"Is it true that you stole and crashed Mike Newton's dad's car?" Bella asked. The truck rumbling around them as they drove to school. It was trying to snow. Rain drifting down in tiny flakes that melted on the hood. 

"Yeah", Chaney grunted, still tired. He had slept in that morning, which was surprising. He was often awake first. Yet this time it took Charlie hammering on his door to rouse him from he best sleep he'd had in almost two weeks. He was still groggy and clutching a thermos of coffee that Bella had shoved into his hands as soon as he had emerged from the house. The kind gesture had made him pause in surprise and he was still reeling from it. He would have thought that after seeing Bella sitting with Mike, Eric, and Angela, that she would avoid him like the rest of them. 

"Why?" 

It was such a simple question yet far too heavy for such an early hour. Chaney shrugged. "Revenge. A cry for help. Because I could. Pick an answer". 

"Revenge?" She repeated.

"Mike has an older brother. He and his mates beat me up when I wasn't able to deal them drugs. They broke something precious to me. So I decided to break something of theirs". His tone was matter of fact. Two years ago he might have spat it in a rage. Now it was low on his list of things to be angry about. 

Bella hummed. "Did you tell my dad?" 

"No. There was no point. I was going to be sent to juvie anyway". 

There was a moment of silence as Bella visibly processed the conversation. "I remember you", she spoke after a moment. "We used to play togethers as kids. Us. Jacob. Your mom would bring you over and we would play in the garden. You were a good friend. What happened?" 

Chaney turned to her, trying to figure out what emotion was on her face. She was so naive. Trying to find a connection between the version of him she recalled and the person he was now. She wanted to understand him. "You remember a six year old. It's been over ten years. I am not the person you once knew. I don't need you to understand me". 

She flinched at the reasoning. "It's so strange coming back here. It's just like I remember. But very different too. I just thought I would have someone I knew here and at school since Jake goes to school on the reservation". The truck pulled into the car park and came into a stop in a space near the road. The engine cut out and there was a moment of silence between them. 

"You might need me but I don't need you". Chaney stated firmly. He didn't stay to take in her expression as he downed the rest of the coffee before leaving the thermos on his chair before sliding out of the truck. The door clanged behind him as he shrugged on his backpack and set off towards the doors. 

A familiar sensation rose on the back of his neck and he turned his head to see Edward watching him again from beside his silver Volvo. Today the bronze haired boy was wearing a deep green jumper. He lifted a hand and waved. Instantly heads turned towards Chaney and whispers broke out across the parking lot. He scowled back at the greeting and saw Edward smirk. 

Chaney stomped towards him. "What do you want?" He grumbled as he reached the car. Edward leaned nonchalantly back against the hood and smiled at him. It was far too perfect for Chaney to want to deal with so early. 

"Just wanted to say hi to a friend. Unless you don't consider us friends?" 

"And you do?" Chaney eyed him. "Stranger". 

Edward chuckled, seeming just as surprised at the noise as previously. He smiled wryly. "Delinquent". 

Chaney snorted. The name calling catching him off guard. "How childish of you". 

"It's not usually my thing but I guess I can make an exception", he smirked. 

"Wow. You're letting yourself be known? God forbid people begin to learn your personality" Chaney sassed. The thrill of poking a predator rising up again. 

"People. No. You? I could deal with that". Edward crossed his arms. Smirk growing larger and intensifying the giddy feeling developing in Chaney's chest. 

"Flirting again?" 

"What are you going to do about it?" It was a challenge. But his mood was already bad that morning and maybe that was the reason why he felt the need to up it. The need to poke the tiger harder and see if he would finally get bitten. "There is something off about you. I can tell. You're dangerous". 

Edward's smirk slipped away as his expression hardened. "I should be warning you of that". 

Chaney rolled his eyes. "Are you going to say that I could die? How original". 

"You could die if you hang out around me. I guess I am selfish because I want you regardless". His words were just loud enough for Chaney to hear. It scared him but it thrilled him even more. Edward tapped his own temple again. "I am curious about what goes on inside that head Chaney". 

"You're going to be woefully dissatisfied". 

"I am dangerous", Edward reminded. 

Chaney rolled his eyes. "So am I". 

Edward didn't seem amused. He straightened and stepped closer so that they were only centimetres away. There was no warmth coming off him and Chaney found himself mentally cataloguing the information. He was suddenly aware that the rest of the Cullens were gathered around the red jeep parked on the other side of the Volvo. They were watching their exchange silently. Eyes on Chaney as Edward stepped forwards. "This is not a game", Edward ground out. Voice deeper and harsh enough to almost catch the longer haired boy by surprise. "I am trying to warn you away from me". 

"Whiplash", Chaney muttered. He adjusted his bag strap and sighed. "Whatever Eddie. Danger, I could die. Big deal. I could have died many times before now. I could have died when I crashed Newton's car into that streetlight. Wasn't wearing a seatbelt. I could have died when I was stabbed. But no. I am still kicking. If you are trying to frighten me away then you forgot one thing". 

He leaned forwards to close the gap between them, meaning to poke the bronze haired boy in the chest but a pale hand shot up and caught his wrist in it's grip. Edward's touch was startlingly cold and rigid. It felt like touching a statue. Immovable and not alive. Chaney's breathe stuttered at the feeling and he turned wide eyes onto the grip. It was surprising but the cold was not unpleasant. It reminded him of plunging his hands into the crisp cool water of mountain streams. Unlike every other touch from the past two years, this one did not make his skin crawl. It was grounding and startling by how nice it felt. 

Rosalie made a sharp hissing noise with her teeth and Edward let go as suddenly as he had reached up. His arm was down and he was stepping back before Chaney had finished comprehending what had happened. "Huh", he voiced as he lifted his gaze back up to the bronze haired boy. "Interesting". He brought up his headphones and turned away to walked back towards the school. 

"Wait". Edward's voice made him pause. "What did I forget?" 

Chaney turned and stuck his hands into his pockets as he flashed the Cullens a smile. "You say we're friends when you know so little? Figure it out for yourself Eddie. See you around". Then he turned and aware of all the eyes now on him, trudged back to school. His heart loud in his chest as he walked away from creatures he was now certain were not human. 

Yet for some reason the knowledge did not scare him. In fact it almost comforted him.

--------------------------

He should have guessed that Andy and Dawn would be waiting for him at lunch. Chaney saw the two of them beelining for his table with their trays and groaned. He was, however, surprised to see Bella nervously doing the same. He watched her with a slight frown. He had thought that their car conversation would have scared her away. Yet here she was, dodging Jessica's and Mike's calls and heading right for his table. 

"What the hell was that between you and Edward Cullen earlier?" Andy demanded as he slammed his tray down on Chaney's left. The longer haired boy immediately reached out and stole the bottle of orange juice from it. "Hey!" 

"Tax if you want me to talk", Chaney shrugged as he unwrapped his sandwich. 

"Then you're talking", Andy threatened. It was about as intimidating as a rolled up newspaper. 

"About what?" Dawn asked as she took the chair on Chaney's right opposite Andy. She wordlessly put down an apple on the table and his hand grabbed it before it could be rescinded. "About the flirting between him and Cullen? Honestly I thought the boy was Ace or something. He never seemed interested in anything. The lgbt club asked him to join a few times but he always refused". 

"There's a lgbt club?" Chaney asked as the apple crunched under his teeth. 

"Yeah. It's been active for years". 

"I never pay attention to clubs". 

"We know", Dawn rolled her eyes. 

Bella set her tray down and pulled up the last seat. Dawn and Andy stared at her for a second. "Can I sit here?" She asked. It sounded more like a statement than a question. 

"Hey", Andy clicked his fingers and shot her a finger gun. "You're Bella Swann. The new girl right? Why aren't you sitting with the bimbos over there?" He waved at Jessica's and Mike's table. 

"They're annoying", Bella wrinkled her nose. 

Dawn chuckled. "Damn right. Hi. The name is Dawn. I guess you're currently living with Chaney. You poor soul". 

"Actually I see him more at school than at home. If it wasn't for the bathroom occasionally being locked then I would think that he as a ghost". She smiled and it was more teasing than awkward. It almost suited her. Maybe she was more robust than Chaney had given her credit for. 

"I am surprise he's still there. I thought he would have run off to live in the woods by now", Andy laughed. 

"I've still got four and a bit months until I turn eighteen so there's still time", Chaney grumbled. "Your jumper is horrible by the way". 

Andy looked offended despite his jumper looking like something a colour blind grandma would knit. "Says the guy who has worn nothing but multipack clothing and prison jumpsuits in the last seven years". His tone and words caused Bella to giggle. 

"So you two knew him before Juvie?" She asked. 

"Yeah", Dawn shrugged. "I hired him to help me steal and burn my ex's clothes. Turned out he wasn't too bad so I stuck around". 

"Unfortunately I made the mistake of sticking to him when he beat up my bullies in middle school. I can't leave now". Andy grinned. "Also I hired him to help me break into the high school to spray paint over their football logos". 

"I was arrested for that", Chaney grunted as he got the juice open and took a swig. He lowered it and stuck out his tongue in disgust. "It's got bits in? Yuck". He jammed the lid back on and shoved it back at a cackling Andy. 

"Has he always been like this?" Bella asked Dawn while Andy regained his breath. "The rumours make you guys seem sort of scary". 

She chuckled and gestured with her fork as she talked. "Chaney is scary. But other than that if there is a thrill, he'll take it. Especially is you paid him. I am honestly surprised it took so long to get him sentenced". Her smiled faded a bit as she thought. She turned and she and Andy exchanged looks. 

Chaney crossed his arms. "What? Spit it out already". 

"You're different", Andy stated. Any humour lost. "You were more volatile before. We didn't want to say. But you once got into a fight with McCraggan once because he gave you the middle finger. Now you just seem haunted. What happened in juvie man? It's like you lost your passion". 

"Or I had my priorities set straight", Chaney corrected. "I was too self destructive". He didn't admit aloud that he still was. It was just in a different way. That dark figure in his room flashed across his mind's eye. Yes, he was self destructive in a very different way now. A 'let's tease the inhuman classmate until something snaps' way. The 'is probably going mad and is not going to talk about it' way. 

Dawn gave him a look of suspicion but thankfully didn't say anything. "So what did happen between you and Edward Cullen this morning?" She changed the subject. 

Chaney groaned as Bella glanced over at the Cullen table. "The ones that Jessica told me about? The ones who are all dating? Is Edward the one in the green jumper? He's cute". 

Chaney rested his head on one hand as Andy chuckled. "Yes. He and Chaney were talking in the car park before school this morning and I swear to god the sexual tension was insane". He rolled his eyes back and gave a pornographic moan. Chaney tossed his apple core at him. It bounced off his hair. 

Dawn sniggered. "It did look intense. So? Spill". She bumped him with her shoulder expectantly. 

"What? We sit next to each other in biology", Chaney defended. "I think he's flirting with me". 

"Edward Cullen is into bad boys? Wow. No one else here must have been bad enough for him then", Dawn grinned. 

"Maybe he's a good doctor's son who thinks he can reform our resident delinquent". Andy wriggled his eyebrows and cackled at Chaney's disgusted face. "Speaking of delinquency. Are you in lockdown or can you come hang on Saturday? Dawn and I are going to our hangout and was wondering-" he cut off with a sharp yelp as Chaney kicked him under the table. 

"Chief of police's daughter right there", Chaney rolled his eyes. 

"It's not like our spot is illegal", Andy defended, one hand rubbing his shin. Bella watching and listening intently. "Besides, she looks like she needs to let loose a bit. I got cider up there and the place could do with more paint. Got new speakers too". 

"You're talking about going drinking and partying in front of me?" Bella asked incredulously. 

"Yeah", Dawn sighed. "It's not like Chief Swann doesn't already know about it. Also, Andy is an idiot". 

"You can come too if you want", Andy smiled. "Beats going to La push with the others". 

Bella looked surprised. She glanced at Chaney to see if he would object and when he didn't, she relaxed slightly. "Yeah. I'll go". 

"Great". 

"I have a curfew. So pick me up early. Chief Swann should be on shift so pick me up after he leaves", Chaney instructed. 

"Nice", Andy crowed, visibly pleased. Dawn rolled her eyes but she still smiled slightly at the prospect. 

Bella turned a wide eyed look on him and Chaney almost chuckled at her face. She'll either be fine, or she'll run the other way. If she wanted to understand him, know him, then she'd have to stick it out. He wondered if she would. 

-------------------------

That night Chaney woke with a gasp, heart in his throat and hair sticking to his face with sweat as he fought the tangled blankets around his legs. The urge the fight, to flee was warring in his chest. Panic infusing his blood as he finally kicked off the blankets and half fell, half stumbled to his feet. 

The moon was hidden that night as he scrabbled for the window latch. One knee collided painfully with the leg of the desk as the latch clicked open and he pushed the glass up. Instantly the cold night air brushed over him, leaving a trail of goosebumps along his skin. His breath fogged and his panic began to calm. Outside there was the sharp scent of ice on the air and it settled in his chest as he just concentrated on breathing. Choked up sobs waiting in his chest for a moment of weakness, a chip in the control he was fiercely gripping onto. 

He could still see it in his head. The blood on his hands. Hear the rattling breaths and the screaming in his ears. The way his name was shaped in silent mouths. All of it painting vivid pictures in his head of too bright colours. One of the choked sobs escaped and he bent over his desk as he buried his head in his hands. His too big t-shirt hanging from his frame as he failed at his fight to not cry. 

He was so busy trying to get ahold of himself that he also missed the now increasingly familiar sensation of prickling on the back of his neck. Chaney looked up just as the clouds parted and weak moonlight spilt across the ground. It's silverly light illuminating the frost covered grass and cast the trees into shadows. 

For a second Chaney's forest stalker, his dark figure, was lit up just enough for he to glimpse his face. His breath caught but it was not out of surprise, but out of realisation. For in the middle of the garden, head turned up to his open window where Chaney stood with tears on his cheeks, was Edward. His bronze hair turned silver black in the gloom and his pale face marble gleamed in the light. He was still in the same clothes from school. His green jumper a shade or two different from the forest behind him. 

He looked beautiful and more inhuman than Chaney had ever seen. As if he was something from a story book. A fae, a spirit, or a ghoul. Something to enchant people from their houses and into the forest never to return. But then he was gone. There one second and nothing but frosted grass the next. The prickling feeling of being watched did not fade however. 

Chaney sighed deeply. His panic at the nightmare having disappeared as soon as he had caught sight of Edward. He let out a slightly manic chuckle. "There's monsters in the woods", he whispered as he ran a hand over his face. "And they can have me. Cause no one would ever believe me". 

He turned away from the window and back to his bed. Limbs shaky as he climbed back into the mess of sheets and blankets. As he rested his head onto the pillow he lifted his gaze up to his still open window. For a second he thought he glimpsed a blur of green on the other side of the room. A familiar figure in the corner watching him. He should be scared, but he was so tired. Instead he just closed his eyes and left the monster disguised as Edward Cullen to his own devices. 

Chaney did not care. 

unedited 

AN: I love Chaney but he has a lot of issues. You'll see. Boi needs a hug so bad. Shame he's about to fall head first into a toxic dark romance.