Disclaimer: I, Ninja Sporklet, and the author, Ninja Spork, do not own Twilight...
Edward POV
I walked down the drive and into the house, my shoulders tensing involuntarily, probably due to the task ahead of me. The house was unusually quiet, and I found out why when Alice pushed me back out, an angry look on her face.
"Do you know what you have done, Edward Anthony Masen Cullen? Did you see the state that poor girl was in? She's done nothing to us and nothing to you! But you have the nerve to storm out of the house, practically accusing her of some inconceivable crime! You should have seen the state she was in, her face. She looked like she'd been tortured by Jane, and all this over you! I hope you enjoyed doing it." Alice's voice was barbed poison, but she wasn't finished yet.
"You go up there and talk to her, Edward, now. I don't care what you want; she's hurting because of you. I swear: if you do not over there I will let Emmett and Jasper have their way. Do you know what they want to do? They're making up new punishments as I speak and I bet they're blocking their minds while they do it. Carlisle is too kind to join in but if you keep it up who knows what he'll do, Edward." I got her point, but I didn't want to talk. I didn't want her to leave, but I didn't want to talk either. I started to walk inside, but Alice shoved me back and planted an angry finger in my chest.
"No, Edward. You're not going anyway. Do you know Esme's in on this as well? Go now or risk our anger and don't you dare hurt her any more. If something should happen to you when we're angry, we've got a replacement." Replacing me was an empty threat, but Esme wasn't. Following Alice's finger, I saw Bella looking down on us from high up in a tree.
"Fine," I snapped.
I climbed the rough surface of the tree Alice had pointed out, and sat next to this intruder. We sat for an age, waiting for the other to speak. The sun raised itself high in the sky, shining on some places through the few gaps in the green shelter. Of course, Bella was in one such spot. The light that danced off her skin blinded me, much brighter than I was used to.
She moved to a shadier spot. The movement forced me into uncomfortable speech. "I am exceedingly repentant for the manner in which I acted towards you. It was inexcusable and I wish to apologize," I stated formally, grimacing at the branch I sat on.
"Your apology is accepted, Mister Cullen. Please, gratify me by enlightening me to what did I do to offend you? I desire to offer an apology myself for the actions that were the grounds for such an extreme response, or clear my conscience if you mistakenly fault me with an offense I did not commit." Her reply was just as stately as mine, albeit with a seemingly comical intention. But I caught a glimmer of bitterness under the surface.
I gazed at Bella, who looked away, up at the sky. Without looking back at me, she began to tell me her story. Astonished by the sheer load of information I sat speechless, listening to her unburden her past. Many details shocked me: her being an original, not having changed anyone.
I heard of her killing non-vegetarian vampires and the pleasure she took in doing so. I already knew that she was a vegetarian, but to have no knowledge of what one may be able to do, and having to compete for survival with other equally gifted vampires would be a tremendously difficult task.
Still listening, I knew that Carlisle would want to know her explanation of her mind shield and the vampiric powers; it was a subject he constantly thought of.
Her continuation into the fact that she was alone, without even her warring siblings, made me feel sad for her. To spend centuries alone was a horrifying thought; even I had had Carlisle and afterwards, the rest of my family. But even more so, her next words shocked me into insensibility:
"That is only a brief summary of my existence, but it is a truthful one. If you want to, loathe me for my actions being so atrocious, but my past is fixed. If you want, I shall leave your family, and you can pretend that I never disgraced your home by crossing its threshold. I will not intrude where I am unwelcome. Certainly I will leave your town, but I ask that you allow me to collect my belongings. I had objects that I do not want to part with, but I shall at your bidding."
She wanted to leave? She thought that I wanted her gone, away? Did I really give her that idea? Of course, I had wanted it, but still...
Bella jumped from the tree and ran off. I saw her face as she jumped, the pain in her amber eyes, contrasting with her impassive voice as she described her life to me. I didn't abhor her for the life she had endured, instead I pitied her for the fact that she was alone in the world.
Suddenly a barrage of images and notions invaded my mind. Fragments of thought made my stomach clench with their bleakness. I saw a house in town swim in my vision and knew this was where Bella was heading. There was no time to waste if we were to stop her from leaving, and contrary to what I told Carlisle earlier, I didn't want Bella to leave.
I ran into the house, but there was no need to tell anyone anything. At the same time my mind was assailed by Bella's, Alice had had a premonition. In thirty seconds everyone was out in Carlisle's Mercedes and we tore off. A few curious and slightly hostile glances were sent my way. Reaching the house, I jumped out and ran into the house, followed by everyone else. Hopefully we weren't too late. As this thought ran through my mind, I ran into the living room. I didn't expect to see what I saw next.
Bella lay curled up on the couch, shaking and whimpering. Had I done this to her, reduced her to this? Pushing me aside from where I stood, frozen in shock, Alice and Esme ran forward to comfort Bella. Esme sat down at the head of the chaise lounge, patting Bella's quivering head. Alice knelt down and hugged Bella's waist, humming to her. Hours later, Bella became aware of our presence and sat up, a trancelike look in her eyes. She slowly pushed away Alice's arms and Esme's hands, probably not realising she did it.
Carlisle had some blankets, which he and Alice wrapped Bella up in. She refused to meet my eyes, staring wide-eyed at the ceiling as she was passed to Jasper, who was sending out waves of calm. The ride back to our house took forever, even going as fast as we could. (A/N: Bella was in a dream-like state, so the trip seemed different to her.) I was left outside as all her belongings were ferried in. Picking her firmly wrapped form up, I started to take her inside.
Bella unsecured the comforter and hopped out, pushing me away. She managed a few faltering steps before I swept her up again. Her bare skin on mine sent a tremor of electricity through me, her form relaxing in my inadequate grip.
I walked to the lounge and sat, still holding her willowy body to mine. Bella moved, resting her head on my shoulder, lips against my skin. I tensed underneath her then timidly placed my head on hers, smelling the natural scent of her, wrapping my arms around her waist and holding her close. I didn't know how she could react this way to a virtual stranger who she had ran away from, who she thought hated her. I only hoped that she would stay around longer, even if she ignored and hated me. Her very presence was enough. I was addicted to her.
Strangely, I did believe her story and statements. These feelings, whilst new to me, I knew were all my own, not some shadow of a feeling. My body burned with the need to hold her close, to get to know this wild nymph. I needed to know her more, so I delved into her mind, knowing that it was a breach of conduct but unable to resist. Her mind sang to me, pulling me with its' siren call. I gave in to the irresistible tide, letting my mind converge with hers.
As I felt the quakes slow, I marvelled at her mind, the golden strands of it chiming like a harp. The intuitions that ran across it like priceless diamond webs sparkled in the overall brilliance of her. But in the corners lay remains of darkness, darker times that stood out in the luminosity of her intellect.
I started towards these, curious as to how they shaped her character and the insights they would give me, but before I could Bella moved out of my arms. Her shield was back up and I agonizingly saw how beautiful she was, knowing that there would never be such a dazzling creature for me.
She stood up and turned away from me as Carlisle entered the room, followed by the rest of my family. I saw Carlisle frown, seeing that Bella wasn't resting.
"I need to go and hunt," Bella said huskily. "If anyone wants to feed or keep an eye on me, come along. I'll stay close to the house."
Carlisle replied, giving us no choice. "I think we all need a feed. It's not that I think we need to keep an eye on you, but your arrival feels like it's going to cause a disturbance and we ought to all be able to cope better with our appetite sated."
We all nodded. Alice took Bella out of the room to change. Large areas of her pale skin were exposed, her clothes torn. Everyone bar me left to get into suitable outfits. I was already decked out in clothes suitable for hunting. Alice and Bella came down the stairs last, stunning in identical clinging, black and white outfits. I couldn't keep my eyes off of her, but she averted her face.
Bella had left her tousled hair down and walked barefooted across the smooth floor. Together, we all walked out of the house. As if by a signal, we dashed towards the woods, the trees shading us. Bella's dancing movements made Alice's look like a poor parody. She flowed like a sparkling stream across the grass, lighting up our faint path in life with her special spotlight.
We split, headed for different areas. Bella's behaviour suddenly turned wicked, and she moved across the ground noiselessly, splendidly malevolent. She turned into a predator, and suddenly vanished, materialising ahead of me. She glided like a wraith through the obscure trails of the forest, leaving me to catch up.
I smelt some deer ahead, and saw her crouch. Suddenly propelled by her energy she sprang, too fast for me to track with my eyes, snagging a buck. She disappeared from my view, and I leapt forward, taking down a deer of my own. The rest of the herd fled, terrified of the golden-eyed angel and demon. Bella could never be regarded as a demon such as I am, and only celestial figures had such grace and exquisiteness as Bella did.
I finished feeding, feeling the blood explode in my veins. I wiped my face and looked across at Bella, who was leaning back on her heels and watching me. Already finished feeding, she gave me a shy smile and crept over to sit beside me.
"I'll sorry you had to see me like that earlier," she whispered. Her scent flooded around the two of us, forming a private bubble. We sat for a while in peace. Bella lay down on the grass, putting her head on my knee. I breathed her in, the aroma that defined her - wild and free. After enjoying this for a while, I forlornly realised that my family would be waiting, I stood and the moment was shattered. I offered my hand to Bella, who allowed me to pull her up. Hand in hand we set off back to the house.
My family were waiting for us, sitting together under the majestic canopy of the trees. The grey of the early hours had turned into the grey of fog, frost coating the lawn. They stood up and we walked into the house. School beckoned, but there were hours left until we had to leave.
I turned to Bella. "Do you want to drive to school with us? We can take two cars; Rosalie wanted to take her convertible out for a drive anyway."
"You can say that you're a relative from out of town, Esme's niece or something," Emmett said, warming up to the idea.
Bella nodded, evidently pleased with the idea. "I can rent out the house or sell it. If you want, you guys can renovate it and put it up on the market."
I nervously decided to ask Bella something. "Do you play the piano, Bella?"
She tilted her head in curiosity. "I do. If you will allow me the pleasure of playing on yours, I would do so. But I have to get changed first, Edward."
It was a subtle reminder of the bloodstained clothes I wore. I ran up to my room and put on a light shirt and pants before meeting Bella, who was coming out of Alice's room, wearing one of her white gowns. She was utterly breathtaking.
"We need to get you a room of your own," I told her.
She gave me a slight grin. Inserting her little hand into my larger one, we made our way down to the piano. The room was empty but for us. Sitting down on the bench, I let Bella lightly place her fingers on the ivory keys. She skimmed her long, pale fingers over the keys, pressing them tranquilly, weaving a delicate masterpiece from her mind.
The piece started of softly and swiftly, becoming dark and slow towards the middle. A frantic beat suffused the melody; Bella's fevered eyes smouldering with rage. Her golden portals became amber pools, the beat slowing down. It became light and slow, reminding me of raindrops. She laughed, eyes brightening. Frivolously the piece continued, sounding repetitive but for the nuances of variation which were hard to detect.
A few low, melancholy notes cut through like a knife, before recalling the thrill of hunting. Bella motioned for me to join in, and without thinking I started to weave my life-melody with hers, recalling the happy times of my childhood, the dark times that I fed off the immoral of human society. The happiness I've felt with Carlisle and the loneliness I've felt, not having someone to share my eternal life with.
The harmony ended on a long, poignant, wistful note. The sound hung in the air, filling the wide room. Bella looked up at me through her thick dark lashes, admiration in her wide eyes.
"That was nice, Edward. You truly are excellent at the piano. I would play with you any day," she told me.
"And I with you. You had better start getting ready for school now," I replied. The sight of her playing with no restrictions, unbound hair flying wildly and the intense concentration tinged with her remembered emotions had struck a chord within me. I was dazed, too much so to continue our private conversation.
Bella smiled her agreement at my spoken statement and walked up the stairs, headed for Alice's room. I walked to my own room and changed into a shirt and some jeans, my head still spinning. Descending the stairs, I saw Esme sitting on the lounge. She gazed up at me and patted the space next to her.
I walked over and sat down, wondering what this was all about. Esme gave me a hug.
"That composition was really nice, Edward. You pair should play together often; your stories weaved a delightful melody. You two get along well, but remember - Bella's been through a lot. She hasn't told us all her story yet, out of us only you know it. Don't push her too far, Edward. She has feelings for you, but if you take and shatter them, you shatter her as well.
"She may be old, but she's still a female and she has emotions and thoughts. She's been alone for a long time, longer than you. She's older than anyone, she's harder and colder, but that doesn't mean that her heart is. She may be experienced in the physical and mental world, but emotional worlds are the most difficult, powerful and rewarding of all and she hasn't had the circumstances to explore that place yet. She'll be easily lost, Edward, and when you're lost you're vulnerable. Be wise."
Esme left me to think about her words, heading upstairs for Carlisle's office. I wouldn't harm Bella, I couldn't harm Bella. Not physically. But Esme was saying that emotionally she was fragile. I wonder how it must feel to go through eternity alone, knowing that the world needs you, not being able to let go for others, having to wait for the sun to rear its head, realising that another day and night were coming and knowing that there was no reprieve. It was hard enough for me, and I wasn't even a thousandth of her age.
I decided that after school I would take her to my meadow, and tell her my feelings for her there. The beauty might make the possible rejection easier to bear. But first, there was a long day of school to go through. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you looked at it, Bella was only in one of my classes. I would have to see her at lunch as well. I had basically a whole day to psyche myself up.
Alice joined me next, sitting down where Esme had been. She looked solemn, an unusual look for her and her usually dancing eyes.
"Go ahead and ask her, Edward. She deserves to have someone like you to look after her, and she deserves to be looked after by someone like you. There's only one you and one her. Maybe fate brought you two together, like in Pride and Prejudice, or Jasper and I. Jasper came to the bar, and where would I be if he didn't? If one thing had changed, someone had done something differently, I might have wound up here anyway, alone. But Jasper's the one who keeps me together," she said seriously.
"Oh, and you do know that Bella might have been listening to us down here? I checked in on her, and she told me that you pair were talking. She also said that she was blocking you out, but you could be a bit more considerate, Edward," Alice added, the mischievous look restored, glinting in her eyes.
Bella ran down the stairs, resplendent in a royal blue skirt and white blouse. The blue looked delightful against her skin. She pointed at the clock.
"Isn't it time we left?" She asked
I looked over at the clock.
"Indeed it is," I replied
Okay, okay – I know that I updated this kind of late. But hey, I do have homework, and as much as I love my (non)-big sister, I had PRIORITIES people. By the way, this is all Ninja Spork's work. She must have been really bored last night, because she sent me all this, one text at a time – must've cost a fortune. But she had no time to do Manly Men, it was lights out. So expect it later tonight or tomorrow afternoon. Anyway – R&R, flame, correct errors – basically whatever you want to do… Spork will be coming back Saturday and she says that she 'misses you and your overly kind reviews'. How can you miss people you've never met?
Ninja Sporklet