chapter twenty-eight

The rest of that weekend was largely uneventful.

Este laid in her bed, on her stomach under a mountain of blankets, as she watched the darkness of her room through her barely opened eyes. Her curtains were open for once, allowing the rare light of the moon to creep into the quiet.

Her breaths were even, yet her mind was far from calm. She wasn't sure what was wrong with her, but whatever it was only seemed to become more prominent. She tossed and turned all night, unable to find a spot of comfort for the hours she laid there before she inevitably debated on smothering herself with a pillow to have some peace.

Edward Cullen spent a week in Alaska with the Cullen's "cousins". Leaving Este without a friend to bother, even if his ability to read her mind constantly made her want to throw a chair at his head. Though, there was no one to judge her thoughts, and it was peaceful.

"Someone keeps looking at us," Este remarked as she walked beside Alice and Jasper, the trio heading up the concrete stairs of Forks High.

Bella Swan's prying eyes always gravitated towards any of the Cullens or even Este if they were around. The demigod always assumed that the teenager was looking for Edward, and she was right.

Alice and Jasper would sometimes sneak ( Este would leave a window open and text them that they could come talk to her if she couldn't sleep ) into the demigod's home at night. Despite Newt usually figuring it out, because there was simply no way that he couldn't know. Este listened to Jasper talk about how he struggled with bloodlust, which did sort of alarm Este but she knew it would be handled, while Alice continued on and on about how Bella was going to be a part of the family and things just needed to end well.

"She's looking for Edward most likely," Jasper muttered quietly as they continued to move up the stairs.

"She's down bad," Este joked as she nudged Alice, the pixie-haired vampire simply rolled her eyes and smiled at the demigod's comment.

"Sounds like someone else I know," Alice retorted with a gleam.

"Clearly you're talking about yourself," Este rolled her eyes as she looked over at the two vampires, "Because I know it isn't me."

Jasper scoffed at the girl's words, "Clearly you're mistaken," Jasper shot back, "Because your emotions say otherwise."

"Dang it. Stupid empath." Este could never win against him.

The days passed faster and faster. It was almost a routine. Este would stay up most nights in her own thoughts, before she'd go see her friends, hang out with the Cullens, spend time with her brother, or go on dates.

Edward reappeared in Forks before the 24th of January, just in time for the twins' birthday.

The morning had a very odd atmosphere. It was quiet, almost too quiet.

"Happy birthday," Newt beat his sister to it, standing in her doorway as he looked at her.

The elder twin looked as restless as the younger.

"Happy birthday, Newt," Este simply responded back as she glanced over at him.

It was almost a solemn affair for the two. They were never supposed to live this long, yet, here they still were.

"Everyone else headed out, figured it'd be best for some time for it to be just us," Newt shifted his stance against the wall, shifting his weight from his bad leg, "We don't get to be just us much, do we?"

"I don't think we've been just us since we were thirteen," The brunette quipped as she patted the other side of her bed, "We've got a few hours before school."

"I know."

Newt took her invitation. The blonde flopped down on the bed beside his twin. Newt on the left, Este on the right.

The two had few similarities that made them look related. They shared similar expressions, mannerisms, but most importantly they shared common trauma. Trauma that shaped them into who they became, and trauma that ensured the twins would never be separate for long,

"I'm so glad we're fraternal twins and not identical. I wouldn't want to be a man, and you couldn't handle being a girl. Even if you have the sass of a teenage girl," Este retorted as she turned her head to the side to look at her brother.

Newt turned his head to the side, mirroring his sister. "I should be offended but I agree with you for once."

There was a picture of the two that looked similar to how they were now. The two lay in a bed, side by side while glancing at the other. The picture had been taken fifteen years prior by Angelica Devereaux, the twins had been three. Newt was missing a few teeth and Este was still a joyful child with pigtails.

"You think Mom's proud?" Newt blurted out as he kept an eye on his sister, "Do you think she's proud of us?"

Este took a moment to ponder his words. A soft sigh escaped her as her chest deflated, "She's proud of you."

"Why wouldn't she be proud of you?" Newt questioned back, "You're a great sister. You've kept us alive."

"We kept each other alive, I just helped," Este countered as she looked back up at the ceiling. Her blue eyes following the panels, "I'm not the kid she knew. She would've never imagined me to turn out like this."

"You aren't as heartless as you think," Newt huffed as he looked at the ceiling as well, "You are tough."

"I know that I don't always say it, but I'm glad you're my brother. I love you," Este glanced back in her brother's direction.

"I wouldn't pick another twin sister."

Newt had lived only minutes without his sister, two minutes before she was born. He couldn't live without her, just as she couldn't live without him.

Este cracked a small grin as she shook her head, trying not to laugh at him. "You say that now."

"I've always said that," Newt grinned back at her as he reached over and ruffled her hair, "We may have school today, but don't think I won't bother you."

"You're irritating," Este nudged his arm.

"Says the other half."

Newt left her room after about an hour, knowing that they needed to get ready for class. Este was in her thoughts as she moved around her room to get ready. Her phone occasionally dings with messages from everyone saying 'happy birthday'. Though, no one beat the Cullens. They were nocturnal and each made sure to send messages right at twelve am.

The brunette tugged the shirt over her head as she changed, pulling on her jeans and jumping as she yanked them over her hips.

When the Devereaux twins arrived at school, Este debated on staying in the car. Who wanted to be at school on their birthday?

"C'mon," Newt got out first as he smiled over at a few of their mutual friends.

Though when Este got out of the car, Elijah decided to scare her by blowing a kazoo in her ear. Which earned him a slap across the face.

"Hera, Elijah!" Este's heart jumped at Elijah's actions, "You scared the absolute shit out of me! What were you thinking?"

"I was trying to tell you happy birthday!" Elijah complained as he ran his hand over the area that she had slapped, "Jeez, you've got a bad slap. Even when you barely hit me," he made a face before waving at Newt, "Happy birthday - don't slap me like your sister did, preferably."

"I won't," Newt couldn't help but laugh as he leaned against the side of the car, shaking his head as he laughed lightly, "Trust me, I won't slap you like that."

Kaz let out a loud snort as he clapped getting out of the car as Titus ran and nearly tackled Este, "If we hadn't stuck together we all would for sure be in the Underworld right now. Which part is still unknown. So happy eighteen to these two!"

"Or arrested. Not that any of us haven't been before," Este let out a soft laugh as she patted Titus's back while smirking, "Look at all of us now, Newt's happy and alive. You are alive and still you. We're all for the most part still alive...."

"So you do have a heart," Kaz commented jokingly only to get whacked by Este as she rolled her eyes, "Maybe that heart needs to make some better decisions," He muttered under his breath causing her to flip him off.

"We're having a party, to celebrate your birthday," Rosalie's voice caught the rest of the group off guard as they realize the Cullen's that were now standing around the other group, "Your brother helped," She looked over at Newt, "It's nothing big so you don't have to worry about the people being there."

"Says who?" Este couldn't help but retort, "A party?"

"I planned it," Alice wrapped an arm around Este as she grinned happily while Jasper stood on the other side of the demigod, "No arguing. Elyse helped."

"It's going to be so much fun!" Elyse exclaimed as she hung onto Elijah's arm, "We can all just hang out and celebrate the fact you two are still alive and are one year closer to being legal adults, how odd."

"I wasn't aware you all talked," Este responded shortly, "Or that we told you our birthday."

Kaz was no longer talking in the conversation. His eyes were narrowed and his expression filled with clear disdain.

"We talk for our friends," Elyse hummed, "I told them. I was talking to Elijah about planning something anyway - the help was appreciated."

So someone was eavesdropping. Este looked around at the group as everyone seemed to be chatting. She didn't feel like partying, she didn't feel like being celebrated. There was nothing about her to celebrate. Yet, she'd celebrate her brother.

"No arguing," Newt looked at his sister, "We've got a lot to do. A party."

"I won't be there," Kaz stated as he turned to look at the twins, "I have morals."

"What's so wrong with a party, Kaz?" Elijah asked him, nudging his arm, "Don't be such a party pooper. Literally."

Elijah and Elyse knew nothing of what the Cullens were, and for their own safety, it would stay that way.

"If only you knew," Kaz scoffed and walked off.

The twins shared a glance.

Rosalie moved past the momentary downturn of the conversation, "I'm helping you get ready. Everyone should be at your house around six-thirty," She looked over at Emmett while giving him a look, "Happy birthday, Este. You too, Newt."

"Yeah, happy birthday," Emmett went to touch the girl's head but quickly stopped when seeing her expression, "Woo."

"Happy birthday," Alice was bouncing on her feet as soon as Este and Newt had begun walking with her and Jasper to English, "I would've said it earlier but everyone was chatting and I didn't want to keep repeating the same thing that the group did."

"Yeah, happy birthday," Jasper muttered much quieter, keeping his head low as he remained close to the group.

"That sounded enthusiastic."

The rest of the day Este tried not to be as grumpy. Everyone kept wishing her a happy birthday and some made sure to tell her that they wanted to wish Newt a happy birthday as well. Random people that Este did not know. She didn't understand why random people in Forks High felt the need to stop her and wish her a happy birthday. She wouldn't have.

"I heard it was your birthday," Bella Swan stopped in front of her desk in math, which Newt had once again skipped. "So, uh, happy birthday."

"Thanks," Este responded shortly as she glanced up at the girl in front of her.

"You're welcome."

What is it with everyone wishing me a happy birthday?

Rosalie had showed up at the demigod's home around four-thirty. Bringing a dress that she told Este that she had to wear, and if she tried to fight it then the two were going to have a problem.

"I won't wear it. Bite me."

"Don't tempt me."

The dress hadn't been so bad. The way the fabric came together around her chest looked like a chiton while the skirt was flowy and to her thighs. It was a deep shade of maroon. Thank everything it isn't a pastel color.

The sky had slowly begun to darken and Este could hear that Titus was letting people in the home. Rosalie continued to mess around with Este's hair, curling it before she pulled a few pieces back so that it remained out of her face. Rosalie remained in a black dress, wearing the Cullen's crest around her neck and her hair in loose curls as she smiled. She seemed to enjoy what she was doing and Este wasn't going to take that from her.

"For someone who envies mortality you're pretty human," Este had to prod at the vampire as she eyed the girl.

"For someone who is followed by death you seem pretty dead," Rosalie quipped back, "There. You've got to look good on your birthday, put those heels on. Este." She seemed exasperated when seeing Este already had on Converse.

"They're stylish," The demigod argued as she rose to her feet, "I don't understand why we're celebrating. There won't be a celebration next year because I'll probably be dead."

"Don't say that," Rosalie gave her a pointed look, "You will be here. None of us are going to let anything happen."

Este didn't want to get into this, especially on her birthday, "Sure."

Este's blue eyes fell down to her arm, glancing over the exposed skin and the scars that were as present as ever. From her forearm to her elbow, a constant reminder of what had happened and who she had killed. Way to bring yourself down on your birthday, she couldn't help but chide herself as she looked at Rosalie. Trying to ignore the guilt and anxiety that crept into her.

"Don't say that and don't even think that. I don't need to be Edward to see where you're going," Rosalie gave Este a firm glare as she walked over towards the girl's door, "We know. Edward had mentioned it prior, and said he heard the others thinking about it. Now you have two escorts waiting outside this door to tell you happy birthday before you go with the others so I will see you when you come downstairs, happy birthday," She smiled before exiting the room.

Sometimes she really infuriates me, but I love her.

"Need some help fixing those darlin'?" He questioned as he made his way over to her side, watching as Este kept trying to reach her hands back to adjust the straps on her dress, "Wouldn't want you to break something trying to maneuver."

"Please," She sounded like she had to force herself to even say it, "It's starting to annoy me," then her eyes glanced over the two vampires who were dressed up as well, "Who knew you two cleaned up so nicely," She joked before raising an eyebrow at Alice, "Well you clean up nicely, Jasper. You usually dress up, Allie."

Jasper moved some of her hair as he tightened the straps of her dress and adjusted them on her shoulders, his cold hands making Este adjust her posture as she felt a shiver down her spine, "There."

Jeez, could've warmed your hands up in the microwave before touching me.

"I should take that as an insult!" Alice crossed her arms as she grinned widely at the girl, "I knew you would like the dress. You are just missing a little something..." Alice forced Jasper to scoot over as she started to place something around Este's neck, "Just a little something to have. I thought it would look good with the bracelet."

Este tried not to move under Alice's cold fingers as the vampire clasped something around her neck. Maybe we need to wear gloves from now on. Once Alice finished, she moved back towards Jasper as the cold metal rested against Este's neck. The demigod's fingers went to touch the necklace as her hair fell back into place, her eyes catching it in the mirror.

It was a Hercules knot necklace, and where the knot tied and the strings came down hung two pearls. Este couldn't help but let out a small laugh as her fingers dragged across it before turning to the two vampires, they definitely had to go do their research.

"Whose necklace is this? Because this doesn't seem your style, Alice," Este tilted her head as she watched the two.

Jasper looked amused while Alice laughed, "It's yours silly. It's your birthday gift."

Este almost laughed with her, "No it isn't."

"Yes it is," Alice hummed gleefully before she fixed a few of Este's curls, "No take backs."

"You're joking."

"Dead serious," Jasper slid in.

"Ha. Get it, because you are technically dead," Este found that way too funny. She became a little awkward when she stopped laughing, "Thanks. Let's get downstairs before anyone asks any questions."

"I'll ask a question," Jasper nudged her just to joke with her.

"Then let's go," Alice hooked arms with her rather quickly while Jasper trailed a step or two behind them, "Newt! Look," Alice called as she practically threw Este into the living room once they got down the stairs, "Told you Rose could convince her to wear a dress."

"Holy mother of Hera... I mean holy mother of death," Este nearly lost her balance as she was pulled down some steps before she was practically thrown at her brother, giving Alice a look as she rolled her eyes, "Well guys that almost was the end of my life."

"Don't be dramatic," Alice chided as she crossed her arms while looking at Esme with a grin, "Rosalie did good, didn't she? Surprised that it wasn't a cat fight," Alice joked as she moved back towards Jasper.

"I'm going to commit a crime," Este mumbled as she looked over at Newt, "Don't say a word, I can already see that look on your face," She pointed before looking at her brother who clearly wasn't happy, "Your sorrows are giving me a headache, forget about your boyfriend and I guess we're going to talk," She joked before rolling her eyes, "Someone want to save me? I just wanted to chill."

"Nope," Elyse was eating a bag of chips as she managed to side hug Este, "We are going to have a fantastic time talking about some random bullshit that fills our minds - wait. Where's Titus?"

"I'M SPIDERMAN!" Everyone peered into the kitchen to see Titus on the floor as he laughed, Elijah crouched down in a Spiderman like way, "Bet you didn't expect me at your birthday, now did you?" Before he tried to hum the theme song.

Este had to place a hand on her mouth as she began to laugh, Newt nearly causing the two to collapse as he started laughing so hard that he was wheezing. How much has this guy had to drink to believe he's spiderman? The more Este thought into it the harder she laughed as she nearly started crying as she adjusted herself before falling into another fit of laughter as the room watched Titus jump onto the table before slipping and hitting the wall.

"Someone please get a camera," Este was laughing so hard against her brother while everyone else laughed as well.

"I think he overshot," Newt commented as he placed his hands on his knees while he continued to laugh, "Should we go and check on him? Or is Batman going to come out next?"

"I don't know," Este was still laughing as the sound echoed from her chest as she looked at her brother, "I might need to serve some justice," She attempted to lower her voice before Newt let out a snort causing her to laugh so hard that she started wheezing.

"You can do the voice!" Emmett cheered gleefully, "You're going to see the new Batman films with me then."

"The amount of wheezing that I am hearing from both of your lungs is alarming," Carlisle commented with a small smile, looking between the twins that were as red as Lightning McQueen, "I think that it is safe to say he's enjoying himself. Happy birthday, to both of you."

"I AM JUSTICE!" And Titus came running through before he ran into the couch and folded in half, flipping over before he hit the ground with a thud, "JUSTICE!"

Este pursed her lips together as she tried to fight back any more laughter as she looked at Carlisle, "No arguments here, Emmett. Thank you," She nodded at Esme as she began to think of things to say, "You look really pretty, Esme."

Esme beamed at the young girl as she moved away from Carlisle, pulling her into a hug which seemed to catch Este off guard, "Thank you, but look at you! You are absolutely gorgeous," Esme beamed as she pulled away, "Happy birthday, to both of you," Esme then moved and pulled Newt into a hug.

"So we've got Batman and we've got Spiderman," Elyse walked into the room as he looked like he was going to pass out from laughing, "I'd like to say we pulled together one hell of a party, getting superheroes to come. Woah there, justice, don't take anyone out!"

"Can I be Robin?" Newt asked as he couldn't help but joke, looking over at Elyse, "Where did your boyfriend go?" he asked as he looked around for Elijah, "Dear Gods, has anyone seen-" It wasn't a moment later before Newt let out a girlish scream as he jumped into Elyse's arms as she managed to catch him.

Este had barely any time to react before Emmett and Jasper hoisted her up. Holy mother of Hera.

"Put me down!" Este tried to get down, but the two vampires weren't budging, "I would like to be able to touch the floor again. Preferably," Jasper made sure to keep her dress down, but the girl was still frustrated. She flipped up her middle finger before acting shocked, "Oh my goodness - I didn't mean to do that!"

Este used her abilities to manipulate the two vampires to put her down, causing everyone to seem surprised before she disappeared into the shadows.

"Where'd she go?" Emmett looked around while Jasper tried to sense her emotions.

Jasper turned around, "I can feel her."

"Damn right," Este reappeared behind the six-foot-five vampire, popping her head around Jasper as Emmett let out a scream, "Boo bitch. Bet you didn't see that one coming because of a Cowboy being as tall as a light post."

"Jeez Ghostie!" Newt caught her with a snicker, watching as she briefly popped into the air before going back down, "We don't go in the air for a reason."

"I hope you burn." Este grumbled as she peaked out from one of Jasper's sides, "Suck some dick," She flashed a fake grin as she stuck her tongue out.

"DID ESTE JUST TELL HER BROTHER WHO FOUGHT A CREATURE IN THEIR KITCHEN TO SUCK DICK?!" Emmett's voice rang through the entire home.

"Yes, yes she did." Alice laughed as she leaned into Jasper, glancing back at Este.

"EMMETT SHUT YOUR MOUTH FOR ONCE!" Este yelled even though she didn't have to yell it she felt like doing it, "holy - please refrain from fighting Spidermano!"

"Let's all calm down." Carlisle said calmly as he looked like he wasn't sure where the situation was heading.

"Elijah!" Elyse was trying to get ahold of her boyfriend.

"Yo - Doctor O' when did you even get up here?" Este blinked before snorting, "I'm so stupid I forgot va... vanilla white people are fast as fuck."

Almost slipped up in front of Elyse and Elijah. Holy Hera I am so stupid.

"Language," Rosalie scolded before rolling her eyes, "The only difference between us is the fact you're half god," and I'm alive and not a blood sucker.

"SPIDERMANNNN!"

"There's some very interesting thoughts in this room right now," Edward commented from beside Esme.

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Esme told her adoptive son.