'But in returning to school on Monday, I found myself more intrigued with participating than I had been since first starting in September.'        Interesting side effect of his camaraderie with Keira.  In the books they were all so aloof...

  '“Still getting really close to that girl.  Pretty soon you’re gonna have to ask her out.  That would really send Rose over the edge.”        To that, I smiled, moving to where my gym clothes were and changing.  My smile never faded.'        Does it mean he doesn't think it is all that bad an idea?        ;)

  Your Edward seems much less hesitant about having something with Keira.  I suppose the slow development of their relationship helped; and the fact she isn't his singer.  Tell me, Alexa, does he cultivate that nonsense about being a soulless creature?

  'She knew neither of us was ordinary, but more than that, I somehow knew she was no more ordinary than either me or Emmett.'          I have the impression he is talking about more than just her ability to deal with the Cullens' secret.  Am I seeing too much?        :-]

  'Venom filled my mouth, and I was on the very brink of doing something I swore I would never do again just as four sets of hands clamped around my arms and pulled me away from him.'        That was so close!  And Ethan, the idiot, have no idea...        :-o

  Ethan seems like the type to gather some like-minded bullies and try to take revenge on Edward.  It would be a tricky situation for him to escape from unexposed.        :-]

  I'm liking Mr. Jennings.  He seems to be a fair man.

  “I knew you were a juvenile delinquent when I first saw you,”(...)        “Yes, it will, and you know it will.  And you should also know that I’ll be telling my father how much I think you’re spending too much time with my sister.”        The same can't be said of Kyle.        :-/

  'I bowed my head then, thankful for once that I hadn’t done permanent damage to the friendship we’d been able to build over the last two months.'        Up to this point, I confess I was affraid the scene with Ethan could be too much for Keira.  Relief!        :)

  Who needs a pair of foreign vampires to stir things when you have high school?  Good one, Alexa.        ^_^

Author's Response:

The AU qualities are all starting to take hold the further into this story I get, and I'm glad you're noticing.  And yes, there's something other than that about Keira that makes her different.  I won't say anything other than that.

I'm really glad you're enjoying it.  I look forward to seeing what you pick up on.  The best stuff is yet to come.

  'While the man, Connor, wanted to possess Keira and quite possibly change her into a vampire, the woman, Piper, wished nothing more than to taste her blood.'        Heh!  I got it right about Connor.

  'If we remain calm, Connor and his mate will have left the area, and everything will go back to normal.'        While I admire Carlisle peaceful ways, I bet this is just wishful thinking.        :-/

  'I’d never been to a school dance before, and watching the images of us play out in her head made me wonder what such a thing would feel like.'        This time, the girl wants to go to dance.        :)

  'I was accustomed to Keira being around the way she was now.  And I knew I would only become more accustomed to her as time went on.  It didn’t matter that she was human and would probably die after another eighty or ninety years.  I didn’t care that she would never be the same as me, since I absolutely refused to think of anyone changing her into a vampire — even me.'        Somethings haven't changed, I see.  He will have to work on that one.  Again.        ;)

  A curious difference, Carlisle's disapproval of the situation with Keira.  I suppose, at the time, he wasn't so concerned with Edward's loneliness.  Or, maybe, it's because, with Keira, it isn't something so deep as it was with Bella.

  Not yet, anyway.        ;)

Author's Response:

Yeah, you got me on Connor.  And it's a complicated situation.

And don't worry about Keira turning into a vampire.  We won't be pulling a Bella in this story, and that's all I'm going to say on that.

As far as Carlisle, this is the way I think he should've behaved with Bella.  Yes, Edward had been alone a hundred years, but did Carlisle ever think he did it out of choice.  Despite not being able to stay away from Bella, Edward knew how dangerous it was and tried to make her see that.  The rest of his family had their reasons for behaving the way they did, but it was still dangerous.  After Bella knew, they all (except Rosalie) acted like everything was normal despite the constant threat.

This doesn't diminish Edward's feelings for Keira.  I wanted to write a story about him meeting someone he could be friends with - without the desire to kill her hanging over his head.  And I wanted to write a story of him being friends and having all the normal things happen when you just let yourself feel it.

And don't worry.  Those feelings are only going to get stronger.  ;-)

I think you are doing a fine job of story telling. I like that your story isn't an Edward and Bella story but is different. I think I will like reading this so lets see where this goes. I will follow till the end.

Lilly

  Heheh!  Using Dracula as a way to introduce the subject was an interesting idea.        :)

  'Of all the things I'd been expecting, this was nothing in the realm of what I could've imagined.  Vampires.'        Hmm... I would have imagined it was on her list, since werewolves crossed her mind.  Chapter 8, remember?

  "It's so much more important to me that they be protected from our world, and now that, by extension, includes you and your family and quite possibly everyone you've ever known."        Indeed.  As fascinating as it is for Keira to learn about these things, and for them to make a new friend, their futures are becoming quite entangled.        :-|

  '"I've never met anyone like you.  And believe me when I say that because it's true.  But I didn't want to put you in danger this way.  I tried to avoid you, but you wouldn't go away.  Now, I don't know what to do.  But I won't let anything happen to you.  I won't let anyone hurt you.  No matter what I have to do."        The gravity of his words was enough to send chills through me, and even though I'd never met anyone like him either, I knew I was too young to be thinking what I was thinking.'        Hmmmmm, it almost looked like a declaration here.  From both parties.        ;)

  "Did you know that when a vampire feeds off of human blood, his eyes turn into rubies?"        Ah, I was in fact wondering if this was the case in your universe.        :)

  Connor seemed cordial enough, but, given Edward's reaction, I bet his thoughts had a different tone.    :-[

  All in all, nice chapter, Alexa.

Author's Response:

With the way Edward did the story telling in Twilight, I wanted to change things up with Carlisle, since he is from that time period, and I did do my research.  I had to use a lot of elements from the book, but I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  So I'm glad you liked it.

And while she might have considered werewolves, remember, she's only fifteen, and it's 1945.  And back in those days, vampires were still kind thought of as hideous monsters, not the kind we think of now.  And she's been exposed to things like that only through friends and maybe books.  Times were really conservative back then, and all of that will come into play much later.

I'm happy you liked this chapter.  The next one will reveal a lot more, so stay tuned.

  'And he was still reminding me that above anything else, our safety was most important.  I didn't have the nerve to tell him it was changing for me.'        Interesting.  Very interesting.  And familiar.        P-)

  'But the more I played it over in my head, the more ridiculous it sounded.  And the more I listened to myself try to explain it away, the more I knew I didn't want to lie to her.'        Good!  Very good!        ^_^

  'I glanced at Keira, and she looked at me before stepping closer to him slowly to put her arms around him.  Both Rosalie and I stiffened the moment Emmett returned her gesture, but then he let go, and it was over.  Keira forgave easier than she forgot, apparently, but she was no longer afraid.'        Remarkable.  Shy, observant and brave.  Perfect!        :)

  'I'd never done anything like this before, so it was a little strange at first, but as we neared the block her house was located on, I'd already become accustomed to it.  She fit easily into my arms, and it felt like I'd always been meant to have her in my life now.  I liked how that felt.'        I'm liking this, too.  I'm as much a Edward/Bella fan as the next guy.  But, if you are guiding these two to where I think you are, you have green light from me.

  I just hope you won't break them apart when/if Bella appears.  A connection is a connection.        ;)

  "Shh.  It's all right.  I never did it intentionally.  But I was so curious about you.  After you began speaking to me, I didn't have to do it as much.  Mostly, it's only things you're thinking in the moment."        Hmm, does your Edward have a better control over his telepathy?  I have seen indications of this in past chapters too.  You know that, in canon, he can't turn it off, right?

  "It's better if Carlisle tells you the rest. I don't want to frighten you, and despite your determination, I can promise it isn't something you're expecting. Just sleep.  I'll be here when you wake up."        Oh, I don't know about that.  Inteligent and intuitive as she is, and considering she thought about werewolves, the truth wouldn't be too much of a leap.        ;)

  Thanks for bringing this story to us, Alexa!  I will watch for the next chapters.  Eagerly!        ^_^

  You described Carlisle and Esme's eye colors, and Edward's green and Rosalie's violet-blue are common knowledge.  So, just for me to picture him in my mind correctly, what color are Emmett's eyes?

Author's Response:

I'm really glad you liked this chapter.  I have to admit that I really liked writing it.  I love writing this story, so rest assured that there will be more.  And don't worry about Bella showing up and stirring things up.  Not between Edward and Keira in my story anyway.  I have big plans for them that will reveal themselves by the end of this story and quite possibly into the next if I submit here.

I'm still waiting on the next chapter from my beta, but as soon as she's finished, you'll be able to read more.  And I can't believe I haven't described Emmett's eyes up to this point.  Sorry.  They're kind of about the same shade as Esme's, but I would say his are a little richer - you know, since he's so sweet and all.

Thanks again for reading and reviewing!  I look forward to hearing from you again.

  'Kyle was insufferable through dinner, making snide remarks about my impending detention and wondering how I was going to get home because he wasn't going to be waiting for me to get out of detention.  Fisher tried to change the subject several times, talking about the basketball team holding trials and one of his teachers assigning a particularly difficult assignment.'        It's official:  Kyle is a jerk!  And Fisher is a nice fellow.  Will Kyle be like this the whole story?  Just a rethorical question.        ;)

  "Thank you," she breathed, sitting down quickly.  "Ethan won't leave me alone, and Jennifer keeps trying to shove me into his lap."        And Kyle is not alone.  But Edward's little circle of friends seems to be growing, thanks to that.

  Abigail and Fisher, by the way, must be a nice couple.        :-]

  "Oh, honey, you should go with Edward," my mother chimed in.  "Fisher's probably already there."            "Annabeth, I think our daughter's had enough excitement for one week,"(...)            "Walter, he's a nice boy," she informed him.  "He's apologized for doing anything wrong, and Fisher's going to be there.  He'll bring her home."        Hehehee!  Edward definitely charmed her mother.        P-)

  'I smiled as he rubbed his finger in the clay and came at me with it.  I backed away, almost missing him dabbing it on my cheek, and he laughed before realizing how close we were.  His smile faded almost completely, and his eyes became heavy-lidded.  He opened his mouth to speak just as the door opened to allow Emmett onto the porch.'        Ops!  Is it my imagination or there was something there?        *wiggling brows*

  "My family and I are going camping with the weather clearing up, so we'll have to do our cataloguing later in the week."        Hmm...  Without Alice, how do they know the weather will clear up?  I doubt weather forecast was that good in the 40's.         :-T

  All in all, a good chapter. Things are developing.        :)

Author's Response:

Yes, Kyle is a jerk, and yes, Fisher is a very nice guy.  That's all I can say right now.

Those two will get their comeuppance.  Ethan and Jennifer.

You're on the right track.

Of course, he charms everyone.

It's not your imagination.

It's got a lot to do with their sense of smell and just the fact that their senses are a hundred times sharper than anyone else's.  It's not about prediction.

Again, thanks for reviewing and reading!  Stay tuned.

  'How was I supposed to avoid her when I had to sit next to her in every class, where the teachers all seemed keen on seating us next to each other for the mere fact of us both being new to them?'        Ah, so this is why...

  “I’m not pursuing her, Rosalie. I’m just trying to figure her out.  She’s very complex — not at all like the other students here.”        So, this is a contest.  And, of course, Edward have an edge.        :)

  “Did you get dragged here, too?” Fisher asked me, and I looked at him.        “Of course,” I confirmed.        “And you would much rather be at home doing something else worth your time?”        Fisher was almost a psychic here.        X-)

  'Keira inhaled deeply, glancing at me and smiling politely.  “Vous avez déplacé ici de Rochester?” she inquired, blushing even more deeply and inadvertently causing a reaction I wasn’t expecting as she stirred my thirst unknowingly.        I felt my chest constrict slightly, and I had to look away, attempting to recover as quickly as possible and unwillingly coughing softly.'        Strange.  Was this just a thirst surge?

  Why does Edward say it's strange Keira thinking how cold is his hand?  Seems to me like the obvious thing to think.

  Now that Edward gave up avoiding Keira, that he will give them being friends a try, I think things will become interesting.        ;)

Author's Response:

Yep.  That's why.

I don't know necessarily about an edge Edward has.  But stay tuned.

More of Fisher's talents will reveal themselves in the near future.

Yes.  She caused his thirst to surge, but not in the way Bella did.  This surge is completely different, and it will be revealed why by the end.

Edward thinks it's odd for her because normally people wouldn't accept that his skin is cold.  They would think he was supposed to be warm.  But she accepts that he's cold.

Again, thanks for reading and reviewing!

  'Being from the city made us sort of stand out as neither Kyle nor Fisher were wearing the typical things of the school, and neither was I.  But these were the only clothes I owned, so I never said anything to anyone about it.'        The only clothes?  It sounds strange.  I thought they were rich.        :-/

  “First of all,” he said, his voice laced with disgust.  “We’re not children.  Or rather, I’m not.  Second, you don’t know us, and it’s probably better that you don’t behave that way.  And I already know where to go, so I’ll let you deal with the two of them.”        Kyle = idiot, it seems.  I'm poorly impressed.

  Hmm, Edward definitely gave the "cold shoulder" to Keira.  I'm still puzzled why.  Not much of a gentleman for someone who values being one.        :-/

  'There was something strange about him, and it wasn’t just because of his clothes, or his eyes, or his manners.  I’d always been able to sort of read people just by looking at them, and my gut told me there was something different about him.'        Oho, Edward found a match.        :)

  Mr. Jones seems to be very passionate about the war.  Is it just personal conviction, or did he lose someone there, I wonder?

  I hope to see ahead what makes Edward so uncomfortable around Keira, as well as how much will she figure out about him, now that she is up to it.        :)

Author's Response:

Well, when Keira says her only clothes, she doesn't mean the amount of clothes, but the style.

Kyle is not pleasant.  I agree.  But I'm hoping to work on that.

He's trying to avoid her because he knows something about her.  Like he tried to avoid Bella, but for a completely different reason.  Stay tuned.

Of course, he's found one.

Mr. Jones, Walter, is a practical man.  He's a lawyer and doesn't believe in fighting, something he obviously didn't pass on to his sons.

Thanks for reading!  I'm looking forward to reading what you think.

Hmmmmm... I'm thinking Edward would have been after Emmett like a shot as soon as he realized Emmett was after a human. Regardless of who the human was.

 

and so! We have Edward in a young lady's bedroom!

 

Oh the scandal!

Author's Response:

Yep.  Very scandalous.

Thanks for reading!

Oh no! Poor Keira!

 

Lord knows she can't get away from Emmett!

 

Yep, that was a cliff hanger! Can't wait to read your next installment.

Author's Response:

:-)

That's all I'll say.

Thanks for reading!

its very annoying that kyle is a douche...i hope edward scares the crap out of him lol....and i love your story cant wait for the next chapter

Author's Response:

Kyle IS annoying.  Haha.  :-)  I don't know about Edward scaring him, but it wouldn't be far of a stretch.  Thanks for reading!

i love emmett ha ha....kiera is ok but not sure what i feel about her yet...like that edward has a girl to look forward to that isnt bella...i am wondering if he would change her if he could..would your edward be as sticky about it as sm edward is...

Author's Response:

I'll respond to all your reviews at once, to keep down confusion.  I'm glad you're liking what you're reading so far.  With the story still ongoing, it's hard to really go into detail about the plans I have for this, but one thing I can promise is that Edward won't be with Bella.  She will make an appearance eventually, if I continue the story for as long as I have planned, but it won't be with Edward.

It's understandable to be doubtful of Keira.  She's new, and you're still getting to know her.  She knows something is different about Edward, but it obviously isn't what really is different.  Give her time to grow on you.  And I'm glad you like Fisher.  Not many people have told me what they think of the other characters specifically.

I tried to keep the Cullens' characteristics the same as in the series, and it's good that you're seeing that.  And don't worry about Edward thinking about changing Keira.  That issue will come up soon enough.

Thanks for reading!