Summer Solstice.
First there was Bella & Edward. Now Renesmee has an admirer who has a secret that could ruin them all.
Can Jacob save the Cullens in time?
Prologue. Nessie's Point of View.
Hindsight is a great thing. It's just a pity most people don't have it until after they do something stupid. But even living with my family doesn't prevent the mistakes from happening. Take now for example; if I'd known what was going to happen between Gabe, Jake & my family, I might have been more careful about trusting Gabe. Maybe then none of these problems would have happened.
Chapter One: School.
I looked at my reflection & smiled. With my father's hair & my mother's eyes & the outfit Alice had picked out, I was definitely going to turn heads for all the right reasons.
"Carlisle, are you sure the sun won't have a noticeable effect on her? She won't lose control, will she?" Dad smiled as Mum ran her hands through her hair as she spoke.
"Don't worry Bella. I'm sure she'll be fine." Carlisle attempted to reassure her. Mum glanced at Alice, who was putting the final touches on my outfit. As she caught Alice's eye, Alice rolled her own.
"I'm not a fortune teller Bella. Besides, you know I can't see her anyway! She'll be fine." Mum sighed but said nothing. I checked my reflection one last time, then picked up my bag, noticing as I did so that even it hadn't escaped Alice.
"You're very creative, Alice. I love the butterflies by the way." I said, knowing it would make her smile, then holding back a giggle as she smiled from ear to ear.
"Finally! Someone who appreciates my efforts!" She joked. Emmett came in as everyone burst into laughter. He signalled that the car was ready& we all followed him to the garage.
Officially, as far as the townsfolk knew, Emmett had decided to do a doctor traineeship instead of college. While Rosalie had chosen to open a candle & perfume shop in town with Esme. Edward & Bella, (My parents), still had to pretend to be away at college though. Everyone waved goodbye as Esme, Rosalie & I piled into the car & Emmett revved out of the garage. I cringed when I noticed it was a bright sunny day. Luckily Rose & Esme would be spending most of it inside!
When I got to school, there were people everywhere. I took a moment to steady myself & Emmett grinned.
"Word of advice, hold your head high, you're a Cullen. Try not to mingle with the commoners & ignore the teachers. If they try to get you into trouble tell them to go jump." I rolled my eyes & climbed out of the car.
My first stop of the day was the registration office. The woman looked like Frankenstein's bride!
"Name, dear?" She asked sounding like the witch from Hansel & Gretel.
"Nessie," I answered. "Uh, Renesmee Cullen. She smiled & handed me a school map & my class schedule. As I walked out of the office, I studied the map & schedule, trying to locate my first class. The next thing I knew I was flat on my back. I had tried to walk through the glass door. Clumsiness was a trait I had definitely inherited from my mother!
"Are you alright?" The voice was young & foreign. German or Spanish maybe.
"Would you like some help to get up?" My tongue seemed to be stuck to the roof of my mouth, so with speech temporarily unavailable, I nodded. A hand came out of nowhere & pulled me into a sitting position. What I saw next took my breath away...
He was tall like Jake, but whereas Jake was bulky with muscle, he was skinny. But it was his face that really got me. Hair just long enough to be dreamy, dark in colour. Green eyes that looked like rock pools you'd find in the Caribbean.
"Are you ok?" And that voice. Even the voices of my family weren't as musical.
"Miss, you seem to be dazed. Maybe I should take you to the nurse, ja?" I tried to talk again but my tongue still hadn't removed itself from the roof of my mouth so I shook my head instead. He looked doubtful as he helped me to my feet but miraculously my tongue loosened as he helped me pick up my things.
"Thanks, I'm Nessie by the way." He smiled again &, to my surprise, I felt my knees go weak.
"Gabriel, my family just moved here from Berlin. How's your head? No lasting damage, I hope?" I giggled as I shook my head.
As we walked out of the office, Gabriel made a show of opening the door & I giggled again.
"Well, my first class is history, how about you?" I looked at my list. English, damn!
"At least the classrooms are next door. I shall escort you to class to prevent any more accidents."
Gabriel smiled as he opened the class room door & I rolled my eyes.
After class I rushed out to find him waiting to escort me to my next class. This time we both had science. As we sat down I realised Gabriel was the only student so far to have spoken to me. I looked over & noticed some of the other students watching us, but they seemed wary of Gabriel for some reason. When the teacher asked us to pair up for lab partners, Gabriel & I stayed where we were. A boy nearby moved to ask me but one look at Gabriel & he backed off.
After class, I raised the thought I'd had during class, much to Gabriel's amusement. His reply was simply that "with him as an ally who needed enemies or for that matter anyone else at all." I raised an eyebrow as I pondered this revelation. We headed to the cafeteria. Gabriel grabbed one of everything & I realised how hungry I was & followed suit. As we sat down, I tried to get Gabriel to tell me more about himself.
"If you get to ask questions, do I?" I thought about this for a moment then nodded.
"What's your full name?" I asked.
"Gabriel Cornelius Van Helsing. Yours?"
"Renesmee Carlie Cullen. But I usually go by Nessie. Favourite colour?"
He smiled, thoughtful for a second.
"Brown, yours?"
I answered without thinking.
"Green," I blushed when he smiled. "Favourite food?"
"Can I get back to you on that? Yours?" I raised an eyebrow.
"As long as you don't say whatever I say!" He blushed & we both laughed.
"No, I promise. I already have a couple of favourites. I'm trying to choose between them." I gave him a "sure-sure" look & he chuckled again.
"Um pizza with everything. Meat, anchovies, extra cheese, olives capsicum, pineapple. Made up your mind yet?" We'd finished our food & were leaning comfortably against the wall.
"Mmm pasta. Lasagne, cabonara with loads of cheese. Maybe a glass or two of wine." He laughed. I smiled back.
"Tsk, tsk underage drinking. I hope you won't end up being a bad influence!" I wagged my finger jokingly.