Bella hustled down the stairs with a bright smile as Jacob pulled up in the driveway. Little by little she was getting closer to what she wanted before she was turned, and little by little the school year was going by. Tonight there was a party at the Nightmare Café with her new friend staring as entertainment. If she was still with Edward, she probably wouldn't be this happy about it nor would she be going at all.
"See ya, Dad!" She called and he waved her goodbye.
Seeing the bright smile Jacob sported almost made her smile... Things hadn't gone according to plan but that was fine. It wouldn't take long for the Volturi to come maintain order. With Jacob under her thumb and the Cullens under a time constraint. She would be a vampire soon enough and with Jacob probably... not that it mattered. He was cute, but cute only went so far.
"You have to promise to be nice okay? I like her even if you two are at odds."
"I won't say anything, " Jacob promised and pulled off from the small house, heading towards Port Angeles.
He smiled to avoid the pain and felt something odd. The idea of seeing Elena again was actually making his heart flutter in joy rather than anger. He wondered if he really did imprint on her or if it was just a fluke. After all he'd only heard her voice and seen a glimpse of her leg, nothing more and the imprinting feeling wasn't always present when he saw her. Sometimes it was there, sometime it was there a little, and other times it was completely missing.
Don't tell me I'll be the first world to imprint on someone's foot.He shuddered at the thought and pushed it away as the sound of Sam's car filled with pack entered his hearing range.
Leah was smacking Seth for something and that made him laugh a bit. They reached the city and immediately he heard the sound of guitars and a sultry voice drawing them towards the Nightmare Cafe. When they entered, the amount of people in the fairly large establishment almost shocked them. The smell of soda, alcohol, and other drinks mingled with the scent of fried foods and things in the air.
Elena wasn't on stage when they arrived but there was no mistaking her voice from earlier…maybe she was singing backstage or handing out drinks? His heart pounded as they climbed out and the scent of vampires caught his attention. He breathed in and headed inside with Bella as the rest of the pack walked in as well. The band in question had a male lead singer and he wondered if they were at the wrong place as they took a seat. The pack smiled politely and didn't cast glares as the next song started.
"Huh, hah, Haa~!"
He blinked as he'd never heard the song before and Bella looked confused as well. Leah had pulled Quil and Embry on the dance floor as the band started up. Esmerelda clapped recognizing the song in an instant.
"Ha ha haaa~! Pump it! Ha ha haaa~! And pump it (louder) And pump it (louder) And pump it (louder) And pump it (louder)! Turn up the radio Blast your stereo Right—"
The lead singer started rapping and he was starting to get anxious. Where the hell was Elena? Was his obsession with her being there a bad thing? Furthermore, where the hell was Elena?
"Niggas wanna hate on us (who) Niggas be envious (who) And I know why they hating on us (why) Cause our style's so fabulous (what) I'm be real on us (do) Nobody got none on us (no) Girls be all on us, from London back down to the US (S, S)."
The other voice wasn't on stage but female and he had to wonder if it was recording. Edward and Esmerelda took a booth a long side the dance floor and Esmerelda knew the introduction when she heard it.
Unfortunately, Elena wasn't off waitress duty yet and was running around, singing back up, and handing out drinks before she had a chance to change backstage.
"(Yo, check this out right here) Dude wanna hate on us (dude) Dude need to ease on up (dude) Dude wanna act on up But dude get shut like flavor shut (shut down) Chicks say, she ain't down but chick backstage when we in town (ha) She like man on drunk (fool) She wanna hit n' run (err) Yeah, that's the speed That's what we do That's who we be B-L-A-C-K -E-Y-E-D -P to the E, then the A to the S! When we play you shake your ass (Shake it shake it) shake it girl Make sure you don't break it, girl."
Finally free, Elena ditched the waitress look for her debut uniform and tilted her hat down low over her face, pulling her hair into a tighter braid at the nape of her neck as she headed to the edge of the stage. That familiar feeling of nervousness filled her up as she headed out into the crowd.
Esmerelda looked at her watch and Edward was curious as to what she was waiting for. Spotting the wolf pack and Bella across the room he figured he should be waiting for it as well. Alice and his family joined them just the lead switched mikes.
"Damn!"
"Damn!" The leader was pointing to the middle of the crowd where Elena was dancing to the swift beats of the music and taking a breath to sing her opening line.
"Oooooohhh-o-ohhh! oh-oh-oh-oh!"
"There she is," Esmerelda commented spotting her near the edge of the stage making her way through the crowd towards the stairs and she grinned at the fit of her new outfit. Black and fitting a ruffled skort showing off long tan legs and her hair tied up to her mid-back and falling around her face.
"Apl. de ap. from Philippines Live and direct rocking this scene Breaking on down for the B-boys. And B-girls waiting to do their thing Pump it, louder come on Don't stop and keep it goin'. Do it lets get it on Move it Come on, baby, do it."
Jacob felt all his blood run south and whatever Bella was saying became as insignificant as it had been as long as he was near Elena lately. The sexy silouhette topped with her tilted hat over her long hair as she danced and rolled her hips up the stairs. He gulped hard and felt the need to jump her on stage and slaughter every man that looked at her. That possessiveness came back full throttle and as much as he hated to admit it, his body gave a thumbs up to her look. A really hard thumbs up.
"La-da-di-da-da-di-die On the ster-e-er-e-er-e-ereo," he heard her voice from the stage and half through the speakers and it wasn't really coming through his ears so much as every twirl and roll of her hips. He wanted her to keep going and stop until they were somewhere private. He wanted to kill every man that had the nerve to look at her on stage like that with her eyes half covered by her sleek black hat and the black off the should top that hugged ever inch of her torso and disappeared underneath the black fluttered skort.
"Let those speakers blow your mind."
Yeah I don't think its the speakers that's blowing people's minds...his mind quipped as he couldn't keep his eyes off her hips while she dance and sung on stage.
"Blow my mind, baby."
Jacob swallowed hard as her solo started. "So let it go, let it go Here we go La-da-di-da-da-di-die (come on, we're there). On the radi(-adi-adi-adi-)o This systems got me feelin' so fi(-ei-ei-ei-ei-ei-ei-ei-)ne."
The song ended without much more incident as the lead singer began to introduce her. She looked confident up there, at home even, dancing and performing on stage. He smiled at her glowing smile and the rest of the pack grinned at him. They knew the truth and it was hilariously dangerous for him to deny it.
"I'm sure everyone's wondering who this sexy lady is, please welcome the newest addition to the band, singer, guitarist, and everything else we need her to be, Ms. Elena Lune!"
The crowd clapped as she took her bow and grabbed a microphone, "I promise not to bore you when my dear friend Luke leaves us in a minute."
They laughed and she laughed.
"Can I have your number?"
Jacob turned red a bit and Esmerelda laughed. Elena adjusted her hat before replying, trying to hide the slight smile on her face.
"Uhm, I'll ask my brother," She smiled and nudged Luke beside her. "Come on, let's get this started huh?"
They played "Hey Mama" by the same artist and of course Elena danced the whole song. What else was she supposed to do? Being up there to a hip-hop beat, heaven forbid she not reek havoc on his mind and body functions. Jacob held back the panting he instinctively wanted to do as his inner wolf acted a fool. He wasn't sure who was more turned on by her, him or his inner animal. Glancing down briefly, he wins.
"Bye Luke," She waved as he hugged her goodbye and was off the clock. Ellis took up his spot with his base guitar and a microphone.
They played two more songs she danced to, he remembered them being by Shakira before she took off her hat grabbed a guitar. In the spirit of keeping the party rolling it was "Cuz I Can" by P!nk, "I Don't Hook Up" and "Since You Been Gone." Before the songs slowed and her voice got surly and the music got darker.
"I hope the ring you gave to her turns her finger green, I hope that when you're in bed with her, you think of me."
Sam looked at Jacob and the rest of the pack looked at him as the song continued and they wondered how many other songs they would play like that. Jacob twitched at the anger in her voice and wished that this song didn't really pertain to him. The key switched over to "Hero" by Nickelback and her hair suddenly became more unruly than it usually was during the last song that had wrenched him on the inside and almost killed him.
"Come on let's dance!" Bella suggested pulling him out of his seat and onto the dance floor. He heard Lead growl behind him as another song began.
"Oh Star, fall down on me... Let me make a wish upon you... Hold on, let me think~Think of what I'm wishing for..."
Bella gripped him tightly, swaying to the music and ignored the glares she recieved from the Cullen family and the wolf pack. Jacob smiled down at her and rocked with her in the small space of the dance floor that was theirs.
"And I won't let you fall away..."
Elena's eyes softened, staring out into the crowd and watching the pair dance in the center of the dance floor. Jacob and her locked eyes for a moment and she looked away as the Cafe door opened and someone else entered, crossing the room to find Esmerelda sitting with Edward and hug her fiercely. She recognized the man but couldn't be sure from the distance.
Her next song was delayed as the crowd simmered down and she drew their attention and set the guitar down.
"It's been a great night, and I think we should leave with a bang."
The music started up from behind her and she smirked, "This is for all those people you want to shank sometimes. You know who you are. Back stabbing, deserting, so called friends, and all the judges that go with them. Sing along if you know the words!"
Sam chuckled and Leah got up to drag Quil onto the dance floor. It wasn't every day there was a song she really liked being played. She'd requested it weeks before they made the set list and hoped the song put Jacob and the rest of the pack through the ringer for hassling Elena about her lone wolf choices.
"If I'm a bad person, you don't like me. Well I guess I'll make my own way... "
Esmerelda laughed at Elena's smirking face and surly tone and gazed over at the wolf pack who looked a little more than sorry. Jacob, in the center of the dance floor with Bella, looked a little more than hurt. She recognized that look. Had he imprinted on her and if so could he tell the difference? Looking up at Elena rocking out of stage she wondered where they would end up and wondered if when she learned the truth would things change. Her hair was everywhere and everyone in pack except Leah and Seth looked like they'd been punch in the face.
"You treat me just like, another stranger. Well it's nice to meet you sir! I guess I'll go, I best be on my way out. Ignorance is your new best friend.
Ignorance is your new best friend."
Sam crossed his arms as the song continued. Was it too much for her to join the pack? Was it too much for her to be normal? By the intensity of her guitar strumming and the flip of her loosely bound curly braided hair, falling over her face, and the way she was jumping around on stage, singing her heart out… It was way too much to ask.
Bella kissed Jacob's cheek and headed towards the bathroom as the band began to clear out. The kiss distracted him enough until he watched Elena take down the equipment. He drummer had picked her up and spun her around…the way a man in love would spin his girlfriend. The only consolation was that he wasn't a vampire. The gear was cleared away and she was on bar duty for a while before heading up to the D.J. booth. Edward headed towards the booth in curiosity and Jacob glared at his every move.
"Is there anything you don't do?"
"Strip and Fly," he replied put her headphones on halfway.
He laughed and froze as a familiar thought passed through his mind. The familiar voice that had once been his reason to be alive. The voice that he hated very much at the moment and would for the rest of eternity.
It doesn't matter what you do... you will still give me what I want.
He whirled around and Esmerelda jumped at the rage in his eyes. What the hell was going on? He saw him disappear behind the booths towards the bathroom and peered over the top to watch in curiosity as Bella grinned and smiled at him. She'd used him after he'd given her nothing but protection and kindness… he almost gave his life as well.
"Don't worry Edward, you can turn me and then never have to worry about me again." She said with a knowing smile. "After all the Volturi know about me now."
He growled, "You're pushing the line Isabella. I want nothing to do with you."
"That's too bad because the Volturi are expecting me. It's not as though you can disobey them."
"They will only kill you." He replied, "or turn you their selves. Then I really won't have to deal with you."
"Aro won't allow it... remember with my interesting talents..."
Alice, Emmett, and Rosalie appeared behind him and hissed at her. They'd longed for a chance to bite her since they found what she'd done to their little brother. The wolf pack appeared as well between the two with Jacob behind Bella.
"Bloodsuckers, aren't you supposed to be out feeding or something? Leave her alone," Jacob growled.
The pack hadn't said anything but glared silently at Jacob's stupidity and Bella's fake fear. She was a lying, selfish, usurping bitch and they all knew it. Why was Jacob so stupid? Top of his class, dumb as fuck.
"Control your bitch before I put her down," Alice retorted,"I am not in the mood.'
"Because she doesn't want your disease anymore?" Jacob growled.
"Don't get me started, mutt." Edward retorted as Esmerelda came over and separated the two.
"Alright boys, enough testosterone in one room. Let's try and calm down and be civil. Edward, let's go."
He sent one last glare at Jacob and turned away. He obeyed but before catching Bella's scheming thoughts.
You will do it by choice or by force... You know you can't resist the scent of my blood.
He ignored it, choosing not to cause a scene. If the wolf wanted her, he could have her until her heart stopped beating and then it wouldn't matter. Then he'd have the right to kill her and there would be no one to save her.
They walked out together and Esmerelda clapped, "Well, Elena was definitely right about this. Mind telling me what that was all about?"
His eyes glanced and glanced away in an instant. There was no way he'd let the tidal wave of agony roll over her, he wouldn't let her in... not again.
She stiffened at the onslaught of pain coming from him. He probably didn't realize what he was doing or how open he was and she wasn't going to bring it up. His ego was probably hurt enough as it was.
After the vampires vacated the Café, Jacob took Bella's hand and lead her back to the truck as the pack said goodbye and crowded around Elena as she headed out from her shift with the Cullen family and the wolf pack. He glared at them through the rear view mirror no matter how much he wanted to run over to Elena and apologize, beg for forgiveness, and kiss her. He wouldn't, she was hanging out with the leeches and that meant she was off limits until she saw reason. He told himself that she would come around and see reason one day. One day she would come back and he'd be there to say "I told you so" and welcome her back to the pack.
Another part of him just wondered if it was just his alpha pride and stubbornness that made it hard to apologize to her.
Elena waved the pack off and drove Esmerelda back to the Cullens place with a sleeping bag and oreos in the back seat. Turns out they were sharing a room, which would have happened anyway simply because they were always inseparable. When they were in the same house they would always be drawn to each other and that was okay. Esmerelda didn't sleep and Elena could not sleep too if she so chose to.
"Don't stay up too late, Elena." Rene advised and closed the door when Elena giggled at the advice.
She'd spent whole days up with Esmerelda, just talking about the weirdest thing and after not seeing each other for so long... She doubted she'd get a goodnight's sleep.
"Oh yeah, you know Evan's in town right?"
She blinked, "Evan?"
"Yeah, he asked about you and came in. He said he'd be swinging by your house after he gets off. Sometime around six."
She raised an eyebrow, Evan... Evan was half-vampire half-human she'd befriended in Los Angeles and like the Logan family they had been great friends. The only difference was that he had a huge crush on her for the longest and she was kind of worried about seeing him again. She shrugged, munching on Oreos.
"Maybe I'll go home. I've got to get some equipment diagnostics to do anyway... and homework. But are you going to stop dancing around the bush and tell me what happened between you and Edward?"
She blinked and huffed, puffing up her cheeks. She pointed at her and wagged her finger, Elena wasn't kidding.
"You owe me, I like Edward and I had to kick him out of my car. You know I hate kicking people out of my car."
She sighed and leaned back with soft eyes. Edward... it had been about eighty years since she'd seen him. The last time they met they'd known each other for a year and the Spanish Flu outbreak had just hit her home town in Rome, Italy. She'd had it, survived it, and interned at the clinic Carisle worked at. She sighed again.
"I met him at the hospital in 1920 or so. It's a little fuzzy. I was I think seventeen then. We met got along well. You could say we were even dating a while, but then something happened and he and Carlisle disappeared one day, without a word. A week later the Logans found me in a ditch raped and bleeding to death. You could say I was the teenage version of Rosalie when they turned me."
"So he never explained why..."
"I thought he was just a jerk...but he's a vampire too."
"Well then you two should work it out. It's not like you don't have time to spare."
She grinned over at Elena who yawned sleepily and pulled her sleeping bag tighter around her. The long day was getting to her and Esmerelda patted her head and pulled the sleeping bag over her shoulders with a smile.
"I suppose... I also suppose you should get some sleep rockstar."
She was already asleep, tired out from the days events and Esmerelda headed outside to get some fresh air. She saw him before he saw her and when their psychic fields passed they met eyes. So much to hide and so much to say, she disappeared into the woods without a word. He had explaining to do... not her.
Edward had heard everything and of course the little bit of truth injured him greatly.
She almost died the same way as Rosalie... because I wasn't there.
He huffed softly and stared up into the moonless night. The funny thing was she could feel his thoughts even when he thought he blocked her. He was so open he didn't even know it, the poor thing. She guessed there was still time for reconciliation.
