I walked into biology while Bella was a few paces behind me. I pondered on what I discovered about the 'supposed to be safe place for me' neighborhood. There are five confirmed Cold Ones with two unconfirmed people who is supposed to be their foster parents, one shifter tribe on the Rez which I knew way before I came here thanks to my mom's journal, a lot of hormonal teenagers and a very nosy cousin who seems to hate my presence.

'You don't know how much I want to send an incendio on your grave Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.'

She groaned internally, trying hard not to change her hair color in annoyance.

"Ah yes! Miss Swan, Miss Black." Mr. Molina greeted.

Aquila walked towards the teacher and handed him her slip without a word but with a smile. You see, Blacks are known to be quite the charmers even with their insanity. Bella, on the other hand, walked in front of the fan. As the wind blew towards his direction, Edward immediately covered his mouth and nose with his hand while he glared at Bella. His reaction didn't go unnoticed by Aquila.

The witch groaned in annoyance of her situation. She have to play the mediator to make sure her cousin doesn't die and the vampire doesn't expose himself. She hurriedly sat on the empty spot next to Edward. She smiled brightly at him despite his furious glare at her.

'Don't feel offended. Don't kill him. Don't strangle him. It's just the bloodlust. Just the bloodlust..' She repeatedly told herself.

"Hi! I'm Aquila Black. I think you need this." She said then handed him another bloodpop. She said cheerfully but she gave him a 'no more questions just eat the damn lollipop' look which made him do as she say.

Jasper was right. It taste like honey. The peculiar lollipop made him feel better. His bloodlust subsided and his eyes, which turned black, returned to their golden hues. He still feels on edge because of Isabella Swan's scent but he doesn't feel murderous anymore. He gave Aquila a look of gratitude.

Bella was seated behind Aquila and she made it her mission to glare at the young witch. She's the one who's supposed to sit beside Edward. It was supposed to be her chance to get close to the most handsome and mysterious man she's ever laid eyes upon.

After the class, Aquila stood up from her seat and went on her way out but she was stopped by a cold hand holding her own. "Hey." that was all Edward could say.

"Uh hi?" Aquila said looking at him weirdly.

"My name's Edward Cullen." He said with a dazed look.

Without the bloodlust and frustration about not being able to read her mind, he saw her. And he doesn't know if it's a good thing or bad. All he knew is that he likes the strange feeling of his hand on hers, the hypnotizing feeling of their eyes meeting each other, the scent she possessed. Jasper said she smelled like a normal human. But for Edward she smelled like the forest after the rain, cherries, vanilla, some kind of sweet smelling drink and roses. He didn't know why or how but her smell is intoxicating.

'Mate'

His mate. The one he's been waiting for all his immortal life. This beautiful girl with reddish brown hair and stormy grey eyes is his mate.

"And mine is Aquila Callisto Black. Nice to meet you Edward." She smiled at him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Edward said as he kissed the back of her hands without breaking their eye contact.

"The pleasure is all mine."

Their gaze landed on their hands. She blushed and he swore his heart skipped a beat. They let go of each other's hands and suddenly missed the electrifying feeling they felt. The electricity lingered on the palm of their hands but they shrugged it off.

"Thank you for the candy. It's really good." He said as they walk together to their last class for the day which is Music.

"Don't worry Edward. I got you." She said handing him five more candies. "Consider this as a bribe because I think I want to be your friend."

He chuckled as he looked at the girl with amusement. "I think I want to be your friend too."

They chatted away while exchanging small jokes as they walk together, not minding the stares of jealousy and shock from the other students. At their music class, they were goofing around with the piano since the teacher gave them this time to use their imagination in playing tunes.

For the first time since he turned, Edward saw his immortality as a gift and not a curse.

For the first time since her father died, Aquila was able to be genuinely happy.

As they were heading out to the parking lot, they began to talk about their vehicles.

"Motorcycles are very dangerous contraptions." He said with furrowed brows

"Talking about playing safe, you Volvo driver." She taunted.

"Is that supposed to be an insult?" He said with raised brows challenging the girl.

"Nope. It's not insulting if you'd rather chose a safe vehicle than a cool and very fast vehicle." She said snidely.

"You like fast vehicles then?"

"Yes."

"And you think I don't?"

"Another yes."

"That's where you're wrong darling."

Aquila shoved him lightly while they continue their little banter while laughing. After Aquila reached her motorcycle, she gave Edward one last wave then she rides home.

"You have been awfully close with her." Rosalie said as she appeared just right beside Edward with Emmett, Jasper and Alice.

"She isn't bad at all Rose." Alice said. "Besides she did save Edward from exposing himself."

"She's a human, Alice."

'Even I am not sure about that.' Edward heard Alice thought.

"What do you mean Alice?" He asked his adoptive sister.

"She's... Very difficult to see. Everytime I try to look into her future, all I could see are different colored lights and people screaming. It's too dark."

"Oh great. She's a freak." Rosalie said with fake enthusiasm.

"She's my mate!" Edward snarled at her. "Say anything against her again and I promise you will regret it."

Jasper and Emmett tried to keep Rosalie and Edward away from each other to make sure they won't attack, especially not in the middle of the school parking lot. Edward got inside his car and drove away.

"I told you we'd need the jeep." Alice said in a sing song voice to defuse the tension.

Emmett and Jasper exchanged glance. The latter smirked victoriously while the former grumbled. Jasper did finish the lollipop and he hadn't puked it out so he initially won their bet.

As Aquila arrived home, she contemplated. The Gryffindor in her wants to confront the vampires. Her inner Hufflepuff wanted to help them because according to Maggie there are some covens with golden eyes that choose to change their diet. As an honorary Slytherin because she was raised by the Malfoys, she wants to make sure to turn those vampires as her allies, not her enemies. But then after being almost sorted into Ravenclaw, she figured she needed to know more before making her move in order to avoid unnecessary troubles. So for now, she'll observe and wait. But one thing was still stucked in her mind.

'How can you have this effect on me, Edward Cullen?'

_____