Edward's POV (continued)
"Bella, they're the same ones that tried to kill you before, right after we met. Do you remember?" I said, grasping her arm. She froze with shock, and then snarled with the worst ferocity I've ever seen.
Yes, She thought, pushing the shield out of her mind so that she could speak. She was too angry to speak out loud.
" Are you ready for revenge?" I whispered, staring into her eyes. I knew that all of this wasn't just about her. These murders had attacked her friend Jessica just last year, hurting her badly but luckily not killing her. Bella was excited to avenge her friend.
" Oh yes!" she snarled, just as Alice stopped the car. Snarling she jumped out of the car. I was right behind her, staying close to protect her. I looked at the girl who was in trouble. She looked strangly familiar. And I suddenly knew. Lauren.
The Cullens? What are they doing here? What the heck, why do I care why they're here. They can save me! She thought. " Help me!" she screamed, stupidity bringing her back to her attacker's attention.
I focused on the guys now. They stared at me in shock, recognizing me, but not remembering how. There were only two now, not the four I remembered from their attack on Bella.
Bella didn't stop to think, she just leaped at the shorter, darker one.
"Bella, no! Wait!" I shouted, right when I figured out she was going for their throats. I lunged after her, grabbing her wrist. She turned on me with a snarl, but her face suddenly changed into gratitude.
"Thanks," she whispered, too low for a human to hear. At the sound of her snarl, the guys ran, not fast enough that we couldn't catch them, but at least Lauren was safe.
Not that I ever liked Lauren.
Trembling, Lauren walked slowly forward. " Edward Cullen? Is that you? Bella?" she asked in shock, stopping a few feet away.
"Lauren?" Bella asked, turning towards her. She seemed shocked to see her old friend/enemy here, of all places.
"Bella, you look so different. You look like… well, you look like him, and the rest of his family. What happened?" She studdered, frozen in shock.
Bella didn't know how to respond. I squeezed her hand, and instantly brought her back to this world. She cleared her throat and glanced quickly at me, almost as if willing me to talk for her.
" Well, I got married. And also… well, I also had a daughter. But, I can't believe it's you Lauren! I haven't seen you since graduation…" Bella twittered, trailing off. Lauren's eyes widened at the bell sound of her voice.
Alice came up behind us at that moment and said," Edward, we need to go soon Jasper's getting edgy." I looked at her and nodded, Bella turned and nodded too. Walking slowly, Bella went to Lauren and hugged her. Lauren shivered at Bella's touch, but otherwise showed no distaste. She hugged Bella back.
" I can't believe you got married. And you had a daughter? Wow. You have to call me sometime, ok? I'd love to catch up sometime okay?" She said, looking at Bella hopefully.
"Of course. I'll call you. I have a feeling you would like to meet Renesmee too, right? We'll get together soon, I promise." Bella hugged her one more time before turning back and walking towards me. A smile lit up her face.
"That's a gorgeous name! Well, thank you! Bye!" Lauren yelled, already running towards the Thriftway.
Bella's POVI was shocked. Edward seemed to be too.
" Wow."
"Yeah, I know. I bet you didn't expect to see her, did you, love?" Edward asked, pulling me back into Alice's Porsche. He had a huge grin on his face, proving my theorey that he was shocked, too.
" Bella? You seem too happy. I always thought you two didn't like each other?" Jasper said, turning around in his seat to look at me with a surprised look on his face.
I sat there, feeling thoughtful. "No, Jasper, we never did. I just don't understand what might have changed besides me. It's sort of scaring me. That's going to be all I can think about for a while. I just wonder if some drastic change happened to her, too," I said, surprised once again because my burning thirst left from when I hugged her was nothing compared to what occupied center stage in my mind right at that moment. My worry for Lauren.
Odd that I would like her more now than I ever have in my life. Deciding not to speak aloud anymore, I spoke quietly to Edward in my mind. Since I had been practicing for so long, I could cast my "shield" away from my mind for hours and still be able to do other things, like kiss Edward. Kissing Edward had always made me lose my secure on my shield, but not anymore.
I have no idea how, but soon after I learned to cast away my shield, I realized that, for some odd reason, I could hear Edward's thoughts in my head when I left my shield. This made it so that we could talk with no chance of others hearing us. I loved it. Edward did too.
Do you have any idea what could be different about Lauren? I asked, sighing in a way so different from my usual. A sign of annoyance thanks to the facts.
Hesitantly, Edward replied, I might have an idea, but I want to research it before I tell you or anybody. It's a very wide range theory.
I hissed under my breath. It might very well be the same theory I have. But, anyway, do you think I should set up a dinner date with her?
Quicker than was normal, Edward nodded and urged, Yes, I think that would be a good idea. But I think I'll come with. You will be taking Renesmee, right? I could use the opportunity to research her some more. Renesmee will help a lot.
But one question. It's only been two years. How will you explain Renesmee's maturity? She looks to be seven, not two.
I gasped. Of course! How? How? How? Renesmee was the size of any normal seven year old. Of Course. If anything would set Lauren off it would be that! How could I be so stupid? And if I wait to long to set it up she'll get even bigger!
Edward thought for a moment, but before he could speak, Alice did.
"We know you two are talking, we can tell by the looks on your faces. Why don't you just speak out loud?" She seemed irritated, but I knew she wasn't. She was just curious. Jasper looked like he could care less.
"It's a pretty private topic, Alice. I'm sorry," I said, hoping I didn't offend her.
"Oh. Ok. Sorry for interrupting."
Edward spoke again. I think we should meet her once before she meets Renesmee. Just to try to figure out what she is. What is your theory?
Trying to think straight, I put my thoughts into a sentence. Edward, I know it sounds funny, but I really think she's a witch.
He gasped, an odd sound coming from his mouth, and Alice looked back at us oddly. Me too.
