So...you guys owe me BIG time. Here, I present to you, the next chapter of Forever and a Day...and it's over 4,500 words long without the author's note. So, yeah. Hope you like it! Thank you very much to Christina-Tears, goldeyedsoul, RangerRainbow, and bells254 for reviewing. It makes me smile to see you guys like my writing. :)
I'm going to put a longer author's note at the end so you'll actually remember it when you're done reading. Until then, dahlings! Read on!
"Riley, how come you wear your boots like that?" I asked out of the blue, as we two sat on the roof. It was the same roof we'd talked on two nights ago, when he'd told me I should be finding someone to look out for me rather than someone to look after me. I'd been a bit surprised at the fact that he came down and offered for me to go hunting with him again only two nights after the first time, but there was no way I was declining the offer, not with my thirst flaring up again.
Fred hadn't been invited to go on this little outing, but that was because he didn't require as much blood as I did. I'd given him back his copy of Deathly Hallows and we shared a friendly hug before I left with Riley. Now, my companion and I had fed- Riley on a suicidal widow, me on a would-be rapist. He actually came with me this time- Riley, not the rapist- teaching me how to kill someone so it looked like an accident, as well as the art of properly burying bodies. Apparently I hadn't done it well enough last time. My feet were currently dangling off the edge of what I'd come to think of as our building. I was staring curiously at his shoes, waiting for an answer to my query.
"My…boots?" he repeated slowly, confusion clouding his face. I huffed and grabbed one of his feet, spinning him around so I could hold it in my lap. I gestured to it.
"Your boots." I confirmed, rolling my eyes. "The way you only lace them halfway up and let the tongues dangle out so far you could practically trip on them? What's the point of that?"
"Style." he teased, realizing what I meant. His face broke into a small grin and he scratched at the back of his neck. He was the most human vampire I'd ever met. "No, but really- it was always my brother's thing. He liked to think it looked cool on him, and he wore all his shoes like this. I guess I lace up my boots this way…out of nostalgia, or something. I don't know."
"Oh." I whispered. I looked up at him with a smile. "That's sweet."
"Yeah, well…" Riley sighed, eyes glazed over as he ran through old memories. "He was a sweet kid. I miss him, you know? He was a few years younger than me, about fifteen. God, he'd be sixteen now, if he hadn't…"
"What?" I nudged, trying to get Riley to unload his problems. It was obvious he was under stress, and he'd done so much to help me that it was the least I could do to talk him through some of his troubles.
"He died, about a week after I disappeared. She told me about it." he explained, voice etched with sorrow. "Apparently he was attacked. She thinks the Cullens had something to do with it, that they got angry she turned me on their turf, and lashed out."
In a flash I was hugging him as hard as I could, feeling horrible for him. It was obvious to anyone who knew the Cullens that they wouldn't hurt a human- except me, I thought wryly. It must have been Victoria, trying to find ways to motivate her new boy toy into helping her with her plan. Her plan that I already knew most of. Most people would have said that by now I had enough information to go back and give the Cullens. For some reason, though…I just couldn't leave.
"Please…newborn…too tight…" Riley gasped out, making the most of how much oxygen I'd left his lungs with before squeezing him so hard. I grinned sheepishly and loosened up. Lack of oxygen wasn't the problem- vampires didn't need to breathe. The problem was that you needed air to talk. Well, that and the fact I was crushing Riley's ribs with my newborn strength.
"Sorry." I said, finally stepping back. I felt so bad for Riley, losing his brother all on a whim from a woman he thought loved him. I wanted to warn him so badly, but why would he believe me? I was just some mysterious girl who couldn't be trusted.
"It's okay." he replied, rubbing his ribs and stretching. "Thanks for helping, though. I don't think I've had a hug since…"
He stopped and scrunched his face up, trying to remember. His face went blank after a few seconds, then dawned with realization.
"Since my brother hugged me goodbye when I left for college, a year and a half ago." he finally told me, looking down. He looked so lonely I could almost feel my heart beat again. He looked up suddenly, scrutinizing my face, and relaxed after a few moments, having made some kind of decision. He spoke again, and it was in a rush, as if he never thought he'd be telling this to anyone. "She never hugs me."
"Never…?" I repeated, spinning it into a question. I knew Victoria was heartless, but I never thought she was that cold. I figured she must have been nice to people who didn't kill her mate, right? I guess I had been wrong in that assumption. I pulled Riley in for another hug, just sitting there, slightly rocking. "How could you not have a hug in over a year?"
He looked down, and put his head into the crook of my neck. I did the same. I heard him sniff as if he was crying, through of course his venom tears never spilled over.
"I don't know." he confided in me. "But…nobody ever h-hugs me anymore. They all think I don't have f-feelings."
This was a whole different side to Riley, one I'd never seen before. I would be willing to wager that Victoria'd never seen it either, and never would. Riley was probably that emotionless soldier with her, like he was with everyone else nowadays. Everyone but me, that is.
"Shh, Riley, it's okay." I told him, hugging him a little tighter, but nowhere near the magnitude of earlier. "It'll be okay."
"God, I'm sorry." he said, turning his head over and just letting in sit on my shoulder. "I don't mean to be such a baby about all this. It's just, you know, no one's been this nice to me since my brother and it's kind of a shock to feel actual emotions for a change."
"It's alright. You need to let this crap out." I berated him slightly. I inhaled deeply, prepared to go on some long-winded speech about feelings and how you shouldn't bottle them up, but I froze. Riley leg go and backed away gently, looking at my face. We were both still sitting on the edge of the building, and I was kind of close to falling off it. Riley scooted us away from the edge and then sat across from me, waving a hand in front of my face.
"Er…Jessica? Or whatever your name actually is?" he asked, snapping his fingers in front of my eyes. I shook my head slightly and was fully aware that my pupils were dilated so far you could barely see the irises. Riley coughed slightly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm…fine…just…" I struggled to get out, one eye twitching slightly. "You…smell…really, really good…."
"Um…thanks?" Riley replied, one eyebrow lifted slightly. He tilted his head and looked at me concernedly.
"Like…really…good. Amazing…actually." I was still fighting to explain. It was hard to talk through the haze that surrounded my mind. "First time…I smelled…another vampire…so close…"
"Ohhh." Riley said, nodding his head. He got a questioning look after a second. "I've never been so close to another vampire either. I guess we don't let others that close to our neck without being mates or something, generally. I'm kind of curious…could I smell you?"
"Sure.." I managed to choke out, still lost in the fog of RileyRileyRiley.
He leaned in close, stopping to reassure me he wasn't going to hurt me, since my instincts ought to be screaming 'no' at letting someone so close to my neck. Strangely enough, they weren't, though I just attributed that to the fact that I was about as high as a vampire could get. The tip of his nose just touched my neck, and he breathed in deeply. Immediately he froze, too. Backing away an inch or two, I saw that his pupils were as wide as mine.
"Whoa." was all he could get out. I nodded my head vigorously in agreement. When he leaned in, I'd gotten a second dose of his smell, even more potent if that was possible. We both just kind of stared at each other for what could have been hours but was in reality just minutes.
"I've never smelled anyone so good." I confided, widening my eyes a titch. "Not even my fiancée."
"Fiancée?" he repeated, an unreadable expression on his face. "You're engaged?"
"Was engaged." I explained, pursing my lips slightly and gesturing helplessly to myself. "I suppose it's over now that I'm like this."
"Like what- gorgeous?" Riley replied incredulously. He instantly winced, as if that hadn't been meant to come out. I just laughed in response.
"A vampire, idiot." I chuckled, though it had a tinge of wistfulness in it. "Nope, he was always very adamant." I attempted to do an imitation of Edward's voice, failing miserably. "You'll never be turned into a vampire! I won't let you! If you're turned into a vampire, I'm never going to love you like I do now! Our relationship will be ruined!"
"He said that?" Riley asked, seemingly incredulous. "What an imbecile. Who the hell would say all that to you? If he seriously wouldn't want you like this, then he needs to be in a mental facility."
"Thanks, Riley." I said softly, looking down. If I were still human I'd have been blushing.
"It's just the truth." he said simply, leaning back and looking at the stars. I grinned and looked him over before turning my attention to the sky as well.
"Riley?" I murmured. He looked over at me, letting me know to continue. "Can I get some new books tonight? I already finished all the Harry Potter books that that Bree girl leaves for Fred."
"Sure." he blinked, looking like he never considered that vampires might get bored enough to read books. "There's a Barnes & Noble a few blocks away that must be closed by now. We can get some stuff before heading back."
"Kay." I replied, and he offered me his hand. Ignoring it with a smile, I did a fancy flip to get up. I giggled a bit, so pleased with being a vampire. "Which way is it? Race ya!"
"That way." he said, pointing. Then he gave a predatory smile. "On your marks, get set, GO!"
I leaped in the direction he pointed me, flying over the rooftops as if they were sections of sidewalk, one or even two to a leap. Riley was a bit faster than me, but my brute strength propelled me forward, allowing me to beat him by a narrow margin. Taking in a gulp of unneeded air out of habit before looking around, I found an entrance to the store by way of an easily jimmied skylight. I let myself drop inside, landing as lithely as a feline on the thinly carpeted floor.
I straightened from my crouch and looked around, able to see everything clearly, though to a human it would have been pitch black. I found a messenger bag on a display table and began filling it with books that looked interesting. I grabbed a few CD's too, though I didn't know how I could listen to the music. I thought I remembered seeing a boom box in the basement somewhere; maybe I could use that.
I was about ready to leave when I stopped. Crap, how could I forget about money? I had nothing to pay with! Riley looked about ready to suggest we steal the books, but took one look at my face and sighed, pulling out a hundred-dollar bill and leaving it in the till. I smiled with relief and hopped up to the ceiling, grabbing the roof beams for support. Shimmying my way across it, I got back up the same skylight I'd entered by. Looking back, I saw Riley do the same.
I took in the view from the top of the building, all city and lights. I wished I could see nature again, feel the rain, hear the roar of the ocean.
"Riley? Erm…we still have lots of extra time tonight, right?" I started, intending to broach a request I'd never made before. He nodded and invited me to go on. "Could we maybe…?"
"You want to go to the beach?" he asked, puzzled. I was glad his vampire hearing allowed him to decipher my weird sentence. "Okay, I guess. We should get some ziplock baggies for those books if you want to keep them dry, though."
I was happy he didn't think it weird that I wanted to see the ocean again. We set off for the coast about two hours north of La Push- I didn't tell him about the werewolves, but I sure as hell didn't want to run into them, so I made sure we were far off their land. Before leaving Seattle, we did stop by a grocery store and get ziplocks, though.
Running was very soothing for me, and it felt like months and yet only seconds later that I saw green foliage and trees beginning to clear and I hard the rush of the ocean. I picked up may pace, completely forgetting Riley, and ran to the beach. Throwing my newly acquired messenger bag behind a nearby log, I rolled up my jeans and kicked off my shoes, dancing around in the sand. I must have looked hilarious, but I didn't care.
A few seconds later, Riley popped out of the tree line and made his way over to where I was spazzing out. He gave a light chuckle and I whipped around, forgetting that he'd even come with me in the first place.
"Be still my unbeating heart!" I cried, clutching my chest in fake panic. He just laughed and took off those ridiculously laced boots and his socks. I suddenly had an idea. "Race you to the water!"
"You're on!" Riley cried, and I took a giant leap while he ran as fast as he could. I think Riley beat me, but only my milliseconds. I was too happy in the water to really care. After a couple minutes of diving, getting used to not needing air, I sped up to the surface where my companion was.
"It's so warm!" I exclaimed to him. "When I was human, this water was freezing, but now I'm completely fine. In fact, it feels like I'm in a bath."
"It does, doesn't it?" Riley replied, returning my smile. He looked the giddiest I'd ever seen him, or mildly happy from anther person's perspective. "This is awesome. I haven't been in the ocean since I was a human, either."
We spent another hour or so like that, just diving and looking at all the sea creatures that looked inky black and midnight blue thanks to the darkness of night. We even saw a shark, though it was only a couple feet long since the big ones were all down in the south for mating season or something. I bit it on a dare from Riley, to see what it was like. Vile, was what it was like. Its blood couldn't compare at all to a human's.
After our hour was up, we had to get out, since dawn would come in about two and a half hours and it'd take two just to get back to Seattle. We were cutting it close. I came out of the surf, glad that now I wasn't human anymore sand didn't annoy me when it got trapped between my clothes and skin.
I was just about to grab my messenger bag and put on my shoes when I smelled something nearby…vampire.
"Riley." I said quietly, my voice full of urgency. He tensed and shot to my side, immediately smelling the other vampire like I had. He stepped closer to me and held his ground as we waited for the obviously close cold one to step out of the trees. For a second, I thought it was Victoria- but then I realized the scent was unfamiliar to Riley as well and I relaxed the tiniest fraction. After what seemed like days, whoever it was came out of the forest.
If my heart had been beating, it would have stopped cold at the sight of her.
"I've been looking all night for you!" she said, her jet-black hair mussed. She looked at me with relief and concern. "Actually, I've been looking for you for almost a week, we all have!"
"Y-you have?" I choked. It was Alice, Alice Cullen. My for-all-intents-and-purposes sister and best friend. "I thought you guys gave up on me!"
"No, sweetie!" I had no idea where you were, I couldn't see!" she replied, running towards me. Riley had backed up a step, clearly not expecting me to know this- to him- unfamiliar vampire. "I snuck out tonight to meet you. I knew you'd be here, but I didn't know quite how to find 'here'. No one else knows I've come."
"Why?" I asked, frustrated and curious.
"Because I saw you with him." Alice said, glancing over at Riley. "The rest of them would have questions."
"Why weren't you there when I woke up?" I demanded, suddenly remembering that morning. Alice's eyes turned soft.
"When he came back…and he saw what you'd done without his permission…honey, he was devastated. He ran away as fast as he could and half of us went after him to bring him back. The next day, they called the rest of us to come out and help convince him to return home. When we finally got back, you were gone." Alice explained in a rush. I felt my anger at the Cullens drain until it was gone and slowly fill up with rage and hate towards Edward. Why would he run away? He didn't honestly love me, did he?
"I knew I was right." I said bitterly, shaking my head in disgust. "Now that I'm a vampire, my precious fiancée can't get away from me fast enough."
"Don't think like that!" Alice implored me. "He still loves you, he just…needs time to get used to the new situation."
"Whatever. It's over now, and you can tell him I said that. I don't want to be around him anymore, I've got a new life." I said boldly, knowing I'd more likely than not regret this later. I ploughed forward anyway. "The moment he wasn't there for me, I knew it was over. When I was traveling, I met a someone else…and I realized we were mates."
Alice looked shocked at the revelation, and Riley looked confused. He'd seen me every day since I was turned, and was obviously wondering when I'd found the time to get myself a mate.
"What? You have a mate?" Alice asked, eyes as wide as saucers. "Vampires only mate once and for life! Who is he?"
I was trapped, close to being caught out. I didn't know vampires only mated once! I thought it was the equivalent of a boyfriend! Oh, well. I'd still have to go through with my plan to get the Cullens, especially Edward, to leave me alone. I took an unnecessary breath.
"My mate is…right here." I said, gesturing to Riley. I quickly turned so I was facing him, simultaneously blocking his shocked face from Alice and mouthing 'just pretend'.
To stop Alice from answering a bunch of questions I'd no doubt not know the answers to, I launched myself at Riley, taking him in my embrace. I put my lips to his and kissed him for all I was worth- which I might add, was now a lot. So stunned was he, he didn't even move for a few seconds. He must have remembered what I asked him to do, though, so he reciprocated my actions, holding on to the back of my head and kissing me back. Once I was sure my point was driven home to Alice, I broke away, pasting on a grin and holding Riley's hand. He looked kind of dazed, but mustered a lopsided smile.
"I know it's not even been a week, but I love him." I 'confessed' to Alice. I smiled like a giddy schoolgirl and looked over at Riley, bumping his head with mine like I'd seen happy couples do. "So please, if you're my friend, just go. I'll contact you again soon, okay? And make sure…make sure he knows about this, alright? Make sure he knows it's over between us because I found actual love."
"O-o-okay…." Alice stuttered, not moving. I groaned internally and wondered how to get her to leave. Oh, duh. I kissed Riley once again, this time open-mouthed, tackling him to the sandy floor of the beach. After about thirty seconds of tonsil hockey, I pulled away slightly, looking around. Alice was nowhere to be seen. I got up, looked down at a really, really dazed and confused Riley, and offered my hand. Taking it as if he had no other way to get up, he practically brought me down to the ground with him when he hauled his entire weight up by my arm.
"Wha-" he began, but I help a finger to his lips. I followed Alice's scent for almost five minutes to make sure she was really gone, then doubled back and came back to where Riley stood, now looking more alert but still very confused.
"Let me explain." I began, looking nervously at him. I sat down on the log I'd put my bag behind, and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Firstly, I just want to say sorry. I shouldn't have jumped you like that, but I really wanted my friend to go away without asking me a bunch of questions about you that I couldn't answer."
Riley nodded to show he understood, and plopped down- gracefully, somehow- on the sand in front of me, waiting for me to go on.
" I don't really know how to explain, so I guess I'll just start at the beginning." I took a deep breath, wondering how to explain this without revealing who I was. Honestly, I was surprised Riley hadn't figured it out already. I heaved a sigh. "Look, do you promise not to kill me if I tell you the truth?"
"I promise." Riley replied throatily, voice still sounding like music. "I won't kill you, no matter what you tell me. I'll even promise not to tell anyone else what you tell me."
"Okay…" I said nervously, twiddling my thumbs for something to do, though vampires didn't seem to do that kind of stuff without consciously thinking about it. "My name is Isabella Swan. Edward Cullen was my fiancée."
"I didn't know you guys were engaged." Riley said, completely shocking me. My mouth dropped open. "I mean, not until earlier tonight anyway. I thought he was still just your boyfriend. I guess he's your ex now, though."
"You knew?" I asked, voice an octave higher than normal.
"Well, duh." Riley replied, rolling his eyes. "I'm not stupid, you know. A vampire who looks exactly like Isabella Swan, meeting me right outside Isabella Swan's house. And later I find out you knew your creators before you became a vampire? Too big a coincidence, Bella. Way too big."
"Well why haven't you killed me yet?" I demanded, narrowing my scarlet eyes.
"Don't you know anything about me by now, Bella?" Riley asked, tsk,tsk-ing me. "I wasn't going to just kill you. You're so mature for being so young, and when I first figured it out, I thought I could use you to get Edward to Seattle or something. I guess I was wrong, but I'm still not going to kill you."
"What about Victoria?" I bit out. His eyes widened.
"How do you know her name?" he asked. Well, well. Apparently Vicky hasn't told Riley the full story yet.
"Because I was there when she and the other two met the Cullens." I replied. His eyes were darting back and forth while he looked at the ground. He was trying to figure things out, force the extra information I was giving him into the scenario Victoria had painted. "I was there when James, her mate, tried to kill me and ended up getting killed himself. I was there when Laurent, the other member of the coven, tried to kill me and almost succeeded. And I was there when she tried to find a way to kill me all last year."
"But…you can't be right. You're lying." he snarled, but remained passive. "She loves me, why would she lie?"
"Does she love you, Riley?" I asked sadly. This earned me not a swift decapitation as I'd expected, but a wary look from his hurt eyes. "Honestly; you said it yourself. She never even hugged you all the time she's known you. She just needed someone close to Forks and you fit the bill. Doesn't it seem suspicious your brother died less than a week after she took you? The only person who, as far as I can tell, would stop you from going willingly to die in order to save her life?"
"But…she loves me." he said softly, as if trying to make himself believe it. I got down on my knees in front of him and took his hands in mine, staring directly into his eyes.
"Riley, Victoria does. Not. Love. You." I said slowly and carefully, willing him to believe it. "If she did, she'd be here right now, telling you that she loves you and hugging you, and asking you why your boots are laced up silly, and telling you that you need to let your emotions out. She'd be kissing you and breaking into bookstores with you, and not making you exact revenge for her dead mate. Do you understand?"
"I…think so…" Riley whispered. He looked up into my eyes, and I saw a spark of life. Not the dead look that he'd get when anyone else was around, but the one he gave me when we laughed together. I grinned at him, and it was only when he leaned towards me that I replayed my words in my mind. Uh oh. He stopped just inches away from my face, so close that when he talked I could feel his breath on my lips. "Bella…are you trying to tell me that you love me?"
"I…I don't know." I half-whimpered in response. I repeated his earlier words. "But I think so."
"Good. Cause I think I love you, too." he said, before closing the distance and pressing my lips to his.
Hell, yeah! I think we can all agree this was the most epic chapter yet. Riley/Bella fluff, Riley history, Alice Cullen, vampire shenanigans, Bella telling Riley the truth, Bella and Riley kissing, and HOLY CRAP GUYS, BELLA AND RILEY KISSING! *ahem* The only way this could get better is if Fred was there.
Fred: Hey, author-lady. I'm here. And I have opinions on these new developments. I totally sensed what was between Riley and Bella waaaay long ago. 'Member that? Huh? Huh?
Me: Fred, shut up and get back in the Box until I need you. Kay? *shoves Fred in 'the Box' and dusts off hands*
Back to the A/N. Okay, so guys, I wrote this chapter for you. Many times I decreed 'this is where it shall end!' and end there it did not. For you. So I think I deserve some reviews, even if you're gonna hate on me. I just want to hear your opinions cause it makes me happy to interact with you guys! Is Riley way out of character? Lemme know! Is there not enough (read: at all) Bree in here for you? Lemme know! Is Edweird-o coming off as a total douche-canoe? HE BETTER BE. And lemme know!
AH LOVES YOU GUYS LIKE GIR LOVES TACOOOOS! Which is, if you're unfamiliar with Invader Zim, a WHOLE HELL OF A LOT. Maybe I could better equate it with Pete Wentz and his guyliner. Or Willy Wonka and being a creepy pedophile. Or Jacob Black and being a creepy pedophile. Anywhoodles, it's a lot. I love to hear from you guys, cause I just love you! (In a non-stalker/pedophillic way, of course.)
After that shameless review-begging, let me end this on a bittersweet note. I hope ya'll have a great valentine's day, cause you're probably not getting any updates until then. ;D