This chapter is dedicated to my two sisters, who, on the night I finished this, showed me their true colours. As weirdos. But I love them. :D
7. Meetings
Alice sprinted off toward the house before anyone could react to what she'd said. I looked over at Bella questioningly. She just sighed and motioned for me to follow her. Alice's outburst about Jacob had been accompanied by an image of him holding on to Renesmee protectively from a red-eyed Bella. Hmm, that was confusing.
When we neared the white building, I was assaulted by a horrible smell. It was absolutely acrid! Surely, it would have made a human faint. After they'd puked. And cried. That's how bad it was. It made me want to cry.
"What is that?" I asked no one in particular.
"That," replied Bella "is Jacob Black."
As if on cue, a very tall, very tan man emerged from the Cullen house, Renesmee on his shoulders, playfully tugging at his shiny black hair. He stopped short when he saw me, and Rosalie quickly took Renesmee off his back.
"Who is that?" the man–Jacob—said in a low growl.
"This is Kelly. She's a friend," Edward was subtly arranging himself so he was a little in front of me.
"She's a newborn."
Bella placed a hand on his muscular arm. "Jake, it's okay. She wants to become a vegetarian. Like us. In fact, we just came back from hunting."
Suddenly Jacob started shaking and his voice rose. "You're not housing another one! How do you know you can trust her! Look at her eyes!"
How dare he? Judging me before I even said a word! Before I could defend myself he kept going.
"If this keeps happening, if you keep bringing in new bloodsuckers into the world, do you know how fast kids in La Push are going to start phasing? Heck, Sam's kid could start right out of the freaking womb!"
I snarled–involuntarily–and crouched down. Jacob immediately reacted by dropping on all fours, already in his wolf form. What happened next was a blur of limbs and fur and cracking bones.
Bella, Renesmee and Carlisle surrounded Jacob on the couch, trying to get him to phase back to human so his broken bones could heal properly.
"This is extreme déjà vu from when Bella lost it with the dog a year ago," Rosalie laughed. "Except this time you actually got your intended target!"
Emmett joined her laughter and even smacked me playfully on the back. Just like when Alice had unexpectedly hugged me, I became rigid. Don't get attached, don't get attached. I chanted to myself. Edward peered at me briefly, but otherwise gave no sign that he heard anything.
"Is he awake? Is he hungry?" came Esme's sweet voice from the kitchen.
Carlisle answered his wife. "He's coming to, and he's always hungry."
Esme laughed. "Ask him what he's hungry for will you?"
My extinction, I thought. Edward snorted, apparently thinking I was joking. He smiled at me in a reassuring kind of way, purposely bringing up the memory of him trying to act as shield between Jacob and me. I offered him a mental thanks.
"Ungh…where's…where's the, ah, the…um, blood…bloodsucker?" Jacob was finally awake and human. Very human. Edward and Bella moved quickly to cover Renesmee's eyes.
"Shh, you're not to talk yet," said Carlisle, placing a blanket over his body.
"But…where is she?" he was gaining lucidity. "I can smell her."
"Yeah, I can smell you too. You're not exactly fresh." I said dryly, much to the amusement of everyone in the house. Except, of course, Jacob. He sat up and glared at me. I glared right back. I had made my decision the very first time he opened his mouth. I did not like Jacob Black.
Jasper shifted uncomfortably in a corner.
"Edward. Carlisle. You've gotta realize that she's a danger to the people of Forks and La Push," said the shape shifter. "If she attacks me just because she was provoked by what I said, imagine what she'll do when she's provoked by someone's blood!"
God, I wished he would shut the hell up. He doesn't even know me!
"I don't drink human blood," anymore. I added.
Jacob went on as if he hadn't heard me. "I'll need to discuss this with Sam and the others. We'll hold a tribe meeting. She'll have to come."
After a lot of argument, I ended up going. My entourage – for lack of a better word – included Carlisle (as the leader of the coven), Edward (for obvious mind-reading reasons), Jasper (to calm down the crowd, if need be), and Emmett (for extra muscle). The meeting took place the next day, after Jacob had completely healed and went to inform the tribe leaders. Before we left, everyone's respective partners kissed each other goodbye and I felt a sudden pang of loneliness. Not only was I the newbie in this 'family', but it was exceptionally awkward when they were all coupled up. I tried squashing the tiny peep of jealousy but it was too late. Jasper and Edward already looked a little guilty. Ah, darn.
We piled into Emmett's jeep and drove for a few minutes before Emmett braked and we piled back out. The place was empty. No one was there. Were we early?
"No," Edward answered me. "We're going to run from here. To the field."
At the word 'field', all of the Cullens' brains filled to the brim with memories. Baseball games, a tracker named James and his girlfriend Victoria, an army of newborn vampires (I seemed to have no trouble thinking the word now. Saying it out loud though, was another matter), the newborn girl who was in so much pain–I know now that her name was Bree–a bunch of pasty-skinned, majestic-looking group of vampires in dark cloaks…
The onslaught of images made me cringe. It was akin to the feeling you get, being in a room packed with people talking all at once, at the top of their lungs—while you were having the biggest headache of your life. And as if that weren't bad enough, the mood of the memories were all grim and associated with evil. As if the roomful of people were discussing your biggest fears and failures, right in your face. I covered my ears with my hands.
"Could you stop? Please!" I begged them, quite pitifully.
No one stopped reminiscing except Edward, who knew exactly what I meant.
"Think of current events," he told everyone. Immediately my head cleared and I could have collapsed from the relief of it all.
"What's wrong, Kelly? Why were you so distressed?" Jasper asked, but I was too busy reveling in the delicious emptiness to answer him, so Edward did.
"All of us were remembering everything connected to the field—" here the images flooded in again.
"Current events!" Edward whisper-screamed.
Silence.
Edward continued. "Anyway. We were all remembering things that happened in the field–current events!–And since all the memories from there–currents events!–are bad, it overwhelmed her. Current events! It's the same with me, when I'm in a room with too many people thinking about too many things, but I've learned to tune some people out. A luxury Kelly doesn't have yet. Current events."
I suddenly burst out laughing. Edward's explanation littered with 'current events' seemed so hilarious to me. Edward laughed along with me. Then Emmett. And finally Jasper and Carlisle.
"Is that you, leeches?" Jacob's irritated voice cut through our fun moment like a knife through butter and we were all reminded why we were there.
"Yes. It's us," Carlisle's voice was very calm and warm.
"Well c'mon." Jacob's was not.
The Cullens and I ran to where the La Push tribe was situated. The sheer number of them was so overwhelming I didn't even bother to count how many there were. All the shape shifters were assembled behind three old men, one young one, and Jacob. There was only one girl among the crowd. A scowl seemed permanently etched on her beautiful face.
Who am I trying to please? I asked only Edward.
He provided me with memories of names and faces. The three old men—Billy Black, Quil Ateara Sr., and Levi Uley—Sam Uley, Leah and Seth Clearwater, and of course, Jacob Black. I sighed. They all looked like a tough crowd. Except for the one named Seth. He grinned at us and discreetly waved to Edward, remembering a recent game of thumb war he'd won.
One of the elders, Billy Black, cleared his throat and announced that "we are now in session."
"State your name and how you came to be a pale-face," said Jacob's father, in what had to be the most authoritative voice I'd ever heard.
"My name is uh, Kelly…Kelly Walker," I stammered. "I was bitten by this guy in New York. I don't know what his name is." As usual, when I thought about the stranger who ruined my life, a scary sort of hatred flowed through my icy veins and engulfed me completely. I shot Jasper an apologetic look when I noticed he was deeply squirming.
"How did you come across the Cullens?" Billy Black asked without missing a beat.
"Um, in New York. At the, uh, hospital." Ugh, could I sound any dumber with my 'uhs' and 'ums'?
Billy, and occasionally others, kept quizzing me on my life since turning into a "pale-face". It was very awkward (and a little depressing) talking about the businessman but not so much for the despicable Carl. I don't know why, but I purposely omitted the part about me being able to see other peoples' memories. Edward didn't seem too concerned about it though, so I wasn't either.
I noticed Leah Clearwater never—not once—stopped glaring at me. I wanted to tell her to cut it out, she might get premature wrinkles, but since she was on the list of people to please, I decided to keep quiet.
The last question of the day (thank goodness) came from Sam Uley. "Why do you want to join the Cullens? Why are you willing to give up human blood?"
I looked down at the flats Alice had given me the day before as I answered. "Because…because I don't want to feel that way again. Right after I've sucked the person dry…I'm—I'm overwhelmed with this feeling of horror and guilt, and I just… I hate myself. I don't want to take another human's life. To take them away from their families."
Someone in the crowd laughed. Not nicely. "Yeah right," said that someone.
I was taken aback. "Excuse me?"
"Do you think for one second, leech," Leah was slowly walking toward me, "that we believe all that crap you just said?"
"You should," I hissed. "Since every word is true."
She seemed to find this hilarious. "True! You parasites wouldn't know truth if it latched onto your skin and sang 'The Climb!'"
I could feel my newborn self getting angrier and angrier by the second but instead of waiting for disaster to strike, I clenched my fists and walked away. The other option was to attack her like I did with Jacob, but then have the other twenty-something wolves descend on me too.
"Jacob," said Carlisle, "We didn't come here to be taunted." He looked calm as always, but you didn't have to be a genius to figure out what he really meant. Make her behave.
Jacob sighed and turned to Leah. "Leah, shut up."
She scowled at him but otherwise remained silent. Wow. That was easy.
"We have heard the story of Kelly Walker," the gravelly old voice of Quil Sr. said, "now it is time to take a vote. Those who wish to let her live here, raise your hands."
No one did.
I couldn't help it. I felt a stab of hurt. I shouldn't have cared what they thought about me. After all, I didn't want to stay here either, but—
A hand! Seth Clearwater raised his hand!
It took all of my willpower not to run over to where he stood and hug him. But I had to appear professional, so I only nodded.
"Not to go all 'Survivor' on you, but, 'the tribe has spoken.'" Jacob managed to joke, even in this horrible situation.
Edward was suddenly tense. "Wait! You can't—Give us six months. If in the six months she doesn't hurt anyone…then she gets to stay."
"I think that's fair, don't you, Jake?" Seth spoke for the first time. It earned him a smack from his sister. Sam, Jacob and the elders looked at each other, their expressions heavy. Edward was concentrating on what each of them were thinking, Carlisle was watching Edward, Emmett was watching Carlisle watch Edward, and Jasper was still squirming from the feelings of hostility that even I could feel. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Billy Black addressed Carlisle. "We'll need to deliberate on this further. We'll meet here again tomorrow, same time. If that's all right with you."
Carlisle nodded. "Of course."
And with that we were running back to the jeep. No one spoke until we reached the house, then everyone bombarded Edward with questions.
"What were they thinking?"
"Have they made their decision?"
"What was with the she-wolf?"
"Why did you come up with the six-month deal?"
The last question came from me. I'd been thinking about it since we left the field. The original plan was to try and convince the wolves that I was perfectly safe so I could stay. Worst case scenario: they weren't and I'd just go back to New York, or maybe join a trio of sisters in Alaska. It wasn't necessary for Edward to offer the deal. It wasn't even something we'd discussed.
"Kelly, I'm going to tell you something, and you're not going to freak out, understood?" he asked. I nodded.
"If they weren't convinced of your commitment to vegetarianism…" he paused, thinking whether he should continue or not. "They were planning to kill you."
"They what?" someone shrieked. We all looked toward the front door of the house, where Renesmee was standing, mouth open and eyes wide. "Uncle Jake was going to kill Kelly?"
I let out a huff of surprised air as Edward flew out of the car to comfort his daughter. They were planning to…kill…me? What hypocrites. They want to make sure I don't hurt anyone but all along… Why? I mean, if they told me to leave I would have. I didn't want to come to Forks in the first place.
Quietly, Jasper slipped out of the car, a confused expression on his face. Emmett followed him, but not before awkwardly patting my knee and saying "Sorry, Kelly."
Carlisle asked me if I wanted to talk about it but I just shook my head distractedly until he too, left.
I stayed in the Jeep for ages. Edward must have told everyone to leave me alone, but eventually Alice popped up near my window.
"Let's go," she said.
"Where?"
Her face was all serious as she answered. "Shopping."
Shopping with Alice Cullen… well, let's just say it was a unique experience. By the time we were done, shopping bags filled Alice's car until all you could see through the windows were brand names. But that still left remaining bags so Alice called for Emmett's jeep and Edward's spacious Volvo. During the whole shopping trip—it was just Alice and I—we never discussed what happened at the meeting. Instead, she effectively kept my mind off of it by informing me about the difference between bags and totes, skinny jeans versus boot cut jeans and the like. I actually had a good time with her. As soon as we got home though, there was nothing to do but face the facts.
All of the Cullens were seated at the dining table (although Jasper was mysteriously absent). As far as I could tell, this was all the table was used for. Meetings. Scary, life-changing (or life-ending) meetings.
I was trying to figure out why everyone was gathered here but no one was recalling any events. They must be too absorbed with the present.
Beside me, Alice was still and quiet for the first time that day. Her eyes were wide and surprised but her lips were slowly forming a wide grin. Edward gave her a warning look.
"What?" I asked him.
Carlisle smiled at me. "Have a seat, Kelly. We have some news."
Okay… he's smiling so that's good, right? I sat down. I expected Alice to sit too but she stayed standing, fidgeting with whatever was around her and smiling at me.
"Sam Uley called to cancel tomorrow's meeting," said Edward. Uh-oh, this couldn't be good. "It seems they've already come to a decision."
I felt myself deflate a little. "They have?"
"Yes. And they've decided to take Edward up on his offer," grinned Carlisle.
Wait. What? "Why?"
Carlisle frowned a little. "What do you mean 'Why'? They obviously thought about it and saw you were trustworthy."
"Um, hello?" said Emmett. "Did you not hear Leah? And did you not catch that nobody other than Seth raised his hand at the vote? They don't like vampires. They've learned to work with us but that's it. They hate newborns. They're not suddenly going to go 'Oh that Kelly sure is swell. Let's have another resident vampire!' Especially now that kids in La Push are phasing earlier and earlier."
Everyone stared at Emmett.
"Em's right," Edward sighed, "well, I guess we'll get our answer later when Jacob comes over. He hasn't seen Nes—Renesmee all day. It's only a matter of time." He sighed again.
Edward was spot on. Jacob arrived only ten minutes after he uttered that sentence. In those ten minutes, Alice had organized all of the clothes we (she) bought inside of Edward's closet. Apparently I was being given his old room. There was a huge bed in there that made me extremely uncomfortable. If he didn't sleep in it then… I shuddered.
We could all smell Jacob before we saw him. When he came in he just hovered near the door, glaring at me.
"Do you want something to eat, Jacob?" Esme asked.
"No. I'm just here to see Nessie. Where is she anyway?"
"I'm here," Renesmee stepped out from the kitchen but made no move toward the shape-shifter like her memories told me she normally did. Jacob smiled and went over to pick her up but at the last minute she crossed her arms. "Well you've seen me. Now you can go."
And with that she turned away and ran up the stairs. Everybody's jaw hit the floor then.
"What... What just happened?" Jacob looked to Edward, who sighed for the umpteenth time that day.
"She found out you were planning to kill Kelly and she freaked out."
At the mention of my name, Jacob started shaking. He shot me an accusatory stare. "You told her didn't you? You told her so you could gain pity points and turn her against us!" He was starting to use the 'pack plural'.
"I didn't tell her anything," I spat at him. "Renesmee is a very smart girl; she must have realized what pretentious, hypocritical dogs you really are!"
"You filthy leech!" Jacob growled and was about to lunge at me before Edward and Emmett both caught hold of him and he suddenly slumped down.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Jasper in the doorway. He probably directed some lethargy at the wolf.
"Get him outside," Carlisle said. Emmett took Jacob's full weight easily and went out the back door. Jasper and Bella went with him.
"What a day," I muttered, "I'm going to go for a walk. Or a run. Or whatever you guys do when you want to think."
Edward took a step closer to me. "I'll come with you," he said.
"I'd rather not have my mind read right now, actually."
"Kelly…I'm not sure it's a good idea for you to be roaming around alone. It could end up in a huge misunderstanding."
It was my turn to sigh.
"Fine."
Instead of Edward, Bella accompanied me on my walk. The reason being: she couldn't read anything off of me and vice versa. Complete peace. For the first time since meeting the Cullens, I could think freely. At first there was idle chitchat between Bella and me. About where we were born (me: New York, her: Arizona), how many siblings we had (me: one sister, her: none), what our dads did (mine: college professor, hers: Chief of police), what our favourite books are and normal, neutral things like that. Then the conversation died down and I was left wondering about the Quileute Tribe's decision about keeping me alive. Why? Why would they take such a risk? And Jacob? I'm told he's the alpha male of the wolf pack and he hates me, so why is he letting them take that risk? Why, why, why? So many questions. My life is all questions and uncertainty now.
Suddenly I heard Bella's voice calling my name and telling me we should head back now. I looked down at my (brand new) watch and was surprised to see we'd been out for nearly three hours. I guess time flies when you're immortal.
When we got back to the house Jacob was gone—but his lovely fragrance stayed behind—and the Cullens were back at the dining table.
"Have a nice walk, Walker?" Emmett joked.
I held back a smile. "Yeah. It was nice and quiet…sort of."
Nothing is quiet to these ears.
Bella went over and sat down next to Edward. "How's Jake?"
"Upset. To say the least. He stormed off as soon as Jasper stopped messing with his emotions."
I leaned against the wall, although I really didn't need to. "Did he tell you why the Tribe decided to let me live? And why they told us today and not tomorrow at the meeting?"
"He didn't tell me but…I read his mind." Edward said sheepishly.
"Well?" I asked, a tad impatient.
"It was because of Seth. He convinced the elders by pointing out that Jacob's best friend is a vampire, and that his imprint is half of one. He said Jacob would be a hypocrite if two of the most important people in his life were vampires, yet he would so readily kill one who is trying to follow in our footsteps and be a quote: 'human-lover'. And he reminded them of the greeting card moments we shared. Such as the stand-off with the Volturi last year."
Volturi. The word caused me to shiver even though I didn't really know who they were.
To my left, Emmett gave a sort of grunt/snort. "Greeting card moments. Good one."
"So that's it?" Bella asked. "That's all it took for them to change their mind?"
Edward shrugged. "I guess so. But now that Jacob thinks Kelly turned Renesmee against him… I don't think this is good."
"You didn't answer why they told us a day earlier," Alice stated.
"Oh, right. Well, because Sam didn't want to waste any time. Especially since Emily'sdue any day now. He wants to be with her twenty four-seven."
"Kelly," Carlisle said, "I think it would be wise for you to talk to Nessie. I know you and Jacob aren't exactly the best of friends, but you should know… Renesmee's rejection could destroy him."
I sighed and looked over at Edward, who nodded in encouragement.
"Okay. I'll see what I can do."
