Eleni brushed her blonde curls back from her face before saying, "Well I guess it's my turn now huh?"
Bella shrugged, "Well I could always keep going…"
"But you know how much I like to talk about myself!" Eleni whined and gave Bella that adorable pouty face that Bella just could not resist. She gave a dramatic sigh before nodding at Eleni to continue.
"I was born in 1912 in Columbia, Missouri. This is actually my family's house. This is the first time I have been here since my change. I was an only child, and one of the few things I remember is how much my father loathed me. He wanted a son, and my mother had not provided him one. I spent most of my childhood in fear of the man; I was forever doing something wrong. He hit me every chance he got. When I was sixteen, I ran away.
"I didn't do a very good job of it seeing as I ran away to a park only a few blocks from home, but that turned out to be the best night of my life. I met Bella there. She was sitting under my favorite oak tree, and I remember being furious that someone would dare intrude on my private place."
"Oh you should have seen her!" Bella laughed, "She marched right up to me with a furious look on her face."
Eleni smiled, "I was going to tell her off. Until I actually took a good look at her, she was so beautiful, and she looked so sad. I thought she was an angel and I could not imagine what could hurt an angel so horribly. So instead I sat next to her and tried to strike up a conversation."
"It didn't really work," Bella supplied, "I wasn't used to humans just approaching me so unafraid. So I ran."
Eleni grinned, her bright topaz eyes sparkling with humor, "I thought she had sprouted wings and flew away when I wasn't watching. So I went home. My problems with my parents did not seem so terrible in comparison with the troubles that could make an angel cry. I went back to that tree every night I could, but she was never there."
Bella spoke up again, "I avoided that place as best I could, I didn't want James and Victoria finding out about her. It was a few more years before we returned to Columbia, and I found myself drawn back to that place. This time, it was Eleni waiting for me."
"My father tried to force himself on me, now that my mother refused his attentions. I was eighteen and I wanted to die. So, when I saw Bella again that night, I begged her to take me with her. To heaven, or wherever it was that she had gone before. I was so insulted when she laughed at me. She told me that she was not from heaven. She said she lived in hell.
"That's when they came. James wanted to know where Bella had gone. So James and Victoria followed her scent."
Bella winced before murmuring, "My curiosities lead them straight to her. James wondered why I was so drawn to her. He attacked her and I acted without thinking; I attacked James and his mate, forcing him off Eleni. That was the first time my power fully showed itself.
"I am a shield you see, and there are three different layers to my shield. One around my body, and two around my brain. It was the outer shield I used to fight off James and Victoria. It shot away from my body wrapping around both Eleni and I and throwing them several hundred feet away. It acted like a physical barrier. Once they ran into it, they could not pass through. I picked Eleni up and ran. I waited through her change and then taught her the ways of a vegetarian vampire."
"So here we are!" Eleni announced brightly, jumping up from her spot on the couch, "And you Missy," she said, turning to point at Bella, "need to go hunt. When was the last time you went? Your eyes are almost black!"
Bella sighed before agreeing that it had been a while. "Would anyone like to join me? I'd ask my sister but I know she went last night."
Alice immediately piped up, "Edward, you look thirsty, you should go!" Edward looked at his sister as if she was insane; the whole family had hunted just two nights prior, in preparation for meeting this new family. Please Edward, Alice begged with her mind, please just go. She is so lonely…
Going against his better judgment, he nodded, reluctantly joining Bella on her trip. If Alice said he should go, then he would. He never bet against his little sister. Besides, Bella intrigued him. There was something about her, and not just the fact that he could not read her mind, that drew him inexplicably closer. He wanted to get to know her better. That thought alone scared him.
Bella did not say anything to Edward as she led the way out to her car, a 2010 black Audi TT. She climbed into the driver's seat and started the car, all while Edward was still staring at the vehicle.
"Are you coming or not?" Bella asked, the faintest trace of annoyance coloring her voice.
"Of course." Edward murmured as he climbed into the car. He barely had time to shut the door before she was peeling off and racing down the driveway.
"So, what's your flavor?"
"Excuse me?"
Bella rolled her eyes, "What is your preference? What is your favorite animal to eat?"
"Mountain lion."
"Really? That's Leni's favorite as well. Unfortunately we don't have any nearby." She turned onto Highway 63 as she spoke and sped north. It was not long at all before she reached the HWY 63 I-70 intersection and she jumped onto I-70 heading west. "It's a bit of a drive before we can safely hunt without interruptions."
Edward nodded in agreement, "That's why we prefer to live in unpopulated areas."
"So do we, usually, but Leni wanted to come home. I'm a sucker for her puppy dog face, so here we are."
"That sounds like my sister Alice. She always gets her way. Though, with her gift it is nearly impossible to win an argument against her."
"Her gift?"
"Yes, she sees the future. Her visions are subjective, they are based on the decisions people make."
"And your gift?"
"How do you know I have one?"
"I can feel you attacking my shield. Even if you're doing it subconsciously, I still feel your attempt to get through it."
"I can read minds; I guess that explains why I can't read your mind though. You said earlier that you could project it. Is that why I can't hear Eleni's thoughts?"
"Yes it is. She is always under my shield. It must be unnerving to have your gift negated like that."
Edward chuckled ruefully, "Actually, it's kind of a relief. I don't enjoy constantly barging in on people's private thoughts; I can't really help it though."
"I could," Bella glanced at Edward quickly, "Help you I mean; while you're here I could put your family under my shield. The only thoughts you'd hear would be your own."
Edward smiled at her, truly touched by her offer, "Thank you, but that would be unnerving. I am so used to hearing my family's thoughts, the silence would be frightening."
"How about this, I shield your family when you ask me to, any time you don't want to know what they're thinking, and in return you help me work on my gift."
"That's a tempting offer, but it sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on your shield. Why do you need my help?"
Bella smiled; glad he was taking her seriously. In truth, she was just trying to make up an excuse to spend more time with him. "Well, my shield has three layers. The outer one is the physical barrier; the middle one is the one that negates powers. Those are the two I can extend to include other people. The third layer is the most complicated. It works exactly like the middle one, but it is wrapped around my mind. If I were to include you in my shield, you would be able to read Eleni's mind. Theoretically, you should be able to read my mind too, except for my third shield.
"I call it the self-preservation shield. When I extend my shield, it works like an umbrella. Everyone under it can use their powers on anyone else who is under it. Except me, because of that extra shield. I want to learn how to move that shield from my mind."
Edward smiled, "So you want my help, and all I have to do is try to read your mind."
Bella grinned, "Yep. We're here." Edward noticed they had pulled off the highway onto a quiet little drive lined with trees. The road ended abruptly, and Bella had parked at the finish.
"This is where you hunt?"
"Yeah. It suits our needs. Meet me back here in an hour?"
Edward had barely nodded before she was off, running deep into the forest.
When they returned to the house, it was to find Eleni and Emmett wrestling in the yard.
Bella stepped out of her car laughing, "Leni, what are you doing?"
"Going easy on him." Eleni answered as she and Emmett circled each other slowly.
"Gong easy on me? Ha! I can take whatever you've got to throw at me!" Eleni just grinned in response. She stood still, patiently awaiting Emmett's attack.
"Ok then, I won't go easy on you." When Emmett charged she calmly flicked a hand, grinning as Emmet flew up into the air.
"Put him down Eleni." Bella smiled, seeing such a huge vampire immobile, not to mention hovering thirty feet above his intended target, was quite the amusing picture.
"Alright, fine. Hey Emmett, did I mention I'm telekinetic?"
Emmett, now safely back on earth muttered, "Cheater."
"Well you shouldn't have tried to pick a fight with me just because I'm tiny." Eleni smiled triumphantly before turning on her heel and marching back inside.
"You'd be surprised; we tiny people can pack a punch." Alice giggled before following Eleni inside.
The two families were once again inside, gathered on the couches discussing their powers.
"See that's not just it," Eleni smiled, "Not only does she have these incredible shields, but she has an uncanny ability to blend in."
"It's the reason James and Victoria kept me around for as long as they did. We thought it was my only power. I can change minute details about my appearance and the appearance of those under my shield. It's why I don't sparkle in the sunlight."
Carlisle leaned forward in his chair, curious about the complexities of his niece's ability. "What do you mean minute details?"
"I can change things like eye or hair color, but not major things like height and build. It's convenient when you're trying to avoid someone."
Suddenly Eleni popped up from her seat, "The mails here! Be right back!"
"Human pace, the mailman might still be down the road."
Eleni rolled her eyes, "Ok Mom, I'll play the human. Just like I do every time you tell me like I am incapable of keeping the secret without your constant reminders."
Bella just smiled, "Thank you Dear."
Emmett laughed, "How about we play a game while we wait for her to get back, you have an even longer driveway than we do!"
Bella glanced around the room, everyone was giving her obvious do not do it looks, but she just shrugged and answered, "Ok, I'll bite, what game?"
"How about Cheesiest Pick-Up Lines Ever? The goal is to one-up the person before you."
"What are the rules?"
Emmett frowned, "Simple just make up a better one than the last person. Oh, and you got to say the line to someone who is not your significant other. Bella, you start."
Bella grinned, the memory of a bar in the mid-eighties coming to mind, "Rosalie, are those space pants?"
Rose looked pleased that she was the first person chosen, "Huh? No why?"
"Cuz that ass is outta this world." Bella smiled as everyone laughed.
Emmett guffawed loudly, "I know right?" He said as he grabbed his wife possessively.
Even Rosalie smiled, "Okay that was pretty cheesy. Hmmm… Edward, did it hurt?"
Edward grinned, seeing the line in Rose's head, he decided to play along, "What?"
"Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" There was laughter all around as Edward tried to think of his own. You cannot do that one, Alice thought to him. He gave her a questioning glance. It is against the rules, she explained, you cannot use the pick-up line on your significant other!
He had almost opened his mouth to retort that he had no one else when she looked into his future. He stood at the alter of a church, decorated with beautiful white flowers and ribbons, as Alice and Eleni skipped down the aisle. He turned in time to see Bella dressed in a gorgeous white lace dress, making her way towards him. She was positively stunning. He gasped and Alice just beamed at him. Of course that is not the dress she will be wearing. I will make sure it is a surprise for you… Alice mused.
Bella broke the silence, "Is it always like this?"
Rosalie nodded, "Oh yeah. You'll get used to it in time."
The door flew open as Eleni ran back in, a handful of mail in each hand. "It's all junk mail, as usual. Except for this. It's for you Bella."
Eleni handed Bella a plain white envelope with her name and address, "No return address," Bella reflected aloud. She slit the envelope open and unfolded the single sheet of paper inside. There was only one line of writing.
Time to stop running. We will be coming for you soon enough.
A/N: Okay guys. There's chapter two. I try to keep author's notes few and far between so this may be the only one you get but I do have something I wanted to say. (Mostly because I hate it when I go to read the next chapter in a story and the author's note is longer than the chapter XD) I was a little disappointed by the reviews for last chapter, I really need the encouragement soo let's make a deal:
You, the readers, give me five or more reviews and in return I, the author, promise to give you a chapter no less than 2,000 words long. That's it. Just five measly reviews, and you will get a new chapter. Even if it is just a five word sentence spread between five reviews by one person… at least I'll know you care!