All things Twilight belong to the Awesome stephenie Meyer
Chapter 7 - Escape
I rolled up to the house and pulled to a stop honking my horn obnoxiously. Jasper was the first out of the door. The grin in his face was apparent, and I was sure that mine matched his.
He climbed in the passenger door and leaned over to kiss me.
"Yep, Edward outdid himself this time." He laughed as he pressed the button on the radio.
"It came with a slight price." I laughed.
Jasper rose his eyebrows and laughed. "And what was that?"
"Let's just say, you shouldn't have a problem with a flighty Bella whilst you're hunting anymore."
"Alice," Jasper chuckled as he programmed in his favorite radio station.
"I'll make it fun for her." I offered. This only made him laugh harder.
Rosalie came strolling out of the house hand-in-hand with Emmett. She was grinning too. She pointed to the hood and I leant down and popped it open. She prodded around under there, she took an painstakingly intricate look into the inner workings of a Porsche engine. She closed the hood and then grinned at me.
"Definitely a turbo." she laughed.
Emmett was eyeing the car suspiciously. "It's so small, I don't think I'll even be able to get in it." he laughed.
I got out of the car and grinned. "Try it, you might be surprised."
Emmett laughed and made his way to my door. I stepped out of the way and watched as he lowered himself into the car. He fit in perfectly.
"See." I smiled.
Emmett chuckled and got out of the car. Rosalie ventured around and slid in easily. She started tampering with some of the buttons. She looked up at me, her eyes were wide open. I knew what she wanted. Rosalie had a look when she wanted something, and the look didn't give you much opportunity to say no, so I gave in before it got embarrassing.
"Fine, you have an hour." I laughed. I was just happy I was able to put the first miles on the car.
'Emmett, get in." she laughed clapping her hands and pulling the door shut. "Thanks, Alice."
I waved them off and jumped into Jasper's arms, the excitement was still coursing through me. He caught me quickly.
"So you're babysitting this weekend?" Jasper laughed happily.
I kissed him on the lips and then the tip of his nose.
"No, actually we're having a slumber party. That's what I'm officially calling it."
Jasper laughed and nuzzled his face into my neck happily. I ran my hands through his blond hair.
"You gonna go for a ride with me when Rosalie gets back?" I asked, barely above a whisper.
Jasper's head shot up and he looked at me incredulously with his eyebrows raised. I threw my head back and laughed. Jasper stole the chance to kiss my neck. I untangled myself and slid down to the ground.
"Okay, do you want to go for a drive with me when Rosalie gets back?" I grinned.
"Where?" He asked linking his fingers through mine.
"Mexican border and back, I want to stretch her legs."
Jasper chuckled again. "Her? You're starting to sound like Rosalie."
I rolled my eyes and ran to the house, pulling Jasper along with me.
"Why are we going inside?"
"I need to change into something more suitable."
"Alice, it's a car."
"It's a pretty car Jasper."
That night we took our drive down to the Mexican border, it was a beautiful drive to take at night, and the car flew. We took the coast all the way down. Jasper had filled his iPod with all of our favorite songs, we'd bought a converter on the way out of town, there was a radio shack in Hoquiam. We were singing along with the radio, windows open and the sea breeze blowing through our hair. My mental radar detector was keeping an eye out as we almost tripled the speed limit through the three states. From the outside I was sure we looked like a yellow blur, but the feel was exhilarating. It was perfect, I had the love of my life sat in my new favorite object. I couldn't have been happier.
Wednesday, flew by in a blur, all I could think about was driving my car again. Rosalie had already called me twice begging to take the car out. This was when I hated liking my family so much, I always had such a hard time saying no. I had said no the first time, but I agreed the second, she'd promised to pick me some things up from the mall of America in Minneapolis. I caved to brides, obviously.
Bella watched me as I bounced around at lunch, I was fidgeting in my seat constantly, I couldn't keep still. Edward kept shooting me looks and then laughing, much to the amusement of the rest of the table. Angela, who was sitting next to me looked a little nervous, but I couldn't help myself. It was in my nature.
Edward's playfulness subsided when Bella asked what was wrong with me. Edward had shot me a look and then explained to Bella that I had been expecting a delivery that was due to arrive today. That seemed to satiate her curiosity. I knew that Edward was planning on keeping my car under wraps until after he'd gone. He didn't want her figuring out why he'd given me the car early. I tried to control my excitement as I pushed my food around my plate, willing time to speed up a little.
I was ready to explode by the time I got home, Jasper was waiting for me on the porch grinning. I slid to a stop in front of the steps and hopped up them to give him a kiss. His waiting for me was now an every day occurrence, one I looked forward to. I enjoyed the fact that the first thing I saw when I got home was his handsome face, smiling at me.
"Let me get a list together and then we can go." I sang as I danced past him into the house.
"A list for what?" Jasper asked grinning at my enthusiasm.
"Slumber party." I answered as I shot up the stairs.
Edward's bed had been delivered late yesterday evening, he'd asked me to find a comforter that would match the decor in his room and I'd agreed. It was an excellent excuse to drive my car. One of the reasons he knew I would be more than willing to go. We were staying close, this was Jasper's request because he had a paper due and hadn't worked on it since I'd gotten the car. I also had a bad habit of distracting him. This is where I would ask what he does all day whilst I'm at school. A sly grin would normally be the reply.
We got to Seattle quickly and I was able to fill my list, I knew Edward's tastes well and I knew the roundabout style that he wanted to match with the bed. I was so good that I was able to do all of the required shopping and get home before Edward. He would usually come home to drop the car off, it was all a show for Charlie, who was holding up like a fortress with his hostility, something that Bella believed was unfair. In her eyes he'd payed his debt and things should be back to normal by now. I tried to explain to Bella that it was Charlie's way of protecting her, he didn't want her to get hurt again. This would normally earn me a snort and an eye roll from Bella.
After Edward dropped off his car, he would then run back to the Swan house and spend the night with Bella. but not before spending at least an hour with us. Unless Bella was at the house with him, we barely got to see him. None of us would complain about the lack of his company because he was so happy. Not one of us ever wanted a repeat of last time. We would all suffer if Edward ever had a cause for a mood like that again, as long as he had Bella, that would never be an issue. So until she was changed, she was precious cargo to us.
I always saw Edward's decision to come home, so I wasn't surprised to see it tonight. I was so attuned to him it was difficult to ignore his decisions.
It was also becoming apparent that Bella's decisions were appearing alone now, because I saw the decision she made as Edward left.
She decided to call Jacob and explained that she would come and see him on Saturday because Edward was hunting. She picked up the phone and consequentially disappeared.
I shook my head, she was sneaky. I knew I would have to warn Edward, even though I was going to be with her, I wasn't sure what she would try. I had checked over the next couple of days and I saw her with me clearly in each of them. But Bella was clever, after all, she had been able to escape from Jasper and I in Phoenix, and it was a situation I didn't want to repeat.
Edward came in slowly and grinned at me. I'd left the comforter at the bottom of the stairs for him.
"Thanks, Alice." He said picking up the bag and heading towards the stairs.
"Edward." I called, he spun on the first step and looked at me.
"I had a vision."
"Okay." A concerned crease appeared on his brow as he waited for me to continue.
"About, Bella."
Edward frowned deeper and walked towards me.
"She called Jacob after you left and made plans with him on Saturday. She disappeared when she called him, but I saw her decision before she had even picked up the phone."
Edward's shoulders slumped and he ran his hands through his hair in his aggravation.
"She'll be with me, but I thought you would want to know." I said in confidence. I had been checking to see of any changes, but there were none. On Saturday, Bella would safely be with me. This was because I had made the decision to stop her.
A smile broke out on Edward's face, but something told me it was nothing to do with the vision I had just replayed in my head. There was still the pain and concern behind his eyes.
"Edward?"
"Can you arrange for her to stay, tomorrow and Friday night instead?" he asked.
I smiled at him, I knew now what he was planning. "You're leaving tomorrow?"
He nodded and laughed. "It'll throw her plans off and I'll be home by Saturday afternoon."
"I think I can arrange that." I grinned deviously.
I know that kidnapping my best friend and deceiving her wasn't the nicest thing to do, but I knew it would be for the best. It would keep her safe, and give Edward his piece of mind. There was really nothing in it for Bella, but I knew that for right now it was our only option.
Edward disappeared to speak to Emmett and Jasper and I headed towards Esme, I needed her help to convince Charlie. We had twenty four hours to arrange this.
Bella had work after school on Thursday so Esme had plenty of time to work her magic, she called Charlie and asked whether Bella could come to the slumber party, she explained the boys were out of town, and Charlie caved in, he could never resist the Cullen women. I headed over to Bella's and picked up some clothes for her. I included her toiletry bag and some pajamas. I had enough time to arrange them at home before I had to pick her up from work.
I grabbed one of the CD's I bought to listen to whilst I was driving the Porsche and headed to the Volvo. I was so tempted to take the Porsche, but I knew Carlisle's condition. I sped towards Newton's and threw the CD in the player. I flicked through the songs until I reached my favorite, I turned the volume up. I liked the mirrors to shake with the beat. I pulled up outside of Newton's and sat waiting. I was five minutes early so I waited patiently. Repeating the song once it had ended.
I sang along with the song, I had always listened to music too loud when I was driving. Carlisle had, on more than one occasion, made me promise to keep my phone in my pocket on vibrate so I would know it was ringing whilst I was driving. It was a bad habit, but I enjoyed it.
I saw Bella head out of the store and head towards the Volvo. There would be no doubt who was in the car waiting for her. I knew Edward would never listen to the music this loud. I pushed the door open for her as my song went in to the chorus. I sang along with it. Bella climbed in the car.
"Hey, Alice," I could barely hear her over the music. She would have to wait until after the chorus before I answered her. "Where's your brother?"
Bella closed the door and placed her hand over her ears. I laughed and turned it down, I knew how much the way I listened to music bothered some people. I left it as background music. As soon as Bella's seatbelt was on I hit the locks and the gas at the same time and sped out of the parking lot leaving a slight squeal from the tires behind me.
"What's going on?" Bella asked, her voice growing a little suspicious. "Where is Edward?"
I shrugged my shoulders, trying to stay nonchalant, "They left early."
"Oh." Bella's attempt at calm indifference was worse than mine. Disappointment could be seen on her face and heard in every sound she uttered.
"All the boys went, and we're having a slumber party!" I sang, I was trying to amp up the enthusiasm.
"A slumber party?"
"Aren't you excited?"
We looked at one another for a long moment, it appeared I was just as bad a liar as she was.
"You're kidnapping me, aren't you?"
I laughed and nodded my head trying to keep the mood light. "Till Saturday. Esme cleared it with Charlie; you're staying with me two nights, and I will drive you to and from school tomorrow."
Bella looked out of the window, her jaw locked in her frustration.
"Sorry," I said plainly. "He Paid me off."
"How?" the question came as a hiss as Bella pushed it through her teeth.
"The Porsche. It's exactly like the one I stole in Italy." I said sighing, I was trying to keep the happiness from my voice. Bella was in a bad mood now, but I knew that she would be fine once she got over it. "I'm not supposed to drive it in Forks, but if you want, we could see how long it takes to get from here to L.A. — I bet I could get you back by midnight."
"I think I'll pass," Bella sighed, I 'd forgotten her aversion to high speeds.
I continued on to the house and pulled around to the garage. I pulled the Volvo in and got out, Bella was looking at the Porsche. I skipped towards it and ran my hand down the length of it. I loved the feel of the new clean car under my hands.
"Pretty, isn't it?"
"Pretty over-the-top." Bella mumbled unhappily. "He gave you that just for two days of holding me hostage?"
Crap, crap, crap!
Bella stared at me for a while before comprehension blanketed her and her face dropped. "It's for every time he's gone, isn't it?"
I nodded.
Bella slammed the Volvo door and stomped towards the house angrily. I caught up with her and walked to the house with her.
"Alice, you don't think this is a little bit controlling? Just a tiny bit psychotic, maybe?"
"Not really, you don't seem to grasp how dangerous a young werewolf can be. Especially when I can't see them. Edward has no way to know if you're safe. You shouldn't be so reckless." I had decided to stick with Edward's side of the argument. It was all she needed to know.
"Yes," she spat, her tones acidic. "Because a vampire slumber party is the pinnacle of safety conscious behavior."
I laughed, she did have a point. "I'll give you a pedicure and everything." I promised.
I got a humph in return as Bella sped up and stomped into the house.
I kept my word and gave Bella a manicure and a pedicure, I had checked on the correct procedures online, the benefits of a photographic memory, I could speed read through anything and have it memorized immediately.
Bella, by the end of it all, seemed to be having a little fun, she wiggled her toes as I pulled out the little foam molds that were holding her toes apart so I could paint them and they would dry without smudging.
Esme had brought Italian food from Port Angeles for her. Edward had suggested mushroom ravioli, but Esme had cringed at the idea of Bella eating a form of fungus, no matter how tasty she seemed to find it.
I had been to the local video store and picked up all of Bella's favorite movies, it was quite an eclectic range. I was proud. Even Rosalie hung about quietly watching as the strange female ritual unfolded.
"How late do you want to stay up?" I asked.
"I don't want to stay up. We have school in the morning." Bella said still trying to hold the pout that she was using to hide tiny amount of fun she was having.
I returned the favor and pushed out my bottom lip.
"Where am I supposed to sleep, anyway?" Bella whined. "Can't you just keep me under surveillance at my house?"
"What kind of slumber party would that be?" I shook my head, she could be positive infuriating when she tried. "You're sleeping in Edward's room."
I could see her considering the sofa in the room. "Can I go back to my place and get my things, at least?"
I grinned happily, she should know me better than that by now. "Already taken care of."
"Am I allowed to use your phone?"
"Charlie knows where you are."
"I wasn't going to call Charlie," Bella frowned. "Apparently, I have some plans to cancel."
"Oh," I muttered, crap! I don't think Edward would be too happy about that. "I'm not sure about that."
"Alice," she whined again. "C'mon!"
"Okay, okay," I spun on my heel and headed out of the room quickly, should I call Edward and check or do I let it slide, maybe this is her giving up gracefully. I was back in the room now, my phone in hand. "He didn't specifically prohibit this . . ." I sighed and handed her the phone.
Bella dialed a number and I stood panicking. I was having a battle in myself, wondering if this was the right thing to do.
"Hey, Jake, it's me." Bella said into the phone, her eyes were on me so I backed away and sat on the couch between Rosalie and Esme.
I couldn't hear the other end of the conversation, it was a low murmur, I was too far away, so I listened to the one ended conversation.
"Nothing good. I can't come over Saturday after all . . ." Bella listened intently and laughed, a glint in her eye, I knew she was aware of me listening. "I'm only laughing because you're close, but he's going to be here Saturday, so it doesn't matter . . . No. . . He left early." Bella's eyes wondered onto me briefly and then flickered back to her toes.
"I wish. I'm not at Charlie's, I'm kind of being held prisoner . . ." I was surprised at how open she was with him, it seemed she was closer to him than I had originally thought, ""Tempting. I have been tortured — Alice painted my toenails."
I knew by the lightening of her tone, the dog had said something threatening. It was easy to read Bella, I knew she wouldn't do anything deliberately stupid, but this was almost provoking them to come here. In her playfulness, they could see opportunity, they were young after all.
"Don't be. They're just trying to keep me safe . . . I know it's silly, but their hearts are in the right place . . . sorry about Saturday, I've got to hit the sack but I'll call you again soon . . . Not completely . . . Night Jake."
She hung up the phone and I headed towards her, that was probably the single most stupid thing I had ever done. I held out my hand for the phone but when I looked down, Bella was dialing Edward's number. I knew that he had trusted me with Bella so he only planned to check his phone occasionally.
"I don't think he'll have his phone on him," I mentioned as I retracted my hand."
"I'll leave a message." her tone was razor sharp.
"You are in trouble." she said slowly and menacingly into the phone. "Enormous trouble. Angry grizzly bears are going to look tame next to what is waiting for you at home."
I raised my eyebrows and held out my hand again. She snapped the phone shut and placed it into my hand.
"I'm done."
I tried to hide the smirk that was threatening to dance onto my lips. That was an impressive show on Bella's part. I grinned happily.
"This hostage stuff is fun."
"I'm going to sleep now." Bella said stomping towards the stairs. I followed her quietly, not only did I want to see her reaction to the bed, I wanted to show her where her things were.
"Alice," she sighed. "I'm not going to sneak out. You would know if I was planning to, and you'd catch me if I tried."
"I'm just going to show you where your things are." I said. I was trying not to laugh, Bella had a tendency to become highly sarcastic when she was angry. I found it amusing, but I didn't want to appear rude.
We headed up the stairs to Edward's room on the third floor, I was moving at Bella's speed so it took a little longer to get there. Bella opened the door and flicked the light switch on. Her face was a picture, she actually did a double take. I giggled softly at her reaction.
She stood silently looking around the room, it was almost as though she was checking that everything was still in here and trying to place what had been moved.
"What the hell is this?" she said, her words almost tripping over themselves.
"You didn't really think he would make you sleep on the couch, did you?" I laughed lightly.
Bella mumbled, she was disgruntled and her words made no sense whatsoever.
"I'll give you some privacy." I laughed. "See you in the morning."
I pulled the door closed behind me and hurried downstairs. Rosalie and Esme were still in the couch watching one of the movies I'd picked up for Bella. Esme was lost in the story but Rosalie looked thoroughly bored. This wasn't unusual for Rosalie, she had a short attention span with movies, it really had to be something she liked to keep her attention. It was curious that movies had this effect on her, she was normally so articulate.
"What did she say?" Rosalie asked, her eyes twinkling. I knew she'd heard.
"She was . . . Surprised. I guess that's what I'd call it. But you know Bella, a bed means Edward spent money, so she's agitated."
Rosalie chuckled and got up slowly. "Do you think it'd be okay to go talk to her?"
"You'll have to ask her, Rosalie. But, you have to remember she's always been very open to being your friend so, I wouldn't think she'd have a problem with it." I smiled.
Rosalie nodded and headed up the stairs, I knew she was heading directly to Edward's room, but she was taking her time. Bella was still stomping around angrily in upstairs and her grumbling was humorous.
After a quiet know on the door, Bella had told me to go away, but Rosalie had announced herself, and Bella's quiet timidness made me laugh. It showed the large comparison between the friendships. Bella was receptive to Rosalie's request to talk. I knew she would be, she could be stubborn at times and a little moody, but she was mostly sweet. I tried not to eavesdrop on the conversation. Rosalie was very guarded about her past. We'd each heard it, but only once. She didn't like talking about it all that much, and I really couldn't blame her, it was a hard past to remember.
It had taken a lot to move past it and I really could understand, those kind of assaults, in my book, were just under murder on the list of heinous acts.
I cuddled next to Esme and tried to concentrate on the movie. They would be talking fr a while, and then, I was sure, Bella would fall asleep.
On the way to school the next morning, Bella's mood hadn't improved. She was staring out of the windshield and her arms were crossed tightly against her chest. I tried to keep my mouth shut. I hadn't seen her in such a dark mood in a while, I knew she would easily be agitated, even though it was a Friday.
"Tonight we'll go out to Olympia or something," I said trying to lighten her mood. "That'll be fun, right?"
"Why don't you just lock me in the basement." she snapped angrily, "and forget the sugar coating."
Ouch, she was in a worse mood than I'd thought, maybe I could guilt her out of it. I could feel the frown crease my forehead. "He's going to take the Porsche back. I'm not doing a very good job. You're supposed to be having fun."
"It's not your fault," she sighed as we pulled into the parking lot, she got out of the car and turned to me. "I'll see you at lunch."
I sat through my first class feeling guilty about the mood Bella was in, I knew I was supposed to be entertaining her, and I knew that she was missing Edward. There had to be a way that I could entertain her until Edward gets back. There had to be something to get her out of this foul mood. I was thinking of anything that could get her to alter her mood. Anything, that is, short of taking her home. As the bell rang I gathered my things and headed towards my next class.
I heard it before I saw it. I was close to the cafeteria when the sound reached my ears. It was a motorcycle, and it was familiar. It was also getting closer. In my panic I checked the future, but I was too late. I heard Jacob Black's booming voice as he pulled into the parking lot.
"Run, Bella!"
Bella's future disappeared, I looked up and caught her eye as she jumped on the back of the bike, I knew how dark my eyes must be and I could feel the curl of my lips. I was stuck, there was nothing I could do. There were too many people around to stop her. I could feel my anger boiling below the surface. She was gone in a second. The whole school was watching the bike as it disappeared. I pulled out my phone, How was I going to break this to Edward?
A/N: I Forgot to mention, I made a save the olympic wolf poster in photoshop, link is on my profile :)
This was a difficult chapter, I wasn't sure whether or not I should eavesdrop on Rosalie's conversation with Bella, in Eclipse it seems to be a very private conversation. I know Rosalie let's Edward know that they exchanged words, but I would think that would have been out of courtesy, anyway I am interested to hear your thoughts on it ;0)
Thanks for the Reviews and Alerts. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME AND YOU ROCK, AND I SEND YOU HUGS, ;0)
