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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐎𝐍𝐄

𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 window, the loud pounding of drops bouncing off the hood of the red Chevy truck as it drove cautiously down the main roads, the driver never daring to go anything above the speed limit. Both girls in the vehicle remained silent, enjoying the sound of the rain as the passenger continued watching the buildings and trees pass as they proceeded down the busy road as a way of keeping a calm demeanor.

Liz Chambers has come a long way when it comes to being in the vehicle. Main roads don't make her as nervous as they once had. She had always been better on main roads then highways. But ever since the whole incident last March that involved her to take an unscheduled road trip to Phoenix, the main roads don't seem as bad. Still, that does not mean she can handle highways any time soon. She doesn't know if she will ever be able to go out onto those busy streets without having a panic attack.

Liz was grateful for her friend, the girl driving this rusty old vehicle back from another monthly visit from the neurologist. Bella Swan is one of the few people who knows the true reasons for these visits to this particular specialist. The two have become close when Bella moved here almost a year ago, but they have become inseparable after both nearly watching the other be killed by a psychotic vampire hunting them down.

To say their lives went back to normal after that wasn't exactly the best term to call it. Nothing will ever be normal for both girls, not when they are both madly in love with two vampires. Nothing about their lives will ever be normal again, and they've both accepted that fact. But both girls are grateful that they had each other to lean on and talk to one another about the changes in their lives. Both girls are just grateful they were not going through this alone.

Liz leaned her head against the window, her finger trailing one of the drops as it dripped down from the top to the bottom. Liz couldn't help but feel slightly depressed, not with the case she has buried in her bag from the moment she received them. This doctor's visit was extra special, because they were forced to make an extra stop at another place not too far from the office. She knew it was coming, but she had hoped she'd be able to avoid it a bit longer.

"Edward's behind us," Bella says, finally breaking the comfortable silence the two had formed. Liz turns around to look out the back window, Bella's statement being confirmed when she notices a silver Volvo and locks eyes with the familiar driver.

Liz waves to the male softly. "Hey Edward."

All Liz saw was his hand rise from the steering wheel in greeting before she turned back around in her seat and turned to the brunette. "Is there a reason your boyfriend is following us like a creepy stalker?"

Bella rolls her eyes. "I called him while you were in with the eye doctor, told him to come over once I dropped you off. I just meant for him to meet me in my room, guess he caught up to us on the way."

"Still creepy,' Liz muttered under her breath, looking back at the vampire trailing them only to see Edward narrowing his eyes at her. She directed her next words to him. "Oh, shut it, Mister I-like-to-watch-my-girlfriend-sleep. It's creepy, Eddie. You are a creepy vampire."

His only response was a shake of his head and Bella was trying hard not to laugh. "Oh and Jasper has never watched you sleep?"

"No. He hasn't." Liz confidently states, but Bella only gives her a look of disbelief. "It's true. Okay, so I have asked him to stay with me until I fall asleep and he always agrees because I am cuddled up next to him and doesn't want to disturb me. But he has never stood across the room while I didn't know he was there and just watch me sleep."

Bella went to argue but then paused, realizing her blonde friend was right. Liz grinned and pointed a finger at her. "Ha! See, you know I am right. Hear that Edward? Even your own girlfriend thinks you're creepy."

Bella swats her finger from her face and scoffs. "Shut up, I do not."

"Whatever," Liz giggles, brushing her bushy curls out of her face. "Jasper told me he was hunting this weekend with the others. Did Edward not join them?"

"No, he, Alice and Esme stayed behind."

Liz nodded, shifting in her seat as Bella turned into her street. Not even a moment later, Bella was pulling into the driveway behind Danny's truck, who cut his hand badly at work yesterday and needed stitches. His father demanded he take the next day off, which Danny was annoyed about but relented. He had even offered to take Liz where she wanted to go, but because she still has yet to inform him nor Ester about her eye condition, she stuck with her regular chauffeur. She was working up to it, but every time she got the nerve, she'd always chicken out.

Liz hesitated getting out of the truck, looking down at the bag and realizing what was inside of it. It wasn't a big deal, honestly. She knew when she told her doctor last month that it was becoming hard to see things farther away that it was going to lead up to this. She had to make an appointment with an eye doctor where she would be fitted for prescription glasses. Just so happens they were ready for her to pick up the same day she was due to go back to the neurologist.

Liz doesn't specifically hate them. In fact, she thinks she looks quite good with them on. It wasn't about style or anything. She mostly only needed them when she drove at night or sat in the back during class. It wasn't about any of that... it was what the glasses meant. What they would remind her of.

For as long as Liz could remember, she has had perfect vision. Her whole family did. Not even her Nana or her parents needed glasses as they got older. It was a strange gift to say the least and it wasn't something Liz truly appreciated until she was sitting in the patient chair, trying hard to read the letters correctly across the room. Letters she would have been able to read without any struggle before the accident.

Having these glasses was just a reminder that time was running out. She knew she had a couple more years if she was lucky, but this was only the beginning. She still gets those bursts of migraines here and there. That was the first reminder. Putting on these glasses, it was the second reminder.

"Hey," Bella's voice broke the blonde out of her wandering and yet depressing thoughts. When she turned to look at the brunette, she found a gentle smile on her lips. "I don't know what you must be feeling right now, but just know that I'm always here, if you ever need to talk."

Liz couldn't help but return the smile, reaching over and pulling the brunette into a quick embrace which she accepted. "Thanks, Bells. I'll be fine." As the two pull away, Liz gathers her belongings and sends the brunette a wink. "You two keep it PG in that room. And locked the door. I know Edward's invincible, but I would love to see what Charlie can do to him with that shotgun."

"Get out of here," Bella laughed, shooing her away. Liz only giggles and climbs out of the truck, not bothering to put her hood up to block the rain and swings her bag over her shoulder. Liz turned back to Bella and opened her mouth, but Bella cut her off before she got the chance to say anything. "Don't say it."

Liz rolled her eyes, knowing that Bella had been down her throat about saying two particular words. "That's not what I was going to say. You told me not to say it and I promised I wouldn't say those words."

Bella's shoulders slack in relief and nodded. "Okay, sorry. What were you going to say?"

The blonde gave a mischievous smirk. "Feliz cumpleaños." She says before quickly shutting the door before her friend could do or say anything.

She watches as Bella leaned her head back in annoyance before pulling away, followed by Edward's Volvo, to which Liz smiles mischievously at him. "Bye creeper."

Liz couldn't help but laugh to herself. Bella's 18th birthday was tomorrow and the girl has been dreading it for weeks. In Bella's strange mind, it made her older than Edward. Just because he was stuck at seventeen years old. Apparently she doesn't like the idea of aging. Liz hadn't really given it much of a thought until Bella put the fear in her mind a few weeks ago when Liz was reminded of Bella's upcoming birthday from Alice. It made Liz question the future and if it came down to it, would she want to become a vampire to be with Jasper forever?

Her heart screams yes. If she was going to be with Jasper, she was going to do it for all eternity. But that is when the complication of her family came in. What would she tell them? Would she let them believe she died? Could she really put them through that hell without them ever knowing the truth?

Liz knows deep down in her soul she doesn't want anyone but Jasper. Just the idea of leaving her sister and her Nana without so much as an explanation is a hard pill for her to swallow, but she knew she would be alright with Jasper by her side. But she can't get her family and what they would think out of her mind.

So, unlike Bella, she decided not to let the thought consume her. Right now, she was just trying to take things one day at a time and get through her last year of high school.

Summer school had been a major drag, but with Emmett's extra help, she was able to get the credits she needed to become a senior. Now all she had to do was get through one more year and she was finally free. Then and only then will she talk to Jasper about their options.

Liz was almost soaked when she entered the house, shaking off the chill that consumed her before looking around. "Danny?"

"Kitchen." Her future brother-in-law called back. Liz hung up her jacket on the rack and tossed her bag down on the table on her way towards the kitchen. She was immediately met with the wonderful smell of fresh garlic and sautéed onions.

"It smells so good," Liz praised, opening up the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water.

"Thanks. I decided on sausage and peppers tonight."

"Ester's favorite." Liz pointed out, leaning against the counter. Danny just nodded, adding the green peppers into the pan as it sizzled loudly and steamed engulfed his face. Liz understood immediately and cracked a grin. "So, what'd you do?"

Danny looked over his shoulder at the blonde with a frown. "What do you mean?"

"You are making Ester's favorite dish. Clearly you are trying to butter her up when she comes home from a long day of waitressing so she is not too upset for whatever it is you did," Liz stated. "So, what did you do?"

Danny scoffs, dumping the tomato sauce in the large pot. "I don't know what you are talking about. I wanted sausage and peppers for dinner. This being Ester's favorite dish didn't even cross my mind."

Liz crossed her arms and studied him for a long moment. Danny met her gaze challengingly, both staring at one another for the longest moment before he finally caved. "Okay, fine. I may or may not have spilled coffee all over her essay paper she worked on all weekend this morning."

The youngest Chambers sister's jaw practically hit the floor. "Daniel Lucas Black!"

"I know," Danny practically whines, stress clear in his eyes. "How badly do you think she is going to kill me?"

Liz genuinely felt bad for the guy, but she knew her sister well. "Don't worry. Ester's normally good at backing up her papers on a flash drive."

Danny pressed his lips together and shook his head vigorously. "Uh, yeah. About that. She let Jacob borrow her laptop for a project he is doing so this paper was handwritten."

Liz gasped. "No!"

"Yep." Danny buried his face in his hands. Liz heads over to the large male and places a comforting hand on his arm.

"I'll make sure to tell Billy and your siblings that you love them. Because when my sister gets done with you, well, I'm pretty sure I'll be helping her bury your body. Sisters- we kinda have to stick together for that sort of thing."

All Liz received was an unpleasant glare. "Thanks, you are very good at comforting."

"You're welcome," the blonde smiled before making her way towards the stairs.

"And my middle name is Lewis, not Lucas." He called after her as she started up the stairs.

Huh. I could have sworn it was Lucas. She thought to herself, but just shrugged and prayed Ester was in a good enough mood not to strangle him before they even got the chance to plan the wedding. Mostly because this is not the first time something like this happened. That's what happens when Ester leaves important work near a clumsy Daniel Black.

And when she finally did come home and learned the truth, there was a lot of yelling then crying then consoling. Ester has been stressed with school lately trying to get into the nursing program and Danny felt like crap for adding more to her plate.

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𝐋𝐈𝐙 𝐏𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 parking lot at school, parking her bike near the back and far from her friends. As soon as she had the helmet off and the bike turned off, she rushed to put her new glasses back into the case before any of her friends could see. She was not in the mood to deal with any questions that would follow if she were caught wearing them. She knew it was inedible seeing as she had to wear them in class, but she'd really like to hold off the conversation for as long as she can.

"Liz!" Mike shouted from across the parking lot, where he stood with four of her other friends by Tyler's van. A van Liz has refused to get back in since the incident last January. It had nothing to do with Tyler, but the memory still haunted her.

"Hey guys," Liz says as she approaches them. Her eyes locked on Tyler and lifted a brow. "Why does Ty look like he is about to throw up?"

"He forgot to do the R & J essay so now he's panicking." Jessica informs. Liz nodded in understanding, glad she doesn't have that class so she doesn't have to worry about it.

Tyler shook his head in annoyance. "I'm not panicking. We are barely into the school year and I'm already falling behind. My dad is going to kill me."

"Yeah well, if you'd stop trying to get Lauren to go out with you and focus more on your studies, you wouldn't be in this position." Angela commented dryly. Liz couldn't help but agree with her irritation. Lauren Mallory isn't exactly the most likable person. She is probably the nastiest girl at this damn school and for some reason, Tyler had formed a huge crush on the girl after sharing one conversation with her this summer.

His response whenever one of us tells him that she is not a nice person is- 'You just don't know her like I do'. The only other person who can actually stand her is Jessica, but that's mainly because they used to be really close and still talk from time to time. Tyler excused himself a moment later, saying he was going to talk the Mr. Lake and see if he could get an extension.

"Hey, it's Bella!" Eric called out to the red Chevy truck pulling up next to them, waving at the brunette in the driver's seat. Liz went to stand by Angela's side and watched the girl hop out and make her way towards them. It took everything for the blonde not to scream 'happy birthday', but Bella made her promise not to tell the others about her birthday.

"Today's the big day, Bella." Jessica stated, the brunette freezing mid-step and sent a look towards Liz but Jessica clarified before Liz could tell her she didn't say anything. "R & J essay due."

"Oh, yeah." Bella nods.

"Wherefore art thou, Bella?" Mike recites in the worst accent ever.

Everyone laughed and Liz shook her head. "Please do us all a favor and don't ever do that again."

"Let me take a picture of you guys. My mom wants me to put together, like, a scrapbook full of memories." Bella says, pulling out a digital camera from her back.

"Yeah, sweet." Mike agrees, pulling Jessica under his arm while Eric moves Liz in between him and Mike and they both wrap their arms around her back. Liz did the same while Angela shook her head.

"I take them. I'm not in them."

"No, no. no, come here." Eric says, pulling his girlfriend towards him.

"Well, today you are." Bella laughs and then snapped the picture, all five friends smiling widely.

Right after, the same silver Volvo everyone knows pulls in and Mike's grin immediately disappears. "Oh, good. Cullen's here."

Liz frowned as she noticed Jasper did not accompany his brother. She looked around the parking lot, but noticed Emmett's Jeep that both Jasper and Alice had been taking was already parked in it's usual spot closer towards the school. Frowning, she pulled out her phone and sent him a quick text.

Hey, where are you?

A response came not even a second later. Had to talk Alice out of decorating Bella's locker. Waiting for you by yours.

Liz couldn't stop the smile that spread across her lips, just as the others were saying goodbye to Bella. Edward was making his way towards the birthday girl while Liz was just excited to get inside she didn't bother with goodbyes. She hasn't seen Jasper all weekend, he was too busy hunting and after spending an entire summer with someone, separation even for the shortest time was the worst. She didn't want to seem too eager to see him, but she can't deny she was excited.

Her friends have noticed the change in attitude from when she first returned home and now. That bitter angry teen who was still mourning the loss of her parents was finally starting to look like the girl they once knew before the accident. Though Liz knew she would never be the same, not after everything she has been through, she was finally happy. She still has a lot of trauma to overcome and though she finds herself crying at night when the thought of her parents weighing heavy on her became too much to bear, it was still better than the alternative.

Eric held open the door for the girls and Liz told the others she would see them later before limping her way towards her locker. Her limp has gotten a lot better and her physical therapist is impressed with her progress. She'll never be able to walk without a limp again but it will become easier to get around and she won't always have to wear this damn brace. Right now, she is stuck with it for a few months, as long as she doesn't do anything to injure it further.

A frown formed on the blonde's face as she approached her locker, only to see Jasper was nowhere in sight. She looked around at the passing students, all getting settled before the first bell rang. No sign of him.

Liz turned back to her locker, wondering where the hell he could have gotten off to. It's not like he spoke to anyone that wasn't his siblings, Bella or herself. After grabbing her books and securing them in her new leather black bag, she slams her locker shut and nearly jumped out of her skin when a figure appears right behind it, giving her his ever famous lopsided grin and his hair was almost as wild as hers.

"Jasper Hale. You really are trying to give me a heart attack, aren't you?" Liz hissed, poking his shoulder.

"My apologies, m'lady. Alice pulled me away to talk about Bella's party tonight."

Liz leaned against the locker, hugging her history textbook to her chest. "I bet Bella's really gonna love that."

Jasper hummed and then pulled the blonde into his arms. Liz accepted the embrace, burying her face into the crook of his neck and mumbling, "I missed you."

"I missed you, too." He replies, his arms never unlinking themselves from her waist. After a moment, they loosened their hold but did not pull away. Jasper leaned his forehead against hers, taking in the closeness after being separated all weekend. Neither cared that they grew a tiny audience of their nosy peers standing around, the shock of two Cullen brothers actually dating anyone at the school still rattled them.

It honestly still amuses Liz to think about the first time they walked into school together, hands linked together. She can handle these kinds of stares, but it's the gossip that she couldn't stand. Like how apparently Jasper was only going out with her because he felt sorry about her losing her parents. Or how they weren't really in a relationship at all, just fake dating in order to make others feel like they were off limits.

At least she wasn't alone. Bella and Edward were receiving the same type of treatment. The gossip about them was just as outrageous and obnoxious as the ones going around about her and Jasper. Liz tried not to let it bother her, tried not to let her anger explode. She almost lost it on a girl before summer vacation last year after overhearing her talking shit about Bella and how Edward could do so much better. Jasper was able to send some calm waves her way, but because of her affecting his gift, they didn't exactly help all that much.

So instead of punching her in the face, Liz settled for 'accidentally' spilling her coffee all over the girl's pretty light pink blouse. It looked expensive too. Such a shame.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" Jasper's voice snapped her out of her wandering thoughts. Not once did the two dare to separate, pretending as if they were the only ones in this hallway and nothing else mattered.

"Just how much I can't wait to graduate high school."

Jasper ran his fingers through her hair. It became such an affectionate moment between them when he did that. During summer break whenever the two would end up together, at one point in the day Liz would find her hair being stroked or him playing with it with his fingers. When she first asked him why he always did that, he said that he was obsessed with it's natural beauty and wonderful volume. It was always soft and smelled nice. He said he's never liked scented things because to a vampire they could be overpowering, but not her hair. Not the lavender shampoo she uses on it every other day.

"I think Emmett feels the same," Jasper responded to her statement after a moment. "Apparently helping you pass summer school was more challenging than he thought."

Liz let out a huff at the reminder. "Yes, well, you can remind Emmett that he made a commitment to being my tutor and if I tended to get distracted or took multiple pee breaks just to escape the learning for a short while, then that's on him because he knew what he was signing up for. I am who I am."

Jasper's shoulders shook with laughter as he finally lifted his head up. Esme once pulled her aside after summer and said she has never seen Jasper laugh so much in all the years he has been with their family. It only made Liz's heart soar knowing she was able to bring out this side of him.

"I'm sure Emmett is pretty aware of that fact," Jasper said, grabbing her hand and staring back into her eyes. "So, when are you going to show me them?"

"I don't know what you are talking about." A lie. She knew exactly what he was talking about because she has been complaining to him ever since she went to the eye doctors and told him she needed glasses.

"Let me see them on you," Jasper said in a low tone voice. "Please."

After a couple seconds, Liz caved and reached into the side pocket of her bag, pulling out the gray case. Without missing a beat, she unfolds them and places the black frames on her nose, blinking up at Jasper and waiting for him to say something. She wasn't embarrassed to be wearing them, not in front of him. She just didn't want to raise unnecessary questions.

Jasper stared admiringly at her for the longest moment, lifting his hand to the frames and smiled adoringly at the wonderful girl before him. The only thing running through his mind is how can someone get more and more beautiful just by the simplest of things?

Liz started to become self conscious when he still hasn't said anything. "Do I look just as ridiculous as I feel?"

Jasper immediately shook his head. "No. You don't look ridiculous. You look beautiful."

Blush exploded all over her face, just like it did every single time he complimented her. Biting down on her lip, she tore her eyes away from his and looked down. "You always say that."

"And I mean it every time." He says, lifting her head up by her chin. When their eyes locked, Jasper leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. Liz knew better than to expect a proper kiss. It is not something they do often, which she is okay with. She knows how much Jasper still struggles. She learned from Carlisle that the adjustment period into their vegetarian lifestyle takes a few decades. Carlisle expressed how impressed he was by Jasper's progress and how he has her to thank for that.

"Okay, I gave you two lovebirds some time," the couple turn to see Alice approaching them, carrying what looks like a present in her hands. "Jasper, you are welcome. Now come on. Let's go find Bella and talk about the party tonight."

Alice didn't even bother to wait for their response. Liz put her glasses back in the case before linking her hand with Jasper's as they followed behind the perky vampire. Jasper helped Liz once they reached the stairs. She was always good going down them but Jasper can't help himself from being cautious. They were right behind Alice when she caught sight of the birthday girl.

"Bella!" Not even bothering with the last of the steps, Alice jumps over the railing and lands gracefully in front of her brother and Bella, immediately pulling the latter into a hug. "Happy birthday!"

"Shhh," Bella hushed, accepting the hug but looking around to make sure no one else heard. Jasper and Liz stay a little farther back, watching the exchange in amusement. When Alice held out the gift, Bella took it reluctantly. "I thought I said no presents."

"You actually thought she'd listen, Bells? May I remind you that she convinced me to skip school on my birthday." Liz spoke up, causing Bella and Edward to laugh and Alice to send her a pointed look.

"Don't pretend like you felt guilty leaving Miss I-hate-school-with-a-burning-passion."

Liz one of her hands up in surrender. "Touché."

Alice turned back to the Swan girl. "I've already seen you open it and guess what, you love it." Bella chuckles softly as Alice continues. "You're going to wear it tonight. Our place." Bella looked unsure but Alice continued to beg. "Come on, please? It'll be fun."

Liz was too busy watching the exchange to notice Jasper focusing directly on Bella. After a couple moments, Bella caved quicker than Liz thought she would. "Okay. Alright."

"Great. I'll see you at seven." Alice squealed and immediately turned to Liz. "Liz, you better be there."

"Wouldn't miss it, Alice. I have physical therapy right after school so I should be able to come over right afterwards."

Alice was at Jasper and Liz's side to head to class. Both siblings had physics while Liz was off to PE. Which is pointless since she just sits on the bench doing nothing. "Make sure you wear something amazing or else I'm dressing you up."

"From past experience, that is less of a threat to me now and more of something to look forward to." Liz told her with a cheeky grin. The others just chuckle while Alice beamed.

"Finally someone who likes me to dress them up."

The three were about to go when Bella called out to the blonde vampire. "Jasper! No fair on the mood control thing."

Liz turned to her boyfriend with a raised brow and saw him smirking. "Sorry, Bella. Happy..." He paused when he saw the horror on her face. "Nevermind." With that, he tugged Liz away with Alice following close behind them. The Chambers female never once took her eyes off of Jasper.

"If I'd known you were controlling her mood, I would have gotten my own 'happy birthday' in there without the fear of Bella tackling me."

Jasper only chuckles, pulling her in to kiss the side of her head as the three walked towards their next classes.

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And New Moon begins with a boring but necessary chapter!

Hope you all enjoyed!