and will notice any obstructions in my path before I trip. I have no need to look at what I'm doing so I continue to stare him down.

"Bullshit."

I grumble low enough so that only he can hear me. We go 'round and 'round about this every couple of weeks and have so for the past few years, ever since Alice and Edward began their explorations.

I understand why Edward won't stick around; it's because of me. He doesn't like me, doesn't like a human living in such close proximity to him, and he doesn't like how everyone's lives are compromised by my mortality.

As if I don't feel guilty enough, thanks, Edward.

It's been years since I've seen Edward face to face, if ever. Every time I've seen him, he moves so quickly I wouldn't even be aware that he's in the room had somebody not told me. I know he comes to visit the others a few times a year, but he always does so when I'm either not home or he flat out avoids me.

Jerk.

Esme tells me how devastatingly handsome and kind and caring Edward is every chance she gets. But I don't believe her. He won't even greet me or show himself to me, and after years of this treatment I've come to accept that Esme is blinded with a mother's love.

We reach Emmett's Jeep and he and Rosalie are already waiting on us. I hear her mutter something about stupid, slow humans and I know she's referring to me. I look pointedly at her as she sits in the front passenger seat and raise my left eyebrow daring her to say it to my face. She glares at me and her eyes darken.

"You're getting brave."

Rosalie says with venom metaphorically flowing from her lips and I chuckle as I climb into the backseat behind Emmett.

"At this point, Rosalie, I've decided that you'll either eat me or you won't. Nothing I do or don't do will change that."

Emmett and Jasper both laugh as Rosalie turns to look forward, choosing to ignore me for days to come, I'm sure. I can tell she misses the fear I used to feel in her presence.

Oh well.

The drive home is silent. I have nothing to say, Emmett won't dare say anything while Rosalie is still seething, and Jasper is unfortunately absorbing all our attitudes at once. Emmett pulls up the nearly covered drive that leads up the hill to the house. I can feel Jasper's mood shift immediately.

Alice is home.

I force myself to remain still and not shout to the tree's how excited I am. Emmett rounds the Jeep through the shrouded drive and the house comes into view. We're met by a spotless silver Volvo. I let out a loud huff which earns me laughs from all the occupants of the car, including Rosalie. I think she dislikes the stupid, shiny Volvo owner more than I do. The car belongs to Edward. I'm tempted to give it a swift kick before making it into the house. At least then he might face me. Perhaps I can deflate a tire.

Ah yes, I'll deflate a tire.

I grin to myself knowing that Emmett, Jasper and Rosalie have no idea what I'm planning. Only Alice would know if I were completely resolved to actually deflate the tire. Until then she would have no clue. I must keep my resolve wavering to avoid being caught.

Emmett parks the Jeep and they each hop out effortlessly, but Jasper waits and extends his arm to help me out. One time I rode in Emmett's Jeep and upon exiting, I fell, busted the skin on my forehead open and bled profusely. Jasper almost ate me and since then, he ensures I exit safely. He doesn't want me to fall and bleed.

"What, you're not hungry today?"

He rolls his eyes at my poor excuse for a joke and I grin widely at him. Jasper doesn't think it's funny when I tease him about eating me. What he fails to understand is that being the only human amongst a family of vampires, my life is in danger every day and I can either joke about it or send myself to the mental institution. I choose humor. I take Jasper's hand and make the leap to the gravel below.

When I'm steady on my feet Jasper releases me and zooms in the house not wasting another moment to see his precious Alice. I notice that I'm alone out here as Emmett and Rosalie are also already in the house. I walk to the house and frown at the silver Volvo as I pass, giving it a swift kick to one of the tires.

I hear Edward's velvet voice groaning from his third floor bedroom. He's watching me. I turn my head up to his bedroom window and like a small child; I stick my tongue out at him, well aware that he can see me. He's smirking at my childish behavior. I can't see him but I know what he's doing. I know more about Edward than he thinks. I don't dare tell anyone what I know. I don't dare tell them I can feel his presence and where he is when he's close. I already think I'm crazy and I'm sure I've taken my theories on his elusive behavior much too far and have spent more than enough time mulling this over.

I walk up the steps to the front porch and through the opened front door to be greeted by one of my favorite images. Alice. Hanging there in Jasper's marble arms, Alice has her head rested on his shoulder, arms wrapped around his neck and I just know, if she could, she would be crying. I can't see Jasper's face from the foyer where I'm standing but I know he looks completely content and whole, the same look I see mirrored on Alice's face.

I smile as the tears escape my lids and I can't see anyone else in the room for a moment; but I pull myself together to survey the room before me. Carlisle has his arms wrapped around Esme's petite frame and beside them are Emmett and Rosalie in much the same pose. Seeing everyone—well, almost everyone, together in the same room brings me a temporary twinge of joy; and then I see it. I see a family not quite whole.

He is missing, and I'm once again filled with thoughts of deflating a tire—no, deflating all his tires. I miss Alice when she's away, which is most of the time. She's my best friend and I never feel as comfortable as when she is with me. I know what Jasper is missing having her away, and I wonder if he is the reason Alice stays away. I wonder if she is keeping Edward company. The jackass. I let a small sob escape me and before I can blink Alice is engulfing me in her arms, crushing my frail human body and cutting off my oxygen. I can't speak and I can't move as Alice has my arms pinned to my sides.

Esme notices my predicament and in all likelihood, I'm turning an undesirable shade of puce.

"Alice. Gentle."

Esme's words flow from her in a manner that can only come from a mother. Her voice is soft but her words are commanding. Alice releases me at once and holds me at arm's length and looks me up and down, studying my attire.

Goodbye, clothes!

I can practically see the wheels turning in her little head and I smile.

"We can go shopping tomorrow after school, Alice."

She looks up at me, her eyes nearly black, and she grins. Alice needs to hunt. I'm still beaming and I don't want to let her go but the thirst must be painful for her right now, being so close to me.

"Alice, go hunt. I'll be here when you return."

She sighs and nods. I'm right and she knows it so she lets me go and takes Jasper's hand as they walk away from me at a painfully slow, human speed. They reach the backdoor and Alice turns to look at me. She's shaking her head.

"Isabella Marie—do not deflate Edward's tires."

And just like that, they're out the backdoor of the house, and moving so quickly I follow their trail merely by the gust of wind they leave in their wake. Emmett lets out a booming laugh and Rosalie rolls her eyes.

"If you deflate the tires, I'll just have to re-inflate them."

Rosalie is eyeing me as a warning that I shouldn't go through with my plan; and just like Alice and Jasper, she and Emmett exit the room at a vampire speed my mortal eyes can't follow. I let my gaze fall on Carlisle and Esme as they're doing their best to collectively hide the chuckle dying to escape from behind their lips. I sigh, defeated, and head up the stairs to my third floor bedroom.

I reach the third floor landing and follow the hall as it neatly tucks itself around the outline of the staircase below. I pass the library on my right. The door is wide open and I quickly scan the room. I know he is not in there, but my curiosity forces me to check anyhow. The only other two rooms on this floor belong to me and Edward. Esme had given me one of the most secluded rooms to downplay any concerns I or the others may have about humans and vampires cohabitating. I'm thankful for it, because it's not just vampires I'm cohabitating with, it's couples. They all think they're quiet but they're not. Though I do not like to think about it, I have learned a lot about who they are intimately just by hearing them at night.

Rosalie and Emmett have a very physical relationship, and while Rosalie appears to be a complete hard ass to the rest of us, alone with Emmett, she's really just a vulnerable woman, healing from a broken past. I love Rosalie even if I sometimes ponder snipping off her blonde locks when she's rude to me—which is often. I could never go through with it though, aside from the fact that she could crush me with her pinky finger, her hair would never grow back, and for that, I would be eternally guilty, well, guilty until she crushes me with her pinky finger. Carlisle and Esme are, for all intents and purposes, my father and mother. They are always so sweet and kind to one another, in and out of their bedroom. I fantasize that one day I'll have a love like theirs. I reach the end of the hall and peer at Edward's door, directly across from mine. I lean against my door which lines the same wall as the library and I listen. Edward is listening to Claire De Lune on his stereo, again. Though he is rarely home, well, rarely home that I know of, he favors Claire De Lune. I wonder how many decades he's repeated this same piece. He alternates between this and an un-named piece which is positively soothing.

As I stare at the crack under his door, I see his shadow moving towards me. My body freezes and I'm terribly nervous that he is going to finally show himself. I've been a Cullen for nearly four years now and all this time he has remained hidden from me. I can accept that he doesn't want a relationship with me, but would it really kill him—er, kill me, for him to at least face me? The shadow stops at the closed door and remains still. I take in a deep breath and I can smell him. He is sweet and inviting, delicious even. So mouth watering, so Edward. I greedily continue to take in his scent and I quietly call to him.

"Edward…"

My plea is half a request for attention and half a declaration of his incredible scent. I hear him mutter something at lightning speed from behind the closed door and seconds later it's Carlisle's voice I hear.

"Homework, Bella."

I know better than to stand here and drink his scent in. He does not like it, and really, I do not care, though having others know is quite embarrassing. So I turn around and go into my room and shut the door behind me so that I'm not tempted to walk across the hall and rifle through his room. One way or another, Edward Cullen is going to be the death of me. I pull out my books with every intention of getting straight to my homework, but I can't concentrate. My mind is elsewhere and my thoughts are scattered. Before I realize it, I find that my mind is searching for way to get Edward to face me. It's been damn long enough and I've grown tired of his antics. I decide that putting myself in danger is the only true way to force him to face me as he'll have to save me. I look around my room as if for inspiration and my attention focuses on the glass wall before me, and the large, floor to ceiling sliding glass door that is masked to appear immobile, but I know for a fact, it is mobile.

"Carlisle!"

I hear Edward's rich and velvet voice shouting, nearly panicked, and he follows with more vampire-speed mumbling.

"Secure her glass door!"

Oh, shit.

His voice has adopted a hard edge to it that I've never heard before. Alice must have had a vision and the nosey bastard intercepted it. I feel a mix of emotions at once—I'm flustered and embarrassed and I feel defeated. With all their vampire qualities, my human qualities are no match for even one of them, let alone a mind reader and his psychic sister. At least I can be thankful that he claims to be unable to read my mind; If he could, I doubt he would be very happy as right now my inner self is parading around with a giant sign that says 'Fuck you, Edward Cullen!'