A/N: I own nothing…SM owns it all of her Characters.
*I only own the ones I've made up. Like the guy in this Chapter, ARB, is all mine…..
Last Time…We ended with…
"I'll come and get you tomorrow. I'll call before I come over." Alice said. She was acting more hyper right now then she had all night.
I turned my head towards her. My mouth was hanging open. "Catching flies" as Renee would say. Why am I so effected by Jasper? I can't wait until tomorrow. I thought.
Chapter 4(BPOV)
"Beelllaaaa?" Someone whispered.
"Umm, Bella…" Someone was talking to me. I unwillingly opened my eyes just a crack and saw Alice standing at the end of my bed looking down at me.
"Will you just grab your bag, and a let's go already." said the edgy coffee drinker. I bet she didn't get enough this morning. I thought.
"Ya sure. Just let me get out of bed first. I thought you said that you'd call before you came over Alice. And where is Charlie?" I asked. Yawning and stretching, trying to get out of bed.
Unwrapping the blankets from around my feet. I hadn't slept a lot last night. And what little sleep I did get was filled of crazy dreams all starring Jasper. That tightness in my chest that I felt when we looked into each other's eyes. It only seemed to grow tighter as the night went on. I got untangled from the blankets and sheet, and got up and out my bed.
I noticed that Alice's eyes were the same color as Jasper's had been. I wonder why that it is. But before I had a chance to ask her about it she said quickly, "Charlie left. Fishing trip or something. He let me in. I was pulling up, when he was taking off. Let's go we have so much to do today. And you've already wasted half of the morning in bed."
"Alice it's only 9:37." I said as I looked over at my clock.
"That's no excuse. Now let's go already." She said bouncing slightly.
"Ok ok. God Alice let a girl wake-up would ya?" I said a little crabber then I meant it come out. "Sorry usually I'm a morning person. But I didn't sleep that well last night." I was about to goof-up my new friendship, and it hadn't even started twenty-four hours ago.
"Don't worry about it. Why couldn't you sleep?" asked Alice. Smiling with a knowing looking upon her face.
Think Bella you can't tell her the truth. "Umm, I'm not use to the rain hitting the roof. It sounded like a whole family of squirrels was up their all night. Pounding way with little hammers." I lied as I grabbed my bathroom bag. Trying to leave my room as quick as I could.
"Oh you're a terrible liar. You're blushing, number one, give away. You're not looking me in the eyes, number two. Number three, I'm sure your lack of sleep had nothing to do with the rain or squirrels." Said Alice finishing her statement with a small laugh. As I walked out of my room and into the hall. Turning around long enough to roll my eyes at her. To which she only laughed harder. I walked into the bathroom, shut the door, and started getting ready for the day.
"What are we doing today?" I asked as I came back into my bedroom. I had taken a hot shower, and still had my hair wrapped-up in a towel. I walked over to the laundry basket dumped my dirty clothes in it and sat down on my bed. I was wearing a pair of blue jeans, my Chucks, and a red v-neck long sleeved tee.
I pulled out my hair brush as I sat on the bed next to Alice. "Well you said that you needed to run to the store. What do you need? I mean we could go to Port Angeles if you want. But there are some things that need to be talked about at my house." Alice said. As
I brushed the rats nest out of my damp hair.
"I need some school supplies, and I'd like to get a new back pack. The one I'm using now's from freshmen year." With that I got up and made my way back to the door.
"Where are you going? Aren't you ready yet?" asked Alice. She was acting kind of weird this morning. Well she was just as hyper as she was last night, but today it seemed like she had a major schedule to keep.
I looked back over at the clock. I was up, showered, dressed, and half awake. All within 26 minutes.
Why does she want to go right now at this very minute?
"I haven't had my coffee yet Alice. Would you like to join me for one?" I asked. Knowing damn good and well that she had probably drank a whole gallon of it by this time in the morning.
"Thanks for the offer, but I… d..on't drink…. coff..ee." Laughed Alice.
Well that blew that theory straight to hell. I thought. No she must be a Latte kind of a girl.
"Well I do. And I'm gonna go get a cup and eat breakfast. While you tell me what we need to talk about at your house." I stated as I was going down the stairs.
I walked into the kitchen grabbed a bowl, spoon, gallon of milk, and the frosty flakes. I sat it all down on the table. Clearing away, Charlie's newspaper from last night. Then went to coffee pot, grabbed a cup, and the sugar. Walked back over to the table that Alice was now leaning her elbows on. And dug in. "So did you eat yet?" I asked.
"Yep. I grabbed a quick bite on my way over here." Alice said, she was almost doubled over with laughter at this point.
"Okay. So are we shopping, then talking or the other way around?" I asked speaking with my mouth half-full. I figured it was just the two of us. She seems easy going enough. I might as well loosen up around her. She'd already seen me in my men's boxers and wife-beater this morning.
"Well I think we'd better head to my house first. And don't worry about the supplies. Esme buys so many this time of year, that we have a enough saved up to stock a store." Alice stated.
"Alice, Esme bought those things for you guys, not me. I won't feel right taking anything that I haven't paid for. If we're gonna be friends then you need to know that I don't do well with not earning what, I receive." I said as I finish up my breakfast, my last sip of coffee, and cleaned up the mess. My back was towards Alice when she said.
"Alright but if we're going to be friends and trust me. We're going to be really great friends. You'll just have to get use to, presents and attention. My family we're different from most families. We had a rougher time growing-up then most kids in high school. You remember that we're all adopted right?" Alice finished. I turned around to face her, she had a sad expression on her face. It didn't sit well on her. O.S.M. I goofed-up again.
Guilt. I hate guilt.
"Sorry this whole friendship thing is kind of new to me. I was best friends with my mom growing up. I went to school with kids that acted like I was yesterday's leftover's." With that statement I thought that Alice was going to lose her breakfast. So I joked, "What don't you like leftover's Alice?"
"Oh the only comment that works right now, is one of Emmett's. HELL NO!" Yelled Alice. We both started laughing like fools.
I was starting to get worried again. That feeling I had last night before the visit to the Cullen's was back but dulled somehow. The tightness in my chest was growing heaver by the second.
I walked into the entryway, grabbed my small purse, and lead Alice out the door. I locked it behind us and started walking towards a Ford F-250 Pick-Up truck. It had royal blue paint, black tinted windows, big mud tires, and it stood a good foot and a half off of the driveway floor. Thank god there were running boards to help you climb inside.
Alice was leading the way to the truck and said, "Go ahead and get in." So I climbed into the passenger's side door. The inside of this truck was decked out. It had a six changer CD player, GPS screen built inside the dash, moonroof, cream colored heated, leather seats. This truck was loaded with ever option available. Damn.
Alice climbed in the driver's seat. She had a easier time getting in to this behemoth then I did. She started it up, and pulled the truck out of the driveway as I buckled in. She was driving out of town towards the way Charlie had gone last night. So I kind of knew where I was. I noticed the stores this time around. There was a grocery store, Post Office, Library, the high school, a couple of grade schools, and a dollar stop. "I guess we really will have to go to Port Angeles to get my stuff, huh?" I said.
"Not if you just give in and let me give you the stuff you need." Pouted Alice. Why do I get the feeling that she always gets her way?
"Oh alright Alice. You win just let it be an early birthday present, ok?" I was hoping that this would make her more inclined to tell me what was going on at her house. Maybe bribery could work on Alice.
We turned left, back onto that dirt road that I'd left less then twelve hours ago. I noticed that we had gotten there a lot faster then Charlie did last night. "So are you gonna to tell me what's going on?"
"You'll find out soon enough, but I do have a question for you." Alice paused and then said, "What did you think about everyone last night?" Her eyes left the road and turned towards me.
"Everyone seemed real nice and inviting. You guys made me feel at ease so I could loosen up. Thanks for that by the way. I was feeling overwhelmed when I got there, and at peace mostly until we left." I stated.
"Mostly?" Asked Alice. "What does "mostly" mean?"
"I was feeling better after we ate, the conversations went easier. But right before my dad and I left something happened. I can't explain it right."
I could explain it right. If I told her that her brother Jasper made me feel happy, secure, and complete in just those few minutes that he was in the room with me.
Oh I'm in so much trouble. I think I'm falling for her brother and I just met him. How does that happen. How can I walk into that house and act like I'm not losing my mind?
We pulled up to the front of the house. It was even more breath taking in the daytime, it was so inviting. It gave me a instant feeling of being at home. Where did that come from? But the knot of tightness in my chest left completely at that moment. It was just gone.
Alice and I got out of the truck and made our way to the front door. Before opening the door Alice turned to me, grabbed my shoulders, and said very calmly. "Bella today's going to be overwhelming for you. Trust me. I know that. You're going to have to learn to expect the unexpected ok? If you need a break just let Rose or I know. But I know that you can handle this. It's just the first step for you really."
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" I yelled, in complete confusion and terror. I know my eyes were bugging out of my head. I had no idea of what was going to happen once we entered the house. But right now I wanted to go back home, and go back to bed. With just those few words of Alice's my butterflies came back, the hair on the back of my neck started to tingle, and I was ready to throw-up.
When suddenly I wasn't confused or scared anymore. I felt nothing but calm and reassured. Am I PMS'ing? Because that was a one hell of a mood swing. WTF?
Alice pulled away from me and opened the front door. Even after being given a warning I still followed her in anyway. We entered the house and went straight into the living room. Past the instruments and I found myself standing in a room full with eleven other people.
Nine of which I'd just met last night. One, I'd never seen before, and One that I've only seen in my dreams. They all had serious looks gracing there beautiful faces. Every eye was trained on me as I took my seat on the couch. The same seat that I'd sat in last night.
Carlisle, Esme, Rose, Emmett, Jasper, Peter, Charlotte, Edward, and Alice were all standing up towards the kitchen entry wall, at the other end of the room. One of the unknown men had long black hair, he sat on the loveseat across from me. And the other man, the One I've seen in my dreams he was leaning up against the window frame behind the loveseat.
I was looking from person to person. This whole scene looked like one of those interventions that I've seen on TV. But I don't do drugs or drink. I go to school. I try to be a good person, trustworthy, reliable. Oh shit now I'm making myself sound like a great used car. I thought.
"Bella honey. You need to calm down. You've done nothin' wrong. We just need to talk to you about a couple of things that's all." Said Jasper. He left the line of Cullen's and made his way to me. He sat down on the couch next to me, grabbed my left hand, and started to draw small circles on my palm with his thumb. Once Jasper took my hand I instantly felt better. I felt safe, secure, and able to deal with whatever was coming my way next. And I knew that something was coming next.
The man that was leaning up against the window's frame, the One I've seen him in my dreams. Right now he didn't look very happy with Jasper or I. His face held a sneer, that was not to very becoming on him. He was tall, just as tall as Jasper. Six, three or so. He looked to be in his mid-to-late thirties. His skin was pale just like mine. He had reddish-blonde hair, and the most gorgeous sky blue eyes. And those blue eyes were completely focused on Jasper's hand on mine at the moment.
The other man, he was older. Maybe in his late-forties. His skin was so white. It was almost transparent. He had straight, jet black hair. His eyes were a funny color they almost looked black. The combination of his colorings made him look, sickly. I couldn't tell how tall he was, since he was sitting. But his face held a huge smile.
"Bella I'd like to introduce you to a couple of people." said Carlisle.
Gesturing toward the man on the loveseat he continued, "This is my friend Marcus Volturi. We have been friends for a long time now."
"Hello Isabella. What a pleasure it is to finally meet you." Marcus said. He had a wonderful Italian accent.
All I could do was nod my head in his direction. I was getting upset again and wanted to go home. I'd run if I had to. Within a second of wanting to run, I felt extremely calm.
WTF is going on with me?
"And Bella this gentleman is, Aaron Bayne." Said Carlisle lifting his hand towards the man, by the window.
Aaron moved and started to approach me with such grace. He came to kneel in front of me, and took my right hand in his. "Hello, my dear Isabella. I have been waiting to meet you for many years now." Said Aaron. He had a strong British accent. His facial expression held nothing but the most sincere look. His eyes shown just how much he meant each word.
"Hello Mr. Bayne and Mr. Volturi. It's nice to meet you both." I said, while taking my eyes off of Aaron's and started looking at the floor. For some reason I wanted it to open up and again and swallow my whole.
I was feeling insecure, tremendous trepidation, and completely overwhelmed. Not only because I felt outnumbered. But with all of the beauty that each person in this room held. I felt unworthy to be within a hundred miles of it.
Aaron moved from his kneeling position and took the seat next me on the couch. While Jasper was holding my left hand, Aaron held my right. It felt like something big was coming my way and I was incapable of dodging it.
"Isabella, I am sure that you are now wondering what we have brought you here to talk about. I want to you know that we are all here to help you understand and adjust." Said a very calm Carlisle.
I looked up and into his eyes. "What do you mean? I'm completely confused and I really just want to go home right now." I whined. I didn't want to know what was going on. I just wanted to pretend that none of this ever happened. Maybe this is another one of my weird dreams. I thought to myself.
"Bella you mentioned last night that you enjoyed reading. Have you ever thought that maybe some of the idea's from those books that you have enjoyed were real?" Asked Carlisle, standing with his hands held together in front of him. Idea's that were real? What is this man talking about?
"What? Like, the Sci-Fi stuff? Like, Orson Scott Cards, Ender's Game? Aliens and whatnot." I asked. Completely confused and I was starting to consider these people might need a psychologist's help. Maybe a whole group of psychological help.
"Something like that. Not aliens or little green people. But other things, Bella." Piped up Aaron from next to me.
"Like what then?" I asked sarcastically while looking around the room. I couldn't believe that these beautiful people were this messed up. Yeah I'm no beauty queen but at least I've got my head stuck on straight.
"Oh things like Vampires, Shape Shifters, and other beings." said a very amused Emmett. He was trying and failing at holding in a snickering.
Lions, Tigers, and Bears oh my. These people are nuts. I was saying in my head.
I was about to get up off the couch, walk out the door, and never think of anyone in this room again. When Jasper looked over at me and said. "I know it's really hard to think about, darlin'. But some of the idea's in those books can be pretty close to real life from some of us."
"What books? And what the hell are you talking about?" I asked while extracting my hand from his. I was about to start yelling if someone doesn't start to explaining this shit to me and quickly.
"This might be easier if we give her a definition of what we are talking about." Said Marcus while still sitting across from me.
I was hoping, NO at this point I was praying that this was all a really bad dream. I was starting to have feelings for Jasper after meeting him for less then fifteen minutes last night. One of my new best friends was as hyper, as a kid after eating cotton candy. And the people surrounding me at the moment were all as crazy as loons. What've I gotten myself into?
"Ok so a human is just that, a human. A vampire, is a being that was once a human, but was transformed into something else. A shape-shifter, is a being born with a genetic mutation chromosome that allows them to take a different shape as they need too. Are you following me so far?" asked Carlisle. He must have been talking in Chinese, because most of what he just said went flying way over the top of my head. So I did the only thing I could do. I nodded my head at him. Acting like I was following on his every word.
Yeah right. I was ready to do just about anything to get the hell out of this house. I ought to move back home to California with Renee, at least there the only fruits and nuts grown, are grown on trees.
"Ok so you are trying to tell me that vampires and shape-shifters are real?" I stated. Trying to be as serious as everyone else in the room.
"Yes we are Bella. And there is even more than that. The ten of us Esme, Jasper, Peter, Charlotte, Rose, Emmett, Edward, Alice, Marcus, and myself are all vampires." Said Carlisle. How he was holding a straight face at this point was beyond me. This has to be some kind of small town joke. Make the new girl feel like she's normal compared to us or something like that. WTF?
"Vampires like "I want to drink your blood" type vampires." I said in that weird Count Dracula accent. Gaining me around of laughter out of those around me. Great now I'm the butt of their joke.
"Yes." was Jasper's answer.
I stood up and started walking backwards. I was going to try to make my way to the front door. I'll walk to the end of the driveway. Flag someone down, and have them drive me to Charlie. I'll then call my mom, tell her that she was right and that I was wrong. And be on a plane back to home before nightfall. But that was not what happened.
Aaron stood up. Walked towards me, holding his hands in front of him. In a "I come in peace" type gesture. And he said, "Isabella, I know that you are scared right now. I know that you want nothing more than to pretend that this is not real, but you now know the truth. You had to be told and told now. I am so sorry that I was unable to tell about all of this until now. I have wanted to tell you for years. But your mother refused to allow me anywhere near you."
"MY MOM? WHAT THE DOES MY MOM HAVE TO DO WITH THIS BULLSHIT?" I yelled still backing up. I had forgotten about the three steps again and fell backwards.
Hitting my head on the landing as I dropped. Then everything faded into black…
A/N: I'd like to thank everyone that has added THaTH to your Favorites & Alerts.
To those who have reviewed thank you for your words. I'm trying to make this story worth your reading time. I am grateful to each of you.
Let me know what you think. R&R, please. I'll send you a little bit of Chapter 5 if you do.
Hugs~Izzy