CULLEN’S RESIDENCE

Edward returned home early in the morning, just before school. Alice and the others had been waiting, and even Carlisle had stayed back from work a little longer.

It took three days of running through the cold turns of mountain peaks to make it back to Forks, and even for a vampire, the trip had been taxing.

Edward wanted nothing more than rest, but as a Being that couldn’t tire, he would instead settle for Bella’s sweet scent once more.

Though, if he wanted the smell of her blood or just her natural scent that comforted him was up for debate.

“Welcome…” Alice was the first to hug him.

Everyone waited for their turns and gave the appropriate hug based on their familiarity, with Rosalie’s being the shortest, Emmet’s the strongest, and Jasper’s the most comforting.

There was no need for words.

Edward’s mind flittered over their thoughts, and after a couple of seconds, he understood enough.

From Jasper’s mind, he saw the incident that had claimed the lives of two teenage boys, and all the deductions that came with a tactical mind like Jasper’s.

From Rosalie’s mind, he saw a flicker of acceptance, and an eagerness to learn more – thinking about what Xavier’s existence meant for things out there…

Perhaps, even something can change me back—

Edward quickly distracted himself with another mind, unwilling to breach any more of Rosalie’s privacy – she had the most undisciplined mind, and oftentimes got carried away in delusions.

Carlisle’s mind was filled with expectation and pride.

Esme’s mind was happy for his return, and she hoped he wouldn’t leave ever again.

Finally, Edward was drawn back to Carlisle’s mind as the sensation of taste dawned on him – a taste of wine, something that shouldn’t have been possible.

Then the full image revealed itself – Xavier’s house, the chat, offering wine and telling of trouble to come.

It all made Edward’s head spin, but there was a time and place for everything, and right now, he was too occupied with Isabella Swan to solve the mysteries of the Universe.

“You should know that she sometimes smells of Xavier,” Alice warned – something she had seen told her this information was worth mentioning. “Bella that is.”

Edward tried to see what Alice had seen about his future reaction to such information, but there was a dim golden light that all but rendered the vision obscure.

“And?” He asked.

“Just be careful around Isabella Swan,” Alice stated more plainly this time. “Xavier loves Angela, but there is also a place in his heart for Bella.”

“She’s more like a sister,” Rosalie frowned.

“No… he likes her very much,” Jasper stated, and who better to know than someone who could influence emotions. “There is a general feeling of reluctance as if he knows he is going to lose her but wants her anyway.”

“It’s for the best,” Edward voiced. “A human should be in human relationships. This way, none of Alice’s visions will come to pass.”

There was a brief discussion that avoided the more sensitive topic.

Later, everyone was allowed to depart.

Carlisle went to work, dropping Esme off at her usual garden parties. Edward rode in his own car, while Jasper and Emmet took the Jeep. Alice and Rosalie took the BMW.

۞۞۞

FORK’S HIGH SCHOOL

Bella’s teal truck settled in the driveway first, followed immediately by the Bugatti holding Jessie and Brittney.

A minute later, Angela drove Xavier’s hummer with The Eternal in the passenger’s seat.

His headache had yet to completely vanish – he was in no condition to drive.

As everyone exited their car, Angela held Xavier close, as if intending to guide his every step throughout the day – her arms wrapped around him rather possessively.

Bella awkwardly stood on the sidelines – of course, she wanted to go to her friends, have a chat, and maybe even ask about what was wrong with Xavier, but she couldn’t.

The kiss that had almost turned into something more was fresh in Bella’s mind, and she didn’t have the wit nor the will to hang around Angela without mentioning the incident.

The last thing she wanted was to have Angela break up with Xavier – no matter how much that would benefit her.

It felt disgusting just thinking about it.

Conflicted, Bella walked in the opposite direction, away from her friends, and the betrayal waiting to happen – though, her own reluctance to face the music could be considered a betrayal of its own.

“Bella!” Jessica's voice cut apart Bella’s intentions.

At some point in Bella’s contemplation, Jessica, Eric, and Tyler had joined Xavier, Angela, Jessie, and Brittney. All their eyes were turned in her general direction, wondering why she had yet to approach the group.

Xavier was at a loss as well – at least, that was until he recalled their last meeting, then he internally thanked Bella for taking one for the team.

Bella froze in place, unsure of what to do.

“What’s up with Bella?” Jessica inquired, eyeing Xavier suspiciously.

Somehow, she knew it had something to do with the loyal playboy in the group; though, Angela was too preoccupied to pay the situation any mind.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“I’m taking Xavier to sit,” Angela announced.

Xavier tried to stand on his own, and prove that he was better than he seemed, and he was mostly successful though Angela was not convinced.

She could see the pain in his eyes.

Xavier suddenly came to the realization that the relationship was a two-way street – Angela watched him as much as he watched her.

This was a disconcerting notion.

‘What has she seen? What does she know?’

The questions came like torrents, causing an already bad headache to become worse, though not enough to shake the foundations of an Eternal.

------------

As the group made their way through the morning traffic of students, they couldn’t help but overhear whispers of a topic they were only vaguely aware of.

“Apparently…” Jessica reported - she was always aware of the gossip. “Luis and his older brother, Greg, were driving drunk and got into an accident. They didn’t make it.”

“Luis?” Jessie frowned. “The guy that Xavier…” her voice turned weak in realization.

“Yeah…” But Jessica had no such reservations. “The guy Xavier beat up in the Abandoned Building. I think he also did something to Blake so I say good riddance.”

“But Blake went missing too,” Eric added, glancing at Xavier’s back suspiciously. “Angela – sounds like a mystery worth solving.”

“Sure…” Angela didn’t really pay attention.

“Blake didn’t go missing okay,” Tyler disliked the gossip and didn’t want the smear to fall on Xavier so he added the truth. “Blake has moved – she caught a flight from Mason County. Xavier gave her a ride over the weekend.”

Angela paused…

Xavier frowned, wondering how Tyler had come across such information when he was extremely careful.

Angela turned stiffly. “Can you give me and Xavier some space to talk, guys?” She requested in a voice that wasn’t really a request.

Xavier sighed and walked a bit ahead, dipping into the female’s bathroom to have a private conversation with his girlfriend. Many students saw the duo head inside, and their minds couldn’t help but swim in fantasy lands.

“I said something I shouldn’t have, didn’t I?” Tyler asked.

“I am surprised you figured that out at all,” Jessie mocked, taking Brittney by the hand as she departed.

--------------

The stench in the girl’s bathroom was somehow worse than that of the boy’s bathroom. There was no graffiti, and the amenities seemed properly cared for so Xavier didn’t understand the mystery of the smell.

“You didn’t mention anything about Blake…” Angela demanded.

“What do you want to know?”

There was a certain nonchalance to his tone, and Angela clearly didn’t like it.

“What do you want to tell me?” Her eyes narrowed.

“Honestly, nothing…” Xavier sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “some secrets aren’t mine to tell, and Jessica knows enough of what happened.”

There was silence, then the question was asked – a question Angela regretted but had no intention of taking back.

“Did you do it?”

“Be specific,” Xavier's eyes narrowed, and his hands started to brush against his leg irritatedly – trying to keep certain parts of himself from coming out.

“Luis and Greg…” Angela took a deep breath. “Did you do it for Blake…”

Xavier visibly relaxed since she was indeed asking the right question – a question he could answer without fear of betrayal.

After all, some questions could only end in betrayal.

“You’re asking if I would do the same for you, and the answer is yes – in a fucking heartbeat,” Xavier faced his girlfriend, peering into her eyes as a soft golden glow stirred in his. “I would be more thorough – so thorough that you would live your life unaware that it happened. Who’s to say I haven’t already?”

Angela’s breathing hitched – she was simultaneously disgusted by the length Xavier would go to and entranced by those golden eyes that would do anything to keep her.

She had tried to deny it before, but now that it had become so blatant, she had to admit it – this was a toxic relationship.

“Take off your panties and put your hands against the wall,” Xavier ordered in an animalistic eager tone.

Angela did as she was instructed with haste.

The only sounds that could be heard from the bathroom were colliding flesh and restrained grunts of both pain and absolute pleasure.

۞۞۞

BIOLOGY - BANNER’S CLASS

When Bella entered the classroom, she stood by the door and scanned the place with her eyes, hoping Xavier was not in the class…

And he wasn’t.

‘This isn’t his class to begin with stupid!’ She chastised herself.

Though it was not unusual for Xavier to show up in another class from time to time – if he had something to be said, he would say it no matter who he had to look for at what time.

It was one of the things she admired about him.

Seeing that her table was empty, Bella made her way over, securing her usual seat. Mr. Banner was busy at work handing out microscopes and a couple of slides.

The chair next to Bella moved.

“Hello…” Edward’s voice was quiet.

Bella looked up and gaze into a face she had not thought about in a while, but now that he was there, thoughts of Edward couldn’t help but fill her mind.

“My name is Edward Cullen,” He continued. “I didn’t have a chance to introduce myself last week. You must be Bella Swan.”

A spark ignited in a single conversation.

Xavier never came to class, and Bella had banished him from thought as much as possible, trying to focus on Edward – at least he didn’t have the attachment called Angela.

With Edward, there was a chance, however small, and with Xavier, there would never be one.

۞۞۞

HIDDEN ROOM – BEHIND THE BATHROOM

The sex had been brief but intense – so intense that Angela sat on the couch without any pants.

Xavier found great relief in the pleasures of the flesh, but when Angela’s tight garden no longer squeezed his focus, the headache returned anew.

The pain didn’t matter…

Not as much as the organizing memories did…

Now, Xavier had a hard time telling where he ended, Ikaris began, and whether or not there was ever a Xavier to begin with.

For all that he previously believed, it now seemed that after the relationship with Rebecca – and whatever happened in New York – there had been a dissociation of sorts.

There is a Xavier – but… had there always been a Xavier?

GRRR

Images flashed in his mind – always the same thing a few pictures apart.

Exploding volcanoes…

Wars that destroyed something important…

Extinction…

Talks with different people from different times – sometimes the same people at different times…

Then, images of Bella…

There was something tugging at the back of Xavier’s mind, pulling him somewhere beyond his senses – he could sense, with a release, his body would drift there.

So, he held on.

“I have to head to class…” Angela muttered.

She didn’t like leaving Xavier alone, but Emily’s warning stuck in her mind – there are times even the men we love cannot control themselves.

The best thing she could do in the circumstance was to give Xavier some space – it was more dangerous to be near him.

Angela got dressed, gave Xavier a peck on the lips, and exited the hidden room through the back entrance.

An hour passed – lunch arrived…