Hey! I'm back! Who missed me?
(My friend always gives me a look when I say that. Like she's not happy to see me. DON'T DENY, ANNROSE!)
But anyways! I have a purpose to all this randomness.
(I think.
Wait...
Yeah! I do!)
So, I was reading Bella Swan: Kidnapper-
By the way, go read it. It is too funny! And I love Sophie. She's so cute!
-and I saw a story that had won a Bellie. So, me being me, I was all like, "What's a Bellie?" And I googled it. (The answer to life's questions.)
Dude. Did you know it's an award? I was like, "Asdfghjkl! You've got to be shitting me!'
And then, a light bulb turned on (a.k.a. My GENIUS Idea!) I'm making an award! It's called...
Dun, dun-dun-da!
An Eternity. They are Twilight Awards. And I have a whole thing planned out. I have the catergories, and the rules, and the dates. It's a done deal.
So, Nominations start on April 29th. So, go nominate!
the-eternity-awards(dot)webs(dot)com.
2010-Mexia, Texas-Whitlock Property-Isabella Marie Whitlock
I sat in front of the house, curled tightly into my wicker chair on the porch. A heavy brown hair was perched on the crown of my head, shadowing my golden eyes from the gusty wind as i waited for the exact second the sunrise would start. It was a habit I started in my human days, after Jasper went to join the war, and it was a habit I brought over to my vampric life. I remember the exact day I started, even though it is a hazy human memory.
*Flashback start*
1862-Mexia, Texas-Whitlock Property-Third Person
A 16-year-old Bella stood on the porch of the old white house, waiting. She had gotten the call not long ago, and was now expecting the doctor. She didn't have to wait long, for as soon as she had made to go back in the house to ring the doctor (five minutes after he had just alerted her of his arrival, but that didn't faze her), the horse-drawn carriage that her family was so familiar with pulled around the corner. She took two steps forward, and then one step back. She was anxious to know what was happening, but hesitant in case it wasn't good news.
The back door opened, and she held her breath as the man came into view. He was tall, but nowhere near Jasper's height. He had to be about thirty-five in age, and he had dark brown hair with dark purple. He looked up at her and sighed. Bella felt the tears spring to her eyes.
"Miss Whitlock, I'm sor-"
"If you're goin' to say you're sorry, you don't have to. It ain't your fault. And what have I said about callin' me Miss Whitlock? If you ain't goin' to say Bella, you ain't goin' to speak to me at all." She finished with her hands on her hips, lips set in a firm line. But then she winked and gestured to the front door. "Now, com'on in, Christian. It's mighty cold outside at three in the mornin'. You too, Daniel," she called to the coachman. Said man hopped from the carriage and followed the petite girl inside. Bella lit kerosine lamps as she went, her long, proper skirts brushing the floor gently. How she wished the doctor wasn't a gentleman, for she could then wear a pair of pants around the house.
They made their way to the parlor where she had set out three cups: coffee for the coachman, a bourbon for the doctor, and brandy for herself. They all took a seat around the fire.
"So, you said you had urgent news for me." She sipped her drink and got comfortable. "Well, get to talkin'. I ain't got all day."
Christian rung his hands nervously. "Well, Miss Whi-Bella. We have been doin' tests on your father to see what might be wrong with him." He looked up to see large, brown eyes staring at him. He flinched. Her eyebrows rose. He cleared his throat. "We think it's a growth on his jaw."
"Cut it off, then. You know how to do that." When she heard no response, Bella turned her head just slightly to see the doctor's expression. It spoke louder than words. "It's killin' him, ain't it?"
"I'm sorry."
She smiled sadly. "It's fine, Christian. It's not like anyone can live forever." She missed the look the two men shared at her words as she stood up and smoothed her skirt. She put a fake smile on her face as she spoke. "Hurry on up, drink your drinks, and place your coats back on. I've got to get to bed and get some beauty sleep." Both men downed their drinks and did as told. She followed them to the door. As they moved silently down the front stairs, a coyote cry pierced the silence.
"Y'all be careful now, you hear? I ain't goin' to be goin' to no funerals," she said sternly. Both men chuckled.
"We hear you, Bella. Now, go on, get inside. There are scarier things than coyotes out there." The young woman nodded and headed inside. She quickly made her way upstairs to her bedroom. Changing quickly, she sat upon the window seat, peering up at the pinkening sky. Texan sunrises always come early, she thought to herself when she saw the time. She gripped the windowsill tightly and smiled lightly. The sun was coming up steadily now, and she could see all the animals waking up. It was a beautiful sight.
She didn't hear the front door open, so it came as no surprise when she walked down the stairs and froze. Next to the door was a wornout satchel. A satchel that belonged to a certain person in the war. She sprinted down the stairs and to the kitchen, tripping over the leg of a table and letting a few choice words slip.
"Wow. And here I thought I had a sister in the house. But then again, you've always done thin's most girls wouldn't do."
Bella brushed her long hair out of her face, getting up. She squealed loudly and cried out, "Jazzy!"
The blonde male laughed and lifted the girl up. "Bellie!" She laughed as he danced around the room with her. Passing the radio, he turned a knob, and fast-paced music came out of the speakers. He bowed gracefully and she curtsied quickly, taking his hand and spinning her under his arm. They carried themselves around the kitchen, ducking past chairs and dodging the corners of the tables. She giggled slightly when Jasper reached over and flipped the pancakes he started.
"So," he asked when he dipped her, "Where's Pa?"
Bella's smile slipped from her features as tears gathered behind her eyes. "He's at the doctor's house."
Jasper dropped his arms from her waist. "What?"
"He started coughing about a month ago, and from there, it just got worse. And a couple of days ago," she wiped tears from her eyes, "He collapsed." Saying those two words seemed to make it hit her finally, and she broke down, sinking to the floor. Jasper caught her and fell down as well, eyes blank as his little sister cried on his chest."
2010-Mexia, Texas-Whitlock Property-Isabella Marie Whitlock
I sighed at the memory. Even though it wasn't the happiest memory, it was still precious to me. The fact that Jasper came home after I watched a beautiful sunset gave me hope. I had begun watching after that, wishing to see another one so I would have good news about my father, or Jasper would stay home for good.
I had never seen another like it, I mused.
A soft creak alerted me to another presence on the porch. My head whipped around, and I saw my brother taking the other rocking chair.
"Hey." I smiled wryly at him.
"Hey," I responded. He grasped my hand and immediately knew what was going on. I'm pretty sure I felt melancholy.
"What were you just thinkin' of?"
I turned towards the sunrise. "The reason I started watching them." I didn't need any bigger explaination because Jasper already knew why. We sat there in silence; neither moving until the grandfather clock struck eight. I lifted myself up slowly.
"Time for breakfast," I said. Jasper gave me a look. "What? The animals have to eat!" He rolled his eyes. We headed to the parlor now, and right befor we entered, my brother opened his big mouth and got me going.
"I bet I can feed them faster than you." I froze, and looked at him. He was leaning against the doorframe, a cocky smirk playing on his lips. I couldn't help it. I snorted.
"You? Beat me? You must be jokin'." I pushed open the double doors, revealing the Cullen family sitting in there. I got that familar pain whenever I saw them.
"You know I can. That's why you ain't goin' to do it." He got real close to my ear. "You're scared."
"Scared?" I whirled around, eyes hard. "You listen here, Jasper Charles Whitlock, an' you listen real good. I ain't 'fraid of nothin' or nobody, 'specially you." I poked him in the chest hard, and a light rumble occured. I realized he was laughing at me.
"Then why don't you prove me wrong?" I pondered this. Why don't I?
Oh, yeah.
'Cause it's stupid.
But it is fun...
I smirked, my lips twisting in a familar way. "You've got yourself a deal, brother." Jasper grasped my outstretched hand and shook.
"You better brin' it." He pulled himself to his full height, tying to intimidate me.
"Oh, I already brought it." I cocked a brow. "The question is: did you?"
A deep, booming laugh snapped us out of our pissing contest, and we both looked at the source. The big one-Emmett-had his head thrown back, the dimples in his cheeks more pronounced as he laughed at us.
"Jasper! You never told us that she was such a little spitfire!"
"I tried to forget 'bout it," he said. I pouted.
"I'm not that bad!" Jasper gave me a look that said Are you serious? He didn't give me a chance to answer for he disappeared. I blinked. "Where'd he go?"
Alice answered me. "He to get the food for the animals." She looked blankly ahead for a moment, and I raised an eyebrow. She blinked and came back, turning to Carlisle. "You're going to hunt?"
He nodded. "Our eyes are getting dark, and Jasper wants to show us a spot he hunted at."
My eyes snapped open wider, and I had to ask. "How good is your control?" Six pairs of eyes looked at me.
"Why?" Esme sounded worried.
"Jasper likes a challenge."
"Sure do," he said, holding to buckets of feed in his hands. "But what 'bout this time?" I looked over my shoulder.
"Monterry," I said simply. He grinned. "Fun times." I rolled my eyes.
"You ready?" I gestured to the buckets. He tossed one to me and I caught it, narrowing my eyes. We suddenly took off.
2010-Mexia, Texas-Whitlock Property-Jasper Charles Whitlock Hale
I felt the hard pressure on my face as my sister use it as a push-off board. She threw a wink over her shoulder and took off towards her half. I sped up, throwing feed to the chickens as I passed.
Ducks, pigs, goats, hens, I thought to myself as I fed them. Damn, how far is Bells? I came up to the stables just in time to see Bella leaving with two bales of hay. I quickly fed the horses and picked up two bales. She was already feeding the last cow when I pushed off the top of the fence that surrounded them and tore the bales apart. I caught Bella's gasp as I landed, and saw her turn tail and run to the house. I bounced once on the balls of my feet and followed, chuckling. I was slowly catching up to her when-
"ISABELLA MARIE WHITLOCK!"
Bella froze, letting me shoot past her and straight up the porch. My family was already out there, waiting to see what would happen. I could feel waves of shock and excitement rolling off her before I even saw who it was. When I did, I may have fainted if I could. Hell, I know I would have.
A familar face was smiling broadly at my sister, the little female next to him mimicking. Bella's eyes lit up, even when she had an aggravated expression.
"Dammit, Peter! You ain't got one lick of sense in there, do ya? Can't you see I was kickin' Jasper's ass?"
"Hey, now," I protested, distracted. "You were only kickin' it the first half. I was catchin' up, an' you know it." She turned to me.
"I don't know nothin'," she said, her accent coming out thicker. I deadpanned at her. "An' since I don't know nothin', that means I was winnin'. Which brings me back to..." She stomped her foot. "Dammit, Peter!"
Said male just grinned and ran a hand through his shaggy locks. "I know."
A wave of irritation hit me, and out the corner of my eye, I saw Bella's face twist up into something I've seen before. The only thing missing was her reddening cheeks.
Edward let loose a snort, obviously hearing my thought. Bella twisted around, same expression on her face. "You have somethin' to say, Mr. Cullen?" Edward wisely sobered up. He widened his eyes innocently and said, "No, Miss Whitlock. I just heard something that I thought was funny." He flashed a charming smile at her that even vampire girls woudl swoon at. But he didn't know that this was Bella Whitlock he tried to charm.
You just dug your own grave, I sent to him before she snapped.
Her golden eyes narrowed, the color darkening. "Did you just try to charm me, Mr. Cullen?" She appeared in front of him, poking him in the chest. "Did you?" she hissed. Edward looked at a loss, wondering how to answer.
The truth, I told him.
"Yes," he said, looking down at her. The gold of her eyes almost disappeared completely behind her eyelids.
"Do you know what I've down to men who've tried to charm his way out of trouble with me?"
I flinched and remembered the male newborn that thought he could get out of the choosing. Poor fellow wasn't even ash when Bella got through with him. Edward winced at the memory, and Bella cocked a brow.
"You act like you know," she said slowly. She studied him for a moment before realization dawned on her face. "You're a mindreader." He nodded tersely. Her face softened at his nervous pose. "My stupid brother didn't warn you, did he?" He shook his head once. She smiled lightly. "I can't be mad at you then. It was prob'ly a natural reaction."
"It is," Rosalie piped up. Edward threw her a scathing glare. Bella just nodded.
"I'm sorry I scared you, then. I just have a very adverse reaction to charmers."
"You didn't scare me," he said quickly.
"Oh, really know?" Bella seemed just as fooled as I was. "Jasper?"
"He was scared. Oh, get over it, Edward. If anythin', Bella can force you to tell the truth."
2010-Mexia, Texas-Whitlock Property-Edward Anthony Masen Cullen
"What?" I was completely lost. What was he talking about?
"Jasper," she hissed, "you know I don't like usin' it." She wrapped one finger around the bottom of her hair, tugging on it gently. I was distracted by that little gesture that made my attention focus on her neck. I wondered if it was as soft as it looked.
I blinked, shocked at my train of thought. What was wrong with me? That was Jasper's little sister I was thinking about. I was suddenly grateful that Jasper's gift wasn't mine. If it was, I would probably be burning at this moment.
"I was just sayin'. You can use it, just prob'ly won't."
Jasper's comment brought me back to the present. I quickly checked my family's thoughts to see if they knew what was going on.
Hmm, Bella seems easily worked up. I wonder if I could get her into a baseball game. Typical Emmett.
Oh, Jasper. Why must you rile your sister up? Esme was staying in Mother Hen mode, subconsciously including Bella as a child. I was surprised to find I wasn't entirely adverse to that idea.
I hope Jasper tells us what's going on. I really hate this secrecy. Rosalie was getting impatient.
Bella's going to be a perfect addition to the family. And with her gift, she'll be able to help us move easier. Alice knew what the gift was, although she wasn't revealing anything.
Bella's overreactin'. I was just makin' a point. Jasper was still on the fight.
Didn't Jasper mention something about her gifts? Carlisle's simple thought made my head spin back to a few days, when Jasper spoke of Bella. She had two gifts: a sort-of mind control and...
A mental sheild.
I was curious as I focused soley on her, blocking out everyone else.
And suddenly, it was quiet.
I sighed a breath of relief, and it felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I could feel my body unwinding.
"Edward. Are you okay? You seem...peaceful." Jasper's question brought me back to myself, and, on reflex, I focused on his mind. A growl rumbled through my chest as I heard all the thoughts trickle back in.
"I was," I gritted out.
"I know." Jasper was looking at me. "I felt it. I've never felt you relax that much. Ever." He didn't understand.
But Bella did. "You focused on my mind, didn't you?"
"I did." I found myself explaing before I could stop. "I was wondering to what extent your sheild would hold. And when I focused on your mind, all the normal thoughts stopped. It was quiet." The way I said "Quiet" was enough to make everyone understand that I had been waiting years for that to happen.
Bella gave me a bright smile. I was briefly mesmerised by the light reflecting off her perfect teeth. "If you want, you can focus on my mind anytime you want. It won't make a difference to me."
I took her up on that offer the moment it left her lips.
Finally. My neck is starting to hurt. And I've got homework to do. Bleh. I'm going to go watch a movie or something like that.
(I wonder if we have any popcorn...)
Well, what's going to happen now?
Why have Peter and Charlotte come back?
And is Edward starting to have feelings for our favorite Southern Belle?
Denial is not just a river in Egypt, Eddie-boy...
(Sorry. I was watching Pegasus from Yu-Gi-Oh. He keeps calling Yugi, Yugi-boy, and Kaiba, Kaiba-boy. Man, I wish Atem would figure out he's himself! He could just break some minds and send people to the Shadow Realm.
HEY! Maybe they have popcorn!)
You know the drill. Review. It's what makes my world go 'round.