It was very hard, in the morning, to argue with the part of me that was sure last night was a dream. I wanted it to be a dream, but one look at my hand and I knew it wasn't.

I knew I was almost severely injured by a gang of drunk men; I knew Edward showed up -out of the blue- and saved Bella and I, I knew she was still with him when I left, that I left her with him, and I knew, without a doubt the Cullens were Vampires.

The legends were right.

I supposed some part of me should be terrified, I should want to run away and never see them again, but I found it very hard to do so. Twice Edward had saved me, twice from serious instances that could very well have led to my death.

And then thinking about Rosalie, the blonde who I could not forget about, who I couldn't seem to put in a dark light. Nothing could make me believe she was 'evil' or bad, she hadn't done anything to show me that. Carlisle was a doctor, Edward saved me; everything I have seen from the family said they weren't dangerous, they weren't bad. Even thinking about Alice or Esme hurting a fly was wrong, it seemed impossible not just improbable.

But another part of me told me that I couldn't get complacent, that I should be alert at all times. That I can't get too close because it was dangerous. Because whether they are controlled enough to be around humans or not; they were significantly stronger and faster than a human. They could also bring their own kind, and with that was a whole other danger.

These two parts fought viscously with one another until settling on the plan of caution. Until they did something, truly bad and unforgivable (like kill someone) I would say nothing. I would uphold my end of the bargain and the treaty.

Once that threshold was crossed it was my responsibility to do something.

With that in mind I got dressed for school, it was colder out today than it previously had been, a foggy and dark atmosphere was outside my window giving a creepy horror movie vibe to it, fitting considering what I learned last night.

Preparing for the day I pulled on a pair of colder weather high top shoes, half expecting it to rain. Then a pair of jeans, t-shirt, and a pull over on top of that. I grabbed my backpack, making sure I emptied the possessions from last night – I didn't need to be cause with that. I stuffed the papers into my personal sketchbook, the one I never bring to school.

At least not since the accident... that was a close call.

When I got downstairs my mom was gone, it was her week to start work early. It was sorta her deal as she'd rather be home in the afternoon. And since we lived in the little town it was easier for her to have an eight-hour day. Eve generally worked 9-3, she usually left the same time I did, unless she had an appointment... but that was rare.

"how's the thumb?" Eve asked as she rinsed out her coffee cup.

"it's okay" I mumbled.

"Al, there is nothing to be ashamed of. You punched your attacker, that's badass. Your mom may not have said it, but she thinks it too. Though, obviously she's worried about it, but I'm proud of you."

I couldn't help but smile as I reached into the freezer to grab my smoothie mix before putting it in the blender. I nodded as I grabbed my lunch and breakfast. I would eat it a school.

I wasn't late per say but later than normal, it was a good thing that I was a well likes student, most teachers didn't bat an eye when I ate in class. They all just assumed it was some sort of medical thing. And for the most part it was, a good diet was great for my immune issues than filling up on antibiotics. Being proactive was better for my health, obviously I couldn't account for everything that would happen, but this allowed a little more leeway.

"Be careful with your wrist, okay?"

I nodded "I will be, promise"

The garage was nice and warm, which was a blessing as the moment I opened the door I felt the ice-cold mist that clung to my exposed skin. I started my car before running back inside to grab my coat.

I drove through the fog-shrouded streets focusing on nothing in particular. As far as I was concerned today was just another day, I would go to class, do my work then go home. Thankfully I was ambidextrous, so I could rest my left hand to the best of my ability.

When I got to school, I realized Bella wasn't there yet... I was a little bit alarmed since I left her alone, then I noticed a new car. A glossy red convertible with the top up.

I joined my usual group, eating my breakfast as we waited. Jess and Angelia of course zeroed in on my hand, obviously understanding that I did it last night as I didn't have a cast when they saw me last. But it was Mike who asked.

"hey, what happened to your hand?"

"I had a close call with some rowdy people... I uh, well I punched one of them. But I didn't do it right because I messed my hand up"

I could tell Jess wanted to find out more specifically how Edward fit in. I was unsure what to say but luckily, I didn't need to as right at that moment Edward stepped out of his car, with Bella. I couldn't suppress the shocked expression on my face, but neither could anyone else.

I was unsure what to think. Obviously this wasn't my problem, but like all the other girls here I couldn't help the jealously I felt. How did she break through the well-crafted barrier, and why would he let her.

Why would Edward risk getting close to a human? Why?

Even the complex formulas and equations could not keep my mind occupied. I spend a large portion of the class trying to figure it all out. Part of me said it wasn't my business and I should leave it alone, but another part said stop Bella.

She was in danger. This was dangerous.

The fog had almost dissolved by the end of the second hour, but the day was still dark with low, oppressing clouds. Once I got to gym, I was given the class off, basically I just watched the other and doodled in my sketch book.

Then, lunch.

I was getting more and more afraid for Bella, why would Edward changed everything so suddenly and bring Bella into his world, unless he intended to bring her into his world, like really into his world. I sat at the table and watched as Edward led Bella through the line. Edward grabbed food that I knew he wouldn't eat, then led her to another table. Where the two were alone.

I shook my head before turning to my lunch, chatting with the others about various topics, but my eyes always stayed glued or nearly glued onto Bella and Edward. I wandered what they were talking about, clearly it was an interesting conversation.

For a moment I wondered if Bella knew, if she knew the truth. She was definitely interested in finding out. And again, for the umpteenth time I thought about how dangerous that was. It was too dangerous for Bella, and it had to be dangerous for Edward and his family.

There was a reason they didn't go around telling everyone they were vampires, a reason my great grandfather held that threat. Can't Edward see how dangerous he is, one misstep and he could kill her.

One misstep and he reveals his whole secret... the whole supernatural world.

I shook my head for the hundredth time and went to biology, hoping for something to distract me from everything. The new couple, the new gossip that it stirred, the gut punch that I got when I looked at Rosalie and she didn't acknowledge me.

Then of course there was the fact that I hadn't talked to Bella at all today, she was immediate in asking about the car crash but last night she didn't say anything.

No thanks Alex for pushing me away from potential rapist, or thanks for punching him so that he was focused on you, even though you broke your thumb. Nothing. Not that I needed thanks, but it would have been nice for her to acknowledge I could have gotten killed. Or maybe I wanted her to blame me, to agree with the deeper part that said I was responsible for our almost rape and murder.

I went into shock in that car and Bella didn't say a word, only when Edward stopped the car did, she say anything, and I suspect that if my heart wasn't hammering like crazy neither of them would have noticed I was there.

Once I got into my seat, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the two getting too friendly. Bella was on cloud nine, the way she looked at him...

Ridiculous.

How could she all of sudden be so enamored with a man who looked murderous when they met and spent a month ignoring and acting like a jerk. She had to be this way because he saved her, what was it called? I don't know, but there couldn't be any other reason other than plain gratefulness and sheer physical attraction.

At least with Rosalie she never paid any attention to me, and I understood it now, it was too dangerous. For the both of us... hell it was too dangerous for her to get involved with any human, so rather than attempt that she ignored it.

Mr. Banner backed into the room then — what superb timing the man had — pulling a tall metal frame on wheels that held a heavy-looking, outdated TV and VCR. A movie day — the lift in the class atmosphere was almost tangible.

Mr. Banner shoved the tape into the reluctant VCR and walked to the wall to turn off the lights.

And then, as the room went black. I ignored the movie in favor of my sketchbook, if I looked up, I would no doubt get further into my own mind and berate the new relationship.

The hour seemed very long. I couldn't concentrate on the movie — I didn't even know what subject it was on, I would pay for this later I knew it, but I didn't care.

My mind wracked painfully, and I couldn't figure out why. I had never cared about someone's relationship, just the other day I was praising Edward on saving me and now I'm berating him. I couldn't explain it.

It was like a battle was raging inside my body a painful one, I could feel the beginnings of a headache forming from it. Why did I care so much? Why did it tear at me so? Why did I have the itch to separate them? To stop Edward from revealing too much. To stop Bella from finding out too much.

It's not like it will affect me, I wasn't involved.

Art went as usual though there was obviously some issue with the lack of one hand. We were starting out clay projects, and I accepted that my projects are going to be significantly worse than my others, hopefully I would be able to use my thumb, because let's face it that's the most important finger, by the time I need to work on my final.

But like all day I couldn't focus, everything came back to Edward and Bella. To the vampire revealing himself to the human. The merge of the supernatural and the natural world. Two things that could exist in the same place and time but not with both parties knowing about them.

Then my eyes flickered to Rosalie. The way her hair fell in simple waves, but those simple waves could only remind me of everything I loved. The beach of La Push, the northern lights, the colors of the wind. Everything about her was perfect even her unnaturally colored eyes.

Then there was this unmistakable pull, the overwhelming desire to protect her, to keep her safe. Which in a sense was ridiculous because I was a human, I couldn't do anything to physically protect her.

I was hardly able to protect myself.

But maybe that's where Edward and Bella come in, their relationship was dangerous for Rosalie too. Not just the natural order of things but her life, her ability to be safe, not persecuted or hunted down, not at risk of a human being around. The dangers didn't stop there, if Bella got hurt or killed it would kill Charlie and by extension my mom and me.

I had been staring for so long that I hadn't realized it until I saw amber eyes lock with mine. And for a moment I was frozen, like my whole world stopped. I couldn't explain the sheer pain and torment I felt at that moment.

The need to protect her increased tenfold.

I looked away as soon as I could and focused on my paper, with a sigh I turned the page, avoiding the amber on the paper.

And then the bell rang.

A/N: I have completed the series. Breaking dawn was very similar but instead of newbies showing up without warrant there was more reasoning behind it. I kinda like it.