chapter twenty-four

If there was one thing that Este was amazing at, that was acting as if nothing ever bothered her (in reality she just looked pissed off 24/7 so it took a lot to realize when she was pissed or just existing). As if she had never felt a thing in her life. Until it wasn't. Lately, Este had felt like she was a young child discovering what emotions were for the first time. Newt joked that maybe it was hormones catching up with her, but Este knew what had caused it. Having placed her finger on it from the moment something in her was struck aflame with life.

But Este wasn't one to sit around and mope without a cause. And the cause that she had given her brother is life had finally caught back up with her and she wasn't sure what to do. He seemed to accept the answer, but it seemed that he apparently had done some digging of his own. Trying to make things work for the sake of his sister, even if she wanted nothing more than to leave and go back to being the normal, Este Devereaux.

Este's hand held onto the dagger as if her life depended on it. She knew that it would do nothing to the vampires, but it didn't mean that it was completely useless. The car had been pulled over on the side of the road about two miles from the school and they still had over twenty minutes before they needed to be there. Newt had this planned, or maybe they had and had gotten her brother on board for this to happen. Either way, they were some cunning bitches.

"You should be with the other members of your family. Going to turn some more eyes the moment I get out of the car or am I supposed to shadow travel out so no one sees me," Este couldn't help but retort as she narrowed her eyes at the two, "What? You pulled over. So talk instead of staying silent because right now I really want to hit something."

"People have already seen you with us," Alice commented as she looked back at Este, "In classes they've seen us talk. Walking down the halls. Sitting at the assembly," She commented as she gave the girl a look, "There's no way to hide that you or your brother and the others grew into this family, Este. The moment we so much as looked at you, everyone knew something was different."

"Then what was the point in the entire talk about staying away? That there was danger?" Este retorted as she glared at the two, "You know, I wonder if vampires can be bipolar because I bet that if they could diagnose you then you both would be one of the worst cases of bipolar that humans can see."

It was clear that Este had some... very directed anger towards the two. Yet, neither seemed to be phased by it. Simply going on with the conversation as calmly as they could while letting her get out whatever it was that she seemed to have built up in her since the last time they had seen each other. She was fuming and her nostrils were flared as she twisted her dagger around in her hand, the scars on her bad arm were now fully healed. A constant reminder of the past few months.

"We're trying to protect you. And your secret, Este," Alice almost snapped at the girl as she sighed, "She's going to become curious of what we are and when things get around she'll go peeking into you. Trying to figure out why you, who are you, that you get involved with our family when no one else does."

"Then let her look, for gods sake, she's not going to find anything on me," Este retorted as she leaned back in the seat, "The most that she'll find is Charlie or the other officers having speeding tickets against us or the occasional complaint that we were street racing. Nothing that can tie back to what we have done, not even the Finn situation."

"She's persistent," Alice remarked as she looked back at her, "I'm sorry, but we were just trying to protect you. I admit, it wasn't the smartest idea but I wasn't sure what else to do. I made the wrong choice now, and I can see that."

"Wrong choices are only made once," Este gave her a look as she gripped the dagger tighter, "And they ruin all trust that a person can have."

"But you don't regret trusting us," Jasper commented quietly as he looked back at her, "You're hurt and you're confused. I can feel it, even when I don't want to. We've been alive a long time, Eurydice. Mistakes happen and you learn from them, you don't have to shut them out."

"Mistakes in my life are what got my family the way it became," Este's jaw was almost chattering as if she were cold, but that wasn't the case. She had worked herself up and she was in a corner that she couldn't get out of, "You'd think for living as long as you two have, you'd know how to go about things."

"Are we okay now?" Alice asked as Jasper looked back at the girl, she knew he was reading what she felt and she didn't seem to care.

"We'll see how today goes before I answer that," was Este's simple answer as she looked over at Jasper, "Now get us to school before we're late. Please," Her tone wasn't as harsh as before, but it was still clear that she was a fireball.

"We've always broken all of the rules for you, and don't think that she can ever change that," Alice commented as Jasper began to drive again, glancing back at the girl who fell back into her thoughts.

When they got to the school, Este had slid over to open her door but had been beaten to it by Jasper. Who opened the door and offered her a helping hand, which she had stared at for a minute before taking it as she gave him a firm glare before he gave her a small smirk as Alice grabbed her bag and tossed it over to Jasper who continued to hold onto it. Even after Este tried to grab it from his grip.

She knew that people were staring and whispering, causing her to sigh and cross her arms as she turned and gave Elijah a small smile. The boy shared a small smile while the confusion stayed clear on his features while Elyse paused her conversation with Clark and followed Elijah's gaze. It was clear that no one had believed that they were that close.

"Come on, we've got English," Jasper nudged her arm as he wrapped his free arm around Alice, "Or are you going to sit and glare at everyone who is lookin' at us? Told you, rules were meant to be broken," He teased before falling dead silent, as he often had when humans were passing.

"Told you," Rosalie mouthed while grinning at her friend as the trio walked by, causing Este to roll her eyes before she looked over at Titus and Wendy who were talking happily near the stairs.

Este spotted the new girl's truck as it rolled it. It was a ran down red truck, clearly something dated that must've been lying around. Este tried to catch a glimpse of her, but failed too as she began to walk up the stairs as the two vampires followed behind her as they made their way to building three for AP Lang.

Newt had been waiting for his sister while sitting in AP Lang. A small grin on his lips as he watched her practically force her bag out of Jasper's grasp before she took her seat at Newt's side while the two continued to walk behind her to their desks. Este raised an eyebrow at her brother before rolling her eyes as she took the paper that he had left on the desk, his handwriting scribbled in the folds.

So, how was the chat? Este rolled her eyes before quickly writing down, it went as well as it could, stop orchestrating this. They're on thin ice. She passed the paper back before adjusting herself in her seat as she watched Mrs. Batesman moved around the room while explaining something about Truman before Newt tapped her arm, and gave her the paper again. I'll orchestrate it because they've given me my sister back.

Este glared in her brother's direction before crumbling the piece of paper up and tossing it into her bag so that it would be crushed by whatever books filled it. Listening to the rest of the lecture before getting ready to head to APUSH when again, Jasper Hale swiped her bag before she had time to grab it.

"Act a little faster," He held a small smirk on his lips as Alice looped arms with Newt, "And maybe I'll let you carry your bag."

Este shook her head as she crossed her arms across her chest, "I could make you give it back, but I won't. I'll indulge in the southern hospitality that may be slightly hostile," She looked back at her brother and Alice, "Don't plot anything else behind my back, I'll take you sparring and I'll kick your ass," She warned as he laughed.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

By the time math had rolled around, Este had learned that the new girl shared the class. The one day that Newt had decided to skip, his excuse? Telling Este that he was going to have a talk with Kaz and he would be back before lunch. She was infuriated with her brother for leaving her alone and she wanted nothing more than to get out of the class, now. It was a matter of time before she would be sent to the principal's office.

Jessica Stanley sat two rows in front Este, chatting with Isabella Swan. She could feel the way their eyes lingered on her as Jessica occasionally pointed her finger, didn't mommy ever teach you it's rude to point. Though, Este could hear the not so nice things that were slipping from Jessica's lips about her for a variety of reasons. Calling her a whore over something with her friend group, and not just her family. The Cullens.

Her fists were balled as her knuckles turned a lighter shade. Her eyes trained forward on the board as she used all of her strength to keep herself in her seat and not getting up and flipping over Jessica's desk. The pencil in Este's hand broke causing her to let out a small huff as she grabbed another one from her bag that she used until the end of the class period, listening to the sound of the clock ticking before the bell finally rang.

Her eyes remained trained on the back of Jessica's head and Este was sure if she had been a sniper, Jessica Stanley would've been dead. Most people in school knew that it was not a good idea to piss off Este Devereaux but it seemed that when Jessica wanted to spread around her gossip, especially to the new girl, she could care less what she said about the girl and how it made Este feel. Which was going to cost her.

As soon as the bell rang, Este was quick to gather up all of her belongings and to place them into her book bag. Slinging it over her shoulder as one hand gripped the strap furiously before she sped through the desks, ramming her body harshly into Jessica Stanley's causing her to fall into the new girl, both crashing into the desk as Este held a devilish smirk as she continued to walk out of the classroom.

"Hey!" Isabella let out a groan as she glared over at Este, adjusting herself to a standing position again before helping Jessica back to her feet.

Este turned her head in the girl's direction, rolling her eyes. "Hey is for horses. She should have watched her mouth. Just like you should Swan, this isn't Arizona," She waved before faking a grin at the two and heading out the classroom door, this sure isn't Arizona, it's your hell.

After that, Este had continued on her way to Gym. Wondering if Edward had met the girl yet, after all, that was his mate. The girl was slightly unbearable, from the short amount of time that Este had gotten to know her. And maybe she was a tad rude to shove Jessica into her, but that was simply collateral damage. You don't talk about someone when they are in the room and not expect them to react. Especially when that someone is Este Devereaux.

Newt and Este had passed each other in the hallway, the girl glaring at him as he simply gave her a grin. But she could tell that something had happened between him and Kaz by the way his eyes seemed sunk in, almost like he was exhausted. Which was a sign that something had upset Newt, and Este hated that Kaz couldn't keep his mouth shut long enough for someone to enjoy their first day back at school.

Este walked into Gym, giving a nod towards the others before dipping back into the locker room to change. Looking at herself in the mirror as she made a face, not realizing that she looked so... dead upon leaving her hibernation. A little heads up on that would've been nice, but she'd just have to get over it and get on with the rest of her day. After all, who gives a crap what the others think of how she looks. They are as white as the color, if not whiter.

"Este!" Wendy smiled as she grabbed the girl's arms before anyone else could approach her, "How are you? Oh my gosh, I have so much that I need to tell you! Titus and I are finally dating! But I need to figure out how to tell my parents and how to tell Riley... could you help me?" She asked as she shook Este's arms, "Please! You and my brother are friends and I feel like he'd take it easier if you were also there."

    Este did know Riley Biers, they were really good friends a few years back. Obviously, when she left that fell off.

Este couldn't say no and deny herself the pleasure of seeing how Riley Biers would react to the fact his little sister was dating Titus, "I'd love to help. Give me a time and a place and I'll be sure to be there," She grinned as she nudged Wendy's arm, "Also, favoritism! I can't believe you've blown me off for this long just for Titus. I haven't seen you since before your trip."

"Sorry," Wendy blushed madly as she looked at the floors before looking back at Este, "But it seems you've been busy as well, Titus's said a few things but I can tell from today," She grinned before shaking her head, "I'm going to need some sort of details later, okay? Lana's calling me."

"Go ahead," Este rolled her eyes as she watched as Wendy ran over to the other side of the gym before giggling with her friends causing Este to turn and look over at Edward and Alice, "What? I'm not depriving myself of the opportunity to watch things go south before I have to fix them. I should be a repair guy. But in the cartoon sense, like... bob the builder."

Edward shook his head as he let out a small scoff while Alice managed a small laugh, "If you became a repair guy, nothing would ever be repaired. Might be a little more broken than it had originally been," He joked as Este shook her head as she let out a small laugh.

Gym class ended rather quickly, and Newt had joined Edward, Alice, and Este as they walked towards the lunchroom while the rest of the Cullen Clan seemed to pile in. Everyone chatting and having their own conversations in their separate groups, while remaining as entertained as they could be. Este wanted to make body shot jokes but decided against it as they were getting ready to enter the lunchroom.

"Don't you look overjoyed." Jasper mumbled as he kept himself occupied, clearly being bothered by the strengthening sense of life, as Emmett roared with laughter.

"Oh, shut it. I just got called a whore with the new girl in the class. Now let's get in the cafeteria so I can get food before I stab someone," Este remarked with an annoyed tone before flashing a fake smile over at Edward, "Sorry, don't kill me. Or do, your choice," She stuck her tongue out at the bronze-haired grandpa.

"Well your thoughts are sure full of death threats that you want me to hear," Edward mumbled before he shut up when he saw the girl's glare, causing him to give her a tiny grin.

Rosalie and Emmett were the first ones to go through the lunch room doors, walking as they remained silent but shared looks at one another. It wasn't long before everyone began yapping as they entered, and Este knew that Jessica Stanley was about to have the time of her life giving the new girl the entire run down on the family that so many people seemed to be dazzled by. And for good reason.

"The Cullen's, they are uh, Dr. Cullen and Mrs. Cullen's foster kids. They moved down here from Alaska about like - a few years ago." Jessica started going on with the story as she watched Isabella Swan turn and look at them coming in, "Well, not all of them."

"They kinda keep to themselves." Angela added as she looked through the windows of the cafeteria, making eye contact with Newt Devereaux momentarily.

"Yeah cause they're all together, like together-together. Uh the blonde girl that's Rosalie and the big dark haired guy Emmett, they are like a thing. I'm not even sure that's legal." Jessica continued as Rosalie walked by with a small grin while Emmett looked extremely proud, Este mentally applauded them.

"Jess, they're not actually related." Angela defended as she rolled her eyes at the dark haired girl at her side who adjusted her chair.

"Yeah but they live together! It's weird. And okay, the little dark haired girl is Alice and she's really weird." Jessica emphasized the weird part as Jasper twirled Alice while keeping a grip on Este who was chatting with her brother, Alice simply smiled. "And uhm she's with Jasper, the one who looks like he is in pain. The girl with the dark hair with the two is Eurydice Devereaux. The blonde is her twin brother, Newt, she's bitchy and he's chill. Uhm Dr. Cullen's like this foster Dad slash matchmaker."

"Someone is salty from past rejection," Este retorted to Alice and Jasper.

"Maybe he'll adopt me." Angela spoke hopefully as she leaned forward, placing her chin on her palm while Este did her best not to laugh as she nudged her brother's arm as they ventured off from the Cullen's, going to their table which had slowly shifted closer towards the vampires.

"I know, I met Eurydice already with you during math," Bella grumbled at the mention of the girl, as Este talked freely to Rosalie about how she wanted to run someone over with a car.

"The urge to actually run someone over with a car is growing so strong," Este held her hands up as she looked at the group, "Okay, listen... It's an easy way to get skinner. It's an easier way to be higher than the clouds and it's an easier way to just be dead," She reasoned with the rest of her table.

"Sometimes I really worry about you," Emmett was the one to make a face as he shook his head, "Like really. You need some sort of help that I don't think any of us can provide you," He gave her a joking grin but everyone knew he was serious.

"Who is he?" Bella continued to talk loudly, and even through the roar of the cafeteria everyone could hear what she was asking Jessica Stanley.

Edward's gaze was on the floor as he pulled open the door. "That's Edward Cullen. Totally gorgeous, obviously. But apparently nobody here is good enough for him. Like I care, you know?" Jessica clearly cared, and it made Este smirk.

    Este glanced away from the others as she went back to listening to the others talk, though, she chewed down on her lip to bite back a grin when she felt two different hands on her that were both ice cold.

Finally, a sense of normality.