Hello people!
I'm so sorry for the long wait! School's been crazy and I hadn't had the time to write anything at all!
I really hope you like this chapter guys! Let me now what you think! And thank you to those who reviewed!
I hope to update soon but still, I can't promise anything!
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, Stephenie Meyer does!
There had been many days during my vampire existence, when I've wished for sleep. Today was one of those days. I felt terrible, so tired. Even sitting next to my husband, in our own room, proved to be an impossible task. I felt as though my head was about to explode. I never really believed our kind could get headaches. A memory came to me then; I remembered this old vampire, many years ago, telling me he'd had one once. The idea just seemed ridiculous at that time and I had laughed in his face. Well, I didn't feel like laughing right now.
"Agh!" I fumed, tearing at my hair.
"Alice, love," Jasper said calmly, grabbing both of my hands and keeping them at a safe distance from my head. "That won't help the headache"
My head throbbed angrily, as though making a point.
"I know," I whined, resting my head on his chest "I just wish it would stop," I was exhausted, I'd been trying to see our future all night long. Nothing would come up clear. Nothing was certain. I just couldn't get used to being cut off from my visions, and as much as Jasper had tried to improve my state of mind, nothing had changed.
"And I wish I could be of more help," he said, looking down at me with sad eyes.
"You being here, when I've been such a pain, is good enough," I mumbled into his shirt. "Besides, you shouldn't spend so much time with me, I know you feel it too,"
"There's no other place I'd rather be," he replied, his voice full of the purest sincerity.
I nuzzled his neck, and wrapped my arms around him.
Jasper chuckled quietly and kissed my head, "I love you Alice," he whispered softly to my ear. I was immediately overcome by the love he sent me. I closed my eyes and smiled contently. The pain forgotten for a moment. "I love you too," I whispered back.
I looked up, my eyes half shut, and closed the small gap between our lips. He kissed me gently, as if afraid, that even the slightest touch, would bring back the headache. I let out a short breath and parted my lips. He took my hint, and locked me in a passionate kiss. He caressed my face, as I ran my hands through his golden locks, and I let out a soft moan, when he laid a tender kiss on my neck. Suddenly, a high-pitched scream, echoed throughout the house and I broke away, shutting my eyes tightly, and groaning loudly.
My headache was back, with a vengeance.
"Edward!" Sabrina yelled at the top of her lungs. I winced, as the pounding in my head grew stronger.
"Emmett!" Edward's angry voice rang out.
A loud crash was heard.
"Oh, Edward. Come on man!" Emmett's joyful voice carried up the stairs. "It was just a joke!"
Jasper touched my forehead with his and sighed, irritated. "I better go down, make sure they don't kill themselves," he muttered, looking apologetically into my eyes.
I gave him a small nod.
"I'm sorry Alice," he said before making his way downstairs.
I dropped on the bed and covered my face with a pillow, trying to drown out the shouts coming from the first floor. It didn't work though, because soon enough, I heard Jasper's angry voice.
"You're acting like children," he chastised. "And no, don't look at me like that Edward, because you are. Carlisle and Esme have been gone for what? A couple of hours? I can't believe you. Alice has a killer headache," he hissed through clenched teeth, "And yet, here you are, trashing about and turning our home into a madhouse!" he growled.
I heard him take a large, calming breath.
"Now, each one of you will apologize, and we'll take this discussion outside," he said, trying to keep his voice even. I heard some steps and the front door open.
"Sorry sis!" Emmett boomed.
"Emmett!" I winced.
"Damn," he cursed silently. "I'm sorry Alice," he said quietly.
I smiled, "It's okay, Emmett, I know you can't help it," I teased. He always managed to bring a smile to my face.
"Hey!" he complained loudly.
"Emmett," Jasper warned him.
"Yeah, yeah, sorry," he mumbled, and his footsteps left the house.
"My apologies, Alice," Edward said, his voice expressionless.
"Sure," I replied coldly, trying hard not to think about the many reasons why I was mad at him. We hadn't talked since Jasper told me about his little façade. And I knew, that maybe I had no right, since I didn't know what I would do without my husband by my side, but I couldn't bring myself to forgive him for what he'd put this family through. At least, not yet.
"Sabrina?" Jasper prompted.
"You can blame your brother, I'm not going to apologize for something that wasn't my fault," she said impassively before taking her leave, Edward's footsteps right behind her.
I narrowed my eyes. You stubborn little… I thought angrily.
Jasper sighed, "I'll be right back love," I heard him say, before he went out and closed the door behind him. His footsteps fading as he got further away. Then, silence.
Sweet, silence.
I threw aside the pillow I'd used to cover up my face, and stared unblinkingly at the ceiling. The initial pounding and throbbing had subsided somewhat and I felt this strange relief at being left on my own. Esme, Carlisle and Rosalie gone hunting, my siblings and husband out of the house. I sighed. I needed some time alone.
I hadn't told Jasper anything about my run in with Bryan yet, and I had asked Esme to keep it a secret for now and guard her mind from Edward. Yesterday had been gone in a flash, and this was what I had been waiting for. One moment to let my guard down and think freely.
Lizzie.
Everything seemed to revolve around her. My visions, our future; it was frustrating. My thoughts were a mess, and I couldn't make sense of any of my mental ramblings. First of all, what was her story, her true story? Did she really kill her human lover? I shook my head; Bryan hadn't said anything about red eyes or sunglasses.
She could've always resorted to contacts, a part of me countered.
I rolled my eyes.
Okay, I thought, next.
Kurt.
What in the world did he have to do with any of this? How did he know about Bella? About us? Were him and his coven really working with the Volturri? Were they planning on taking us down?
And finally, the question that had haunted me the most, could Elizabeth, be our Bella?
I pressed my hands to my forehead, and I could almost feel my head pulsing underneath them. I hadn't wanted to acknowledge that possibility until now. I'd been afraid of what might happen if I did. Not anymore though. I'd decided. Even if this girl wasn't my lost friend, I was going to do whatever it took to unveil the mystery surrounding Elizabeth Stephens.
Was Stephens even her real surname? I sighed and shook my head slowly.
I looked at my nightstand, saw a big, red, seven on the alarm clock–never knew why we bought that, we never used it–and thought; I should probably get ready, shower before Rosalie gets home.
So I got up, and went to prepare myself for the big night.
The music blared through the speakers and I grimaced.
"Love, are you okay?" asked Jasper with worry.
"I'm fine don't worry about me," I said, "I perfectly okay Jazz," I reassured him after seeing his unconvinced expression.
True, he had a reason to worry; after all, I had had a headache all day long. But after I stopped concentrating on our future, the headache disappeared. It was gone, and I realized that maybe the pain was caused by all the flashes and blurred images I saw whenever I looked ahead.
"If you say so," he said, still sounding unsure.
"Positive," I replied with a smile.
"I don't know what we are doing here," Edward suddenly said out loud, "We should be warning her to stay away from us, not inviting her over" he added grudgingly.
Something sparked inside of me and I heard myself reply to his comment.
"And why is that?" I asked, talking to him for the first time in days, "Is that what your beloved thinks? What are you afraid of Sabrina?" I turned to her, "That Edward will realize there're better women than you out there?" I asked her.
"Look! You little pixie–"
"You leave Sabrina out of this" Edward interrupted harshly, "I just think it's not wise to bring some unknown vampire to our household. Especially one so dangerous"
"What makes you say she's so dangerous?" I asked angrily.
"Because she's emotionally disturbed!" he replied, clenching his jaw.
I gasped and narrowed my eyes. I didn't understand why, but I felt this sudden urge to defend Elizabeth, and I was furious at what he'd said.
"Alice," Jasper warned me, resting a hand on my shoulder.
"No, Jasper," I said, my voice shaking, "just let me say this," I knew Edward was having a hard time trying to stay calm. So was I. But honestly, I couldn't care less.
"Say what?" Edward challenged me, his posture defiant.
"That you're probably just as bad as you think she is!" I hissed, "And you know exactly what I'm talking about!" It was a low blow, but I couldn't stop myself and I thought back to the first months after Bella's death.
"That's none of your business," he said, his voice deadly.
"Guys, calm down," said Emmett.
"It is when it involves my family!" I countered hotly, ignoring my huge sibling.
"Stop it, you're making a scene," whispered Rosalie, glancing at the surrounding tables and curious eyes.
"You have no idea what I went through!" he growled.
"Jasper, do something," Emmett said quickly.
"You weren't the only one mourning Edward!" Just then, I felt a wave of reassuring calm wash over me. I took a long, deep breath and let it out slowly. "But you're right," I agreed, "I don't know what you were feeling then, or now for that matter, but you don't know anything about Lizzie either so," I shrugged.
"Oh and you do?" he asked, his eyes boring into mine.
I opened my mouth to reply and couldn't help but think about my conversation with Bryan. About Lizzie and Jason. I shook my head and struggled to think about something else.
"What was that?" he asked suspiciously.
"Nothing" I said quickly.
"Here she comes," said Rosalie, motioning to our left with her head.
I thanked God for her timing.
We turned to face Lizzie, and she greeted us with a small wave and a smile.
"So," Rosalie began, "You're coming with us, right?" Lizzie nodded her yes, "Good," my sister continued, "When can you go?"
"Actually," Lizzie said, "I took the night off. We can leave right away if that's what you want"
"Great!" Emmett exclaimed, "Fresh air! We don't want another bloody accident right Jasper?" he teased, a big goofy grin on his face.
"Shut up," Jazz muttered, punching his shoulder lightly.
I half smiled; leave it to Emmett to ease some of the tension. I glanced at Edward; he was frowning at something straight ahead, behind Lizzie. She looked up, followed his gaze and sighed defeated.
"Liz," came the drunken voice of Bryan, as he stumbled into Lizzie's arms. "Bryan," she whispered, a tinge of sadness in her voice, "What are you doing? You know you shouldn't be drinking" she said, her gaze soft.
"But I wasn't drinking" he whined. His eyes were looking around, unfocused, when he noticed me. "Hey Alice," he said, his breath stank of alcohol.
"Hey," I nervously replied. I felt everybody's eyes trained on me. Faces questioning. "I'll tell you later," I said, waving them off.
"Lizzie," Bryan said, his voice trembling, "You don't want to be my friend anymore, do you?" he asked her.
"Of course I do Bryan, you're just better off without me," she said looking away, pain evident in her voice.
"But…why?" he asked desperate, "Liz," he said taking her face between his hands and looking at her in the eye, "I didn't only lose Jason that day," I saw Lizzie wince at the name, "I… I lost you. I lost my two best friends," he said, tears running down his face.
Lizzie looked at him, tears that would never fall glistening in her topaz eyes.
"Please…I miss him too," he said, stumbling over the words. "I beg you, don't do this to me, please don't push me away now that I've found you," he pleaded, his eyes half shut.
"Bryan" she started.
"Promise me," he said.
"I promise"
He sighed, relived and passed out in Lizzie's arms. She stood there for a moment, eyes closed.
"I'm sorry," she said turning to us, "I have to take him home, I can't leave him here like this"
"I'll help you," offered Emmett, "It'll look strange if you carry your friend out"
"Thank you" she said, as my brother took Bryan off of her. He and Jasper both got one of his arms around their necks.
"You still want to come?" Rosalie asked Elizabeth, unsure if that was what she really wanted. I could see my sister was confused about what we had just witnessed.
"Well, I can try and follow your scent once I drop Bryan" she answered.
"I could go with you," I suggested, "I'd show you the way home"
"Sure, that would be good," she said.
"All right let's get going then," Rosalie said, "I think we've attracted enough attention tonight"
Everyone but Edward and I took off.
I glanced at him. His eyes were full of surprise and shame.
I suppose you 'heard' the story, I thought.
He nodded his head.
"She loved a human too," I whispered, before walking away, and leaving him to his thoughts and whatever he'd learned from Bryan's mind.
Once in the parking lot, we reached Lizzie's car. A nice white BMW.
"Nice ride," Emmett complimented, putting Bryan in the backseat.
"Thanks"
"We'll see you in a while," Jasper said. I could see he was a little uncomfortable with the idea of me being alone with Elizabeth, but he didn't voice his worries, nor did he do anything about them.
"Yes," I watched my siblings and husband go and turned to Lizzie.
"Let's go," she told me.
We got into the car, and drove away.
"That was quite the show back there, huh?" Lizzie asked me after a while, letting out a small humorless laugh.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"No," she replied after a moment. "But I will be, in time," she added.
I nodded.
"You had already met Bryan before," It wasn't a question.
I bowed my head, feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry. After you left the gallery yesterday I kind of assaulted him, I'm really sorry, but I was very curious about you"
"I'm not surprised you got him to talk," she said, a small smile forming on her lips, "He always had a thing for beautiful girls"
"He always had a thing for you," I ventured.
"I wish he hadn't," Lizzie said, stealing a glance at Bryan through the rearview mirror. "Sometimes…I wish neither of them had ever met me" her voice wavering.
A couple of seconds passed, "Look, I know it's not my place, but you can't let the guilt and pain consume you," I said, thinking of Edward.
"You don't know what really happened," she stated, her eyes on the road but looking at something else, something I was sure no one but her could see.
"I never assumed that what Bryan told me was the whole story"
"Alice," she said turning her head to look at me intently, "It's my fault Jason's dead" she said, her voice breaking.
I felt my stomach drop, and my eyes widened slightly.
"It wasn't like that," she said, noticing my expression, "I didn't…" she swallowed hard, "I didn't kill him, but I might as well had," she gazed at the passed out Bryan again, "I'm not going to let you be next," she whispered, so low I was sure I wasn't meant to hear it.
I looked out the window. I hadn't been ready for this. I never expected Lizzie to be so straightforward and I didn't know what to say.
"I'll tell you all about it when we're at your place," she said, "I don't want to have to tell it twice"
"You don't have to if you don't want to," I was dying to know the whole story, but if she wasn't comfortable, I wasn't going to press for details.
"No, you have to know, otherwise you won't understand why I am the way I am"
"Okay"
We reached Bryan's apartment a couple of minutes later and used his key. Lizzie settled him on the bed, placing a glass of water by his bedside and running a hand through his blond hair, while gazing at him with sisterly love. I felt like I was intruding, so I went and stood by the door to wait for her.
Soon enough I heard her footsteps.
She tried to smile as she approached me, but I could see through her, "He'll be okay," she said.
"Will you?" I asked.
She looked so vulnerable that I suddenly wanted to comfort her, just like I'd wanted to the night we heard her sing. I surprised myself by taking a step towards her, putting my arms around her waist and hugging her tightly. She tensed at first, clearly taken aback by my actions, but then relaxed and hugged me back just as tightly, letting out a few sobs.
She let go after a moment and composed herself.
"I'm sorry," she said, "Thank you," she smiled.
"You're welcome," I said softly.
"I'm okay now, let's not keep your family waiting,"
I agreed, "Yes, let's not" that being said, she locked the door and we turned our backs to the apartment building, walking away from the distressed and unconscious Bryan.
Well, hope it was worth the wait!
Thank you for reading!
