The Cullen's, as they became known to me, were, for the most part, angry that Carlisle had welcomed me into the family so readily. They considered me the enemy, and that I should not be trusted, and they didn't mind being open about it in front of me. Each syllable stung as I took the anger. Only the little black haired girl, Alice, and Jasper, her mate, seemed alright with me, besides Carlisle.
I found out that Jasper could read emotions, and my feelings of regret seemed enough to assure that I would not hurt them. He stayed away though, as although my emotions proved my innocence, were not altogether pleasant for him to empathise with. 'I should have to remember that when I come back from England' I thought to myself as we approached the gate. Edward snorted and moved back to Bella, who was standing a good way away from me. I had forgotten he could read minds, a prominent factor that shouldn't have been forgotten on my part.
I had had a go at feeding on animals, so I wouldn't get hungry on the plane and massacre the pilot, but I was struggling with the scents all around me in the airport, let alone Bella's, whose scent Victoria had tuned us into. I shook my head to remove thoughts of Victoria and the 'army', and gripped my fake passport tight in my hands. Alice fluttered her hand, a huge grin spreading across her face as we handed in our tickets. I smiled shyly back, although I wasn't completely sure she was smiling at me.
Alice had been polite enough with me for the few days I had stayed at their house, though she had seemed a little wary of me. I found that she could see the future, and when I cautiously asked her about my future, she said with badly hidden confusion that she could not see it. She quickly resolved herself, saying it was because no decisions had been made properly about me. I let the matter drop, seeing as it made her a little uncomfortable. I didn't want to make anyone else feel like that when I returned.
We boarded the plane with ease, my throat burning a little with the mixture of human scents. Carlisle and Esme were sitting in the seats around me, to restrain me if needs be. I had a bag of werewolf hair around my neck to bury my nose in if I had to, which I hoped beyond hope I wouldn't have to do. The werewolves had been even more hostile than the Cullens towards my immediate welcome into the family, and it had taken a lot to even get the younger one, Seth, to shed some of his fur for me. Apparently he was the most hospitable towards the vampires!
I hmphed a little, and both Carlisle and Esme placed a protective hand on each of my knees. I stiffened, and was glad I couldn't blush.
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking." Esme sighed in relief and went back to her magazine, flicking through it at hyper speed. Carlisle smiled.
"You're doing excellently, Bree. Well done. I wouldn't have travelled like this if I knew you couldn't do it!" I smiled back, his encouragement seeping into me, warming me. I pulled out one of the twelve books I had brought with me for the long flight, and dove straight into it, keeping the pouch of werewolf hair in my hand just in case.
We arrived at John Lennon Airport on time, with no problems. The hardest was when the air hostess leaned over to me and asked, very politely, stupid cow, if I would like anything. I grimaced, stiffening and shaking my head, unable to breathe. She glanced quickly at Carlisle, confused and a little taken aback, who shook his head, smiling. "Sorry, afraid of heights."
"Ah." She replied, and reached over to touch my arm in sympathy. Carlisle put his hand up just in time.
"Really afraid." He repeated. The woman nodded and walked quickly to the end of the plane. I stuffed the hair into my nose and mouth, breathing in the disgusting smell until the burning had almost ebbed away. Carlisle clapped his hands quietly, as Esme rubbed my knee soothingly. We drove out of the airport and past the yellow submarine in a midnight blue sports car, to keep up appearances, and I sighed happily as I recognised Liverpool, home of the Beatles, Scousers and all that jazz. We drove away, paying the toll to get out of Liverpool. I beamed when I saw Carlisle pay in pounds, I hadn't seen sterling in almost a year!
The scenery changed into green fields, cows and tractors, as we sped into Cheshire. I leaned forward in my seat to talk to Esme. "Where about are we staying?" I asked eagerly, nearly hopping up and down in my seat. Esme turned and smiled at my spectacle. "Just outside of Chester. We bought a farmhouse with some land, and we purchased some cattle as well for you to practise on. When you've got it sorted we'll move into the city, so you can test yourself in there!"
I swallowed the lump on nerves in my throat as I thought of how close to home I would be. If I couldn't handle it, would one of my victims be someone I knew? Esme guessed what I was feeling and smiled reassuringly. "We won't put you or anyone else in danger, Bree. We promise you that. We won't go into the city until you're ready for it." I nodded, and thought of something.
"I want to thank you for welcoming me into your family so gracefully. I know that the others don't trust me, but I will really try to fit in with the Cullens." Esme and Carlisle nodded, both of them, including Carlisle who should've be watching the road, turned round and smiled at me.
"I want to start again at this vampire stuff. You know, forget the, er, the 'army' stuff. So my name kinda isn't Bree. I changed it when I left home. It's more like Isabel Jane." Esme and Carlisle exchanged confused looks, while I pulled my gaze down to the floor of the car. The silence only lasted a couple of seconds, but it was torture.
"Well, we can't really call you Isabel, because Bella's full name is Isabella. Much too confusing," Esme thought practically, "Is Jane alright with you?" I looked up at her understanding, kind hearted face and nodded eagerly, happy to be accepted. She smiled back, and Carlisle nodded in approval. I settled back in my seat, grateful for the kindness and forgiveness the couple had shown me, and gazed out of the window, lost in thought.
There has been a lot of nodding today. So much approval. Good.
