MELTING MOON
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CHAPTER EIGHT
SECOND
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"What time is class over?" I glared daggers at the short, ashen haired boy two rows in front of me. My head dropped to my desk with a heavy thud, groans collecting in the classroom. If it wouldn't break the (over) thousand dollar instrument, I'd take it and slam the woodwind against Evan's head. Hard. Mr. Caldwell answered calmly, moving on after giving the redneck a withering stare. "Class is over. Begin to pack up your things; don't forget we have another club meeting on Friday."
I had been overjoyed when I managed to find a club for band. Forks High didn't have the funds to support the band, but, in the next town over, the high school had a full scale club. I had asked the principal if I could join. He was reluctant, seeing as I was from the "enemy school", but after I flashed him my bands records and played a few pieces for the band teacher, he allowed me to join. Practice was usually every week, Tuesday and Thursday, however, this week we needed one more practice for next week's performance.
I shot Evan another dirty look, setting the pieces of my instruments gently into the worn case. I checked to make sure it was closed properly, and then left out the back door. I didn't have anyone else joining out the door, seeing as the road to get home was behind the school. The roads that led into Burkeside were in front of the school. I pulled the iPod Touch Jasper had given me ("I quite enjoy hearing you sing, although others may not." He had said, subtly hinting at the fact I was no Whitney Houston) out of my pocket, sticking a purple ear bud in my ear. I stopped walking for a moment, just long enough to start playing music.
I continued to walk down the hill Burkeside high called the "teacher parking lot", which was basically a grass hill covered in two feet of gravel. I walk into a swagger, hips swaying as I placed one foot in front of the other, bobbing my head up and down to 'Here Comes Trouble' by Honor Society. A silly smile was spread across my lips as I jogged across the empty street, beginning to walk down another that led straight into Forks. Jasper hated the idea of me walking by myself for a good mile, seeing as there had been some rare murder cases in the news. I paid it no mind, other than the five minute panic session; I could truly have cared less.
I had just begun to feel someone's eyes on me when I started cross the bridge that connected the Forks and Burkeside city limits. I paused, my movement and my music, glancing over the small bridge. I ran my eyes across the banks, barely catching the faintest of orange disappear into the forest. I cursed my curiosity, tossing my book bag over the bridge. It landed with a thud, almost disappearing in the mossy grass. I glanced at my saxophone, picking it up and gathering it in my arms. 'Please don't let me break something.' I thought, hopping on the small rail and jumping down.
It was a simple ten foot drop; I landed on my book bag, coughing a bit when one of my text books dug into my stomach. "I'll make sure to check that off my bucket list." I muttered, gathering my things and hiding them in the brush. I timidly ventures into the trees, becomes more comfortable as I walked further into the woods. A rustle caught my ears behind me, and I slung out my fist as I spun on my heel. My fist met with a cold hand, the fingers firmly clasping around my hand.
"Wouldn't want you to break your hand, would we, Arianna?"
I breathed, the red haired woman even more beautiful up close. I raised my eyes to her red orbs, amusement flickering in the flame of red before disappearing. "Victoria…" I trailed, furrowing my brows for moment before tensing a bit. "You're a vampire…aren't you?" I used my undeveloped power to cover up my scent. The woman's eyes lightened a shade, suspicion pouring into her eyes. I cleared my throat, "The Cullens, the coven of vampires living in Forks, one of the members told me their secret. I merely connected the dots. My scent disappearing, it's an undeveloped power of mine. I don't know all the details about it." I answered all of her unspoken questions.
"You remind much of a girl I used to know." Victoria stated, dropping my hand. "She always knew what I was wondering, what questions were on my mind. She looked just like you." The red head reached out, tugging a bit harshly on a lock of my hair. "Despite your hair being the tiniest shade darker, you have the same eyes and complexion." I raised an eyebrow, "You assume that's why we recognized each other? I've never seen anyone similar to you, unless they were in a memory I can no longer recall fully."
I could tell we were both surprised I wasn't running for the high hills. Everything about Victoria was intimidating, the slightest swagger in her walk, the cat-like arch her back and hands seemed to have, the fiery mane of curls surrounding her face, and the bubble gum pink voice that poured from her lips. She was alluring, truly a femme fatale. I just couldn't bring myself to fear though; I felt no fear towards the woman, her vampire thirst I knew she held the only thing setting me on edge, but, I still somehow knew she wouldn't harm me. There was a connection between us, something that was made years and years ago.
Victoria eyed me, "I don't know how heaven works or how God creates humans, but the connection I had with Anne is in you. That may have been centuries ago, but I'd recognize it anywhere." I curiously watched Victoria, "Fate works in the most unlikely of ways. We'll find out one day what our connection is." I held out my pinky finger, "Promise." Victoria stared at me, then, her image blurred and disappeared. The fiery mane of hair evaporated just as quickly as I saw is form.
If I hadn't had been paying attention, I would have missed the slightest, cold pressure against my smallest finger. I would have also missed the slight scent of burnt bread and tinkle of a promise.
I went to bed that night confused as hell.
/O;\\
I bobbed my head up and down, swinging my legs as I sat on the edge of Bella's truck. The math teacher had been kind and let us out a couple minutes early. My ear buds sat in my ears, playing an upbeat tune. I swayed with the beat, a smile on my lips. I could barely hear the school bell ring over the sound of music in my ears. I turned up the music, enjoying the low thrum of the bass guitar. I suddenly felt hands at my sides and screamed, flailing and falling off the edge of the truck.
Another pair of arms caught me, but I kept my eyes clenched shut and struggled in the grasp of the arms. I was set on the ground; I jerked my ear buds out of my ears and breathed, opening my eyes. Jasper was squatted down in front of me, a worried expression on his face; I could hear Emmett cackling in the bed of the truck. I held out my arms towards the blond vampire, who quietly gathered me back into his arms.
I absolutely and utterly hated being scared. I was jumpy, easily startled, which made my hatred of being scared develop further. Back in Arizona, I had been scared so badly by one of girls at school that I burst into tears and had to be sent to the hospital for hyperventilating and passing out. All she had done was hid in one of the bathroom stalls dressed as Slender man and jumped out when I came inside. Both Bella and I had arrhythmias, an abnormality of our heartbeat, where our hearts beat faster. Bella's arrhythmia is what caused her to blush so easily, mine caused me to be scared easier.
"I'd kill him if I could." I muttered, uncomfortable with the rapid beating in my chest. Jasper still looked worried, "Your heart's beating at an unhealthy pace. Should I take you to the hospital?" I shook my head, trying to focus on breathing and calming down. I watched Bella glance at Edward then down at me, "We both have arrhythmias. It'd be best if she calmed down, but if her heartbeat increases any more she needs to be taken to the hospital."
"Thank you for informing me, Bella." Jasper replied, respectfully. Bella nodded as Rosalie called for Emmett, an angry tone to her voice.
"Oh shit." Emmett cursed, jumping from bed of the truck and disappearing.
Bella looked down at me, "I'll be riding home with Edward. I'll see you when you get home. Bye Ari."
My eyes flicked up to her, "Stay safe. Bye Bells." She nodded, her eyes lingering on me for a moment before disappearing behind the cars.
I rested my head on Jasper's collarbone, simply curling wordlessly into his lap and chest. He stood, balancing me in his arms as he opened the doors the orange truck. Jasper set me down, gently, his figure blurring for a moment, and he was back with my satchel and iPod Nano from the truck bed. "Arianna." He said, closing the driver door. I handed him the keys to the truck, a curious expression on my face as I replied softly, "Yes?"
He cranked the truck and pulled out of the parking space, "Would you like to watch my family play baseball tonight?" I blinked at the odd question, thoughtlessly voicing my confusion. The blond just chuckled and further explained. "Whenever a thunderstorm passes through, my family and I play baseball in a field close by our home."
"Why during a thunderstorm?"
Jasper smirked, "You'll see." I huffed, rolling my eyes playfully. I moved my eyes to the windshield, seeing the Volvo speeding ahead of us.
"You're a potato." I commented, randomly. Jasper turned to look at me, pausing for a moment in thought, "Is that a good thing?" I shrugged, beginning to braid a shoulder length strand of hair. I repeated myself, "You're a potato."
The blond just shook his head with a smile, lifting his foot off the gas. I looked away from the half completed braid, watching Edward stop the car in front of my house instead of pulling in the drive. I frowned, watching Bella step out of the car and the silver car pull off quickly. I stuffed my iPod into my satchel, placing it on my shoulder, and placing a kiss on Jasper's cheek. "Come over about an hour before the game." And with that, I stepped out of the truck. I stepped in place beside Bella, who had waited for me on the side walk, and we both walked up the drive.
Jacob and his grandfather, if I remembered correctly, stood on the porch. I furrowed my brows, sending Bella a sideways glance. She paused, pulling me to a stop as well, holding up the text book in her hands in front of our lips. 'Werewolves. I'll tell you more later.' She mouthed, the text book returning to her side. I nodded, and we continued to walk up the drive as if nothing happened.
"Hey Jacob, Billy." I said, with a polite smile and a bit over exaggerated happiness. Emmett's little scare had really put me through a loop. Taking note to mentally scold myself for my bad acting, I watched as Bella greeted the two as well. Jacob gave Bella a dashing smile and Billy observing us quietly. He held out the Budlight case to Jacob, "Jacob, take these inside please." Jacob pouted, taking the six pack and walking into the unlocked door, glancing over his shoulder to look at Bella before walking inside. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at the lovesick teen, tuning into Billy's words.
"Bella, Arianna, the Cullens aren't who you think they are. They're very dangerous. I would rethink your decisions of being so close with them." Billy warned. I bristled at his words, snapping. "Your people aren't all that safe either, ya goddamn hypocrite. You ain't me, and too bad for you, you can't make me 'rethink' my fucking decision." Bella didn't send me any looks of disapproval, she's looked as though she agreed with me fully. The man in the wheelchair seemed taken aback, "That is no way for a young lady to speak, Arianna."
I snorted, "I ain't no goddamn lady, I'm a fucking woman."
"Your father would never approve of such behavior!" Billy retorted, obviously surprised I was the sweet girl I was when I was fourteen. I snapped, "I don't give a sweet damn. Billy, I hope you know I'm not against pushing old men in wheelchairs down the driveway." The man bit his tounge, deciding that this wasn't a battle he was going to win.
I gave him a withering look, straightening my back and bucking up. I used my body language to convey my message, then turned, leaving the battle on the front porch. I had the strongest inkling that this subject would come up again.
/O;\\
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Ok, this is half a filler chapter and half an actual chapter. I rushed a bit in the plot line (I didn't really care for the chapters where I drowned in Edward/Bella fluff) and I want the part of the story to stretch out a couple chapter. So there will be a lot of inner dialouge. And yeah…
Thanks for reviews.
Yours Truly,
Veila
