A/N: Right then guys, had such a good response from the first chapter. I felt inspired to write a second today instead of waiting till next weekend :)
Thanks to everyone who added me to their alerts and to those who reviewed
fangrl: Thank you so much, reviews like that make me feel like writing to no end =P
Scotty-Cullen: Cheers bud, you gave me that push to start writing fanfic
Jits: No longer do you need to wait for that next chapter...Alice and Bella all the way ;)
Kitty Squyres: I give you more...and I intend to keep doing so for quite some time
I hadn't seen Alice all morning and my mind was going crazy with reasons as to her disappearance. Was she in trouble? Had she gotten hurt? It couldn't be either of those things. Could it? I mean surely Edward would have told me if Alice was in any danger. And then there was the fact that no one else was worried about the fact she wasn't there this morning.
Well other then Jasper. I couldn't help but feel that I was somehow part of this. His gaze had said it all, full of anger yet at the same time remorse. Maybe I was reading too much into things. Maybe she was just late back from hunting.
"Bella, what are you thinking about?" Edward snapped me out of my rambling thoughts. He looked concerned, I checked the clock and realised I hadn't spoken for almost 30 minutes. I had intended on asking him straight away where Alice was, but I guess I got caught up in my own thoughts and worry.
"I was just wondering where Alice was, I didn't see her by the car this morning" Edwards face relaxed a little when he realised what it was that was going on inside my head.
"Is that all, she's still out hunting, she didn't get to go when our guests arrived"
This made me calm down; I was amazed at how easily I managed to blow things out of proportion. It really is a good job that Edward can't read my mind, he would be baffled at how my brain works. Not that he isn't baffled now of course.
The bell rang not long afterwards and we headed to lunch. As usual the Cullens had filled their trays with food and started to play with it to create the appearance that at least some of it had been eaten. I on the other hand finished mine off quite quickly so I could join in the conversation. I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Jasper as the rest of us were in our pairings. He must have sensed my change in emotion and gave me a small smile.
I thought about including Jasper in the conversation, but I had always been most distant with him, only ever really talking when Alice was about. I even talked to Rose more then him, even if the conversations were very hostile. I decided I'd have to make more of an effort to talk to him, he was always so controlled around me it was the least I could do.
I started talking to Edward again, mentioning the fact that I had gym next. Today we were starting Athletics; running was not exactly my strongest aspect. I heard Emmett chuckle when he heard me mention running.
"Yeah laugh it up, you won't be able to laugh about it for much longer" Edwards grip automatically tightened as I said this. He would have to get used to me saying this, especially since he had fully agreed to it now. I was actually a little surprised by his reaction, recently he had been very accepting of it, if anything I think he was a little excited about getting to be with me for eternity.
"Hey guys" I heard a sweet voice carry over to our table. I turned round a little, or as much as I could with Edward gripping onto me so tightly. Wow was he really on edge about this turning-me-into-a-vampire business. Finally getting a good view I noticed it was Alice that had called, she was just sitting down next to Jasper. Usually she would sit between Jasper and me but today she was sat on the other side of him. But because of the way we had all sat down, she was between Edward and Jasper. I was a little down heartened as it would be quite difficult to talk to her. Well for the five minutes we had left of lunch anyways.
"Hey Alice, are you still coming over to mine tonight?" I shouldn't need to ask but it was only polite. Edward and Alice were taking it in turns to come over to mine with Charlie knowing. Of course Edward would spend the night with me when Alice left, I loved how he could do that.
"Hmmm, I don't think I can make it tonight Bella…rain check?" I squirmed trying to get a better look at Alice; Edward finally loosened his grip on me a little so I could lean on the table for a better view.
"Oh, okay. No problem, I guess I need to catch up with my homework anyway" I tried to put on my best false smile. I didn't know why she couldn't come over. I mean she had been hunting; her eyes were a beautiful golden hue. Whatever the reason I'm sure it must be very good if it meant she was not to spend some time with me.
The bell rang and I headed off to gym, not exactly looking forward to the prospect. I was right not to. The ground was still a little damp from the rain last night. I struggled to cope with the slick grass, and before long I was lying on my back in the mud. I hadn't even completed a lap before this had happened. Luckily Mike was on his second lap and was just about to pass me when he saw me fall. He knelt down and helped me get back up.
"You okay Bella?" I heard him ask as he started to pull some grass out of my hair. I must look a state I thought to myself, and cue the almighty blush.
"Yeah I'll be fine, you go on ahead I'll catch up"
"Haha, you can try" and with that he was sprinting into the distance.
I tried my best to keep up with the rest, but my legs just wouldn't obey me and so I slowed my pace to lessen my chances of falling again. I finished the lesson with Mike only managing to lap me twice more. I decided to call it a victory with only falling once that whole time.
I was heading back to the main building when I spotted the petite frame flit towards me. Alice was by my side before long, having to stick to a reasonable speed seemed to annoy her somewhat.
"I saw this was going to happen you know, but I just wanted to see it for real" with that she wiped the bridge of my nose with her finger, turning it to show me the mud caked up on it.
"Eurgh, is it really that bad?" If it was I was going to need several showers to get the last of the mud off.
"No, it's not" she smirked as she said this, she almost linked arms with me, but obviously liked her outfit too much to get it covered in mud.
"You're lying"
"No I'm not, it could be worse. You could still have that mud on your nose" I rolled my eyes at her. Of course she'd say that.
"Well then, I better get going otherwise your going to look like that all day. Not that I mind" she winked at me then practically skipped away.
I had finally managed to get most of the mud off of me, although my hair I was sure would retain the earthy scent for a few days. My truck would also need quite a clean; my shoes were still covered in mud when I finally left the school.
But right now I wasn't really that bothered. I had so much time to kill that night. With none of the Cullens coming over I had nothing to do. I had lied to Alice when I said I had work to do. I didn't want her to feel guilty for not coming round. So for the past two hours I had been lying in bed, contemplating over everything that was to come. A small smirk came across my face as I thought about how as a newborn I would be stronger then Emmett. I still couldn't grasp the idea, that soon that would be a reality.
A small knock on the window awoke me from my little daydream. It was too dark to see who it was. But it couldn't be Edward because it was too early; it was still a few hours before he would make his way over. I slowly opened the window a little, and then it flew up without my help as the small pixie entered the room without a sound.
"Alice!" I threw myself into her arms and gave her the tightest hug I could muster. Of course she would barely feel the difference, my strength being negligible in comparison to hers.
"Nice to see you too Bella" she slowly removed herself from my grip and sat in the middle of the bed.
"So what brings you round this place?" I joined her and sat opposite her with my legs crossed.
"I hear the food here is delicious!"
"Alice that is not even funny"
"Of course it is funny, I am the epitome of comedy" she stuck her tongue out and then looked quite smug as I giggled at her little display.
"See funny" she reiterated her point.
"No but really how come you're here? I thought you were busy tonight"
"I was, but then my plans changed, so now I'm here" she dramatically threw her hands in the air to show where "here" was.
I could tell she wasn't going to tell me what those plans had been; everyone was being so secretive lately.
"Anyway Bella, I can't believe you didn't choose the flowers! What was the one thing I asked you to do?" she raised her eyebrow at me.
I sighed, stating, "Choose the flowers for the wedding"
"See you remember now don't you, was it really that hard?"
"Yes" I said bluntly. I wasn't going to talk about the wedding. I'd quite clearly stated I didn't want to know what was going on. The less I have to do with it the better it will be for everyone involved.
"You can be so stubborn you know that?" her tone wasn't quite as aggressive as she had intended, so I knew she wasn't really mad.
"As stubborn as a mule?" I asked, expecting a simple yes.
"Yes precisely as stubborn as a mule…though not quite so hairy"
I couldn't help but laugh at her random comment. Alice always knew how to make me laugh, even if she was insulting me.
I stopped laughing when I noticed Alice was no longer laughing either, her face was blank and I realised she must have gotten a vision.
"I have to go now Bella"
"But you only just got here" I whinged, did I really just whinge. What a childish thing to do. Though I suppose I did feel upset at her leaving. It was still so long till Edward would be here.
"I know, but you'll see me tomorrow in school"
"I suppose so, see you around then" I stood up from the middle of the bed, as did she.
She was just about to leap out of the window, but she turned around, her eyes full of some unfamiliar emotion.
Before I could react she was standing right in front of me, her face inches from mine. Her breath ice cold on my lips. Our lips brushed past each other for the briefest moment. I stared at Alice. I was stood stock-still. My breath caught in my throat. Her eyes no longer held that glint they had before. They were full of sorrow. And before I knew what was happening she was gone. The window slamming shut behind her.
A/N: Don't worry guys you will get another chapter all too soon. I love a bit of a cliffy. Tell me what you think ;)
