Chapter 1- Purgatory
"Renesmee, wake up.", my mother sang as she gently shook me out of my slumber.
"Ugh, what time is it?" I queried sleepily to myself as she left the room, and rolling over to look at my Rolex on the night stand. 7:45, great. I was already late, even if mom or dad ran me to school I wouldn't make it in the ten minutes it would take for me to be on time. Not that it would be allowed any way; I would have to settle for dad driving me. I got up and rushed into my bathroom, there was an outfit already hanging up next to my robe, with a note attached to it.
I knew you wouldn't have time to go through the normal routine.
So I took the liberty of picking something out for you to wear alone today.
I know. I am a life saver, but you can still thank me later if you want.
-Alice
She was right. She was a life saver. Usually when I'm not in such a hurry, we spend about an hour playing dress-up trying to figure out the right thing to wear that day with Rosalie putting in her input on days that were more important. I always loved my aunt's senses of fashion, and they get a kick out of living vicariously through me from time to time. I'm ok with it; I mean who doesn't like new clothes and attention?
I got ready in a hurry running downstairs to the kitchen where I knew my "props"; as Alice called them would be waiting for me. There sat Rosalie flipping idly through a car magazine. Emmett and Jasper were watching the game. I was certain that there was a wager riding on who would win. There was always some type of bet between my favorite uncles.
Alice floated quickly over to me, grabbing me by the hand and turning me around giving me the once over. "Yes, that turned out nicely. I knew you wouldn't have time to help pick this morning, but you'd be pleased just the same. No need to thank me. You are welcome" her high voice melodically teased.
"Thank you Auntie Alice," I giggled. "But if u knew I would over sleep you could have easily woken me."
"She has a point you know?" My mom joined in as she walked into the kitchen. "You look lovely as always." she smiled directing her attention to me.
"Thanks mom," I replied looking down. I felt heat rush to my face as I straightened out my skirt and walked over to Jasper and get my books off of the kitchen island and place them in the book bag next to it. "Props" as I called them before. This was the first time I would be going through high school but the knowledge that these books held I surpassed a long time ago. But as dad said 'it was a part of keeping our secrets safe'. Hmm speaking of dad, "Where's dad? I thought that Dad, Esme, and Carlisle wouldn't leave to hunt until later tonight."
"The semester at Dartmouth starts tomorrow, and they want to be back in time. They left while you were asleep." Jasper assured apologetically. I had forgotten about them starting their semesters as well. We left Forks five years ago, shortly after everything had cooled down with the Volturi. We spent the past four years moving around different places trying to remain inconspicuous. My accelerated growth spurt didn't help things, and I felt terrible being the cause of my family moving around so much.
I thought last year things would be looking up when Carlisle and my parents decided that my growth was slow enough for me to be able to attend a real high school. Of course my body was way past the size of a freshman girl so they enrolled me as a junior. It was within my first week in school that I realized, school was purgatory, literally. An unjust purgatory, for I have surely done nothing in my five and a half years of life to deserve such cruel and unusual punishment. There was nothing that the teachers could teach me, each class was more boring than the first one.
I literally begged my entire family to let me attend Dartmouth with them this semester. "If I spend another year in Hannover High I am going to die!" I remembered pleading.
They all laughed at my melodrama but at the same time looked at me with empathetic eyes.
"Been there kid," Emmett teased. "It's part of what we have to do to keep us protected. If you join us in college next year, we'll have to move that much sooner."
I frowned at Emmett. I knew what he was saying was right. I sighed in defeat.
"We all have to go through it sweetie," my dads velvet, soothing, voice pacified me. "You'll understand the importance when you have gone through it enough times."
Daddy knows best… I told myself sarcastically.
"Yes he does my dear, yes he does" he answered my thoughts. I usually loved it when he did that. It saved so much time and effort. Trying to organize my thoughts enough to get them out was always a frustrating process. My regular form of communicating wasn't going to help us keep our secrets any better so sucking it up was necessary. However, this time it frustrated me that he knew my thoughts so well, but not enough to try to press the issue further. I knew when I was fighting a losing battle.
I shook my head brining myself back from the memory, and finished placing the supplies I needed for senior year in my book bag. I felt a rush of cheerfulness cover my feelings of normal high school dread. Uncle Jasper and his special abilities, I thought to myself. I turned to him and smiled. I put my palm on his cheek and "showed"him images of happiness that we have shared over the years and expressing my gratitude. He smiled and nodded.
I walked around the table touching each of their faces showing them how important they were to me until I reached my mother. I touched her face and showed her not just me and her, but images of dad and the three of us together as well. She kissed me on the cheek and hugged me as tight as she could without hurting me and looked me over one more time. I told them all goodbye and I tried to hurry out of the door.
"Wait a sec kid," Emmett's bass voice halted me. I turned to see what he wanted, but saw the space that he occupied at the island was now empty. I felt a quick wisp of wind whip past me causing me to turn and see him blocking my path to the exit.
"Emmett," I groaned, "I'm going to be late. It is my first day of senior year and as much as I dread going, being late isn't a good thing." I tried to sway past him but he blocked me again.
"Oh it's human to be late once in a while," Rosalie laughed as Alice zipped past Emmett heading for the garage.
"Edward wanted us to wait until he got back to give this to you but, since you're already late," Mom explained taking my hand, "we figured you would like to try it out now."
Emmett moved from our path and followed us towards the front door with the rest short behind us. As soon as I walked outside I stopped in place. There was Alice smiling leaning against an Audi R-8, the car of my dreams.
"Oh! Oh! Oh!" I gasped in disbelief.
"We know purple is your favorite." Alice recognized rubbing her perfect fingers against the perfect plum colored paint.
"It's perfect, it's perfect, it's perfect," I screamed jumping up and down. Everyone laughed as I took the keys from Alice and raced to the driver's side. I thanked everyone again as I got in, rolling down the window to wave goodbye.
"Try not to wreck it," Emmett teased. Mom elbowed him in the side. "Geeze Bella I was only kidding, she'll be fine." She shook her head. Even smiling she couldn't hide the worry in her eyes. I blew them all a kiss and screeched off.
I raced down highway eighty-nine as fast as I could, without being pulled over. I didn't technically have a license yet, so attracting attention to myself wouldn't have been good.
I slowed as I approached exit eighteen getting on the one twenty heading towards Lebanon Street. I knew I was in a rush but the traffic didn't bother me. I considered it a temporary savior from my own personal purgatory. I flicked through the stations looking for something to listen to. I settled on a classical station and made a mental note to bring my MP3 player next time.
Even over the music my hearing was able to make out the vibrations of my cell phone in my bag. I looked at the caller id and immediately became ecstatic. I quickly turned the music off and answered the phone.
"You know I'm put out with you. You didn't call me when you got back from your run last night." I pouted only half teasing.
"I'm sorry Nessie, we were out later than I expected and I didn't want to wake you." Jacob crooned into the phone.
"Its ok, I wasn't up waiting too late," I was only half lying. I didn't like him being harder on himself than necessary. I knew the distance was already taking its toll. I hadn't seen him in a week but for someone like Jacob that was a week too long. "I miss you." I told him.
"I miss you more than you know Nessie." he replied.
"Don't worry, it's only another three months before your visit and that time will fly," trying to be encouraging was never easy when it came to our separations. But with him having to watch over La Push and me not really being able to go back to Forks anytime soon things were more difficult. We just had to grit our teeth and make due until things changed.
"I know" he sighed.
"I'm running late, but I'm approaching school now. I have to go," I said regrettably "call you tonight." hoping that the thought of later would get me through my day.
"Goodbye Nessie" he sounded disappointed. I could hear the frown in his voice as he hung up.
I sighed putting the phone back in my bag and creeping into Hanover High School's parking lot. I grabbed my book bag and tried to balance my running between normal human speeds and rushing. I jetted into the guidance office to check in tardy to the only unhappy thing in my life.
If I had to force myself to think of two things that I liked about being in high school second place would be awarded to the student body. Each group of kids was like there own individual soap opera. I enjoyed lunch time the most because it gave me a chance to mingle with each group. I waved to a group of jocks and smiled as I passed them going to my regular table. I laughed to myself as I eavesdropped on there whisper. Of course I was beautiful to them. Nowhere near as beautiful as the rest of my family but just enough to stand out. I shook my head still smiling as I approached a group of girls that I over heard critiquing my clothes. My Alexander McQueen skirt and blouse ensemble was flawless. So I knew the root of their venom was jealousy.
"Staci, Ashley, Morgan" I smiled greeting them as I walked by.
"Hello Ness" Staci smiled her normal faux smile.
First place, without question would be awarded to a single member of the student body, Asima Franklin. She moved here second semester last year and we have been friends ever since. She's a bit of a loner but I was outgoing enough for the both of us so that was ok. Her sepia skin and green eyes were almost other worldly. She was beautiful, but tried very hard to stay out of any type of spotlight. She always wore her long curly black hair in a pony tail with a t-shirt and jeans. Her attempts to go unnoticed made her stand out in their own way. In this upper class section of New Hampshire she was definitely one of the few people in this school that bought off of the rack.
She lived near Hanover Country Club, having been to her home on several occasions, I knew that her family was more than wealthy. They were never around much, her father, being a Developmental Manger for Microsoft, required a lot of travel. Her mother never leaves his side. This leaves Asima alone in New Hampshire. She hates moving as much as I do. One of the reasons we became such great friends. She was smarter than most of the students here so she also knew how it felt to be bored with the curriculum. We both were in the honors program so I thankfully had her in most of my classes. It was almost as if we were destined to be friends. Her heart beats slower than most humans, some medical condition I was certain. Her scent was also appealing, not in a food way, but just different from everyone else, if I had to describe it I would have to say a vanilla musk. I had asked her what she was wearing before, and she just laughed and shrugged. "It's probably my fabric softener. I pretty much just went with the flow after that.
I wished there was a way that we could be friends longer than the short years we would be here. I knew it was pointless because I would outlive her someday and my not aging wouldn't help our friendship either. So it was best to just enjoy it while I could.
"Hey Ness," she beamed, "nice clothes, maybe I should have taken you up on that shopping trip to Concord."
I laughed knowing that she was joking. She would never go shopping with me, it was never her thing. I looked at her ensemble today. She was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and an Abercrombie t-shirt. I sat down across from her.
"Joke all you want. I have half a mind to drag you to my house today and introduce you to Alice, she'll have you couture'd up in no time."
"No offense, your sister seems nice and all but I don't want to spend my afternoon feeling like a mannequin in a boutique window." she laughed.
The story she knew was the story that we told everyone. Carlisle and his wife Esme adopted Edward, and the rest of my aunts and uncles. Emmett, Jasper, and Rosalie already attend Dartmouth while Alice, Edward and his new wife Bella; my sister, will attend this semester. Since Bella and I are the only family we have. I didn't mind making the move to Hanover.
"Oh Alice isn't so bad. I need to introduce you to my family sooner or later. They are dying to know who I'm spending all of my free time with." I looked down at my tray debating on how much I can eat with out wanting to gag. I could survive on human food or blood. This food however, wasn't food. I picked around my tray finally settling for the apple.
"You can spend the night at my house Friday night after the football game if you want. Or are you going hiking with your family this weekend?" She asked before taking another sip of her lemonade.
"Bella, Emmett and I are going hiking this weekend. I think Edward may come too", He was already hunting when I left but was sure he wouldn't mind going with us. I wasn't allowed to hunt the bigger game but even the elk and deer I hunted tasted better than the human food. It still felt weird calling them by their first name, another part of keeping up the façade.
"I have some things to work on anyway. We can hang the weekend after," she nodded in understanding.
We sat in lunch talking; comparing our schedules, agreeing on what classes would be the worst. The lunch bell rang and Asima and I both threw the remainders of our lunch away and headed to our next class.
Study hall was my free time. I spent most of it looking through magazines trying to get an idea to add to Alice's wardrobe designs. I felt a thump on the back of my chair.
Great, now what? I asked myself rolling my eyes at the ceiling. I slowly turned around look at the face that was disturbing my one free hour.
"Ness, this weekend is the first game of the season. A couple of the other players and me," I suppressed a smile at the way he said accented the 'me' "are going over to Ramunto's afterwards to eat. You can come too, and Asima… if you guys want to."
Amazing how he started out so cocky and ended so unsure. I'm pretty sure with most girls all he had to say was the "you can come with me", and they would immediately swoon and accept. Phillip was attractive; over six feet, muscular, his dark brown hair; almost black was always gelled perfect, great bone structure, hazel eyes, all-star running back for the football team. The typical high schools crush.
Rumors circled that Phillip and his girlfriend of two years Chelsea broke up over the summer. His invitation to Ramunto's only confirmed this rumor. Not to mention the glances at our table at lunch today. I just couldn't figure out who he was looking at.
Ramunto's was the local pizza parlor off of Main Street everyone liked to attend after the home games. I worked up the most regret that I could muster, "I'm sorry Phillip. I won't be at the game at all. I'm leaving Friday to go hiking with my sister and her husband. You can ask Asima though, she might be free."
He nodded his head accepting the excuse. I turned back around praying that he would find another target to try to lock in on before the game next weekend, because then I wouldn't have an excuse.
As soon as I walked out of my final class I picked up my phone and started dialing.
"Hello," I could hear the chatter of students in the back ground. "Asima are you there? Where are you?" I asked gently pushing through students.
"I'm over by my car do you need a ride?"
"Wait by your car I'm on my way there," I gasped as I finally broke through the last group of students blocking the way to the parking lot. I ran to my new car and screeched over to the lot that Asima normally parked in. Most of the students were already heading towards the main gate leaving campus. I pulled in the spot next to solid black Mercedes C63 AMG.
She leaned her head down to look at the car over her shades. "Who would have thought that Ness of all people would be allowed a drivers license, let alone a car. Is that an Audi R8?" She questioned excitedly, now that she was over her initial shock of me driving.
She was right to be shocked. Technically I don't have a driver's license. I don't think that they are too keen on letting five year olds drive. The first chance I got I was going to make sure Dad arranged that for me.
"It sure is," I confirmed rubbing the side of the car. "I just got it before I left for school this morning."
"That's a great color. What is that plum?" She rested her shades on her head and walked around the car examining it. "This is nice." she was talking more to the car than she was me.
"I want to take it to the next game. Do you mind if I drive next week?" I crossed my fingers with pretend hope.
"As long as you're able to not kill us," she joked, "I don't see why not. Do you want to meet at school, or would you like to pick me up from my house?"
"I'll pick you up" I liked going to Asima's house; well house was the wrong word. With all the rooms and land that were involved, estate was a better word.
"Ok well, I'll just see you tomorrow. Try not to be late like today," she said as she got into her car.
"I'll try, however fashion takes time my dear," I joked getting in my car and grabbing my shades from my bag and putting them on. More to emphasize the joke than anything, the clouds were already starting to cover the sun.
I waved goodbye as she reversed full speed out of the parking space and gunned it towards the exit. I rumbled through my stations and settled on the oldies. I bobbed my head and sang along as I let Dion and the Belmonts take me all the way home.
I pulled into the driveway and parked my car outside the garage. Dad was at the door to welcome me.
"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy Thank you!" I squealed jumping in his arms. I touched his face with both hands showing him that I missed him and loved him.
"I missed you too Nessie and I are glad that you liked it. How was your first day of senior year." he asked thoughtfully.
It was like I always say…
Purgatory "Purgatory," I mentally said in unison with him.
I giggled and headed over to the piano. I sat down and started playing Moonlight Sonata.
"Your playing is improving Nessie," he sat next to me giving me an accommodation. "Tell me more about your day."
Asima is back this year. It was nice to see her I haven't seen her all summer. I missed her terribly. I was hoping that I could spend the night with her after the football game next Friday. Her parents are away again, and I'm sure that she is lonely in that big house of hers.
"You can always invite her here sweetheart, you know that your friends are always welcome."
I would but, she's not much for crowds and attention. She's the exact opposite of me but I think that's what makes us perfect friends. I have never met a person that would rather stay at home reading the weekend away as opposed to getting dressed up and going out on the town with a group of girls.
He laughed shaking his head at my reference, "I know some one exactly like that," he laughed deep in thought. When he gets that light in his topaz eyes I can tell that he is thinking about Mom.
I let him have his moment while I continued playing, shifting the song into Fur Elise. I let my mind wander absently more on Asima. She was honestly the perfect friend for someone like me. She is always kind and content. Sure she could use a wardrobe other than her basic t-shirts and jeans, but I'm sure my aunts would love to help me with that.
I can't let myself get too involved in her everyday life. It will be harder to separate when the time comes for me to leave. I knew that all of the time and energy, heart and soul, mind and matter, I placed into our friendship it would be a waste. We would have to leave eventually. She would eventually die even if I found a way to have her accept my never aging.
Asima seemed trustworthy enough to keep my secret. Maybe I could find a way to be life long friends. Maybe just maybe she didn't have to die.
I stopped playing. I got so deep in thought I forgot that my father could hear my thoughts. I looked up and surely enough he was staring at me with mixed emotions. His perfect eyebrows furrowed with concern.
I needed a moment alone. I just needed a second to recover my thoughts without looking at his judgmental expression.
"I need to" was all I managed to get out before I darted upstairs as fast as my legs could carry me. I shut my door and sat at my vanity.
Of course that was stupid. I knew that I couldn't introduce another person to our way of living. My family takes human life so seriously that they completely refrain from human blood. My vegetarian family wouldn't dare hurt another human.
Get yourself together Nessie. Don't be so selfish, Asima has a right to a full healthy life just like every other human being on this earth.
There was a knock at my door. I already knew who it was.
Dad I am ok. I am sorry it was just a simple mental slip. I would never jeopardize my family's existence for something so selfish and foolish. I'm sorry ok.
I rushed as much of my explanation as possible before he responded. "Nessie, it's alright. Your mother and I would just like to talk to you."
Mom too! Oh my goodness Daddy you told Mom! She's going to pull me out of school and I'll be doomed to the house forever.
"Don't be melodramatic sweet heart we just want to talk. We're coming in now." he didn't give me any say in the matter. I knew he would come in.
I sighed checking my eyes to make sure that I wasn't tearing. I turned my chair to my already waiting parents sitting on my bed. My dads look was more composed. My moms face more easy to read. I could spot the panic and concern on her face a mile away even without the inhuman sight.
"I want to apologize," I started trying to break he silence, "I don't want you both to feel like I don't take our… way of life seriously… I would never…"
"We know Reneesme," my mom walked over to me and reassured. She sat on the end of my seat and wrapped me in her strong marble embrace. "I know it takes time to adjust to being a part of the world without getting too attached to the people in it. I'm still struggling through it myself with Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Renee"
It only took a minute to feel better. If I didn't know better I would swear that Uncle Jasper was behind it, but my parents always had that affect on me.
"So I'm not getting pulled out of school?" I asked guiltily.
They both laughed. "Not unless you want to Nessie." Dad replied kissing my forehead. I took some deep breaths and decided that it was best for me to take a nap and try to forget the day. I would do my homework later. Then I would call Asima and check on her. I really didn't like her so alone.
Daddy reading my thoughts pulled back the covers on my bed I crawled under the open space as mom pulled off my shoes. She pulled the covers over me and both kissed me on the forehead. I was asleep before they even left the room. There was one thing I knew for certain; it was going to be a long year.