"Love you Bella, I'll be back soon," Edward gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before heading
for the door. Then he closed it quietly behind him. I sighed and leaned against the counter,
the house was completely empty and…quiet for once.
Turning toward the fridge, I opened it and stuck my head in to 'hunt' for my dinner. I tensed,
something was wrong, "Hello Bella," Victoria purred, I jumped and let out a squeak hitting my
head against the inside of the fridge, "Still clumsy I see," she said, leaning casually against the
counter as I had a few minutes ago. I shut the fridge quickly and tried to make a run for the
door but Victoria got there first.
"Uh uh uh Bella," "Now I don't think we're quite finished yet," she sneered.
My eyes opened wide in fear, and Victoria stood menacingly with her feet spread wide and her
arms planted against her hips.
Victoria grabbed me by the chin and yanked my lips apart, hard, my lips bled a bit around the
corners. She took some type of small container out of her pocket that was filled with a clear
blue liquid that looked kind of like water, except for the gold looking bits swimming in it. She
pinched my nose so that I had to breathe through my mouth, swallowing it. I wrinkled my
nose in disgust it didn't taste as good as it looked and I backed away from her slowly.
She cocked her head, tilting it slightly, "Aww, is Bella scared?" she asked, mock concern
fluttered across her face. She tossed the glass container behind her and it landed with a little
crash breaking into tiny bits. "You should be, because Edward won't be here to save you," she
hissed. "He's too busy stuffing his face," she laughed, and grabbed my arm. Her nails dug
painfully into my arm, hard enough to draw blood. Victoria's eyes glazed over "Playtime's
over," she growled and lapped up the drawn blood on my arm.
She yanked me by my hair and pulled me closer, I watched in horror as her mouth stretched
open wide and her perfect white teeth glistened with the scarlet red of my blood.
In one quick movement she sunk her teeth deep into my neck and flames consumed me, the
venom spread through my body quickly setting me afire.
I screamed but she didn't seem to notice since she was too far gone. I screamed and
screamed myself raw till blood came pouring freely from my mouth and tried to claw at her,
but the pain seemed to have me paralyzed. "Sweet dreams," her voice whispered her voice
echoed coming from everywhere at once.
"Bella! Bella! Bella, wake up!" I groaned and looked around. I was safe, at home, in bed with
Edward holding me in his arms tightly. I sobbed and dry sob, "Shh shhh, its okay Bella you're
safe" Edward rocked us back and force, a safe, cold comfort. The incident with Victoria had
happened over a year ago, but I still had nightmares. Which I shouldn't have be having, in
fact, I shouldn't be sleeping at all, but lately, it was happening. But the strange thing was that
the part with the clear blue liquid flecked with gold never did happen…
Edward had come back from hunting since he had heard my screams in the woods, and saw
Victoria sucking the life out of me, I was too far gone for Edward to get the venom out of me,
all he could do was comfort me and stay by my side as I went though the changes of turning.
He had sent Jasper and the rest of the family after Victoria but she had barely escaped, and
she was still out there.
I had been turned into a vampire and I still wasn't safe from Victoria.
My ribs racked with dry sobs as I tried to cry.
Of course I couldn't since that was one of the "perks" of being a vampire. I pushed myself up
from the bed and evading Edward's comforting embrace.
"Enough of this, my throat's starting to get sore, if that's even possible." I said trying to
lighten up a bit. Edward laughed and stretched, then stood and extended his hand. I accepted
it and he helped me up. "I had a strange…dream." I said confused.
"You always have strange dreams." he said with a chuckle. I laughed trying to lighten up, and
said "You're right," "Race you down stairs," I called over my shoulder as I ran toward the
door.
Edward followed in pursuit but I was still far ahead of him, I tripped after the first few steps,
but Edward was there in a moment to catch me. I laughed; I would have blushed if I could
have, even as a vampire I could trip.
As if he read my mind, (which he can't might I add) and he said "Only you can still trip as a
vampire." He smirked and held me closer. I sighed and leaned even closer, "If you guys get
any mushier, you're going to make me vomit," said Rosalie loudly. I laughed and ducked out
of Edward's hug, running to the kitchen. "So what's for breakfast?" I asked as sweetly as I
could.
Esme gestured toward the fridge, "Any leftovers you can find in the fridge." Just then, Rosalie
and Emmett came in kissing each other and fiercely going at each others' clothes like there
would be no tomorrow. "Oh come on guys not in the kitchen!" I moaned. Rosalie ignored me
and proceeded ripping off Emmett's clothes. "She's right Rosalie," said Esme sternly, "Besides
I just cleaned the kitchen." Rosalie pulled away from Emmett and sighed; then she rolled her
eyes, and started to re-button her shirt. Edward walked in just then and glared at Emmett,
"Ahh! Emmett! That's just gross! I so didn't need to know that!" Emmett grinned, then Carlisle
motioned toward Emmett, "You have some lipstick on your mouth," Good old Carlisle.
Emmett rolled his eyes, and wiped it off with the back of his hand. Then Jasper strolled in
newspaper in hand and sat on the counter, looking for the sports section, Carlisle grabbed the
newspaper from his hand, "Hey!" said Jasper. Carlisle smiled and said "thanks," then he
headed toward the dining table and sat down, reading the newspaper slowly, and looked up to
wink at me.
I smiled and Jasper sat at the counter in a huff, pouting. Alice walked in gracefully, and gave
me a tight hug, "Morning sis!" "Are you okay?" she whispered, but not quiet enough to
prevent the rest of the Cullen's to look up in interest.
She sighed, and giving up, since she knew everyone was listening she said at normal volume
"I heard you screaming again," Carlisle looked up from his newspaper, concern flitting across
his face, "Bella, this is getting bad," "That happened over a year ago, you shouldn't even be
sleeping!" I sighed and jumped up on the counter, nudging Jasper with my butt to force him to
move over a little.
He obliged but only because he wanted to hear more and scooted over to give me more room.
"I don't know why it keeps on happening," I said. "Well, I've tried everything I could on you,"
said Carlisle. "I've even checked up on it in some books, there are no accounts whatsoever on
a vampire actually sleeping!" "This is the first case of it actually happening!" He said.
I sighed "I know," "Its just it keeps on happening, I even sometimes catch myself yawning,"
Carlisle looked sharply at me, "What?!" He yelled. "Bu-t that's im-impossible!" Carlisle
stuttered "Well so is sleeping! But that didn't stop me now did it!" I felt anger pushing me off
the edge. Jasper sent waves of calm washing over Carlisle and I and we immediately sobered
up and calmed down. Carlisle's gaze softened and Edward moved in closer, sensing I would be
needing a hug soon.
"We'll figure it all out soon," he said softly, "I promise," Edward hugged me and held me close,
instantly making me feel better. "I hate to interrupt," said Carlisle, "But we'll discuss this in
the study later on," I nodded, and sniffled imaginary tears.
"Okay kids," said Esme, "It's almost time for you to go to school," "Bella, you should go get
dressed, unless you plan to go to school dressed like that," she gestured toward my pajamas.
I looked down, forgetting that I had been wearing them; I had on my pink panther pajamas,
they hugged me tight in their glory, completely pink with little pink panthers prowling on the
tight long thermal leggings and the long sleeved matching pink shirt with buttons going down
the front.
If I could blush, I would have then; but instead I smiled weakly and said "Yeah, that might
help." I ran up to my room, hearing everyone in the kitchen chuckling in my midst. Quickly I
browsed through the many options of my tightly filled up closet, I often wondered how I
managed to fit all of the new clothes Alice forced me to get whenever she dragged me
shopping. I spotted something that wasn't too flashy, crisp black Capri's and a plain white
shirt with a collar and caramel embroidery, Alice would approve.
Then I grabbed a pair of lime green sling backs to make the outfit more me, quickly slipping
them on, I ran down the stairs in sling backs without tripping, even once. That was quite a
fete, Edward would have been proud if he saw that. Once Alice saw my outfit, she beamed in
approval and gushed, "My little Bellas all grown up," then wiped away an imaginary tear.
I grinned, Edward came down "I think we should take the…" "Wow," he said, staring at me,
"You look beautiful," another blushing moment that can't happen! I smacked him on the
shoulder, and said "Take the what?" he shook himself out of a daze and said "Take the sports
car." My eyes must have widened with fear because Edward quickly said "Please Bella!"
"I promise not to go that fast! I haven't gotten to use it yet!" he begged. "Fine," He then gave
me a bone crushing hug and Alice watching in amusement. Rosalie walked coolly in and said
"Then I'm taking the convertible," Alice sputtered and Edward and I headed for the car, I
could hear her and Rosalie arguing in the distance. "But I was going to use it!" Alice yelled.
"Well you're just going to have to use the BMW." said Rosalie. Alice screeched angrily and
Edward and I looked at each other in amusement.
I turned on the radio, not really listening, just staring out the window at the fleeting trees.
Edward glanced at me, "You seem quiet, what's on your mind?" he asked. "I just keep on
thinking about that dream, I know it was just a dream, or er…nightmare, but it felt so real."
He looked at me again, "Bella you don't need to worry about it, we'll talk about it tonight, you
heard Carlisle," But even though his words were supposed to be comforting, his face was
telling a different story. His eyebrows were furrowed and a deep crease was in between them,
he looked worried.
"You're right," I said then smiled weakly, but it didn't seem to fool him. He frowned and
looked back at the road, concentrating on it. The rest of the drive was silent; tension seemed
to fill the car. Finally the car stopped, and I jumped out, slinging my backpack over a shoulder
and walking quickly toward my first class.
"And so that concludes the study," Professor Scunridge droned on, "Any questions?" he looked
around the room slowly surveying it and his gaze fell upon me, he opened his mouth but was
interrupted by the bell. "Saved by the bell," I muttered under my breath as I walked quickly
though the halls, Mike was waiting by my locker, trying to look cool while chewing on a piece
of gum, he popped a bubble, and I sighed loudly.
What a long day, he grinned looking a little nervous then in a rush of word said "So I was
thinking, maybe we could go out to a movie tonight at seven, I heard a Brazen Terror is
playing, then we could go to get a hamburger after and…" I stopped his rush of words by
saying slowly "I'm sorry, but you know I'm still dating Edward," He talked again quickly trying
to attract my attention, "Well, of course strictly as friends,"
I interrupted again and said "Sorry I'm really busy, I''ve got a lot of stuff to do and I have to
study," "Well maybe we can study together sometime," he said hopefully. I emitted another
loud sigh and said "Maybe," He turned and left just then and Edward wrapped his arms around
me and growled, "I don't like his thoughts," he said coldly, "Edward, its okay," I said trying to
calm him down, I turned around to give him a peck on the lips. "Besides you know my heart
belongs to you," his perfect lips curved into a smile, radiantly lighting up his face.
I hopped into the car, more gracefully then I thought possible. Maybe this vampire thing did
have its perks. I smiled thankful that Edward couldn't read my thoughts; he would have
overreacted if he had heard that. He already did that enough, assuming all the time that I
regretted being turned whenever I seemed depressed.
Of course I was happy; I got to live with my beloved for all of eternity, though I did miss
Jacob being able to hang out with Jacob, I also missed all the things I never thought I would,
like crying for instance, the warm tingling in your eyes before you started to cry and then your
tears overflow and run along your cheeks, but the thing I missed the most was eating, well
you know, human food, I missed the cheeseburgers and every other joy food used to give me,
I missed the delicious aroma that would fill my nostrils and tease me until my stomach would
let out a growl, not the school lunches, mind you, but now, anytime I smelled any of my old
favorites, all I would feel was disgust, now I yearned for the metallic taste of blood that filled
my mouth and bloomed flavors you could never dream of, just thinking about it made the
venom flow freely in my mouth, I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. Though the
one thing I didn't miss as a human was sweating, I would always feel gross with even a trickle
of sweat that would on occasion flow between the furrow between my brows. Alice came and
stood beside me, interrupting my thoughts, and she smiled giddily at me. "What's this?" I
asked curiously. Big mistake!
"I missed you!" she sang. I shot Edward a confused look, "But I just saw you at lunch," She
smiled widely, "But you took too long getting home!" "Rosalie and I want to go shopping!" I
groaned and shot Edward a horrified look, and he just laughed. I glared at him and turned my
attention back to Alice who was talking feverently about this bra she had just seen on this
Victoria Secret commercial and how much she wanted it.
I sighed and interrupted her "But we just went last weekend!" She rolled her eyes at me and
said "That was last weekend," "Exactly my point," I said. "Bella, Bella, Bella," she shook her
head slowly back and forth, "When are you ever going to learn?" Help! I mouthed to Edward
but he just shrugged and walked toward the door. He turned slowly "I'll leave you two to your
shopping," he said directing his words toward me. I groaned loudly and he laughed and closed
the door quietly behind him. Let the torture begin.
I loved the taste of blood, and often wondered how I had survived before as a human without it.
My nose wrinkled in distaste at the smell of the fresh baked goods at the bakery. Funny, I
would have never imagined in all of my human life that I would grow to hate that smell. I sat
across from Alice with my legs comfortably crossed out in front of me.
The brawny teenager behind the counter kept on shooting looks at my legs, I began to feel
uncomfortable in the clothes that Alice had just bought for me and insisted that I wore them
out of the store. She seemed to sense my discomfort and smiled widely when she found the
cause, "I told you that skirt shows off your great legs," I growled at her loud enough to attract
frightened looks from other customers at the nearby tables.
We were just waiting for Rosalie to come out of the bathroom, probably just looking closely at
her reflection, since she couldn't go to the bathroom anyway, just as I was about to get up
and go see what was taking her so long she came out, attracting a lot of lustful gazes and
finally diverted the brawny teenager's gaze that were locked on my legs. There were some
good things that came with Rosalie's beauty, I watched with amusement as the brawny
teenager's eyes grew wide in shock and quickly turned lustful. Alice scoffed and rolled her
eyes, this was exactly what Rosalie lived for. I watched with laughter as she coolly ignored
everyone's wistful gaze and slowly strutted toward our table.
"Are you almost done giving them all heart attacks Rosalie?" I asked sweetly.
She glared at me and pointedly said to Alice "Okay, let's go get some bras!" I smiled wearily;
this was seriously going to be one of the longest days of my life…
