Stag Night
Riley
I was grateful that the Cullens took me in. Hell, they even accepted me, even after I had tried to kill them. It was thanks to Edward that I was here and adjusting so well. Being a vampire was almost a new experience because of not being tethered to Victoria. I was having delayed reactions that Victoria had distracted me from; like missing my old life. Edward helped me through those things. So in someways, I was happy, but at the same time, I was back at the beginning. I no longer had a purpose, and I felt useless.
Jacob and Leah came over today. He came to visit Bella, but Leah came to visit me. Jacob and I got along because we both were against Bella changing into a vampire.
I thought Leah was happy to see me. We hadn't talked since getting out of the hole.
"Are you feeling better?" Leah asked.
She was always serious, and never joked. I actually liked that about her. She wasn't try to win my loyalty or anything.
"Yeah, I'm doing good, Leah. I'm transitioning into a normal life. Well, normal for a vampire."
I offered her a drink, but she refused. I found it funny that the Cullens always stocked up on food and drinks even though they didn't need food. They kept up the facade well.
"Hey, did you know the Cullens collect cola bottles; from the first one with cocaine, through the lear pepsis, up to the vanilla ones. I used to chug almost five cans a day, back in high school."
"That's unhealthy, Riley," she said while laughing. Then she became serious. "Riley, why did you come back here?"
I hesitated to answer. The only other noise was the rain hitting the windows. I could smell some sort of wet dog, musty scent.
"I spent a couple days wandering around Forks," I said calmly, "And I hadn't had any blood for a week because I was feeling guilty about killing people. So I was pretty weak."
I looked down at my feet, wishing that I could forget the whole experience.
"It was just weird. I spent the first two days in the wilderness, which allowed me to think about me things. At one point, as I wandered around, I saw my friend from high school."
I said miserably, "And I was so full of blood lust that I almost killed him. But I didn't, luckily. After that, I wanted to kill myself since I was such a monster. But it's near impossible."
Leah said kindly, "It's better this way, even if it's punishment."
I nodded, though I disagreed adamantly. "I guess, but there's so much that I'll never be able to run from."
"I know. You seemed really disgusted with yourself in the hole."
I still felt guilty over Diego's death. Without sleep, all I could do was think about him and everyone I hurt over and over again. I just hated myself for what I did, and I hated Alec for choosing this punishment.
"So, I realized that I was lost without Victoria. And I guess I thought the Cullens could help me."
She leaned in and kissed me, her warm lips pressing against mine. I kissed her back and embraced her. I could feel her chest heave against mine as she breathed. I got excited as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I felt a warmth traveling through me, and I started to moan.
Then my phone buzzed. I broke it off and walked over to the hall. Leah got up and excused herself.
I groaned to her dismay. "Yeah, I'll come down. How much do you need?"
"Don't you have a credit card?" she asked frustrated.
"No, I don't. Is two hundred fine?"
"Think bigger Riley."
The bill nearly cleaned me out, but according to Alice it was worth it because they were bringing in orchids and lilies.
Later that day, Alice made me stand still so that she could get measurements for a tuxedo. She spent a lot of time breaking pins whenever she poked me. On top of that, I had to tell her to make my suit looser because insisted on making it some new tailored style.
.
The day before the wedding was the most stressful thing I'd ever experienced. I'd probably like Alice more if I hadn't met her until after the wedding. Andday before the wedding was the most stressful day I'd ever experienced. I'd probably like Alice more if I hadn't met her until after the wedding. The only thing she let us handle was the bachelor party.
Emmett and Jasper were interested in hunting and drinking. Yes drinking, vampires can get drunk. We just absorb alcohol like blood.
When nightfall came, we raced off to Bella's home. Jasper jumped up on the old mangled tree and rapped on the glass. After some mumbling, Edward stuck his head out the window, flanked by Bella.
"Come on man, you'll have an eternity with her. Now let's go," Emmett joked.
Jasper added in his southern gentleman's voice, "You have to, Edward. It's tradition, and Alice loves tradition."
"There won't be anything weird going on, right?" Bella asked suspiciously.
Jasper shook his head. "No ma'am. Just hunting."
"Don't give away the surprise," Emmett hissed."
Edward acquiesced. He kissed Bella, climbed out the window, and jumped.
The four of us ran at top speed through the forest. Normally, it would have been eerie, but I was practically invincible. We agreed to head our separate ways to hunt. There was a faint scent of bear that I followed nose first. I followed a bloody trial, suggesting that the bear had dragged of an elk. It was kind of disheartening, but I still was thirsty. The trail lead me to a bear eating an elk. I was about to make my move when I heard a low hiss. I spun around to see
Emmett jump over me from a tree. He dove at the bear and wrestled with it until it was no longer moving.
"Are you slow tonight?" Emmet yelled. I got out of my daze and ran towards the next smell to assault my nose. This time, I was lead to a mountain lion. It only a moment to kill. After sucking it dry, I moved on to find Edward going after a wild boar. "
"Having trouble?" I asked.
He glared at me jokingly before charging it head on. The boar was nearly flattened when he was done with it. Another one appeared behind him and I jumped from the hill on top of it.
After the hunt, the four of us hit a bar in Seattle where we used fake licenses, not that theirs weren't fake to begin with. Before I even got a drink, my sister,two years younger than me, walked in with her boyfriend.
While Edward and Emmet told stories about their hunt, I slipped away. My only choice was the bathroom. After a few moments, I stuck my head out to see if they were far enough back that I could leave, unseen. Unfortunately, it looked like they were going to be here for a few hours. A couple guys passed in and out of the restroom with confused looks on their faces.
"Why are you still in here?" I spun around to see a little boy behind me.
"Beat it, dingus."
He came closer. "Is your ex out there?"
"You shouldn't know that. Go find your mom and dad."
He shrugged and went back to his table. I started to tune into my sister's conversation. Her voice was easy to pick apart from everyone else's. I think she was talking about me, but I couldn't make out everything she was saying. She still missed me though. The more I listened, the worse I felt. My sister actually needed me more than I thought she did. Then her boyfriend changed the subject. I was glad he did. She didn't need to be distraught about me. I was ok, and I wish I could have told her that.
I decided to text Edward for help. His only advice was to sneak out unnoticed. I pretended to be sick and walked back outside. It was only a matter of minutes before I reached the Cullen's. Esme was the only person up in the dark home. She sat in the living room with only a reading light on. She looked up, "Is everything ok, Riley?"
"Yeah, I just came back early."
She stuck her bookmark in it's place, put the book on the table, and walked over to me. "There's something else though, Riley. You can tell me," he said soothingly.
"My sister was at the bar tonight. I didn't want her to notice me."
She hugged me before I could move back. I hugged back and quietly sobbed. "I miss them. It never occurred before, but seeing them…"
"It will get better. Right now you'll miss them more than ever but it will pass. They'll grow up and have happy lives along with yours."
I thanked her and slowly made my way up the stairs. The spare room, now my bedroom, was littered with Alice's fabrics. I waded through them and sat in the rolling chair. It would have been easier if I could sleep but closing my eyes and trying to ignore everything was the best I could do.
