So it's been another fortnight since I updated. Well, I'd like to say I had a good reason but I don't. My leg is still broken so it's not like I've been out much.
Anyway.
Chapter Eight
August 2013
Renesmee's POV
I swallowed loudly before approaching the reception desk. I had no idea why I was here and was still in a dazed shock after the encounter with date guy.
The reception area was, like the rest of the décor, marble. The woman behind it sat upright typing away at a white keyboard. She looked sour; a pinched mouth, long nose and jaw with black hair pulled back tight into a bun. She reminded me of a stereotypical librarian.
There was no line and despite the fact she was right there, I waited four minutes thirty. I decided to ring a little gold bell to gain her attention. If possible, she pursed her lips further.
"Hi, um, my name is Renesmee. I got a call telling me to come here for a meeting," I told her nervously.
She just glared at me for a few seconds then went back to typing. I stood there wondering what to do. Eventually she looked back up.
"You're fifteen minutes late," she said, her voice a perfect image of lemons.
Well, actually woman I was five but then you made me stand here for ten.
"Sorry," I replied instead.
Drawing in her breath with an agitated sigh, she pressed a button on a telephone.
"A woman is here to see you," she spoke into the speaker.
Technically, I'm a five year old (nearly six) girl. I guess this lady just didn't get much right. I heard a faint buzz from the receiver.
"Go down the left corridor and turn right. Take the steps up to the third floor. Turn left and go into the third office down,"
"Okay thanks," I said, once again thanking my supersonic memory.
I followed her directions and found myself situated outside a wooden door (I was hoping for a marble one) with a brass handle. I knocked on it and heard the shifting of someone in a chair.
"Come in," for some reason that voice was familiar.
I turned the handle, greeted by a sweet vampire scent.
I avoided eye contact with the person at a large desk. I know it was crazy, but I was expecting mom or dad, or Alice, even Emmett. Yeah, I'm weird.
I sat heavily on a chair. It was brown, the back of the chair reaching around in a curve, creating an arm rest. The cushion bit was moss green and quite comfortable. Reluctantly I raised my head, to find myself look at purple irises. I blinked a few times before seeing the whole picture. Great. This was definitely not who I wanted to see.
"Renesmee. You look well,"
"Too bad I can't say the same for you," I muttered.
He chuckled and pushed a plate of biscuits towards me. I stared at it for a second then pushed it back. I didn't care about my manners, I only was polite to people who deserved it. Besides, those biscuits could be poisoned.
"I trust you have been enjoying your time in Volterra?"
I nodded and then shook my head, "Not really."
He looked surprised, "Why is that?"
I looked at him as if he was stupid. He laughed slightly again, then grew serious. I sat up straighter too and clasped my hands on the desk.
"Your diet, presumably, has just been human food. As even a half vampire, you need to have some blood in your system,"
I interrupted, "I don't like blood."
He smiled wearily, "In order to stay healthy, I believe-"
I butted in again, sighing loudly, "Fine! I'll drink the stupid blood."
"We are not blind to the fact that human blood is not, err, your preference,"
I nodded, no kidding. We have (well, not me) gold eyes. I'm pretty sure animals have something to do with it.
"I have, on behalf of the Volturi, decided that you will be escorted into the forest every three weeks, to hunt. If that is okay to you,"
"Yeah, sure. Thanks," I was itching to run out of there.
He smiled again and extended his hand. I didn't shake it but raised my eyebrows. He looked uncomfortable. I grinned.
Standing up I asked, "Can I go?"
"Of course," he said and gave me the oddest look.
I was at the door an eighth of a second later. I twisted the door handle, but then something occurred to me.
"Calix," I said, saying his name aloud for the first time, "Do you think Christian can take me?"
He frowned.
"The vamp who was doorman/guard for my room in that stony hotel place,"
"As you wish," he replied but looked slightly unhappy.
And that made me very happy. I shut the door loudly and half ran to the exit. I nearly stumbled down the steps and could see receptionist lady giving me an angry look.
I broke out into daylight in relief. Clean, non sweet air. I smiled widely and crossed over to my car. My heart stuttered for a second and then sped up. Date guy was leaning against the driver's side, gazing up at the sun. He heard me (or my heels, they were dangerous and annoying) walking closer and smiled lazily.
"I never got your address," he told me, pulling out a piece of torn paper and a pen.
"I never got your name," I replied taking the paper and pen.
"It's Colin,"
I wordlessly wrote down the address. I handed it back to him, my fingers gently brushing his. I was expecting an electric jolt or a sudden lack of breath, anything that usually happened with him.
Nothing.
I told myself that not everyone had a strong bond with someone. That people didn't generally fall in love straight away.
My smile was fake as I waved goodbye, once in my car. I drove home without thought. I continued through my day not thinking about anything except the task I was doing. I did start thinking when six o'clock came and I was covered in dough. Remind me never to make pizza again. I hadn't told Gabby or Sam (whose real name I found on his passport that morning) what I was doing that night. I rushed to my room after telling them to clean up. I showered quickly but then took half an hour deciding what to wear. I realised that I'd never been on a proper date before. Eventually I pulled on a bathrobe and rushed quickly to Gabby's room. Sure enough, she was lying across her bed on the phone.
"Gabby," I whispered.
She looked up confused, then surprised once she took in my appearance.
"I have to go. Yeah, okay. See ya. Bye," she stood up, chucking the phone on the bed.
"I need help," I said, still whispering.
Gabby rolled her eyes, "You only just realised?"
I ignored her and instead grabbed her wrist. I pulled her down the hall and into my room. I then closed the door and turned to face her.
"What do you wear on a date?" I asked, eyes fixed on her face, to see her reaction.
"A date?" Gabby started to laugh. Loudly.
"Shut up!" I hissed, although I knew Sam couldn't hear.
"Have you not seriously gone on a date before?" she said, now giggling.
I shook my head, "I never really got the chance."
"Okay," Gabby replied, sobering up.
I was glad that she didn't ask any questions. I didn't want to explain because then more questions would come. I don't like answering questions, just asking them.
Gabby marched over to my wardrobe; I followed her and stood by her side. I saw her eyebrows shoot up when she flicked through the many designer brands.
"I didn't choose them," I told her quickly.
"Right,"
"No really!" I said desperate, though I don't know why.
"Actually, I believe you. If you did pick this stuff out, you would know what to wear on a date,"
"Whatever," I retorted lamely.
I watched her in silence for a few minutes while she rifled through the clothes. Occasionally she pulled out a blouse or pants or a dress and laid it out on my bed. I had no idea how she knew what was appropriate, but then again her mom had probably told her. I felt a pang of homesickness as I thought of what Alice or Rosalie would torture me with. Although, was Gabby's mom alive when she Gabby had her first date? I stopped my train of thought right there.
"Wow," Gabby spoke suddenly.
"What?"
"This dress is beautiful,"
I examined the specimen she had in her hands. It had three different colours, white at the top, a light grey around the middle and the rest was black. It didn't look that special to me.
"It's your first date with the guy right?" she asked but didn't stop for the answer, "So this is probably a bit over the top. Where are you going?"
"Uh, I'm not sure," Now that she asked, I remembered that small detail.
"Honestly Nessie," she shook her head, "This was a spur of the moment thing wasn't it?"
"Yeah, kind of,"
"Well that changes everything," she sighed and started putting everything back.
"What are you doing?"
"You'll have to go smart casual if you don't know where you're going," she explained and attacked a section of the cupboard.
"Why?"
"You just do. Why don't you have any jeans?" Gabby complained
"I told you, I didn't pick this stuff,"
"Fine. You'll have to wear mine, though it might not fit,"
"How come?" I challenged
"You're a midget, like five foot," she laughed.
"Actually I'm five foot three," I sniffed.
From then on, we were crossing between her room and mine. She decided on a pair of dark wash jeans and this white blouse of mine that had a black lace trim. At ten to seven, I had just pulled on my clothes and was in the bathroom. I had refused to let Gabby touch my hair, so it hung down my back, like usual. I put on my make-up on how I normally did but I put my eye make-up a little darker. Finally I strapped on the scary looking shoes, as I was instructed, though I was happy that Gabby's jeans wouldn't drag on the floor now.
By seven o'clock, I adopted my mask of cool and collected. I sat at one of the counter stools, talking to David like I would if it was any other night. I never really understood or believed in all the crap about what it means on when the guy arrives or how soon he contacts you. I just waited until five past seven when the doorbell chime sounded throughout the house. Gabby jumped up excitedly and rushed to the door. Sam had looked confused when I'd come out of my room in a different set of clothes and now I think he got the idea of what was happening. I hoped it was my imagination that saw him looking a bit depressed.
"Oh, Renesmee? Yeah, I'll just go get her," I heard Gabby say at the door.
Seconds later, I was being tugged along to the front hall. I had just stepped out when I remembered something.
"Wait, I need my purse," I said, running my hand through my hair.
Before anyone could respond and before Gabby could give me an evil death stare, I walked slowly to the back of the house. I grabbed the purse I had used that day, and transferred everything to a random one I picked off the floor. I took a deep breath before heading back out. This was my first ever date. With someone I didn't know that well, but who- Wait. Let me not think of that. Let's just focus on what is happening right in front of me. Sounds great. Oh and now I'm back to talking to myself, in my head. It that normal? Even better. So, that is most probably why I walked out with this huge grin across my face.
I changed back to I couldn't care less when I walked into the front hall. Gabby, mercifully, had gone back to sit in the main room. I avoided eye contact with Colin until after I called goodbye over my shoulder. I looked up into his eyes and smiled.
"Hello," he said returning my smile.
"Hi,"
I looked straight ahead, as we walked to his car.
"Vintage," I said
"You're into cars?"
"You sound surprised," I teased.
"I just wouldn't pick you for one,"
I laughed, "I'm not; I just know someone who is."
I listened to Colin talk about the make of his car while we were driving. I still didn't know where we were going, it was a 'surprise'. I suppose any other girl would be a little (or a lot) worried to get into a car with some stranger and not know where we were going. I'm pretty sure if I could wrestle with werewolves I could fight against a human. Speaking of werewolves, Jacob would really like this car, I'm sure I've heard him say- Not this again, picture me sighing.
"We're here," Colin announced suddenly.
"Oh," there wasn't much else to say.
I was wondering if I should only write one story at a time or write a few. So, start new ones up and update a different one each week. I don't know, you tell me.
