Ya'll know I don't own this… I made a mistake in the author's note… sorry. She was eighteen when changed… sorry.
I took a deep breath before I opened the door, waiting to judge my reaction. I felt… I don't know how I felt. Mostly, I suppose I felt dead. And yet, somehow felt healed. No, not healed. Almost like there was no wound in the first place. Even seeing him fixed that. But when he left… I shuddered to think of it. I would once again be ripped apart. I would die. But not literally of course, no life was far too cruel for that.
I slowly twisted the knob, and then turned to close the door. I walked down the wall, trying not to breath. I glimpsed my reflection in the hall mirror, and sighed, shaking my head. Apparently, Alice's personality had not changed at all in sixty-odd years. I rolled my eyes at the clingy, red top and semi-tight jeans. I hadn't put the shoes on, so I knew not the terrors of them. Instead, I padded barefoot out to the living room. I looked at Matthew, he patted the seat next too him, across the room for where Edward was standing. I looked away from him quickly. Alice had apparently saved me a spot, and I made a point of looking at her, and then walked to Matt. He pulled me tight against his side, almost as if he was protecting me. I sighed, and leaned my head against his chest, listening to his slow breathing. It calmed me a little bit.
Peter looked at me, and I nodded. "Alright. Why don't we begin with names? I am Peter. These are my sons, Matthew and Bryan." He motioned to each of them respectively. In response, Bryan jerked his head, and Matthew continued glowering.
"You of course, know Bella." At this, Matthew snorted. Peter looked at him with an eyebrow raised. Matthew snorted again, and at the look he received from Peter, sat up straight, still pulling me tight against him. "What? You can't expect me to apologize. They don't know her. They're the ones who did that to her!" I imagined him thinking about me, years ago. When I was broken. He continued speaking in an outraged tone of voice.
"They shouldn't even be here! They-" I decided it was time to interject. As much I still somehow hated them, I couldn't bear to see them in pain.
"Mattie." I interjected, releasing myself from his bone crushing grasp and taking his hand. He looked at me, and settled down. "Fine." He said. "Don't expect me to apologize though." I leaned against him then. He continued to scowl at Edward, who looked like he was in pain, as his hand massaged mine gently. I looked at the floor.
Peter apologized for Matt, but then Bryan started in. "Peter! Don't apologize! Matt is absolutely right. They have no right to be here." He sneered at the Cullens in general. "I mean, look at Bella!" As he said it, all but Matthew and Peter looked at me, staring at the floor. I would have flushed bright scarlet if I had the ability to.
"Bryan." Peter said in a deadly quiet voice.
"Fine." He said sulkily, leaning back into the seat.
"Now, may we begin?" Peter said angrily. I was surprised. It took a lot to get him infuriated. I said nothing, continuing my study of the deep blue shag carpet.
"I think you know how my family feels. Most of them, at least. However, if you wish to reside here, I will allow it," he held a finger up to quiet my brother's complaints. I bit my lip and waited for him to continue.
"We do not hunt humans. It is apparent that you do not either," At this, Carlisle nodded. "However, I must ask that you do not antagonize Bella." For this I was grateful, it would be hard enough when they left again, particularly if they tried to get close to me, now that I was 'worthy.'
"Perhaps, if I may," Carlisle began, looking at Peter. He nodded. "Go on," he encouraged.
"Well, let me begin with our names. I am Carlisle, this is my wife Esme. And these are our children, Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper, and this Edward." He motioned to each of them, and all of them acknowledged us in turn. But when Carlisle said Edward's name, Matthew snarled. I tapped his stomach absent-mindedly, trying to plan my escape. I could go to the island… I thought randomly. Matthew tapped my shoulder and gave me a meaningful look. I nodded, and pushed my shield around him, allowing him to read my mind, and allowing myself to use his gift. All of the Cullen's perked up, but Edward looked shocked.
What are you planning? He mused.
I don't know yet, I am contemplating the island.
I'll come too.
I looked at him. Are you sure you want to? I asked him.
Absolutely. I need to get away before I kill someone. A picture of Edward's face filled my mind. I gasped slightly. He bit his lip,
Sorry.
Don't worry about it.
I released the gift, a slight puff of air escaped from my nose, and my shoulders sagging from the effort.
Peter looked at Matthew, and he nodded. Edward looked as though he was concentrating.
"I wouldn't do that if you want to keep your thoughts private." I cautioned, looking back at the floor. "Edward can read minds too." I said using a slight "tone" of voice. Matthew's head whipped around to look at me in surprise. "Why didn't you tell me this before?" He asked.
"Didn't think it was important. Besides, he didn't hear us, I blocked him." I said, getting up. "Peter, I'm sorry, but I can't do this. I'm going to leave for a little while."
Matt also stood up, pushing his shoulders back, bringing him to his full six-foot-one-inch height, he towered almost a foot above me.
"I'm going too." He intoned.
Bryan stood up, "If you two are going, so am I."
I noticed Alice looking at u, well, me, curiously. "Bella, did you shrink?" She asked.
"An inch," I said, not looking at her.
"We can leave tomorrow. We have that concert tonight." They both agreed.
"Please, Bella! Don't- don't do this. Please, let's just talk!" Esme gasped, trying not to cry. I finally looked at her.
"Edward did all the talking sixty-four years ago." I said coldly. She cried out, and Edward moaned softly. After those two reactions, I tuned everything else out. I turned, and moved up the stairs. After a moment, Matthew and Bryan followed.
"Are you taking your board, Bells?" Bryan asked tentatively.
"And my bike. Are we taking the boat?"
"I guess." Matthew breathed.
I heard Peter in the room below, "Perhaps it would be best if you leave now." I also heard Esme sobbing, and Carlisle trying to comfort her.
"Of course." Carlisle replied in a strained voice. "One moment before we go, though. Do you have any hunting restrictions?"
"Just humans." Peter responded, also in a strained voice.
I ran to my room, and shut the door. Leaning back against the door, I slid down to the ground, holding my head in my hands. I quickly got up, ripping off the clothes Alice had picked out. I grabbed the first clothes my hands found, a black tank top, ripped up jeans. I rustled in my closet until I found my combat boots, and yanked them up over my ankles. I tied the laces in a knot, and grabbed the leather riding jacket I used off the rocking chair in the corner of my room. I shoved my arms through the sleeves, and flipped my hair out of the back. Esme was still crying. I thought I heard Alice whimpering as well, but I wasn't sure.
"I'll see you guys later… In fact, I'll meet you there." I muttered. Then, I jumped out of the third-story window, landing in a crouch. I raced for the garage. Matt had beaten me there.
"Where are you going, honey?" He asked, looking concerned.
"I don't know." I answered truthfully. "Just away." I'll meet you there. I grabbed my bike, my beautiful Buell, jumped on, and twisted the throttle. Matt hit the garage door button, and I raced out. Down around the clothespin shaped turn; I dropped the bike to the ground, feeling the ground skid underneath me. I pulled it up and just the right time, and pushed off again. I thought I saw Edward standing there, in the main doorway of the house, but I wasn't entirely sure.
All I know, all I remember is racing. I twisted the throttle and pushed the clutch again, racing along literally as fast as the bike could go, even with my modifications. I didn't know where I was. I simply rode.
* * *
Eventually, I had to turn around. I sighed, and twisted the handlebars. I spun as the bike protested the sharp turn. Then, it straightened out, and I raced back the way I came. I was impressed. I had gone almost all the way to the states. I would be back soon though. Another hour or two.
Eventually, I reached the theater where the concert was being held. I searched for Matt's Suburban, and found it with little difficulty. They were waiting right beside the truck.
"I don't want to talk about it." I said somewhat angrily was I parked next to them.
We kinda, ya know, figured." Bryan stated flatly.
"I'm sorry I'm being so awful." I stated, truly feeling regretful for being so unpleasant. Matt wrapped his arms around me, and kissed my forehead. "We know, baby girl." I hugged him back, and we started walking up to the front, where Matthew had gotten us into the standing room section. We waited for a while, but the lights soon went down. Everyone began screaming, and the strobe lights passed over us, blinking furious reds, icy blues, bright yellows, dark purples, shining greens. I started swaying, almost dancing to the beat of the music that pulsed in shuddering vibrations through the floor.