p class="MsoNormal"I woke up in my bed. I sat up and felt my back protest in pain, and fell back to my bed. I put a hand up to my jaw and winced as I felt the bruise there. I sighed and closed my eyes, wrapping myself in the blankets the best I could without causing too much pain. I felt the tears threaten to spill as reality hit me./p
p class="MsoNormal"Victoria, a crazy psycho vampire, was after me. A emvampire/em was after me. And this is what I call reality? It sounds like something out of a book. I didn't want to believe that I was in any real danger, but after what happened earlier, there was no denying it. I might die by being eaten by a vampire./p
p class="MsoNormal"I froze as I heard footsteps climb the stairs and come towards my room. I felt my heart beat heavily in my chest and I squeezed my eyes tight, too frightened to move. I heard my bedroom door open and the footsteps approach my bed. I screamed as I felt an ice cold hand touch my shoulder, and I jumped up and turned to the culprit. Relief flooded my body as I looked into the familiar golden eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal""Calm down, Little Red" He chuckled. "It's just me. Seth sent me to check up on you, he had patrol." Emmett sat down next to me on my bed and I lightly shoved him./p
p class="MsoNormal""You scared me half to death! Since when was sneaking around someone's house a good idea?" I demanded. I was relieved that it was only Emmett and not Victoria. I looked up at Emmett as he rolled his eyes and smirked./p
p class="MsoNormal""In my defense, I thought you were still passed out. You slept pretty long so I assumed that you would sleep until I was back up here," He rubbed the back of his head. "You were out for 5 hours by the way, it's only 8:23. If you're hungry Rose and I can take you out to dinner if you want." He offered./p
p class="MsoNormal""That would be great. I could go for something to- wait! Rosalie's here?" I asked. Suddenly the door opened again, revealing Rosalie in the door way. I jumped when the door opened, but relaxed a bit after I saw Rosalie. I'll admit it, I was easily intimidated by Rosalie./p
p class="MsoNormal""Carlisle needs you. Something happened with Bella, and Edward wanted you there to help. I'll stay with her," she told Emmett and nodding towards me, signaling that she will stay to watch over me. I noticed how she seemed reluctant to have Emmett help Bella, with whatever she needed. Was it because she simply didn't want Emmett to leave, or did Rosalie not like Bella? I looked at Emmett and he nodded at her, he turned to me./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll be back, okay? Rose will stay here and watch after you. If you need anything ask her, or call." He said, as if I was a small child who didn't know what was going on. I nodded at him and he walked over to hug Rosalie before leaving in a blink of an eye./p
p class="MsoNormal"I kept my glance on my blankets and avoided eye contact with Rosalie. The room was filled with awkward silence until she broke it. "Are you in pain? Em told me that Victoria threw you against the wall pretty hard, and that bruise on your face doesn't look to good." She asked, occupying the place where Emmett was. I looked up at her and shook my head./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll be fine. It's just bruises, and the pain is slowly going away," I said. She nodded and watched me for a bit./p
p class="MsoNormal""How old are you? If you don't mind me asking," She said. I looked up at her curiously./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm turning 16 at the end of the month," I said. I didn't want to have my birthday to be made a big deal, especially with the whole Victoria thing going on./p
p class="MsoNormal""You're so young," Rosalie whispered. I watched as she looked at me with concern. I stared at her confused. What did she mean I was so young? "I mean, compared to us. You're only 15 and already dealing with all this. That isn't fair, you should be out and partying, finding a boyfriend and doing whatever you want." Rosalie ranted./p
p class="MsoNormal""Technically, I already found my soul mate" I joked lightly, the frowned. "You never wanted to be a vampire did you?" I asked quietly. Rosalie shook her head, and I knew that if she were human she would be close to tears by the expression on her face./p
p class="MsoNormal" I placed my hand over hers in a comforting matter. "I'm sorry. If there was anything I could do, I would." Rosalie smiled gratefully at me knowing that I understood the best that I could. I didn't know what it was like to be changed against my will, but some part of me knew that even though I couldn't relate to Rose, she would do whatever she can to make sure that I stay human./p
p class="MsoNormal""Where's your mother? I would think that she would've been home by now," Rosalie asked. I shrugged./p
p class="MsoNormal""She's on a business trip. Usually they last about a week or two, but sometimes they are longer. I'm used to being alone since she travels a lot for her trips." I replied. Rosalie nodded and carefully squeezed my hands, making sure not to crush my hand with her inhuman strength./p
p class="MsoNormal""If you ever need some womanly advice or just someone to talk to when your mother is gone, you can always come to me. I'd be more than happy to help," She said. I smiled gratefully at her, feeling touched by her offer and opened my mouth to thank her, but got cut off by a loud bang coming from outside. I jumped and let out a small scream as Rosalie quickly crouched in front of me in a protective manner. My attention snapped to the window./p
p class="MsoNormal"I felt my heart race as Rosalie slowly stood up and walked towards the window. I watched as she scrunched her nose and turn around, a look of disgust on her face. I opened my mouth to ask what was wrong when the door opened. I felt my heart flutter when I saw Seth at the window with a sheepish grin on his face./p
p class="MsoNormal""Sorry about the bang; weak branch." He said as he climbed into my room./p
p class="MsoNormal""I thought you had patrol," Rosalie said coldly./p
p class="MsoNormal""I did, but Jake brought back news and Sam thought I should be here with Scarlett. To keep her safe," he said calmly as a glare made its way on his face./p
p class="MsoNormal""What happened?" I asked, interrupting their glaring match. "I mean, Emmett had to leave because something happened with Bella, and now Sam sends Seth to watch over me. I think I deserve to know what's going on," I said as I shifted in my bed, trying to get to a comfortable sitting position. Rosalie was quickly at my side, adjusting my pillows. I thanked her before turning my gaze to Seth, who shifted from foot to foot./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, Jake told us that a leech had broken into Bella's house. It wasn't one that Edward recognized, so he Emmett, and Jasper went to try to track the scent, but it didn't get them very far. Whoever it was took one of Bella's shirts too." He said and carefully sat at the side of my bed, opposite of where Rosalie was sitting. Seth sighed, "Edward said that the scent also came here, but he thinks it didn't bother coming in because whoever it was smelt Emmett inside." He said slowly. I leaned back and ran a hand through my red hair, wincing as pain stung at my shoulder./p
p class="MsoNormal""Is whoever broke into Bella's house working with Victoria? Because I don't understand why whoever it was would want to come here. Victoria's the only vampire that's after me; at least that I know of." I said shakily. Seth nodded./p
p class="MsoNormal""We think so, but Alice doesn't see anything in Victoria's future that involves you or Bella, so we don't know for sure." Rosalie said. "Carlisle and Edward agreed with Sam to protect both you and Bella. Of course I'm not too thrilled to be working with the dogs, but we don't need another addition to the family anytime soon," she said sarcastically. I could only assume that an 'addition to the family' was having another vampire around./p
p class="MsoNormal""But you guys can't watch both Bella and I, you would get exhausted." I argued./p
p class="MsoNormal""We're not letting you go unprotected, Scarlett" Seth countered./p
p class="MsoNormal""Your dog's right. If it were you or Bella, Edward would be the one to get his way and his precious Bella would be the one who gets more protection," Rosalie said and put her ice cold hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about us, we'll be okay," she assured. I reluctantly nodded and she smiled. "I'll go make you something to eat, you must be starving." She said as she disappeared from the room at her vampire speed./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm surprised by how much she's warmed up to you," I heard Seth mumble./p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you mean?" I asked. Sure, Rosalie seemed a bit cold when I first met her but that was because we were strangers right?/p
p class="MsoNormal""She's doesn't exactly warm up to people, only her family. But she can be cold to them too." Seth said. "Not to mention she practically hates Bella," So I was right, Rosalie didn't like Bella. I sighed and played with a loose thread on the edge of my blanket. It was silent for a bit before Seth's voice broke it, "You play guitar?" he asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"I looked up at him and saw that he was looking at my acoustic guitar that was lying against my desk chair. "Yeah, I started playing when I turned 12. My dad got me the guitar for Christmas and I've been playing ever since." I said ignoring the sadness I felt when I mentioned my dad./p
p class="MsoNormal""Could you play for me?" Seth asked quietly. I looked up at him and nodded./p
p class="MsoNormal""Sure, could you just hand me my guitar?" I asked as I carefully adjusted myself so I'd be able to play comfortably without hurting my still sore back. Seth stood, picked up my guitar and handed it to me as he sat back down across from me. I adjusted my guitar in my lap and plucked a few noted before looking up at Seth. "Any song requests?" I asked. Seth shook his head and I sighed, thinking of what song to play. I licked my lips nervously and I took a deep breath before I started to sing emFall for You/em by Secondhand Serenade./p
p class="MsoNormal"As I finished the last chord rang out. I looked up at Seth, biting my lip. Why was I so nervous? I've performed before back in Chicago. Sure, it was a little coffee shop performance, but it was still a performance. Seth looked up at me and smiled./p
p class="MsoNormal""You're an amazing singer," he said. I blushed and smiled./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thanks," I said letting my dark red hair fall in my face. I felt warm fingers brush against my cheek, and looked up to see Seth pushing my hair behind my ear. I felt my cheeks grow warm as he let his hand rest against my cheek. I felt myself get lost in his deep chocolate brown eyes, my heart beating fast inside my chest and the sound pounded in my ears. I was afraid that he could hear it with his werewolf hearing, and the thought made me blush more than I already was. I watched as he leaned forward, and my eyes closed as I leaned forward./p
p class="MsoNormal"Seth's lips brushed against mine before he placed his lips on mine. I felt my heart flutter, and butterflies exploded in my stomach as we kissed. I felt Seth place his other hand on my back and I couldn't stop the flinch from the pain. I guess being thrown into a wall by a vampire left a bigger bruise than I thought./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm so sorry! I forgot about your back!" Seth exclaimed as he pulled away./p
p class="MsoNormal""It's alright. Don't worry, I'm okay." I said. We looked at each other before bursting into silent laughter. I felt my blush come back and Seth kissed my cheek as the door opened. Rosalie walked into the room, throwing a glare towards Seth before smiling at me./p
p class="MsoNormal""I didn't know what you liked so I went with spaghetti." She said as she sat next to me and placed the plate on my lap, handing me a fork. "There's more in the kitchen if you're hungry, mutt." She said to Seth who nodded and quickly got up at the mention of food, leaving the room for the kitchen./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thanks Rosalie," I said and began eating. I looked up at Seth walked in with a plate filled with spaghetti, and he winked at me while Rosalie examined her perfectly manicured nails. I bit my lip, holding back a grin and looked back down at the spaghetti. My heart was still beating fast, but it had calmed down a bit. I couldn't stop thinking about the kiss. I swear I felt sparks when we kissed. It was perfect; he was perfect. God, I'm starting to sound like a love-sick teenager. But I'm Seth's imprint, so we were supposed to be perfect for each other. I can't help but think about him a lot. He's one of the good things in my life right now. And I can't help but fall for him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Victoria, a crazy psycho vampire, was after me. A emvampire/em was after me. And this is what I call reality? It sounds like something out of a book. I didn't want to believe that I was in any real danger, but after what happened earlier, there was no denying it. I might die by being eaten by a vampire./p
p class="MsoNormal"I froze as I heard footsteps climb the stairs and come towards my room. I felt my heart beat heavily in my chest and I squeezed my eyes tight, too frightened to move. I heard my bedroom door open and the footsteps approach my bed. I screamed as I felt an ice cold hand touch my shoulder, and I jumped up and turned to the culprit. Relief flooded my body as I looked into the familiar golden eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal""Calm down, Little Red" He chuckled. "It's just me. Seth sent me to check up on you, he had patrol." Emmett sat down next to me on my bed and I lightly shoved him./p
p class="MsoNormal""You scared me half to death! Since when was sneaking around someone's house a good idea?" I demanded. I was relieved that it was only Emmett and not Victoria. I looked up at Emmett as he rolled his eyes and smirked./p
p class="MsoNormal""In my defense, I thought you were still passed out. You slept pretty long so I assumed that you would sleep until I was back up here," He rubbed the back of his head. "You were out for 5 hours by the way, it's only 8:23. If you're hungry Rose and I can take you out to dinner if you want." He offered./p
p class="MsoNormal""That would be great. I could go for something to- wait! Rosalie's here?" I asked. Suddenly the door opened again, revealing Rosalie in the door way. I jumped when the door opened, but relaxed a bit after I saw Rosalie. I'll admit it, I was easily intimidated by Rosalie./p
p class="MsoNormal""Carlisle needs you. Something happened with Bella, and Edward wanted you there to help. I'll stay with her," she told Emmett and nodding towards me, signaling that she will stay to watch over me. I noticed how she seemed reluctant to have Emmett help Bella, with whatever she needed. Was it because she simply didn't want Emmett to leave, or did Rosalie not like Bella? I looked at Emmett and he nodded at her, he turned to me./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll be back, okay? Rose will stay here and watch after you. If you need anything ask her, or call." He said, as if I was a small child who didn't know what was going on. I nodded at him and he walked over to hug Rosalie before leaving in a blink of an eye./p
p class="MsoNormal"I kept my glance on my blankets and avoided eye contact with Rosalie. The room was filled with awkward silence until she broke it. "Are you in pain? Em told me that Victoria threw you against the wall pretty hard, and that bruise on your face doesn't look to good." She asked, occupying the place where Emmett was. I looked up at her and shook my head./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll be fine. It's just bruises, and the pain is slowly going away," I said. She nodded and watched me for a bit./p
p class="MsoNormal""How old are you? If you don't mind me asking," She said. I looked up at her curiously./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm turning 16 at the end of the month," I said. I didn't want to have my birthday to be made a big deal, especially with the whole Victoria thing going on./p
p class="MsoNormal""You're so young," Rosalie whispered. I watched as she looked at me with concern. I stared at her confused. What did she mean I was so young? "I mean, compared to us. You're only 15 and already dealing with all this. That isn't fair, you should be out and partying, finding a boyfriend and doing whatever you want." Rosalie ranted./p
p class="MsoNormal""Technically, I already found my soul mate" I joked lightly, the frowned. "You never wanted to be a vampire did you?" I asked quietly. Rosalie shook her head, and I knew that if she were human she would be close to tears by the expression on her face./p
p class="MsoNormal" I placed my hand over hers in a comforting matter. "I'm sorry. If there was anything I could do, I would." Rosalie smiled gratefully at me knowing that I understood the best that I could. I didn't know what it was like to be changed against my will, but some part of me knew that even though I couldn't relate to Rose, she would do whatever she can to make sure that I stay human./p
p class="MsoNormal""Where's your mother? I would think that she would've been home by now," Rosalie asked. I shrugged./p
p class="MsoNormal""She's on a business trip. Usually they last about a week or two, but sometimes they are longer. I'm used to being alone since she travels a lot for her trips." I replied. Rosalie nodded and carefully squeezed my hands, making sure not to crush my hand with her inhuman strength./p
p class="MsoNormal""If you ever need some womanly advice or just someone to talk to when your mother is gone, you can always come to me. I'd be more than happy to help," She said. I smiled gratefully at her, feeling touched by her offer and opened my mouth to thank her, but got cut off by a loud bang coming from outside. I jumped and let out a small scream as Rosalie quickly crouched in front of me in a protective manner. My attention snapped to the window./p
p class="MsoNormal"I felt my heart race as Rosalie slowly stood up and walked towards the window. I watched as she scrunched her nose and turn around, a look of disgust on her face. I opened my mouth to ask what was wrong when the door opened. I felt my heart flutter when I saw Seth at the window with a sheepish grin on his face./p
p class="MsoNormal""Sorry about the bang; weak branch." He said as he climbed into my room./p
p class="MsoNormal""I thought you had patrol," Rosalie said coldly./p
p class="MsoNormal""I did, but Jake brought back news and Sam thought I should be here with Scarlett. To keep her safe," he said calmly as a glare made its way on his face./p
p class="MsoNormal""What happened?" I asked, interrupting their glaring match. "I mean, Emmett had to leave because something happened with Bella, and now Sam sends Seth to watch over me. I think I deserve to know what's going on," I said as I shifted in my bed, trying to get to a comfortable sitting position. Rosalie was quickly at my side, adjusting my pillows. I thanked her before turning my gaze to Seth, who shifted from foot to foot./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, Jake told us that a leech had broken into Bella's house. It wasn't one that Edward recognized, so he Emmett, and Jasper went to try to track the scent, but it didn't get them very far. Whoever it was took one of Bella's shirts too." He said and carefully sat at the side of my bed, opposite of where Rosalie was sitting. Seth sighed, "Edward said that the scent also came here, but he thinks it didn't bother coming in because whoever it was smelt Emmett inside." He said slowly. I leaned back and ran a hand through my red hair, wincing as pain stung at my shoulder./p
p class="MsoNormal""Is whoever broke into Bella's house working with Victoria? Because I don't understand why whoever it was would want to come here. Victoria's the only vampire that's after me; at least that I know of." I said shakily. Seth nodded./p
p class="MsoNormal""We think so, but Alice doesn't see anything in Victoria's future that involves you or Bella, so we don't know for sure." Rosalie said. "Carlisle and Edward agreed with Sam to protect both you and Bella. Of course I'm not too thrilled to be working with the dogs, but we don't need another addition to the family anytime soon," she said sarcastically. I could only assume that an 'addition to the family' was having another vampire around./p
p class="MsoNormal""But you guys can't watch both Bella and I, you would get exhausted." I argued./p
p class="MsoNormal""We're not letting you go unprotected, Scarlett" Seth countered./p
p class="MsoNormal""Your dog's right. If it were you or Bella, Edward would be the one to get his way and his precious Bella would be the one who gets more protection," Rosalie said and put her ice cold hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about us, we'll be okay," she assured. I reluctantly nodded and she smiled. "I'll go make you something to eat, you must be starving." She said as she disappeared from the room at her vampire speed./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm surprised by how much she's warmed up to you," I heard Seth mumble./p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you mean?" I asked. Sure, Rosalie seemed a bit cold when I first met her but that was because we were strangers right?/p
p class="MsoNormal""She's doesn't exactly warm up to people, only her family. But she can be cold to them too." Seth said. "Not to mention she practically hates Bella," So I was right, Rosalie didn't like Bella. I sighed and played with a loose thread on the edge of my blanket. It was silent for a bit before Seth's voice broke it, "You play guitar?" he asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"I looked up at him and saw that he was looking at my acoustic guitar that was lying against my desk chair. "Yeah, I started playing when I turned 12. My dad got me the guitar for Christmas and I've been playing ever since." I said ignoring the sadness I felt when I mentioned my dad./p
p class="MsoNormal""Could you play for me?" Seth asked quietly. I looked up at him and nodded./p
p class="MsoNormal""Sure, could you just hand me my guitar?" I asked as I carefully adjusted myself so I'd be able to play comfortably without hurting my still sore back. Seth stood, picked up my guitar and handed it to me as he sat back down across from me. I adjusted my guitar in my lap and plucked a few noted before looking up at Seth. "Any song requests?" I asked. Seth shook his head and I sighed, thinking of what song to play. I licked my lips nervously and I took a deep breath before I started to sing emFall for You/em by Secondhand Serenade./p
p class="MsoNormal"As I finished the last chord rang out. I looked up at Seth, biting my lip. Why was I so nervous? I've performed before back in Chicago. Sure, it was a little coffee shop performance, but it was still a performance. Seth looked up at me and smiled./p
p class="MsoNormal""You're an amazing singer," he said. I blushed and smiled./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thanks," I said letting my dark red hair fall in my face. I felt warm fingers brush against my cheek, and looked up to see Seth pushing my hair behind my ear. I felt my cheeks grow warm as he let his hand rest against my cheek. I felt myself get lost in his deep chocolate brown eyes, my heart beating fast inside my chest and the sound pounded in my ears. I was afraid that he could hear it with his werewolf hearing, and the thought made me blush more than I already was. I watched as he leaned forward, and my eyes closed as I leaned forward./p
p class="MsoNormal"Seth's lips brushed against mine before he placed his lips on mine. I felt my heart flutter, and butterflies exploded in my stomach as we kissed. I felt Seth place his other hand on my back and I couldn't stop the flinch from the pain. I guess being thrown into a wall by a vampire left a bigger bruise than I thought./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm so sorry! I forgot about your back!" Seth exclaimed as he pulled away./p
p class="MsoNormal""It's alright. Don't worry, I'm okay." I said. We looked at each other before bursting into silent laughter. I felt my blush come back and Seth kissed my cheek as the door opened. Rosalie walked into the room, throwing a glare towards Seth before smiling at me./p
p class="MsoNormal""I didn't know what you liked so I went with spaghetti." She said as she sat next to me and placed the plate on my lap, handing me a fork. "There's more in the kitchen if you're hungry, mutt." She said to Seth who nodded and quickly got up at the mention of food, leaving the room for the kitchen./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thanks Rosalie," I said and began eating. I looked up at Seth walked in with a plate filled with spaghetti, and he winked at me while Rosalie examined her perfectly manicured nails. I bit my lip, holding back a grin and looked back down at the spaghetti. My heart was still beating fast, but it had calmed down a bit. I couldn't stop thinking about the kiss. I swear I felt sparks when we kissed. It was perfect; he was perfect. God, I'm starting to sound like a love-sick teenager. But I'm Seth's imprint, so we were supposed to be perfect for each other. I can't help but think about him a lot. He's one of the good things in my life right now. And I can't help but fall for him./p