Thank you guys for your patience I've been busy busy between work and trying to take some time for myself. I've been stressed and overwhelmed and I'm trying to find a balance between everything going on lately while trying to take care of my mental health.
_____________________

Bella couldn't fall asleep that night. Every time she closed her eyes she thought of Nathaniel roughing up those guys in Port Angeles. She felt he could've done a lot worse if Edward was there. She remembered the almost feral look on his face and remembered how his mood drastically changed once they were at the restaurant but she could tell even then he was on edge.

After another hour of failed sleep Bella got up to sit at her desk. Turning her lamp on she started flipping through the book she got earlier that night. And slowly but surely the pieces started falling into place.

-

Bella arrived to school early in hopes to meet the Cullens before everyone else arrived. To her dismay everyone had the same idea that morning. Sighing in frustration she pulled up in her usual parking spot. As she got out of her truck her mind was racing with different scenarios, she knew ultimately that she could potentially be crazy. However that side of her that could potentially be right was riding strong.

Walking into English sooner than anyone else made Bella's anxiety flare. She started doubting herself. Was Nathaniel really a vampire? Were the other Cullens as well? They had to be.

About 5 minutes later the first bell went off. Slowly but surely the class began to fill leaving Nathaniel the last one in, Emmett being the only one missing. Their eyes connected and a small smirk formed on Nathaniel's pale lips. She felt herself faintly blush remembering the one-sided dinner they shared together. Even though it felt a bit tense due to the circumstances that led them there Bella still felt at ease with him. It was strange but she was no stranger to it, not having many friends growing up she always felt like the odd man out trying to fit in but never really doing.

Nathaniel sat on the opposite side of the class but that didn't stop him from glancing her way. He looked calm and collected on the outside but was raging on the inside.

"This is all your fault!"  Rosalie snapped. Her amber eyes glaring daggers into Nathaniel.

"This isn't my fault! How was I to know she would figure this shit out overnight?" Nathaniel was angry and was on the verge of breaking something whether it was a precious vase of Esme's or Rosalies neck.

"Both of you need to calm down." Carlisle came between the two separating them both. "We will not be leaving Forks.

Rosalie pulled away from him looking enraged.

"The human will know about us by tomorrow and we're just supposed to sit back and let it happen?"

"Rose-"

"Don't Rose me Emmett! Now's not the time!" She glanced at Emmett before going right back to Nathaniel.

"This is you're fault! If she finds out what we are she'll see you for who you really are!"

"And what's that Rosalina?"

"A monster!"

"The last time I checked we're all fucking monsters Rose!" He raged before making an advance but was intercepted by Edward who just arrived back home.

"What's going on?" Edward struggled against Nathaniel for a moment before going into his head watching what he missed. He turned to his family.

"We don't know how this will affect us. But I do know none of us would risk our cover." He looked to Nathaniel who calmed down but was still tense, he didn't meet Edwards eyes as he stared at the opposing window.

"This can either end badly for us or it can end up okay. But I believe we should take a vote on leaving now or staying." Esme was the one to speak up first.

Majority voted to stay. Emmett and Rosalie left for Alaska needing some time away from everything. And that left Nathaniel going about his normal 'routine.' But he was on edge because he knew that little human was about to  rip the cap off of everything normal and mundane. She would see the monster that he is and he hated it even if Alice said she didn't seem afraid. They all are once they realize what you really are.

It'll be for the better, he thought. No one can be bound to him, he wasn't worthy of such a kindness such as her gentle face. He found her to be adorable with the way she bit her lip while concentrating or her low key sarcasm. He found it endearing. But those kind of thoughts make him forget who he really is.

He was a monster and nothing will change that.

-

Bella strode out of the school with a look of determination on her face. She walked down the steps and on the parking lot where everyone was heading to their cars. She saw Nathaniel parked by the grass area.

Bella made her way towards him her heart racing, as if he knew she was coming they locked eyes and for a moment she felt she might hesitate. But she did not.

He smirked her way but it fell the moment she brushed by him walking passed him onto the grass. Scoffing he turned and watched her walk towards the hill. Shaking his head he followed her but not before looking back at his family who were already watching them.

Shaking off the agitation that arose quickly he followed Bella. He didn't know what to expect only that she finds out about vampires. He couldn't let her know.

-

"You know if you plan on killing me, I have to say this is really cliche." Nathaniel was only a few steps behind Bella.

"You followed me." Bella looked back at him with a confused look. Nathaniel chuckled before arching a brow.

"After you rudely brushed passed me. I think you were begging for my attention." Bella stopped and turned around.

"I don't beg." She quipped.

"Not yet." He smirked when her face flushed red.

"We need to talk." She stated, she subconsciously cracked her knuckles. Nathaniel squared his shoulders back.

"Well what is it, Beller?"

"First off don't call me that. Second this is serious." Nathaniel rolled his eyes before leaning his side against a tree.

"Well go on then, we're about a mile away from everyone anyways." He perked up at the sound of her heartbeat picking up. He swallowed thickly resisting his urges.

Maybe it wasn't a good idea to follow her out here.

"I know what you are." Bella's heart was hammering away as she staked her claim on the idea. Her facial expressions wavering when Nathaniel arched a near perfect bushed brow. He scoffed loudly, pushing himself off of the tree.

"You caught me." He says in defeat, dropping his head. He shrugged his shoulders before looking back up at Bella who gave him a quizzical look. "The truth is....I'm a pyromaniac there I said it! I've always had a thing for matches, ya know?"

Bella couldn't believe this is how it was going. This was not at all what she envisioned when trying to bring the subject up. She shook her head at his hilarity of the situation.

"How did you walk away from that accident without a scratch?" She startled with her first point. Bella watched his expression become one of confusion as if she wasn't making sense.

"Ah, if I remember correctly I was there at the hospital like you, to treat my injuries." Nathaniel eyed her intently hoping to work his charms on her.

"Which were what? I never saw anything." Bella semi-confidentially put her hands on her hips as if to stand her ground.

Nathaniel matched her stance with his hands on his hips.

"There's more that meets the eye Isabella." And he smirked when Bella's face went red to him enunciating her name with a little accent. It made butterflies erupt in her stomach and a part of her hated the effect he has on her.

"You're avoiding the question-"

"You're not accepting the answer." His voice dropped a little as she watched him look like he was in pain over something.

"I watched you take on four guys by yourself. You're fast...and strong. Your skin is ice cold and your eyes are abnormal like your families." Nathaniel shrugged.

"Genetic mutation." He said it like it was a fact.

"And yet you're all adopted with the same genetic mutation? I've never seen you or your family eat or drink anything."

He scoffed.

"Excuse me I specifically remember that time I ate an apple in front of you. You can't deny the facts Bella, you seem like a great girl but everything you're insinuating is off putting."

Bella's eyes widened her breath hitching in her throat. It took a moment before maintaining her composure.

"And what am I insinuating?" Nathaniel knew she was trying to turn his words back on him but it wouldn't work.

"I don't know Bella you tell me." He spread his arms out like he was waiting.

"You're vampires." She blurred out, her eyes scanning for his reaction but the one she was hoping came crashing down.

He started laughing and Bella wanted to cry for a minute. A crazy thought occurred to her that had her subconscious telling her to not be an idiot but it's as that saying goes..."like mother, like daughter."

"Now that's a new one! Most people use the word anemic. Um, what are you doing?" Bella grabbed a stick with a pointy end before standing back up.

"You're not a vampire?" Bella asked like it was a question but it was rhetorical. She took a big step back. "Then you wouldn't be afraid of a little blood." She held the stick to her hand pressing the sharp end to her hand. But before she applied pressure she felt a light gust of wind as the stick was slapped away from her hands.

Bella looked up and was met with black piercing eyes.

~

Let me hear some feedback of what you guys think so far!

Vote/Comment

robbstark_