Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“You look tired” Matt whispers across the table. I look up from my math book squinting in his direction.

“Early morning.” I mumble, Matt doesn't buy it.

“Spill.” Ten years of friendship has made it impossible to hide anything from him.

“She downed a whole bottle of Captain Morgan and passed out with the stove on.” I rub at my tired eyes trying to bring life back into them, it's not working. “I woke up to smoke and burnt plastic, she left a bowl on the stove. I had to clean and get her ready for work.” Matt shakes his head,

“How does that women even have a job, she's has to be hung over like all day, how does she even teach?” I sigh,

“Practice, talent, magic, who knows as long as she has a job.” I look back down to my equations but the page has gone fuzzy, how can I solve for X when I can't see it.

“If I could, I'd call the university and tell them about their professor and her after school activities,”

“Stop, if she looses her job we loose our only source of income.” He shrugs,

“I know I said if I could, Mare.” He looks back at the textbook in his lap, “Besides it not like she spends her money on anything other than booze.” Not true. I release a breath and look back down to my homework, I'm never going to finish this before class. I was going to do it this morning, but babysitting my mother came first. I look back at Matt and groan, he's so focused on his math book in his lap, he has to be finished with the equations by now,

“Can I copy your homework Mattie, just this one time?” Lie,

“This is like the thirtieth time you've copied my homework this month.” I scrunch my brows, and push the table into his stomach. He doubles over loosing his grip on his textbooks, it falls off his lap onto the floor. Quickly I reach for the fallen book, but it's not just his math book,

“Wait!!!” He hisses, but it's too late, I've already picked it up and now hold the cover between two fingers,

“Twilight?!!??”

“Shhhhhhhhh!” Miss Anders the school librarian hisses from across the room, her body half hidden behind her desk,

“Give it!” Matt yanks the book from my fingers and stuffs it into his backpack,

“How can you read that?” He shrugs,

“You have to read the book before you see the movie?” I scoff,

“You're going to watch the movies too?” I roll my eyes,

“I'll be the first to admit the writing's subpar but the storyline and the characters are really interesting.” I lean back, the old library chair digs into my shoulder blades.

“Oh I bet,”

“I'm serious!” He defends catching on quickly to my sarcasm, “The author really hit all the necessary must have characters. The big muscular teddy bear, the silent brooding guy, the tiny oddball, the head of the family, the mom of the group, the beautiful mean girl, the hot male lead and the shy main character that's “different from other girls” it's the perfect balance!” I shake my head,

“That's not a perfect balance Matt that's archaic, books need more than just characters. It needs a good plot and a hero's quest not just a girl that falls in love with a vampire.” Matt shakes his head,

“You just haven't read it yet. Here I was only rereading it.” Slowly he slides it across the table, I slide it back.

“No, besides I don't have time.” He raises one eyebrow,

“I'll let you borrow my math homework.” Damn him,

“I don't appreciate the methods you're using to get me to read your favorite book.” Matt holds up his completed worksheet and wiggles it in the air. Damnit he's even shown his work, “Fine!”

“Shhhhhhh!” Mr. Anders hisses again, I throw her an apologetic look and shove the book into my backpack, before snatching Matts homework out of his hand.

“Why is freshman Algebra so hard?” I whine quickly scribbling down the answers,

“I think it's a government conspiracy.” I slide his worksheet back and stuff mine into my text book right as the bell rings. Matt does the same,

“Ready?”

“Let's go.” I sling my backpack across my shoulders and stand. That stupid twilight book has made my book bag a lot heavier. We head for the library exits, I give Miss. Anders a smile on the way out, she doesn't return it, probably wishes Matt and I would stop spending our free period here.

“Hey when you finish the first one, I'll give you the sequel, granted it's not my favorite in the series, but the new characters are more-”

“Don't push it Matthew.”

“You know if you cut your hair, stopped walking out in the sun and wore brown contacts you'd look like Bella-” Matt bumps my shoulder,

“Wanna know what you'd look like with my fist in your face?” Matt steps back from me,

“Never mind.”

…

Gym was brutal. We'd move on to basketball. My team never passed me the ball, so that was good, but I fell down a lot. Sometimes I took people with me. Today I was worse than usual because mu head was so filled with Edward. I tried to concentrate on my feet, but he kept creeping back into my thoughts just when I really needed my balance.

“Really?” I scoff, “Get a hobby.” I'd been unable to put this book down since I picked it up, something about it kept me reading, but I'd also been picking it apart.

“I'm home!” The door hasn't even close yet and I can already hear the clanging of glass bottles. This means she's stopped at the grocery store on her way home. I close Matts book and set it aside and head into the kitchen. Mom already has a glass of whiskey on the counter, and is hiding the other bottles under the sink.

“How was work?” She shoves the last bottle of Smirnoff under the pipes before looking up and smiling,

“Good, how was school?” I shrug,

“It was fine.” She stands and grabs for her glass,

“Good, what do you want for dinner? I was thinking takeout, you like everything on your pizza right?” I smile and nod. I love my mother, this is the mother I want 24/7, the mother who's sober and knows exactly what I want on my pizza and asks me how school is. My smile is wiped of my face when she takes that first drink.

“Okay, I'll order.” She kisses the top of my head before passing me to get to the landline. I take a deep breath, it's only a matter of time now.

…

“Did you finished your homework?” An angry voice demands. In a matter of hours my mother has gone from a sober mom ordering pizza, to an angry paranoid walking disaster. I sigh,

“Yes,”

“Don't get smart with me.” She points her finger in my face, an enraged snarl on her lips,

“Sorry.” I mumble looking back down to my book,

“Drink” he ordered. I sipped my soda obediently,

The book is ripped from my hands,

“Where did you get this? I know I didn't buy it for you.” She shakes the paperback around, my place now officiously lost.

“I borrowed it,”

“Borrowed from whom?” I love my mom, but when she's like this she scares the absolute hell out of me,

“Matt.” My hair is wrenched forward being pulled out at the roots,

“I told you to stay away from boys,” She lets go shoving me off the couch and onto the floor. My hands and knees hit the ground hard,

“Mom!”

“You know where boys lead,” I start getting to my feet when a hard kick to my stomach sends me back down, “You'll have sex, and start whoring yourself out and when you get pregnant I'm not raising your mistake!” I suck in air greedily, my breath being taken from her kick. I turn my head to face her, she towers over me, her face red and eyes blurry from the alcohol. She steps steps closer fist raised, I grab her ankle pulling her towards me and off balance, it's easy to do with the whiskey already in her system. She lands on her back a groan escapes her lips. Perfect she's dazed. I roll on to my back and get to my feet heading for my room but just like I did my mom grabs my foot and pulls me to the floor. My foreheads breaks my fall and I see stars. It task me a second to realize my mom has completely regained her composure and is pulling me towards her. I shake the dizziness away just as hands grab my shoulders and roll me onto my back,

“Mom!” Long boney fingers wrap around my neck and squeeze.

“You never listen!” She hisses through clenched teeth, her fingers tighten to completly cut off my air supply. I scratch at her hands, opening my mouth wide hoping for any bit of oxygen I can get, I get none. “Why was I cursed with a slut for a daughter!” Her eyes bulge and I feel like my head is going to explode and I realize that this is how I'm going to die. I look around for anything to hit her with, anything at all. Blackness starts to creep into my vision and I know I'm going to pass out any second when something catches my eye. An empty bottle of Bacardi under the couch. It's embarrassing to always have your recycling filled with empty glass bottles, we've learned to hide them. I grab the neck of the bottle and bring it into her temple. She lets go and falls to the side, I take a deep breath in, tear streaming down my face when the burning coughing starts. I turn looking over at my mom's passed out figure on the floor, her skin a sweaty mess and hair sprawled out around her. We've had arguments and fights before and when she's two bottle deep it's not unusual for her to get physical, usually over the topic of me dating or talking to boys, but she's never gotten this violent with me. I touch my neck the skin already starting to swell. I'm not staying here to wait for her to wake. Quickly I get to my feet and grab my backpack and head to the door. My hand is on the handle when I realize I forgot Matt's book. I step over my mom and grab the worn paperback copy and run back towards the door sprinting out in to the chilly New York air.

I can't stop the tears, my eyes burn and I quickly wipe them away, the high from almost being strangled to death is starting to wear off leaving me feeling soar and tired and I realize I have no where to go. I haven't seen my grandparents since I was 8 and my mother has no siblings and my father is a mystery, and suddenly the world gets heavier on my shoulders. I stop and take a deep breath, my chest hurts. I wince reaching the end of the block and sit down on the curb. I push my head between my knees and let myself absorb everything. My mom who gave birth to me, who's only just kissed my forehead hours ago, who knew how I liked my pizza, almost killed me. She always drinks but never to the point where she would do something she couldn't come back from and I'm left with that one question now, why? My phone! I turn reaching into my backpack pocket and pull out my cell phone, It's nothing fancy just a flip phone with a few numbers programmed into it, one of them is Matt's. I hit his number and listen for the ring, he answers quickly.

“Finished all ready?” He chuckles on the other line,

“Matt?” I force out, his name scrapping against my throat the whole way up,

“Mare? What's wrong?”

“She...” My voice cracks, “She hurt me, she almost killed me.” Tears burn my eyes again, I reach up and wipe them away before they can fall.

“She what?”

“I can't stay there tonight.”

“Mare, you can't stay there at all you need to tell someone and get help, are you okay? How bad are you hurt?”

“She-”

…

Confusion, that's the first thing that runs through my mind when I open my eyes. It's dark and I'm flat on my back, my neck, chest and eyes still burn but the rest of me feels fine. I sit up and try to let my eyes adjust but it's all still black, pitch black.

“Hello?” No answer. Slowly I sit up and hold my arms out to make sure I don't bump anything. When my arms hit nothing but air, I slowly get to my feet,

“Is there anyone in here?” Nothing, “No one can turn on the light.....No? Perfect.” I shuffle my feet around until I pick a general direction that I hope it leads to a door. My feet never really leave the floor and I wave my arms around frantically. I'm sure if someone could see me I'd look like a maniac, but I'm trying to find a light switch or dangling chain. The toe of my converse hits something hard causing me to lose my balance and the ground rushes up sending loud banging sound around me,

“Hey!” A voice shouts and a white light is shone in my face, “Are you aware that you're on private property and therefor you're currently trespassing?” What?

“No?” How is a curb in the suburbs of New York private property. I hear the pull of a chain and the pitch black becomes illuminated. I look around at what looks like a wood shed. Saw dust covers the floor and the thing I tripped over are actually wood planks.

“Okay kid how did you get in here?” The man clicks his flashlight off and steps closer to me. He's tall with curly brown hair and a matching mustache. His dark eyes peer down at me and I take a second to look at his clothing. Black slacks with a navy jacket and some sort of pin on a pocket..........shoot he's a police officer. His eyebrows furrow,

“Are you okay?”

“Ummm yay.” I'm trying to read his badge but my eyes aren't working, blurriness and a pink tint cover everything like a rose colored blanket. I blink the fuzziness away but the pink remains.

“Is someone chasing you kid, are you hiding?” I look down and swallow,

“Umm no?” I get on my knees “Where are we?” This alert his attention because he bends down and places his hands on his knees,

“Have you been drinking tonight?”

“What! No I-”

“Taken any drugs?”

“No I-”

“Care to explain how you got in a locked abandoned saw mill?” Yes one minute I was sitting on the side of the street and when I opened my eyes I was here.

“ummmmm...I plead the fifth.” The man nods,

“I bet you do, come on.” He gets to his feet and holds out his hand,

“Where are we going?”

“The station and don't run.” I stare at his hand

“Why”

“Well for one thing I don't feel like chasing you and another thing is when I catch you which I will catch you, you will be in even more trouble than you're in now in now.” I sigh, I really don't feel like running,

“Mare.” I grab his hand letting him haul me to my feet.

“Chief Swan, once we're on better terms you can call me Charlie.”

Chapter Text

“Blow” Chief Swan orders holding the breathalyzer up to my mouth. I stare at him before choosing to roll my eyes instead,

“I told you I'm not drunk.” He shrugs,

“Then you'll have no problem blowing will you?”

“You should phase that better.”

“Blow!” He demands, quickly I lean forward and blow as hard as I can into the nozzle, all while keeping my eyes on this “Chief Charlie Swan.” It could be his name, Charlie is common, I know at least three Charlies of different ages, and Swan? That girl from that fairytale show, her last name is Swan so it's common too right? What if he changed his own name during the Twilight craze? Yes I'm going to go with that, the only problem is figuring out how I started out sitting on a street curb and then ended up face down in an abandon saw mill. The Breathalyzer is pulled away while Chief Swan studies the readings,

“What does it say?”

“Doesn't matter.”

“Cause I haven't been drinking, see you were wrong.” I gloat, but Chief Swan doesn't back down,

“Care to tell me why your eyes are bloodshot and glazed over.” Bloodshot? Glazed? Could explain why everything has a pinkish glow to it,

“Genetics?” I say slowly, Chief swan mustache twitches and in one swift movement he reaches past me to the police cars door handle and throws it open,

“In.” I look inside to the hard plastic seats and sigh. Where else do I have to go? I slide in and let him slam the door. I watch as he stalks over to the front drivers side and plops in before starting the cruiser and pulling away from the darkened mill. I turn around as the car gains speed and watch the abandoned building get farther and farther away, eventually it disappears into nothing. Suddenly it hits me, it disappears into nothing which is exactly what's surrounding the structure, nothing. Why was a police officer looking around an abandoned saw mill in the middle of actual nowhere.

“How did you know I was out here?”

“Anonymous call.”

“Anonymous call?”

“That's what I said.” I lean back, although the seats back here are uncomfortable.

“Can I come sit up there with you?”

“No,”

“Why?” Chief Swan sighs,

“Because you were trespassing and getting high on private property like a criminal, so you're going to be treated like a one.” I roll my eyes,

“I thought I was getting drunk.”

“Sit back and hush.” I grunt feeling a pull in my side from where my mother kicked me,

“I'm not on drugs either.” I mumble trying to get comfortable on the hard plastic

“You look it, or do you look like that because of someone or something?”

“I'm not on drugs.” I mutter, I'm just very confused. I slide to the right side of the cruiser and stare out the window, it's dusk so it's a little hard to see but I manage. Theirs a lot of trees, more than I'm use too, even in the suburbs of New York.

“Where are we?”

“Where do you think we are?” I wait a second before answering.

“New York?” I'm waiting for chief Swan to asks me if I'm on drugs again but instead he asks,

“Did you hit your head when you fell?”

“Maybe?” I whisper low enough so he can barely hear. I touch the tips of my fingers to my temples and wince, this has to be when I hit my head on the way down when mom caught my leg. I slide over to the other side of the car, and squint out the window. I'm hoping that I'll start seeing something familiar, but theirs nothing but trees, trees, and more trees. Theirs a lot of trees in Beacon, but here their seems to be nothing in between. I lean closer to the window squinting at a sign as we slowly pass. My heart stops

Welcome to Forks

“Forks?”

“Washington.” Chief Swan confirms and my breath hitches. Forks isn't real it's all from a book, Charlie Swan isn't real, this isn't real!!

“Kid, are you okay back there?” I realize my breaths are coming in short gasps, my ribs ache and suddenly I'm dizzy,

“Kid?”

“Huh!” I look up at the review mirror where chief Swan stares back at me,

“You okay?”

“I have to be dead, or at least in a coma.” I whisper turning my head back and forth, still only trees sit on both sides of the car,

“Don't do drugs.”

“I'm not on drugs! I live in Beacon, New York. I was just in there, I have to get back, my mom......oh god my mom!” I can't breathe and despite the ache in my ribs I bend down putting my head between my knees.

“Okay kid calm down, deep breaths, we'll get you help.” This catches my attention and I pop my head up.

“What, where are we going?” I swallow suddenly feeling the reverberating pain in my neck.

“The hospital, it's just up here.” My back straightens and I lean forward grabbing the grate that keeps me and chief Swan separated.

“What, why?”

“Because if you're hurt you need to be looked at and if you're jonesing you need a safe place to come down.” I collapse back into the plastic seats,

“One more mention of me on drugs and I'm going to loose it.” I mumble running my hands down my face,

“Then don't do drugs.” I slowly pull my hands away and look up at the rearview mirror and glare. He shrugs “Or you can talk to me.” I bring my hands up to my face again because I don't even know how to start.

…

“Sit and don't move.” Chief Swan points to an uncomfortable looking padded chair in the corner of the hospital waiting room. Chief Swan had to physically pull me out of the squad car by the collar of my shirt. That alone got him heated and I really don't feel like angering him any further, so I sit. The Chief gives me a harden glare before turning around to talk to the lady at the front desk. I grip the chair tightly, I hate hospitals. I glance at the few people sitting in the same chairs as myself, one is an older woman doing a crossword, another is an older man a couple seat down picking at a scab on his arm. Lastly is a small family hiding away in a corner, a young child sleeps on his mothers lap, while the man scratches at his eye repeatedly. I cringe, there are so many germs in here. I turn back to chief Swan who points at me, the lady behind the desk nods and picks up her phone. I repeat Chief Swans words in my head,

“Sit and don't move.”

I frown and wait for both the women and chief Swan to turn their backs on me once more. It doesn't take more than a minute and then quickly and quietly I take my chance, I run.

…

Dammit it's cold. I rub at my bare arms and curse my stupidity for running out my apartment door without a jacket, although in my defense it's warm in New York!!! Now on to my next thought, HOW THE HELL DID I GET HERE! I take a deep breath and turn looking back to the hospital playing particular close attention to the sign....yup still says Forks. I'm losing my mind that's it, I must have hit my head somehow and I'm currently wondering around my neighborhood VERY concussed, but in my messed up brain I think I'm in Forks Washington, a fictional town from a book.

That makes perfect sense! I reach the end of the parking lot and look around, surely they've noticed I'm gone by now. I need the less likely place they would look. On one side its the road leading out and away from the hospital, the other is....trees, shocking. However trees it is. I take one more look before bolting into the darkening forest, only stopping when the pain in my chest is too much, but by then, I'm surrounded by large trunks and masses of upturned dirt, leaving me feeling more hidden and therefor safe. I have no doubt their probably searching the hospital itself checking in the bathroom and empty halls, but I keep moving as if they're behind me. I know most of it is paranoia, but I am currently living in a fictional world after all, and not even a good one! One with vampires, why did it have to be vampires, why couldn't it be wizards? I would love to love in live Hogwarts or even Wayne Manor. Yes I would 100% prefer to live in a mansion with Batman or Hogwarts with wizards than live in Forks with vampires.

“Wizards?” A deep voice to my left questions and instantly my heart drops into my stomach, “I've never heard of Harry Potter.” Slowly I turn towards the voice and feel my knees buckle, he's gorgeous. The approaching man stops and smiles, “Thank you.” Now my legs completely give out, my knees hitting the ground with a squish. Who's the male lead again...I just picked up the book how could I forget already? Right, concussed walking around my neighborhood confused that's right.....it's Ed something...Edwin......Eduardo.....Edmund...Ed...Ed...Ed...

“Edward.”

…

Cold arms hold me tightly, but chaos erupts around me.

“Where did you find her?” I recognize chief Swans voice, great I'm in even more trouble now,

“She was walking around dazed and confused.”

“I found her in an abandon saw mill, I think she was getting high.” Again with the drugs. A cold hand brushes my bangs back,

“Or a head injury, set her here Edward.” A smooth voice commands, my back hits something stiff and the arms disappear around me,

“I thought of that.” Chief Swan grumbles,

“Of course chief,” the smooth voice reassures, “Margaret will you please start an IV and push 2mg of Naloxone.” Needles? Oh hell no, my lids are pulled back by the lashes and a bright light is shined into my eyes. I blink when I can and seize my arm away. I try to roll onto my side but suddenly hands grab my shoulders and arms.

“Kid calm down.”I hear Charlie shout over the commotion,

“Chief please wait outside.” A door slams and I pull even harder against the hands,

“Easy, easy, easy, you're okay and you're safe, can you try calming down for me.” I don't even know you,

“Carlisle.” Edwards voice answers my question. I open my eyes and look towards Edward, he's standing at the end of what ever I'm laying on..a bed I guess. His hands are holding my knees down. Oh god what have I gotten myself into? I let my head flop back down and take a deep breath. A cold hand rubs my shoulder,

“That's it sweet girl, take a deep breath. You're safe, we're going to take a look at you make sure everything's in working order.” I shake my head. I've been to the hospital a handful of times, but just like school counselors and police officers I've been taught to fear them.

“No,”

“Chief Swan has expressed a great believe that you've ingested something you shouldn't, if you allow me to run a blood test he could easily be proven wrong.”

“I'm not on drugs.” I mumble taking a deep breath. My ribs burn,

“I believe you, but the Chief of Police outside does not, theres no other way to prove him wrong I'm afraid.” I bite my cheeks, I don't have a choice and so I nod,

“Okay, Margaret. Please.” For the first time I look up at the smooth voice. He's good looking, in fact almost too good looking to be working in a hospital in a small town. At least not a small hospital in the middle of nowhere, maybe Grey's Anatomy. Yes, I could see him there. His skin is pale and blemish free, eyes a sparkling gold with hair to match, his name tag reads Dr. Cullen and for some reason no part of me wants to believe any of this. My arm is straightened and a band is tied around my bicep and something wet is applied to the inside of my elbow.

“Small pinch here honey.” The woman Margaret says. I make the mistake of looking over. That's not a small pinch, thats a full on needle and I turn my head away and press my cheek into the starchy white pillow and squeeze my eyes shut. Something cold runs across my forehead and then something else wraps around my right bicep. I hear the snap of Velcro,

“Can you tell me your name?” I feel the band tighten and something cold is pressed into my inner elbow,

“Mare.”

“Short for Meredith?”

“Marceline.”

“Thats-”

“Weird.” I cut him off before he can say it. It's what everyone says hence why I've shortened my name. I look up to Dr. Cullen who takes the prongs of his stethoscope out of his ears and brings it back to rest around his neck,

“Delicate.” He smirks and reaches for something out of sight. Slowly the bed I'm laying on rises and bends until I'm sitting up. I feel tape being applied to my inner elbow. My wrist is grabbed before I can reach over and rip the IV out. How could I have been so stupid, I knew they weren't just going to draw blood. Wait blood? I turn to Edward but he seems unaffected,

“Can you tell me what happened?” Dr. Cullen asks distracting me, it's working because now I need to think of an excuse.

“I fell in the warehouse.” Carefully Dr. Cullen reaches forwards with two fingers and and pushes into the puffy skin on my neck,

“Ahhh!” I hiss and pull away,

“Margaret can you call down to radiology and get us in for a CT scan.”

“She's a minor Dr. Cullen.” Margaret points out,

“I understand but if her airway closes we'll be in a bigger situation.” Margaret nods as if these things just happen,

“Of course.” I watch Margaret leave the room and then Dr. Cullen drags my attention back to him,

“Where can your parents be located?”

“Parent.” I correct,

“Parent?” Dr Cullen asks again, but how am I going to explain this. My parent isn't here because she's in my world, my world? You know as in not here, because in my world you're nothing but a character form a book, a boring one.

“Boring?” Edward questions, he still stands down by my feet but he's not longer holding my legs down,

“Edward” Dr. Cullen chides, Edward looks away from me,

“She knows.” Dr. Cullen sighs,

“Is that the case?” I turn back to Edward, but something behind him catches my eye, something small and black sitting by the door.

“My backpack?”

“Pardon?” Dr. Cullen asks, I look over to him and then back to Edward.

“My Backpack, it's behind you.” Edward turns confused and walks over swiftly to pick it up,

“Did you come with that?” Dr. Cullen asks. Slowly I shake my head, once, twice, too much pain to continue,

“Open it.” Edward hesitates before unzipping it and reaches inside, he pulls out my binder and I roll my eyes, “There's a book.” He reaches inside again and this time pulls out the worn paperback copy, “read the back.”

“Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen....”

The mood in the room changes and the air gets thicker,

“I think I'm not where I'm suppose to be........” Dr Cullen holds his hand out and slowly Edward passes the book over. He flips through it and then carefully sets it down on a small table at the side of the bed, his palm resting on top of it.

“Where do you come from, where is your home located?” I push my lips together, I've jumped from one side of the country to the other, New York to Washington.

“New York.” Edward answers for me

“Hey.”

“Answer the questions or Edward will answer them for you young one.” Dr. Cullen gently scolds,

“Give me a chance to answer then.” Dr. Cullen nods,

“That's fair,” he looks at Edward and nods again, “What's the last thing you remember?”

“I was on the phone, sitting on the sidewalk.” I waste no time answering this time.

“And who did this to you?” Dr. Cullen reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out a pen, my mothers face appears in my head, her angry eyes and nimble fingers closing around my throat. The Bacardi bottle I used to hit, all of it flashes before my eyes like some sick movie I don't want to watch. I turn to Edward, if he can read minds then he's seen everything I've just replayed. NO!

“I was attacked, jumped.” I blurt out,

“Jumped?” Dr. Cullen questions almost like he's testing the words on his tongue. He holds up his pen,

“It's New York,” I mumble looking to Edward, “It happens.”

“Look this way.” Dr. Cullen reaches forward and turns my chin in his direction, “Follow this with your eyes.” He flashes the light on, it's brightness pierces my retinas and burns, I follow the best I can and wait until he's finished to speak,

“What happens to me now?”

Chapter Text

I twirl the hospital bracelet around my wrist. I'm too scared to look down at it, I don't even know if it has the right name or what it could even say. I haven't seen Dr. Cullen or Edward in over an hour, instead an man named Dr. Grady came in telling me he's over taking my care. After being touched, prodded, x-rayed, and forced through an MRI, I'm back inside the room I started in, alone. So far I've thought of every attempt to escape, but I doubt any of them would be successful. The last time I opened the door a nurse showed up asking if I needed anything. I'm sure they've all been told to watch me. I take a breath and contemplate just running as fast as I can threw the emergency department of Forks General Hospital. I'm seriously considering this when the door opens and Edward scoots in quickly and silently, closing the door behind him softly.

“You lied.” He states, I squint my eyes up at him,

“I'm sorry?”

“About being attacked,” he clarifies, “you lied to Carlisle and then you yelled at me not to tell him. You lied.” I purse my lips and look away,

“Technically I thought it.” When I look back, Edwards face is not amused. I release a large breath wincing at the pain in my chest. “She's my mom, she didn't mean it.”

“She didn't mean to strangle and beat yo-”

“Shhhh” I hiss looking around, “She was drunk, she would never do this if she was sober.” After a moment of silence, Edward speaks.

“That's what you believe?” Yes, no, I don't know. I nod anyway. Edward shakes his head, “You don't believe that, but she's taught you to believe it.” I look up and shrug,

“I don't know what you want from me,”

“I want you to tell me this isn't the first time she's done it, just the first time she's gone this far.” I feel hot tears well up in my eyes and blink them away,

“How do I get home?” I change the subject, we both stare at each other for a long second with nothing but the sound of the light buzzing above us. I open my mouth when the door opens again. Dr. Cullen takes a quick look at Edward before turning his attention to me, a manilla folder in his hand. He opens it flipping through a few pages,

“How are you feeling Mare?” Dr. Cullen asks,

“I'm fine.” I sigh,

“Now, I know Dr. Grady went over this with you already, but I would like for you and I to go over it once more, just so that I know you understand completely.” I nod, “Alright I want to re-ask you some of the questions, starting with, do you have a headache or blurred vision?” I've answered all these before, I lied on most of them, but that was when I believed they weren't going to hold me hostage here,

“No,” That one was true,

“Any nausea?” Yes,

“No.”

“Yes,” Edward answers behind me, damnit mindreader!!!!!

“How long?” Dr. Cullen asks disapprovingly.

“It's only when I move my head,” I confess. Dr. Cullen shuts the folder and holds out his hands,

“May I?” I swallow and nod. My back stiffens when I feel his fingers push into the tender skin at the back of my head, “Little soar?”

“A little bit.” His fingers move, one hand grabs my chin to lift my head up, another pushing my bangs back to look at the swollen and still forming bruise there. Dr. Grady spent a lot of time in this territory, asking simple questions, looking into my eyes, checking hearing in both ears, forcing me into an MRI machine to lie still for 20 minutes.

“You have a mild concussion Mare, but mild doesn't mean it's any less serious. Your brain took a beating and requires rest and time to properly heal.” I know the spiel, but I answer anyway,

“Okay,” his hands move down to my neck, still swollen and darkening with time,

“The trachea nor any of your vocal cords were damaged, but theirs a good amount of swelling, so expect some soreness and a sore throat, possible loss of voice, but the good news is the x-rays on you're ribs came back normal, no breaks or bruising.” They should be normal, she only kicked me once, I think of this forgetting the mindreader in the room and again I project my next thought loud and clear, damnit mindreader!!! Dr, Cullen pulls away and grabs the folder again, opening it and flipping to the last page,

“In the meantime Dr. Grady prescribed anti inflammatories and pain medicati-”

“How will I get back home.” Dr. Cullen looks up from his paperwork and then carefully sets it aside, “I don't know how I got here, so I don't know how to get home.”

“Do you remember what happened before you got here?” I look away and think hard,

“I was sitting on the sidewalk talking on the phone.....I think.......I think their might have been lights...bright ones.....Am I dead back home?”

“Or injured, to be honest this is a situation I have no knowledge about. I was completely unaware that something like this could happen.” A large lump grows in the back of my throat, the pain almost seems to swell and I try to swallow but wince feeling the tears fill my eyes again,

“So what do I do?” I try swallowing again, “Where do I go?” Dr. Cullen reaches into his breast pocket pulling out a cloth and holds it out to me. I stare at it and after a second he reaches down and wipes away the stray tears on my cheeks before pushing it into my hand,

“What to do? We'll figure it out, in the meantime you'll come to our home.” This catches my attention,

“Your home, why?” Dr. Cullen crosses his arms and leans back

“A few reasons-”

“The main one being you know about the V word” Edward cuts in.

“Yes,” Dr. Cullen sighs, “That being a very important reason, but there is also the matter that you've seemed to have completely jump worlds and currently have no place to live here.”

“I can't go live with you.” Dr. Cullen looks amused,

“Oh?” He questions. Theirs one thing they're both forgetting and I look between both of them before whispering,

“Vampires.......blood.”

“Actually-”

“Your blood doesn't smell.” Edward cuts in, again Dr. Cullen sighs,

“What?” I don't know anything about vampires, but their diet is blood. Don't they go crazy for it no matter what?

“It is in fact true that it's our primary diet, but everyone and everything with blood flowing through their veins has a scent. Some more influential than others, but you have no scent at all.” Dr. Cullen explains. My blood has no scent, but how would he know........Margaret,

“Exactly.” Edward confirms, I look back to Dr. Cullen,

“Is it because this isn't my world....like I don't belong here, that's why my blood doesn't smell?”

“It could be, honestly I've never come across another human that didn't smell at all, which is why I think it would be acceptable to take you into my home.” I furrow my brows,

“I can't really go home with you, technically I'm in trouble with the law.” Dr. Cullen reaches for the folder again,

“Thats already taken care of, anything else you can think of?”

“Um yes, the hospital's not going to just let me leave with you, technically I'm a minor and a ward of the state without parents or guardians.” I point out. Edward looks impressed with my statement, Dr. Cullen looks sad at it.

“Have you looked at your bracelet?” I give him a look and then look down, flipping the side with text towards me. My eyes widen involuntarily,

Marceline Cullen

I look back up,

“Why and how?”

“Why? It was the only way to get you into my care and how?” He pauses and looks to Edward, “Apparently someone saw you coming and had all the necessary documents drawn up and placed in the system. You're believed to be my niece, your parents died last year before we even got to Forks and you were sent to live with an aunt on your mothers side, however you took off in the night and ended up here, hence why I could not treat you and had Dr. Grady take over your care. My wife and I have always kept a foster license so bringing you into our home will not be a problem however you will still need to talk to a social worker and since an aunt on your mothers side doesn't exist-”

“If I'm to go home with you I will have to convince the social worker I want to do so.” Dr. Cullen nods,

“Exactly.” This is all I have, I have no where else to go, Edward stiffens and crosses his arms, looking down to me, he opens his mouth,

“Exactly.”

Chapter Text

Their are three things I know for sure right now,

Number 1- I'm trapped in a book......fictional world........place I shouldn't be.
Number 2- Vampires have more secret connections than the president.
Number 3- I'm heading to a house full of them.

“Are you okay back there?” Dr. Cullen asks me from the front seat of his Mercedes, an actual Mercedes. I've ever only seen these on TV.

“I'm okay.” I mumble looking out the window, it's nothing but trees, surprising. Trees, trees and more trees. I'm getting sick of trees.

“You don't like trees?” Edward asks from the front seat. I look up to the passenger side where Edward has half his face turned towards me.

“There's not this many trees in New York.”

“Edward,” Dr. Cullen captures Edwards attention, both are silent for a few moments before Edward nods and turns to stare out the window.

“Marceline,” Dr. Cullen calls from the drivers seat, I turn to look into the rearview mirror where a set of golden eyes stare back at me. “I want you to know my home is your home. It is also a safe place and you don't need to worry-”

“Because my blood doesn't smell?” I cut him off. He keeps his eyes focused on me,

“Because you are our guest and your safety is important to us.” I swallow and look away,

“Thank you.” I whisper, telling me that I'm safe is like taking a pin from your hair, only instead of your hair tumbling down, it's my emotions and muscles tumbling down, and I relax into the seats resting my head back and closing my eyes. My body is unraveling and I assess every part of me. My neck is swollen and soar, my head has a deep pain, my ribs are slightly achy and my limbs feel extremely tired and heavy, all things I've been told are normal. I take a deep breath through my nose and squeeze my eyes shut tightly keeping the tears from spilling over. I want my bed, I want my room, my blanket, my comfort, my life.......It's all gone, and I have no idea how to get all of it back. This is my mom's fault, it's the alcohols fault, it's my fault.

“We're here.” I open my eyes and look back to the rearview mirror where Dr. Cullens eyes encourage me to move. I take another breath and look out the window. My eyes widen and my mouth hangs slightly open. This house is beautiful, a mixture of wood and glass, two materials coming together in a beautiful demonstration of architecture. My door is opened for me,

“I'm glad you like it.” Edward holds the door waiting for me to get out,

“Ya” I mutter, “It's really....lit up.” I observe, because for some strange reason the house has solar lights leading up to the door and two more lights illuminating everything else the solar lights can't reach.

“It's cold, lets get inside.” Dr. Cullen appears at my other side, one hand touching my back, the other straight out pointing towards the house. I let Edward take the lead and follow behind pulling his coat closer around my body. Just before we left the hospital Edward stepped behind me dropping his own coat onto my shoulders. He opens the door and I stop, entering their home feels wrong and makes me nervous, Dr. Cullen's hand has never left my back and gently he pushes me in. The door closes behind us and I feel hands on my shoulders slowly urging the coat down my arms.

“I've asked for my other children to leave us for the night so you won't be overwhelmed, but I would like you to meet my wife.” Dr. Cullen hangs the coat on a spare hanger and looks up the wood stairs directly in front of me,

“You can come down darling.” Dr. Cullen calls, the sound of heels on wood starts coming down the stairs, a figure appears and turns at the first landing. I knew Dr. Cullen had a wife, she was mentioned in the book but if she's actually in it or makes an appearance then I hadn't gotten to that part yet, but she's beautiful. Dressed in a mid length purple dress and black pumps, she looks like she's going to Sunday brunch. She's pale with beautiful features but then again, Dr. Cullen and Edward have the same traits. Her hair has a wave to it and billows softly over her shoulders. It's two beautiful shades of brown with warm highlights, the colors mingle together to create a beautiful caramel custard color. For her skin being so fair her smile is so bright and warm and she wastes no time in descending the stairs and wrapping her arms around me in a soft cold hug. She pulls away smiling,

“Welcome to our home Marceline,”

“Mare.” I correct, she nods,

“Mare,” she tests it on her tongue.

“Mare this is my wife Esme,” Dr. Cullen steps next to her side placing his arm around her waist protectively,

“It's nice to meet you Mrs. Cullen.”

“Please, call me Esme.” I give her a toothless smile,

“Esme” I confirm. She smiles at me, she really is beautiful. She holds her hand out,

“Let me give you a small tour.” I look up at Dr. Cullen who gives me a smile and a nod of encouragement. I take Esme's hand and let her lead me away, I turn back and look at both Dr. Cullen and Edward before we turn a corner and their gone.

…

The Cullen household is three things, large, extravagant, and open. Their are seven people living in the house, three couples and then.......Edward. They all have their own room, of course it's THEIR room so I have no idea what they look like but I get a nice view of their door. Esme has a workroom, she's told me she does some designing on the side. Dr. Cullen has his own office, again I got a nice view of the door, but unlike the other doors this on has an old wooden cross on it. I find that there are only two reasons why someone would have an old looking piece like this. One, they enjoy an older vintage style, but by the look of this very modern home I doubt thats the case, and two it's something that was passed down through family. I'm guessing it's the second. Esme continues the tour showing me a den, living room, mudroom and dining room. She keeps talking making sure theirs no pockets of silence, oddly this makes me feel more comfortable. She ends the tour in the kitchen where Edward and Dr Cullen already wait. Both sit at a marble island, Edward has his arms crossed, while Dr. Cullen looks more open.

“You girls enjoy yourselves?” Dr. Cullen smiles. Esme walks behind her husband and places her hands on his shoulders.

“Probably more than you boys.” She squeezes his shoulders before taking the empty seat next to him.

“Please Mare have a seat.” Dr. Cullen holds his hand out to the chair directly across from himself and Esme and next to Edward who sits at the very end of the island. I swallow but take the seat and after a second Dr. Cullen turns towards his wife.

“Well darling?” She turns her gaze from me to her husband,

“No, I didn't smell anything.” Dr. Cullen and Edward left me with Esme to see if she smelled anything, particularly my blood. It seems even she doesn't smell it.

“You were testing me?”

“Esme has good control, but not everyone in this household necessarily has the ability to live with a human.”

“Live?” I honestly expected a night, maybe two before they found a better place to put me, I didn't expect to live with these people, “You'll let me live with you? I'm a stranger.” Dr. Cullen nods,

“A stranger with no place to go and who I've already taken into my care,” I look around.

“Is it because I know about the V and W words.”

“No”
“Yes” Dr. Cullen and Edward say at the same time. Dr. Cullen sighs in Edwards direction.

“The W word?” Esme questions,

“Wolves.” I shrug, everyone looks around and it takes me a second to realize that wolves aren't in the first book. Matts words ring in my head,

“I'm not a fan of the second book. Don't get me wrong I love the introductions of the wolves but Bellas to needy and I miss Edward.”

“Wolves?” Edward questions, an eyebrow raise, a smirk on his face. He knows something.

“Not until book 2.” Edward tilts his head, “I didn't read it.” I mumble “I've heard it from the others........who saw the movies.”

“Movies?” Edward leans forward,

“Apparently Taylor Launter is hot.” I mumble,

“Alright” Dr. Cullen interrupts, “None the less, I would never take you in to pass you off, it would be irrelevant at this point, gossip spreads quick in this town, it would be of no surprise if by morning everyone knows of your adventure with the chief. Their is also no other option for you Marceline. I can't explain how you arrived here or why but as of right now, you need a roof over your head and basic needs as a human and under the circumstances we can give them to you.” I bite my cheek again feeling the familiar heaviness settle into my body and eyes. Esme reaches across the table,

“Are you hungry?” I shake my head, “I can make you something?” She must have had time to get stuff before I got here,

“I'm actually really tired.” Dr. Cullen looks to his wife,

“Darling can you give Mare one of your pair of pajamas for the night.”

“Of course,” She turns smiling, “Follow me Mare.” I stand and start to follow her,

“Mare,” Dr. Cullen calls, I turn back to face him, “I know it's a lot to process, but after a good nights sleep we'll talk in the morning alright?” I nod,

“Thank you Dr. Cullen.”

“Call me Carlisle,” he gives me a gentle smile, “Goodnight Mare.”

…

Esme takes me up to her and Carlisle's room. I'm surprised the minute I open the door. The room is plain, plain grey walls with matching bedding on a king size mattress on a wall decorated with black shiplap wallpaper. Theres a mirror vanity next to the door, matching side tables on both sides of the bed, bookshelves on the opposite end of the wall and a chandelier hanging high above. Esme turns and beckons me forward to a door on the other side of the room. She enters leaving the door open for me to peek in. All air leaves my lungs, this closet is bigger than the bedroom. Rows and rows of clothes fill every shelf and hanger. High heels, boots and the occasional nike sneaker take up an entire wall, and a giant glass cabinet sits in the middle holding what must be thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. Esme digs in a small pull out drawer in the very back and pulls out a large sweater and matching flannel pants.

“These should fit, I know when I like to be comfortable I go for a larger size.” She smiles walking over to hand them to me, her heels clicking the entire way. She passes them into my arms, theirs a soft smile on her face, but her eyes stare at my neck. She quickly looks away,

“Thank you,”

“Change and I'll show you where the bathroom is.” I nod and follow her out of the closet and back into the bedroom, I set the clothes down on the bed. Esme, promises she'll be back in a few minutes so I can change. I wait till I can't hear her heels anymore and sit down, letting everything absorb. This morning I was getting ready for school, by afternoon, Matt had given me the book Twilight, and now by nightfall I'm here. I look down grabbing the sweater and quickly change into it, it feels more expensive than my whole apartment. I lay back feeling the mattress contour into my back, I'm still wearing my jeans and Esme still has to show me the bathroom, but I'm too tired to care. Instead I curl into myself tucking my knees into my chest and close my eyes.

Chapter Text

My whole body is soar, but my neck and ribs are the worst, pulsing with every beat of my heart. My skin feels hot, but I'm freezing, did I cover myself when I laid down? I try to reach for a blanket but my limbs feel too heavy to move as if my blood has been replaced with lead. I could move them if I really tried, but I'm so tired and my joints feel as if they'll crack and turn to powder the minute I move. Suddenly a cold hand rests on my forehead before carding itself through my hair. My first instinct is move away but I can't...or won't, there both the same thing at this point.

“She's burning up.” The calm voice of Dr. Cullen or Carlisle as he's asked me to call him enters my ears.

“She's exhausted.” I feel a light blanket get tucked around my shoulders, “She's only changed her shirt.” Slim fingers touch my cheek and larger ones push my bangs away.

“Her body and mind have been through a lot today, for now we'll just watch her. I have a feeling it will pass.” Theres a long pause and then the fingers on my neck disappear,

“What happened?” I know she's talking about the finger shaped bruises there, I can feel her staring,

“I believe she'll talk when she's ready.” He knows. Either Edward told him or it's just instinct, it could also be that he didn't believe my lie. It doesn't matter I can't talk about it, I've been taught not too. I've grown accustom to the lie, to the game, it's become a part of who I am, and I hate myself for it.

…

As the night continues and I fade in and out of a restless sleep I am very aware that I'm never alone. When I wake up cold, theirs someone there tucking a blanket under my chin, when I wake up sweaty and uncomfortable, theirs someone there dragging a cool cloth across my forehead; and when I wake up wheezing from the strain on my neck, there is someone there fixing my pillows and tipping my head back with cool fingers. Once when I wake someone lifts me into a sitting position and forces water and small pills down my throat. At first I reject it and the same cool fingers rub soothing circles on my back,

“It's okay sweet girl, slow sips.” Carlisle's voice encourages and after a second I comply swallowing both water and pills if anything so I can go back to sleep. I'm laid back down, a cool hand rests on my forehead for just a second, “Sleep now.”

…

I begin to wake up with what feels like seconds later, but could be hours. I'm still soar, still tired, and with the feeling that someone is hovering nearby. My feeling is confirmed when a cold finger touches my forehead right over the tenderness of the bruise at my hairline. Slowly the finger moves down to my cheek then follows down to my jawline and eventually to the fire that is my neck. I resist the urge to swallow. With eyes still closed I take a deep breath through my nose feeling my ribs expand with a groan, the soreness there is strong.

“What did they say?” The calm voice of Esme hits the air. I hear steps follow,

“Which one?” Carlisle's voice asks back almost amused.

“Both.” She answers quickly,

“They can't spare me much time right now, but I did manage to wrangle a week on call under the circumstances, the kids were.......a little more difficult.”

“Shocking.” Esme's voice is gentle with a sarcastic hint to it,

“Would you like the good news or the bad news first?” Esme answers after a second of silence,

“Give me the bad.”

“Rose is not happy, which is to be expected. Apparently both Alice and Edward tried to speak with her, but she wasn't having it, she's run off and Emmetts gone to look for her.”

“Alice tried to speak with her?” Esme asks, her voice sounding stern, someone takes a long breath,

“It seems our Alice has seen this coming for a week and according to Edward, she's kept it to herself, but even she doesn't know how this is possible.” Another long pause of silence and I feel myself drifting off again,

“and the good news?”

“Her fever will break by morning, she'll be a bit uncomfortable, but her sickness will pass.” Another long pause, I hate these.

“I haven't taken care of a sick child since...........” She trails off, her voice doesn't break, but it does sound hurt.

“Shhhhhhhhhhhh” Carlisle whispers and while I can't see him I imagine him wrapping his arms around her, “Why don't you go for a hunt Mi Amour, you haven't left this room all night.” She hasn't? She's only just met me and she's been taking care of me, Carlisle too, why? After a second of silence Esme speaks,

“Why is it that she doesn't smell?” I wish I knew myself,

“It's strange, I've never seen it before so unfortunately even I don't know.”

“It feels..” She trails off, after a second she speaks again, “like she was meant to live with us.”

“Esme-”

“Please don't,” she cuts him off, “I'll be back.” Heels click on wood until it disappears. Another cold hand on my forehead and darkness starts pulling me under,

“Maybe.”
…

Sleep starts to lift from both my mind and body, and unlike the last dozen times, I'm beginning to feel more awake. I'm feeling more, and I'm especially beginning to feel the ache in my ribs and lungs, and a dull throbbing in my neck and behind my ears. However I don't feel as heavy and my skin doesn't feel like it's burning off. I stretch forgetting my neck. I grunt reaching for the tender skin while trying to sit up. Before I can rub at the pulsating spot a cold hand seizes mine and a body scoots behind me propping me up,

“owwww,” I groan

“Shhhhhh, it's okay, slow movements.” I feel cold fingers on my lips, “open.”

I open my eyes instead finding that everything still has the same pink tint to it that it did last night. Carlisle sits in front of me one hand lightly rubbing circles over my bruised skin, the other clutching a small blue pill close to my mouth.

“What?” I choke out through sleep ridden lips,

“It will help with the pain Mare.” I let him push the pill between my lips, and then hand me a glass of water. I grab it and take a small sip, it hurts all the way down, but I'm so thirsty I start guzzling, when the glass is pulled away, “You're going to choke.” He's right, I start coughing sending tears into my eyes and down my cheeks before I can even think to stop them,

“Owww.” I breathe out when I finally get the chance,

“Esme, can you please get us some ice?” Esme appears out of nowhere next to the bed,

“Of course., give me a moment.” She turns and is out the door, before I can even blink, but I don't hear her heels anymore,

“Do you want the bad news or the good news?” Carlisle asks reaching forward to wipe my tears off my cheeks just as he had done at the hospital.

“Bad,” I sigh just catching a small smirk on Carlisle's face,

“Bad news is, this is the worst it's going to be.”

“And the good?” I relax more into his touch,

“It's going to get better from here.” I groan and squeeze my eyes shut, I could have told him all that. “Thank you love.” Carlisle murmurs, taking his hand off of my neck only to replace it with the ice pack,

“Ahhhh!” I try to pull back, but the icepack follows,

“Layback Mare.” I let him push me back into fluffed pillows, he reaches forward resting one hand on my forehead, while the other fixes the icepack around my back,

“Careful,” Esme, reaches forward shoving another pillow under my back.

“How do you feel?” His fingers brush my cheek, “You were ill last night.”

“I'm fine.”

“Non the less you need to rest, the pain pill is going to make you tired so listen to your body and allow it to be at peace.” I sigh because one, thats what I've been doing this whole time and two, I'm not use to anyone fussing with me this much. The last time I was sick I passed out in my bed and woke up 16 hours later, mom asleep on the couch while a pot of a fowl smelling substance bubbled away on the stove. I don't know how long it had been there or how long mom had been passed out in an alcohol induced sleep but what I did know is that she hadn't felt the need to check on me.

“Why?” I croak out,

“Mmmmmmm?” Carlisle musses,

“Why are you taking care of me? You don't even know me, but you let me sleep in your bed?”

“Remember the discussion we had in the car?” I raise an eyebrow, “While you are here, this is your home and I'm responsible for you, therefor it is to be assumed that you will be taken care of while you are here. While we don't have a bed for you yet, you will sleep here as Esme and I don't need it, and since you are both a minor and ill last night it is my responsibility to step in and take care of you, whether I know you well or not. Do you understand?” I swallow,

“I don't know.....I guess.” Carlisle's eyes soften and Esme steps closer,

“Are you hungry?”

“No,”

“You should eat something,” Carlisle informs me, turning to his wife, “Something light love.” Well it looks like he's decided for me. I resist the urge to roll my eyes, I've taken their time, I've taken the bed, I've taken......wait, why do vampires need a bed..........................Oh Gross! I make a face and it doesn't go unnoticed, “Marceline?” he asks concerned,

“Why do you have a bed if you don't sleep?” If vampires had blood running through their veins it would all shoot straight to Carlisle's cheeks.

“The sheets are clean,” he teases. This time I roll my eyes and Carlisle chuckles. I swallow a lump in the back of my throat feeling it the whole way down,

“So what happens now?” Carlisle tips his head back to look at me,

“For now you'll stay here, and we'll take it day by day.” I can't help it, it still bothers me. This isn't how I was raised, you just don't take strangers in to your home and trust them,

“So you're just going to let me live here?!?! A stranger, a human, what if I cut myself, what happens?”

“Well I myself was wondering the same and when you're feeling better I hope that it would be acceptable for me to take a sample of your blood for myself.” I shrug forgetting my neck and wince,

“Ya, have at it.”

“Before we start taking things from each other, lets have a bite to eat hmm?” Esme floats in, tray in hand. She comes to my side and gently places it over my lap while Carlisle helps me sit up stuffing more pillows behind my back. The tray in front of me has chicken soup, buttered bread and orange juice. She also offered me something to eat last night too, when did they have time to get all this.

“Oh-wow.”

“Groceries were dropped off last night.” Carlisle clears up almost reading my mind.

“It's canned, I hope that's okay?” Esme confesses,

“As opposed to what, home grown?” I ask sarcastically picking up the spoon on the side of the tray,

“I have a fresh vegetable garden.” Esme smiles,

“I was joking.” Carlisle reaches for the napkin and drops it in my lap,

“Eat Mare.”

…

I'm so sick of sleeping, sick of waking up in someone else's bed only to fall asleep in someone else's bed. Once when I start to wake theirs a finger tracing the features on my face...it feels good.

“She looks just like my vision.” A voice whispers in delight,

“Be nice if you could have said something.” I know that voice, Edward.

“That would have ruined the surprise.”

“This isn't a surprise Alice. She's a person, a human with thoughts and feelings and a name. She's lost and confused with no place to go.” Edward growls in a low whisper,

“Of course she has a place to go, she'll stay here.” This new voice, this Alice sounds entirely too happy for the situation. I read about her in the book, but didn't get too far to really learn who she is other that the description Bella gave her, “short energetic pixie.” A cold finger traces from my cheek to my chin.

“Did you ever take into consideration who all lives here?” The finger retracts at Edwards harsh tone.

“Everyone will love her, don't worry I've seen it. You, Carlisle and Esme practically do all ready, the others will too.” Theres a long pause.

“You've seen her future?” Alice is silent for a while before answering,

“Only small flashes...................she's different. I can't see her future like I can everyone else's.....it's...unsettling.” Another pause,

“I can't always hear her thoughts,” Edward admits, “I noticed last night after we got home. Her mind went from loud and clear to radio silence.....it comes and goes.”

“Edward-”

“Alice, Edward out.” Esme orders, her voice a little above a whisper. “Alice, Carlisle want's you to meet him in his study.”

“I know” Alice sighs. Soft heels click on the floor. I feel a blanket being tucked under my chin.

“Sleep well sweetheart.” Esme whispers running a hand through my hair. Her heels click on the floor before the door is softly slammed shut leaving me alone with only my thoughts, and I have two major ones,

1.Alice saw my future here......possibly happy
and
2. Alice can't always see my future and Edward can't always read my mind.

and I don't know if that's a good thing or bad......................

Chapter Text

I wake up to rain pelting the roof, just a light drizzle. I pull the blankets closer and nuzzle my nose into my pillow.

“Mmmmmm” Lavender, wait...Lavender.............Twilight! I shoot up forgetting the pain in my neck. I reach up to rub the stinging away, the skin is still puffy and swollen and everything is still pink, why is everything pink!?!

“It's called a subconjunctival hemorrhage, the blood vessels in your eyes burst causing bleeding between the conjunctiva membrane and the sclera.” Edward appears in the door frame, “Happenes with a violent sneeze, rubbing your eye.......strangulation. It will heal on it's own.” He's coy about that last part. I furrow my brows at him, “also good morning.”

“So you can ready my mind again?” Edwards looks at the floor and bumps his shoulder against the door frame,

“You were awake last night when Alice and I were speaking.” He states, I'd nod if it wouldn't send tears into my eyes,

“I was.”

“It's true, I couldn't hear anything last night when you got back from your tour with Esme, then for the remaining night it came and went. It was normal this morning.”

“Normal?” I raise a brow,

“I could hear you dreaming.”

“Wow” I mumble, Edward smiles, “that's super creepy.” His smile disappears. Silence falls into the room again,

“Are you hungry?” He asks after a second,

“No.”

“Can you pretend? Esme made lunch.” Lunch? I'm really tired of not waking up in the morning.

“Ya.” I push the covers away and slide out of bed for the first time and stand on unsteady feet, that's when I notice,

“These aren't my clothes.”

“Esme changed you, she said you looked uncomfortable.” My jeans and the sweater Esme gave me have been replaced with black floral sweatpants and a soft white cotton shirt. I groan, Esme's seen more of me that I wanted her too.

“You forget she's female too, now come down to the kitchen.” Edward turns on his heals and heads down the stairs. I'm glad because maybe now I can have a private conversation with myself. I've never realized how intimate my thoughts were until someone else was reading them. I let my eyes wonder to the other two doors in this room, one of which I know is the closet the other, has to be the bathroom Esme never got to show me. I look back towards where Edward just stood and then hobble over to the second door and sure enough it's a large master bath, complete with the largest bathtub I've ever seen, his and hers sinks, a luxury bench for sitting and a huge glass shower. This bathroom is bigger than my kitchen and living room combined. I swallow and head to the closest sink. It takes everything in me not to look away. I look terrible, my neck is a beautiful shade of purple red and yellow. I study the deepest shade of purple finding the shapes to be the perfect prints of my moms fingers. The color fades into a red almost like perfectly blended watercolors, eventually the red turns into yellow and I can see why everyones commented on it. It's gross. I reach up and push my bangs back finding the wonderful bruise left there from the floor, it's not as noticeable as the colors on my neck it also helps I can just flip my hair down. I reach to the hem of my new shirt and pull it up finding the little bruising on my left ribcage, Esme's seen this too. I drop the fabric and grip the sink, forcing the tears away, because she almost killed me, my mother really tried to kill me, what would she have done if she succeeded, would she have even cared? Sober her would have, but drunk her probably thought she was putting just the lightest of pressure on my neck. I sigh and stand up straighter hearing a knock on the door.

“Marceline?” Edwards voice shouts through the door, I look up and head over throwing the door open.

“One, it's Mare, two, can't I even go to the bathroom?”

“You're feeling sorry for yourself, let my help you down to the kitchen.”

“Can you turn that thing off, you know the think where you listen to my thoughts even when I'm a room away, because it's really starting to get on my nerves and I just met you.” I push past him, “I can get there myself.” I catch him smirking out of the corner of my eye, smart Alec. I take my time to the kitchen, walking to the door, down the hall, down the stairs, I take each step with painstaking detail. This house is even prettier in the natural light, the open windows let in just the perfect amount of grey light, from the clouds, I've never pictured this as a house that vampires would look choose to live in. I stop on the stairs and look around when light and air flashes by and suddenly I'm sitting on the same bar stool from last night.... two nights ago...I don't know.

“Hope you don't mind, you were taking forever.”

“Edward careful with her.” Esme chides shooing him away from me, “How are you feeling Mare?” She asks placing a hand on my shoulder,

“I'm okay, thank you.”

“Head, neck, ribs. Scale of 1-10.” Carlisle demands appearing literally out of nowhere, seriously I have no idea where he came from. I catch Edward smirking, I hate you.

“Mmm” My head aches, but not as bad as my ribs, and my neck is worst then the two combined, “two, seven and five.” He looks to Edward who nods, “Stop that.”

“Sorry Mare, I just want to make absolute sure you're not downplaying your pain.” Carlisle comforts,

“You also seem like the type to hide things.” Edward adds, a knowing look in his eyes, if looks could kill, Edward would be dead,

“Carlisle, Edward.” Esme calls setting a bowl and plate in front of me, “let her eat.” I look down into the bowl, this time it's a thick and creamy looking tomato soup with a a gooey grilled cheese sandwich. Esme tops it off by setting a tall glass of milk down as well. Too bad I'm not the slightest bit hungry. As if he was the mind reader Carlisle places his hand on my shoulder,

“Eat what you can.” He encourages, I reach for the spoon and stop,

“You don't eat, how do you know how to cook?” Esme smiles,

“Cooking shows relax me, you pick up a few things when their always playing in the background, I also get practice during hospital potlucks.”

“The nurses on the pediatric ward can't get enough of Esme's meatball carbonarar.” Carlisle gleams proudly at his wife, she shrugs at his attention and instead turns back to me and taps on the counter,

“Eat.”

I follow both Esme and Carlisle commands, I eat what I can and it's not much. It's true Esme is an amazing cook. The tomato soup is warm and creamy, the flavor amazing, and the grilled cheese is the most gourmet sandwich I've ever had, but the with the pain in my neck and ribs along with just not being hungry I end up pushing more than half of the meal away,

“Remember this is the worst it's going to be.” Carlisle reminds me at seeing my frustration. I nod, bitting my cheeks, this is all so unfamiliar, this town, these people, the care their giving me. This is all too new. “Marceline if you're feeling up to it, we need to sit down and fill out out some paper work.”

“Carlisle” Esme practically rolls her eyes, “What he means is that we would like to get to know you more.” I swallow a lump in my throat, know me? I don't want to do this, but I find myself nodding anyway.

…

My knee jiggles under the table, I'd really rather be anywhere than here. Carlisle sits at the head of the dining room table, Esme next to him on his right and Edward on his left, all while I sit on the other end. I feel like the center of attention and I don't like it. Carlisle has a manilla envelope and multiple papers laid out on the table,

“Alright easy questions first,” Carlisle starts, but little does he know non of this is going to be easy and I can't prolong this any longer. After lunch Esme insisted I needed a nap even though I had woken up only 45 minutes before hand. The sad thing is, she was right and I easily slept for another two hours. When I woke up Esme made me another wonderful meal, garlic mash potatoes with mushroom gravy overtop. I could only eat about a third and now here we are.

“Your last name has been matched to mine, you'll keep your first, do you have a middle name?”

“Ann” Both Esme and Carlisle look up at me, Carlisle writes it down.

“We fabricated a lot of details, but we have the ability to change it before it's noticed.” Carlisle explains,

“How?”

“Alice has someone. We pay him well and he does everything under the rug.” Edward explains leaning back,

“Yes, well proper date of birth?”

“October 21,”

“That was last month,” Esme turns to Carlisle,

“It's Spring where I'm from.” April 14th to be exact, if it's only November that means four weeks ago I was 13. Uggg great.

“Most of the medical I can fill in myself, I just need a few things here, any allergies?” I shake my head,

“No”

“Illnesses?”

“No”

“First year of high school, you're up to date on vaccines.” He confirms, when I don't answer he looks up,

“I'm sorry, what?”

“When's the last time you went to the doctors for your inoculations?” I shrug,

“A flu shot?” Carlisle asks further. I don't ever remember getting a flu shot. I shrug more severely, for a second Carlisle looks concerned but quickly changes to a reassuring smile instead.

“We'll cross those bridges, have you had any broken bones?” A few,

“My ankle,” That one was the worst...it ended many things for me,

“Right or left?”

“Right,”

“How old were you?”

“12”

“Do you remember the severity of the break?”

“Compound.” Carlisle's pen stalls for just a second, he a doctor he know what kind of break that is. He scribbles some more, before looking up,

“Any underlying conditions?”

“I don't think so.” He nods, while Esme looks uncomfortable and Edward looks...the same.

“You're in the ninth grade, how are you're grades?” They suck,

“Mostly B's and C's” two D's

“Did you participate in any extra circular activities?”

“No,”

“Honor classes?”

“No,”

“Suspensions? Explosions?” Only a preschool when my mother pulled me out, but that wasn't my fault.

“No,” Esme seems to sigh in relieve at that one, maybe she's just happy I'm not a complete delinquent. I know their probably faking school transcripts but a part of me also believes they just want to know what their getting into, if I'm a bad kid, if I'm just stupid.

“I think this is fine for now.” Carlisle gathers the papers and gives me a smile, tapping them on the table. I take a deep breathe wincing, I can't wait to breath without pain, Esme see's this a stands,

“No more excitement,” Edward follows,

“Agreed.” He looks towards me,

“I'm sure Mare's tired of being in your room,” Carlisle and Esme look at one another before turning back to me, “Maybe the couch in the living room, we can turn the TV on.” Actually that sounds nice, Esme turns to me,

“Are you feeling up to it Mare? It would give me a chance to clear out the room, change the sheets, get the smell of sick out of there, make it less stuffy.” I nod and wince,

“That sounds nice,” Esme smiles,

“Perfect”

…

“Brother did it.” I mumble sinking deeper into the couch, it's taking me this long to find a comfortable spot that gave me both a good view of the TV while being able to press the icepack into the most painful spot on my neck. Edward sits at the opposite end of the couch, laid back with his feet propped up on the coffee table,

“No, it was an enemy of the father.” Edward quips back throwing his arm behind the back of his head. I look over and scrunch my nose,

“No, the father covered it up, but the brother did it.” Edward looks over eyebrow raised,

“Their isn't anything in this world that will lead me to believe the brother could have killed his sister,”

“The sister comes into the kitchen, it's the middle of the night. Mothers in bed the brothers sitting at the table eating pineapple, the sister tries to be funny and steals a piece, brother is sick of her always taking his stuff, picks up the hearest heavy object wacks her in the head. Down she goes, dad walks in, boom covers it up.” Edward looks at the TV and then back at me,

“Why would the father cover it up then?” I turn to the TV

“Simple, why loose both children.” When Edward doesn't speak I turn back to him,

“It's a bit odd to me that this is the kind of thing you wanted to watch.” Easy, it's better to focus on someone else's problems than your own. I think this before I realize theirs a mind reader in the room now. Edward looks over and smirks. Quickly I turn away and sigh, after a second he speaks, “Are you sure you wouldn't rather watch a rom com?”

“Shhhh, their moving on to the case about the running shoes that washes up on beaches with feet and ankle bones.”

“Oh joy,” his voice drips of sarcasm. I relax deeper into the couch pulling the soft throw blanket closer and smile, when suddenly Edward sits up dropping his legs on the floor,

“What?”

“Alice and Jasper are here.”

Chapter Text

“Alice and Jasper are here.” Edward says looking towards the hallway that leads into the door,

“Isn't this their house?” I ask, it's something that's been bothering me, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, Jasper, this is their house and they've been away because I've been taking up residence in their home. Edward looks back to me,

“Don't move.” I point to the couch and then to the ice pack on my neck,

“Wasn't planning on it,” Edward sighs and heads down the hall. I turn back towards the TV but now it's impossible for me to focus and I find my eyes drifting back towards the hall where Edward practically ran down.

Focus on the Salish Sea human foot discoveries,
Focus on the Salish Sea human foot discoveries.

I watch the program not really absorbing anything, when footsteps start down the hall and I can't help it, I turn quickly, grunt and grab my neck.

“Mare?” Carlisle is suddenly in front of me, crouched down hands on my blanket covered legs,

“Mmm?” I swallow,

“Do you feel up to meeting some people?”

“Alice and Jasper?” Carlisle smiles gently while slowly nodding his head, I swallow again,

“This is their home, I'm just a guest they shouldn't have to tip toe around me.”

“For the time being this is your home too, and collectively we all want to make sure you're comfortable and collected, therefor we're taking this slow, do you think you're feeling well enough?” I swallow again....I really want some water,

“Okay.” I whisper,

“Alright,” Carlisle pats my leg and holds his hands out. Carefully I take it and let him pull me up. He places his arm around me and grips my right shoulder tightly, pushing the two of us forward and down the hall. As we walk his grip doesn't lighten if anything as we turn into the kitchen it tightens and even though I'm currently a human in a house full of vampires, I feel safe. Two new people stand in the kitchen, this has to be Alice and Jasper. Alice is everything I ever wanted to be, short, thin and beautiful. Her eyes are the largest part of her and they light up the minute they land on mine,

“Marceline!” She squeals and unconsciously I lean more into Carlisle side,

“Small steps Alice,” He encourages her, she smiles biting her lower lip and turns to the man next to her. Compared to her short height he's huge, at least a foot taller than she is. He's blonde and pale, his skin tone matching the rest of the family but his skin is not flawless as the others, his neck and lower jaw are covered in dark red and purple scars. I know this because I have similar ones on my body too. I can't help but stare at his face, not because he's covered in scars or too beautiful like the rest of the Cullens but because he looks pained. Alice turns towards him, reaching out to lightly grab his bicep,

“It's okay, you can breathe, theirs nothing to temp you.” He looks down at her, but seems to trust her judgement, and slowly relaxes, “See?” she smiles, “You're not going to hurt her, it's like she isn't even there.” I watch the adams apple on his neck jiggle as he swallows,

“Hello.”

“Hi,” I whisper. Carlisle keeps his hand on my shoulder but pushes me more forward just a bit,

“I'm Alice, and I believe we are going to be as close as sisters.” Alice steps forward grabbing my hands and bringing them to her eye level. I really take into account how short she is, I stand at least three inches taller than her. Even with her short hair spiked up just a bit, she's still looks small,

“I'm sorry?” It seems she knows me, but I don't really know her. Alice frowns,

“You didn't get far in that book did you?” I shake my head and her smiles returns, “Oh it doesn't matter-”

“Alice can see the future.” Edward steps into the conversation and Alice huffs, looking over to him, without letting go of my hands,

“Edward,” She sighs, “I wanted to tell her.”

“Speaking of that book,” Carlisle pulls me back to look at him,

“How much of this world do you know Marceline?” The air feels stiffer just at the mention of the book, “How much of that book did you read?” I think, Bella and Edward were having dinner, no she was eating he was watching...I think it was chapter nine,

“About a hundred pages,”

“What you've read you can not tell anyone, I know it's hard but try not to think about it either and, Edward you know the rules, only when you are given permission may you read her mind, she must give you consent or I will.” I make a face, “Only when I deem it necessary” Carlisle clears up. I sigh. I don't know a lot of the details to Twilight, I know what it's about and ultimately I know how it ends, but how can you not. It's like Star Wars. Darth Vader is Anakin Skywalker and Edward and Be-

“Stop!” Edward holds his hand out,

“You're not suppose to be reading my thoughts.” I point out accusingly,

“It's hard when you're the loudest voice in the room.” I roll my eyes,

“Oh yes, blame me and not your nosy mind!” I bite when suddenly Alice squeals,

“See already like brother and sister,” She grabs my hands again, “You're going to fit in just perfectly around here,” She pulls me from Carlisle's grip, “You like to be called Mare right? How do you feel about shopping, and do you identify as more an autumn or winter, because I'm going to go with Autumn, yes definitely Autumn.” I shrug,

“I guess.” She looks down observing everything about me, particularly the clothes I'm wearing,

“This is cute, but this is Esme, we will diffidently be needing to get you some clothing of your own....and a room.” Her eyes widen and she turns towards Esme. “She needs a room.”

“I don't need a room.” I steal Esme's attention and Alice turns around so fast the strings on her cream sweater whiz through the air,

“You can't sleep in Esme and Carlisle's room forever,”

“I shouldn't be here forever.” I clarify, “I can sleep on the couch.” Their couch is really comfy, but by the disgusted face Alice is making I have a feeling she doesn't think that will work.

“Absolutely not,” She brings my hands down, but doesn't let go and instead turns back to Esme,

“Lets see, if we break down the wall dividing the hallways between-”

“We're not doing any large renovations.” Esme interrupts Alice

“I don't need a room.” I direct at both of them,

“I'm giving up my music room.” Edward says grabbing both Alice and I's attention,

“Your music room?” I question, he nods and crosses his arms to lean against the kitchen door frame,

“I don't use it nearly enough. The piano can be moved to the living room, My sound system into my room with my CD's and records. It doesn't matter how long or short your stay is, you're here now and you need a place to stay and sleep that's yours. Carlisle, Esme and I already talked about it, the only problem is, the room is essentially connected to mine, so after a door is placed in the hall, they'll still be a door leading to mine.”

“I don't want a room.” I tell Edward stubbornly and then turn to Carlisle, it seems all decisions are brought and made up directly by this man, so I need to convince him, “I don't need anything.” To my surprise he smiles, this isn't funny!

“Mare you are a teenage girl, and you are living in a house full of vampires. You need a room.” I open my mouth, but he speaks before I can, “Did you not have your own room back home.”

“Well yes, but I lived with my mom,”

“She was you're guardian?” I nod, “Currently Esme and I are your guardians therefore just as you're mother, we will provide you with a room.” His look says it all, I'm not going to win nor should I argue further on the matter. A happy squeal to my left alerts my attention, Alice smiles,

“Another room to decorate, what theme is your room back home?” I look to Edward who hides a smile by looking over his shoulder,

“Theme?” I ask, “It's a bedroom, you have a bed and like a table if you're lucky?” I shrug,

“Did you have a color pallet?” A what?

“My blanket was brown.” Alice looks horrified,

“No, there is no way....absolutely not, listen.” She squeezes my hands “I have just met you and I already love you but if you think that having just a brown blanket on a bed is okay in this household we have some reforming to do.” Esme reaches forward and pulls Alice's hand away from mine,

“Alice you're going to scare her,” Alice lets go of my hands and looks towards her,

“Don't worry Esme, Mare and I are going to be great friends.” She looks to Jasper and smiles, before turning back to me,

“Don't worry, both of you will warm up to one another.” Again Jasper looks like he's in physical pain but I'm starting to convince myself that he just looks like that all the time, “Rose will come along and Emmett loves everybody.” Hands grab my shoulders and pull me back away from Alice,

“I believe that's enough excitement for one day,” Carlisle informs while tucking me back under his arm, “It's time for medication and back to the couch to relax, alright?” Carlisle says in his “no nonsense way”. I allow him to pull me along and lead me out of the kitchen and back to the living room.

“It was wonderful to meet you Mare, we'll talk later!” Alice calls.

“You too.” I call back although honestly I'm feeling more tired and overwhelmed and when Carlisle sets me on the couch I reach for the blanket and start to lay down. Carlisle bends down two large white pills and a bottle of water in his hand, these are different than the smaller blue pills he's been giving me for the pain. This time I don't ask what their for and instead pop them in my mouth and swallow them down with the bottle of water,

“That was a lot.” Carlisle says when I hand him the water back, I lay down curling in on my side, wincing as I find a position comfortable enough. Finally I rest my head on one of the larger throw pillows,

“I don't want a room.” I mumble again,

“Can you explain to me why?” Carlisle asks reaching for the soft fur blanket and draping it over my body. He tucks it just under my shoulders, I shrug. “I do believe you have a reason why.” This time he says it with more demand. I swallow,

“I don't want to put you out,”

“Excuse me?” He chuckles,

“Charity, pity, other people giving me things.” I clarify, “It makes me uncomfortable.” Carlisle stops chuckling and places a hand on my blanket covered bicep.

“I do apologize for laughing Mare, but I promise you, us giving you a room is not going to put us out in fact social services will be doing a check in at the end of this week, so it's only appropriate that you have a room, but also it's your basic right to privacy.” I didn't think about social services, “Also it's something Esme and I would like to do alright?” Slowly I nod,

“I'm sorry.”

“Their is no reason to be sorry Mare. You have these feelings for a reason and when you do it's best to talk through them and you can always come to both M\me or Esme with them, okay? Your situation is new and unique to all of us and we have to do our best to get through it, but also, you're human and 14. Each of us have reached maturity both physically and mentally so it safe to say that you're going to need more and we all have to get use to you coming first for now, do you understand?” I little, sleep starts to worm it's way into my head, so I nod,

“Yes.” Carlisle nods,

“Good, when you're rested we'll sit down a bit more and talk but for now I hope you understand that one, Edward gave up the use of his music room willingly and there are two women in this house that are very excited to decorate it for you and two we will all work a little bit more on being open and you will try to talk about your feelings with us from now on. I understand this is scary and new, so I want to make sure you're not overwhelmed, understand?” I take a deep breath and nod,

“I'll try,” Carlisle places his hand on the side of my head,

“That's all I ask, enjoy you're rest.” I close my eyes listening to the sounds of his descending footsteps to lure me to sleep.

…

I don't dream, but when sleep starts to lift from my mind, I get the feeling that I'm not alone, that someone is standing over me. I slowly open my eyes to the presence. A woman with long blonde hair, and pale skins stares down at me from my spot on the couch. She's gorgeous but her golden eyes hold fire and theirs an angry scowl on her full pink lips,

“I don't want you here.”

Chapter Text

“I don't want you here,” Mom? I reach up to rub at my eyes and yawn, the silhouette coming into focus, this women isn't my mother.

“I'm sorry?” The women in front of me has amber eyes, firelight glows behind them.

“You heard me.” I nod,

“I did, and I don't want to be here.” I look up, I thought Alice and Esme were beautiful, but this women in front of me is simply gorgeous and I immediately think of the women in my mothers magazines when I was a child. Women like Doutzen Kroes who was always pictured in her underwear on the Victoria Secret pages, Daniela Pestova who modeled Guess swimwear and Rebecca Romijn who's cover picture of sport illustrated sat front and center on out fridge when my mother was trying to diet. It's not hard to see she could easily sit in a room with these same women in their prime and still feel confident. Blonde hair in perfect curls that sit perfectly over her shoulders full lips perfect nose, golden eyes. I'm laying down but I can tell she's tall and her clothing fits perfectly, jeans that sit directly on her hips, white sweater that hugs her curves, the sleeves stopping just above the elbows, plaid scarf and black heeled boots. The only thing that stops her from looking like a beautiful cover model on Vogue is the snarl on her lips,

“Rosalie!” Esme snaps. So this is Rose. She turns the gold in her hair highlighted by the glow from the TV, “Come here.” Esme demands, her voice the harshest I've heard it yet. Rosalie turns to me hot breathe escapes her nose before she turns on her heels and follows Esme's voice. I sit up watching the two of them disappear down the hall.

“She doesn't mean it.” Edward comforts behind me, he's come in through the door leading to the living room. I reach up and touch the bruise at my forehead and shake my head,

“She meant it.” I bring my hand down and look Edward up and down, “but I did too so I guess it's all right.” Edward steps into the room and sits on the couch,

“Rosalie and I have had our differences, and it's no secret that if she had a choice, this life wouldn't have been it, but she loves deep and hard and she's someone you always want on your side. Her loyalties are strong and once you have her trust you have her loyalties for life.”

“psttt” a voice belonging neither to me nor Edward whispers, “Say nice things about me now.” I look around but theres no one but Edward and I in this room,

“You don't have to speak, I can read your mind,” Edward sighs,

“Eddy come one!” The voice stresses and Edward's shoulders droops,

“Emmetts a good person to have on your side because he's can protect you from a bear ever since he was killed by one.” Edward grumbles sarcastically,

“Eddy, hey psttt mention how funny I am.”

“He also thinks he's funny.”

“and handsome,”

“he's got dimples.”

“and great hair!” The voice scream whispers,

“it's dark and curly.” Edward clarifies his voice staying an even monotone sound the whole time,

“Eddy, now introduce me,”

“Mare the obnoxious man whispering from the hall is Emmett, Emmett, Mare.” Edward holds his hand out as a large man strolls into the living room, chest puffed up, happy smile on his lips and......he does have dimples...it's adorable. Edward snickers and I know he's just heard me call this tall, muscular man that can kill bears adorable.

“Hello Mare, I'm Emmett, you can call me Emmett,” he flips up the collar on his jacket “I'm the protector and most handsome of our humble family and you?” He smiles and holds his hand out, I look to Edward who shakes his head letting me know I'm alone on this one,

“I'm the one from another world where you don't exist.” I know he's not holding his arm out for a handshake but I grab his unnatural large hand and give it a good shake, “Nice to meet you.” I let go and Emmett points at me while looking at Edward,

“I like this one, lets keep it.”

“It's not a puppy Emmett.”

“It's a she.” I clear up, both look towards me, “pronounce are important.” Emmett nods,

“I'm so sorry, lets keeps her.” Edward just relaxes back into the couch and makes it very clear he's done with this conversation. Emmett turns and plops down next to me the cushions immediately sag. I'm surprised the couch didn't break, “Don't let Rose bother you, she'll warm up to you, like bees and wasps.”

“Emmett no.” Edward sighs, rubbing his temples,

“What? Their friends, their both yellow and black and fly and make honey.”

“Wasps don't make honey.” I reach over and pat his hand,

“How are you passing any of your classes.” Emmett threads his fingers behind his head and leans back into the couch,

“Once you've done high school once you don't really need to learn anything new, just keep recycling the information through your head.”

“Clearly.” Edward grumbles. I look over realizing I have Emmetts full attention,

“So tell me what it's like in your world, we don't exist but do you have football, and the great, The Rock?” I look to Edward but he waves me off letting me know he's not helping me on this one, slowly I turn back to the large burly dimples face vampire,

“What's football?” I lie, Emmetts face dips,

“You don't have the great American past time, which is known as football, where boys become men and concussions run wild among's the weak, where-”

“Emmett she's kidding?” Edward interrupts, Emmett looks between the both of us, ,

“So you have The Rock too?”

“Are you talking about Iraq or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson?” Emmett open his mouth but once again Edward interrupts him,

“Emmett, Rose wants you in your room.” Emmett closes his mouth and looks between both of us,

“It's best I go, It was nice to meet you new roomie.” He holds his hand up,

“Emmett leave.” With a huff, he stands and disappears down the exact way he entered, I turn to Edward who's running a hand down his face pulling at his eyes,

“He's nice.” I pull my blanket closer snuggling back into the couch, Edward looks up.

“You have a friend in Emmett you've got a friend for life, also a protector......but whenever you play monopoly let him win and always let him have the race car.” I wrinkle my nose,

“No, I'm always the race car, he can be the thimble.” Edward smirks. I match his expression and then find my smile falling, “Can I tell you something?”

“You though when you woke up you were back home.” Edward explains without prompt. I swallow feeling it all the way down and nod, “Does your mother talk to you like that?” I lean back into the couch and roll onto my unbruised side,

“Leave it alone.” Edward sighs, but doesn't say anything, instead the channel changes, I close my eyes but too much time has past and I can't force my brain to shut down the only thing running through my mind is my mom. I turn back, my eyes finding Edwards figure. I stare until he looks over one eyebrow raised,

“Ready to talk?” I'd shake my head if it didn't hurt instead I ask

“What was your life like?” This captures his attention and he turns towards me,

“My life?”

“I didn't get far.....” I remember what Carlisle said about the book and swallow my words, “I don't really know much about you.” Edward turns the TV off and leans forward,

“Tell you what, you get ten questions and I get ten questions?” I raise an eyebrow,

“Are their rules?” Edward considers this,

“Theirs nothing I'm uncomfortable answering so on my end, anything you don't want to answer,” I swallow feeling the pull of swollen skin,

“I don't want to answer what really happened?” I whisper. After a second he nods,

“Alright.” I sit up,

“So do we just start.” Edward smirks,

“Ever play chess?”

Chapter Text

It takes Edward twenty minutes to set up the chess board and another ten for the house to start coming more to life, Esme announces she's going to make dinner and will be in the kitchen, Carlisle joins her and it's clear they'll be able to hear everything. And right before we can start the game, Alice sits on one of the armchairs in the corner, a notebook in hand,

“I know it's all-new, but just ignore me.” My second day here, and I've met everyone, one only briefly who's made it clear she doesn't want me here and now it seems everyone getting back to their normal routines again

“Four” Edward says straightening his pieces again, I look up, “It's been four days not two, another three and you've made it a week congratulations.” I want to call him out on reading my mind but let it go,

“Black or white?”

“Black,” White always starts first, and Edward flips the board towards himself,

“I guess that means I'll go first then?” I look up,

“Guess so,” he smirks and moves his first pawn, he starts the game simple, king's pawn to e5,

“How long have you lived in New York.” I match his pawn's exact movements,

“Since birth. Where are you originally from?” He picks up his knight,

“Chicago. You lived with you're mother,” He points out, “What about your father.” I shrug watching him place the piece down,

“Don't know him.” I pick up my bishop, “What's your real name?” Cullen isn't his real name, right? I place my bishop down, my goal being to keep as many pawns where they are,

“Edward Anthony Mason Jr.” Edward pulls out his other knight, daring.

“You're a Jr?” He nods,

“Do you have any siblings?” I shake my head, grabbing my Rook,

“Nope, how old are you exactly?” He grabs another pawn,

“103, without saying anything do you know how the book ends?” Clever wording, I stare at the board focusing on my next move, I pick up my other knight,

“It's popular, I know the ending but I don't know anything else, your past, really anything.”

“Do you-”

“Shhh Alice” Edward turns to Alice who waves and goes back to her sketching. I finally pick up a pawn already out on the board and it move forward, leaving my other rook open, It is a risky move but so is my next question,

“Why did you become a vampire?” Alice looks up and the sound of running water from the kitchen stalls before starting up again. Edward however doesn't falter moving his knight to take out my pawn,

“The Spanish flu was making it's rounds, my father had died during its first wave, and my mother and I caught it in its second. My mother and I were dying, Carlisle was one of the doctors at the hospital, and my mother asked him to save me.” I stare at the board, I don't think I'm going to win,

“How did she know?” I finally look up. Edward shrugs,

“I don't know, Carlisle says she was the only person to ever suspect him of being anything other than human.”

“What was it like?” Edward holds up a finger,

“Only one question at a time remember, I let you get away with two,” I frown wrinkling my nose at him before turning back down to the board ignoring his smart smirk,

“Did you do any sports?” he asks as I move my pawn away from my king and knock out his pawn in the process. My King is temporarily unprotected but it's in no danger of Edwards next move, by my next move I'll move my queen back in front of it for protection and keep my pawn to protect the queen,

“I used to ice skate.”

“Were you good?” Yes,

“Only one question at a time remember.” I mimic Edward, he only smiles and moves his knight to take my queen,

“Check”

“I see that.” I sigh,

“Always protect your King,” I look up finding mischief in his eyes

“You cheated, you read my mind.”

“Stop thinking so loud,” Edward confesses, how am I going to win when he hears everything I'm thinking? Wait. I look up and smile, focusing on his move. His knight is one move away from a checkmate,

Баю-баюшки баю
Не ложися на краю
Придёт серенький волчок
И укусит за бочок

“You speak Russian?”

“It's not you're turn remember-”

“You speak a whole other language.” I sigh and look up, realizing the soft noise in the kitchen has stopped and so has the scraping of lead on paper from Alice's sketchbook,

“I'm not completely fluent,” I confess,

“but you know enough?” he nods,

“I know enough.” I repeat, looking back down to the board, “Now I get to ask you two.” He shrugs,

“It's only fair.” I move my queen in front of my king momentarily blocking the knight's accessibility to a checkmate,

“You're technically vegetarians right?” Edward looks to the board and then back up,

“Yes, we drink animal blood, is that your question?” I shake my head,

“No, have you ever had human blood?” I expect some sort of emotion, some change in his calm demeanor, instead, he keeps his face the same stone look,

“Yes, not in many years though.”

“Is it hard? Is human blood better?” Edward looks at the board and calmly moves his bishop, both further protecting his king and taking my knight. Damnit.

“Imagine your favorite junk food, cake, cookies, soda, pizza, burgers, french fries, now imagine never being able to eat them ever again. Instead, you're left to live on only bland vegetables, boiled potatoes, cooked carrots, raw celery and cabbage, unflavored proteins, chicken with nothing on it, easy carbs like rice, and only water to drink. You can certainly survive on that, but it wouldn't be enjoyable. No spices, not even salt, just a bland diet to keep your body fueled. That's what it's like.” I imagine it, no more dollar pizza from street vendors, no more ice cream custard from Shake Shack in the summer, No Coney Island hotdogs from Nathan's, no chocolate chip walnut cookies from Levain Bakery, no more Falafel's at Momoun's, no Sweet barbecue Lay's potato chips, sour patch kids, Nerd's rope, Maple cookies, Mac and cheese.....wow.

“Human bloods that good?”

“It depends on who it's from!” Alice chips in, Edward turns towards her and she looks down going back to her sketch,

“Different blood types, different proteins, and all humans have a unique body order that can make them more appealing or distasteful.”

“And I don't smell at all?” Edward shakes his head,

“It's like you're not even there.” I release a breath I'd been keeping trapped there and swallow, looking back down to the board to distract the thoughts running through my mind.

“My turn,” Edward points to one of his pawns, I look up and frown,

“Don't help me.” he holds his hands up, but I accept the mood and take his pawn off the board,

“Where did you learn to speak Russian?”

“Russia,” I say as if it's the most obvious answer,

“What were you in Russia for?” I look up annoyed but Edward smirks,

“I let you ask four questions.” I sigh, realizing the house is quiet again,

“I used to figure skate, the only way to go anywhere in that sport is to get a Russian.” When I look up, Edward has one eyebrow raised, I keep going, “When I was younger my grandmother signed me up for a few classes, I got really good and when I was nine my teacher suggested to my mother that I start treated it more as a sport and less of a hobby. So I did, I got sponsored, got a teacher, went to Russia to train and compete, then came back to the States to start grand pre-training.”

“You're that good?” Edward mildly sounds impressed, I roll my eyes, and point to the board for him to make his next move,

“Not anymore, I stopped last year,”

“Why.” He picks up his queen and takes my knight, I have no choice and take his queen, but now my king is left exposed,

“I broke my ankle,”

“When's the last time you had human blood?”

“1931, Why didn't you go back?”

“It wasn't an injury I could go back to.” Edward picks up his bishop “I lost my coaches, my place, my sponsors, without them I couldn't afford to keep it up.” I watch him move his bishop,

“That seems a lot for a 14 year old.” He observes holding onto his chess piece,

“You are considered old by your mid-twenties.” I watch him place his piece in front of my king and reach forward to knock him over,

“Checkmate.”

Chapter Text

Carlisle insists I stay in his and Esme's room again. I tell him I'm okay with the couch, but he won't hear of it so to his room I went, one stair at a time just to be defiant. To my surprise there's a few extra blankets and a few extra pillows along with a glass of water on the side table. The room felt chiller than normal and I immediately snuggled down into the blankets and pillows and sleep came easy, in fact it's Esme who wakes me the next morning telling me it's already 10. I blink the sleep from my eyes as Esme tells me she's set the shower up and laid out fresh clothes. I wait for her to walk out the door and then I sigh. I wonder when this is ever not going to feel awkward, being in a strangers home, sleeping in their bed, eating their food, being woken up by them. At some point that weird feeling has to end right? I roll over and let my feet hit the ground and let them carry me to the bathroom. I stare at myself in the mirror, Carlisle was right, the swelling is already down and the bruises are beginning to lighten, some are already a light green. In the next few days they will lighten even more turning yellow and then they'll be gone. Even the cut at my hair line looks better, the butterfly bandaids no longer needed.

I find the extra clothes, surprised it's a pair of jeans, a soft white cotton shirt and grey wool cardigan. Tucked inside the folds of the jeans are a pair of socks and new pair of underwear....is this what these people wear to just hang out in their house? I strip off my comfy wear and hope in the shower, and stumble for the next twenty minutes on how to even turn the thing on. I use as little as I can of their expensive shampoo and conditioner and I marvel at their bar of soap that has real lavender sprigs inside. I hop out staring at the bruises around my body, still there, however they too are fading, and when I press on them, the pain isn't sharp anymore. I take a breath and get dressed surprised that the jeans are actually my size and the denim feels different, expensive. The shirt is soft and the cardigan even more and I have a feeling they did't get either of these from Walmart or Goodwill and almost immediately that weird feeling settles in my brain. It's different when my mother buys me clothes, food and gifts, she's suppose to, it's her job, but when it's anyone else spending their money on me....I don't like it. Theirs a knock on the door before it's opened, Alice stand in the doorway smiling,

“You look so cute.” I try to smile but it comes out awkward and forced,

“How did you know my size?” She shrugs. She's also dressed in a pair of expensive jeans with a white blouse and bright orange and blue scarf.

“I'm a pretty good guesser, I also took your old jeans.” I perk up, those are my favorite jeans,

“Can I have them back?”

“Oh,” she deflates “I kinda threw them away.” I frown,

“What..why.” She steps in and closes the door before opening a drawer to pull out a brush and a hair dryer,

“They were dirty.”

“They can be washed.” Alice laughs and grabs the small cushion poof and moves it in front of the mirror and pats it, I sigh and step forward plopping down on it.

“Maybe if they were Cavalli or Guess.” She hums running the brush through my wet hair.

“But they were mine.” This feels weird, I don't know Alice, I don't know this world, this house and yet here I am just letting her brush and dry my hair, especially after learning she threw my favorite jeans away. They were mine and what is left of my..world. That too is weird. My world, this world, the fact that I might exist in both, Alice plugs the blow dryer in and starts blowing each section straight before flipping out the ends, when she's done she sighs and lets my hair flow through her fingers,

“I knew your hair had potential, it's so long.” It's really not, but I forget how short Alice's hair is, not even reaching her ears, but also not a pixie cut as the strands sticking up in every direction,

“Did you ever have long hair?” I ask her fingers still running through my strands.

“I don't remember.” She sighs, I look up watching her expression, she's not sad or confused,

“You don't remember?” She shakes her head,

“No, I don't remember much from my human life, not like Edward.” The events of yesterday when Edward and I played 20 questions comes back into my head, the way he answered my questions with ease. Everything from how old he is to where he's from, to how he was changed, everything. Alice doesn't seem to remember and by the look on her face she's okay with that.

“I'm sorry.” She laughs,

“Don't be, I remember the important things. I remember my first vision of Jasper and when I joined Carlisle and Esme, those are the only memories that matter.” Yes but what about your parents? Your life before? I don't know if I'd be okay with forgetting.....maybe somethings, but not all of it.

“Anyway, you're going out with Carlisle today.” This captures my attention and I turn watching her unplug the hair dryer and place it back in the drawer,

“Why?” She looks over her left shoulder,

“It's a surprise,”

“A good surprise or a bad surprise?” I don't like surprises, surprises take away control. I've grown up learning to take control, mostly from my mother, control when to get up, what time to leave for school, when to sneak money from her purse for lunch, and when to shut my mouth around her. Although my control was pretty shoty the night I ended up here.

“A surprise.” Alice shrugs, I sigh,

“Wow, thank you for clearing that up.” Alice chuckles and holds her hand out, I stare at it before standing up, she withdraws it and instead motions towards the door. I let her steer me out the bathroom and then out of Carlisle and Esme's bedroom and straight into,

“Rose.” Alice beams, but Rose doesn't share the same excited look. She looks me up and down, her eyes taking in ever detail, I do the same finding that she is indeed incredibly tall just like my earlier guess, however the brown sued heel boots she wears adds an extra four inches. The color matches her over sizes swearer, the front tucked into a nice pair of black pants, with a Chanel belt that sits front and center to steal the show. These people dress very nicely for just bumming around the house. Finally her eyes leave mine and travel to Alice,

“Alice, is that my Hermes scarf?”

“Yes, but it will be dry cleaned and back in your closet tomorrow.” Alice says cooly. I can't imagine these two sharing closets their styles so different. Rosalie hums and chances one last look at me, before heading back down the hall. Alice places her arm around my shoulder and forces me towards the stairs,

“I think she's beginning to like you.” I turn before we can descend the staircase,

“You're not right often are you?” She chuckles

“You'll see.”

…

Esme's face lights up the minute I walk into the kitchen. She places down a plate with three waffles topped with butter and strawberries,

“I hope you like waffles.” She smiles and guilt wiggles it's way deep into the pit of my stomach, because I'm not hungry and I don't want to eat, but for Esme, I'll try.

“I could eat.” I tell her and slowly and steadily I take a seat at the kitchen island and dig in. I'm halfway through the first one when Esme sets down a glass of orange juice and leans her elbows on the counter,

“Did Alice tell you you're going out with Carlisle today?” I swallow slowly,

“Yes, but she won't tell me why,”

“Ice cream.” Carlisle's voice booms when he enters the kitchen, a smile on his face, and just like everyone else in this house he's dressed nicely, kakis and a blue sweater the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. I raise one eyebrow when his eyes meet mine,

“Ice cream?” He nods, “after breakfast?” I state, I've only gotten through half of one waffle and I'm full.

“It's not until noon, you should be hungry by then.” He steps up behind the island next to Esme. He wraps one arm around her waist and gives her a gentle kiss on the cheek....their almost too sweet together. It's cute.

“We're going out for ice cream at noon, that's the surprise?” Esme nudges her husband,

“Tell her the truth.” I knew it, Carlisle lets her waist go and leans forward, I shove a bite of waffle into my mouth just so I don't have to talk,

“Forks is a small town and unfortunately news spreads very quickly-”

“People are already talking.” I finish for him, shoving another bite of waffle into my mouth,

“Yes,” Carlisle smirks, “humans both in town and at the local high school are already talking about a new member joining our family.” I swallow,

“So you want to what exactly?” I raise an eyebrow, “Show me off at the ice cream shop?” Esme looks nervously at Carlisle who keeps his eyes on me,

“Not exactly, seeing as it's been five days and you're presents is still here we have to come to the conclusion that what ever happened to bring you here is keeping you here longer than we like, therefor it's time we start looking into this long term.” I keep my face as neutral as possible, but even I caught his wording in that sentence, he said “we.”

“Okay.” I take another bite, even though I'm full just to keep my voice from wobbling,

“So, Esme and I thought it best that we start by enrolling you in the local high school with the others,” I nod, honestly not the worst thing he could have said, “and in order for that we need up to date records, most of which we have easily fabricated, including your school transcripts.” I'm suddenly transported back to yesterday when we sat down at the table and Carlisle asked me about my grades and after school activities.

“Okay, I understand,” I say slowly because the way he's ended his sentence leaves me to believe he still has more to say.

“However there is something that all freshman are required to have that you couldn't give me an answer too that leads me to believe you haven't had one and I'm a bit concerned by it.” I scrunch my eyebrows thinking back to any questions I couldn't answer, Carlisle notices me confusion because he continues, “Marceline when's the last time you've had a basic physical?”

“Physical what?”

“When's the last time you've been to you're primary practitioner for an examination?” My eyes widen because I know where this is going,

“I don't have one of those, but I'm sure I'm okay,” Carlisle face is all serious and I look back down to my waffles, thinking about shoveling another bite in, but knowing I can't, another bite and I'll throw up,

“I have no doubt that physically you are fine, but it's still a requirement for all children to attend their milestone examines as well as receiving all inoculations.” I swallow and look up,

“No, thank you,”

“With all do respect Marceline, I wasn't asking. As a freshman in high school all children are required a physical examine and to be vaccinated and as a freshman you should be able to remember being pocked at least three times. Since you can't remember that it leads me to one conclusion you're either suffering from an acute form of retrograde amnesia or you've never received them.”

“Amnesia,” I answer quickly, “I have amnesia.” Carlisle's lips twitch as if to smile, but he quickly corrects himself,

“I don't think so Mare. You're a very intelligent girl who was able to give me very good and detailed information, not to mention your game with Edward yesterday allowed you to recall more detailed stories of your life back in your own world.” I clench my teeth hard. The last time I saw a doctor was when I broke my ankle, and every minute of it was painful and I'm not talking about the broken bone it's self.

“You don't know me very well, I could have been lying to you to cover up the fact that I have amnesia.” This time Carlisle does smirk,

“Mare don't tell me you're afraid of needles.” With a god damn vengeance

“Me? No...I just wouldn't want to waste your time today...or your money.” Esme grabs my plate, I ate two out of the three and all of the strawberries,

“You're a child Mare, your job is to let Esme and I worry about everything and those two things you don't have to worry about. I'm off today and money is none of your concern.” Fat chance, money makes the world go round, you're either working to get it, or working to spend it, nothing is cheep in this world especially being healthy.

“You know what? I will take that into consideration and get back to you with in the week.”

“Nice try, were leaving in an hour.” I reach out and grab Carlisle before I can stop myself. He looks down at my hand and quickly I retract it,

“What about my bruises, what if they think you beat me?”

“Mare, sweetheart you're injures have already been documented back when you were in the ER.” his eyes soften and it's then I realize I have to run “Is there anything you-”

“No” I cut him off and get to my feet, “I'll be ready in an hour.” I step back and feel a hard body behind mine, I turn to see Emmett smiling,

“Hi,” I lift an eyebrow,

“Hi?”

“Edward said you were going to run, I told him I'd keep you busy, do you like video games?” I turn to Carlisle who has a stern scowl on his face,

“Me? Run? Funny, I wouldn't do that.” Carlisle smiles,

“Of course not.” He doesn't believe me at all, damn it Edward. I turn to Emmett and sigh,

“What game?”

***

“Are you serious?” I stare at the TV as Emmett passes me and wins first place, I drop my controller and scowl at Emmett who leans back and threads his fingers behind his head,

“Don't hate the game hate the pla-” his sentence is interrupted by the pillow I chuck at his face. Since leaving Carlisle alone in the kitchen, Emmett and I have been playing Mario Cart in the living room and so far I've lost. Every. Single. Game.

“Stop hitting me with lightening bolts!” I throw another one of Esme's decorative throw pillows and quickly start a new game while Emmetts distracted,

“Are you cheating?” He grabs the pillow and throws it on the floor, before pointing to the TV, “You're cheating!” I am, it's the only way I can win. Emmett picks up his controller and quickly gets his car going. I have to say playing video games with Emmett is ten times better than playing chess with Edward,

“Ouch” Edward staggers into the living room, taking a seat next to Emmett,

“Hey Eddy.” Emmett practically shouts, focusing more on the screen than the new body in the room, can't blame him I'm doing the same. I also haven't forgiven him earlier for alerting Emmett and Carlisle to the fact that I wanted to bolt,

“Stop reading my mind.” I push out between clenched teeth as I force toad to take a particularly sharp turn.

“It's been about an hour.” The intent in his voice is there and my hand seize up before I can cross the finish line. It doesn't matter, Emmett hits me with a bomb and passes me quickly. He throws up his hands and cheers,

“And the winner is Emmett with the large muscles and winning personality.” I roll my eyes and look around for another pillow. I find one and and fling it behind me but before I can launch it at Emmetts head it's gone, taken right from my grasp. I turn to where Carlisle holds the pillow in his hand,

“Alright time to go, grab your jacket,” I swallow, I can still find a way to get out of this,

“I don't have a jacket,”

“Alice bought you a jacket.” Edward interrupted from his side of the couch, I turn giving him the best glare I can, but he's to busy smirking at himself to notice. Cold hands grip my shoulder and force me to my feet,

“Perfect,” Carlisle declared, “we'll be home in about three hours.” I try to turn to look at him, but Carlisle is already pushing me forward towards the front of the house,

“Three hours?!”

“Give or take.” He answers. He stops at the front door and grabs something off a coat rack and holds it out for me to put my arms through. I sigh, she did buy me a jacket and from the look of it a nice one, a cream peacoat with black buttons and a belt around the waist. I stare at it for a second before turning around and pushing my arms through, by the time I have it buckled and buttoned, Carlisle already has his coat on and the door to the garage opened. I give him one last look,

“After you sweetheart.” I purse my lips and enter the garage only to stop dead in my tracks, I've never seen so many cars in one garage and not just cars, but luxury cars. I catch a Mercedes-Benz next to a Volvo, and right next to that is a bright yellow Porsche. At the back of the garage sits a huge red jeep, the doors have been taken off and the tires have been replaced with even bigger ones. I don't know which car is which other than Carlisle's Mercedes but I would say the jeep belongs to Emmett, a big car for a big guy, and the last car in the garage is a red convertible, the same car I pretended my barbies drove when I was a kid. These people are rich rich. Carlisle's arm drapes across my shoulder and begins steering me to his Mercedes,

“It's a bit overwhelming isn't it?”

“It's a wonder you stay under everyone's radar” I mumble earning a chuckle from Carlisle, who stops and once again opens the door for me, I sigh and slide in letting Carlisle close the door and then buckle my seatbelt. It's chilly in the garage but I already feel a thin sheen of sweat bead down my back and when Carlisle gets in the passenger side and shuts the door I can't help it any longer,

“Do we really have to do this?” I question watching Carlisle's features soften,

“Unfortunately yes, and as much as I get the feeling that you would love to push this off it is necessary for school and your overall health, not to mention Esme and Alice wanted you out of the house for a few hours, but do not ask me why because I have been told I am not allowed to answer that question under any circumstance.” I open my mouth as Carlisle starts the car, and open the garage door “Not under any circumstance.” he repeats and I lean back into my seat and scowl.

“Fine,” I mumble as we back out the garage, and down the rocky path of the driveway, it's then that I realize what I didn't days ago and thats how far they live away from the main road. After driving for a few minutes it's only then that we pull onto paved road,

“May I ask you however what has you so on edge, was I correct in thinking needles?” Partially, I turn towards Carlisle and cross my arms,

“Have you meet anyone excited to go to the doctor and be pocked,” Carlisle tilts his head to the side,

“Thats fair.” I sigh and turn to look out the window, trees, trees, trees, trees, “Would it make you feel better to talk about it?” Carlisle asks turning my attention back to him. He's focused on driving but by the way his gaze keeps drifting back to me he's waiting for an answer. My heart jumps into my throat and I feel it with every pulse,

“Did you know what you said back there?” I blurt out before I can even think to stop myself. Carlisle purses his lips and concentrates for a second,

“I'm afraid you're going to have to be more specific,” Carlisle smiles,

“You said we?” He tilts his head to the side “You said I'm here longer than we like.”

“Ahhhh” Carlisle hums, to my surprise when I look over he's smiling at me, “I wanna leave I guess I just..I-”

“You think we want you to leave just as much as you do, is that it?” I feel the flush on my cheeks and turn away. This is what happens when you get start liking something, when you start making connections. It's only been five days but I'm getting too close to these people. I can't afford to feel that way, this is not really my life, they don't really care about me, their just being nice. Most likely because I know that their vampires and don't want me telling the world, I understand. They're protecting themselves not me, why would they? They just met me.

“I shouldn't have said anything.” I mumble turning back to stare out the window,

“Marceline,” Carlisle tone turns serious, I sigh and turn back towards him. He looks more intimidating with his eyes on the road and his grip on the steering wheel. “We want what you want and if you want to go home than thats what we want, not because we want you out of our home but because its what you want.”

“You don't even know me, so wanting me out of your house is expected?”

“Have we done anything you expected?” Not really, letting me stay in they're home, they're talk of giving me a room in they're house, Esme cooking me meals and taking care of me, Edward taking such interest in me as to learn who I am, Alice being so excited to meet me. No none of them have acted in anyway in which I expected them too.

“No” I force out in a soft voice,

“Marceline I promise you, you being in our home is not an incontinence or a burden on us, and anything we do is because we want too and because it's a necessity to you as a human, and that's okay, do you understand?” I nod, “I need you to say it out loud sweetheart.”

“I understand.”

“Good.”

...

I turn to Carlisle who's had a side eye on me since we sat down twenty minutes ago,

“The chairs are uncomfortable.” I tell him, continuing to fidget, he smirks and then looks back towards his clipboard, so far he hasn't asked me any questions, isn't he suppose to ask me something? Mothers maiden name, history of heart disease.....I don't know any of that. Don't I need a social security card, a birth certificate?

“We have to leave?” Carlisle peaks up from his paper work, “I don't have my birth certificate.” Carlisle reaches into his coat and pulls out a manilla folder. Has he been keeping that in his pocket this whole time!?!

“I have it right here.” the shock on my face must be evident because he continues, “Jenkins had it faxed over this morning.”

“I don't know what's more shocking the fact that you can have documents like these made or that you have a fax machine.” I whisper and lean back,

“Anything else you want to try before we go in there?” His voice has a light touch to it, and I know he's joking, but I'm going to still try,

“I have to go to the bathroom,”

“Marceline Cullen.” It's amazing how un-use to that name I am, and for a second I look around to see who else's poor soul was given such a name before Carlisle raises his hand half way and say's “here”. I don't immediately get to my feet, instead the nurse at the door, makes her way over to us,

“Dr. Cullen how are you?” She's smiles, hugging the clip board to her side,

“Mrs. Floyed your looking well, how's the change been?” She smiles wider and waves him off,

“Pssshhh it's Amy and it's been good, the hours are much more manageable and it allows Jim to take on more hours in his residency, which is what he wants.”

“How are the twins?” She laughs and frowns,

“Exhausting, I am so tired.” By her smile it's easy to tell she doesn't mind being tired,

“Anymore children in your future?” Carlisle raises a brow, she sighs and pats her stomach,

“Not until both can make a sandwich and pour a glass of milk....and sleep through the night.” Carlisle laughs and gets to his feet,

“Thats a good plan, Amy this is my niece Marceline.” She turns to me and holds her hand out, smiling as if she doesn't see the black eye and bruising under my jacket collar,

“Yes, news travels fast in this town, I'd heard you had taken your niece in. Hi Marceline, I'm Amy,” Slowly I take it,

“Hi, it's Mare.” She gives my hand a firm shake,

“Well Mare are you ready to come back with me?” I turn to Carlisle who nods, I sigh and get to my feet, “Come on back, are you coming too Dr. Cullen?”

“I can do this alone.” I jump in before he can say anything, Carlisle nods and holds his hands up,

“Alright I'll be right out here, leave you're jacket with me.” I shrug out of the pea coat out and hand it to Carlisle who delicately drapes it in his lap,

“Alright, Mare follow me.” Carlisle takes a seat and I take a step to follow Amy before stopping and turning towards Carlisle,

“Their going to do bad things to me in there.”

“I can go with you.” I swallow and sigh, turning back to Amy who now stands at the door waiting, I take a breath and follow.

Amy leads me to a room decorated with Winnie the Pooh characters, she takes my weight and height to my surprised I'm an inch taller than I thought I was. She has me sit on this high table covered in paper and then takes my temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. When she's done she apologizes because she's read my file from my trip to the ER, but explains she still needs to palpitate my stomach which means she makes me lay down and presses into my belly. It hurts and I grind my teeth the whole time, but she's gently enough and then helps me sit back up. She keeps up small talk, apparently she use to work with Carlisle at the hospital, but after giving birth to her twin boys she left to work here. I listen and nod along, answer some of her questions, like how I'm enjoying Forks and how nice my “aunt and uncle” are, and how cool my “cousins” are. When she's done she tells me Doctor Poole will be in, in a second and leaves me alone. I hate this place, but begin bitting my cheeks the harder the better, just when I think I'll draw blood the door opens and a blonde hair women dressed in a white blouse, black pencil skirt, sneakers and a white coat walks in. She has a clip board and a pair of glasses hanging from her hand and a small smile on her face,

“Marceline Cullen?” Nope, still not use to it. I nod and she grabs a small stool and scoots it closer to the table I'm sitting at and sits down, “Hello Marceline, I'm Diana Poole, how are you today?” she holds her hand out,

“Mare,” I correct shaking her hand, “I'm good.” She puts her glasses on and begins flipping through the papers on her clipboard, “Alright, before we get started I have a few questions, I see you've had a recent trip to the Emergency room at Forks general with a mild concussion, bruised ribs and larynx, it's been about a week and I want to check on those areas but before we do are you having any pain in the area's I just described?”

“No,” She stands up and grabs a pair of gloves, oh how I want to run so bad. Either she's slowly placing them on or my brain is working slow, when she's done she turns back towards me,

“Alright Mare, can you tilt your head back for me?” Her hands gently press into the side of my neck, and I can't help but grimace when she pushes in a bit harder, “Still a bit tender?”

“A little,” I confess. Carlisle was right five days ago when he said it was going to get better, it's not nearly as painful as it was and sleeping is much easier but there's still a lingering soreness in both my neck and ribs, but it feels more like I've over exercised or slept wrong.

“Alright eyes to the ceiling please,” Her thumb gently pulls down under my eyes careful of my bruised eye. She's probably looking for the popped blood vessels, however Edward was right in saying it would go away and with it the pink sheen everything once held. With one hand holding my eyes open her other one shines a light into them and I try my best not to blink. Once she's done she has me lay down and lifts my shirt, gently and begins feeling along my ribcage. The bruising there it also starting to lighten the purple and blue now a light yellow and green.

“Everything looks pretty good, you're healing very well.”

“Well, one thing I can do right.” I muse and this earns a small chuckle from the blonde doctor,

“Okay, lets continue.”

As it turns out a regular checkup as Carlisle calls it doesn't take long, Dr. Poole uses her stethoscope placing it both on my chest and back, listening for a few minutes. She goes back to my neck using her hands to move my head back, forth, left and right. She peaks into my ears and nose, and then asks for me to open my mouth.

“Nervous?” She asks at one point,

“Is it east to tell?”

“You've torn the inside of your mouth up?” She taps both my cheeks, “break that habit?” I swallow and nod, she finishes everything off, by using a small rubber hammer to tap both my knees and elbows, and smiles before putting away her instruments,

“All done?” I hope off the table ready to run,

“Just about,” she musses when someone knocks on the door and enters. It's Amy with a covered tray, “Just need to draw some blood and administer your inoculates and you'll be right as reign.” I swallow and shutter as she turns around, “Ah ah ah cheeks.” she points out, I didn't even realize I was bitting them,

“Afraid of needles?” Amy frowns sympathetically. I shake my head quickly,

“Of course not,” She see's through my lie but shrugs anyway,

“Alright.”

“Trust me, it's only a pinch.” Dr. Poole comforts,

“I'm not afraid,” I repeat watching as Amy uncovers the tray.

Chapter Text

“Mare, Mare honey open your eyes for us please.”

“Marceline?” A hand lightly taps my cheeks and I slowly I squint my eyes open, not even remembering I closed them,

“I'm ready for the needles,” I mumble as Carlisle's perfectly contoured face comes into focus, I reach up to touch his cheek, “You're really pretty.” This earns a chuckle not only from him, but from two other voices,

“The needles are over Mare, you did great.” Wait really?

“I did?” I don't remember. “I did good?” Carlisle's hand snakes it's way under my neck and cushions the back of my head from the floor...wait the floor, “Did I fall?”

“No sweetheart you passed out.” I blink a few more times and sure enough my eyes find the ceiling, Dr. Poole's face and Amy's face right behind Carlisle,

“Oh? What a bad first impression.” I mumble, again Carlisle chuckles,

“Don't worry, I've seen worst.” Dr. Poole comforts,

“Come on up, up” His other hand wiggles under my back and forces me to sit up. Something is pushes into my hand and Carlisle forces my hand to my mouth, “Small sips.” I follow his lead and find a cold can of sprite, one of my favorites.

“I lied” I confess between sips, “I am afraid of needles.”

“Nooooo,” Carlisle replies sarcastically,

“Sure, tease the one on the floor.” I sigh, taking another sip of my soda,

“Think you're up for standing?” Carlisle asks, I nod,

“Can we go home now?”

“As long as Dr. Poole says it's alright.” I look to Dr. Poole who nods,

“Yes,” She turns to Carlisle, “We've drawn of few vials and given her several different inoculations today, so she's most likely going to be sore and tired so I'm sure she's dying for her own bed, but you do know the more worrying signs to look for.” Carlisle nods,

“Thank you Diana I really appreciate you fitting us in like this,” Dr. Poole waves him off,

“It's no problem Carlisle, I owed you.” Carlisle's sneaks around me and begins hauling me up under my arms just as I've finished my drink,

“It was nice to meet you Mare and remember,” Dr. Poole reaches forward and pinches my cheeks, I get her meaning; stop bitting.

“I'll try.” Carlisle's hands grab my left shoulders and gently squeezes while pushing me forward,

“Thank you, come on sweetheart.” Together we march out of the room into the hall and back out into the waiting room. Carlisle holds my jacket open and I take the hint and push my arms through

“I just want you to know I'm never going to trust you again.” I mutter pushing my buttons threw while Carlisle opens the door,

“I believe over time you'll learn too.” I shake my head as I pass by, fat chance. I do however let him lead me to the car and open the door so I can slide inside. He gets into the drivers side and waits until he starts the car and pulls out on to the road to speak, “Ice cream?” I look over and frown,

“No,”

“What do you feel like, we can stop anywhere you want,”

“I'm not hungry,” Carlisle tsks.

“Well we can't go home, not yet,” He looks down at a watch that looks expensive. “We have about an hour before Esme said we could walk through the door.” I raise an eyebrow,

“Why?”

“Told you I couldn't tell you, remember?” I groan,

“Fine, drive around for an hour, I'm going to take a nap.” I pull the seatbelt away and roll over, only to roll back over,

“Your right arms going to be achy for the next 48 hours.” Carlisle smirks from the drivers side, I reach over rubbing just under the worst of the soreness,

“I don't eve remember them sticking me,”

“I wouldn't expect you to remember, you were unconscious remember.” Carlisle states, a light heartedness to his voice,

“They did it with me passed out on the floor! Is that even legal?” Carlisle steals a glance over at me,

“Yes,”

“What I-”

“One, you're a minor and two I was in the room and gave consent to do so,”

“But what if something went wrong?” I'm looking for any excuse for Carlisle to see his error, but by only being with him and his family one week it doesn't seem Carlisle's ever wrong.

“Marceline, Dr. Poole was right there and so was I, you were fine. Is there another issue that's bothering you that you need to talk about?” I cross my arms and let my back melt into the seat,

“No,” I groan out,

“Are you sure?” He raise's one eyebrow at me,

“What were those shots,?”

“Tdap for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, MMR for measles, mumps, and rubella, hepatitis A, MPSV4 against meningitis, Gardasil for HPV, Varicella for chicken pox and a simple flu shot.”

“Isn't a chicken pox shot for babies?” Carlisle shrugs,

“It's recommended babies and children receive Varicella, however I'm not sure when your last vaccines were administered or if your up to date and seeing as receiving Varicella in the teenage years will not harm you, I thought it better be safe than sorry.” I sigh,

“Do you do that often?”

“What?”

“Sound like a Doctor.” Carlisle laughs,

“I guess I've never noticed.” He admits,

“How long have you been a doctor?” Carlisle purses his lips beginning to think,

“Well I moved to the New World formally known now as The United States of America when it was just beginning to establish itself, I locked my self away for two centuries and began amercing myself in my studies, it was the mid 1800 when I started to establish myself in my practice.” I swallow,

“That's a long time.” I turn to Carlisle who turns his eyes away from the road to nod, “Why a doctor though?” It was something I couldn't stop thinking about when I started reading the book, why would a vampire become a doctor...I guess assess to a blood bank, but Carlisle doesn't drink human blood,

“To help people.” It's such a simple answer, one I would expect from one of the mean girls in high school who wants to be a nurse, but coming from Carlisle it means something, he wanted to help people, and he means it.

“Did you always want to be a doctor,” Carlisle shrugs,

“It wasn't until I was a vampire that I wanted to be a doctor,”

“When were you changed?” Carlisle turns to me, a smirk on his face,

“I'll tell you what, I'll take you out for ice cream and you promise me when we get home, you wont act guilty or like you're putting us out, and I'll let you ask me anything?” I scowl, but all he does is smirk and raise an eyebrow,

“How big of a surprise is it?” Carlisle taps his mouth, he's not saying anything, “That's not fair if it's big I'm going to feel weird, honestly you act like you've never had anyone spend money on you, accepting that feels wrong.”

“I've worked very hard so that my family wants for nothing, and I'm proud to say I've achieved that and believe me when I say you're not a burden nor do we hurt by spending money on you, and one of Esme's many ways she shows affection and love is gift giving, learning your likes and dislikes is one her favorite things.” I'm learning that. I sigh,

“I have to promise?”

“Yes.”

“.......fine.”

…

Carlisle drives to a small dinner where you don't have to leave your car, and orders small ice creams with the intention of looking like he's eating when reality he bought both for me, and surprisingly I finish mine and switch the bowls around. It's when I'm at the second I get the nerve to start asking questions,

“How old are you?” Carlisle scapes his plastic spoon around the small cardboard bowl and looks up,

“How old do I look?” Young, younger than I feel is appropriate for him to look in the role he plays, both as doctor at a hospital and leader of a vampire coven,

“Physically?” I stare hard, “26? In others years......200.” I take another bite of my ice cream, this one mint chocolate chip, different from the vanilla ice cream scoop I ate first,

“Physically I'm early 20's if I had to specify I would estimate 23, and in other years,” He smiles at my use of words, “I would be 365”

“Wow” I swallow, but his words catch me, “Estimate, you don't know?”

“Not for sure. Time was different back then, lower class citizens could both be born and die, without ever knowing the year, how we really tracked things back then was based on the current monarch.”

“Monarch?” Carlisle nods,

“I was born and raised in London.” It's only after he says that, that I release theirs a bit of a accent to his voice, it's light, but it's there, how did I miss it?

“When do you think you were born?” I shovel another spoon of ice cream in my mouth and swallow,

“I estimate 1640.” I think for a second,

“Charles the First then,” Carlisle raises his brows and purses his lips,

“Very good how did you know that?” I could lie, I could seem more intelligent than I am, but for whatever reason I don't want to lie to Carlisle,

“In my..” I look around, were the only ones here and were in a dark car, “World theres this show called Reign all about Mary Stewart. It's my favorite thing to watch, her son James was Elizabeths heir and when he died his son, Mary's grandson took over, but he lost his head in 1649, but I don't know who took over after.”

“The Commonwealth,” Carlisle informs “And your grades in history are..” Carlisle trails off a hint of teasing in his voice,

“You said I could ask you the questions.” I'm too embarrassed to tell him my average in that class is a C-. Carlisle smirks,

“I did, didn't I?” I take another bite, keeping the spoon in my mouth as I nod,

“If you were born in London, why did you come here?” I remember back to twenty minutes ago when he said he came to the New World,

“After I was changed I knew I couldn't stay in the village, after trying to rid the world of my self I found I could survive off animal blood, and traveled to Italy where I stayed for two decades before making the decision to leave. This world was new, the first colonizers being the Separatist who left even before I was born to seek freedom from the church of England. Rumors surrounded many towns and villages about all the things this New World had to offer and the best place for a fresh start, so that was where I went.” I take another bite, scrapping the side of the cardboard bowl,

“You literally saw the birth of a nation.”

“I met some of my closest friends during that period,”

“And you never wanted human blood?” Edwards words ring in my head again, the way he described being a “vegetarian” vampire. Bland, boiled, tasteless food, I don't think I could do that, but Carlisle just smiles gently,

“Can't miss what you've never liked, I've found my want to care for people out weights my want to kill them,” I finish my ice cream and hand the bowl to Carlisle, to toss in the trash next to the car,

“It's like a super power, compassion.” I state turning to look out the window, “Kind of amazing.” I mumble, thinking back to the wood cross on Carlisle's office door, I've seen it every night this week, coming out of Carlisle and Esme's room, “Are you religious?” Carlisle cocks his head to the side, “I saw the cross on your door.”

“Ahh,” Carlisle confirms, “It's a very special heirloom from my father.” Edwards words are in the back of my head again, his mother and father died before Carlisle changed him, was Carlisle changed after his parents had passed too,

“Can you tell me your story?” My voice is barely above a whisper. I haven't told Carlisle the nature of my bruises but here I am asking for how he came to be. I'm expecting a “No,” a “Not Yet,” instead he he looks off and nods,

“Well I was born in a time where their was no religious tolerance, everyone was expected to both attended and pledge to the Church of England and my family indulgent in both, in fact my father was an Anglicans and I was raised as a pastors son.”

“Were you close?” Carlisle turns towards the window and throws both cups away,

“No, my mother died in childbirth, a normal thing in those days as bacteria and poor hygiene were not yet understood and ran rampant, but my father blamed her death on me as she died bringing me into the world.” I imagine a women with pale blood hair so desperately wanting to stay alive for her son, “My father threw himself into his work and my whole childhood I rarely saw him, which is why when I hit my early adult years I was so desperate for him to not only notice me but acknowledge me and at the time, my father was deep into the supernatural hunts.” I cant help the pull of my lips and before I know it I'm smirking at Carlisle.

“Supernatural hunts?” He smiles with me,

“Ironic isn't it?” I nod, “Throughout history something that has never cease to amaze me is humans fascination with the supernatural. Witches, Wear-wolfs, vampires, ghosts, and mermaids, humans have always seek-ed them out, and as an adult my father lead a group of other religious men to hunt them down. In order to get his attention I started attending these hunts and on nights where my father was unwell I started leading them-”

“Don't tell me,” I cut him off, “You actually found a den of vampires and...” Carlisle's smile lets me know I'm right, and I can't help but cover my mouth to stop the chuckle bubbling in my chest,

“It's alright,” He encourages. “It is irony, I became what my father hated the most and that was the main reason I not only started drinking animal blood but also left my home, that cross you see is from my fathers church, a reminder of how all this came to be.”

“When did you meet Esme.” This earns another cheeky smile,

“I actually met her when she was 16-”

“That's gross, you're gross,” He laughs

“Not in a romantic way, she fell out of a tree and I happen to be the only doctor in town at the time, I treated her, although I couldn't help but notice there was something different about her. It was another ten years until I saw her again.” Carlisle looks lost in a memory, the smile on his face drops. One thing I'm noticing from both Edward and Carlisle's stories is that both their changes were surrounded with pain and sadness. Edwards mother was dead and Edward was dying, Carlisle was changed and made into his own fathers person enemy. What happened to Esme?

“You changed her?” He nods, “Was it sad?” Carlisle looks up,

“That my dear is not my story to tell, but what I can tell you is I could never find a women better than Esme to spend my life with.” I feel the lump in the back of my throat and let my smile fall. Carlisle reaches forward and brushes my chin, “Why are you so glum?” I look up and take a breath. Carlisle has told me more about him then he had too, all because I asked, a man that doesn't know me, that trusts me with his secret and brought me into his home. He's given me more than I deserve,

“I lied to you,” I admit and he turns his head to the side while keeping his eyes soft, “I wasn't jump.” he reaches forward and places his hand on my left arm,

“I know sweetheart.” I'm not ready to tell him about my mother yet and I don't know if I ever will, but just letting Carlisle know is enough for now, and he knows it too, because he gives me a reassuring smile and gestures back to the steering wheel “Shall we go home?” I smile at nod,

“Yes please.”

…

Carlisle parks back into in the garage, but before unlocking the side of the door for me to get out he turns towards me,

“Now remember our deal.” I sigh,

“I'm not going to make Esme or Alice feel guilty for doing something nice for me, nor am I going to mention anything about money or time.” Carlisle reaches over and squeezes my shoulder,

“Good girl.” He unlocks the door and I hop out noticing one of the cars gone from it's spot. I don't have time to really think about it before Carlisle places his arm around my shoulders and pushes me into his side and forces us to move forward. He pushes the door to the garage open, where Esme's already waiting,

“How did it go?” She smiles. She's dressed different than how I've seen her this week. Instead of heels and a dress she's in a stylish but comfortable pair of olive green point pants with a white cotton shirt tucked in and nude flats with large Chanel C's on the tip. I look between the two of them,

“Truth or a lie?” Esme frowns,

“I don't think I'm going to like either answer,” Carlisle pats my back,

“It went fine, she'll be tired though,” Carlisle trails off in an awkward way, I frown and then turn to Esme who smiles,

“Yes-”

“Ya, if it's okay I just wanna lay down on the couch.” I cut her off and start to head to the living room when small hands grab my shoulders, by the squeal that follows I'm sure it's Alice,

“You're home, finally!!”

“Wha-”

“Alice, she just got home, calm down.” Esme gesture for Alice to let go of me, reluctantly she does, “We do have a surprise for you.” I turn and look to Carlisle who nods,

“Really?” I swallow, both women look so happy and it's a bit unusual for Esme to want to surprise me with something without first insisting I take a nap, so there has to be a reason. “Okay.”

“Come with me.” Esme holds out her hand and carefully I take it and let her lead me upstairs, Alice and Carlisle following close behind me. She leads me passed her room and further down the hall to a door at the very end, and I feel my heart shoot down into my stomach and quickly I turn my head back to Carlisle. His face is the same,

“You promised.”

His eyes say, but that was before I knew the surprise was a whole ass room and not a few new clothes to wear, I turn back to Esme who stops at the door and motions to the gold handle,

“Open.” I don't move at first and Alice pushes me forward,

“Oh stop, your going to love it, well actually your going to hate it, but then your going to love it,” Esme must look at Alice because she continues, “She doesn't think she deserves it.” She's right, non of this is mine to have,

“Mare honey, please don't feel that way, we wanted to do this, but if you need a better reason, CPS is coming tomorrow and we have to show them something.” It seems Esme just always knows what to say because it does make me feel better. Having a reason on why they did it, other than they just wanted too, makes more sense. Nobody in this world does kind things just because they wanted too, there always has to be a reason. I grab the gold door handle and push it open and stop in my tracks. This isn't a room, this is a display,

“What do you think?” Alice jumps forward, I turn towards her,

“It's....too nice.” A queen sized bed sits horizontally in from of me with a large turfed headboard. The bedding is something you see in a catalog, all white and fluffy, too many pillows arranged perfectly, and an extra fur throw at the bottom in case you get cold,

“We didn't know your style yet, so we thought simple would be best,”

“You call this simple?” I ask her without taking my eyes off her latest project,

“White and cream.” She states simply and she's technically not wrong. The walls are a light cream with white crown moulding all around. Directly across from the door are two large bay windows, both made into sitting areas with soft looking ruffled curtains. Across from the bed is a large fireplace with a full screen TV above it.

“I've never had a TV in my room before,” I force out, my vocal cords already starting to shake,

“Emmett tends to hog the television with his gaming, since Rose refuses to have on in their room.” Esme explains placing her hand on my shoulder, “I noticed you and Edward really like watching those documentaries so I thought it would be nice for you to have your own.” I feel tears behind my eyes, my mother never noticed I liked watching them, when she was drunk I'd hide in my room with a book. When she was sober, she would always ask if we could change it, and I'd always say yes. On both sides of the fireplace are two white doors, on the right pass one of the doors in the corner is a large empty bookshelf that towers from floor to ceiling with two cream colored recliners in front of it, with a white and gold art deco rug underneath both chairs.

“This is too much,” I whisper knowing well they can still hear me,

“Ohhh come this way!” Alice grabs my hand and drags me towards the farthest door on the left of the fireplace,

“Careful of her right arm Alice.” Carlisle chides. Alice throws open the door dragging me inside to reveal a large walk in closet with yet another door, but what amazes me the most is that the closet isn't just filled with the small amount of clothing I have, but a little more than half way full,

“Wow.” I push out between pursed lips. Alice reaches forward and runs her hand among a row of jeans,

“I didn't want to fill it because I figured we could go shopping and get things that you really like, so I just got basics. I reach forward and grab one of the pair of jeans and peak at the tag, Levi. I don't think I've ever owned a pair of Levi's and I place it back on the rack,

“Ya,” I look up and her face beams, probably because I agree'd to shop with her,

“Oh Mare, you don't know what you just signed up for,” Carlisle chuckles both him and Esme peek in from the doorway, I turn around when Alice grabs my arm again,

“Left arm!” Carlisle calls, Alice drops my arm and grabs my left pulling me towards the yet another door inside the closet,

“This was Edwards bathroom, but of course he doesn't need it so we boarded up the wall and added the closet too. Like it?” I swallow feeling the tears force their way forward, just as Alice pulls a soft cloth from her pocket and holds it out. I look up and her face says it all,

I knew you would cry

I grab it and quickly wipe at my eyes,

“I've never had my own bathroom?” I sound like a broken record, I've never had any of this stuff,

“and don't worry,” Alice winks “It's soundproof.” I swallow and blink, forgetting these people can literally hear anything I do in this house........gross.

“Wow” I mumble. The bathroom is the same cream color as the walls in the bedroom....my bedroom. The sink is a white marble with it's own fancy soap complete with lavender sprigs and decorative towels,

“The drawers are stocked with whatever you'll need” Alice winks and I shake my head at her, but a smile is creeping up my face,

“Thanks Alice,”

“I knew you'd love it!” She practically sings throwing her arms around me, her strength squeeze the breath out of me, hurting my ribs and causing me to grunt, before she suddenly lets go, “Sorry I got excited,”

“Come one Alice, Mare's probably exhausted, she needs to rest.” Esme calls from outside the closet, she takes the lead and exits leaving me standing in the bathroom. I take a breath, finding all of this too overwhelming. I slowly step out into the too big closet and out into the too big bedroom, where Esme and Carlisle stand. Alice now gone,

“What do you think?” Esme asks, I peak to Carlisle remembering my promise and then to Esme,

“It's...really nice.” My voice shakes and Esme takes a tentative step toward me testing the boundaries and then carefully gives me a hug. Unlike last time I don't stiffen at her touch, at her affection, this time I accept it, she lets go and runs her hand down the back of my hair,

“I'm glad you like it,” she steps back. “Take a nap, I'll wake you for dinner alright?” I nod, and she turns heading for the door beckoning Carlisle to follow her. He smile's and nods at me, this time his look saying,

you did good

He walks out closing the door behind him, leaving me alone with my mind and for the first time today I have a new thought pop up, one that scares me....... I don't think I want to go back.

Chapter Text

I'm content, that's the first thing I think when I wake up. My back is nestled softly on the mattress with pillows cradling my neck and head. A soft fake fur blanket tickles my arms and I realize all I want to do is stay in bed and stay content, and I plan too until theirs a knock on my door. I sigh and roll over just as the door swings open revealing Edward behind it. I wish it would swing shut. He crosses his arms and leans against the door frame,

“You're awake?” I stretch my arms above my head,

“Yay.” I yawn and settle back into the pillows, “Something on your mind?” The way he's leaning against the door, with his arms crossed and a brooding look on his face makes it look like he has something to say.

“You did well yesterday.” He's talking about the social worker. She came out yesterday to tour the house, take notes, and mostly to talk to me. It was suppose to be a private talk but with a house filled with super hearing immortals there was never a change for a private conversation.

“Thank you.” Edward frowns,

“It wasn't a compliment, it was a statement.” I frown and bury myself deeper into my pillows,

“Well then what did you come here for, just to make a statement?”

“I came here for two things, one was to tell you that, and the other one was to let you know Carlisle and Esme want you to meet them downstairs for breakfast.” I wrinkle my nose at him and burrow down even more. Yesterday wasn't the first time I've had to talk to a social worker, in fact it's not the second or third time, and one thing I've learned is that all their questions are the same.

• How I'm acclimating

• Am I happy

• Am I comfortable

• Have my needs been meet

• Do I feel safe

• Can I go to an “safe” adult to talk to if needed

• Am I eating

   

Ever question I answered with a smile,

• I'm learning the schedule and feel of the house

• I'm happier than I thought I could be

• I am

• Yes, absolutely

• I've never felt safer

• I can go to Esme about anything

• More than I want too

I even threw in a few laughs here and there, and made sure I was likable and relaxed, it wasn't hard, but was it too easy; and just hearing Edward mention how good I am at it, sends anxiety coursing through my body. If Edward saw it then Carlisle and Esme did too, I feel like a child who's just been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. I peak up from my blankets and raise an eyebrow,

“Is that all?” He smirks and uncrosses his arms,

“For now.” He shuts the door leaving me alone and most annoyingly, awake. Theirs no way I can drift back to sleep now, both my body and mind buzzing. I throw the comforter off and swing my legs off the bed and just sit for a second, letting my emotions fight for room inside my head before letting my feet hit the floor. I head to the bathroom throwing open both the closet and bathroom door and begin running the water, anger flooding my thoughts. I begin replaying the conversation with the social worker in my head. She asked the same questions every CPS agent I've ever talked too asks, and I answered them the way I always have.......so why am I dwelling on this. I'm usually able to lie and push it aside, but this time....it's different.

I didn't really lie, all my needs have been met and I am comfortable, but when it came time to ask about my past....it was hard. In this world I have a loving mother and father who died and I was sent to live with an aunt I'm just not getting along with. So I left and came to find my “Uncle Carlisle” and here we are, mostly happy, but...a lie. Acting happy and having a happy life are two different things. I quickly set my hair in two french braids and settle into the hot water, letting my mind wonder. The first time I ever had to talk to a social worker was when I was 9 years old, My mother had drunken herself into deep sleep and couldn't be woken. I tried screaming and shaking her, but she was out which resulting in me walking to school alone, unfortunately I couldn't remember the street names or where to turn and end up walking for a few hours before finally shuffling into a gas station with large streaks of tears down my cheeks. The cops were called and it was a while before my mom could be located, but when she was, CPS had already deciding I would be place in a temporary home for the night. The next morning was the first time I ever lied to an adult, when I told the women worker that I felt secure and safe in my home.

My mother was able to clean the house and get me back the next day, I remember her pulling me into the kitchen and pouring all her bottles down the drain, promising me she would never drink again. That was the first time she lied to me, because it was only until the withdraw symptoms set in that she was racing out to the store.

The second time was the first time my mother really hurt me, I was 10 and she pushed me into the glass coffee table, my head broke the fall resulting in both my first concussion and stitches. The neighbors next to us heard the commotion and called the cops, they thought it was a domestic violence dispute until they walked in through the door catching me sitting on the floor bleeding while my mother puked her guts up in the bathroom over what she'd done. I had to tell the doctor and social worker in the ER that I had been trying to teach myself how to do a cartwheel an had crashed into the table myself.

The third time was two years ago, when I broke my ankle and a CPS worker was brought in again after pulling up my records. Again I lied, told them I was goofing off on the stairs, wasn't paying attention, that I felt 100% safe in my home. My ice skating career was over, my life felt over, but I couldn't let myself be taken from my only home, from my mother, so I lied and I went home.....If I hadn't lied, I probably wouldn't be here. I turn the hot water back on and let it burn my skin until I can't take it anymore.

…

I take my time in the bath. I never really looked at everything Alice and Esme stocked in here and decides nows a good time as any. Each corner of the tub has different products, all of them I've never heard off. I'm use to using VO5 and Suave, however these come in glass bottles and smell amazing all though I don't use any. The bar of soap is just like the one in Esme's bathroom with real lavender sprigs and smells too good to use, so I put that back too and find a simple bottle of bath and body works warm vanilla sugar hidden behind another expensive looking body wash and use that one with a very soft washcloth. I scrub until my skin hurts and then get out using the matching towels and step into the closet. It takes me a about five minutes but eventually I find a pair of leggings and a soft sweater. I wince when I realize the leggings are lulu lemon and the sweater is cashmere, both pieces too expensive for my liking, but these are the most laid back clothes I can find in here. I throw on a pair of soft socks and take my time getting down stairs. I take one step at a time until my feet hit the ground floor and then I head to the kitchen where both Esme and Carlisle sit at the table, a newspaper in Carlisle's hands and a large roll of paper in Esme, she has a pen behind her ear and a look of concentration on her face. Carlisle notices me first, although I'm sure both heard me coming down the stairs. He places his paper down and smiles,

“You look nice,” he comments and Esme looks up,

“Oh Mare, did you have a good start to your morning?” I cross my arms hating that both their eyes are on me, but I smile and nod anyway,

“Thank you for the shampoo and body wash.” It's the only thing I can think to say, my heart pounding rapidly knowing their's a discussion coming and the last one has left my arm sore,

“Of course, it's my personal favorite, come sit down I'll get you something to eat.” I almost open my mouth to say I'm not hungry, but it would be no use. Ever piece of food that's been placed in front of me has been carefully monitored by both Carlisle and Esme although they've tried not to let on to it. I can see it in the way Esme looks at what I've left on the plate and the way Carlisle watches me eat out of the corner of his eye. My appetite still isn't back, but I'm able to eat more with each meal. I sit down next to Esme's chair, only vacant for a second before Esme sets a bowl of yogurt in front of me complete with fruit, nuts, and a drizzle of honey over top. I pick up the spoon she's left on the plate and dig in slowly, knowing full well both Esme and Carlisle are watching me.

“Marceline, their was something we wanted to talk to you about.” Carlisle finally offers, lifting a bit of the anxiety off of my chest,

“Okay,” I pierce a strawberry and bring it up to my mouth to nibble,

“Well, I know I asked you about you information on your schooling,” he stops to pause, I swallow the strawberry and take another bite,

“Ya,” I know where this is going and although I expected it at some point I'm no really ready to hear it,

“Esme and I believe that this Thursday you should start attending the local high school,” I stop mid chew and swallow forcefully. Both watch me carefully waiting for a angry or frightened reaction, I take a breath and nod, digging my spoon in to the yogurt.

“We want to know how you feel about that?” Esme asks carefully. I shovel the yogurt into my mouth and nod, taking another large scoop of yogurt. Carlisle's hand comes down on my wrist gently,

“As happy as I am that you're actually eating, I know you're avoiding this conversation,” I sigh threw my nose and drop my spoon,

“I'm not trying too,” I confess, “I know I should go.” Esme leans closer, placing her elbows on the table,

“Tell us how you're feeling on the matter,” I turn to her confused, she wants to know how I'm feeling about it?

“Schools expensive-”

“Try again.” Carlisle interrupts, I sigh and lean back in my chair,

“I'm not good at school,” My grades are from very generous teachers, those that sense trouble at home, but don't think it's bad enough to report it. I stumble through the halls just trying to get from one class to another, my only enjoyment being my best friend Matt......and he's not here. I wonder how he is, if he's okay, if he misses me. I miss him.

“What aren't you good at?” Esme asks, flicking Carlisle's hand off my wrist and replacing it with her own,

“All of it...I'm not a very good teenager if you haven't noticed. I suck at school, have no friends and keep to myself.”

“Non of those are bad honey,” Esme comforts, “Maybe you're just not in the right environment.” I bite my lip to keep from laughing, if only she knew. Instead I shrug,

“Maybe,”

“You'll be a freshman at Forks High. Edward and Alice are currently enrolled as sophomores and Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper are Juniors.” Carlisle starts and for a second I'm confused, Edward and Bella met in Biology....they were juniors weren't they?!? How early am I?? “I've asked the administrator to insure you have lunch with everyone-”

“No.” It's out before I can stop it, and Carlisle waits patiently with a smirk on his lips. I replay the scene in my head from when the “infamous Cullens” appeared in the books. I never saw the movies but from the books I can see it all in my head. They way they sat at their own table looking completely unattainable and beautiful, trays of untouched food in front of them. If I wanted any chance I need to do most of this alone,

“Why don't you want lunch with the others?” Esme finally asks after a second long pause,

“Wouldn't it be weird if I was the only one eating,” She considers this for a second, “If I have to go to high school, I should try making friends on my own.” Both Carlisle and Esme, share a look. Finally Carlisle nods,

“Alright, I will call the school back and ask for you to be placed on a later lunch,” I nod,

“Thank you,”

“Of course sweetheart, were here to help you. This is something non of us have experience with, however because of experience we are better equip to handle this so if you need too, you can lean on us.” I can't, because when I do you'll do something to disappoint me. I keep those words tucked away, choosing instead to smile and nod, if anything to get out of this conversation and this breakfast. However Carlisle smiles and pushes the bowl of sweet yogurt in front of me,

“I'd like to see that same vigorous appetite again.”

…

“So you don't want to eat lunch with us?” Edward pops his head into the room, small smirk on his face, I look up from the notebook I found in one of the desk drawers and wrinkle my nose. I almost tell him to knock, until I realize this is more his house than it is mine, although it's starting to become his routine, wait for the human to wake up, stand in door way with arms crossed and make small talk.

“News spreads fast,” I mumble twirling the pen in my hand,

“Carlisle told me not to tease you about it,”

“And yet here you are.” He steps into the room, leaning his shoulder against the doorframe. If he keeps doing that, the wood is going to have a permanent dent from his shoulder.

“I didn't say I would listen,” I raise an eyebrow,

“Clearly.”

“Will you tell me why you don't want to enjoy lunch with us?”

“Other than the fact that you don't eat?” Edward gives me an annoyed look,

“I'm sure theres more to it than that,” I shrug and lean back into my pillows,

“Just read my mind, you always do.” Edward smirks,

“Carlisle told me not to do that too,” From the look on his face, it's clear he's not only telling the truth, but he's also following it. I tilt my head to the side and smile, finally some privacy,

“Really?” He raises an eyebrow and nods,

“Really.” I settle back into the pillows and throw the notebook and pen at the end of the bed,

“Do you have friends?” I finally ask, Edwards forehead wrinkles in thought. We both know the answer and I smile, “Exactly.”

“So is that what this is all about, you want to make friends,”

“I want to be invisible.” I correct, “And I cant do that with the Dollanganger Darlings” Edward snickers,

“Nice analogy,”

“I also don't think Rosalie likes me very much so it will stop any awkwardness.” I grab the white fut blanket at the end of the bed and snuggle into it,

“It's not that she doesn't like you, she doesn't know you, once she does, then she can decide if she likes you or not.” I snort,

“Wow thanks.” I snuggle deeper into the pillows, closing my eyes, indicating I'm done talking and ready for a nap, that's until a new voice enters the room,

“Mare!” I open my eyes just in time to see Emmett shoulder Edward out of the way, “Hey are you sleeping, it's 4PM.” I release a content sigh,

“Just in time for a late afternoon nap,” I close my eye again, but throw them open when the bed jiggles. Emmett stands at the end of the bed both hands on the mattress,

“You have all night and morning to sleep, come downstairs and play Mario cart with me!” I sit up and open my mouth but Edward beats me to it,

“Video games again? Didn't you get you fill yesterday...and this morning?” Emmett scoffs at him,

“Absolutely not, Jasper and Alice are in.” Edward rolls his eyes and I snuggle back into the cushions, “plus I want to get to know Mare better and what's better than a good old game of American Mario Cart.” I snort again,

“Maybe just asking questions?” Emmett joggles the bed again,

“Come on Mare,” I sigh and sit up, and look between both Emmett and Edward,

“Fine.” Emmett smiles and turns to Edward,

“Ha, you owe me five dollars.” Edward frowns,

“Just because you make a bet with me inside your head, doesn't mean I agree to it. Unless I give you a verbal confirmation. I'm not giving you five dollars.” Emmett turns to me a goofy look on his face,

“He's always like this too. Race you down.” He's out the door before I can even open my mouth to give him a responds,

“That's really not fair,” Edward shrugs and holds his hand out,

“He's always like that,” He rolls his eyes mimicking Emmetts voice, “You'll get use to it.” I stare at his hand before crawling to the edge of the bed and get to my feet myself, “You know you don't actually have to play, your brains still scrambled, even I can feel it.” Edward reaches up to rub his temples, and I frown finding an overwhelming want to reach forward and smack him across the face.

“Oh I'm so sorry for you.” I let the sarcasm drip my voice and turn on my heels heading out the door, Edwards behind my before I even get into the hallway,

“Struck a nerve did I?” I turn at the top of the stairs and huff

“Have you ever realized how far up my business you are?” Edward releases a breathy laugh,

“Excuse me?”

“Since I somehow fell into this stupid book, you've been in my head and in my business, just this morning you were telling me your opinion on a conversation that was suppose to be private and and thats only this morning you'll probably comment on something else before it's even 5.” I want Edward to fight me, to tell me I'm being dramatic and to tell me wrong, not because I am, but I just need to fight with someone. However in true Edward fashion he does the opposite of what I want and his lips turn up in a half grin, god dammit.

“I guess I could wait till 5:15 to comment on your business.” I huff and turn,

“Now I see why everyone's on team Jacob.” His footsteps follow me,

“What?”

“Please leave me alone.” I hit the bottom of the stairs and head to the living room, both Esme and Carlisle are gone, or in a different room. I'm so use to seeing them in the kitchen,

“They went hunting.” Edward clarifies and I roll my eyes,

“Wow, I was right. What a complete and utter shock.”

“You know Rose is going to like you, you're just like her.”

“She doesn't like you either.” I turn into the living room, where Emmett sits controller in hand, the blonde, Jasper sits next to him and Alice at the end of the couch, a large smile on her face,

“It's so cute, the both of you fight like siblings,” I stop in my tracks blink, once, twice, then turn and on my heels and run straight into Edward, who places his hands on my shoulder and turns me back around, “I said something I shouldn't, didn't I?” I sigh and let Edward push me towards the couch and force me to take Emmetts empty right side,

“We could hear you arguing down the stairs,” Emmett hands me a controller, “don't worry you'll get use to it, you'll even start to like it. Watch this, Edward want am I thinking.”

“I'm not telling everyone what you're thinking.” Edward plops down next to Alice and looks towards the TV, it's just Emmett and Jasper playing, and to my own surprise, Jasper is winning. Emmett isn't far behind. Just like our game he's chosen Bowser, while Jaspers playing as toad. I stare at the the screen before finding my eyes following Jasper's side. They've chosen a difficult course complete with a rainbow bridge in space, tunnels, and a ton of twist and turns. Each time they enter a tunnel the screen does dark before lighting back up in mock sunlight, and without even realizing it, I find myself leaning towards the screen, it's hypnotic....has Mario Cart always been like this, or maybe I just haven't played it enough at Matt's house, either way I cant take my eyes off the screen. Bright lights, tunnel, space, tunnel, light.....lights, heads lights heading straight for me,

“Emmett turn the TV off now!” Bright lights, and then nothing.

Chapter Text

Ice encase's my hand, pushing into the soft fleshy part of my wrist. When I force my eyes open I'm not surprised to find it's not ice but Carlisle's hands,

“You're hands are cold,” I mumble. Carlisle looks down at me and I realize I'm on something soft and warm, the bed Esme got me.

“That's what I've been told,” He smirks and place's my hand down on the soft fur throw that's been tucked under my arms,

“Doctors a good cover,” I push out through numb lips, “All doctors have cold hands.”

“Do they?” I nod. Everyone in this house is cold, but it never accrued to me that maybe, when they shake others hands, they cant tell if their's are also cold.

“All the one's I've meet.” I swallow, my throat feeling incredible dry. I almost ask for a glass of water when something hits me “You were out.” hunting, Edward had said.

“We were done.” He smiles gently, “I promise, you didn't ruin anything.” I purse my lips,

“How did you know?” His eyes smile, but his lips frown,

“Because I'm beginning to know you Mare.” His words hit and I feel a shiver creep up my spin. Even my mother doesn't know me this well. “Do you want to tell me what happened?” Panic seeps into my chest again,

“I was hit by a car.” Carlisle scrunches his eyebrows,

“In the house?” I shake my head and cast my eyes downward thinking back, Mario Cart, the tunnels, the lights...headlights,

“I think I was hit by a car!” I jump up, the overwhelming need to scream and run pounds in rhythm with my chest. Carlisle grabs my shoulder

“Mare-”

“I was hit by a car and now I'm dead aren't I?” Tears pool in the corners of my eyes “I can't go back, I was sitting on the curb and all I saw was bright lights, and I thought it was me somehow transporting here, but that's not what it was at all. It was car lights and someone hit me and I'm dead-”

“Marceline sweetheart calm down.” Carlisle pulls me into his chest, I can hear his lungs expand as he takes a deep breath and I realize I'm talking so fast I'm almost completely out of air,

“I can't,” I reach forward grabbing the sleeve of his sweater, I need something to hold on too.

“Yes you can, you're breathing now, you just need to relax, listen to me and follow.” My head moves with the movements of his chest while his lungs expand. I take a deep breath although it gets stuck in the back of my throat and hitches,

“Thats good, lets try again, shall we?” This time I follow his movements getting a full breath, “Good girl,” he murmurs rubbing my back. His cold hand feels good and I let my body relax, my muscles burn when I un-tense them and I sigh. Carlisle keeps rubbing my back, while taking deep breaths although the longer we sit here, the more it begins to dawn on me that I really don't think he needs to breathe, meaning he's only doing it for my benefit. After a few more minutes I find the voice to speak,

“Am I dead?” I've asked this before, but back then then it wasn't as real as it is now. If what I saw is true then I really could be dead,

“I don't know sweet girl.”

“I don't think I can go home,” I mumble gripping his sweater even tighter, the tears no longer threatening to fall, instead just over flowing creating two large sticky streaks down my cheeks. Carlisles grip tightens just a bit, I sniffle feeling snot start to loosen, I reach up with use my sleeve to quickly wipe it away, realizing I'm in full cry mode.

“We don't know anything yet.” Carlisle encourages, but I'm not an idiot and neither is he. I wipe my nose again, caring less about the continuous stream of tears and swallow before speaking,

“Can I stay here for a little bit?” Carlisle stops rubbing my back, instead grabbing my shoulders and pulling me back to look at him,

“Marceline, there was never a question about where you would go.” He states gripping my shoulders a bit tighter, “This. Is. Your. Home.” He emphasizes, “and you will stay here for as long as need be, Esme and I are you legal guardians here and we take that job very seriously. We will provide anything and everything you need, do you understand me?” He reaches up with his thumb to wipe at my eyes. I nod, “I need to hear you say it.”

“I understand.”

“One more time.”

“I understand.” I swallow realizing theres still one thing beating into my head, “is all this possible?” Carlisle grabs my hand and places it between both of his,

“I don't know sweetheart, what I do know is that you're here, and I can't worry about what happened then but more about right now.” I swallow my words, feeling the bubbling in my brain. I want to scream, tell him, it's easy for him, he isn't in a world that's not his own, he's right where he's suppose to be, but......I'm lost. I force those word away and nod, Carlisle reaches forward and uses his thumbs to rub my cheek bone, pushing the tears away. I reach up with my free hand and quickly rub my eyes, forcing away any tears and stopping new ones from forming.

“How did I get here?” I ask, using the back of my free hand to wipe my nose, Carlisle gives my hand another squeeze,

“You lost consciousness in the living room, Edward carried you here just as Esme and I came home,” Mario Cart, dark, light, tunnel, rainbow bridge, light....headlights, it was hypnotizing and I couldn't stop watching, then everything went dark.

“I passed out?” Carlisle nods,

“That you did, has this happened before?”

“No”

“Any numbness in your limbs, nausea, upset stomach, headache?” I shake my head,

“M'fine.” Carlisle places his hand on my shoulder, stopping my from getting up before I can even think to get up. How does he know me this well?

“I want you to stay in bed the remainder of the night, Esme is making you something easy on the stomach, and tomorrow we'll check in alright?” I take a deep breath feeling the pull of the my ribs, crying has reminded me that there still a bit soar although more improved that when I first got here. That feels like weeks ago. Carlisle pats my hand and smiles. “I do believe everything will be okay.” It's a sentence I need to hear, and without realizing it, I'm giving Carlisle a faint smile.

“You're really good at this.” I yawn pulling the fake fur blanket closer, Carlisle reaches forward and tucks it up under my chin,

“good at what?”

“Being a dad.” I mumble. I hadn't realized how tired I am, or how tired I am after crying my eyes out. Carlisle forces me down onto my back, and unconsciously I turn to my side, turning my back towards him. For a second he doesn't do anything, and then his cold hand lightly runs down the back of my hair before getting off the bed and quietly crossing the room to close the door. I let the lure of sleep pull me under ….

…

Something cold grabs my ankle, involuntarily I kick out, sitting up in bed and throwing the covers off,

“Oh good, you're awake.” Alice smiles, pulling her hands up to clap them together. I look around confused for a second, it's still dark and I can't figure out if it's late at night or early in the morning, I turn back to Alice

“What?”

“Did you sleep well?” I reach up to rub my eyes and nod,

“I was, what time is it?” She shrugs

“6:12” I tilt my head to the side, trying my hardest to convey my “Why are you waking me up this early?” look.

“I wanted to let you know, when I get home today, you, Esme and I are going to go school shopping, so make sure you're ready by 3:30” I turn towards the direction of the closet before looking back at Alice,

“You already bought me clothes.” She tsks me and smiles,

“Those were just the basics, besides you said we would go shopping and since you're starting school in two days, we have to get you ready, so have sweet dreams and then at 3:30 you're mine.”

“Alice!” Esme's voice shouts from outside the door. Alice gives me another smile and then gets to her feet,

“Remember 3:30.” She turns practically skipping out, leaving me alone and.....scared.

... 

I brush the last of the wet knots from my hair and toss my drenched stands into a too soft towel and squeeze as much water as I can out. The scent of fresh waterlilies and Jasmine invades my nostrils. After a few days I couldn't take it anymore and had to use Esme's too expensive shampoo and conditioner. I used as little as I possibly could, but the scent still sticks to each stand of hair, reminding me of it's potency with each shake of my head.

After Alice woke me up this morning, I tossed and turned for around 20 minutes before falling back asleep for a few hours and by the time I really woke up for the day it was 9:30 and I was craving a shower. I turned the water up as hot as my skin could take it and sat under the spray until the water grew cold and then quickly washed my hair and jumped out. Again I found it hard to find an outfit that was comfortable but not too expensive. That icky feeling of people spending their hard earned money on me sinks in, money's hard to earn, it's easy to spend, money makes the world go round, and for others to spend it on me........even my mother didn't spend this much on me I think in my whole life. Theirs easily thousands of dollars worth of clothes in this walk in closet that shouldn't be mine. I sigh and throw on the simplest pair of jeans I can find, and a green oversized sweater from J.CREW and wander downstairs. I feel my stomach rumble and head to the kitchen where I know Esme is probably already waiting for me. She smiles when I walk in, I give her one back and head to the bar stool,

“I apologize for Alice waking you up, she knows better” Esme sighs, “Did you sleep well?” I nod and smile, “I though you could decide what you're hungry for, something light?” She guesses, a gently smile on her face, I shrug,

“I'm actually really hungry.” Her face changes,

“Really?” I nod and her smile gets bigger, “How about oatmeal, I can add some fun things in there.”

“That sounds really good.” She reaches over and pats my hand. Clearly happy that I actually want to eat.

“What's this I hear?” Carlisle comes up behind me, placing his hand on the back of my chair, a smile on his face, “Does someone have their appetite back?”

“It came back last night, I just didn't say anything.” Esme made seasoned broiled chicken with rice and a sweet potato, all foods easy on the stomach as Carlisle had requested, but I ate everything and even thought about asking for seconds before I feel back asleep.

“Keeping secretes are we?” Carlisle musses, I give him an innocent smile, as Esme slides over a full bowl of oatmeal.

“Let her eat.” Esme demands and Carlisle lifts his hands up in surrender. Esme wasn't lying when she said she would add some fun things in there. She only started making it minutes ago but somehow she's added cooked apples, brown sugar, honey, walnuts, and a dash of cinnamon.

“It looks....really good.” Esme beams at my simple compliment,

“I thought we'd get some fall flavors in there before the holidays hit,” I look up realizing that it's November, November 8 exactly, winter is coming. Back home, winter had just left, and spring had finally started to show it's face in the forecast of 75 degree days. And by this being November it means only a month ago I was 13, or younger. I honestly don't know what year it is either. I turn back to my oatmeal and dig in taking a large bite. I never knew oatmeal could be this good, and I give Esme a thumbs up, swallowing,

“It's really good.”

“Then again are we surprised?” Carlisle adds, coming to stand next to his wife and placing his arm around her waist,

“My mom never cooked like this.” I didn't realize how sad it sounds till it's out of my mouth. It doesn't bother me, but from the look on Esme's face she feels a stab of sadness for me, “She couldn't cook,” I elaborate with a smile on my face. Esme shouldn't feel sad for me,

“A little young to be cooking aren't you?” Carlisle adds, a hint of curiosity in his voice, I shovel another bite into my mouth a swallow before giving him a laugh,

“I can't cook either.”

“What did you eat?” Esme leans her elbows on the counter, I spear a cooked apple and pop it in my mouth,

“Take out.”

“Every night?” She keeps her voice mellow, but I can tell she finds this appalling, obviously these people have never had New York style pizza,

“Well...almost, theirs TV dinners and boxed mac and cheese...sometime the neighbors would bring stuff over.” I think of Mrs. Madison and her casseroles and almost choke on my oatmeal. She meant well. She'd always notice the Pizza guy or the greasy brown bags mom would always have in her hands and bring over glass pyrex dishes of noodles and tomato paste.

“You and your mother need a home cooked meal every once in a while”

“TV dinners?” Carlisle questions, “Their is no nutritional value in those whats so ever.”

“but their good.” I point my fork at him and then point it down speaking another apple while and scooping another large portion of the thick oatmeal.

“Not in this house.” I shrug, honestly I probably won't miss them.

“Esme's food is better anyway.” I catch her smile out of the corner of my eye and feel something swell inside of me, making Esme happy, makes me happy. Carlisle laughs and then pats the table,

“Finish eating and then meet me in the living room.” I peak my head up, anxiety seeping into my mind,

“Why?”

“Would you like to learn how to beat Edward at chess?”

“Learn to beat Edward?” I question, already feeling the excitement bubble in my chest, “I really want that.” Carlisle chuckles,

“Then once you're finished, come to the living room. I'll start setting up the board.” I wait until Carlisle disappears down the hall before turning to Esme,

“Is he serious?” She smiles, leaning forward to tap my bowl,

“Finish and find out.”

…

I sigh, leaning forward I place one finger on my king and push it over. Carlisle wins again,

“You're getting better.” He encourages, his tips and directions have been helpful and I'm able to strategist a bit better and keep the game going longer, however I still haven't won. I look up to Carlisle and raise an eyebrow,

“One more time?” He smiles and reaches forward setting up the board again, I catch Esme smiling too. After the first three games, she came into the living room, hands full of papers and markers and set herself up at the couch.

“I don't think I'll ever be able to beat anyone in this house.” I grumble setting my king back up,

“That's not true, you could beat Emmett, he's never picked up a chest piece in his life.” I can't help the laugh bubbling in my chest. “Who taught you to play?” My laugh is silenced and I look up at Carlisle swallowing a lump in my throat,

“Ahhhhh....my mom,” I say slowly.

“Very smart of her,” His smile is meant to be encouraging, happy that it seems like I've come from a good home, had a good childhood. That my mother cared to teach my such a complicated game, what he doesn't know is that my mother never wanted children never knew how to raise one. Teaching me to play was the only way she could bond with me and it didn't even work, she spent most of her time yelling at how bad my moves were or how I need to use more strategy. God how I hated playing this game with her. My king slips from my hand landing on the ground, quickly I reach to pick it up. When I slip back up, Carlisle is watching me, eyes soft and mouth relaxed, it's clear I'm not as relaxed as he is and carefully I release a large breath and place my king down.

“She was very smart.” I mumble,

“I do believe if we could ever have the chance to meet her, we would like her very much.” Carlisle smiles, even Esme looks up from her work to smile.

“You wouldn't have.” Carlisle smiles fads into a small look of curiosity. I hold my breath and reach forward to making the first move, knowing very well black doesn't go first, “You're turn.” Carlisle waits for a second, before sharing a look with this wife and then reaching forward to make his first move,

“You know that was wrong.” I smirk,

“Shhh.”

Chapter Text

“Mare, what's your style?” Alice turns around from the front seat to look at me, even Esme looks up, her gold eyes giving me her full attention in the review mirror. I turn to the window before looking back towards Alice's excited face,

“I don't know comfortable, I guess?” Alice's smile fades,

“Not anymore,” She informs me with a casual shrug, “I'm thinking we're going for a classically always put together with out even trying look. Boots, plaid, jackets, fashionably too big sweaters, jeans, skirts with leggings and point pants.” I frown,

“How about, jeans, hoodies and an occasional nice blouse?” Alice looks like she wants to gag, instead she sits up straighter and relaxes her face,

“Not in this house.” She snaps and suddenly I get the feeling that I really want to go back to the house. I sigh and lean back into my seat.

“Don't worry Mare, Alice is under strict instructions not to make you purchase anything you don't want and not to tire you out, right Alice?” Esme encourages her voice light in the beginning and harsh in the end. I watch the back of Alice's head bob slowly up and down, but not before she turns back towards me with a smile,

“Don't worry, I'm sure I won't have to shoot down too many of your choices, you seem like you have great taste if given the proper budget.” I purse my lips and turn away.

“Were almost there honey.” Esme smiles, this time I smile back,

“Can't wait.” I try to sound enthusiastic, it's enough to make her turn her gold eyes back to the road, and I'm amazed at how unworried I am by this, because she hasn't had her eyes on the road this entire conversation.

“I thought we would hit up Neman and Marcus, Nordstoms, and Levi's, stop by Coach-”

“Alice” Esme warns,

“Or where ever you're up to go too,” Alice changes, she turns back around, her features light up, “What's your favorite department store, we'll go there first.” I blink once, twice.

“Walmart?”

“I said department store, not grocery store.”

“They sell clothes.” I defend, but it doesn't stop a disgusted look from appearing on her face.

“Absolutely not,” she spits, before looking upward, “Nordstomes a good place to start, it's not too overwhelming or expensive, so we'll start small and work our way up, sound good?” For once it does and I find myself nodding without realizing it.

When Alice got home, she immediately walked into the house with a purpose, finding both Carlisle and I sitting on the couch, a documentary about Jack the Ripper playing. She simply picked up the remote and shut it off.

“It wasn't over.” I complained,

“I told you, at 3:30, you're mine.” I wrinkled my nose and turned towards Carlisle who just held his hands up in surrender,

“Upstairs. Dress nice.” Again I just wrinkled my nose and reluctantly got off the couch and started dragging myself upstairs mumbling the whole way. I changed slowly, brushed my hair slowly and walked back down the stairs slowly, where Alice and Esme waited by the door and every male in the house sat at the kitchen table trying to hide their sly smiles. Emmet pointed to Alice and nodded his head,

“Enjoy yourself.” I had a feeling I wasn't going to enjoy myself and so far I've been correct. The ride has been long and I'm fighting a bought of carsickness, and this whole time all I can think about is wanting to finish my documentary and go to bed.

“Mare when you get tired just let us know and we'll take a break,” Esme reminds me, and again I give her a smile, her gold eyes switch from the review mirror back towards the road,

“Of course” Alice adds, turning back around, “I have a feeling today is going to go well.” She winks at me,

“Does she always do that?” I ask, directing the question towards Esme, I can hear her release a breathy laugh,

“Tell us how our day is going to go or be unconditionally happy?”

“Both.”

“Every second of the day.” Alice's spine straighten and she turns back around in her seat,

“Eventually you'll love it.” I lean further, my seat belt cutting into my neck,

“How far can you see?” She doesn't answer, instead she chooses to shrug, I wait a second longer and then collapse back into my seat,

“Let me out, I'll walk back.” Alice turns to Esme,

“Don't let her out she's being dramatic,” Esme nods,

“I know.”

…

“Let me see what you have?” I hold up the one cheapish pair of jeans I could find in this place. Alice scoffs and grabs the pants and lifts them up, “I gave you 20 minutes.”

“And it took me 20 minutes to find those,” She sighs and drapes the pants over her elbow,

“Okay, 20 more minutes go.” I frown and turn looking back at the racks and racks of expensive clothes,

“Alice I already have clothes, I don't need anymore.”

“Mareceline, clothes are a way we express ourselves to the outside world, it's one of the first things people judge us on and a way we give off our emotions for each day, now I can pick all of your clothes but they wouldn't be clothes that you like.” I nod agreeing

“You only have a one pair of sweatpants in that closet,” She blinks at me,

“Those are for sleeping,”

“You mean everyday wear.” I correct, she opens her mouth when Esme steps in,

“How about these?” She holds up a few pairs of jeans in different washes and styles and a couple simple long sleeve shirts and two plaid pullovers, one red, one grey, she's even grabbed an army green jacket with gold detailing on the shoulders,

“Their needs to be more jewel tones, it's kinda plain.” Alice observes, touching each piece, while I flip over price tag after price tag until Esme notices and pulls them away,

“I think Mare will like them, try the jeans on, I wanna make sure I picked up the right size,” She hands over the jeans and for a second I just stand there looking up at her,

“Esme theirs a pair of jeans in here that are five hundred dollars,”

“Hush.” She shushes me and pushes me towards the dressing room, I turn back to both women. Alice gives me a thumbs up and Esme gives me a keep moving jester. I can't help the uncertain face I give each of them before moving to one of the available changing rooms. Before I find an open one I hear both of them mumble,

“She'll be fine right?”

“Of course....maybe we should sit over there”

I close the door softly behind me and lay the clothes gently on the chair inside and immediately ignore the advice Carlisle gave me, and check every single price tag. I have a feeling they won't let me say no based on price, so it will have to be fit. Carefully I set the most expensive pieces of clothing in their own pile and begin trying on the smaller pile thats left. Even this pile is too much money, but at lease each individual piece of clothing is under a hundred. I try on each one carefully, finding Esme did an even better job than I did picking out clothes, every size is perfect and once I get through the least expensive pile, my curiosity peeks and I can't help but try on the jeans with the most expensive price tag at $799 and damnit. I love them. Quickly I take them off and throw them back in the no pile and gather my yes pile and open the door only to be met with Alice. She smiles and reaches into the dressing room and grabs my “no” pile,

“These will look great on you, don't you think?” She smirks and drapes them over her arm before grabbing my “yes” pile.

“Alice-”

“All yes?” I look down to the pile of clothes and nod,

“Well ya-”

“Perfect, come on lets pay and then onto Bloomingdales.” She grabs my arm pulling me along,

“Blooming what?” She keeps up her quick pace but turns to look horrified,

“Oh you'll love it, Esme is going to meet us over there after she takes a quick phone call.” I look around and sure enough Esme is no where to be found,

“Alice I really don't want those jeans” She pulls me faster towards the register and laughs,

“Sure,” She placates me, “After Bloomingdale, we'll hit up DSW and Ulta before stopping and getting dinner, sound fair.” She stops at the register line and drops my arm, I sigh,

“It doesn't sound like I have a choice.” She frowns,

“Of course you do.”

“In that case, I don't think we need to hit up anymore stores, I'm more than content with what I have.” She shakes her head,

“Wrong answer.” I purse my lips and nod,

“Sounds about right.” I watch her lay down all the clothes and hand over a black metal card, I turn away I can't bare to see the total, Alice seems to understand this because she grabs my arm and loops it around hers and together we head towards the exit, her arms full of shopping bags.

“Mare, Mare, Mare you are going to have to get over this fear of gifts.” I scoff,

“I'm not afraid of gifts,” She looks over to me “These aren't gifts, this is a whole mall.” She makes a face,

“This is nothing, you should see my closet, that is a mall, this is more like...a little boutique.” She squeezes my arm and chuckles,

“That analogy makes this so much better.”

“I knew it would.” She ignores my sarcastic comment and leads me to the car to drop off the bags, before turning and pointing to yet another tall building, “Alright Esme said she would meet us in the juniors department,

“Who did she have to call?”

“Carlisle, come on.” She pulls harder and for a second I think my shoulder is going to pop out of it's socket when suddenly she lets go and looks off in the distant,

“Alice?” she doesn't move, nor does she blink, “Alice?” I reach forward to touch her cheek, when an arm snakes it's way across my shoulder and pulls me back,

“It's okay Mare, give her a second.” Esme, whispers, keeping her eyes on Alice, who stands still for another couple of seconds and then blinks and steps back. She turns to look at Esme and I,

“Are you alright Alice?” Esme questions reaching forward to lightly grasp her shoulder in a comforting manner. Alice looks at Esme with wide eyes before she blinks them away and smiles down at me,

“Yes, sorry.”

“How about we stop for some dinner?” Esme suggests, I turn to look at her,

“I think Alice wanted to go somewhere with flowers?” Alice grabs my elbow pulling me away from Esme,

“Actually dinner sounds better. What are you hungry for?” I shrug,

“I'm not really hungry.” Esme reaches forward and brushes a stray piece of hair behind my ear,

“It's 5:30, the last time you ate was noon, I'd like it if you tried to eat a little something.” How does she do that, how does she always turn my no's into gentle yes's? I don't know and end up giving Esme a forced nod. She smiles and pulls me away from Alice, tucking me back under her arm and steering us towards the exit, “What are you hungry for?” Nothing, but because I know Esme won't take that for an answer and I can't exactly ask her whats good around here, I choose to look between the two,

“Italian?”
…

“It was a perfect day.” Alice sighs from the front seat, tuning around to give me a smile, I give her one back although it's clear mine's not real. Alice catches on quick and frowns, “Well I thought it was perfect.” I lean my head back and sigh,

“It was nice.” I placate her.

“Now that I know you're style a bit better I know what I'm working with.” I lean forward,

“What you're working with?”

“Alice means, if you allow her, maybe once or twice a week you'll let her help you out with outfit choices,” Esme smiles from the driver spot, her golden eyes sparkle in the review mirror, Alice turns towards her,

“Twice?” Esme turns her eyes towards Alice and nods,

“Alice, you need to allow Mare to pick her own style, but if she needs it she can ask for your help.” The car becomes very silent and for a second I'm afraid Alice is going to either jump ship or shout, instead she relaxes back into her seat and crosses her arms,

“Alright then.” She doesn't sound disappointed or sad, but she doesn't sound happy either, more like she's excepted it, but doesn't exactly believe it either. I choose to turn and rest my head back, closing my eyes and focusing on the slow and careful motion of the car, never really falling asleep, and when Esme stops the car I open my eyes and sit up.

“Sorry to wake you honey,” I shake my head and stretch,

“I wasn't really sleeping,” She still turns to smile apologetically anyway, I give her one back and unbuckle my seatbelt before sliding out. Alice is already pulling out bag after bag, a happy smile on her face as she peaks into each one. I can't deny her happiness nor can I deny my own, I haven't gone shopping for new clothes since September before school started and even then it wasn't like this. Mom and I went to Walmart and then had lunch at Subway, it's what we always do and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but being able to go from store to store and get anything I wanted regardless of price is a whole different experience, and even though I don't like others spending so much money on me, it's still an experience and now that I've gotten that experience out of my system I'll be happy to deny anything else they try to give me. A room and a new wardrobe, thats more than enough right. Alice snaps me out of my thoughts by handing me a few bags,

“Go ahead and drop them off in the closet I'll organize them later.”

“You don't have too-” I start but Esme cuts me off,

“It's late, go ahead and drop your bags off and settle into bed, alright. Tomorrow you and Alice can arrange how you want it, and we can finish any back to school shopping you need,”

“Tomorrow?” Alice questions, Esme turns arms full of bags,

“Tomorrow,” Esme confirms. I turn running into a hard cold body, Carlisle laughs and reaches down grabbing the bags from my arms,

“You've been gone all evening, let me help you with your bags,” I reach forward grabbing them from his hands and gesturing towards Esme's full hands,

“I've got it,” I take the lead into the house, knowing well all three of them are faster than me, but I still walk as fast as I can, into the garage up the stairs, by the time I get up there, I'm tired and out of breath I stop at the top and drop my bags right on to two nice pair of strappy heels, shoot. I slowly pan up following the heels to a tight pair of black jeans up to a cream colored tank top and brown jacket up to gold eyes and finally blonde hair,

“I....I'm s-so..sorry.” I stutter out, Rose purses his lips, but doesn't look angry. After a second she looks me up and down and sighs,

“You really need to watch where you're going.” She chides before stepping over the bags and continuing her march down the hall leaving me alone, until Alice jumps up from behind me bags in her hand,

“See I told you she's warming up to you.” I swallow,

“Maybe.”

Chapter Text

“You look nice.” Edward smirks from the driver side. I turn sticking my tongue out and crossing my arms. I woke up this morning to a whole ass outfit gently placed at the end of my bed, shoes included. My first instinct was too knock it off, turn on to my side and sleep for another twenty minutes before really committing to getting up, but it was at that exact moment that Edward knocked on the door that connected our two rooms and peaked his head in,

“Privacy?”

“She spent all morning trying to pick something you'd both like.” I looked down to the outfit made up of a skirt, sweater, tights and riding boots, funny. I didn't mention liking any of that. I peaked up at Edward,

“Do you think she'll be mad if I swap out a few things?” Edward smiled at this,

“Yes.”

“I'm going to do it anyway,” He nods,

“We know,” and with that he closed the door.

The day before Esme and I spent doing last minute errands, mostly school related things, buying supplies all of which were not on sale or second hand like I asked, everything was full price and new. Esme shushed me every time I tried to object, at some point I just acted tired so we could leave. Esme responded by telling me she would send Carlisle to pick up the rest, and sure enough that night after setting my dishes in the sink, Carlisle came in bags in hand.

“Let me guess,” I start, taking one of the bags from his hand and peaking inside, “You guys don't know about coupons,” Carlisle chuckled taking the bag from my hand,

“Afraid not,” I shake the memories of yesterday from my head and turn to Edward,

“Are the kids here nice?” Edward relaxes, shrugging,

“Were they nice in the book,” I turn towards him eyebrow raised, Carlisle's number one rule is don't talk about the book.......well since Edward broke it first I guess it's okay, he is Carlisle's favorite.

“That was Bella, this is me.”

“So your afraid their going to hate you vs someone you haven't meet yet?” I sigh and lean back into my seat,

“Well when you put it that way.” I honestly don't know how we got here, it feels like only yesterday Carlisle was driving me to his house to meet his wife for the first time and now here I am going to school, it couldn't have been that fast could it? I reach down to pull at my denim jeans, these are too new, too nice. I wish I would have picked out something different, but Alice was right when she said I would really like these, but that was two days ago, and now they feel restricting.

“Stop fidgeting,”

“I'm sorry, you have nerves of steel and I don't,” Edward chuckles,

“I don't, I've just done this enough times,” I sigh and begin tugging at the sleeves of my jacket,

“Sorry for the miscommunication grandpa,” This earns yet another chuckle,

“You know you cant talk to me like that in school, right?”

“Oh, I plan on not to talk to you at all.” My luck I wont have to, Edward and Alice are sophomores the others juniors, we won't see each other at all if I'm careful about the routes I take during breaks.

“Really don't like us do you?” Edward asks and I could stab myself in the eye, I'm still not use to living with a mind reader,

“Of course not. It's all about staying under the radar and being seen with the most pale and attractive kids in a small rainy town in Washington isn't going to help me stay under the radar. Make sense?”

“You're going to hurt Alice's feelings,”

“I've already hurt Alice's feelings.” I gesture down to my clothes. Alice laid out a nice outfit, and in a perfect world I would have worn it. I'll never forget her face when I came down the stairs wearing ripped jeans, a white tank top, and maroon hoodie. I though that by wearing the same shoes she picked out, she'd be happy,

“What. Are. You. Wearing?” She was not, and if Esme hadn't stepped in she would have probably walked me back upstairs to change me herself. Edward shrugs,

“You didn't hurt her feelings,” he comforts, “You made her mad.” Comfort gone, I shrug and look back out the window. Turns out the Cullens live pretty far away from the high school, the price they pay for privacy. Although by the speed Edward decided he's going to drive, the time is cut in half.

“Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?” Edward smirks,

“Never,”

“Hmmmm,” I observe, “surprising, I though chief Swan would be all over here, waiting for teens like you to speed by him.”

“Chief Swan isn't the only cop in this town, their also not out here this early in the morning, it's easier to catch teens speeding after school than before it anyway,” I shrug. Looking down to the new North Face backpack between my feet. It was in one of the bags Carlisle brought home yesterday night and I want so badly to like it, but I know how much he paid for it and for that I hate it,

“Marceline,” I turn quickly. So far I'm learning both Edward and Carlisle only call me by my full name when they mean business or I seem to be in trouble. “Carlisle's rich.” I'm caught off guard and nod awkwardly,

“Okay,”

“No matter how much money he spends on you, he's still going to be rich. He's lived for a long time and has made and invested his money very, very well, so this whole thing you have with money needs to end.” He's reading my mind, because of course he is.

“Do you know what it's like not to have any money?” To my surprise he nods,

“Mar-”

“You know how bad it makes me feel when someone has absolutely no problem spending a grand on one pair of jeans. For god sakes you people don't even know me, I could stake you through the heart when you're not paying attention and here you are spending 100 dollars on a backpack-” Before I can continue Edward starts laughing cutting off my speech....laughing....why the hell is he laughing. “What's so funny?”

“Staked through the heart?” He questions, almost unable to get the words out from behind his own laugher. I scowl,

“Yes.” I sit up straighter, puffing out my chest, “I'm strong.” Edward laughs harder, “STOP LAUGHING!”

“Shoving a pointed stick into the heart isn't going to stop a vampire, it's just going to make them angry. It will however speed up your death,”

“What?”

“A stake through the heart is a myth Mare, it's not going to do you any good,” I deflate back into my seat.

“Oh......garlic?”

“Won't repel me,”

“Holy water?”

“Won't burn me,”

“Exorcism?”

“All fake,”

“How can I kill you?”

“The best way? Decapitation and fire.” I clap my hands together,

“I was going to say fire next. I'll could cut your head off and set fire to you.” Edward smiles and shakes his head,

“Mare, there is no way you could even remotely get close to cutting off one of our heads and setting fire to our bodies, but I am going to tell you something you can not repeat alright?” I like secrets, I'm good at making them and I'm good at keeping them, more importantly I'm good at collecting them.

“It won't cross my lips,”

“Carlisle and Esme can't have children. Alice, Jasper, Rose, Emmett and I are the closest thing they will ever have unless another vampire comes around-”

“Bella-”

“Quiet. The point is your the closet thing Carlisle and Esme have to spoiling a child, and when they go overboard you need to just let them and I know thats hard for you, but think of it this way. If you suddenly have to go back home tomorrow, my guess is you won't be able to take anything with you, so why not enjoy it while you have it, and stop being selfish and let Carlisle and Esme baby you.” I bite my cheek and look to my lap,

“I'm not selfish.” I mumble,

“Complaining about gifts given to you with good intention is selfish,” I purse my lips and turn towards the window thinking about rolling it down and throwing myself out. I take a breath,

“Harsh,” I push out quietly knowing Edward can hear me,

“What did we learn?” I take a slow breath and turn back towards Edward,

“I'll tryyyyyy” I stress, “To stop complaining about everything you guys do for me and slowly learn to accept it.” Edward glances at me, “Thats the best I can do.” He turns back towards the road and smirks,

“I'll take it.”

“Good.

“Now buck up were here.” The car turns and sure enough he's right and suddenly it's like I'm having a heart attack,

“I can't do this; I change my mind.” Edward lips perk up in a half smile.

“You'll be fine,” No, I won't! I swallow and push myself harder into the drivers side seat,

“I don't think I will.” Edward parks,

“You have to be.” He turns raising one eyebrow,

“Would you like me to stay with you?” Both yesterday and this morning I said no, told him I didn't need him or the others and I could do this myself, now I'm changing my mind, because when faced with the reality of walking into the school and navigating by myself, I'm terrified. I look down playing with my sleeve,

“Would you?”

“Of course Mare, any of us would.” Not Rosalie, “She'll come around, I read her thoughts everyday and each morning their less and less about disliking you.” I push out a sarcastic laugh,

“Well thats a relieve,” Edward smirks and opens his door.

“Come on, theirs no time like the present.” He steps out and closes the door leaving me alone, I place my hand on the handle, but before I can push it, Edward on the other side, “Can't stay in there all day.” I grab the backpack and sling it over my shoulder stepping out,

“You didn't give me a chance.” I argue reaching forward to slam the door from his grasp. Edward smirks at my defiance, although he does that a lot. I stare right back until another car pulls in to the spot next to us. The others are here and I turn away from Edward to find Rose, Emmett, Alice and Jasper climbing out of the large hummer, it's only then that I notice all the eyes. Almost everyone lingering in the parking lot has stopped to stare, Edward places his arm around me and turns me away towards the front entrance of the school.

“They always stare, you'll get use to it.”

“They weren't staring at you,” I mumble. “They were staring at me.” Even as Edward keeps me close and leads me to the school, everyone we pass, stops to either stare obviously or catch a quick glance. I feel like an animal, a new discovered species that no ones ever seen before,

“You are,” Edwards voice has a playful hint to it, “Cullens are a breed of their own.”

“But I'm not really a Cullen.” I hiss, Edward only tightens his arm around me,

“Hush.” I take a second to look around, back home my high school was one large grey building with different sectors for different grades. Their was multiple parking lots and several businesses and restaurants within a miles radius, the McDonalds down the road was the most popular among us students at lunch. Here the school is made up of small buildings with dark red bricks and nothing but foliage all around it, the differences are amazing.

“Afraid Esme's lunch is going to have to do.” Edward whispers, if I could push him away I would,

“Stop reading my mind, and I never had the money to eat there.” I relied on free lunch. Edward doesn't say anything, but even if he did it doesn't matter. We weren't really poor, mom just new how to play the system. If she didn't have to pay for school lunch, she could simple use the extra twenty bucks a week on a bottle of whiskey. Another body is suddenly next to me,

“This is so exciting, you're first day of school.” Alice practically squeals, I roll my eyes and stay closer to Edward,

“Keep drawing attention to us Alice.” Edward chides, but Alice could care less because she proceeds to do it again,

“I wish we were in the same grade-”

“Alice, calm down.” Rosalie steps up next to Alice, threading her arm through her elbow,

“I'm calm,” She informs Rose, letting her pull her away, “Good luck Mare!” I lower my head and Edward chuckles beside me, his arm still tightly resting around my shoulders,

“She's excited,” he smirks, I sigh,

“Someone should be.”

…

Edward takes me to the front office, a small office with a waiting room outside. Theirs a large counter in front with different containers, holding paper and pens, Edward takes the lead walking up the counter, where behind it sits three separate desks,

“Hello, Ms. Cope,” A woman with red hair and a plump figure stands, a smile on her face as she makes her way closer.

“Edward, how can I help you?” I can't help but notice her eyes as they look down and then trail Edwards whole frame carefully. If Edward notices he doesn't say anything,

“This is Marceline, she's here to pick up her class schedule,” She looks over to me, just now noticing their's another body in this room other than the two of them. She smiles with a bit of disappointment and I match her energy,

“Marceline,” she tilts her head to the side, sounding out my name slowly like everyone who hears it for the first time does, “What a pretty name.”

“I go by Mare,” She nods,

“Much easier, give me a second here and I'll print out your schedule. Edward deer I'm assuming you'll be happy to show the newest member of your family around and point her in the direction of all her classes?”

“That's why I'm here.” I think we should leave, Edward turns a playful smirk on his face, “She's really excited to be here.”

“Well thats good.” Ms. Cope nods towards me, reaching down before popping back up a piece of paper in her hands. “We're so excited to have you Mare.” Edward grabs the schedule from her hands and gives her one last smile,

“Thank you, Ms. Cope.”

“You're so welcome Edward, and Mare,” She glances at me, “Good luck.”

“Thank you,” Edward can't help the cocky grin on his face and he turns and hands me the schedule, before pushing me out the door, I wait till it closes before speaking,

“She's in love with you.”

“Most of the women here are.”

“You're over confident,” he purses his lips with a shrug, “It's not a good look.” he frowns and begins pushing me down the hallway,

“Alright, alright lets get you to class.” I look down at the paper,

Homeroom- Mr. Johns 8:00-8:20

English- Mr. Johns 8:20-9:10

Geography- Miss Smyth 9:15-10:05

Study Hall 10:10-11:00

Lunch 11:05-12:05

Algebra 1-Mr. Cowan 12:10-1:00

Gym-Mr. Roche 1:05-2:05

Anatomy 1- Ms. Moore 2:10-3:00

These are the same classes I took back home, although I forwent a study hall for art, but otherwise, it's the same classes different times,

“Mr. Johns, Ms. Moore, and Mr. Roche are all pretty easy teachers, you shouldn't have a problem with any of them, Mr. Crown can be a little difficult, but if you pay attention and do the homework, you'll be fine. Miss Smyth is perpetually upset over her failing marriage and will take it out on anyone in her class so just try to stay in the back.”

“No one in this school has any privacy do they?”

“Alice and I have both had her and she seemed to take a liking to Alice especially so she should leave you alone once she reads your last name, although I'm sure that everyone already knows who you are.” He's not wrong, when I finally take my eyes off him and down to the hallway, all eyes and whispers are directed towards us, just perfect. “You'll be fine,” Edward encourages, stopping in front of a classroom door,

“I don't feel fine.” The corners of his lips perk up,

“What's the saying? It gets better.” I roll me eyes,

“That's what every after school special tells me,”

“This is Mr. Johns class, you'll have both homeroom and your first class here, He's one of the students favorite teachers, so you'll be fine. I'll come pick you up after class.” I reach forward grabbing the sleeve of his jacket before I can even think about it,

“Promise?”

“Promise.” I swallow a nervous lump looking through the window into the classroom. Already half the desks are full, full of people I don't know.

“All day?” I raise an eyebrow,

“Alice or I, her math and history classes are close to yours, so their in the same building. Right before your lunch I'll take you to your locker, you'll get your books along the way.” I take a breath, “Mr. Johns doesn't have assigned seating so you can sit where ever you like,” I nod,

“Thanks.” Edward places the palm of his hand on the top of my head,

“You'll be fine, alright?”

“I always am.” I reach up and push his hand off my head, “see you later?”

“You know you will.” He reaches for the handle opening the door for me with a pout. I could punch him, instead I step into the room and do my best not to stop, not to stare or acknowledge the stares and find the first desk and drop into it, keeping my head down. The loud conversations that had been circulating the room when I first walked in start up again, although I can't ignore some of the whispers,

“That's her”

“That's Dr. Cullens niece?”

“She looks nothing like him.”

“I never thought I'd see the day when I'd see an average looking member of the Cullen family.” Oh god, bell please ring,

“I heard she was doing drugs in the abandon mill,”

“That's where Chief Swan found her.”

“My mom said she hitched hiked here from New York,”

“All the way from New York?”

“Ya, my mom was working the night he brought her into the hospital, she works at the front desk.”

“Your mom told my mom!” PLEASE ring!

RING

Oh thank the good lord,

“Bells rung, everyone shut up so I can take roll call, you know the drill, once roll call is taken you have twenty minutes to do whatever you want, quiet conversation, last minute english homework, Mr. Benson. I don't want the excuse that you didn't have time.”

“Why do ya gotta call me out!?!”

“You make it too easy.” A youngish looking man strides through the door, closing it with a loud thunk before heading over the the small corner desk in the front of the room. He reaches down grabbing a notebook and releases a large sigh. I'm guessing this is Mr. Johns,

“Alright, lets see.”

“Mr. Johns!” A girl raises her hand with dramatic flair,

“What Ms. Blair, this is homeroom you don't have to pretend to ask questions and pay attention for another 19 minutes,”

“Theirs a new student.” I bite my cheeks hard as all eyes move immediately to me, and it's easy for Mr. Johns to seek me out,

“Ahh so there is, yes lets see,” he pauses searching out something on his desk before pulling out a small index card, “Yes, here it is. A Miss Mar-Ce-Lean-”

“Just Mare.” I cut him off before he can continue,

“Much easier for me, everyone this is Mare Cullen, Mare Cullen this is everyone,” I bite my cheeks harder and nod, this is more attention than I want. “Do you have any questions about your schedule.” I shake my head,

“No thank you.”

“Alright, well I'm Mr. Johns, I'll be both your homeroom and your english teacher. As soon as roll call is finished meet me up front and I'll give you the book were currently reading and we can kinda see where you're at academically, alright?” I nod, “Perfect, alright lets start Angelo's?”

“Here.” I keep my head down aware that as Mr. Johns runs down the list of students last names, everyone continues to stare in my direction, I can't wait for this day to end.

Chapter Text

“How was it?” Edward asks the minute I exit the class. I grab his elbow and quickly pull him away. I'm the first one out and I don't want to draw too much attention to either of us.

“It was fine,” I whisper, “We're reading Of Mice and Men.” I show him before reaching around to shove the book in my bag,

“Thats a good book,”

“No it's not,” I scoff, “I had to read it before, its dark and sad.” I hear Edward chuckle,

“Should be an easy assignment.”

“I actually knew a lot of the things in the packet he gave me.” After roll call Mr. Johns sat me down at his desk and pulled out a few small packets of paper along with the book they were currently reading and asked me where I was at my old school. I couldn't tell him that I way into my spring semester and was already starting Macbeth, so I lied. Told him we were just starting to get into To Kill a Mockingbird. He said that was their next book so it was perfect. I took the packets and went back to my desk and preceded to do a weeks worth of homework during homeroom all before english class even started then it was just one large review.

“Yay?” It's a snarky yay and I turn to Edward,

“Don't tell anyone.” Edward pulls his thumb and pointer finger across his lips in a “my lips are sealed” gesture.

“So first class was a success?” He asks, opening the door. I pull out my schedule and frown, almost all my classes are in different buildings,

“Everyone keeps staring at me.” I mumble, stopping to let Edward take the lead,

“Yeah, their going to do that?” I grunt, that's not the answer I wanted.

The walk to the Math department isn't far and Edward drops me off and directs me exactly where to go, if he wasn't going to be late he'd walk me in, but he assures me that Alice will pick me up after class and take me to study hall. I ask about lunch but he says I won't need either of them and then gives me a look that I'm beginning to understand more and more, “Alice saw it.”

He reminds me to keep my head down in Ms. Smyth's class and leaves it at that. The walk to her class room isn't long, but it's her class I dread the most. I'm not good at math, never have been, probably never will be and without Matty here, I don't know how I'll get by. I stop before entering the classroom. I haven't thought about Matty in a long time.....I hope he's okay. With one last thought I take a breath and step inside.

Turns out Edwards right, Ms. Smyth does have a failing marriage that she holds everyone but herself accountable for. The minute I step in, it's clear she's not a happy person, first it's the seating chart, then it's insisting on calling me Marceline, then it's asking me in front of everyone to answer the questions she's written on the board. Unlike english or history, there isn't an already predestined answer I can remember, and when I can't answer it she tells me to sit down and pay attention. I'm all to happy to escape when the bell rings and straight into Alice who's somehow already waiting at the door.

“How was it?” She smiles and again just as I did with Edward I pull her away,

“I hate math.” I let her talk the whole way to the next class, study hall. Perfect, I don't have to talk and I don't have to answer any questions, just a simple sit down and shut up.

“Alright well, I'll see you after school.” She turns,

“Wait,” I grab her shoulder, “you're not going to pick me up?” Alice smiles,

“You wont need me, or Edward,”

“But-”

“Trust me Mare, you'll be fine. I promise okay.” No not okay, but because the bell's going to ring and I know Alice has to get to class I nod anyway and watch turn. I follow her retreating form till she turns a corner and I'm left alone. I bite my cheeks as hard as I can before heading into the classroom, surprised to see Mr. Johns from homeroom and english. I take the first empty seat just as the bell rings,

“Alright, I'm on study hall duty so as you know I don't care what you do, just as long as nothing explodes and your relatively quite.” He plops down in the desk and places a set of headphones in his ears, “Lets try to get through these next two weeks relatively quickly shall we. Then we can rotate teachers and I can have my free period back.” I reach down pulling out the mountain of a math book Miss. Smythe gave me and open to the page she assigned and just stare at it. I've learned all this before. I remember it clearly from last semester, so why can't I do it?

“Hey” The person in front of me turns around a soft smile on her face, I look up,

“Hi,”

“You're new.” You don't say! The girl states, she has long sandy blonde hair, brown eyes, and a soft smile on her face. I purse my lips keeping my snarky comment in and nod.

“Yeah, I'm Mare.” I haven't seen her in any of my other classes but by the way everyones been side eyeing me and whispering I'm sure theres no doubt she probably already knows who I am,

“I'm Kody,” I nod and look back down to my book, “Are you liking Forks so far?”

“Umm” I look back up to her an uncertain look on my face, she laughs.

“You can say no, you won't hurt my feelings,”

“No,” I backtrack, “It's-”

“Weird being new?”

“Yeah, Forks is smaller than I'm use too,”

“New York right?” There it is, I sigh “Sorry, we don't get new people, people move away from Forks not to Forks so people latch on to anything interesting.” She's not wrong, people do move away from small towns,

“I understand.” I finally give her a smile and turn towards the the other students, all are so clearly looking our way, it's painful.

“Ignore them, once your here long enough they'll leave you alone.” I have no doubt, but it's annoying right now, “What class do you have next?”

“Oh, umm lunch I think.” She smiles even wider,

“Me too, do you have anyone to sit with?” I bite my cheeks and shake my head,

“No,”

“You can sit with me, you don't have too, but the offer is open.” I was never friends with the girls back home, Matty was, but not me. I'm awkward and shy and usually just tended to sit there,

“That's..really nice.” She raises an eyebrow,

“You don't seem like you're use to people being nice,”

“Not in New York.” It's out before I can think to stop it, instead of asking more questions Kody just shrugs,

“Small town I guess, everyone knows each other, in fact my mom works with your uncle.”

“Really?” She nods, and I pray she wasn't there the night I was brought in,

“She's a nurse, she works in the kids ward or something, but she likes to help in emergency too,” Oh great I keep the smile on my face regardless and wait for Kody to mention Chief Swan or drugs, instead she looks down to my math book and frowns,

“Do you need some help?”

…

Turns out Kody is really good at math, she's also really nice, and every time I expect her to turn around and say something snarky it never happens. She ends up helping me get all of my math homework done before the bell rings and to my surprise waits for me to put every thing in my backpack, and then tells me we can walk to the lunchroom together; and mentally I curse Alice, she was right, I didn't need her to walk me.

On the way to the lunchroom Cody keeps up a steady stream of conversation.. She tells me about the other people that sit at her table and even compares our schedules to find out we share the last three classes together and offers me a spot at each of her tables or a desk close since I don't know anyone else and her friends aren't in those classes. Part of me is relieved to have someone so nice but the other part is confused, people aren't nice like this, not without wanting something in return, small town or not, so I keep myself pretty closed off.

“Hey,” Kody greets her table when we get to the lunch room, “Mare this is Alex, Todd, Marcus and Kendall, everyone this is Mare.” I give and awkward wave and Cody motions for me to sit down,

“You're the Cullen's new kid?” The guy who Cody called Alex points out turning around to see the other kids in the cafeteria glancing over. He has light brown hair with freckles covering his nose, and I can't help but stare at his eyes, their a bright blue. I purse my lips and nod, reaching into my back pack to take out the lunch Esme packed me,

“That's me.” I sigh,

“Are you really related to Dr. Cullen?” The other boy, Todd leans forward, Cody reaches forward to push him back. He runs a hand through his dirty blonde hair and wrinkles his nose at her,

“Is it true you're from New York?” The one Cody pointed out as Marcus adds. He has deep rich brown skin with dark hair and eyes, matching the girl next to him.

“I heard you ran away.” Todd looks at me in wonder,

“Shut up, it's her first day.” Cody directs towards all three boys who look down to their plates, it seems all have gotten hot lunch consisting of a piece of pizza with fries with a chocolate milk on the side, “I'm sorry.” Cody turns towards me. I open the nice lunchbox Carlisle bought and shake my head,

“Don't worry about it, umm yes I'm related to Carlisle,” lie, “Yes I'm from New York and I wouldn't say run away as I would say going on a permanent vacation,” one of the boys smiles.

“I like you Cullen,” he smiles wider at what he just said, “Wow guys we can say we're friends with a Cullen.”

“Friends?” Cody questions pulling out her own lunch bag, “Umm no, Mare and I are friends you haven't earned it yet, right?” Kody turns to me and winks.

“Shut up, Dakota.” Kody frowns,

“Don't call me that Alexander.” Alex reaches down throwing one of his fries at her, Kody picks it off the table and pops it in her mouth,

“This is why no one wants to sit with us,” She turns towards me, “Ignore him, he'll somehow grow on you though.” I let my lips pull up into a smile. None of these people were in the book, at least as far as I read, but then again, I'm younger the Edward so it isn't a surprise if their not part of the series at all, but it is nice to have people to sit with, people who maybe can be friends.

“Hello.” A voice catches my attention behind me, I turn to a really well dressed girl with dark mahogany hair and olive skin. Two girls stand behind her, one pale with red hair and another with hair so light, it's clearly bleached. I look at all of them before saying hi back. The girl smiles, “I'm Tandy.”

“Tonya,” Alex coughs into his fist, the girl Tandy or Tonya glares at him before plastering the smile back on her face. I don't think Twilight mentioned her either,

“Anyway, I'm Tandy and these are my friends. You're a Cullen aren't you?” Damnit this name,

“I am.”

“I heard Edwards been walking you to class,” She smiles so wide I can see her gums, I look to Kody who rolls her eyes,

“He doesn't like you.” She mumbles,

“You really should be hanging out with someone more your standard.”

“Her standard” Todd cuts in, “What are you trying to say?”

“Just that, the Cullens are the unspoken popular untouchable kids-”

“I think you mean unattainable,” Alex bites, “They only keep to themselves.” He turns towards me and frowns, “Sorry.” I shrug because he's not wrong.

“It doesn't matter,” Tandy looks down at me, “You can sit at our table.” What in the 90's drama teen movie did this chick come out of. I look back to the table before turning back to this brunette bully,

“Thanks, I'll stay here,” Tandy frowns at me, her expression turning to anger,

“Suit yourself.” She spits turning and pushing her friends out of the way, to stomp back to her table.

“She choose us,” Todd shouts at her retreating form before turning to me a large smile plastered on his face, “You turned down Tandy,”

“No one turns down Tandy,” Kendall who's been mostly silent looks up, “I wouldn't have turned down Tandy.”

“Yes you would,” Kody joins in, elbowing me, “Ignore her, I think you'll like it Mare.” I nods with a slight smile, I only hope she's right.

…

The day slides by slowly, Kody and I share the last three classes of the day together and true to her word lets me sit next to her in Spanish, history, and ananomy. The rest of the school day moves pretty fast and almost of the work is basic review for me. When the final bell rings, Kody walks with me to the front entrance of the school,

“We should exchange numbers.” She smiles and I almost stop. I don't have a cellphone here and although I know the Cullens have a land line in the kitchen I don't actually know the number, “Do you have a cell?” I look towards her and shake my head,

“No, I haven't actually memorized the phone number either,” I tell her embarrassment written all over my face. She smiles and tucks a stray piece of hair behind her ear,

“Thats okay, we can exchange tomorrow.” She looks up and points to a jeep in a long line of cars, “My dads here, do you drive with the others?” She points to the three luxury cars parked off at the side of the parking lot. Vampires going to a high school, you'd think they would want to blend in a little better, no lets just drive nice ass cars and draw all the attention. Someone nudges my shoulder before walking past me. Edward smirks at my direction, keeping up his pace while heading over to his Volvo. I sigh

“Yes,” Kody chuckles,

“Okay, well I see you tomorrow,” She waves shouldering her backpack before heading over to a red jeep, I spare one last look before following her lead and heading over to Edwards car.

“You don't like my Volvo?” Edward asks placing his hands on the top of the car on the drivers side. I stop and huff,

“Stop reading my mind,” I hiss, looking around to make sure no ones within ear range, their not, but their stares are. Edward ignores them and instead looks over to wear Cody and I were just standing,

“I see you made friends with the Gordon's girl.”

“Kody? Shes the only one that didn't treat me like a museum exhibit or some weird untouchable Cullen kid.” Edward releases a breathy laugh,

“How was the rest of school?” I take a large breath and nod,

“It wasn't bad.” I admit, Edward lips twitch up,

“Get in the nice ass car Cullen Kid.” I bite my cheek to keep from smiling and slide inside.

…

The ride home feels quicker than the ride to school and most of it is spent by me talking about classes, teachers and the other kids I met today, although I leave Tandy out of it. It's not worth my breath, and by the time we pull into the garage, I've caught Edward up completely.

“Did you have trouble with anyone today?”

“Nope.” I unbuckle my seatbelt and open the door stepping out before Edward can say anything, too bad he's not far behind,

“Not even Tonya Redding?”

“Her lasts names Redding?”

“Mare-”

“It's fine, nothing happened. I don't even know how you heard about it.”

“A new Cullen in town? It's impossible not to hear.”

“Was this mouth to mouth or mind to mind?” Edward lifts an eyebrow, “Of course. You read someones mind.”

“Like it's hard?”

“Ha ha.” I roll my eyes and turn heading towards the house, by the time we're closing the door, the others are just pulling into the drive way,

“Mare?” Esme stands at the top of the stairs a cautious smile on her face, “Are you hungry? I made a snack.” Edward pushes me in,

“Um yeah.” I climb the stairs where Esme waits, she puts her arm around my shoulder and leads me into the kitchen,

“How was your first day?” I can tell she's trying to sound like she's not nervous, but she is. I turn towards her,

“It was good.” She smiles and I can see the relieved look cross her face,

“That's so nice to hear, I'm glad sweetheart.” I feel a pang in my chest, one that doesn't hurt physically, but almost seems to cripple my thoughts right then and there. As simple as this conversation and gesture is, it's one I never got before. My mother never waited for me to get home, nervous to know it I had a good first day of school or not...Mom. I can almost see her face, and quickly push it away,

“Where's Carlisle?” I ask, more as a distraction than anything else,

“Their was an emergency at the hospital and he got called into work, he wanted to be here when you got home, but it sounded like something bad happened.” This catches me off guard, he wanted to be here when I got home, really? Esme pushes me towards the island in the kitchen where she's laid out a small bowl of grapes and nut crackers, my mom never did this for me either. I push the thought away, bury it deep down. I slide onto the bar stool and pop on of the grapes into my mouth just as Esme puts a glass of lemonade in front of me. I grab one of the crackers as the door opens and close again, more footsteps pound on the stairs. Rose emerges first and turns just glancing in my direction before turning and heading towards the hallway, Emmett steps up next, taking the opposite direction of Rose and heads in my direction,

“How was school Mare?” I take a sip of the lemonade and nod,

“It was good.” He leans down places his elbows on the counter,

“No boys bothered you right?” Esme turns from the fridge and slaps him on the shoulder,

“Emmett,” She scolds

“What?” He shrugs, before standing up and gesturing towards me, “She's a baby, too young for boys!”

“I'm not a baby.” I frown,

“Emmett's never had anyone to protect before.” Edward teases from the kitchen table,

“Must protect baby Mare.” Emmett leans on the table, a goofy smile on his face. I frown and chuck one of the grapes at his head, of course he catches it.

“Enough, Emmett out.” Esme pushes him toward the doorway,

“Okay, Okay,” He relents walking the rest of the way on his own.

“Finish your snack Mare,” Esme encourages,

“Wait.” Emmett stops turning around to place both hands on either side of the enterway, “When your done Mare, do you want to play video games?” I smile but Esme and Edward beat me to it, shouting in sync,

“NO!”

Chapter Text

Theirs a cold hand on my face, starting at my temples and brushing back to comb through my bangs, it feels nice and I sigh. A slight smell of antiseptic and orange citrus hits my nose. I force my eyes open finding Carlisle sitting on the bed, his hair slightly skewed on one side, and although I know it's impossible, his eyes look tired.

“You're home?” I croak out, sleep still heavy in my voice,

“There was an accident. I was there longer than I expected.” He explains the sadness evident in his voice, “How was school?” I take another breath enjoying Carlisle's scent,

“It was good.” He smiles at that,

“That's what I heard, I'm glad but I had no intention of waking you up, so go back to sleep.”

“Mmmm.” My eyes are already drifting close, I can't help smiling when Carlisle's fingers return to lightly and ever so gently brush my bangs back.

…

Alice's eyes bare into mine and for the fifth time I roll my eyes and sigh,

“Let it go.” Her eyes travel down from mine back to my clothes,

“I still don't understand what was wrong with the clothes I chose.” She huffs, crossing her arms across her chest and collapsing into her seat in the back of Edwards Volvo.

“It was cute.”

“See!” She sits up quickly pulling at her seatbelt,

“For a school teacher.”

“Excuse me?”

“Wrong choice of words Mare.” Edward chides from the driver's seat where he and Jasper have been whispering to themselves the whole duration of this car ride.

“It was practical, warm, and perfect for someone your age not to mention comfortable which you said you liked, granted it's not a style but I did take it into consideration.” I roll my eyes peeking down at the outfit I switched to, going from Alice's option of point pants, white button-up, red sweater, and ankle boots, to jeans, sneakers and a navy blue hoodie I found in the section Alice marked, “At home casual.” I know very well Alice never intended for any of the clothes in that section to be worn out in public, but so far every fit she's thrown over my clothing choices has been hushed by Esme so for now she'll have to simply live with it. Although the glares I don't think will stop any time soon.

“I think she looks nice,” Jasper mutters quietly. Alice looks up.

“You think cowboy hats and chaps look nice too.” She bites back playfully. I see a small smile spread across Jasper's face. So far my interactions with Jasper have been minimal, he doesn't talk to me or seek me out like Edward and Emmett, but he doesn't downright ignore me like Rosalie, so I guess we're on good terms, but it also seems like it could take a turn at any minute.

“Oh wait,” Alice reaches around into her backpack as Edward pulls into the school right behind Emmett's hummer. I'm already grabbing my stuff in preparation to get out. Now that I have a general idea of where I'm going, I don't need Edward and Alice to help me out as much. Hopefully, this will help in letting me get away from being another Cullen.

“Ouch, Mare.” Edward jabs from the front seat pulling into a parking spot,

“Stop it.” I remind him grabbing the door handle,

“Here,” Alice grabs my arm. I turn to find her holding out a folded piece of paper, I eye her up and down before lifting my brows.

“It's our phone number,” Alice rolls her eyes, “You can give it to Cody later.”

“How did you.....”

“Vision,” Alice and Edward chime in sync.

“Thank you.” I grab the paper and look to the driver's seat, Edward sighs annoyed but smirks,

“You can go.”

“Do you want one of us to walk y-” I open and close the door before Alice can finish, shouting an apology in my head that I know Edward will pass on and quicken my steps to the correct building for homeroom. I shove the phone number into my backpack and pull out the English homework, just as someone holds open the door for me. I mumble a quick thank you and rush to Mr. Jones's room, I place the homework on the corner of his desk with the others and head to the same seat I sat in yesterday only to find Tandy sitting there instead, was she in this class yesterday?

“Marceline” She smiles. I can't find it in me to give her one back,

“Just Mare.” She excitedly shrugs her shoulders,

“Okay, Mare.” I give her a nod and turn-taking the seat in front of her. I'm hoping she'll leave me alone, but all my hopes are dashed when I feel a single finger tap my shoulder. Slowly I turn,

“Yes?”

“Have you given any thought to my offer yesterday?” I furrow my brows,

“What?”

“It's okay you're new, but Dakota Gordon? She's not the most... what's the word? Favorable person to be seen with.”

“I'm sorry.” Am I stuck in Twilight or a bad teen comedy?

“She's lame, spreads rumors, dresses poorly, just like her parent's social standing and she's not the brightest if you ask me.” I tilt my head to the side because I didn't ask her.

“Spreads rumors?” Suddenly she looks down, a sad mask on her face,

“Last year I went to a camp for down and out children, just to help right, and when I came back to school in the fall, she told everyone I went to LA for....” she leans closer and I can't help the shiver creeping up my spine, “plastic surgery,” She whispers,

“That wasn't a rumor and Cody didn't spread it. You left school with a size ten nose and came back with a size four,” A boy sitting diagonally turns around towards me and Tandy. I recognize him as one of the people at the lunch table yesterday, I think he was Alex.

“Mind your business,” Tandy spits venom in his direction. He only rolls his eyes before giving me a “she's crazy" look, I take a breath and open my mouth,

“Ta-”

“Anyway,” She cuts me off quickly, “I know it was hard to take me up on my offer yesterday surrounded by the others, but now that it's just you and me you can be honest.” She smiles and I nod pursing my lips,

“Okay,” I start, “I think I'll stay where I am.” I turn back before her smile can turn into a frown, but that doesn't stop her,

“Excuse me?” She sounds out slowly,

“You heard her, buzz of Tonya.” Alex turns back towards her with a shooing motion,

“Stop calling me that!” She practically shouts grabbing the other students' attention. I keep my eyes forward but hear the scrapping of the desk and retreating footsteps. Alex waits until the sound of her steps are on the other side of the classroom before turning towards me,

“Nice job.” I sigh,

“I feel like I did something wrong,” Alex shrugs,

“Nah, you'll be fine, “Tandy's”” he says her name with air quotes, “is harmless trust me.” I raise an eyebrow but smirk anyway. I'm sure he's right, besides “Tandy” wasn't in the parts I read of the book, so she has to be harmless.

***

Tandy is in fact not harmless. I only have one class with her her, and that homeroom/english, but she seems to have the classes in the same buildings I do, and makes it known to me that I have indeed made a mistake. Between the glares and the bumping to get passed me, I've fully convinced myself that I am in a bad 90's teen movie, and by the time I get to study hall I just sit down in my desk and place my head down. Is this my life from now on? I had mean girls back home, but they were more of the spread rumors behind your back, kind of crowd. Cody taps me on the back, but turn towards her and shake my head before laying my back down on my desk. It's only when we get to lunch and Alex recites what happened in homeroom to everybody that Cody gets it and nudges me with a smile,

“Well look at you go.” I sigh, feeling the glare of Tandy's eye behind my head as I reach for my lunch bag,

“I didn't do anything worth celebrating.” Cody tsks next to me,

“Tandy always gets what she wants and what she wants is to be popular, however it's hard when your family is the most elusive and rich kids in the county.” Slowly I pull out the monte cristco sandwich Esme packed me for lunch and quickly place it back in the bag. Nothing says privilege like a triple decker ham, cheese, and Swiss cheese sandwich dipped in custard and pan fried. What happened to peanut butter and jelly

“They're not that rich.” I lie through my teeth,

“They're” Todd asks one eyebrow raised,

“It's not my money.” I cover quickly.

“Ya, but you kinda benefit from it.” It takes everything in my not to huff right then and their, because their right. In the span of a few weeks, I've been gifted a whole fully furnished room complete with a full wardrobe.

“Okay so they have money, what the point here.”

“The point,” Cody elaborates biting into her apple, “Is you're family has money and Tandy's family has money which means if your not on her side, your automatically against her, and your family has more than hers.” I throw my lunch back into my back and sigh,

“What is this some bad teen movie from the 90's” I've been thinking it all day, but this is the first time I've said it out loud. Cody snickers,

“High school? Might as well be.”

“Don't look now, but Tandy is giving you a dirty look.” Alex whispers leaning closer to steal one of Cody's fries from her tray. She slaps him away,

“Thats not a dirty look, thats just her face” She turns towards me, “Ignore her.” I lean my head down with a frown,

“You don't have to worry.” Somehow I still feel like I do.

…

I'm walking out of the cafeteria, Cody by my side when a hand with small viselike fingers grip bicep and pull me towards them, I turn towards Alice, and open my mouth to protest but close it when I see her wide set eyes and slightly parted lips.

“Follow me,” She whispers. I let her pull my off to to the side, partly hidden behind a small enclave,

“What's going on?”

“Take the back way to the parking lot today, from the art and music building,” I furrow my brows, it's only my second day, but I know that way is clearly way out of the way,

“but the long wa-”

“I know, but just for today, can you do that?” I purse my lips ready to argue, but it's her eyes that stop me. She's worried about something,

“Ya, I can that.” She nods, but the worry in her eyes are still there and she reaches down to give my hand a squeeze,

“Promise?” I nod, she breathes out a sigh and lets go of my hand, “Hurry to algebra, Mr. Crown doesn't like tardiness.”

“Alice-”

“Hurry,”

“But-”

“Cody's waiting.”

…

The last bell rings just as I'm putting my biology book in my bag, Cody who's next sits next to me is already ready and packed slinging her bag over her shoulder and waiting for me. It's then that I remember Alice's words,

“Can we go the back today?” She raises her eyebrows,

“The long way?” I bite my cheek and nod, “It's kinda out of the way,” She's right, were closer to the front entrance not to mention going the back way would take an extra five minutes.

“No, you're right,” I could go alone, but part of me is afraid to be in this school all by myself, so even against my promise to Alice I follow Cody out and towards the front.

“Oh by the way,” Cody slows down pulling something out of her backpack,

“Here's my phone number,” She holds out a small folded slip of paper. Alice's ominous warning almost made me forget and slip my backpack off my shoulder digging into the front pocket to pull out the paper Alice gave me this morning.

“Here's mine although I do warn you seven other people live in that house so if you call I can't guarantee I'll pick up.” Cody smiles, and I slip my backpack back on to my shoulders

“Having to talk to Edward or Emmett, Oh wow sounds terrible.” The sarcasm drips from her voice and I can't help the smirk on my lips,

“Emmetts taken,” She makes a face,

“Ya, have you ever thought about how weird it is that two couples live in your house,” I have and I agree, and if they were human I would be more uncomfortable with it than I currently am, but I can't tell Cody that so I search for any answer I can give her that sounds relativly normal.

“Their not not related.” It's a stretch,

“I guess but-” My backpack is suddenly wretched from my shoulder's, the momentum taking me with it and sending my sprawled out onto the floor my backpack the only thing cushioning my fall onto the hard linoleum.

“Are you kidding me!?” Cody's voice rings in my stunned ears, the fall being more surprising than hurtful,

“Opps.” It takes me a second to look around and find Tandy standing above me, three of her friends behind her. I blink once, twice and then I realize whats happened. Tandy must have grabbed one of the straps on my backpack and pulled back hard, knocking me off balance and sending me to the floor. I grunt and then roll on to my hands and knees to grab my barings reall quick,

“Wow Tandy, how original. Picking on the new kid, what are you going to do next, pour pigs blood on her.” Cody holds her hand out, a hard glare in Tandy's direction.

“What a good idea?” I grab Cody's hand only to let go when something cold and wet is poured onto my head, slowly I look up to find a smile on Tandy's face and her now empty water bottle over directly over my head. Despite the cold water my face feels hot and my chest constricts with a frustrated sob. My eyes feel wet, but I know thats not from the full bottle of water dumped on my head. I take a deep breath and force myself back on to feet and turn heading for the entrance, keeping my face face and my eyes forward very well aware that everyone around is staring straight at me now. The tears feel hot, but I refuse to let them fall, not here, not now. I'm aware of Cody calling after me and even though she's one of my few friends here, I could care less and I refuse to stop. I push open the doors, and spot Edwards car, the others mulling around. Alice's eyes spot me first and the look sad at the fact that I broke her promise,

“Mare?” She reaches for me, but I quickly shrug her off, instead throwing open Edwards Volvo car and plop right now, not caring that my wet hair and shirt and soaking into the expensive leather seats. A few minutes pass before Edward opens the drivers side and delicately sits down, to start the car. The back doors don't open so I can only assume Alice and Jasper have chosen to drive home with Rosalie and Emmett. Good choice.

“Mare-”

“Leave me alone.” I realize how harsh it and add, “Please.” In a small pathetic voice, Edward's lips push together and he speeds up, driving home faster than usual, the tree's speeding by with illegal speed, but I'm not mad, I'm not scared. I just want to get home.....it's not really my home. This isn't really my world......I thought I wanted it to be.

Edward pulls into the driveway the gravel underneath creating a song until Edward oulls into the garage, I pull open the car and slam it all before Edward can turn off the car, leaving my backpack on the floor of the drivers side and quickly for the door. I only have one thought one thought on my mind and thats a shower. I take the steps two at a time,

“Mare?” Esme's voice questions from the kitchen and I feel a pang of regret in my heart knowing she's probably waiting there with a snack and I'm instead choosing to ignore her and instead run for the seclusion of the room she created, but the angry tears are threatening to overflow and I wont let anyone in this house see me cry. When I get upstairs and into the room next to Edwards I close the door and flinch when the door practically slams shut and then head to the bathroom. Tandy only poured water on me, but it feels like she poured her distain and pettiness on me and I need it off.

I strip and hop in the shower faster than I ever had and turn the water on as hot as I can stand it and start scrubbing over every part of my body. I wash and condition my hair twice scrubbing at my scalp with my nails until it hurts and then I move to my skin, watching as my arms and legs turn pink. Maybe if I scrub hard enough I'll be able to go home, the steam and hot water swirling around me until it find I'm in my own shower back home and so I wait. I finish scrubbing at my body and sit down, pulling my knees to my chest and then the water run down around me. It's just one girl, one girl from a fictional world I suddenly found myself. She's only set her angry sights on me, my mother has done worst, so why am I so upset. I think about this as the water starts to cool down, I finally stop thinking and turn of the water when it becomes to cold to stand and then slowly crawl out of the shower and grab one of the decorative towels Esme has had hung hung up and curl up around it.

I sit on the floor until my feet fall asleep and then on shaky legs stand up and step out of the bathroom into the closet, blowing passed Alice's nice clothes and grab the slouchiest sweatpants I can find. Their ones I picked out myself on our last shopping trip, Alice look like she could have a heart attack when I picked them up, but one look from Esme kept her from saying anything. I grab a stretchy white cotton t-shirt and soft socks, I dress and step out only to stop when I spot Carlisle sitting in one of the chairs in the spot Esme named the book nook, although the shelves are currently empty. Carlisle smiles when he see's me and pats the empty plush chair next to him,

“Lets talk sweetheart.” I swallow, bitting my cheek before slowly stepping closer to take the empty spot next to him. I don't want to talk, but by the looks of Carlisles gentle smile and relaxed posture it seems he's not going anyway. He waits until I'm sitting to speak,

“Edward told me, their was a problem with one of the others girls at school,” Damnit Edward,

“It's nothing I can't handle,” It feels like I'm lying and telling the truth at the same time,

“Thats doesn't excuse the fact that you shouldn't have too, Mare honey, if someone bothers you at school, even if you feel like you alone can take care of it, you don't have too.” my saliva feels sticky in my mouth,

“Carlisle it's nothing, I overreacted, I'm sorry.”

“Mare, you don't have to be sorry, for your feelings, but you also don't have to hide them-”

“I'm not, really it's okay. Today was a misunderstanding, it'll be fine.” I don't want Carlisle to take of my problems but most importantly I don't want him to worry over my own small problems.

“This girl pouring water over you, that was a misunderstanding?” Damnit Edward!! I nod,

“More of an accident, I don't really think she meant it.” Carlisle ponders this possibility for a minute and then reaches forward and places a cold hand on my knee,

“You don't have to deal with this alone, am I clear.” I'm taken aback, but nod anyway, “I understand how you are Mare, and if you think this isn't going to harm you or cause trouble in you education, I won't do or say anything to the school, but I want you to know if anything bad comes from this, or you don't feel safe, I want you to come to me or Esme, who ever you feel most comfortable. Are we clear?”

“Yes.”

“Promise me Marceline.” I swallow,

“I promise.” Carlisle's smile is small, but it seems I've placated he enough and he gives me knee a firm squeeze,

“Alright, I'll leave you alone until dinner okay? The others will too.”

“Thank you.” He stands, suddenly he's hand reaches forward and my mind flashes to back to my mother, grabbing my hair as if trying to rip it from the roots only to let go and throw me on the couch. I flinch and push my back harder into the chair. Carlisle pulls back, his eyebrows furrow. I jump to my feet, eyes wide,

“Mar-”

“Is it okay if I take a nap before my dinner? I'll do my homework after.” The words tumble out of my mouth like clumsy step and Carlisle's face softens a sad expression behind his eyes.

“Of course, I'll wake you.” His voice is low and gentle, and for a second were both left staring at one another, until he finally steps forward heading for the door, “Get some rest sweetheart.” He closes the door with a soft thud and I finally take a breath, not even realize I was holding my breath with anticipation and fear. Fear,fear Carlisle saw a part of me I didn't want him to see, to know. I let my guard down and now I'm exhausted. Taking Carlisle's advice and walk to the bed and pull back the covers before crawling underneath the too plush comforter and bury my thoughts for day and close my eyes giving into the days events.

Chapter Text

Everyone decides to leave me alone after dinner, keeping far away from me and primarily to themselves. I follow their lead and hunker down in the room Esme made, tucking myself deep down into the covers and searching for sleep. She never comes and I end up tossing and turning for most of the night, finally finding a little bit of sleep around four in the morning, but all of that is ruined when I bolt awake at six for no reason and end up just laying in bed, finding I won't be able to find rest.

“Morning,” Edward practically sings opening the door that connects the two rooms. I roll over burrowing deeper into the covers.

“I'm sleeping,” I mumble into a soft satin pillow,

“We both know that's not true, you haven't gotten proper rest all night.” I groan wishing I had spent the night in the soundproof bathroom where no one could hear me tossing and turning.

“I want to be alone.” There's silence for a minute and then quickly the covers are pulled down, the chill in the room bites at my skin sending goosebumps down my arms and legs, I jump up, “Hey!”

“Get up, we're going out.” I grab at the covers, but Edward pulls them out of reach. I groan flinging myself dramatically on the bed and roll over, my back to Edward,

“No, go away.” Edward sighs. I roll into a ball trying to preserve the warmth left on my skin from the covers only to have two ice-cold arms come around my shoulders and back,

“Let's go.” I lose my bearings for a second before Edward not so gently flops me onto his rock-hard cold shoulder,

“Edward!” I scream pounding on his back watching as he carries me out of bed and into the closet. “Stop, let me go!” He does just that when he throws open the door and drops me onto the rug and starts going through the clothes.

“These are perfect,” Edward mumbles pulling clothes off the hangers and tossing them at me. In a defiant effort, I let them fall on the floor not caring to pick them up or even look at what he's chosen. He grabs a pair of expensive-looking timberland boots and chucks them next to me. “Put those on.”

“No.” Edward shrugs,

“Alright, but if you don't get dressed I'm going to send Alice in here.” He bends down slowly, his eyes coming to my level on the floor, “And she'll pick out something you don't like, and then she'll make you get dressed.” I lean forward, wrinkling my nose and casting my eyebrows down.

“Esme and Carlisle would never let that happen.” Edward shrugs,

“Wanna find out?” I bite my cheeks keeping the defiant look on my face, “They don't want you moping around here any more than I do. So go ahead Marceline, call Carlisle and see what he says, but I guarantee you, while his approach is more gentle he'll still ask you to get dressed and meet me in the kitchen. So pick, you have two choices Mare, bother Carlisle or just get dressed and stop being so difficult.” I feel like I'm going to bite through my cheeks. I hate Edward right now, I don't want to get dressed and leave this room, but I also don't want to bother Carlisle and Esme. I've done that enough already. So with everything in me, I take a deep breath and nod,

“Fine, get out,” Edward smirks before standing back up straight and walking out of the closet closing the door behind him. I want to scream, throw my arms out into the air, and shout until my lungs burst and I pass out. Instead, I grab the clothes on the floor and lay them out. I take a second to look them over and then slowly I get to my feet and get dressed.

…

I descend the staircase slowly, taking each step carefully, gripping the railing with such a vise-like grip my fingers start to cramp and I'm more than happy to let go when I get to the bottom.

“Mare, honey I have breakfast on the table.” Esme's voice calls from the kitchen, I sigh and take my time getting there. Esme smiles when I enter, “I hope you're hungry.” I am, and slowly walk over to the island and sit down in front of a small plate piled with potatoes, peppers, onions, and scrambled eggs.

“Looks good,” I mumble, picking up my fork and spearing a potato and slowly bringing it up to my mouth,

“You look cute.” Alice plops down out of nowhere next to me on the vacant bar stool, I roll my eyes as and swallow before reaching for the OJ Esme placed in front of me,

“Edward picked it out.” I spit out, taking a sip of the orange juice. She's not wrong, Edward picked out an outfit both Alice and I would like, one that's comfortable and practical, but looks effortlessly put together with a light pair of skinny jeans and a long sleeve white shirt. He also through a red plaid button-up that I tied around my waist. I added a grey beanie so I wouldn't have to brush my hair and tied up my boots before heading down.

“Oh, so you'll wear clothes Edward picked out but not me.”

“Alice, not while she's eating.” Esme chides Alice who reluctantly backs down. I finish the plate, grabbing my glass of orange juice as Edward enters the kitchen,

“All done?” I finish the glass and set it down slowly,

“Maybe I want seconds.”

“You're full.” He states matter of factly and all I want to do in the world right now is break his jaw, “You'll break your hand first.”

“Stop reading my mind!” I slam my fist down on the counter in front of me,

“Edward,” Esme turns from her spot at the sink, “We talked about this, Mare do not bang your hand on the counter like that, there are better ways to express your anger.” Esme shouts at both of us, her voice stern but calm. It's not at all like how my mother use to yell at me when she was drunk but I can't help it, before I know it, my feet hit the floor and I'm backing up preparing myself for the slap, the mental picture of her manicured and ringed nails coming at my cheek hard enough to draw blood.

“Mare,” Edward's voice is soft. “She's not going to h-”

“Sorry,” I mumble keeping my eyes down, fist clenched. I know what Edward was going to say“She's not going to hit you”

“I don't want you to hurt yourself, sweetheart.” Esme says gently. I nod,

“Thank you,” The air almost seems to stand still, theirs is not a single noise in the kitchen. I take a deep breath and reach up to rub my arms, “So what are we doing?” Edward waits a second before answering,

“Shopping.” I groan both on the verbally and mentally eliciting a smile from Edward,

“I think you'll like this kind of shopping.” Alice stands up, a sly smile on her face,

“You will.” I roll my eyes as Edward steps forward to place his arm around my shoulder,

“I promise you will.”

…

I resist the urge to open the door and toss myself out, and if Edward couldn't read minds I just might try. The ride has been long and silent, Edward keeping his thoughts to himself and me just staring out the window. The minute I saw The Forks sign go past, I knew we were heading for a bigger town and I'm instantly reminded of when Alice, Esme, and I went clothes shopping. Finally, I can't it anymore and turn towards Edward,

“I have enough clothes.” He raises one brow, turning to face me

“I know.” I lift my brows,

“Then what are we shopping for?”

“You'll see when we get there.” I reach for the door handle, “Stop it.”

“I hate surprises.”

“It's a good surprise,”

“I don't believe you.”

“Mare, stop being so overdramatic all the time,” I open my mouth but nothing comes out, I search for my voice before finding it,

“Dramatic?” I squeak out, Edward smirks at me again, “I'm not overly dramatic, I'm the perfect amount of dramatic, thank you.”

“Is that so?”

“If anyone of us is overdramatic it's you.”

“Me?”

“You!” Edward releases a breathy laugh,

“Explain.”

“Gladly,” I turn toward him holding up my hand to list things off on my fingers, “You're always brooding, you rarely ever smile and when you do it's this annoying little smirk. You pop into my room unannounced like some sort of weird ghost-”

“Ghost?”

“Yes Casper, your Omanis-”

“Big word” I reach forward punching Edward in this shoulder only to pull back to cradle my hand,

“I told you, you would hurt your hand.” If only I could punch him again,

“Your arms like glass.” He smiles,

“Maybe next time you'll listen to me.” I roll my eyes and drop the back of my head onto the headrest and release a large breath.

“I hate it here.”

“No, you don't” I roll my head to look at him. He's smirking again, but I can't match his little smile, my mind is consumed with other thoughts.

“Is Esme mad at me?” His smirk disappears and he looks to be in deep thought before speaking,

“No, she worried about your reaction though.” I slide down the seat and cross my arms because that's the last thing I want from Esme. She should never be unhappy or worried for me,

“That's what I was scared about.” Edward turns to look at me, taking his eyes completely off the road to study me. I should be worried about this but I'm getting more use to the way Edward drives. I turn away from him and keep my voice low, “I wish you wouldn't say those things.”

“You mean when you thought Esme was going to hit you.”

“I knew she wasn't going to hit me!” I shout before I can even think about it, Esme would never do that.

“It's a reflex.” Edward says before I can speak, silently I nod, “Don't you see the problem with that?”

“Of course I do.” I've always known my reactions to things weren't normal. I remember being in the car with Matt and his mom, the two of them arguing over something stupid, maybe his phone bill or a bad grade on a history test. She didn't shout, instead, she was calm and collected telling him how disappointed she was and there would be some changes, and not once did she stop the car to slap him or even threaten it, but I couldn't stop shaking in the backseat just waiting for her to reach over and hurt him. It never happened, but I couldn't calm down until they dropped me off at home and drove away. I hate the way I am,

“Mare-”

“I'm okay.” I whisper, “Oh and you read minds that's another reason why you're more overdramatic than me, so I win.” Edward takes a breath a smile on the edge of his lips,

“Alright, you win.” I turn to the window seeing the Port Angeles sign.

“Will you tell me where we're going?”

“You'll see when we get there.” I throw my arms up letting my hands hit the ceiling of the car,

“Come on!!”

“Don't worry, we're almost there.”

Chapter Text

I'm so lost in my own thoughts that I don't even notice when Edward slows down and eventually stops, in fact it takes him reaching over and gently touching my shoulder for me to even realized were stopped and parked. I turn away to look out the window and turn back to him,

“A book shop?” He smirks,

“Figured you might want to fill some of those bookshelves in your room,” it's easy to picture the bookshelves Esme built in my room. It's the first thing I see every morning and although I don't want to admit it, I have been thinking about how much better it would look with books. How funny is it that I'm still not use to the fact that my thoughts aren't private anymore.

“I don't have any money.”

“Okay.” Edward shrugs,

“I can't buy anything.”

“Okay.” I look back and forth between the book store and Edward,

“We can go to the library.”

“You can't keep library books.” I blink once, twice.

“They're free.” Edward shakes his head before reaching over to unbuckle my seat belt.

“Let's go Mare.” I watch him open the door and step out. He waits exactly one second before striding over to my side of the car and throwing open the door, “Need me to help you?”

“I already told you I don't have any money,” Edward rolls his eyes.

“I will drag you out if I have too.” In one last defiant move I glare at Edward and get out of the car, by the sound of his chuckle it seems like the only thing my stare has done is fill him with laughter. Damnit. Edward drapes his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close before slamming the car door and pushing us closer to the book store. I try not to show it but I cant help the excitement, than I remember Edward can read my mind,

“You like?” I sigh,

“Whenever Alice talks about shopping this is the kind of shopping I'm hoping for.” Edward squeezes my shoulder,

“Good.” He smiles reaching forward to open the door. A small bell above the us chimes and immediately the smell of fresh paper and coffee beans hit my senses,

“It's been a while since I saw you smile.” Edward comments. I frown not even realizing I was smiling.

“Hi, is there anything I can't help you look for?” A women in a green crochet top and orange bell bottom overalls asks...actually she more or so asks Edward who smiles in her direction and plunges his fist into his pockets,

“We're good, but thank you very much.” She smiles back before twisting a strand of her long blonde hair between two fingers. To finish it off she bites her lips and looks down,

“Ohh a lip bite.” I whisper only to have Edward push me forward into the store, “You don't know it yet but thats you ki-”

“Shhh” Edward hisses turning me around to face him once were heavily camouflage in the biography section, “Okay, take your time, if you need me I'll be in history section,” He turns and quickly I grab his elbow,

“You're just going to leave me here?”

“I'm not leaving the building, I'll be right here.” I look around, hearing the sound of an espresso machine go off in back corner. Slowly I let go of Edward and take a closer look around. Straight ahead of us is the door and register. I'm a little creeped out at the fact that the blonde women is leaning over the counter to stare at us, she busies herself when she notice's I'm staring. I turn to look the other way only to notice floor to ceiling books shelves with a sign asking people not to climb.

“Theirs more books that way and a section downstairs with the children and young adult books, the escalators are next to the coffee bar over there in the corner, do you think you'll be okay?” I open my mouth but nothing comes out so instead I nod. Edward reaches forward and places his hand on my chin closing my mouth.

“Remember history section,” he stresses before turning around and leaving me alone in the biography section. I take a small spin around before bitting my own lip hard to keep from smiling, it doesn't work, I can still feel the large smile on my face and turn running for the escalators.

…

“Are you sure I can't help you or anything?”

“No, Thank you.” I tell the blonde women employee again. Ever since Edward and I entered the store she's been circling around, presumable looking for Edward but she keep passing me every 20 minutes. I've tried to keep myself hidden by stealing a small dark corner in the large YA section, but she still finds me every time. I've pulled different genres off every shelve and have them laid out in front of me. I've never heard of any of them before but all have caught my interest either based on the cover or the description. My only hope is I can read as much as possible before it's time to go. I don't know how much time has passed or what time it even is, but it feels like at least an hour has gone by, but then again I tend to be a slow reader so I don't really know.

“Have you seen Bree?” I lift my head from my page to find Edward strolling down towards me,

“Who?”

“Bree, she's the blonde girl who works here?” I snort looking back down towards my page,

“How am I suppose to know her name.....wait how do you know her name?”

“Her thoughts have been reverberating in my head. She keeps imagining a senario where we run into each other and I fall in love with her.” He almost shutters coming to a stop in front of me.

“Romantic,” I comment,

“She's introduced her self over ten times in different plot points,” I snort while flipping my page.

“The life of a gorgeous man, how tragic for you,” sarcasm drips off my lips and flys into the air waiting for Edward to catch it, instead he leans against one of the shelves and smiles,

“You think I'm gorgeous?”

“I think you're annoying, I'm reading,” For the first time Edward looks down at my book pile.

“I think you're the only one that can be in a book store longer than me,” I feel my cheeks turn red and I swallow my shame.

“I've never really got to feel a new book.” I look up embarrassed. All my books came from second hand shops and the library, and I'm internally grateful for them, but sitting here reading and holding a book with crisp pages and a spin that hasn't been cracked yet......it's a different feeling. I notice Edward stare, he's trying to look sad for me. I close the book and set it down, “I have books, I'm not illiterate or anything, but you know, the library's free and my mom works at a university and their Library has sales.......I just don't have new books.” I wait for Edward to respond but instead he just stares at my face. I release a breath, stand and begin picking up each book one by one, theirs too many to carry by myself so I'll have to make two trips to put them back on the shelves,

“So these are the ones you like?” Edward finally speaks. I look up from the ground and nod,

“Oh..Ya, I haven't heard of these ones before so they kinda peaked my interest,”

“Okay,” Edward bends picking up nearly every book and turning around to head down the aisle,

“Wait! What are you doing?” Edward turns his face almost hidden by the stack,

“I thought you said you liked these?”

“I do, but they go back here,” Edward's brows furrow,

“For what?”

“To put back, I got them from these shelves down here,” Edwards eyes widen and he nods.

“Oh, okay,” he turns and keeps walking, faster now.

“Edward!” I grab the small stack he's left behind and run after him, he's already up the escalators when I spot him, “Edward wait!” I run up the moving stairs just reaching Edward at the top. “Stop!” I breathe out bending down to catch my breath real quick

“You caught up, very nice” I swallow and stand up ,

“Don't patronize me! Where are you going?”

“My apologizes was I not clear enough, I'm heading to the register.” I reach out to grab to grab the top book off of Edwards pile, but he steps away from me,

“Those are brand new,”

“Correct.”

“This is an independent book store,”

“Good observation.”

“That means their full price,”

“Correct again.” I can't believe he's being so non-nonchalant about this.

“That's like over a two hundred dollars in books,” I hold out my own small pile next to his,

“Your point?” I have no words, instead a random throaty sounds come out, Edward lifts an eyebrow, “You done?”

“I...I guess.”

“Great lets get these paid for and then we can stop and have a late lunch.” I reach for his sleeve before he can turn,

“Edward, please no.”

“You don't like these books?” I swallow,

“I do, but.....I can't let you buy those, it's too much.”

“If you think I'll allow Alice and Esme to spend thousands on clothes and decor but I can't spend a couple hundred on reading material, you're going to be very disappointed.”

“That's different.....wait thousands!” I shout into the small bookstore, “I didn't know it was thousands.” That's too much, they don't even know me well enough!!!

“And you know what?” Edward questions snapping me out of my internal monolouge of self guilt,

“What?”

“It didn't make a dent in their bank account and spending a couple hundred on something you've never had that will give you hours of entertainment won't make a dent in mine either.” I sigh wanting to do nothing more than collapse on the floor and breathe,

“I just..”

“You aren't use to it, and that's okay Mare it will take time for you to understand the Cullen love language.” I look up at him, “Now are you done being pathetic? Can I go pay for these?” Pathetic? I click my tongue to the roof of my mouth and pass Edward pushing my shoulder into the Edwards arm,

“I wanna a happy meal from McDonald for lunch.” I hear Edward chuckle and follow after me,

“Whatever you want.”

“And a Mcflurry.” The register and Bree comes into site,

“A large?”

“Yes.”

“Boy or girl?”

“Boy”

“Really?” I stop and turn towards Edward,

“I hope it's hot wheels.” He shakes his head and pushes me forward towards the register where he deposits the large stack of books and then turns towards me grabbing the smaller stack from my hands and setting that down with a large thump,

“Wow, you like to read,” Bree smiles, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear,

“Actually their for my sister,” My heart jumps into my throat, sister?!?!? He called me his sister. Bree smiles,

“You're a really good brother for taking you sister and buying all these books.” She turns to me, a large smile plastered on her face, I don't know if it's because she's actually happy at the prospect of sibling love or if she's just happy at the fact that were not dating. Edward looks down at me and smirks, he's thinking the same thing.

“319.43” I feel my jaw drop and reach forward to grab the books,

“Wha-”

“Put it on the card,” Edward says nonchalantly holding out a small metal card with one hand and pulling me back with the other, Bree reaches forward her fingers just grazing Edwards hand as she takes out the card,

“Ohh, your hands are freezing,” She runs the card through her register, “You know what they say, cold hands warm heart.” She winks at Edward,

“More like dead heart.” I mumble

“What?” Bree leans forward. Edward tucks me under his arm and places his hand across my mouth,

“She say's she can't wait to start.” He grabs the receipt Bree's holding out, “The books, she can't wait to start the books.” Edward smiles as he lets me go and grabs the larger pile of books, “Grab the other books and meet me out in the car Mare,” I frown watching him head to the door and hold it opening waiting for me,

“You're brother is very good looking,” Bree whispers to me when I grab the two books Edward left behind.

“Now if only we could get ride of that horrible itching problem down there,” I whisper back. Bree's smile disappears.

“Marceline!!” I smile at her and scurry to catch up with Edward who lets the door close as soon as were outside, “That wasn't funny.”

“Then why am I laughing.” I chuckle hurrying to the car. Edward places the pile of books in the trunk and holds out his hand waiting for the others in my hand. I pass them over and wait for Edward to close the trunk, when he does he turns to me. Were both silent for a second,

“Lunch?”

…

“I wanted McDonald's.”

“And?”

“You said I could choose.”

“That went out door with that awful hygiene joke.”

“Excuse you it was brilliant.” Edward rolls his eyes and brings his water glass to his lips and pretends to slip before placing it down. After passing two Mcdonald's Edward pulled into La Bella Italia. Apparently being funny means my right to pick lunch was revoked.

“Eat your salad.” I stick my tongue out at him and spear a tomato before sticking it into my mouth. I didn't want a salad but my entree came with soup or salad and todays soup was navy bean so salad it was.

“Can I ask you a question?” Edward moves his own salad around and looks up,

“I'd rather you not.”

“ha ha” I say slowly moving the extra cucumber to the side, I forgot to ask to take them off, “Why did you want to take me out today.....buy me all those books.........why did you call me your sister.” Edward cuts a tomato in half and squishes it into the plate making it look half eaten and then places his fork down,

“Is their a problem being out with me?”

“You know thats not what I asked,” Edward moves his salad plate closer to the edge, silently letting on that he's done playing with it,

“You're here.” He say simply.

“Stop dancing around the question,”

“I'm not, that's the answer. You are here.” I want to reach across the table and strangle him, but right as I'm really thinking about it, the waitress comes back and places a plate of spaghetti bolognese down in front of both me and Edward, “leftovers” he said.

“Enjoy” The waitress who has a pin on her shirt that says “Hi my name is Samantha” smiles before turning away, unlike Bree it seems she has something on her mind other than Edward, I like her.

“Mare, no matter what happens in the future, you're here now and that means the only thing we can do is live and learn. You learn about us and we learn about you and we live.” I move my pasta around putting together the perfect bite,

“and what have you learned about me?” I look up just in time to see Edward smirk down at his plate. Once again he's pushing his pasta around. Living for almost 100 years has allowed Edward to perfect his “eating” look.

“You like documentaries specifically the ones of 18th century crime, you're terrible at video games, you never fall asleep without socks on, you sleep with your windows slightly cracked which worry's Esme because she's afraid you're going to get sick-”

“Wait is she the one closing them every night?” Thats been bugging me,

“She waits till you're asleep, you're favorite color is green, english is your favorite subject, you like to read, and don't like to owe anyone anything. You value you're sleep, like to keep secrets, and so far in the house I would say Carlisle is your favorite person.” I take a bite and chew my food slowly, all that from a few weeks, I still feel like I barely know Edward,

“That's creepy.”

“You asked,” Edward smiles, a laugh just playing on the edge of his lips. I twirl my spaghetti around my fork before asking Edward the big question,

“and the sister part?” I ask slowly keeping my eyes on my plate,

“Thats what you are in this world.” Edward says without skipping a beat,

“Technically I think it's cousin, Carlisle is suppose to be my uncle,” Edward shrugs moving his pasta around,

“I like sister better.” Heat flares on my cheeks and I reach for one of the bread sticks in the center of the table,

“I do too.”
…

“Are you sleeping?”

“Nope,” I turn my head away, because my eyes are in fact starting to droop,

“Remember you said if you fall asleep, I get to tell Alice you like the clothes I pick out more than her.”

“I remember.” After lunch Edward drove to Olympic National Park. I thought the air in Forks was fresh but it was nothing compared to the air in the park, fresh and crisp with the scent of rain and cold in the air. I could have just sat on the trunk of Edward's car and spent an hour breathing in the air. Instead we explored, well I explored it was clear Edwards been here before. He told me this is Emmetts favorite place to hunt, apparently being killed by a bear gives you a revenge vendetta according to Edward. I make it a point to bring this subject up to Emmett in the future. We spent a hour hiking and walking around on the trails or at least thats what it felt like, instead it quickly became three and Edward speeds us back to the car before I could even ask how we would get back once I saw the sun start to set. I've grown to hate that Edward never waits for my consent on things like this but all was forgiving when after a hour of driving Edward pulled in to a McDonald's drive threw. Now worn out and feed along with the light lulling of the car, it's hard to keep awake. Edward proposed a bet and like an idiot I took him up on it, and unfortunately it seems like he might win all though I'm giving it my best bet.

“I'm also going to tell her you have more fun with me than with her.” I can hear the smirk in his voice and turn back a disgusted look on my face,

“You're awful, I don't want to be your sister anymore.” Edward laughs,

“Don't be ridiculous, I can read your mind remember.” Oh I hate him,

“Sometimes you can't.” I sneer. Were silent for a minute, “Has that happened yet?” His hands clench the steering wheel before relaxing,

“Twice.” I wait for him to continue, but it's clear he's not going too. I quickly decide to drop the subject when the humming of the vehicle becomes soothing. I blink, once twice, three times and then I'm gone.

…

The car stops but I'm too tired to care, I'm even to tired to care that Edward might tell Alice I prefer the way he does things to her. I'm even to tired to care that I'll probably spend the night sleeping in Edwards car, that is until I feel the door open and cool air rushes in banishing the heat Edward turned on halfway home. I groan and snuggle closer into the seat. I'm not getting up, I'm much too comfortable but when a hand snakes it's way under my knees and upper back it's clear I don't have much of a choice. Edward lifts me with so much ease it's like I'm a simple bag of powdered sugar, he doesn't even grunt under my weight. I hear him slam the car door and then start walking. I hear the door from the garage to the house open and skinny fingers brush the back of my head,

“She's all right just asleep.” Edward clarifies and I hear someone sigh,

“It seems you tired her out,” Esme's soft voice whispers, “Did you two have fun?” Edward waits a beat before answering,

“We did.”

“Good, bring her upstairs, I lite the fire in her room. It should be nice and warm.” We're moving again and theirs two things I'm having a hard time believing. Number one is that Edward didn't jut leave me in the car or shake me awake, and number two is Esme waited and even lite the fire place in my room, even I haven't done that. Theirs not many apartments in New York that comes with fireplaces so it's something I never really knew how to work.

Edward steps are so light that when I feel him place me on the soft mattress of my bed I'm surprised and roll over digging my face in the soft hotel like pillows. I didn't even feel him walking up the stairs it's almost like we were floating. Someone grabs my ankles and begin to untie my boots before gently slipping them off and then continuing with the other shoe,

“Marceline sweetheart you need to change.” Esme says gently, her fingers caressing through my hair,

“Wheres Carlisle?” Edward asks, he sounds farther away so I can only imagine he's standing at the door that connects theses two rooms,

“He was called in.” I feel Esme pull the comforter up and tuck it around my shoulders, “One night shouldn't hurt, goodnight Mare.” she whispers. I feel a soft kiss on my temple and the retreating footsteps before the door softly closes. She kissed me, she kissed me like my mother kissed my forehead the night I was brought here.....but she's not like my mother......she's better.

Chapter Text

“Stop biting.” I didn't even realize I was doing it until I relax my teeth and feel the familiar soreness in my cheeks and gums.

“Sorry” I mumble turning to look out the window. Trees, trees, and more trees.

“Everything will be fine,” Edward says with such confidence I almost want to reach across the seat and smack him, but I hold back, one because it would hurt me more than him and two because he would probably see it coming anyway.

“I would,” Edward smirks. I cross my arms and melt deeper into my seat,

“It's easy for you to be so nonchalant about all this. No one would dare bother you.”

“So you admit Tonya is bothering you,” I promised Carlisle Tandy wasn't bothering me, but I'm a very good liar.

“She bugs me,” I admit, looking down at my shoes. I purposefully wore clothing I don't care about in case Tandy decides to spill more than just water on me.

“Is that all?” Theirs a coyness to Edward's voice and I don't like it,

“I didn't have problems like this at my old school.” I blurt out, “I was practically invisible, no one can bother someone they don't even recognize is there. This is like some bad lifetime movie and I hate it.”

“Mare, relax.” Edward states simply pulling into the school, “You'll be fine.” I roll my eyes and lean even more into my seat and by the time Edward has parked and turned off the car I've become one with the interior and refuse to leave.

“I'm not leaving,” I tell Edward as tucks his keys in his pocket and looks over at me,

“Alright,” He shrugs looking behind me, the others have just parked. He opens the door and grabs his backpack from the back seat, “Maybe a talk from Rose will get you out of the car.” Enough said. I grab my backpack from the floor and quickly scurry out. Rose hates me enough she'll probably just drag me out and after the water incident Friday, being manhandled on Monday is enough to secure my loser status here forever. I step out and slam the door of Edwards Volvo as hard as I can, both in defiance and anger.

“Woah Eddie, what did you do to make our little Mare over here angry.”

“Angry,” Edward questions coming to stand next to me,

“Well, she just went all Chuck Norris on your car door there.”

“You have Chuck Norris here?” Emmett smiles

“The one and only Walker Texas Ranger, right Jasper?” Emmett shouts, holding his hands out in excitement. Jasper just turns away,

“Emmett stop it,” Rose hisses slamming the door to her range rover and slinging her purse over her shoulder, “Let's go!” She turns heading for their first class. I turn towards Edward and frown,

“Stop overthinking everything.” I wrinkle my nose in distrust, Rose will never like me.

“Don't worry Mare, everything will be okay,” Alice walks up with a sly smile on her face, she knows something or she's seen something, and I don't like it.

“I hate when you do that.” Edward's hand comes around my shoulder, turning me around to start walking us to homeroom,

“You need to trust us more.” I keep my steps small and slow as we walk away from Alice and Jasper. I don't want to be here and I don't want to do this, if I knew Esme and Carlisle more I would freight sickness, but because I don't, and because Carlisle would probably see right through me in an instant. So I woke up and just got ready. All though I did grumble in my head the whole time, just as I am now as Edward directs me to my first class. I stop when the door comes into view and quickly reach up and unwind Edwards arm from my shoulders. Edward looks hurt, and I open my mouth to quickly explain,

“I don't want to give them anything to talk about.” Edward looks up towards the door before turning back to me,

“You'll be fine. Pick you up after class?” I bite my cheek hard and slowly nod. Telling him “no” would make him do it anyway, “Alright, off you go.” I waste no time and head towards class. I keep my head down feeling Edwards eyes on my back the whole time. I enter the classroom and instantly all conversation quiets down. All eyesa re suddently on me, including Tandy's. Shes in her usual seat in the back, dark hair perfectly curled and lips througly smuthered in lipglossed. She smiles when she see's me, but it's not a knd one. I waste no time and quickly duck into into my desk, keeping my eyes down the whole time,

“Hey” I look up, Alex smiles at me, turning around to place his elbow on my desk, “Don't let her bother you.”

“I won't,”

“Your turtle necking says otherwise.”

“Turtle necking?” He reaches forward and I feel my whole body stiffen as his fingers hook under my collar and pull,

“You're tying to disappear into your clothes.” He lets go and I feel the heat on my cheeks,

“I didn't realize,”

“Two more inches and I couldn't see your smile.” I frown,

“I'm not smiling”

“I know, try it. I like when you smile.” Again the heat flares on my cheeks. I open my mouth when a new voice shouts in my head,

“ I told you to stay away from the boys,”

“ You know where boys lead,”

“You'll have sex, and start whoring yourself out and when you get pregnant I'm not raising your mistake!”I swallow and look up as Mr. Johns walks in,

“Turn around and pay attention will you?” One side of Alex's lips turn up into a smirk as twists and and settles back into his seat. I quickly swipe at my cheeks still feeling the heat linger there. I look around only hoping the blush has settled before dropping my head down on my desk. Why me.

…

Just as Edward said, school is fine for the most part. Tandy leaves me alone, but her stares and cocky half turned smirks still find there way to me; and as unlucky as I am I always look right at her during her staring episodes and instantly it sends me back to “turtle necking” as Alex called it. At lunch Kody switches her usual spot with me, so Tandy is directly behind me and as Algebra ends I've completely forgotten my anxiety about school,

“I seriously can't wait to be a Senior so I don't have to take a math class, I'm never going to understand any of this.” Kody groans shaking her bio book in the air,

“It's not alive, you can't choke it.” She sign and drops her head in defeat,

“I know, but I wish I could.”

“I wish I didn't have to take it home.” I already had my geography and english book in my bag not to mention my binder, there for I have to carry my math and biology book for the rest of the day,

“One of these day's I'm going to run for student class president and make it illegal for teachers to send homework home that requires a book. Number one my back hurts and number two, team worksheets only!” I turn watching her shove a fist in the air when suddenly something runs in to my right shoulder, hard. My books go flying, opening and scattering across the floor. I watch almost in slow motion as my biology book lands wrong, the pages fold in on themselves.

“Watch where you're going.” Tandy turns and steers, her lips turned down in disgust.

“You ran into her!” Kody defends, however I wish she wouldn't, because everyone in the hallway is staring at me again.

“Prove it.” Tandy smiles, placing a hand on her hip, god I hate it here. She looks down, her eyes falling on each book. “Pick them up.” I sigh trying to decide if I should say something or just pick them up,

“Tandy-” Kody starts but is immediately cut off,

“I said pick them up.” This isn't worth it and reluctantly I start to bend down when my books are stanched from the grown one by one, and placed in my hands.

“Leave her alone.” Rosalie marches up to Tandy who immediately looks backs down, her cocky posture and smirk completely disappear. “If I find out your picking on her or even glaring in her direction you will be dealing with me understand?” Tandy looks to her friends for help, “Eyes on me, I said Do. You. Understand?”

“Yeah.” Tandy breathes backing away from Rose's harsh glare,

“Good,” Rose turns around marching in my direction and immediately grabs my arm dragging me down the hall. We don't say anything and I let her continue to drag me, the weirdest part is she seems to know exactly what and where my next class is; and when when we get to the gym doors she stops and turns towards me,

“Rose-”

“If she bothers you again tell me.” This isn't a request and her voice demands the correct answer,

“Okay.” She nods, turns and heads back down the hallway leaving me standing there as kids begin to shuffle passed me and into the locker rooms. Again their staring, I'd stare at me too. What just happen.

Chapter Text

Tandy does in fact leave me alone for the rest of the day. She refuses to look at me or even acknowledge my presents and when the final bell rings, I can't stop the smile forming on my lips.

“I think that's the most I ever heard Rosalie talk.” Cody ____ capturing my attention as she drops her Biology book into her backpack,

“What?” I turn watching her slip her bag over one shoulder and stand,

“Rosalie, she doesn't talk to anyone but the others....in fact, I think that's the first time I've heard her even speak.........and now that I'm thinking about it, that's the closest I've ever seen her....she's even prettier up close.”

“I'll tell her she has a fan.” I lie. Rose may have stood up for me, but I don't think that means we'll be gossiping and braiding each other's hair anytime soon.

“Don't you dare.” Cody reaches forward to tug on one of the loose strands of my hair, I playfully slap her away and she smiles, “Come on, let's get out of this hell hole.” I follow Cody's lead shoving my own book into my bag and jog to keep up with her retreating form. She smiles when I catch up, but quickly it slips from her lips when someone breezes past us, quickly causing us to split apart. I turn to catch Tandy's retreating form.

“What was that?” I ask turning to Cody who shakes her head and rolls her eyes,

“Leave her alone.”

“If I find out your picking on her or even glaring in her direction you will be dealing with me understand?”

“Eyes on me, I said Do. You. Understand?”

“Yeah?” Cody laughs pushing open the front doors into the parking lot,

“Tandy's family is rich, yours is richer. Tandy's pretty, but so are you, Tandy's brother's is a loser drug addict, yours..........well-”

“Her brother's a drug addict?” Cody smirks,

“Sure is, Tandy may act all high and mighty and act like her life is perfect, but she's intimidated by you, and now she can't pick on you-” A loud honk comes from the parking lot. Cody looks up and smiles,

“That's my dad, I'll see you tomorrow.” She waves leaving me alone with just my thoughts.

“Tandy's family is rich, yours are richer.”They're not my family.

“Tandy is pretty, but so are you.”I'm not

“Tandy's brother's a drug addict, yours are...well.”Again, not my family but what was she going to say?

I huff out a breath and look up finding Edward leaning against his Volvo watching me, a slick grin on his lips. Alice and Jasper look busy in their conversation standing by Alice's Porsche and Rose.....My feet move before my brain can tell me no. I know her standing up for me doesn't mean she likes me but maybe it's a start and-

“Hey, Mare!” Emmett calls, half his body hanging out of his jeep ranger. Rose's face doesn't change as I march up to her, stop right in front, and immediately lose my words. She raises one perfect blonde brow prompting me to speak,

“Ummm thank you....for-”

“Think nothing of it.” She turns making her way over to the passenger side of the car and hoping in. Emmett shrugs but gives me a goofy smile anyway. Rosalie must tell him to go because he swings his legs in and starts the car, I slowly move away from the jeep allowing Emmett to back up and fly out of the parking lot, leaving me with more emotions than I wanted. Does she like me, does she not, did she just do that, because she felt bad for me-

“Stop gawking and get in the car,” Edward calls snapping me out of my thoughts, I turn to find him in the same slouched position with the same stupid smirk. Alice's eyes dart back and forth between Edward and me before I finally take a deep breath and head over to the car. I drop down into the passenger seat and find Edward already starting the car. I forgot how fast he is.

“Want to talk?” Edward asks, I turn giving him the best-bored look I can,

“Just drive.”

…

We make it home in 15 minutes, Edward speeding the whole way. All the while my mind runs with several different thoughts and I know damn well Edward is listening to all of them; however he doesn't comment on anything.....tiny miracles.

“At least talk to Esme,” Edwards demands when we pull into the garage. Alice's Porche is here, but Emmett's jeep is not,

“Of course I will, I'm not a monster.”

“Says the girl who completely ignored her last Friday.”

“Says the blood-sucking vampire.”

Edward frowns“Vegetarian vampire, animals only!”

“You know Disney's biggest villain is the guy who killed Bambi's mom?” I defend

Edward smirks and licks his bottom lips, “And she was delicious.”

“You're sick.”

“Thank you. It's my specialty.” I huff and step out of the car, once again slamming the Volvo door a little too hard, “Wh..Why? Mare stop taking your anger out on the car.”

“It's my specialty.” I mock, turning around to head for the door. I take the stairs two at a time only to find Esme waiting anxiously for me at the top,

“Did you have a good day?” She seems nervous. I smile at her,

“I did.” She releases a breathy laugh and steps forward, I feel my body freeze when her cold lips touch my forehead. If she notices my discomfort she doesn't show it.....Mom kissed my forehead just like that before............ Esme steps back,

“I'm very glad,” She reaches forward to grab my backpack off my shoulder and begins to direct me to the kitchen,

“I've got lemonade and fruit at the table, eat, and then you can get started on your homework.” Sure enough, when the kitchen comes into view there's a large glass of yellow lemonade and a bowl of strawberries and pineapple chunks. She lightly pushes me towards a seat and sets my backpack down,

“Thanks, Esme.” She smiles her sweet toothy smile again,

“I know you prefer to work alone, so if you need me, call.” I furrow my brows....how does she already know I prefer to do my homework alone. Sure I've done my homework at this table alone with Esme's fresh snacks but I haven't told her this is how I prefer to work.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.” Her heels echo on the hardwood as she walks away. I can't help but watch her......how much more does she know about me and why am I secretly happy about it?

…

Lennie smiled with his bruised mouth. “I didn’t want no trouble,” he said. He

walked toward the door, but just before he came to it, he turned back.

“George?”

“What you want?”

“I can still tend the rabbits, George?”

“Sure. You ain’t done nothing wrong.”

“I di'n't mean no harm, George.”

“Well, get the hell out and wash your face.”

Lenny you poor fool, theirs not going to be any rabbits. I sigh and put the book down, finishing off the last question on my worksheet on chapter three. I skimmed this book last September at my old school so I might as well actually read it this time around. That feels weird to think.....old school..Last September. It's only November here with Thanksgiving being next week. Thanksgiving in my world was the same as it is every year. With me being off school for five days and Mom not having to teach classes till the following Tuesday it was the perfect time for her to go on a bender. There was no turkey, no stuffing or mashed potatoes, no green bean casserole or pumpkin pie.

No, my Thanksgiving consisted of pizza with the money my mom somehow remembered to leave out on the counter every year, although I always have to take it before she starts drinking or she'll forget why she left the money there and head down to the mini-mart. Still, she remembered. I sigh pushing my homework away, these days it seemed like my memories and thoughts of her are less happy.

I spear the last strawberry in the bowl and pop it in my mouth before finishing off the glass of lemonade. I need to search for a happy memory.........I'm so lost in searching my mind that when a voice from the other room calls out I jump and spin in my chair almost toppling over completely,

“Wanna play?” From my spot in the kitchen, I can see straight into the living room where Jasper sits in front of the set-up chest board. To my surprise, he sits alone. I don't think I've seen Jasper alone....ever. Alice is always close by her presents always within reaching distance of him.

“Me?” I question although I know full well that I'm the only person he could be talking to,

“You don't have to.” Jasper rasps out quietly and although I don't think I'll hurt his feelings if I say no, somehow deep in my heart I think it will hurt me more than him.

“N..no” I stutter jumping to my feet quicker than I should “I just...I didn't know if you were talking to me.” Idiot, of course, he's talking to you.

“You're the only other person here.” I look around,

“Right.” Jasper gestures to the spot across from him and carefully I walk over before sitting delicately in the seat across from him. Jasper must have been paying attention, he has the black pieces facing me as if knowing I don't like to play first. He waits till I'm comfortably sitting before making his first move. It's a popular opening move with the King's pawn moving forward two spaces, I match his move. It takes a couple of simple plays before I gain the courage to speak,

“Why did you want to play?” Jasper doesn't look up, instead keeping his eyes solely on the chessboard,

“I haven't played in a while, I was afraid I was getting rusty.” Something in his voice captures me, a deep pronunciation of the word rusty,

“I'm not the best person to play, I'm more of a beginner.”

“I am too.” Again, his speech is enthralling. I haven't had a real conversation with Jasper nor do I know who he is. I never got far in the book and the whole plot was more focused on Edward and Bella so Jasper like the others are a real mystery to me.

“Are you afraid of me?” I finally ask after a few minutes of silence. This captures Jaspers's attention and for the first time since I sat down he looks up at me,

“I'm afraid of hurting you.” He answers after a long stretch of time,

“Edward says I don't have a scent.” Jasper swallows, his Adam apple twitching as he answers me,

“You're still human.”

I take a breath,“Fair.”

This time I look down at the board avoiding Jaspers's gaze, “Are you afraid of me?” I consider this before making my move and looking back up at him,

“I'm afraid of everyone,” I answer truthfully,

“Because, you're a human living in a house full of vampires,”

“Because I'm living in a house full of strangers.” Japers makes his next move,

“Check.” I huff and begin the game of moving my queen anywhere I can to prolong the game,

“I've watched the way you interact around here, I don't think we're really strangers to you.”

“You're a stranger.” To my surprise, he nods and moves his pawn closer to my Queen. Did I hurt...his feelings?

“Check,”

Again I move her, “My favorite season is winter.”

“Winter?” He questions, I nod,

“What's yours.” Jasper moves his pawn to the other side of my Queen essentially trapping her in the next few moves,

“Summer.”

“Yeah?”

“I use to like the way the sun would beat on my skin.” He clarifies, “The way a slight sunburn would linger, not painfully...just warm.” I move my queen to the only available spot knowing I'm about to lose,

“There, we're not really strangers anymore,” For the first time since arriving here weeks ago Jasper smiles at me. A crooked smile with only the left side of his face perking up,

“I guess not.” He makes his final move, “Checkmate.” I reach forward and knock my Queen over, Jaspers won.

“I thought you said you were a beginner?”

“I am in this household, but you.” He nods “You're getting better.” I smile, it's small with no teeth, but to my surprise, Jasper returns it,

“Same time tomorrow?” I don't have to think about this at all, and with a simple nod I answer,

“Same time tomorrow.”