Disclaimer: All characters and Dialogue related to the Twilight Saga are owned by their creator Stephenie Meyer. No Copyright infringement is intended. This story is for entertainment purposes only.
Earth Angel
Chapter 2 – Immersion
Bella's POV:
Alice and I packed up our notes and text books as we got ourselves ready to make our way to lunch. However, before we had a chance to make a break for it, we were cornered in the back of the classroom by a baby faced, blond-haired boy.
I wanted to growl at him as I felt his eyes rake over my body. When we he finally looked at my face and we made eye contact, I found myself wanting to wipe the cocky smirk from his face. I was surprised at myself. People usually didn't bother me too much. However, there was something about this boy that annoyed the piss out of me. Finally he spoke.
"Hi … you're Bella Swan, right?" he asked, although I was pretty damn sure he knew exactly who I was.
"Last time I checked," I quipped, sounding harsher than I had intended too.
"I'm Mike … Mike Newton," he responded, as if that should be all I needed to know.
I just smiled and nodded as I turned my attention back toward packing up my things.
"Um, Bella, I was wondering if I could take you out this Friday. Maybe we could go to dinner and see a movie … or something?" he asked, his cocky smirk still plastered across his annoying face.
I heard Alice speak at a volume only I could hear. "Ever hear the phrase, 'she's way out of your league?'" She chuckled to herself. I had to admit, I wanted to laugh as well, but since her quip was inaudible to human ears, I would have seemed insane or really mean, if I just started laughing in the poor kids face.
I looked Mike Newton directly in his eyes, wanting to clear up any delusions that might be forming in that little head of his. As our eyes connected, his pulse quickened. I silently hoped that it was out of fear. "Thanks for the offer, Mike, but I'm not really looking to date. I just moved here and all. I just want to get settled. Thanks for the offer," I added, trying to be as polite as possible, even though I found him to be completely obnoxious. I couldn't pinpoint why, but something about this kid just irritated me.
"Okay, great. How about I pick you up around seven? Does that work for you?"
Ah … so that's why I found him obnoxious.
"Mike, I think you didn't hear me correctly. I said no. I just moved here and I am not looking to date anyone."
"Besides Emmett," Alice quipped to low for Mike to hear. I craned my neck to face her and narrowed my eyes at the evil little pixie, which in turn, only caused her break out into laughter. I found myself wanting to join in with her, as I watched her eyes dance with mirth. It had been such a long time since I had truly laughed.
"Excuse me?" Mike asked. I was getting angry now. I had politely declined him twice. Was he really going to make me go for three? When he continued to look at me with confusion written all over his face, I realized that yes, yes he was.
"Mike, I said thank you for the offer, but I'm not interested," I responded with an even harder edge to my voice this time.
"How about Saturday?" he persisted.
I just rolled my eyes as Alice laughed uncontrollably. "Good bye, Mike," I said over my shoulder, as Alice and I finally made it out of the classroom.
As Alice and I trudged through the sea of students as we made our way to the cafeteria, the stares and whispers from earlier in the morning had returned tenfold.
"Oh, how perfect, she's already hanging out with the Cullens."
"I knew she was a freak."
"I wonder if she just said no because it's her first day. Maybe I just need to give her some time." Half a day down and Mike Newton was quickly becoming the number one candidate for membership into the 'First human to be drained by Bella Swan Club."
"If she thinks she can sink her claws into Emmett Cullen, she's got another thing coming. He's mine!" I immediately recognized that hushed voice as Jessica Stanley's. I knew I wasn't going to like her.
We finally made it out of the building and headed across campus towards the building that housed the cafeteria.
During our walk, Alice gave me a brief overview on each Cullen's physical appearance, so I would know who was who, at lunch. Alice had already insisted that I sit with her family. I had one class with her, and I already knew that arguing with her would be futile. According to her depictions, Emmett was a rather large, imposing figure. She said that he stood around six foot five and was nearly as wide as he was tall. "He's pretty much a giant wall of granite muscle," she added. I must have appeared nervous at her description, so she quickly amended her statement. Alice assured me that he was a gentle giant. "A big teddy bear, with an even bigger heart," she added with a genuine smile that truly showed her affection for her adopted brother. However, I couldn't help but notice how her eyes sparkled every time she mentioned Emmett's name to me.
Damn future seeing pixie, I mentally grumbled.
As we neared the cafeteria, the scent that I now knew belonged to Emmett Cullen, began to overwhelm my senses once again. It was intoxicating. It literally made my head spin as I inhaled the heavenly aroma. As we entered the cafeteria, I found the scent pulling me in its direction, like gravity. However, I was quickly rerouted when I felt Alice's arm looped through mine as she led me to the food line. I quirked my eyebrow as if to say, Why the hell are we getting food?
She clearly understood my confusion, as she whispered, "We always buy food … to blend in. Of course, we never eat it. But it looks better, if we at least have trays of food in front of us, like everyone else." Again, I felt foolish as I realized my own ignorance.
I was beginning to think Alice was the mind reader when she said, "Bella, don't feel bad for not thinking about it. We've had years and years of practice at trying to blend in."
I nodded. She was right after all. I was just a baby to this life. Then my curiosity got the best of me. "Alice, how old are you … really?" I whispered.
"I was born in 1901," she answered. "I have no memory of my human life, but I do know that I was from Biloxi, Mississippi, and was changed in 1920." I inferred that her sudden somber mood had something to do with the fact that she had no memory of her human life.
She went on to tell me when everyone else was changed in the family, yet when she got to Emmett's story, she stopped short and smiled. "I forgot. You already know his story." She winked as her grin returned.
We got in line for lunch. Alice grabbed two trays, one for me and one for her. I just followed her lead, adding to my tray whatever she placed on hers. When we got to the cashier, Alice whipped out a hundred dollar bill, paying for both of our lunches.
As we walked away from the cashier, all I could do was shake my head. "Really, Alice? You go and whip out a hundred dollar bill for a school lunch? I thought you said that you guys were good at blending in. I may not know much, but I know that school kids don't use C-notes to buy their lunches," I huffed. "Besides, I have plenty of my own money. I can pay for myself."
"Oh hush, Bella. You might as well get used to me spending money on you, if you're going to be my best friend and sister. In fact, I think I am going to start with your wardrobe. Really Bella? Chuck Taylors and a Ramones tee shirt? And besides, we have more money than we could ever possibly hope to spend."
"Wait, back up a second. Did you say 'best friend and … sister?'" I asked.
"Did I?" she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes. "Just remember Bella, the future is ever changing."
Alice dragged me toward the table where the four other siblings were seated. The scent that had been haunting me all day now saturated my entire being. It was the most inviting aroma. I literally had to stifle a moan as its intensity grew as we closed in on the table.
I knew there was no reason for it, but my nerves were starting to get the better of me. Before Alice, I had never met another vampire. And now, I was about to sit down and pretend to eat lunch with four more of them.
We finally reached the table and Alice began her introductions. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming. However Edward looked a little frustrated. I assumed that his frustration stemmed from the fact that Alice's, as well as my thoughts, were being kept from him.
To be completely honest, I had a hard time concentrating as Alice went through the introductions. The entire time I tried not to look, but I could feel him. I could feel his eyes on me, boring into me.
"And finally, Bella"—Alice continued, although I had barely been paying attention—"this is Emmett."
As soon as our eyes connected, it was as if time stood still. Even though, I was trapped by his topaz gaze, I still couldn't help but notice his other features. He was massive. His tall, thick muscular frame dwarfed everyone else at the table. His face was beautifully handsome—rugged, yet boyish. And finally there were his silky dark brown, almost black, loose curly locks that framed his gorgeous face. He was flawless.
I was finally let loose from his hypnotic gaze as he smiled widely at me, displaying two of the largest, most adorable dimples I had ever seen.
I finally found my voice as I smiled back just as brightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Emmett," I said, sounding perhaps a little too breathless, especially when you consider the fact that I didn't need to breathe in the first place.
Emmett's grin widened even more as he rose from his chair. As he stood to full height, I was given the chance to see how massive he actually was. Once he stood up, he reached for my hand. As soon as our skin made contact, we both gasped, as I felt a jolt of white hot electrical heat, shoot straight up my arm. Judging by his reaction, he certainly felt the sensation as well. He slowly brought my hand to his lips and placed one, simple chaste kiss on the back of my hand. As he did this, the entire cafeteria quieted, and I suddenly felt hundreds of eyes on us.
Despite the unwanted attention, I just couldn't bring myself to care. I was too focused on the feeling his lips left behind on my hand. It felt like the tiny spot where he had chastely kissed the back of my hand was literally burning. However, it was a pleasurable burn. Actually, it was bliss.
Obviously, this was not typical behavior that Emmett was displaying. If it was, I highly doubt that it would have warranted garnering the attention of the entire student body.
Prying eyes aside, I felt like a pile of goo. Surely he knew how he was affecting me.
"The pleasure, Bella, is all mine. Please … sit," he said as he pulled out a chair for me.
"Thank you," I said softly as I took my seat—never breaking eye-contact with each other. I was trapped in his topaz gaze. The trance was broken, however, as a low growl rumbled deep within his chest—his nostrils flaring several times. I knew how he felt, I just wanted to inhale deeply and swim in his scent too. But I didn't ... oh God! Was … was he smelling more than my scent? Could he have been sensing my arousal too?
Bella, you idiot, of course he can smell your arousal. What can't we smell? I mentally cringed as I chided myself.
I closed my eyes, finally breaking our eye contact. I was too embarrassed to look at him. However, I was broken out of my self-loathing by Jasper's voice.
"Bella, darlin', take it easy on Emmett over there. That boy has never projected as much lust in all the entire sixty plus years that I've known him, as he is in this one single moment. I'm afraid if you excite him anymore, he may explode," Jasper drawled.
As the rest of the table erupted in laughter, Emmett just smirked. However, he didn't deny what Jasper said. Could he possibly be as affected by me, as I was by him?
Then it dawned on me. Jasper had the ability to sense emotions. He surely felt my embarrassment. His little quip about Emmett was his way of making me feel more at ease.
Once I realized what he had done, I looked in his direction and sent him my gratitude. He looked at me and nodded as he tipped an imaginary cowboy hat in my direction, making me giggle. Of course, that meant he could also sense Emmett's emotions. Was he really projecting that much lust … because of me?
"So," Emmett boomed, while grinning ear to ear as he continued to stare at me. "What brings such a beautiful woman to our little corner of the woods?" he asked. I wasn't sure if he generally was interested or just making conversation. Either way it didn't matter. Before I explained the full story of my change to an audience, I had to speak with Emmett alone. Even if he didn't know it yet, it involved him as well.
"Well …" I hedged, not quite sure how to tread at the moment, "… after my parents were murdered, and I was changed, I finally decided that I wanted to finish school. I had lived in Vermont before my change, but the memories there were too painful. I needed to get as far away from there as I could. I would say Forks qualifies as far enough away. It also helped that my father's brother, my uncle, Charlie, lives here. So, I decided to move in with him and finish school," I finished with a sad smile. It was always difficult speaking about my parents.
"I'm so sorry, Bella," Emmett said, remorse and concern now marring his features. "I didn't know. I wouldn't have asked if I knew that—"
"It's okay, Emmett, really. I've had time to grieve and move on. I'm okay now," I reassured him. I didn't like it when he wasn't smiling. He just struck me as the type of person that was born to smile.
"How long ago were you changed?" This time it was Edward asking the question.
"Two years ago—today. I was changed on the night of my 18th birthday." I smiled softly.
Jasper's head quickly snapped up at that particular revelation, and I had a feeling I knew where the conversation was headed.
"Two years?" Jasper questioned. "Bella, I'm sorry darlin', far be it from me to tell you how to live your life, but you really shouldn't be exposed to humans like this after only two years. You're practically still a newborn. You could snap at any second, without meaning to and—"
"Jasper." I stopped him in his tracks holding my hands up. "I understand that you are just being concerned and looking out for your family's safety. But I'm not exactly a normal vampire. I didn't experience the change at all, and human blood holds no appeal for me. In fact, it's quite the opposite."
I suddenly felt Emmett's gaze on me. He placed his hand on top of mine. I stifled a moan, as the electricity surged through me once again from his touch. We locked eyes as he asked, "What do you mean that you didn't experience the change?"
I smiled sadly at the memory. "I mean just that. I was killed, just as my parents were by two vampires. They drained us. I know it sounds crazy, but I was sent back. I literally awoke in this body, hours after my death. No burning transformation … no blood thirsty newborn year … nothing. "
"How is that possible?" the blond vampire, named Rosalie, asked me.
I didn't know how to go on from that point without talking to Emmett first. I looked toward Alice for guidance. I didn't know who else to turn to at the moment. She gave me a nod with her head, signaling me to go take Emmett and talk. I returned my thanks in the form of a soft smile.
"It shouldn't be possible," I responded to Rosalie. "But, before I explain to the rest of you, I need to talk to you," I said, as I turned toward Emmett.
"Me?" he asked, sounding completely surprised.
"Yes, I know that you have no idea, but my change involves you. Do you think we can go somewhere and talk, and then if you're comfortable with what I tell you, you or I can tell everyone else?"
"Your change involves … um … yeah sure. Let's go," he said—confusion and curiosity coloring his voice.
As we got up to leave, I turned back to the rest of the table. "I don't mean to be rude, and I'm not trying to keep secrets. But, what I have to tell Emmett, well, it's rather personal. I want to let him decide whether or not anyone else knows … I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing, Bella, it will be fine. I've seen it. Now go," Alice ordered.
Emmett and I left the cafeteria together and headed out to the parking lot. I watched in amusement as I saw in his expression light up when I threw my back pack into the back of my pickup truck.
"This baby … is yours?" he asked in disbelief.
I simply nodded.
"Where do you want to go and talk?" he asked.
"I was thinking my house. My Uncle Charlie won't be back from the station until at least five."
Emmett nodded, although I noticed that he kept eyeing my truck.
"Would you like to drive?" I offered, smirking.
Seeing the grin that stretched across his face, along with those two adorable dimples, was worth the gesture in itself.
He nodded eagerly. "Hell yeah! I'll just have Alice drive my Jeep home." He shrugged. "She'll know."
I handed him the keys, as we switched places. I couldn't help but smile at his childlike enthusiasm, as he climbed behind the wheel.
He backed out quickly, and we were on our way. "Do you know how to get to my uncle's house?" I asked.
"Bella," he said, rolling his eyes. "This is Forks. Trust me. Everyone knows where the Chief of Police lives.
At the speed Emmett was driving, we reached my house within five minutes. As he turned the ignition off, quieting the truck, he looked at me and smiled. "Thanks, this baby runs great."
Before I had time to respond, he was out of the truck, opening my door for me like a gentleman. It's was a strange situation for me. Although I had been a vampire for two years now, I had always been alone. So, it was more than strange to see someone else move with vampire-speed.
"Thank you," I said, as he took my hand, unnecessarily helping me down out of the truck. Once I was down, however, he didn't let go. If I had to guess, judging by his earlier reaction, he was enjoying the pleasurable electrical current that passed between us whenever we touched.
I sure wasn't complaining.
We walked into Charlie's house with our hands intertwined. I could literally feel Emmett's gaze on me as he inhaled deeply.
I looked up at him and he smiled widely. "I'm sorry, Bella. But, I've been waitin' to do that all day. Every since I crossed your scent this mornin', it's haunted me. Several times I made the decision to go track you down, but Alice stopped me. I've never smelt anythin', or anyone, like you before, Bella. Your scent, it's like my own personal siren song. It calls to every part of me, my mind, my heart, my soul, my … well everythin'." He grinned. Well actually it was more of a smirk, as he most likely knew that he almost said something he shouldn't have. And I knew I should have been embarrassed at where he was headed before he stopped.
But I wasn't.
"However," he added, before I could respond, "I thought nothing in this world could be more beautiful, more heavenly than that scent. That is until I saw you, Bella. My eyes have never feasted upon such beauty," he added sincerely, as he gazed into my eyes.
"Thank you, Emmett," I said. I know my blush would have been at nuclear status, and quite possibly visible from space at the moment, if I'd still been human.
Well, if he was being honest, I supposed that I could afford him the same courtesy. "Well, Emmett, I'd be lying if I said it was only you. The second I got out of my truck this morning, your scent overwhelmed me. Obviously, I didn't know it was you at the time. But on several occasions, I thought about tracking it to its source. It wasn't until I had class with Alice, that I learned it was you," I offered.
"I too thought nothing could be more enticing than the aroma that assaulted my senses all morning long. That is, until I saw you." I finished, echoing his own words from moments ago.
His grin just grew wider, and if I wasn't mistaken, a tad bit sultry.
"So are you goin' to tell me what this is all about? Alice seemed to know … at lunch."
"She only knew what I was going to tell you, because once I decided to do so, she saw the entire conversation."
"Damn future seein' pixie," he muttered, causing me to laugh … hard.
"What?" he asked, smiling.
"Nothing," I said. "It's just that I believe I muttered those four exact words about Alice earlier today." I chuckled. My laughter was soon joined by Emmett's.
I quickly sobered up as I thought about what I was about to lay on the poor guy. I had no idea how he would handle such personal news.
"Emmett," I said as I placed my other hand on top of his. "I don't even know how or where to start. I guess I'll just say it. You are one of the two main reasons that I was changed.
His grin was gone in an instant.
A/N – Well there is Chapter 2. Next chapter will be in Emmett's point of view, as he assesses his feelings about Bella, and takes in what she has to tell him. She's about to drop a bomb on him. How will he handle it? What do you think Bella could tell Emmett that could be so important, that he would need to hear it in private? I look forward to hearing your opinions..
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed.
Sincerely,
BlackMoon29
