The Choice

Chapter8. Forks

I woke up again at 2:30, and was on the couch. I heard everyone in the kitchen, and they sounded like they were arguing. I relaxed myself, and eavesdropped. "She's too fragile to go." Oz said. I fumed at that and inwardly kicked myself for being so weak. "No she's just exhausted from the video." Alicia argued. "You guys, okay me too, didn't help scaring her like that. You-we, sheesh- could've given her a heart attack. You should have heard her heart fly." I tuned them out then, and got up. I heard them stop, but I ignored them and went upstairs. I brushed my teeth in the bathroom before going to my room. I lay down on my bed and after ten minutes I was finally drifting off when my air was cut off.

As soon as I got some of it I screamed as loudly as I could with such little air, which was the same volume as speaking. But I had to rely on the vampires, werewolf, and Buffy to hear me. But as soon as I got any sound out I was slammed into the wall. Alicia ran quietly up the stairs, and was already at my door by the time footsteps thundered up the stairs. Buffy, Angel, Spike and Oz got up quickly but they were no match for Alicia's kind of speed. The red-head kept her hand locked around my throat and didn't let go as everyone came in or peeked through the doorway. Ms. Sparkly carrot top stared at Alicia's gold brown eyes until they all came up and said "I should have known." Before suddenly letting go of me and leaping out the window. Everyone looked at me, expecting me to pass out again. But I didn't. A small, minuscule part of me had woken up. Clicked back together. I stood tall, and said "I'm going to Forks with you guys whether you like it or not." They nodded without hesitation.

They all left except for Alicia who sat down on my bed. As I dragged out stuff for packing, and stuff that was going to be packed, she told me all about her life in Alaska. Her family had moved there after she was turned. But they still don't know she is a vampire. I packed neatly, and used two suitcases. One for me one for Alicia. I did some laundry, with Alicia following and chatting to me the whole time. When I finished drying all the clothes I packed the up mine in both suitcases, Alicia was the same size and could borrow my clothes for now. When I finished packing everything (a.n. the normal stuff you'd pack for a trip) I cleaned the house really quick. After I finished everything, including closing the house (shutting windows, doors, cabinets etc.) The telephone started ringing. I picked it up "Hello?" It said PRIVATE NAME PRIVATE NUMBER. "Angel just dumped me. Said you made him realize how horrible I was Maya. Now you're dead. I won't rest until you are. You took away the boy I love so now you have to pay." Darla said, then hung up. I made a small intake of breath. I knew she was serious, and would never get through my circle of protectors, but what if she hurt my family? Then I'll kill her and run from the law. Buffy and the gang walked in the front door and Buffy asked Alicia "Where's Maya?" "In the kitchen, she got a threat phone call and, she wants to hunt down the person." "Maya?" Willow asked. I turned to them, and Buffy whipped out a stake. Everyone, including me, turned to look at her. She looked at me closely then put it back. "Nothing." She said.

It most certainly was not nothing, but we let it go. "She wants to hurt me. What if she gets to my family?" "We'll protect them Maya." She was holding Angel's hand and was glowing. I smiled at the sight then frowned, "We'll have to watch her all the time. All the time!" Everyone nodded and I said "Anya wouldn't do it, she'd try to avenge her." I furrowed my brow, then brightened. I had an idea. "What about your cousin the shadow hunter Alicia?" "If she wants to, which she probably will, and oh yeah! She just moved here next to Darla." I beamed, this would work out perfectly. I pulled out my cell and dialed the number I memorized years ago.

"Elada?" I asked. "Maya! I just moved here but I bet you already knew that and you probably know where I live I know where you are Alicia already told me. Your 334 Elm St. right?" "Yeah, and I have a job for you." "Awesome what is it?" Curiosity raged in her tone. "The girl next door to you, 183 Forest Springs, she's threatened me and I'm worried about my family. I need you to watch her all the time." "Sure, but why's she mad at you?" "I made her ex-my friend- realize how horrible she is, because she's extremely horrible. Her ex is my friend, practically my brother. He finally realized that Buffy is his soul mate." I smirked at Buffy and Angel as I said the last part. Buffy was blushing slightly and Angel cupped her chin and leaned towards her. So I flushed because I felt like I was intruding watching them kiss. "Sure I'm on it." "Thanks Elada you're the best." I said. She laughed and hung up. I put the phone down and said "Okay love birds, time to hit the road." Alicia smiled wickedly and I laughed then said "I'm going with Alicia, Willow, Xander, and Tara are too. Everyone else is going with Buffy in the van." They nodded and loaded their stuff in the van seeing as only Alicia's luggage and mine fit in her trunk. As they loaded everything in I locked up the place. Everyone but those who had nothing to come out used the restroom, when I finished I went upstairs and shoved my laptop, cell, chargers, books, and shoved them in my bag. When I went downstairs again I grabbed a jumbo bag of Doritos, a bottle of hand sanitizer with a fistful of napkins and a pack of wipes. Hand sanitizer should never be used before eating with your hands. We went to the appropriate car then went to the gas station. When the cars were filled, Alicia had somehow made her car have a bigger gas tank, and everyone was buckled up and we were pulling out I smiled wickedly at Alicia and said "Hit it." She beamed and said "I thought you'd never ask." Then we were flying at 200 mi an hour.

I laughed at everyone- but Alicia and myself- shocked faces, in our car and the van. I twisted in my seat with the chips in my hand and waved it around "Chips, anyone?" I offered. They looked like they were going to vomit, and shook their heads no. I shrugged "More for me." I twisted back and smiled at Alicia who smiled in return. I ate a lot of Doritos and they did too once they were used to Alicia's maniac driving, which slowed to a hundred miles an hour. When we were comfortably full I used the hand sanitizer and passed it around. They fell asleep after three hours, and I took out my Wuthering Heights book. (a.n. I got it around Christmas and at the time I wrote this I hadn't finished yet.) I was reading it for the first time and loving it, I had hunted it down when it was mentioned in one of my favorite books. (a. cough twilight) I had just finished it when Alicia shouted "We're here!" The car screeched to a stop and the humans, including me, flew forward then snapped back into our seats. We looked at the Welcome to Forks sign, and for the first time I realized it was raining. I love the rain (a.n.I do) and the forest. (a. too) We took in our surroundings and Alicia started the car again. We were going at the speed limit because there were cops here somewhere, only three, we weren't familiar with our surroundings so we had to be careful and study them, and we'd alert others in the vincity.

Then a jeep came out of nowhere and Alicia snarled. "Hold on!" I shouted. The jeep fishtailed around us and we screeched to a stop. Alicia and I hopped out, when this big burly guy vampire got out of the jeep. I walked forward and the others followed. It must've been funny to see me lead them to an outsider, but I was in my element here. For some reason the burly vampire furrowed his brow. Another vampire got out. She was blond, pale, and willowy like Alicia, but looked nothing like her. Her hair was like gold and she must have already looked like a supermodel when she was human. Her skin was flawless and Alicia had light freckles. She had a different face structure from Alicia and was taller and thinner. After her, a pixie-like vampire came out of the car. She had short spiky black hair, was tiny, and everything about her screamed PIXIE! Behind her came a tall blond vampire that looked like a soldier from the South. They started advancing towards Alicia when I said "She's innocent. Leave her be." My voice rang out. The burly one looked surprised. "It's not like that concept is unknown to you guys." I said. "How would you know that?" Blondie hissed. "Your eyes are gold." I said simply. That seemed to take the wind out of her sails. Hee hee. Then Buffy's van skidded to a halt barely missing Alicia's car and they hurried out stakes in hand. That was it. I bent over laughing and started rolling on the rocks. "What part of those won't do anything don't you understand Buffy?" Alicia asked. I could hear the smile in her voice as she said this. I kept laughing and laughing, I was soon out of breath. I tried to sit up, but fell in a fit of giggles. Alicia came over and grabbed my right wrist to pull me up. When I calmed down after a moment, I spoke to the vampire group. I pointed at Buffy trying not to giggle "She has those because she's a slayer. But she can't kill you, only Alicia and I know how, but I couldn't." Then Buffy spoke "She shouldn't be blabbering about this but she's a bit loony right now." Then I turned serious "We know you posses a coven of seven, and I know that you don't hunt humans." My voice was softer "But they're skeptical and say you still pose a threat. I'm trying to stop them from trying to kill you. But I'm also here for another reason." I flinched remembering the pain of that day "I'm gonna find the red-head. Alicia" I pointed at Alicia "and I have unfinished business with her." The vampires looked at each other shocked, Buffy at me. She now knew there was another reason I had come, other than to find out what was going on. "Maya how would you accomplish that." I looked at her, then at Alicia involuntarily. Buffy gasped "You're gonna have her change you!" Everyone, including the coven, looked at me. I slouched trying to hide from the attention. (a.n. I HATE being the center of attention) I looked at my friends and straightened "I've waited too long, it's my turn." Then the pixie smiled at me, "I'm Alice, and this is Jasper," the southerner "Emmet" the burly one "and Rose" the blond one. I introduced everyone then Alicia reminded me "The wolves." I ran my hands through my hair. I am not looking forward to seeing them again. I hate dealing with werewolves. I shook my head and grimaced.

"I know you don't like dealing with werewolves, so we'll just let what happens happen." Alicia said. "See? This is why I make the plans." I told Buffy. She smiled for a moment before it was quickly replaced with a frown. I sighed "I'll still be me, just less fragile." The schoobies were still silent making me roll my eyes and say "Come on guys, we need some place to crash for two weeks." Then Alice, whom I was starting to like, said "Why don't you guys crash at our place, Maya can stay at Charlie's." She spaced out for a second then came back and said "You know Charlie?" looking at me. The coven looked at each other then me. "Yeah when the red-head attacked Alicia and I, it wasn't too far from Charlie's house. She thought I was his daughter Bella." I answered. They looked at each other again and went to their jeep. "We'll show you guys the way to our house, then Alice will show Maya the way to Charlie's." Someone said, I can't tell who because they're already in the car. I walked to Alicia's car, and promptly tripped. Emmet boomed with laughter, and I tripped again. His laughter got louder, and we all loaded into the cars.

We followed them into the forest to a white mansion, and were met by a motherly vampire who looked at me for a moment that seemed to stretch forever before smiling at me. "Esme." I smiled back (a.n. a normal smile, but I usually have small ones) and introduced everyone. Then a bronze-haired vampire walked appeared in the living room doorway with his arm wrapped around a girl that looked like an older white version of me. We gasped and stared at each other mirrored each others movements. We both took a step forward (me right her left, I do stuff on the right she does the left) lifted an arm, quickly stepped back and tripped. We landed on our rears with a bewildered expression on our faces and everyone else laughed. We looked at them, looked back at the other, shrugged and joined in. "I'm Bella." She said. The right corner of my mouth lifted up in a lopsided smile (a.n. another one of my smiles) and I said "Maya." "This is Edward." She pointed at the bronze head. Then a blond male walked in from the living room doorway by the front of the house (same as Edward), his walk reminded me of a doctor, saying "What-" before seeing us and laughed. We stood up, he shook my hand and said "I'm Carlisle." "Maya." I replied. "How is it possible?" Edward asked. "Maya smells like Bella, looks like her, acts like her, and I can't get a read on her." So he was a mind reader, Alice saw the future, and Jasper is an empath, I think. I voiced my suspicions and asked "Am I right?"

"Yes, but how did you know?" Esme asked. Alicia said "She has a talent for it, I didn't know about it until a few days ago. She got it when she moved to Sunnydale." Alice looked at my friends then said "Oh yeah, she has unfinished business with Victoria." I spoke up then "That's how Alicia was changed. I'm gonna have Alicia bite me so I can fight Victoria." The coven looked at me and I added "The red-head attacked Alicia and I near Bella's house and Charlie found me unconscious later. When I spoke to him he was upset saying Bella had left because of Edward." I raised my eyebrows then shut my eyes. "Don't say anything she's going to guess." Tara said. Images flitted across the back of my eyelids, and keeping my eyes closed I said "There was a tracker and his coven, they came during a baseball game," I smiled (a.n. I love playing baseball) "and they caught her human scent. Eddie-" Edward snarled and someone laughed "She guessed your nickname!" "-read their minds." I continued. "You guys thought the one with dreadlocks was the leader when it was the blond tracker. You guys rushed Bella out of there Eddie" another snarl "wanted to hide her. Bella came up with a plan and Emmet insulted her by being shocked-" "It was a good plan!" "Ssh. She needs to concentrate!" "-you guys came to this house. Esme put up the metal wall then switched close with Bella to temporarily confuse the scent. Alice and Jasper took her to a Phoenix hotel, in a very plain room. James called and tricked her. Bella wrote Eddie" another snarl someone has quite a temper "a good-bye letter. The red-head had dug up information on Bella's mother, this was when she attacked us. Alice, Bella, and Jasper went to the airport.

"Bella executed her plan. She went to her mom's house, called him, and went to her old ballet studio. I used to do ballet too, but I was good/great at it. She was a horrible dancer. No offense." I added. "Anyways, He revealed how he had tricked her, how her mother was safe. Bella was relieved her mom was safe and wouldn't be getting hurt. Heck, she was glad to be in the place of someone she loves. She's a classic martyr. Well, James hurt her when she tried to run." I'm not going into the horrible details. I winced and I sensed the Cullens did too, along with Bella. "She bled. After that the pain became too much and she lost consciousness. Later, Eddie, Alice, Jasper, Carlisle, and Emmet showed up. Jasper and Emmet took care of James and set the building on fire." I snickered. (a.n. I love playing with fire, but I am a little crazy) "They left because there was too much blood." I became serious again. "Carlisle took care of her. Alice and Eddie" yet another snarl sucker "sat with her. Edward-" "Finally!" "Eddie" "I shouldn't have spoken" "sucked the venom out. Bella was in the hospital for a while, and when she went back home Edward took her to-" I gasped in horror. "prom! How could you do such a thing?" I opened my eyes and stared at him in sheer terror. The Cullens laughed, Bella and I grimaced and shuddered.

I took out a water bottle and pill from my bag, and drank the pill down. Everyone looked at me questioningly. "I have to take it when I look for a lot." I cocked my head to the left as I thought of something. My head went back to normal as I smiled and said "But I won't have to once I've been changed!" The schoobies' faces soured. "They don't want me to change." I told the Cullens, rolling my eyes. "Edward doesn't want me to either." Bella said, and we both laughed. "Come on, let's go see my dad." We linked arms and walked outside to the her truck. I loved it at first sight. Bella looked at my face and laughed. "I loved it when I first saw it too. Char-dad bought it for me as a gift when I first came here." "You're not allowed to call him Charlie to his face, are you?" "No, but then again most kids aren't allowed to call their parents by their names." We were speaking as we walked to it, and were now climbing in. "Hey, do you wanna surprise Charlie?" We buckled up. I wrinkled my nose and said "I hate it when people surprise me." "Me too!" We started cracking up then she started her car and drove to her house. On the way I said "You're two years older than me. I'm 16, your 18." She looked sideways at me (a.n. or do you say out of the corner of her eye?) and said "Let me guess, you guessed?" I nodded and laughed. We went the rest of the way in silence, but it was a restful kind of silence. (a.n. yah, I'm really like that) The roar of the engine, the passing trees, it was nice. When we got to her house she pulled up next to a cruiser in her driveway. "Edward's waiting for you in your room again." I said with a knowing look. She narrowed her eyes at me before smiling. "Come on in." I nodded and we got out and walked to the door. She took a key out from under the eave, and unlocked the door. We went inside- she didn't bother to re-lock the door- and I slinked to the kitchen. She stayed in the living room. I took out a chocolate bar from my bag and started eating it. "A new friend I met today is here, and she says she knows you." I heard Charlie heave himself off the couch and walk to the kitchen. I guiltily hid the candy bar behind my back in my right hand as he walked in.

"Maya!" "Yup, it's me." He looked genuinely happy to see me. Strange, very strange. "How ya doin kiddo?" "Great Charlie." Then Alicia snuck in and grabbed my chocolate. "You remember Alicia?" I said as I chased her around. "No, yes she was the one that snuck out before you did. How are you Alicia?" "Great Charlie." Said the thief. I lost it and shrieked "GIMME BACK MY CANDY!" Everyone laughed at that, and I realized Alice had arrived. Then I said "Bella can you help me?" "Sure." She knew we'd confuse Alicia with our scents. We ran all over and I snatched my chocolate bar back from Alicia. "Take that you stupid, annoying, thieving-" "Are you talking about me?" Alice asked. "No, I'm talking to Alicia." "Hey!" Alicia protested. I smiled widely. Then I looked at Bella and said quietly so Charlie wouldn't hear "Eddie-" a growl from the stairs "-wants you." She nodded and went up there. Charlie left and went back to work. I finished my candy and somersaulted all over the living room floor. Then I crashed into the couch and started laughing. I pushed myself away from the couch and sat up. I saw Bella and Edward had come down. "You guys don't trust me." I sang. "I trust you!" Alice and Bella said at the same time. I raised my eyebrows then closed my eyes. "You two do, but he-" I pointed at Edward with my eyes still closed and smiled brightly "-doesn't." Then I saw something else and sighed. "What is it?" Eddie asked, holding Bella close, I still didn't open my eyes "My friends are going to try to take your coven out, but when that fails," I shrieked "THEY'RE AFTER BELLA!" My eyes flew open and I sat down. Alicia hugged me while Bella was hugged by Edward and Alice. Good, she should be protected. I took out a pill and water bottle, and drank the pill down. Alice looked at me, then grabbed the bag.

Everyone watched, amused. I hopped up and chased the vampire around the house. "Cheater!" I yelled. "You're looking for where I go next!" Then I made a snap decision and caught up to her. I grabbed the bag and jumped down the stairs, rolling to break my fall. I stood up, and grabbed a bag of Cheeto Puffs from my wonderful bag. Then I pulled out a Dr. Pepper and my laptop with it's stuff, which I plugged in. Then I took out my headphones, then put them back. "It won't work, seeing as you vampires have super hearing." I snickered, and Alice ran to me pleading "Come on Maya! Please don't." Eddie had a horrified look on his face, but Alicia's was just curious. She didn't get it. I pretended to consider it, and she started to smile while Eddie's expression returned to normal. I logged on my file and said "Suckers." And playing some of my favorite seventies music full volume on youtube. (a.n. what can I say? I love seventies music) Alicia, Alice, and Edward covered their ears while Bella and I cracked up. I let it lasts for one song before putting on Classic Rock, starting with American Pie. Their faces cleared. "Come on Alicia, online chat time!" I scooched over on the couch and she was at my side in an instant, and I was typing away. "We love online chat, we've done it she was human." (a.n. um I have a friend I based her off of, but I don't know if she likes online chatting, her liking it I made up. Also, we're not this close, but since the accident the characters are.) I explained without looking up from the screen. Everyone crowded around us to watch, Alice called the rest of the Cullens (except for Carlisle who was at the hospital)-who crowded around my computer. "Hey!" Alice and Bella protested while Emmet roared in laughter and Eddie and Jasper looked embarrassed. Esme smiled fondly. Alicia and I grinned.

Key: Maya Alicia Mrs. Hale (a.n. I actually know a Mrs. Hale but she changed her name, but at the time I wrote this she was Mrs. Hale so I'm keeping it this way, and she is happy to see me when I come on) Crystal I Luv Edward Cullen

Chat on

Hey guys, what's up?

Yay! Maya's back on!

What? You care about her and not me!

Well, I have known her longer.

Poor Alicia!

Sucks for her!

Back off my sister from another mother!

Thanks Maya.

Hey love birds, Mrs. Hale and Eddie lover.

What is it?

DON'T CALL HIM THAT!

*smirking*

We're in Forks!

And we're with the Cullens who don't trust me.

You shocked them into silence! Why didn't anyone tell me it was that easy!

Actually I told them where we are. See you later if certain Cullens don't kill me.

Serve you right!

Peace!

Chat off


A.N. (to those of you who haven't figured it out yet it means author's note) Okay, I shortened this chapter because a certain Ana person has been bugging me to continue, and I owed her 2 chpts for finding this Fruits Basket book for me ( now I just owe her one hee hee) So yeah, that's about all I was gonna say.