The Cutting Remark

For those of you wonderful people who read my 'What Jasper Hates' saga, this is how the 'cutting remark' from Rosalie ended up with her going through the wall.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

The entire family sat in the Cullen lounge room. They were currently in Geneva, and it was the school break, so the five Cullen children had limitless time on their hands.

Alice sat on my lap. I cradled her left hand in mine, my right hand was wrapped gently around her waist. She had just had a nonessential vision, and her head was resting on my shoulder.

Edward sat at his piano, composing a song. It sounded like life, light and dark, the endless lives of the undead…

Carlisle and Esme were discussing the refurbishment of a 16th century Cottage not too far from here. It was to be Rosalie and Emmett's anniversary gift.

In other words, a reason to get them out of the house.

They had been… slightly…very… sickening to watch. Alice and mine's careful and respectful relationship looked like two people who didn't even know each other next to their gooey eyed romance.

Edwards' hands crashed gently on the keys. "Ah, Rosalie, Emmett. Would you mind leaving the room while you do that?"

The aforementioned couple had started kissing, and while we – normal vampires (except of course my Alice) – could at least turn our backs, Edward was subjected to the more… intimate details.

I had never felt so sorry for anyone.

"Why?" Asked Rosalie, resurfacing. "We were here first."

Ah, the standard human nine-year-old response it is.

"Because I wish to play my piano in peace. You both have a perfectly nice and convenient room, little a walk away."

"Yes," I agreed, amused. "Your emotions do become rather… influential… from time to time." I squeezed Alice suggestively. I was rewarded with her tinkling laugh.

"I have to agree." She trilled. "Jasper and I are in love as much as you are-" I coughed an interruption at that moment; our relationship was far more than that, "But we would rather we didn't end up hearing your thoughts, feeling your emotions or seeing your… later intentions."

"At least my love is real, not made up in your head by your freak boyfriend." She snarled.

Alice froze. So did her emotions. I gripped her arm. What had she said? I struggled to make sense of it. Surely, the way I had interpreted it… Rosalie would never imply…

"What?" Alice hissed.

Rosalie pulled away from Emmett and stood up, looking down on my tiny pixie, folding her arms over her chest, her nose scrunched in a superior expression.

"He's an empath. How can you trust your emotions? You may not even love him. He's so clingy to you, he could just be hanging around you so much to keep fooling you into thinking you love him."

A shiver ran down Alice's spine. Her expression betrayed shock, horror, and pain.

And then, my heart was torn in two. I most probably staggered under the weight of Alice's mental anguish. She was upset. She was in pain.

"No" I moaned, my voice dripping with agony. Stop, Alice, it's fine. Please, don't be sad…

And then the feeling was gone.

And so was Alice.

Gone from my arms.

Slipped away.

I turned, snarling at Rosalie. Right now, she was my prey.

Her expression flickered slightly in fear. A tiny portion of me wondered what my face must look like.

And then I hit her, she hadn't even a chance. She went flying through the wall, wrecking a mosaic or two on her way through.

At least Esme's plates were still intact.

I didn't see her land, I was already out the door, going to find my Alice. Her pain, I had to reassure her. I just hoped she… she didn't… she didn't believe what Rosalie had said.

How could she? She knew I loved her. She knew she loved me of her own accord…

Didn't she?

Just as I left, I heard the voices from back in the house, finally breaking the silence.

Edward whistled. "I've always wanted to do that"

Emmett glared at him, turning back to the wall. "So have I."