A/N: Thank you all! here's another chapter :D
Disclaimer: Does not belong to me, unfortunately.
Butterflies and Hurricanes
Chapter 7
*~Bella~*
I sat, completely dumbfounded and still open mouthed at the door. 'Bipolar?' It was a distinct possibility; I closed my mouth, still gazing speculatively at the door. That was until Mike Newton came bounding up to my desk.
I sighed; I was going to have to do something about this boy.
"Ready to go?" he planted himself in my line of vision and beamed at me.
'Insert wagging tail here' I smiled wryly. Unfortunately Newton thought I was actually smiling at him and his expression morphed into a cocky grin.
I rolled my eyes and took off through the door and down the corridor, trying in vain to outrun him. The idiot followed right on my heels.
Speaking honestly, I was being harsh. He was just happy, over eager, over friendly and… would not take a frickin' hint! ...Okay, maybe not that harsh.
-
I didn't even try to keep up with what Mike was prattling on about this time; I was too lost in my own thoughts – a beautiful, bronze haired and frustrating boy featuring in them. I walked away from Mike when we reached the gym to the girls' locker rooms, leaving him mid sentence as I had done every single day so far.
Alice was waiting for me in the locker room and I made a beeline for her. When I reached her I realized she was smiling slyly at me. 'Oh no…' I know that look; she's seen something funny either at my expense or… at my expense.
"What?" I demanded, glaring at her. Whatever it was I was sure it wouldn't be funny for me, just irritating.
Her smile became outright evil, "Blondie's going to ask you out. Well, he's going to make it sound casual and as if there is a whole group going but… I know better."
"Wonderful. Can't the kid take a hint?" I muttered in frustration. Alice shrugged, her eyes dancing with amusement; she could probably see what my answer was going to be – no doubt I wasn't going to censure anything.
"No. He's convinced himself that you're the love of his life." She was unsuccessful at restraining a laugh. I glowered darkly at her.
"Changing the topic, I was thinking about going out this weekend? We still haven't really bought winter wardrobes…" She was pushing the 'we' a little bit there – I was always covered from neck to toe. I threw a self mocking smile at her as I altered my clothing a little for gym.
Alice was unabashed and would not be deterred. "Well, if you don't need any you can still help me!" I didn't really have a choice; she wasn't actually giving me one, so I relented.
-
We were playing volleyball; a deadly sport if I ever saw one, especially for the co-ordinately challenged. I groaned in sufferance; I hated gym, why couldn't it be more tolerable, like gymnastics?
It also didn't help that I was still obsessively puzzled over Edward-Bipolar-Cullen. I growled and smacked the ball too hard, hitting a girl on the opposite team in the face.
"Sorry!" I yelled pulling an apologetic face. Alice was shaking in silent laughter. The injured girl gave me a dirty look before spiking the ball back to my side of the net while the others edged away from my aim wearily. I really didn't do well in team sports; individual was more my bag.
People still gave me weird looks for wearing gloves in gym, and for basically being covered in clothes – for sport. I couldn't blame them. The note Charlie had passed off as a doctors had given me permission to have skin coverage, but it wasn't enough for me to drop gym altogether – it was a requirement for all year groups here.
-
Gym finished and I bolted for the changing rooms, desperate to escape my personal hell. Alice followed quickly after me.
"What's up? You've been distracted all lesson." She asked once we were out of hearing range. I related to her in a whisper what had transpired between Edward and myself during Biology and the different colour of his eyes. Alice's expression turned thoughtful when I mentioned the eyes, "Jasper was the same…" She murmured deep in thought. I left her to it and we casually made our way to the truck.
On the way, I saw Mike making his way over to us and I remembered what Alice had warned me about. I cursed, grabbed Alice's wrist discreetly and hastened our pace. Alice was still deep in thought, although she had that smirk on her face again. I pinched her, strode past Mike and before he could open his mouth to ask what he inevitably wanted to ask I curtly said "No" and continued on my way.
When we reached the truck I let go of Alice in order to open the door and I felt her muscled become ridged. My head snapped up to see her gaze locked with Jasper Hale's across the lot.
"Alice!" I nudged her shoulder slightly but firmly and she snapped out of it. I glanced over to the Cullen's and saw Emmett and Rosalie looking at Jasper strangely; Edward however, was looking intently at Alice.
Alice and I looked at each other uneasily before climbing into the cab and driving out of the school parking lot as quickly as possible.
I could feel Edward Cullen and Jasper Hale's gaze on us the whole time.
-
The drive home was mostly silent; Alice was lost in thought again so I left her to it, her face portrayed its importance.
I was turning into the street where our not-so-new-home was, when Alice suddenly exclaimed, "Nicholas!" and slammed her hand down on the dashboard.
I nearly jumped out of my skin. I looked over at Alice as if she'd completely lost it.
"I told you about Nicholas didn't I?" she asked, completely ignoring my annoyance.
"I think so…" I wracked my brain for the memory. "The guy who helped you escape from the…" I trailed off not wanting to speak of the revolting hospital.
Alice's eyes darkened slightly too, remembering; she nodded in confirmation. I still didn't understand what it had to do with anything so I waited for her to continue.
She did, "Do you remember how I described him?" I nodded; she said he was chalky pale, ethereally beautiful, had golden eyes… OH!
My eyes widened in realization. That description also seemed to fit the Cullen kids.
She saw the recognition dawn on my face and nodded seriously. I was about to continue the conversation but she interrupted me, "Wait until we get inside." I then remembered that we were parked outside the house.
Charlie was still at work as usual so we raced upstairs, dumped our bags in our respective rooms and congregated in Alice's.
*~Alice~*
The gaze I shared with Jasper was so intense. I couldn't tear my eyes away. If it weren't for Bella I may have stood there staring at him for quite a while.
It was like nothing I'd ever felt or seen before – wait. There was something familiar about the colour of his eyes but, I couldn't put my proverbial finger on it. It felt like I was being drawn in, but in a good way. I wanted to go to him, feeling as though wherever her was, was exactly where I wanted to be; his gaze seemed to reflect exactly what I was feeling.
Bella nudged me, reminding me where I was and I successfully tore my gaze away from his. Instead I focussed on Edward, who was staring intently at me. I had a theory… I made my mind go blank. If my theory was correct, I didn't want him to know of it. I glanced at Bella and then back at him; the frustrated expression was returning to his face and I smiled more certain in my hunch. Bella needn't worry herself about the consequences of my theory.
-
After we had escaped the parking lot, arrived home and remembered Nicholas Bella and I assembled in my bedroom for our informal little meeting.
There was a beat of silence between us.
"What does this all mean?!" I exclaimed in frustration, "Why can't I see properly?!" my face turned into a pout. Bella patted my hand absently, deep in thought.
"What was with your intense gazing contest with Jasper about?" Bella asked, looking at me curiously. I told her about it and about my feelings which Jasper seeming to reflect back at me. I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples tiredly.
"Okay, tell me about Nicholas. Was there anything unusual about him?" I didn't know what Bella was going to do with this information but I told her anyway.
"He was altogether unusual. His appearance, his behaviour…" I rolled my eyes; I'd kind of accepted it at the time.
"What kind of behaviour?" she prompted.
"He never… ate, or drank. At least, I never saw him eat or drink anything." I paused, trying to remember back to the darkest period of my life. "He was… graceful, extremely so. He was cold to touch and people seemed to avoid him, even though he was really friendly. It was like an invisible line had been drawn…" I trailed off, thinking.
Bella nodded thoughtfully, "Those factors are the same with the Cullen's." I agreed, although we hadn't really being paying a lot of special attention to them.
"Maybe we should observe them, watch the differences?" I suggested. It didn't take a genius to realize that there were differences; maybe they were all different, like us.
Bella seemed to be thinking along the same lines as me. "Do you think that they could be like… us?" She asked quietly. I know she wanted to know whether there were more of us out there, in her eyes – we might have found some of them.
"Well, I don't know about the others but I have a theory about Edward." I had Bella's full attention so I continued, "I think he can read minds."
Bella looked shocked and was about to protest before the thoughtful look returned to her face; probably remembering situations Edward had been in and trying to add mind reading to the equation. Eventually she came back down to earth and said, "I suppose it could be possible, but wouldn't he have noticed our thoughts on his family?"
"Me maybe, but you…" I grinned and leaned forward conspiringly, "I don't think he can read your mind." She looked shocked again, and relieved. I would imagine it would be a relief to know that no one can get inside your head.
We were silent for a time before Bella asked, "The others?" referring to possible abilities. I shrugged and shook my head.
"I don't know." I answered.
We lapsed into silence again, wrapped in our own thoughts and just relaxing in each others company; we were sat opposite one another, Bella was leaning against the headboard and I was dangling over the edge of the bed.
-
Bella eventually got up from the bed and was about to go downstairs to start dinner when my eyes glazed over and another scene covered my vision.
I emerged grinning from ear to ear and literally vibrating in excitement.
Bella raised a single eyebrow, crossed her arms and waited for me to explain.
"I think that Jasper is going to really talk to me tomorrow!" I beamed rolled her eyes muttering,
"You're such a girl." and stalked downstairs.
I lay on my bed and sighed happily to myself.
-
Charlie arrived home about an hour later and we all ate the chicken and peppers that Bella made, it was delicious.
After dinner, Charlie skulked off to watch TV and Bella and I spent the evening completing homework before retreating to bed.
That was the first night I dreamt of Jasper Hale.
*~Bella~*
The next morning I woke to a bright light shining through my window. I smiled, jumped out of bed and expected to see whatever meagre sunlight Forks had to offer; my expression changed to one of horror when I peaked outside my window and saw white everywhere.
I was not looking forward to testing this deadly terrain.
I dressed in the warmest and thickest clothes I own, which also happened to be black. Perfect; it matched my mood. I also chose to wear mittens instead of my usual leather gloves; mittens would retain the heat.
-
I ate breakfast with Alice, who was curiously sanguine; I guessed it had something to do with Jasper speaking with her today. I rolled me eyes as happy smile suddenly spread across her face and I continued eating my poptart – secretly pleased at her obvious happiness.
When it was time to go and the front door had shut ominously behind me I looked wearily at the white death trap covering all available surfaces and looked helplessly at Alice with a tortured expression on my face; she giggled, already standing outside the passenger door. I slipped and slid my way across the driveway to the car door and climbed in, grumbling the whole time.
"The ice will melt by lunchtime," Alice told me helpfully, "Try not to fall, that would be embarrassing for you." She finished glancing at me, a twinkle in her eyes. I scowled in response.
I concentrated on driving us to school in one piece, moving so carefully the truck was almost crawling its way to school. Alice was becoming impatient but after me snapping at her and asking if she wanted to arrive in one piece, she let me be.
-
We arrived at school safely and with no trouble on the roads; when I climbed out of the truck I realised why. A glint of silver had caught my eye and I slipped towards the rear of the truck to inspect the wheels, I gasped quietly; an unknown emotions suddenly tightening my throat.
Charlie had woken up at god knows what hour to put snow chains on Mine and Alice's truck to make driving in this weather easier. I wasn't used to this kind of thing; I usually took care of everyone. Is this how it felt?
"Bella?" Alice called softly, probably sensing my emotional moment. "Bella, what-"she cut off abruptly with an astonished gasp.
I wheeled around to face her. She was still stood on the passenger side of the truck, near the hood of the car and she was staring in my direction – half in the present and half in the future – her eyes wide and her face twisted in terror. She suddenly looked over my left shoulder and screamed, "NO!"
I wheeled around once again to find what had frightened Alice so, just as an awful screeching sound abused my ears.
I noticed three things at once, none of that slow motion crap like in the movies. Adrenaline was making my brain work faster. First, I saw Alice, her arms outstretched across the hood of the car as if to pull me out of the way – but she was too far away. Second, I saw Edward Cullen, among the sea of students sporting identical expressions of shock and fear - his face was twisted in horror and his mouth was half open as if to scream at me. And third, I saw Tyler Crowley's Blue van skidding towards the bed of the truck - which my body was obstructing.
I didn't have time to close my eyes before I was hit, but not from the direction I was expecting. My head slammed to the concrete and something cold and hard was pinning my body to the ground. I lay; stunned by the turn of events before a low oath made me aware that I was not alone, I would recognize that voice anywhere. I looked up in time to see two large white hands shoot out and push the oncoming van away from my face, leaving hand sized dents in its wake. However, fate didn't seem to be done yet. 'Bloody fate' I growled petulantly in my mind before I was lifted and dragged like a rag-doll to the side as the van came twisting round for another round. The sound of crunching metal reached my ears as I watched him, wide eyed as he quickly lifted and placed the van out of harms way.
There was a pause where everything was deathly silent.
Then the screaming started.
"Bella?" Edward spoke frantically, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." I answered, somewhat dazed and confused. He let out a breath of relief. I tried to sit up but he put a restraining hand on my shoulder.
"Be careful, you hit your head pretty hard."
"Ow." I said, surprised. He laughed a little breathlessly.
"H-how'd you get over to me so fast?" I asked, gazing up at him in confusion. His expression went blank.
"I was stood right next to you Bella" He corrected me, his golden eyes boring into my brown ones.
"No." I said sternly, "You were by your car across the lot." I was positive of that.
"Bella, I was beside you, I pushed you out of the way." His eyes were so compelling. 'Cheater'.
"Yes, you pulled me out of the way. But you were definitely not stood next to me" I frowned up at him. Why was he lying?
"Please Bella." I almost lost my train of thought. Almost.
"Why?" He didn't answer; he just stared at me pleadingly. I tried to sit up again, and this time he let me – scooting as far away from me as space would allow. I looked at him about to question him again when I got caught in his gaze again.
Students started gathering around the car wreckage, some with tears streaming down their faces.
"Don't move!"
"Bella! We've got 911 on the phone now!"
"Someone get Tyler out of the van!"
I looked back at Edward who was looking grumpy.
"Will you promise to tell me later?"
"Fine!" He snapped. I glared.
"Fine." I returned.
-
I searched around the students for Alice who I found still by the hood of the truck, being restrained by Jasper as she desperately attempted to get to me; she had tears streaming down her face and she was shaking.
"Alice!" I yelled, "I'm fine sis, don't worry please calm down." She stopped shaking but her attempts at freedom doubled in ferocity.
It took the EMT's a while to get to us with the van in the way but when they did I suddenly realized what position I was currently in. My eyes widened as he attempted to touch me and do a check up; I recoiled and looked frantically at Alice. I had to get out of here because by the looks of things – plus the ambulance – they were planning on taking us to the hospital.
I insisted that I was fine, never better - but Edward bloody Cullen told them that I had hit my head and could possibly have a concussion.
"Traitor!" I growled viciously at him as they once again attempted to touch me; this time to put me on a gurney.
No. Frickin'. Way.
Edward looked slightly taken aback at my hostility and slightly suspicious as he observed me avoiding the EMT's clutches. Just what I needed. 'Bah!'
Just when I was contemplating simply touching the pushy bastard (I was starting to get angry) Alice came whizzing into sight, pushing the EMT delicately out of the way as she 'flustered' over me.
"I love you so damn much right now" I declared as Alice grinned slyly at me, even though she still had concern blazing in her dark green eyes.
"Alice, I'm fine." I assured her calmly. She smiled at me, though it took a little effort. She kept mumbling how it was all her fault.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but you may have a concussion, you need to get it checked out at the hospital. Please come with us if you're not going to be carried on the stretcher." The EMT was persistent and before I could refuse, Alice gave me a helpless look and Edward said firmly,
"Get in the ambulance Bella."
It was the most embarrassing moment in my life.
-
The whole student body watched as I climbed ungracefully into the ambulance and even worse; Charlie arrived before we could escape. His expression showed absolute panic. Edward just strolled past and calmly and casually got into the passenger seat of the ambulance, Alice was seated beside me in the back.
What was strange was that none of Edward's siblings looked concerned for their brother's safety. Jasper was looking understanding, whatever that meant; but Emmett and Rosalie's expressions ranged from confusion to fury.
-
When we got to the hospital, they insisted that they wheel me in; heaven forbid I walk!
I outright refused the neck brace, it was completely ridiculous.
Edward just walked in freely, under his own power. I grumbled and glared darkly at the EMT attempting to strap a neck brace onto me. He backed off and Alice snatched the brace from his grasp.
Not long after I was wheeled in, Tyler Crowley was brought in; he was covered in blood and scratches. The moment he saw me he started spewing out apology after apology even after I told him it was fine and there was nothing wrong with me. He still wouldn't shut up; so I pretended to sleep.
I was taken to get an X-Ray against my will and Charlie and Alice were nowhere in sight. I was careful not to let anyone touch my skin but in a hospital they all insist on being all touchy feely. When I came back from the X-ray both Charlie and Alice were waiting in the room for me; I sighed in relief.
"Get me out of here." I said immediately.
Charlie nodded knowing how dangerous this was for me, "Just let me go get the paperwork to sign." I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep again as Tyler's incessant apologies continued like an annoying buzzing.
"Is she asleep?" Edward Cullen murmured. My eyes snapped open, startled as i headn't heard him enter and I stared intently at him. He smiled mockingly at me.
"So, what's the verdict?"
I frowned, "There's nothing wrong with me. Why aren't you forced into a gurney like the rest of us?" I demanded petulantly.
He grinned crookedly at me and my heart skipped a beat. "It's all about who you know." He winked knowingly, "But don't worry, I came to spring you."
I inwardly snorted. 'Like I'd need your help if I wanted to escape'. But I was curious...
-
That moment, the door opened and an inhumanly beautiful, pale and blonde man walked through. 'This must be Dr Cullen' I speculated silently to myself.
"I hear we have the chief's daughter here!" He teased good-naturedly. I liked him already; he had a nice manner about him. "Do you mind if I take a look at you?" He continued, looking at me for acceptance.
Crap. Where was Charlie with those papers? In fact, where the hell was Alice?
"Uhh…" I stuttered and stalled, leaning away from his approaching hand. Edward and Dr Cullen looked confused as they watched me desperately try to escape his oncoming inspection. Blessedly, Alice chose that moment to appear and rushed to my side; she grabbed his outstretched hand and shook it enthusiastically, plastering a huge smile on her face.
"Hi! I'm Alice Swan, Bella's sister. You must be Dr Cullen! It's a pleasure to meet you sir!" She was bouncing up and down by the time she was finished and the poor doctor looked completely baffled. 'The lengths Alice will go' I thought fondly, smiling at her. She winked at me.
"How were my X-rays?" I asked innocently, diverting his attention from touching me. He composed himself and answered my question.
"They were fine, there doesn't seem to be anything out of order." He smiled kindly at us. I hopped up from the bench and linked my fingers through Alice's,
"Well, if that's all I'd best be off!" I knew I was being really un-sly but we needed to get out as quickly as possible.
Dr Cullen frowned slightly, but noticing that I was going to leave whether he wanted me to or not he simply said, "Take some Tylenol for the pain." I nodded and smiled gratefully at him.
I looked at Edward, whose expression was carefully uninterested.
"Can I speak with you alone?" I whispered to him. He looked angry and reluctant but nodded all the same.
"I'll go find Charlie." Alice murmured in my ear, I nodded and squeezed her hand before letting her go.
-
Edward strode past me and lead me to an empty hallway. He turned to me sharply and said, "What?" rudely. I frowned and was silent for a moment.
"How did you get over to me so fast and stop the van?" It all came out in a rush and in one sentence.
"What are you talking about Bella?" He said, confused. Too confused; he was like an actor delivering lines. Even the expression on his face – bored incredulity – was a mask. I would know, I wear masks all the time.
"You know exactly what I am talking about."
"You think I lifted a van off you?" his tone questioned my sanity. 'Oh you're good Cullen, but not enough to fool me'.
I nodded confidently.
"I know what I saw." I said firmly, gazing unblinkingly at him.
"Well, nobody's going to believe you so…" He just as good as admitted it right there; but, he was worried about me telling someone? 'Hello? I have my own secret to keep here' Not that he knew that…
"I wasn't going to tell anybody." I enunciated each syllable, practically oozing honesty. He looked surprised for a moment before controlling his expression and schooling back into the blank mask. He was silent for a moment.
"Can't you just thank me and get over it?" He growled at me.
"Thank you." I waited expectantly.
"You're not going to let this go are you?" His eyes narrowed. I shook my head stubbornly and he breathed heavily through his nose.
"Then I hope you enjoy disappointment." He turned to leave and I couldn't contain myself any longer.
"Why did you even bother?" I exploded, annoyed at his indifference; that he wouldn't trust me.
He looked unexpectedly vulnerable, "I don't know." He whispered and I didn't know if he was answering me or himself. He turned his back on me and stalked out of the hospital, his head bowed and his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
-
I stared after him for several minutes silently fuming, before going to find Alice and Charlie. I found them at the front entrance waiting for me, with half the school student body also waiting. I saw Mike and Jessica starting to converge on me so I raced towards Alice and Charlie muttering, "Let's get out of here." I wanted to go home and sulk.
We reached the cruiser just as Charlie admitted reluctantly that he'd told my mother about the accident. I stared at him in disbelief.
"You told mom?!" I accused. He simply shrugged sheepishly. "Ugh! She's probably freaking out…" I would have to call her when we got home.
I was right, Renee was in hysterics of course, and begged Alice and I to come home; forgetting momentarily that no one was there – she was in Florida. It took me almost an hour but I managed to mollify her and insisted she stay where she was, "I'm fine here" I assured her repeatedly, "They treat us differently here…" I added.
I knew that sentence would cement our presence in Forks for my mom. Renee desperately wanted Alice and I to be accepted by our peers – preferably for who we were, but we can't have everything in life – and if Forks was the place where this happened, she wasn't about to uproot us. After I said my love and goodbyes to my loving and hair brained mother, I took three Tylenol and tried very hard not to think as I drifted to sleep.
-
I didn't know about Alice, but I was very aware of the reason why I wasn't as eager to escape Forks as I should be. I was consumed by the mystery that Edward and his family presented – and a little obsessed by Edward himself.
That was the first night I dreamt of Edward Cullen.
A/N: I thought i'd explain more about Bella's ability. It is explained later on in the story but i feel that you will understand her better if you know her situation. you may have guessed what part of her ability is and to answer the question: yes i did get some of the idea from Rogue out of x-men :) although it isn't exactly like hers. I also got some of the idea from Typhoid out of Electra (Y) i added my own element on top of that...
Like rogue, Bella cannot have skin to skin contact with anyone - or she'll absorb their life force, probably killing them if she held on for too long. However, unlike rogue, bella's ability counts for all LIVING beings. People, Animals and even plants (as demonstrated in the previous chapter ;)) By absorbing the life force she is killing whatever she touches, hence the blackened colour of decomposition. She does not absorb memories, personalities or thoughts when she touches a human like Rogue does.
And that's all i'm telling you for now ;) you'll have to wait and see what the rest means and what'll happen.
Please review, i like to know what you all think and it's much appreciated :D