AN: One quick note of reference in my story the happenings of New Moon have already happened minus the visit to the Voltouri. I have no plans to go into the hows of that because honestly they don't matter…Edward came back on his own because he and Bella are meant to be together period. As such Bella and Jake have already become really close friends. It really doesn't need more explanation than that.
Jake watched from the woods as Scarlett made her way up the steps to the front door of the Swan house. He could smell it. The stench of one of the bloodsuckers was thick in the air in the area surrounding Bella's house. He had no doubt that one of them was likely inside at that moment with Bella. With everything that he was he wanted to transform and stop Scarlett from entering the house. He wanted to keep her safe--- keep her away from 'them' like he hadn't been able to do for Bella. However, he knew at that moment all he could do was watch over her from the tree line his enhanced hearing helping him hear every word coming from inside the house. For now he would stay where he was watching her keeping an eye out for any trouble that could come from the bloodsucker.
The moment that the door opened Scarlett found herself in a tight embrace by Bella. When Bella had seen who it was at the door she had practically flung herself at Scarlett. It had been years since they'd seen each other. During the summers that Bella visited Charlie in Forks they had played together, becoming fast friends. While she and Bella had kept in touch over the years since she'd left La Push it wasn't as often as either one of them might have liked. Scarlett had been happy to hear on her return that her friend had moved to Fork to live with her dad for the foreseeable future giving them time to catch up.
"Sorry I didn't come to visit sooner," Scarlett laughed when her friend finally released her.
"All that matters is you're here now," Bella replied laughing. "Come in there's someone I want you to meet."
Curious as to who Bella was talking about Scarlett followed her friend inside the house. As Bella lead her into the living room she immediately caught sight of two of the most beautiful people she'd ever seen in her life. Sitting on the couch was a small pixie like girl with black hair. The moment that she entered the room the girl smiled at her in welcome so brightly that it was nearly impossible not to smile back. The second figure stood across the room. The boy's hair bronze colored and he flashed her a charming crooked smile as she entered the room. Aside from their obvious beauty Scarlett found herself wondering about the two with their nearly translucent white skin and their strange yet beautiful golden topaz eyes. She'd never seen eyes that color before--- they were eyes that seemed to see everything. For a moment Scarlett felt a unsettling feeling settle within her as if telling her to take precaution. Looking to Bella she saw that her friend seemed unaware of any such feelings and trusting her friend Scarlett let the feeling fall away.
The girl was the first to move. Scarlett watched her move in fascination. How could anyone move so gracefully? Bella had never been one for grace but she couldn't say the same for herself. The girl moved with the grace of a tiny dancer as she came to greet her. Scarlett gasped a little in surprise when the girl suddenly pulled her into a hug. The moment that the girl's arms wrapped around her a shiver form a sudden cold chill went up down her spine. But the moment that the girl released her the coldness disappeared leaving nothing but the warmth and friendliness of her smile.
"My name is Alice Cullen. It's nice to meet one of Bella's friends!" the girl named Alice spoke the bright smile never wavering on her lips.
"This is Edward Cullen, my boyfriend," Bella added walking up to Edward and taking his hand in hers as if it was too difficult to not touch or be near him for even a short period of time.
"Nice to meet you," Edward spoke in a gentlemanly like manner that Scarlett found surprising for someone in today's day and age.
"Nice to meet you," Scarlett replied not knowing what else to say in front of such beautiful people.
Bella pulled Scarlett into the room leading her over to take a seat on the couch where Alice had been sitting only moment ago. Alice was the first to begin the conversation, asking numerous questions about seemingly anything the cheery girl could come up with. During the questioning Scarlett took notice that every so often Edward would look out the window of the living room that looked out into the yard and the tree line of the forest beyond it. It seemed to her that it was as if he was seeing something outside that no one else could. His gazes out the window were short and in the next moment he would be back in the conversation as if he hadn't been staring off into space at all.
Throughout their conversation Edward was both polite and charming--- traits that Scarlett wished a certain someone possessed more of. A shock of annoyance suddenly shot through her at the lingering thought of Jake that swept through her mind. She had specifically come for a distraction from a close old friend to ignore her ever growing frustration with Jake and the rest of her friends. Quickly she beat the thought back into the back of her mind. However, as quickly as the thought had came something about her seemed to have caught Edward's attention. As his golden eyes locked with hers she felt as if he was seeing something she did not--- knew something that she didn't. Whatever it was that had caught his attention he found it amusing because as he looked at her his crooked smile curled the edges of his lips. It was as if she'd spoken her annoyance out loud--- yet she knew she hadn't, but she couldn't think of any other reason he'd be staring at her the way he was. His stare lasted for a few long moments before he broke away from her gaze back to the conversation.
Scarlett took another moment to observe him while his gaze was turned away. There was no doubt he was one of the most beautiful things she'd ever seen. However, a part of her couldn't help but to compare him to someone else---someone who lately seemed to constantly be in her mind no matter how hard she tried to ignore him--- someone who had her feeling things she couldn't understand--- feeling things she had long since thought burned out brushing them off as childish fantasies. Once again Edward turned to her with a knowing smile catching her by surprise Scarlett held her breath waiting for him to say something wondering if she actually had said something aloud without even realizing it. However, Edward said nothing of what she had been thinking instead he began to politely ask her about her and Bella's childhood earning an embarrassed protest from Bella at idea of bringing up her rather ungraceful childhood memories with Scarlett and the rest of their friends.
Everything since she'd arrived back in La Push had been strange. First Jake's odd behavior, her renewed inability to stop think of him, the unsettling emotions that were a constant presence, the strange secretive behavior of her old friends and now these two inhumanly beautiful people before her one of which seemed to know so much more than he should.
She didn't miss the way that Edward was with Bella or the way they looked at each other for long moments as if in time. It was obvious to her that Bella was happy and that Edward was the reason for her friend's happiness. Even as a child Bella had always seemed older than her years. Her mother while kind hearted was rather flighty and prone to childish behavior. As a result Bella ended up having to grow up fast--- perhaps it was one of the reasons Scarlett found herself more connected to her friendship with Bella now than she ever had before. She felt that in many ways they were both the same. But now Bella was living with more than responsibility and taking care of others, instead she had someone to take care of her, to spend time with without having to constantly worrying like a mother hen. She couldn't help but appreciate Edward for the good he had done for her friend.
Meanwhile, Scarlett quickly came to the conclusion that Alice was without a doubt one of the most social people she'd ever meant. Alice was talkative to the point that if not for her vivid bright personality Scarlett may have found her annoying. From what she'd been told by Bella and Edward apparently it was nearly impossible to get Alice to act any differently and yet they wouldn't have it any other way--- no matter how over the top she may get at times. During the conversation Bella made mention of the other members of the Cullen family and even complained that often Alice and Edward would attempt to give her gifts that she refused to accept. At first she didn't understand her disdain for any gifts that her friends might give her until Bella also explained that the gifts were often rather expensive and ridiculous. Bella told her that on more than one occasion she had been offered a car to replace the grandfather red truck she currently drove, a truck as she came to understand that Edward found distasteful and bothersome. The story continued with the mention of numerous shopping trips Alice had attempted to force her on all in the attempt to bombard Bella with a whole new wardrobe and more than she would ever be able to wear. Apparently money wasn't a problem for the Cullen family, a fact that left her wondering how much Alice could truly get out of control with no limits. Despite their oddness Scarlett couldn't help but find herself enjoying their company.
Eventually Scarlett was able let go of the oddness of the situation, deciding that apparently it had become an inescapable part of living in the area. It wasn't long before the initial uncomfortable atmosphere turned to a lighter freer mood. Scarlett discovered that she rather liked Bella's friends. She couldn't help but not to find them--- odd, but they were welcoming and friendly. While Edward was much more quite than the chattering Alice she could see herself becoming good friends with the perky pixie girl as well as the mysterious charming Edward.
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