Bella Swan was depressed. Charlie didn't know what to do because his daughter was acting out. She was like a zombie because Edward and the Cullens left her forever. Charlie was a little less thankful for Renee's genes and attitude that Bella undoubtedly inherited. She was overreacting saying Aquila made Edward and his family leave her.

Charlie didn't know how to cure his daughter's obsessive behavior. When he called Renee about it, she blamed Luna's daughter's presence instead of offering a solution. It turned out Bella convinced Renee that Edward was her boyfriend and Aquila stole him.

At school, Bella pushed all her friends away. She'd sit at the Cullen's regular table with a sullen look. She ignored everyone asking about when Aquila, the Cullens and the new kids would come back. She would snap at them, making them move away from her.

She had been seeing hallucinations of Edward every time she does something dangerous. Edward's hallucination self had been telling her not to get on with it yet she still did. When she had a movie night with Jessica on Port Angeles, she saw Edward's hallucination again when she saw some bikers that she thought were the frat boys. Edward keep on appearing as she ride with a drunk man. When he disappeared, she made him stop and got off as Jessica scolds her to never do that again.

After the first three months that they haven't come back, Bella found solace in Jacob Black's arms. She hung out with him, even repaired two motorcycles with him. After all, she can do what Aquila can... Well not really since she crashed the motorcycle on a huge rock. Jacob slowly fell for her. Bella was using him to entertain herself while Edward was away.

None of them expected three people observing the two of them from afar. Sam, Jared and Paul watched Jacob closely, expecting him to shift. When Sam turned, the others followed him as they slunk soundlessly into the woods.

Charlie was starting to worry. Two hikers were found dead due to animal attacks, again. He was contemplating calling Aquila or the Cullens for help. He knew this isn't just any animal attacks, and knowing that wizards, witches and even vampires exist, people dying in the woods didn't settled well for him.

Lucky for him, after being away for five months, they finally came back with a new bundle of joy added to the family.

"Uncle C! Uncle C! Look! I have a new baby!" Aquila giddily skipped towards her uncle to show her goddaughter. "Her name is Delphini Merope Riddle. But you can call her Delphi."

Charlie almost fainted.

He thought he would be immuned since Luna got married at nineteen and got pregnant at twenty. Looks like Aquila can give her mother a run for her money. His beloved niece is growing up too fast. But he can't blame her. A person can surely grow up faster if their lives are constantly in the line.

Bella glared at the small reunion happening in front of her house. She saw her father acting happier with her cousin and the newcomers. Edward wouldn't give her a small chance to prove to him that he is better than her cousin. They're so happy without her and that single thought infuriated her.

She is done with waiting for Victoria's plan. She went out of the house and walked inside the woods. After hours of walking, she found a small meadow, a very familiar small meadow. She swears this is the meadow in one of Aquila's pictures, the polaroid picture where she is smiling happily with Edward. She is currently standing at Edward and Aquila's special place.

Why can't it be her?

Aquila had everything she ever wanted. Beauty, brain, talent, being loved by everyone, rich and most importantly Edward. Aquila had Edward and Edward wanted no one but Aquila. She's trying to convince herself that Edward just needs a little nudge in the right direction. Maybe if Edward can see what she had, he'd realize that it is her that he wants, that it can be her too.

But she wouldn't have to try this hard if it wasn't for Aquila. If she didn't come to Forks in the first place, everyone's attention would be on her. Edward might see her as someone intriguing since she is not like other girls.

Bella directed all of her frustrations into ripping all the beautiful flowers on her vicinity. With tears and snot streaming down her face, she angrily cried, ripped and threw anything and everything. Then someone unexpected came into her view.

"I must admit I didn't expect to find you here." The dark skinned vampire, Laurent, said.

"I live here. But you... I thought you were in Alaska with Carlisle's friends?"

"Tanya...it was kind of him to make arrangements given my association with James and Victoria, the enemy." Laurent confirmed.

"You tried to avoid any arguments with the Cullens." Bella pointed out.

"I tried to avoid the wrath of the lady of the most ancient and most noble house of Black." Laurent corrected as he strolled closer to Bella, assessing her defenseless state. "I went to visit the Cullen's as they came back but I came across you. Is it true that you are working with Victoria to kill Lady Black?"

"Lie." Edward's voice whispered to Bella.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Lie better." Her hallucination of Edward ordered.

"I'll tell the Cullen's you stopped by."

Laurent grinned at her "You can't actually lie to me. I can hear your heart beating faster."

Bella tried to change the topic. "Have you cross paths with them?"

"Unfortunately, no. You see Lady Black and the Cullens were quite busy with the wizarding world affairs. Tanya's 'vegetarian' family was pleasant enough. But their dietary restrictions were difficult. Living on nothing but animals." Laurent stated.

"So Aquila isn't the only freak? Why would she be busy because of their affairs?" Bella asked.

"You don't know? Lady Aquila Callisto Black is the richest and most influential witch in Britain. You are close to them, are you not? You're Lady Black's cousin." Suddenly, Laurent speed towards Bella. He was in front of her in a blink of an eye. "Tell me, Bella. Do you ever feel compelled to... Cheat?" Bella involuntarily stepped back. "But that's not why I left. I came back here as a favor to Victoria."

"You're still friends." Bella mumbled in realization.

Laurent shrugged. "More or less. She sent me to get the lay of the land with the Cullens. Because well... Victoria is quite put out with Lady Black. And you are in league with her in this, yes?"

"Is it because Aquila killed her boyfriend? Why are the Cullen's in this?" Hurting the Cullen's isn't part of Bella's plan. She just wants Aquila gone.

"You see, she feels it's only fair to kill Aquila's mate given that she killed hers." Laurent revealed. "An eye for an eye. Mate for a mate. She didn't tell you?"

Terror overwhelmed Bella for Edward.

"This isn't what we agreed with! The Cullens shouldn't be harmed! Only Aquila!"

"I don't think the Cullen's care for you that much. I have heard about Lady Black being mated to Edward Cullen. How could they protect you if you are nothing to them?" Laurent laughed as he looked at Bella.

"I--" Bella trailed off.

"Victoria sent me here for informations about the Cullen's and to turn you." He continued. "She wouldn't be happy if I accidentally kill you instead."

"No, Laurent..."

"No, no, no. Don't be upset. I'm doing you a kindness." Laurent tried to pretend and comfort Bella. "Victoria plans on killing your beloved slowly, painfully. The venom itself is excruciating and you will have to live without Edward... whereas I'll make it very quick." Laurent inhaled as he smelled Bella's blood. "And you smell so mouth watering."

Before she could threaten him, a pack of huge wolves. Laurent can't believe it and ran to get away. But unfortunately, the huge wolves were fast enough to get to him and rip him apart. Leaving a frightened Bella to run for her life and head back home.

_____

A/N:

I don't like Bella but depressed her had been my mood for two weeks. And no it's not because of a break up coz I ain't wasting my time being sad for a boy. It's because the schedule of my prelims are literally in two weeks and we still don't have a professor for three freaking subjects.

(younger and older)

(younger and older)

I know Luna died young but if she grew older, then I'd picture her as Winona Ryder.