I was in front of the door. I just couldn't go in. I mean, what would Esme do to me? She'll probably throw a huge gasket. But I have to face the music.
'I know you're there, Edward,' Alice's irritating know-it-all voice thought to me. 'Everybody knows. Watch out for Esme. Now get in!'
I opened the door, and I immediately saw Esme's worried face. I mentally cringed on what the consequences might be.
Suddenly, I was trapped in a cold, tight embrace. It was Esme, dry sobbing on my shoulder. I felt guilty for doing this. It was my fault I didn't inform them about my leaving. But…didn't Alice have a vision about me?
"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen," Esme said sternly. She looked up with motherly concern. "Don't you do that ever again, do you understand?"
I smiled sheepishly. "Yes, Mom. Sorry. I just wanted to go out and wander the streets. I didn't mean to worry you all. Forgive me."
Esme smiled warmly at me. "You're already forgiven, Edward, dear. You had me scared to death—pun intended, of course. Next time, you better inform us of your leaving to God knows where."
I nodded. And then I looked at Carlisle, who had a composed look on.
'Esme already said everything, Edward. You really frightened us,' he thought. 'There's nothing wrong with informing your family about something, right?'
I shook my head. "No."
Alice came skipping towards me. She hugged me tightly. Then she punched me on the shoulder.
I gasped. "What was that for, Alice?!"
"Mary Alice Brandon Cullen!" Esme scolded. "That is no way to treat your brother!"
"Sorry, Esme, but that's just the way a lovable sister—which is moi—treats her annoying brother when she is worried sick about him," she explained. She glared at me. "Where were you?"
"I was just wandering the streets of Port Angeles," I answered innocently. "Don't you know that? I mean, you must have had a vision about me."
She sighed sadly. "I tried looking for you in the future, but I just can't see you! It's impossible. Were you with a werewolf or something?"
I glared at her. "Absolutely not. Why would you think that?"
"Just a guess."
I turned to Carlisle. "What do you think, Carlisle?"
He pursed his lips. "Well, my theory is Alice can't see werewolves, because she's not one."
"Nor will I ever be," Alice muttered. 'Me? A werewolf? Revolting.'
I smiled at her thoughts. I definitely agree with her. Who would want to be a revolting werewolf?
"She can see humans—not clearly, though—for she used to be one," Carlisle went on. "And she can see vampires very well, because she is one. Perhaps she couldn't see other kinds of species."
I nodded my head. "That theory is quite rational if I do say so myself." 'So that meant Bella wasn't human…'
"Who were you with, Edward?" Alice asked suspiciously.
I took a deep breath. "I was at an old park. There, I saw an unusual girl sitting on a park bench. She was amazing, and she didn't seem bad at all. At first, I thought she was a vampire, but then I saw that her eyes were chocolate brown. She gives good advice. I wonder if she went home already…," I murmured.
Alice was smirking at me. "Do you…like her?"
"Yes, of course I do."
"No, I meant, do you like her?"
If I was human, I would be blushing. "Why would you think that?" I asked nervously.
"Oh, I don't know," she said nonchalantly. "You talked about her with a dreamy look in your eyes, and the way you described her was different than the way you describe other girls. It's quite obvious."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Alice is delusional.
"Okay, then." She walked past me. Before she went up the stairs, she whispered quickly, "Never bet against me." She was gone.
I gritted my teeth. Why does Alice have to be so irritating? I don't feel any emotion for Bella. She's just an acquaintance—nothing more. Sure I feel warm towards her, but that doesn't mean anything.
Does it?
"Edward," Carlisle's calming voice called, interrupting my thoughts. "I think you need to find out more about…this girl. What's her name?"
"Bella," I answered, feeling that strange emotion yet again.
'That name is beautiful!' Alice shouted in her mind. 'Doesn't that mean 'beautiful' in Italian…?'
"Ah," Carlisle mused, rubbing his chin. "What is her physical appearance?"
I gulped audibly. I hope I could answer that without having a dreamy look again. "Um, she's unusually pale; it's like our skin complexion. She has long, mahogany hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a white dress, as well. Is there anything bizarre about that?"
"No—only her skin." Then Carlisle smiled a bit. "I have a theory on what she might be, Edward—but I want you to find out more about her. Don't look into my mind; I'm blocking you."
I glared at him. "Why can't you just tell me?"
"Just go along with it, Edward."
"Fine. But I can't see her again—I don't know where she lives. She never told me."
"Well, let's just test our luck, shall we? Perhaps she'll be at the old park again. Try that."
"Now?"
"No, at night tomorrow. She'll probably show up at that time. It's possible, hm?"
"All right, then."
"Let me tell you something, Edward—she's not bad. I can tell."
* * *
I parked into the school parking lot. I got out of the car, along with Alice and the others.
'I still don't get how all those Cullens can fit inside Edward's Volvo,' Newton thought. 'I mean, look at the size of Emmett Cullen!'
I chuckled, shaking my head. No matter how much I despise that vile Mike Newton, I still think he can be quite humorous at times.
"Hey, Edward," I heard Emmett call.
I looked at him. "Yes?"
"What was that all about last night? Only you, Alice, Carlise, and Esme know—Me, Rosalie, and Jasper are all mixed up, man. Tell us!"
"I assumed that Jasper would know," I said. "Alice would've told him… And how come you guys don't know? You have vampire hearing for God's sakes!
"We weren't listening probably. Just tell us, Edward," Rosalie demanded, obviously irked. "It was something about another species. A girl, perhaps or something like that?"
Emmett grinned slyly. "So you're finally getting turned-on by some gal, eh, Edward? Who's the girl? What's her name?"
I rolled my eyes at Emmett's wording. He sounds so teenager. "Her name's Bella. She's a mystery to me. She's not human. Alice didn't have a vision of me interacting with her. Carlise had a theory that Alice can only see vampires, for she's one; humans, for she used to be one; and can't see werewolves, for she's not one. Alice can't see other kinds of species."
"Which sucks," Alice added, pouting. "I want to see how Bella looks! Is she beautiful?"
Rosalie rolled her eyes, and then started to look at herself in her compact mirror. Typical.
"She's like an angel," I replied. "Her voice sounds so… I can't even describe it, but it's very soothing."
Alice looked like she was deep in thought. 'Like an angel?' she thought. 'That could mean…'
"What, Alice?" I asked. "What could it mean?"
She shook her head. "Never mind, Edward."
"Hey, I want to meet her too; she sounds interesting—maybe even entertaining," Emmett joked.
I growled at him. "You will not use Bella for entertainment, Emmett."
He rose up his hands, palms up, being defensive. "I just want to see if she's funny—purposely or accidentally. I prefer accidentally…or perhaps both." 'I never even met her, and now I like her!'
I smiled at him. "I feel the same way."
"Let's go!" Alice shouted, impatient. "Classes start in about two minutes, you know!"
I sighed, and headed inside the lackluster building.
* * *
School went on as a drag as always. Some of my female teachers kept giving me flirtatious looks, and all of my female classmates kept giggling when they looked at me. I even turned a lesbian girl straight! From the male species, I heard not too nice threats and profanities shot at me mentally.
Sometimes I wish I had a girlfriend so some people would just back off.
Wait. I just wished that I would want a beau. That's not right. I don't need love at all.
…Right?
I decided to go on a short hunting trip to clear my mind off. Then I'll go and look for Bella.
I smiled to myself. 'I wonder what she's doing right now,' I thought.
I smelled a mountain lion nearby. I ran towards it quietly and quickly. I arrived in front of it; its back was turned, probably feeding off on some prey.
I quickly attacked it. I grabbed its neck using a guillotine move and cracked it. Then I bit its neck, and felt the warm liquid run through my body.
After I was done hunting, I decided to go wash myself up at an adjacent river. I saw myself from the river's reflection—my cheeks were slightly flush, and my eyes were pure golden. That was good. At least I wasn't a monster on the outside. I splashed some water on my face.
It was suddenly getting dark, so I headed towards the old park. I just hoped Bella would be there. Would she want me to be there? All I could do was hope.
I arrived at the park, and slowed into a walk. The same streetlight was still on, only one area was lit—everywhere else was just darkness. I saw the park bench…but she wasn't there.
I suddenly felt waves a sadness running throughout my body. I really did want to see Bella—not just for Carlise's orders, but just to see her angelic face. Her presence alone just makes me feel calm and happy.
"You're here again?" the loveliest voice questioned behind me.
I quickly—at human speed—whipped my head towards that beautiful voice. I smiled hugely.
"Bella," I cried with pure happiness.
She was wearing the same dress. The moonlight was shining on her. She was glowing. It was the most beautiful view I have ever seen.
"Hi, Edward," she giggled. "Nice to see you again."
"You, too, Bella." I moved towards her a little. "How are you? Did you get home safely?"
She smiled angelically at me. "I'm absolutely fine. And yes, I got home safely." Her eyes showed sadness a little at the word "home," but then immediately vanished.
She didn't like to show her pain.
I furrowed my eyebrows in concern. "Was there something you wish to talk about?"
She bit her lip. "I feel alone, Edward. I see lovers, families everywhere. I wish I had that. I want someone to be by my side throughout all eternity." Then she shook her head. "Like that will ever happen."
I smiled. "Don't worry, Bella—you have friends. You're not alone at all, no matter what."
"Are you my friend, Edward?" she asked timidly.
"Certainly, Bella. I will always be your friend." 'But I feel like I want it to be more…,' I thought sadly.
She smiled hugely. I could feel absolute happiness radiating off of her. Then she ran over to me, almost tripping, and hugged me.
I froze. What if she feels my granite body? What would she think? Our secret would be revealed.
Slowly, I hugged her back. She was so warm and soft. I liked it—a lot.
"Thank you, Edward," she mumbled in my chest. She looked up, her eyes were wet; she was crying. "Thank you very, very much."
"Why are you crying?" I whispered. Absentmindedly, I wiped her tears away. She didn't even flinch from my cold skin.
"These are tears of joy, Edward." She grinned. "I'm happy because I'm not alone. I have a friend."
"I'll be by your side," I promised. "As long as you do the same for me."
"Of course."
We stayed hugging each other for a while. I didn't want to let her go. Nothing could make me let her go—unless Bella wanted me to.
"I know I probably should let you go now," Bella muttered. "But I don't want to. Is that okay?" She looked at me with pleading eyes. Who could resist such a face?
"It's okay. I feel the same way, Bella," I said, smiling at her.
"I have a secret."
"Oh, really? Do you wish to tell me your secret?" Maybe she'll tell me what she really is.
"When the time is right, I will. If I tell you my secret, will you tell me yours?"
Does she know that I'm a vampire?
"You can tell me any secret of yours. It's only fair, right?" she continued.
"Yes, it's only fair."
"I won't tell yours if you won't tell mine. Promise?"
"Promise."
She held up her small pinky. "Pinky promise?" She's so childish; it's so adorable.
I wound my pinky with hers. "Pinky promise. But really, pinky promise?" I teased.
She scoffed. "Well, excuse me for making it official! Would you prefer signing papers?"
I laughed at her. "No."
"Well, then, we're sticking with pinky promises, understood?"
I saluted her. "Yes, ma'am!"
She giggled at me.
I don't know what came over me, but I just said it.
"Would you like to meet my family, Bella?"
* * *
Dun, dun, dun! I think. Well, here's the second chapter to the story! I seem to be enjoying this story! I just hope more people will like it! Spread the news, everybody!
I know that Bella meeting Edward's parents was a little to forward, but hey, Edward can't help it. He's just too intrigued by her. I think you know what that means… :)
Review!
Monica-san
