Chapter Four

Early the next morning, I woke up and rolled over hearing a buzzing sound. Glancing out my window, it was still dark out. Quietly I turned my alarm off and checked the time 5:30. My usual time I got up, I always rose before the sun, never knew why it was just a habit.

I let out a tired yawn and sat up, stretching, pushing my comforter off and swung my legs over the edge, just sitting there for a while, waking up a little more.

Looking around the room, Piper picked her head up and looked at me.

"Good morning." I told her gently, reaching over to pet her, she let out a tiny mew. I smiled scratching under her chin. I didn't know how I would survive without this kitty, she was the last connection to my parents.

Getting up my feet padded against my wood floor, I stepped into my closet and ran my hand over the walls, until my hidden spot opened and grabbed a couple wooden boxes that looked like mini treasure chests from a shelf and my portable cauldron.

Slowly I sat down on my rug, cross legged. Piper did a tiny stretch and jumped down from the bed, climbing into my lap.

I sat my cauldron on the wood so it wouldn't catch my rug on fire and set the boxes in their spots.

Filling my pot with a few things. Epson salt, ground black pepper, jasmine buds and white sage. It was a cleaning ritual, it helped purify the spirt mind and made our positive energy flow, it also teaches patients. All witches needed to be calm and collected at all times, to know our power....

To others it smelled like simple incense and I did this every morning so Charlie was used to it.

Going to school everyday was exhausting with all those people. Between their auras and thoughts I swear I'd go crazy I don't know how Jasper or Edward put up with it all. Speaking of Jasper I made a mental note to remember I needed to pack a calming potion for him just in case, I always kept an extra on hand.

I lit the sage and moved my wrist clockwise in the air three times, the smoke wafted up into the air.

I placed the sage in the pot, and settled myself properly, taking in a deep breath and closed my eyes, mediating.

---

Moments seemed to pass by, I heard my second alarm beep drawing my attention, I opened my eyes and glanced at the clock. It was around 6:00 now, sun was shining in my room.

I felt happy and more relaxed, ready to start my day.

Cleaning my stuff up, I got to my feet setting my pot on my desk and made sure it wouldn't catch fire or anything, opening the window. The smoke wafted out.

Grabbing my bathroom kit, I headed out the room and made my way into the small bathroom, quickly reaching into the shower and turned on the hot water. Stripping out of my fuzzy pajama pants with black cats on them and matching shirt, I stepped under the water and let the hot steam run down my body.

Knowing I had to hurry in case Charlie or Bella needed it, I quickly washed my body and scrubbed my hair and got out, grabbing my deep purple robe, pulling it on and wrapped my hair up into a towel.

I opened the door not seeing anyone waiting and headed back into my room.

Closing the door, I walked over to my closet and browsed through all the new clothes I had just bought from my latest shopping trip with Alice.

Seeing that there was sun out, I figured it would be a good day, so I could wear something cute.

I ended up choosing my brand new purple dresses, the skirt fell below the waist with a pretty clip belt and a pair of my favorite skinny jeans. I added a pair of my purple heels and purple bag. After getting dressed I sat down at my vanity and brushed my hair out, towel drying it.

Glancing into the mirror, I stared at my reflection. There were moments like this when I could see my mother looking back at me we looked alike. My entire face, my brown hair was the same shade of dark brown as hers was but I had the same blue eyes as my father and his healing touch that he had actually gotten from my gram's sister, no other witch had it.

I decided to braid my hair and then added a little makeup not a whole lot just a little gloss, eyeliner and placed my valerian necklace around my neck. I wore this everywhere and never took it off except when I slept and showered.

I smiled at my work although I hung out with grease monkey Jacob and boys, I loved being girlie, on the days I hang out at the Cullen's house, Alice always wants to go shopping, she's my fashion guru and keeps my closet fully stocked.

Anyway shaking my head clear, I grabbed my bags and headed out the room, giving Piper one last look and walked out.

I headed downstairs, I sat my bags on the couch and headed into the kitchen, turning on the coffee pot and sat a couple pans on the stove, heating them up.

I opened the fridge, biting my lip figuring out what I should make and settled on doing a quick scramble of egg and sausage and started mixing a bowl of pancake mix. Since it was Bella's first day.

I added some blueberries from my garden and mixed up a blueberry smoothie for myself and stood there humming while the pancakes cooked.

I added some pieces of tofu sausage and a tofu scramble. I worked in perfect silence in my own little world.

Hearing the coffee pot go off, I went over to the cupboard and grabbed a couple coffee mugs and started setting the table, making sure Charlie's paper was on the table and filled my glass with my smoothie, throwing in a pinch cinnamon, clove and ginger from my herb drawer.

By the time I was finished, I had breakfast plated and on the table, it was 6:30.

Charlie was sitting at the table with his uniform on, drinking his coffee and reading, eating very slowly.

"Morning." I heard turning to see Bella.

"Morning Bells. You want breakfast?" I asked gesturing to the food I made, as I sat down with my separate plate.

"Sure." She said sitting down. "Thanks."

The three of us all sat at the table together. Charlie and Bella ate quietly causing huge tension. My uncle was usually a quiet person while I was more of a talker, I hated silence something I got from my Grams, must be why I love getting up before the sun does. The sounds just before everyone wakes up is the most beautiful music in the world.

After what seemed like time ticking by, I glanced at the clock, seeing what time it was and got up, washing my plate off and placed it in the dish rack, drying my hands off.

"I should get going, still need to pick the girls up." I said grabbing a brown paper bag from the fridge and looked at Charlie "Your lunch is in the fridge."

Charlie paused in his reading and looked up at me, acknowledging me and smiled at me. Bella had a weird look on her face watching Charlie and I interact but stayed quiet.

"Okay sweetheart."

Picking my smoothie up, I walked over and gave him a quick hug.

"Be safe." I told him moving to grab my bags and keys and walked out.

---

My girls Quinn and Jazz were my main besties, fellow witches and my sisters, non-biological of course.

Quinn Yorkie was the smart one, she was constantly studying, reading anything she can get her hands on and was basically like my rock. She's a genius and generous girl. Her twin brother Eric also one of my friends was born human, while Quinn got the magic. Her witch family name was Thornton and is in touch with all things nature.

Jasmine 'Jazz' Rathmore was more sportier and fashionable, she's outgoing and very athletic, flowing like a river and a jock type. She has two sisters, her eldest sister Julie and a sister June. Jasmine also has a cousin Jessica another friend the same age as us. Jasmine and her sisters got magic but Jessica doesn't.

The Thornton and the Rathmore's showed up in this town a little after my grandparents. As the first witch in this town, my grams befriended them and our community grew. There were many different communities vampires, werewolves, fairies and whatnot but before Esther came here there wasn't any witches. Our one mutual rule is we are not allowed to out each other to the humans.

Anyway after picking them up, I pulled into the parking lot of the Forks high school.

I noticed Bella's truck was parked a few spaces down from us.

"So, how's your cousin taking the move?" Quinn asked as we got out.

"I think she's a little nervous." I told them meeting the girls in front of the hood. "But everyone would be, if put in her shoes."

"And she doesn't know the sister secret?" Jazz asked.

"Nope." I told them making them nod.

I noticed Quinn smoothing out her clothes, and a few guys watching her and smirked a little. We headed inside and went to our lockers that just so happened to be beside each other.

I opened mine and put things in and only grabbed my English Binder and pencil.

"You want to tell her though?" Quinn said knowingly.

"Sometimes I do, I mean I kept the secret from her because she wasn't living here but now that she is." I told them honestly. "I kinda want her to know the truth so she can protect herself or at least be aware, but I know it would be breaking the sister pact."

"We're with you if you want to." Quinn said smiling at me, adjusting her bag. "I wish I could tell my brother, but our Grams would bite my head off, he's too childish for such things."

I looked at her thinking it through and shook my head.

"We can't do that." I told her giving her a look. "If she found out then it wouldn't just be our secret on the line"

They nodded in agreement.

"Well hopefully she'll at least make new friends." Jazz said.

"I dunno Bella isn't really great at that." I told them closing my locker, we started to head to class when a voice caught my attention. Looking around I found Quinn's brother Eric and Bella talking. "But it looks like your brother will be helping with that." I pointed them out.

Quinn looked over and smiled, we headed over to them.

"You're Isabella Swan....the new girl, Elena's cousin, right?" Eric said holding his hand out. "Hi, I'm Eric, the eyes and ears of this place anything you need. Tour guide, lunch date, shoulder to cry on-"

"Ask anyone but Eric." Quinn said throwing an arm around his shoulders and smiled at us. Bella looked relieved to see us.

"What's up girls?" Eric asked bumping his fist against ours.

"Hey Lena." Bella greeted quietly.

"Bella won't be participating in this month's feature." I told Eric giving him a look and stepped upside closer to Bella. "So don't ask."

"Got it good." Eric said nodding his head, walking away he repeated the words.

Quinn laughed at her brother.

"Thanks for that." Bella said watching him leave.

I chuckled.

"Eric's a good lad, he just talks a lot." I told her, she nodded letting a smile show.

I earned a look from Quinn but ignored it.

"By the way Bella, this is Quinn." I told her gesturing to the girls. "She's Eric's sister and that's Jazz, they're friends of mine."

"Hi." She muttered quietly.

"Hey."

"Hello!"

I noticed a paper in her hand most likely her schedule, so I grabbed it out of her hand, reading it over.

"Well, we don't have any of the same classes together except for biology and lunch." I said reading off the list. "Most of my classes are AP stuff, but we have classes close by so we can show you where to go next."

Walking off with the girls.

"Can't believe I have to take gym." She muttered following behind.

Ever since I knew Bella she wasn't much of a sports person while I didn't care much for it either I put up with it.

"It won't be so bad." I told her stopping in the hall. "You should get going, Mr. Mason doesn't like late students, Jazz has that class so she can show you where to go."

I gave Jazz a friendly look, she nodded and gave Bella a small smile, gesturing her to follow.

She nodded and followed Jazz, with a sad look on her face, I gave her a smile of reassurance.

Quinn stepped up and wrapped her arm around mine.

"And we have your favorite class of the morning." Quinn said smirking at me. "English."

English was really my favorite class, I loved writing short stories and such.

I just grinned at my bestie and headed to class with her.

There were already people sitting at shared tables. Quinn and I walked in, some of them stopped talking to whoever and waved at us as we took our seats, getting out our things.

The English teacher Miss. Willis, she was a kind woman with blonde curly hair tied up with a scrunchie, she had rose tinted glasses and a warm smile on her face.

"Good morning class." She greeted holding up a book. "Let us turn to page 15."

--

The bell rang I packed up my stuff and walked out with Quinn, finding Bella and Jazz, we walked around showing her to the other classes...

My classes went world History and Math.

Many people waved to me and such, I was kind of a popular girl and had many friends while Quinn, Jazz, and I talked quietly, hoping to make Bella feel a little better.

--

Lunch came quickly, Quinn and I took Bella to the Cafeteria, we carried our trays well they did. I had my own lunch I made last night and my tea. Quinn had her arm looped around mine.

"Elena! Quinn!"

I looked over finding Mike and Jessica at a small table. I smiled, Jazz already sitting at the table with them.

"C'mon Bells." I said pulling Bella with me.

We walked over to the table just as Eric joined and squished his way into his seat.

"Sup." I greeted bumping fists with Mike and smiled at the girls. "Guys this is my cousin Bella. I'm guessing you already met somehow since this school is a bit small."

"Yeah." Jessica said smiling at her. "Hey, I'm Jessica, Jazz's cousin, we have gym together."

"Hi." Bella said shyly sitting down beside me with her tray.

I took my homemade tofu chicken salad out and took a drink from my rose tea.

Tyler popped out of nowhere suddenly pecking Bella's cheek and then pulled Mike's chair out from under him so he would fall on his bullocks. Mike shouted and ran after the guy, I laughed at them.

"Oh my god." Jessica said sarcastically. "It's like first grade all over again, you're the shiny new toy."

"Is that jealousy I sense there, Jess?" I asked popping a piece of chicken in my mouth, taking a drink from my rose tea.

"Yeah, right."

Suddenly a flash of light went off causing Bella to jump, I looked over seeing Angela.

"Sorry." Angela said checking her camera. "Needed a candid for the feature."

"The features dead Angela." Eric said angrily. "Elena shut it down, so don't bring it up again."

"What, why?" Angela asked looking at me as Eric walked away, Quinn shook her head at her brother.

"Bella doesn't like attention." I told them giving Angela an apologetic smile. "Sorry Ange."

Bella smiled at me in thanks.

"Oh, well it's okay I understand." Angela said quietly, she was still disappointed but understood. "We'll just run another teen drinking I guess."

"There's always eating disorders or speedo padding on the swim team." Bella suggested.

"Wait, that's really good one." Angela said smiling wide.

"I know right." Jessica said jumping in.

The rest of the conversation started getting louder, I just munched on my lunch.

"Who are they?" Bella asked suddenly.

I turned seeing the door swing open four astounding people entered slowly, two guys and two girls chalky pale, purplish shadows under their eyes and all devastatingly beautiful. In short terms vampires. The Cullen's. They moved through the room gracefully to gather trays of food and head for their table.

I was wondering when they were going to show up, I hadn't seen them all day.

Although my parents were killed by vampires, I had no problems with them. My dad was close friends with Carlisle as was Grams and my mum loved Esme. I was besties with Rosalie, loved shopping with Alice, we went almost every other weekend, I beat Emmett at video games and interact with Jasper and Edward all the time. I hung out at their house just as much as I did Jacobs's or Leah's... I was always welcomed at the Cullen's.... back when our family would come to Forks for the reunions, we used to get together and play games. It's when Easton Lovelace came up with creating a magical baseball, which might sound silly but who cares, we had fun.

It was the one place I never have to hide.

I love all my friends on the reservation, but the Cullen's are considered family.

The council tribe elders didn't approve of it but there was nothing they could do; the Lovelace family will stay neutral when it comes to the treaty.

"The Cullens." Angela said quietly.

"Dr and Mrs. Cullen's foster kids." Jessica said less amused. "They all moved down here from Alaska two years ago."

"They just like to keep to themselves." I muttered catching the four Cullen's looking at me. We gave each other brief acknowledgements.

I smiled at them lightly.

Emmett and Rose passed by first. Emmett gave me a mischievous grin that clearly said he's ready for another rematch either a video game or something. You never knew with that one.

'Ready when you are Em'

"Because they're like together, like together, together." Jessica added and leaned forward in her seat. "That blonde girl that's Rosalie and the big scary dark haired guy Emmett, they're like a thing. I'm not even sure that's legal."

"Jess, they're not actually related." Jazz told her pointedly.

Jazz, Quinn and I shared a look until I looked over seeing Alice and Jasper, I stared Jasper down a little in order to see how he was handling it or if he needed a dose. I often kept some calming potions on me just in case.

"But they live together." Jessica retorted. "The little dark haired girl Alice, she's really weird.... she's with Jasper the one who looks like he's in pain all the time."

I looked at Jessica and glared at her a little.

"Alice isn't weird." I told her defensively. "Compared to some of the people in this school she's unique."

I rolled my eyes, glancing over at the four, they all gave me looks of appreciation.

"Whatever says the only girl who they'll talk to." Jess said snippily drawing my attention again.

Bella looked at me.

"My parents were friends with their parents." I told her calmly.

"Really?" She asked making me nod.

"I mean Dr. Cullen's like this foster dad/slash match maker." Jess added rolling her eyes.

I nearly wanted to remark at her disrespect but bit my tongue from lashing out.

"Maybe he'll adopt me." Angela said making me chuckle.

"Who's he?" Bella asked breathlessly.

I looked up seeing Edward walk in, they always had to make an entrance, but I guess I can't complain I do it too, it was fun to mess with the mortals.

"That's Edward." I told her as soon as I said it his head turned towards me, giving me a small smirk before his eyes caught Bella's.

"He's single totally gorgeous obviously." Jessica said dreamingly. "But apparently no one here is good enough for him, like I care."

"You're just saying that because he turned you down last year." I retorted earning a look.

'Not to mention your annoying and crazy... I am so glad your not a witch'

I rolled my eyes.

"Seriously Bella, don't waste your time." Jessica said stabbing at her food with her fork and glared at me.

"I wasn't planning on it." Bella said quietly.

I glanced over finding her and Edward still in a staring contest.

I also noticed Alice's face, she was staring right at me, not at me necessarily but in a daze. She was clearly seeing something big, I stared into her eyes seeing exactly what it was, and my eyes went wide.

No way! Is this really going to happen? To Bella?

Eventually Alice's face went back to normal, and a smile came on her face as she gazed at my cousin.

I noticed Edward's facial expression and saw a reddish aura around him meaning he was really angry, his eyes turned between Bella and I and then back at Bella looking mad.

Edward, please, calm down I can feel your aura.

He seemed to listen to me as he turned back talking to Emmett and I went back to my lunch, I ate quietly sharing a look with Jazz and Quinn.

I was conflicted with what I saw Alice seeing.

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New Chapter 3/23/2024