I should probably mentioned that I DO NOT OWN anything twilight or vampire related, but only the characters that you DO NOT recognize (forgot to mention that on the last chapter, I think)
Then I will like to wish you all a sort of bleated New Years! Wish I had this chapter ready for new years as a gift, but…I'm giving it to you guys now so ta da!
One last thing before you move on to the story, another amazing shout out to my beta Sparkly Blue Eyes! You should probably get used to the constant shout out, because that's how good she is. If you're liking the story so far and if its progressing at all is because of her.
Enjoy!
Chapter 2
Beginning to stir in her sleep she could hear the faint sound of the leaves rustling and the birds chirping outside; that could only mean that morning was starting to catch up with her. She sighed, rolling her head to the side – almost trying to block the brightness of the day that was shining in through the window. She wished that she could fall back into the deepness of her dreams, if only for five more minutes...
"Wake up, love" She mumbled in respond, ignoring the alluring voice that called her from her sleep. A soft finger traced her arm, following the trail to her neck, cheek and resting on her bottom lip. She could feel the soft touch on her bottom lip, tracing it and tugging it lightly…
"Mmm, you're so cute when you're half asleep" The voice said once again, before feeling a pair of soft lips upon her own. Startled she opened her eyes to be met with deep blue ones, she sighed once she recognized it was him, responding to his kiss with equal pace and passion.
She felt him break the kiss before feeling his lips move gently up her neck, kissing and biting as they went; making his way up to her ear where he continued to tease her just the way he knew she liked. She moaned when he found her sensitive spot just behind her ear, earning a smirk in return. Becoming lost in the moment she raised her arm up and tangled her hands in his hair; needing him she gripped onto him – pulling his handsome face round to her so that she could kiss him...god she wanted to...
Hearing him moan, she couldn't help but smile teasingly in between their kisses; she loved the fact that she could get to him like no one else. He growled in slight annoyance, breaking the kiss he leant up and passed her an irritated look. She however knew him better than that and could see the glint of playfulness and laughter in his eyes, he finally caved in and smiled at her, quickly being replaced by a frown.
"What is it?" She asked.
"You've got company…"
She shot him a confused look "What?"
"You need to wake up love…"
Aria opened her eyes instantly being greeted with big red numbers that read 7:30am. She finally turned and glanced at the window, not feeling disappointed when she saw it was going to be another cloudy day in forks. In the background of her trying to wake herself up, she could hear the doorbell ringing...over and over again; muttering a few curses under her breath, she stood up and picked up some random clothes to wear – throwing them on in whatever order she could be bothered to, she opened her bedroom door and rushed downstairs...This definitely wasn't the way she enjoyed waking up in the morning...
It had been two days since Aria got to Forks; two days of basically living like a hermit, living out of nothing but take-out menus. Unpacking was hell; it was more hell when she had to set up the studio. All the equipment was there but nothing was hooked-up. Yesterday was the day she was finally able to settle in, she figured she would try and catch up on some work before Monday came around; hours were spent just sitting on her black grand piano. She started what sounded like a 'promising' melody which then gradually turned into a 'being stuck in the middle' melody, before finally becoming a 'kind of sucky' melody and the reason for that was…Edward.
She couldn't stop thinking about him; there was something seriously wrong about the guy. Aria made herself a promise to find out what was really going on with all the mysterious behaviour, lies and shifty eye glances and that was why today her sister was ringing her door at 7:30am.
Needing a break from doing her own detective work...Aria needed to go grocery shopping and run some errands, but she couldn't do that without a car. Her dad agreed to have Bella pick her up so that she could drive her to school – that way she could then use the car to visit the Blacks and pick up her Jeep; her dad assured her that Jacob had left it as good as new...
To Aria it was the perfect opportunity, Jacob Black could surely shed some light on the whole Edward - Bella thing, and she finally would be getting her car.
"Hey Bella, give me a minute" Aria greeted her sister with a small wave, before disappearing into the kitchen to retrieve her coffee.
"That's okay, I just came by to leave you the keys, well and the truck" Bella's voice could be heard from the entrance gradually becoming clearer as she enter the kitchen.
"What do you mean leave me the truck? I thought I was driving you?" She frowned.
Bella shifted awkwardly clearly nervous to what she was going to say next "Oh, um Edward is driving me"
Aria pressed her lips in a tight line, seriously? Couldn't she spend one morning without him…"Nonsense, I'm driving you"
"No, its okay Edward is already outside..." Seeing the questioning look on her sister face, Bella was quick to add "He followed me here so…"
Aria nodded, grabbing her coffee and the car keys from Bella; both girls exited the house. A silver Volvo was sitting outside the driveway with Edward leaning against the car, waiting patiently for Bella.
"Edward..." Aria greeted
"Aria" he nodded in return
"You should head out; I'll be driving Bella to school." She got her stuff to the truck, seeing the couple shared a glance.
"But he already-"
"I don't mind -"
Both were quick to respond, but Aria was expecting it "One morning away from him won't kill you Bella, we agreed with dad I'll be driving you and that's what we are doing." She shifted her eyes to Edward, waiting for him to climb into his Volvo and leave; instead the couple looked at Aria before looking at each other.
Edward nodded murmuring an "It's okay, I'll meet you there".
Bella nodded before standing on her tiptoes silently asking him for a kiss, which he was happy to oblige.
Aria watched the couple kiss, the way Edward leaned down and cupped Bella's cheek for a kiss, reminded her of his kisses, and the loving and lustful looks he would send before kissing her...
She snapped out of her thoughts, clearing her throat to get the lovers attention; waiting for Bella to finally pull herself away, before climbing into the truck...
"You didn't have to be so rude" 5 minutes into their drive and those were the first words Bella had said to her sister...not 'thank you for driving me' or anything – just 'You didn't have to be so rude'.
"Bella, I don't understand your reluctance to spend time with people other than Edward." Aria retorted.
"I love him..."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean you're bound to him for every second of every day."
"You just…Ah you wouldn't understand... I-I love him" Her sister's lack of answer was infuriating, it was a childish answer. Without facts to support her claim, it was starting to sound more like a tantrum for not being able to drive to school with Edward. Aria was beginning to think her sister love for Edward's was nothing more than a childish love.
As if loving him was the answer for her lack of social live or independency, she knew what love was; she continued to love him but she didn't spend the rest of her days tide to him like a puppy. The fact that Edward was not putting a stop to it only confirmed her theory that things definitely weren't right...
The drive was quiet and starting to become unbelievably awkward...Aria was annoyed at her sister and Bella, well as usual wasn't saying much at all. Having nothing to occupy her mind, she couldn't help but get lost in her own memories...
She remembered when she was 19 freshly out of college, just starting her career and she met him. She didn't know better back then, following him like a lost puppy; much like Bella was to Edward. She was sure she wanted to spend forever with him and that nothing else mattered. She had barely just turned 19 but was ready to throw everything away for him…but he put a stop to it. They had forever and forever was a long time to regret not living your live to the fullest so he encouraged her...to fulfil her dreams; to live her life at the fullest and when the time was right then they could have forever…
So yes, Aria as a matter of fact could understand; more than Bella could imagine. This was one of the reasons why she was so persistent to get to the bottom of her sister's relationship.
"Thanks for the ride" Bella said grabbing her things in an attempt to make a quick escape before her sister could stop her.
Aria noticed this and sighed. Turning off the engine, she stepped out of the car alongside Bella. "I'll be here at 12:00, to pick you up."
Bella looked at Aria trying to hide her frustration instead she just rolled her eyes at her and started walking towards Jessica and the gang that were there, as usual gathering around Mike's car.
Her sister had only been in Forks 3 days and she was already getting on her nerves. It was clear she didn't approve of her relationship with Edward; but what wasn't helping the situation at all, was that her dad was already on her case too. But they wouldn't understand, she loved Edward… she wanted to spend eternity with him. And this school and hanging out with her friends, meant nothing to her compared to the life that awaited her with Edward.
What was the point of making friends if they would all die at one point, what was the point of University and dreams when she would stay young forever, but having Edward in return? They would probably travel around, moving from place to place; in the attempt to not raise suspicions of their age. She couldn't wait to be with Edward… to really be with Edward…
"Bella…" Mike greeted her with his usual cocky smirk.
"Mike" She greeted him with a slight nod, before greeting the rest of the gang "Hey guys".
Bella saw Jessica and Angela whispering to each other, slighting pointing towards her truck.
Yet Mike was the first to break the silence "Wow...Who's the hottie leaning on your truck?" The gang all glanced at Aria leaning casually against the truck watching their interaction.
"That would be my sister Aria" Bella answered glancing back at her sister briefly.
"Oh my god! I told you it was her!" Angela shouted.
Jessica looked baffled "Your sister is Alexandria Aria Swan?"
Aria watched Bella interact with a group of teenagers, Two of them looked too smart for their age, a jock who obviously had an eye for her sister...yes another one and a girl that Aria was sure was either a cheerleader or the class president.
So Bella did have friends. Aria thought but by looking at them she knew Bella was not even trying; making her frown in thought. It was clear these kids were going out of their way to involve Bella in their group, and yet her sister seemed to be taking it for granted.
The girls kept whispering between each other and pointing her way, she could only assume they recognized her. Bella nodded to their question, all of her friends seemed to be shocked by whatever she had said.
Noticing that familiar Volvo pull into the school and park in one of the empty bays, Bella excused herself so that she could go and see Edward, who was now walking across the car park towards her.
Not even bothering to introduce her friends to her - which they did seem eager to do – Aria watched her sister greet Edward with a small kiss before greeting four other people. Aria narrowed her eyes trying to get a better look at them; they all had what looked like pale ice skin, with the same golden cat eyes as Edward. She had no idea who they were but she knew just who to ask...
She locked the truck and casually walked across the school parking lot towards Bella's group of so called friends. She sensed she was being watched, glancing out of the corner of her eye she saw Bella and the pale looking kids glancing in her direction.
Pausing at the group, all four kids straightened; Aria could see that the two girls seemed nervous at her sudden presence shifting from one foot to the other.
"Well hello there" Aria smiled, surprised that the blonde guy was the first to address her - She had to give the kid props for trying to flirt with her.
"Hey Kids…" The blond guy's smirk disappeared being replaced by a frown at being called a kid, obviously shot down by her without even trying. "I saw you talking with my sister earlier, so I can only assume your her friends, it seems she forgot to introduce us. So I thought I would do the honors"
"Oh...we know who you are! It's such an honor to meet you" The obvious smart girl smiled eagerly raising her hand and introducing herself "I'm Angela"
Aria nodded shaking the girl's hand; smiling in return.
"This is Jessica" She nodded to the blond and proceeded to the same as with Angela; nodding in acknowledgment and shaking their hands "Mike and Eric".
She made small talk with them, learning the basic stuff; their involvement in the school with Jessica being the class president, Angela and Eric working on the newspaper and Mike being a football player. She was slowly but surely learning how they befriended Bella. All the time she was talking with them Aria could feel the lingering eyes of Edward and his group.
"That's really awesome, that you're all so involved in school, so um you see those people with Bella and Edward?" They all nodded "Who are they?"
"Seriously?" Mike asked raising an eye brow at her.
"Yes, seriously...what?" Aria got the feeling she was missing something; they all looked at her as if she should already know the answer.
"Sorry...It's just with Bella being with Edward…we figured you had met the rest of the family" Jessica replied.
Seeing the confused look on Aria's face, Angela couldn't help but answer her original question "They are the Cullen's…as in Edwards's brothers and sisters…except its weird because they're like 'together'."
"What do you mean 'together'?"
"Oh, sorry I forgot to mention their adopted, so really there is nothing sinful about it. The red headed is Alice she's with Jasper he's the curly one. Then Rosalie the blonde is with Emmett" Jessica explained.
"You get used to it after a while" Eric interrupted, Mike just nodded his head in agreement; he seemed to be the only one who really had a problem with it. The gang watched Aria's reaction.
Feeling even more doubt and uncertainty appear, Aria glanced at the 'Cullen's' out of the corner of her eye before looking back at the group "So tell me…. what else do you know about these Cullen's?"
Barely conscious of the ride towards the Blacks, Aria parked the truck on the front porch; she could see the red house and a small light coming from the garage. She rested her head down on the wheel, her mind spinning with the conversation she had with Bella's friends about the Cullen's.
Aria groaned – she had way too much information floating around her head and to make it worse she didn't know what to make of it…All she wanted was someone to tell her In a clear way what exactly was going on with her sister; instead all she got where more questions and a nagging feeling that something was seriously weird with the Cullen's but what?
She saw a figure in the distance step up out of the garage, squinting her eyes she just about could see through the fog; she could make out a strong man, toned with short dark hair probably around 18 waving at her. Confused as to who he could be, she awkwardly waved back. Stepping out of the car she walked towards the entrance of the garage.
"Aria" He greeted with a broad smile; Aria could do nothing but stare...
"Jacob? Jacob Black?" The young man...no young boy, nodded. Was this really Bella's childhood friend?
Aria was speechless; he sure had changed since the last time she saw him. No skinny awkward body or long black hair. But instead a full toned body, short dark hair, all which complemented him and no doubt made him an extremely attractive young boy.
"God what did they feed you when you were growing up?" Jacob burst out laughing shaking his head in amusement; mumbling something about 'same old Aria' before they both walked towards the garage.
"There's the jeep, I just need to finish checking a few things, if that's okay?" He asked; eyeing her as she made her way around the car, inspecting it and trying to get a feel for what would be her car in the next few months.
"Sure, I can wait"
Jacob saw her do one more round of the truck, inspecting it and looking inside the window probably just to get a better look and feel of the truck she was entrusted with "So uh, you and Bella still best buds?" Aria asked.
Jacob glanced at her, not sure how to answer; things between them were complicated - he loved her and after months of trying to make her admit that she to loved him, she finally had…but it wasn't enough...she was still choosing him.
"Um…yeah sort of. Things are a bit more complicated now." That was as honest as an answer he could give. It was complicated because he wasn't enough for her and yet he knew she loved him.
He couldn't stand watching them together, he was sick of coming second, but more than that she was marrying him...marrying HIM, a vampire. It was no longer good enough to be there for her, waiting for whenever he made a stupid mistake and he could have another chance to convince her that he was a better option.
No, not anymore not when he knew that no matter what mistake the blood thirsty Vamp made, like going to get himself killed or running away and breaking her heart or even putting her in danger she would always run back to him… he was done.
"Because you love her?"
Jacob snapped out his thought at Aria's question "What?"
"You heard me; you love her… so things are more complicated now." Aria answered and all Jacob could do was nod in agreement because yes, that's why things were more complicated now.
"Does she know...that you love her?" Jacob hear the hesitation in her question, she could probably tell even sense that it was a sore subject for him. Yet he felt the need to answer honestly...
"Yes" This time he could hear her heart accelerating and the slight intake of breathe, part of the werewolf gene. Whatever answer she was expecting it surely wasn't that.
"Oh Jacob…" He could almost feel the pity glance she was sending him, probably not intentional but he could still feel them.
Suddenly the anger came rushing by, angered by the whole situation, towards him; maybe a bit towards Bella for not cutting him loose from the beginning. The more he thought about it, he was angry at himself for letting himself fall so in love with her, only to be broken when he wasn't good enough…
"What does it matter, she's with that leech now!" He yelled, angrily closing the jeep hood and turning so that Aria was facing his back; trying to keep his anger in check. The last thing he needed was to change in front of her.
"Leech? You call your best friend's boyfriend a leech?" Aria questioned him, not angry at the nickname; amused more than anything.
He ignored her question, opting to rather concentrate on controlling his emotions. He sighed when he felt the tension leave his body and the anger returning to that deep corner where it couldn't boil out to the surface. Saddened at the whole situation and undeniably tired he turned and looked at her…"You know the saddest think is… that she loves me back"
Aria stood perplexed, not believing the words that came out of Jacob. Surely he was imagining it.
Jacob as if sensing her doubt in his claim continued to explain "It's true… it took me almost a month to make her realize that, I even kissed her to prove it. She was stubborn, she hit...well she tried to hit me."
Aria watched him; to stunned at the revelation to move as she watched him rub his face with his hand "...and then after a couple of weeks, she asked me to kiss her and when I did…she didn't exactly push me away. After it, it was like nothing had happened she just said she loves me but she loves him more."
Aria didn't know what to think, what to feel. But it was clear this whole thing was breaking Jacob in every way. What was her sister thinking, kissing him...where was her 'oh eternal love for Edward' when she was telling another guy that she loved him too.
"I'm sorry" Jacob chuckled, glancing at her with a defeated and tired look, one that made him seemed much older than what he really was. "I'm not even sure why I just told you all that"
Aria snapped out of her thoughts closing the connection, she did know why he just suddenly spilled all his inner thoughts. She probably shouldn't have opened the connection, shouldn't have pried, but she knew he needed the release and she wanted what information she could get…she needed to know the story behind his unreciprocated love…
Jacob felt lighter than he had in a long time, he felt somewhat at peace even when the whole situation was so screwed up. Maybe all he needed was to just let it out, but he still couldn't comprehend what made him just suddenly split his guts out…it all started with a small conversation and then bang, he couldn't shut up...
Was it because she was Bella's older sister and somewhere deep inside he was hoping for some insight into Bella's mind? Whatever it was, at least for now, he was actually feeling calmed and relaxed.
Jacob cleared his throat and looked at Aria once more "So what brings you back to Forks?" He asked, slightly glancing her way before gathering whatever tools he had used and putting them back in their case.
"Work…" He looked at her sending her that silent 'oh come on look'. He didn't doubt she was doing work. He wouldn't deny he followed her career up close, which is exactly how he knew 'work', was not her first reason to be coming back to Forks.
"Okay...Okay….mostly dad's orders." He nodded, silently encouraging her to continue "He's worried about this Edward/Bella relationship, and he somehow got it in his mind that I can change her mind about her not being with him."
At Aria's confession Jacob's mind started reeling with all the possibilities. He knew Aria didn't know the whole situation – maybe she would never know.
No one should know what really hangs out in the dark, there were times he wished he didn't know either, but…what if she could change Bella's mind….
No...Bella wouldn't, but… she was marrying him and didn't she need permission approval of her family or whatever?
"Can you?" He asked before thinking, but the possibility of stopping Bella's insane plan was strongly embedded in his head. He could accept that Bella wasn't choosing him, at least he would get to accept it, with time…But he wasn't ready to lose her completely.
And Bella marrying him meant Bella being turned….and then he would lose her forever.
"Can You?" Aria looked at Jacob, surprised to see a glimmer of hope in his eyes
"Can I what?" She tentatively asked
"You know, stop her...change her mind?" He marched towards her, standing a few feet away, almost eager to hear her answer.
"I honestly don't know… wait- you said stop her…from what?" Aria was still stunned at Jacob's sudden behavior change, what had she said that had giving him such hope? And hope for what?
"I'll take that as a maybe…there's something you should know then..."
At this point all Aria could think was "there's more?"as if all she had learned in the last few hours, wasn't enough to send her into a spiraling mood. Yet the urgency, in which he said it, peeked Aria's curiosity "Okay…"
"Bella's...Bella's marrying Edward… just after graduation" He replied.
"What?" How could she marry him? A million reasons rushed through her head as to why this was such a bad a idea, the most prominent one was standing just a few feet away from her.
"Charlie… doesn't know" Jacob added
Could the heart love two persons? Yes. You could love a lover, yet love a brother and a sister. But could the love be the same? No.
That much she was certain of, her sister couldn't love both of them, like she was claiming to. She was only being selfish for not letting one go, this was her own insecurity rising to the surface.
If she knew what she wanted, where she wanted to go, what she wanted to do and whom she wanted to be with….
Then the choice of which one she loved would not be split between to completely different people, two completely different personalities that only enhanced her two twisted ways of thinking.
Aria was never more certain that her sister was making a huge mistake.
She felt drained, there was no other way to put it - by the time she had reached the Black's Aria didn't think things could any worse or even more complicated; but Jacob's confession just spiraled things into a whole new level.
How could her dad, let things get this far? Then she remembered the last thing Jacob had said to her, before making her way home: 'Charlie doesn't know'. He didn't know…She had to give her sister props for keeping things quiet, until god knows when...
Aria sighed, throwing her jacket somewhere on the floor and making her way to the couch. She was done thinking about what she learnt today about Bella's future life or whatever the hell it was going around. It was overwhelming sure… but if Aria was being honest, the thing that left more of an impact was the conversation with Jacob.
It was clear the kid was head over-heels for her sister, the raw and deep emotions she felt from him where unbearable, on the edge of spiraling out of control, which is why she decided to open the connection and in doing that it had left her completely worn out.
She could still feel it even though it had only been a few hours, the hate, the anger, sadness, rage and behind all that never ending love and whatever hope she somehow gave him.
Jacob reminded her of Him, they were nothing alike, not physically but at that moment emotionally it reminded her of him years ago. How broken he was and all because of her.
She needed a release, if not she was going to go mad…
"Fucking love triangles" she murmured, standing up she walked lazily over to her baby grand piano. Her own personal therapy for release, her way of pouring whatever she was thinking and feeling out.
She traced the top of the piano, following the trail towards the black keys before settling on the chord of her choosing and letting go…
The soft melody flowing the room, calming her and relaxing her, being the comfort that she needed for now…
I was thinking about you, thinking about me.
Thinking about us, what we gonna be?
Open my eyes; it was only just a dream.
So I travel back, down that road.
Will you come back? No one knows.
I realize, it was only just a dream.
"You know the saddest think is… that she loves me back"
I was at the top and now it's like I'm at the basement.
Number one spot, and now you found your own replacement.
I swear now, I can't take it, knowing somebody's got my baby.
"What does it matter, he's with that leech now!" He yelled, angrily closing the jeep hood.
And now you ain't around, baby I can't think.
I Should put it down, Shoulda got that ring.
Cuz I can still feel it in the air.
See your pretty face, run my fingers through your hair.
My lover, my life, my baby, my wife.
You left me, I'm tied
Cuz I know that it just ain't right.
I was thinking about you, thinking about me.
Thinking about us, what we gonna be?
Open my eyes, it was only just a dream.
"...and then after a couple of weeks, she asked me to kiss her and when I did…she didn't exactly push me away."
So I travel back, down that road.
Will you come back? No one knows.
I realize it was only just a dream.
When I be riding, I swear I see your face at every turn.
Trying to get my usher over, I can let it burn.
And I just hope you notice you're the only one I yearn for
Oh and I'll be missing you, when will I learn?
"After it was like nothing had happened she just said she loves me but she loves him more."
Didn't give you all my love, I guess now I got my payback.
Now I'm in the club, thinking all about you baby.
Hey, you where so easy to love.
But wait, I guess that love wasn't enough.
I'm going through it every time that I'm alone.
And Now i'm whishin you pick up the phone.
But you made a decision that you wanted to move on
Cuz I was wrong
I was thinking about you, thinking about me.
Thinking about us, what we gonna be?
Open my eyes it was only just a dream.
So I travel back, down that road.
Will you come back? No one knows.
I realize it was only just a dream.
"Does she know...that you love her?"
If you ever loved somebody put your hands up.
If you ever loved somebody put your hands up.
And now they're gone and
You're wishing you could give them everything.
"Yes"
Oh, If you ever loved somebody put your hands up.
If you ever loved somebody put your hands up.
And now they're gone and
You're wishing you could give them everything.
Open my eyes, It's just a dream
So I travel back, travel back
down that road.
Will you come back? No one knows.
And I realize, yeah,
It was only just a dream…
Song: "Just a Dream" by Nelly.
Changed a couple of words based on an awesome cover of the son by Sam Tsui & Christina Grimmie. No copyright intended. Check out the cover they did, really amazing probably even better than the song.
Just go to youtube and type "Just a dream sam tsui" and it should be the first link.
So let me know what you think, just hit that little review button. =) I would really appreciated, can't wait to hear your thoughts on the story. Are you guys liking it so far?
