Presents For Bella
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By: Akiko, Keeper of Sheep
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Chapter One - Llama-face
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The first bit of reality that crept into Bella's mind when her screams faded into quiet sobs was the purple llama staring her in the face.
She jerked up into a sitting position with a strangled gasp.
Floating innocuously above her nightstand, swaying gently on the end of it's ribbon, was a balloon animal. Bella peered at it, her mind trying desperately to fit this bizarre fact into the world as she knew it.
Fingers trembling, the confused girl reached out and poked the llama. It bobbled a bit, its swaying growing more pronounced. It's eyes, drawn on in black Sharpie, looked back at her as if to ask 'Why? Why would you do that? It wasn't very nice.'
No. She was not going to feel a sense of kinship with a llama-balloon. Even if it's inky grin made her feel included.
Struggling to organize her thoughts, Bella forced herself towards the more important question: how had this balloon ended up in her bedroom?
She glanced at the door first, pretending she didn't want to look elsewhere. Charlie had probably brought it in while she was sleeping. It was the most logical explanation, after all. Who else could it have been?
Her eyes slid automatically to her bedroom window. Even as she told herself that she was being stupid, her heart leaped in her chest and her breathing sped up.
He's back, he wants me, he's here, he wants me, he wants me, he wants me…
As soon as she thought this, she crushed the tiny flame of hope viciously. It was foolish and stupid to think he was coming back. If he had ever wanted her, he wouldn't have been able to leave her like that.
Besides, Bella reminded herself, balloon animals weren't in Edward's repertoire. He was more of a new car/designer jewelry/private island gift-giver. He would never stoop to giving someone he loved such a cheap, inane gift.
Moving her eyes away from the window, still tightly closed, Bella regarded the grinning thing once more.
A large part of her wanted to take her scissors and pop it, just on principle. Irrational anger rose within her. How dare this stupid, useless thing smile when she was so miserable? How dare someone shove this frivolous joy in her face? Wasn't she hurting enough?
As the llama bobbed back and forth, it almost looked to Bella like it was nodding at her. The stupid grin suddenly looked like an understanding smile. Bella swallowed hard, reaching out to poke the purple creature again.
Nod nod nod. Yes, Bella, you're in pain. Yes, Bella, it's okay. I'll just float here over your head and watch over you patiently. Nod nod nod. I'll be here, waiting, when you're ready to smile back.
As if by magic, Bella suddenly noticed the little white envelope leaning against her lamp, just where the mystery gift-giver had tied the ribbon to anchor her present. Her name was etched on the front in beautiful calligraphy. Despite herself, another little bit of pain and anxiety floated away, bobbing into the distance like another balloon.
The writing wasn't Edward's.
She didn't recognize it at all, but now she knew. She knew Edward hadn't come back. He was keeping his promise, for once. She could look at the stupid llama without wondering, wondering…
Picking up the envelope, she ran her finger over the letters of her name.
'Isabella Swan'
Bella pressed her lips together. Whoever it was obviously didn't know how much she disliked being called Isabella. On the other hand, just 'Bella' wouldn't have fit the elegant hand it was written in.
Untucking the little flap, Bella pulled out a plain white piece of cardstock. She blinked.
Flipping it over, she blinked again.
Turning it back to stare at the message, Bella huffed a sigh that would have ended in a sob if she hadn't been darkly amused, just the tiniest bit.
'Smile.'
Bella looked from the card to the llama.
Nod nod nod. Don't worry, it seemed to say, I can wait.
Deciding that she, too, could wait, Bella placed the card back on her nightstand and curled up on her side, watching her little llama bodyguard drift back and forth as she let sleep claim her once again.
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Amber eyes locked on the little white card. He wasn't in a hurry, either. He knew she would smile again, and he would be there to see it happen.
After all, he had all the time in the world.
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Author's Note -
Chapter One of my very first Twilight fic is done! I know it's short - future chapters will be longer. I'll leave it up to you to decide if that's a promise or a threat…
This isn't actually a romance…more of a pre-romance. It's going to be AU through most of New Moon. Yes, Jacob will be in it, and yes, he will be doing his part to help Bella. No, this is not a Team Jacob fic. It's not even Team Edward. This begs the question: who in the whole world of Twilight would think a purple balloon llama was an appropriate gift for an emotionally damaged girl?
The right guess gets a Virtual!Cookie.
And what will the next gift be?
The right guess gets a Virtual!Brownie.
=) So place your bets, 'cuz I'm loaded down with Virtual!Goodies!
Review, review, review!
Akiko