Still own nothing, but plot changes?

Thanks again to everyone who read my story, put it on his/her favorite and alert lists. I appreciate it.

ShadowCub, I tried to answer your last PM, but your PM's were disabled. I hope you are ok.

I didn't think I'd be able to update this week, so I am glad, I was wrong. I hope you like it.


Twilight:REDUX

Chapter 8

Why Are You So Cold?

APOV

"What do you think of werewolves, Jade?" Bella addressed Jade once more with a concentrated look on her face.

'Well, if that isn't the 100 million dollar question,' my mind snorted. I could just barely stop myself from rolling my eyes.

"Well, uh," Jade's gaze flickered between Bella and I, she clearly looked uncomfortable, which heightened my suspicions that Jade knew the legends were true.

"Yes? Why are you all of a sudden speechless?" Bella inquired a little confused.

"No, it's not that. Uh, I liked them too, in the movie. I mean, yes, the Alpha and his son were idiots, but overall, I think werewolves are pretty cool," Jade kept her gaze on Bella, giving her a crooked smile.

'I bet you do,' my mind all but sneered. I was so concentrated on glaring at Jade that Bella's next question almost made me fall off the couch.

"Well, ok, so, how does this movie relate to your legends? I mean, was your tribe ever hunted by werewolves or what?" Bella returned Jade's smile.

'Yeah, let's see how she handles this one,' my mind chuckled.

"Uh, no, not really," Jade's gaze flickered once more to me. I know my presence made her uncomfortable. I was sure this conversation would go much smother without my in the room. 'Too bad,' my mind commented on my musings.

"So what, then?" Bella continued. I knew she would not let this one go.

"The legends tell that our people were descendents of wolves," Jade looked down at her thighs.

"Huh?" Bella asked confused? "What does that mean?" she went on, keeping her gaze on Jade.

"Well, basically, the legends talk about our ancestors being able to transform into werewolves." Jade still was very interested in her blue jeans.

"Ok. So, during full moon they would transform?" Bella asked curiously. 'Why does this not freak her out? Maybe, because they were still talking about legends, not facts' my mind retorted smartly.

"No, their transformations had nothing to do with the moon. They supposedly could change at will," Jade went on, looking up at Bella, finally, while still refusing to look into my direction.

"So, let me get this straight, your legends say your ancestors were wolves, but what does that have to do with Billy's dislike of the Cullens?" Bella asked curiously.

'Huh?' even my mind lost its speech at that question. Now my gaze was going back and forth between Bella and Jade. The latter actually looked like she was about to bolt out of the room. Leave it to Bella to go directly to the bull's-eye.

"Bella, I told you those legends are just stories and Billy is just a fool, believing all of this. Just forget about it." Jade tried to avoid the answer.

'Good luck with that,' my mind laughed.

"So what? If these legends make him dislike my friend, I want to know why?" Bella raised her arms, exasperated.

Jade looked so frustrated in that moment. Eventually, she sighed,

"these legends also talk about the 'Cold Ones' and that they are the natural enemy of the wolves."

"Cold Ones?" Bella asked, raising her eyebrows in confusion.

'Oh oh, this might turn really ugly,' my mind started to fret.

"Well, yeah, vampires." Jade still would not look at me.

"Ok." Bella stressed the word slowly. "I still don't see what that has to do with Alice and her family?" Bella looked at me, and then back to Jade.

"" Jade pressed out so quickly, I was not sure if Bella caught on.

Bella just stared at Jade for a few seconds, then, comprehension, on what she just had heard, dawned on her and she turned her head quickly to look at me. I had never seen her beautiful eyes look more intense than at this very moment.

"Vampires?" was the only thing she said, all the while her auburn eyes burned into my amber ones. 'I am so screwed,' my mind sighed.


BPOV

'Vampires? Billy thinks that the Cullens are vampires? That Alice is a vampire? This is ridiculous,' I reasoned right away. 'There are no such things as vampires!' my mind proclaimed agitated. Yet, Alice being a vampire would explain a lot. When I fixed on Alice's gaze, I noticed that she looked nervous and wary. 'Does that mean that she is a vampire?' my mind wondered once more. This idea was slowly starting to blow my mind; I needed to stop thinking about all of this, if I didn't want to lose my mind entirely.

Jade was looking at me worriedly and Alice was focusing on her hands that she rested on her lap. 'You are so not leaving tonight!' my mind told Alice vehemently, not that she was able to hear me.

"Look, as I said, these are all just superstitions and my old man is a little confused. That's all. I'm sorry, I didn't want to offend you, Alice and, well, sorry for bringing down the mood," Jade addressed both Alice and I with a pleading look on her tan face.

"That is fine, Jade, my family is aware of the beliefs of your tribal elders. I am not offended, don't worry," Alice looked up and gave Jade a dazzling smile, that even Jade could not stop from reciprocating.

"Well, I guess it was just a surprise, you know, that Billy would believe something so silly, and, well, also let that stand in the way of his relationship with the Cullens," I added clumsily. 'This is so awkward,' my mind complained.

Jade suddenly stood up,

"Bella, look, again, sorry for ruining the mood of the evening. I think I'll get going, then. It was good to spend some time with you. I hope we'll get to do that soon again. Alice." Jade hugged me, nodded at Alice and walked to the door.

"You stay," I hissed at Alice and followed Jade to the door.

"Bye Bells," Jade gave me a little smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Jade, really, don't worry, it's fine. I also enjoyed our time together. Drive safely, bye," I opened the door and waved after Jade's retreating figure.

Once back inside the living-room, Alice hadn't moved from her spot.

"I guess I'll better leave now," Alice started to get up from the couch. In an instant, I was by her side and pushed her back down on the couch. She looked up at me with wide eyes, I wasn't sure if she was surprised or scared in that moment.

"I told you to stay, Alice," I said more forcefully than I intended. I was just so frustrated at that moment and my mind was going so fast, I had a hard time keeping up.

"Well, maybe I don't want to stay, Bella?" Alice looked at me, and leaned back against the couch, making my hand slip off her shoulder.

Taken aback, I stepped back, 'ok, that just hurt,' my mind voiced quietly.

Alice obviously realized that I was hurt,

"Look, Bella, I am sorry, it's just, I have a lot of errands to run tomorrow and I am still tired from our trip. I really think I should go home now," Alice said calmly, shrugging her shoulders a little.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think of that. But Alice, what about those legends?" I pressed on, tired or not, I wanted some answers.

Alice sighed, running her hand through her short hair, "what about them, Bella?" she looked into my eyes once more. Her eyes, which usually were warm and comforting, looked hard and frustrated.

"Uh, I know, they sound crazy, but, are they true? I mean, Alice, don't you think that would explain quite a lot?" I went on, hoping I did not sound completely crazy.

Alice was silent at first, turning her head to look out of the window into the dark. "Bella, that is just silly," she turned and looked at me again. There was no humor in her eyes. In fact, Alice looked so intense, it was almost scary. "What would these legends explain, Bella?" she cocked her head to the side, staring at me intently.

"Well, you never eat, and you are all so pale, not even talking about the fact that all of you have the same golden eyes. Don't you think that is weird for adopted siblings? I mean, anyway. You are also so fast sometimes, I don't know, Alice? Am I crazy? I mean, here I am actually considering that you are all vampires!" I rambled on frustrated.

"So, because you have never seen me eat in your presence and because we all share the same eye color, that makes us vampires? I happen to be on a special diet and as for the eye colors, well, Jasper and Rosalie are siblings, and for the rest, I don't know, coincidence? Stranger things happen every day, Bella." Alice spoke tense, getting out of the chair and walking towards the window.

"Then why are you so upset, Alice? Why would this bother you, if it isn't true? If all of this was just imagination, would the usual reaction not be to just laugh at this and move on?" I said calmly, I felt bad for putting Alice's in such an agitated state. I slowly started to walk towards her, stopping right behind her.

"Bella, please, let us just drop this, ok? I am not upset, just tired," Alice really sounded wary at this moment.

"I am not sure I can do this, Alice. I, I have never felt closer to anyone else and I feel like you are keeping this huge secret from me and,"

"Bella!" Alice interrupted me and turned around, which brought us in close proximity, since I had stood only a couple of inches away from her before. "Please, drop it. I feel close to you too and I, there are just some things that are better left unsaid," Alice looked at me pleadingly.

"So you don't trust me," I spoke quietly, hanging my head.


APOV

If vampires were able to get headaches, I'd bet that my head would have already exploded. This was all such a mess. 'Damn Jade and her stupid legends too.' I never wanted Bella to find out this way. Moreover, I was still so scared of what my revelation could mean, both for Bella and for our friendship.

Once, more, I asked Bella to drop it, "Please, drop it. I feel close to you too and I, there are just some things that are better left unsaid," my eyes were begging her to listen to me.

"So you don't trust me," Bella voiced so quietly, I almost had to strain to hear it. 'Gosh, what is she doing to me?' my mind was wringing its non-existing hands, while I looked at Bella, standing so defeated in front of me, hanging her head in defeat.

"Bella, this has nothing to do with trust, believe me," I touched her chin, lifted her head softly and looked into her eyes imploringly, willing her to believe the words I doubted myself.

"Of course, Alice, this has everything to do with trust and you know this," Bella's chocolate eyes were burning into my golden ones. 'Nice, Alice,' my mind sighed.

All of a sudden, Bella lifted her hands and cupped my face.

"You are so cold, Alice, not just today, but always. Why are you so cold? I am sure you have a convenient excuse for this, too, hmm, Alice?" Bella spoke softly. Her warm hands were burning on my cheeks, while her close proximity became almost unbearably intoxicating. My breathing became shallow, which I could not understand, since I did not even need that damn oxygen! I needed to get out of here; this was getting more and more out of hand.

I placed my hands over Bella's and moved them away from my face, whereupon Bella withdrew her hands as if I'd just slapped her.

"Bella, I am sorry. I understand if you need a break from all of this or if you even do not want to be my friend anymore, but this is just not right, I,"

"Damn it, Alice! You are being ridiculous! I don't need a break and I don't want to end our friendship! I want answers, Alice, please?" Bella lifted her hands and dropped them again in frustration.

"I know, but, I just cannot," I leaned forward, kissed her cheek swifyly, turned around and left. I knew I was a coward and that I could not prevent Bella from knowing the truth if I planned to continue our relationship, but I never saw this coming, and I was not prepared. I was so scared, I just had to leave. Bella's relentless questions, combined with her being so close to me were robbing me of my sanity. 'This is such a mess,' my mind complained while I sped off in my Porsche.


I still could not believe that I just left Bella like that. 'Some friend,' my mind sneered as I drove my car into the garage of our house. I was so frustrated with how badly I had handled this situation, I almost ran into Esme who was on her way into the living room.

"Alice! Are you ok? What happened?" she asked concerned, once she noticed my frantic state.

"Oh Esme," I sighed frustrated, coming to a stop in front of her. Had I been able to cry, I was sure I would bebawling at this moment. I had made such a mess!

"Come on, dear, let's sit down on the couch," Esme took my hand and led me to the couch, where I sat down and immediately put my face in my hands.

"You want to tell me what has you so upset, Alice?" Esme asked softly.

"No, not really," I sighed, looking up at her concerned face. "I messed things up with Bella," I rushed out, still so angry with myself.

"What do you mean, you messed things up?" Esme sounded a little alarmed at that.

"No, gosh, not like that!" I exclaimed forcefully. Why did my family always assume the worst? Was that some weird vampire trait?

"I'm sorry, Alice, I did not mean to doubt you," Esme said apologetic.

"It's all right," I sighed. "I meant that Bella asked me if we are vampires and I denied it, and then I just ran away," I hung my head ashamed.

"She what?" Esme exclaimed and stood up in a flash.

"Well, she had a movie night with Jade, a member of the Quileute tribe who also happens to be Bella's childhood friend. They watched a movie about werewolves, imagine? And the thing is, Jade is not even a mutt herself, at least she does not smell like one," I was lost in my thoughts for a moment. "And then, she acts as if she does not believe her tribes legends, yet, she basically outed me to Bella! I mean, why did she have to show Bella a werewolf movie to begin with, if she does not believe in the legends? The nerve of her! And imagine, afterward she even asked Bella what she thinks of werewolves! I just don't know," I got up and started pacing.

"Alice, that still doesn't explain how Bella knows about vampires, or for that matter, why she believes that we are vampires?" Emse asked confused, by now she had sat back down.

"Oh, yes, well, Bella wanted to know how Billy Black's dislike for us and the legends are connected. Naturally, Jade told her about the 'Cold Ones', and then, after Jade had left, one thing led to another, and Bella started to put two and two together." I sighed, sitting back down, too.

"But Alice, I thought you wanted to tell Bella eventually. Would that not have been the perfect opportunity to do so?" Esme inquired curiously.

"Well, hindsight is always 20/20, isn't it? Sorry, I do not mean to be so sarcastic, I am just so angry with myself. Yes, that would have been the perfect opportunity. Bella did not even seem all that freaked out by the idea of us being vampires. However, I was freaked out! I did not see this coming and you know how poorly I deal with surprises! I want to tell her, but I had never imagined my hand would be forced like that!" I looked at Esme pleadingly. "What shall I do now? Bella is so angry and I, ahhh, I could scream!" I pressed out angrily.

"I understand your frustration, honey, but in the end, if you want to keep Bella's friendship, which I am assuming you do, you will have to apologize to her and tell her the truth," Esme touched my cheek tenderly. "I know how much Bella means to you, Alice. You'll just have to trust that your friendship will endure all of this," Esme finished.

"What if she doesn't want to see me again, once she hears the truth?" I asked quietly, casting my eyes down on the floor.

"I think you are selling Bella short, Alice. We are not monsters, once she knows everything, I am sure she will be fine with us being vampires." Esme tried to reassure me.

"I truly hope you are right, Esme. Just the thought of losing Bella's friendship is unbearable. I never want to find out how the reality feels like," I stood up, and helped Esme up too. I bent over to hug Esme,

"Thank you, Esme. Your support means a lot to me. I will tell Bella, tomorrow." The same moment I said this, and while Esme returned my hug, I was enveloped in a vision,

I saw Bella getting up; her eyes looked all red and blotchy, as if she had spent the night crying. I cringed. Then, Bella got ready and wrote a note for Charlie, "Dad, I'm going to the bookstore downtown. Don't know when I'll be back," I read, before the vision ended.

"Alice, honey, are you ok? What did you see?" Esme asked worriedly, she had felt me cringe once I had seen Bella.

"Bella, she will go to the bookstore tomorrow morning and it looked like she had been crying all night." I sighed, very unhappy with myself.

"Will you go to her now?" Esme inquired compassionately.

"I don't know, maybe she needs the night to clear her head. It is already pretty late. Maybe it is better to meet her tomorrow at the bookstore. What do you think?" I looked at Esme, unsure what to do next.

"You know Bella better than I do, dear, I am sure you will do the right thing." Esme smiled, squeezed my arm and turned to walk into the kitchen.


Yes, Bella will finally hear the truth in the next chapter. About damn time, I think! What do you think of this chapter?

Comments, questions, concerns and criticism is always welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reading!