Chapter 4 LOSS
Renesme's Point of View
The plane was soaring over the blue and green waters of the Atlantic. I could make out the lush, tropical landscape of Venezuela. I was getting excited. There were so many firsts. First time leaving the country. First time to study abroad. First time away from family. First time for _____. I wasn't sure what was ahead. And I liked it. As we exited the plane, the hot, humid air hit me with a stifling blast and was shocking in contrast to the cool air conditioning of the plane. Island music was being played by a live steel drum band as we entered the concourse. Stacy, my roommate, peered around my shoulder.
"Who's that incredibly hot-?" she asked, her question fading off as her mouth hung open, staring at the young man with the impossibly rich, dark brown skin. He was wearing a crisp linen shirt, open at the top revealing a smooth sinuous chest. He was holding an exquisite bouquet of tropical orchids and a sign that read "Renesme".
Now it was my turn for my jaw to drop. His eyes, the color of warm teak, met mine and something like a fire began to smolder deep inside me.
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Jacob's Point of View
I wondered how Ness was doing in Venezuela. It had been a few days since her last call. She was enormously excited about her host family, the classes at the local college, tutoring the village children after school, the scenery, and the list went on and on. Only I suspected there was something more she was excited about but wouldn't tell me. She had stopped sending me pictures from her head since she arrived in the Amazon, and I didn't know if it was because she was hiding something or the distance was simply too far for her gift to work. No matter. I was tired of both wallowing in the agony of missing her and running away from my problems. I was working on my plan to be a worthy man for her to come back to. I tried not to think about the fact that she may never come back. Somewhere in the last few months, I had been able to shut out that persistent, nagging worry, albeit not completely.
I threw myself into my work at the LaPush auto shop. Bernie, the wrinkled, gray haired owner, had all but put me in charge of everything. I relished the trust he placed in me. He kept telling me he needed someone to pass this place off to – heaven knows, he needed to retire. (His words, not mine.)
After hours, I would work as lifeguard at the beach and swim instructor at the nearby indoor pool. The children I taught regarded me as some type of local hero. I basked in their attentions and equally loved them back as they brightened my otherwise monotonous days.
Since the Cullens had left Forks, most of the pack had stopped their regular runs, but we still hung out like always. However, I still made sure I phased regularly into my wolf form. I did not want to age.
Although I was still living with my dad Billy, I realized it was time to move out on my own. I had been saving every penny. I knew exactly the place I wanted to buy. It was a handyman special, but I knew I could make it just like I imagined it could be. I hoped Nessie would love it, too.
Just then my phone rang. I did not recognize the number.
"Hello," I answered, confused.
"It's me, dog. I've got some news for you." Groan. Rosalie. Nessie's sister and I have never really gotten along and perhaps I was partly to blame for fanning the flames of animosity.
"Well, I've got some news for you – I have a new blonde joke" I went on before she could interrupt. "Why was the blonde so excited when she completed the puzzle in only three days?" And then without pausing for an answer, I added, "Because the box said 2-4 years!"
"Well since I didn't call to hear your stupid jokes I'll make it quick. I don't know if you heard this already but I thought you should know."
My laugh strangled in my throat. Did I want to hear this?
"Renesme's engaged."
"Impossible!" I roared.
"But true," Rosalie answered snidely. "Alice saw it all. She's chosen someone just like herself. You may remember him – Nahuel?"
The memory of a dark skinned Amazon boy entered my mind. The only male on earth that was both half human and half vampire. Just like my Renesme. I was speechless.
"I'll have to take it from your silence that you do remember. Well, goodbye," and then she added in a sugary sweet voice, "I am sorry that you had to find out this way."
I don't know how long after that conversation I sat staring at the rain running down my window. I really could not think of anything.
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Edwards Point of View
Our Greek project group had just convened for the evening. We left the Baker Library at dusk, to avoid being in public in the sun. As we walked out toward the Green, Jim called out to me. "Edward, I have something for you!"
I turned and walked a normal human pace back to the library entrance, leaving Bella by the streetlight. Jim handed me the copy of the notes from the study group.
"Thank you", I replied, even though I was able to tell him everything that was on the page from memory. As he turned to leave, my cell phone rang.
"Hello Alice," I answered. Her voice startled me. I had not heard it so panic stricken since the night she dropped the glass vase and predicted the coming of the Volturi to Forks.
"Edward," she said in a near whisper, "I just saw Bella and me disappear and then I saw nothing!!"
"What? What do you mean?" I answered, seeing the black nothingness of her thoughts.
Then the phone disconnected.
I whirled around looking outside of the library toward the streetlight where I left Bella moments before. She was gone.
I scanned the length of College Street and the entire Green. No Bella.
Her scent lingered near the streetlight, but then literally vanished. The stench of death and disease replaced it. The odor nearly caused me to gag. I began tracking the putrid smell behind the library and down College Street until it disappeared. I abruptly came to a halt at the end of the trail and leaned my head back, my fists clenched, and screamed at the moon, " BELLLLLAAA!"