Hello everyone! Here's Chapter 10!
Reminder, all mistakes are mine.
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Chapter 10
In the morning, the girls and I woke up and went down to the kitchen in our pajamas. Mary was making French toast with strawberries for us, just like we had in New York. I was thankful for the routine when the girls were over.
We ate breakfast and then headed upstairs to get dressed. We had a free day ahead of us and I was thinking about what we were going to do as we searched through my closet when the doorbell rang.
I walked out, looking to see who Harvey was letting in. I went to the stairs, leaning on the railing facing the front door.
"Harvey, who is it?" I called down.
"Isabella, baby. It's great to see you." I quickly stood up straight and faced the last person in the world I wanted to see.
James Carter, New York's biggest playboy and my ex-boyfriend.
"James, what are you doing here?" I said, startled.
"I came to visit you, love. I missed you." He walked passed Harvey and into the foyer, taking in the grand staircases.
"Who told you I was here?" I hated James. He put me through so much when we were together. I made the mistake of giving him a chance in the beginning of our junior year in High School and I've regretted it ever since. He treated me horribly and I was basically a prize he wore on his arm out in public. In private, he ignored me, never listened when I wanted to talk, and even managed to cheat on me a couple of times without my knowledge. I vowed never to speak to him again and yet, here he was.
"I got a call from Tanya, saying she was here. I thought I would grace you with my presence."
"Tanya?" Why would Tanya call him? They weren't even friends, last time I checked.
"Yes?" I heard her say behind me. "James! You came! I guess I forgot to mention that to you, Bella." She rushed down the stairs and gave James a hug and, surprising me, giving him a kiss right on his lips.
I felt my phone go off in my pocket and I quickly checked it. It was a text message from Edward.
Is everything okay?
I answered him, saying no, it wasn't.
Give me two minutes.
I walked down the stairs slowly, my temper rising with each step I took. I hated Tanya for this. She knew how I felt about James. She knew what I went through in New York because of him. They belonged together. They were both selfish, attention-seeking creatures who relished in the destruction of other people.
When I reached the foot of the stairs, James approached me and gave me a one armed hug. Edward walked in the door as James let go of me, looking worried.
"Isabella." Edward's voice captured my attention away from James and Tanya as I felt my body naturally glide towards his, where I knew now I was destined to be. His presence automatically calmed my nerves and I reached for his extended hand, feeling the usual tingles of electricity flow between us and a new, stronger feeling of security and love.
"You must be the boyfriend," James said. "James Carter, the ex." He held out his hand, waiting for Edward to acknowledge him.
Being the kind and courteous guy that he is, Edward clasped his hand against James' and introduced himself.
"James, what are you really doing here?" I asked. He had to be up to something.
"It's like I said," he replied, "I'm here to visit you."
It was so awkward standing beside Edward with James there. Irina joined us after a few minutes, her eyes widening as she saw our guest. Tanya grabbed James's hand and took him to the sitting room and Irina followed, an apologetic look in her eyes.
"I don't want him here, Edward," I said, sitting on the last few steps of the stairs.
"I don't like him," he answered. "He gives off bad vibes."
"I agree."
"And you dated him?" he asked, incredulously.
"Unfortunately."
"For how long?"
"Like three months. It didn't mean anything, though."
"Its fine, you don't have to explain yourself." He came and sat down next to me on the stairs and I rested my head on his shoulder. "I've also dated girls that will never be as great as you."
"Oh, how sweet." I laughed, lightly. "How do I get rid of him? I have a feeling Tanya put him up to this. He wouldn't have come on his own. How did he even know where to find me? I never told him I left."
"I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. I'm here though, whenever you need me." He quickly squeezed my knee in comfort.
"Thank you, I really appreciate it." I quickly kissed his cheek, thankful for his presence.
What was I going to do? I couldn't have James here screwing everything up. I know he's up to something. He never fails to rain on my own personal parade.
"Hey, Edward," I said, picking up my head from his shoulder. "Last night, I did something weird."
"No kidding, something weird happened to me too. What'd you do?" he asked.
"I woke up because I felt weird. And then the candles in my room lit up by themselves. I didn't do anything and I wished they'd turn off before the girls woke up and they did. I don't know if it was me or not."
"I woke up too. I was hearing things, like people talking but there was no one there. I woke my dad up and he explained what was happening. I can hear thoughts, Bella. Not yours or the others. Outsiders. It was weird. Can you do it again?"
"I don't know. I haven't tried anything. Can you hear someone now?" I responded.
"Faintly. Dad said once we start using them, we'd be stronger."
"I haven't tried anything." I stared at the open door, imagining it closing. It slammed shut. I gasped in shock and amazement.
"Bella, did you do that?" Edward asked, his eyebrows rose.
"Yeah, I think I did. I just thought about it, and it did it. It's like a wall I have to push through, though."
"I wonder if anything has happened to the others," Edward said.
"Should we call?"
"No. I have a feeling they'll know we're thinking about them coming. Like how I knew you needed me."
"You're right, I was thinking about how I wished you were here."
"I wonder what the others could do. Do you think our parents would tell us if we asked?" He grabbed my hand and was playing with my fingers when Irina walked back into the foyer.
"Hey, guys. I'm sorry about the whole James thing," she said, quietly. She came and stood in front of us and I could tell by the look in her face that she was opposed to whatever Tanya had in mind and she had nothing to do with James's sudden appearance.
"It's alright, Ri," I told her. "I know this isn't your doing. Can you tell me what they're up to?"
"I can't, I don't know. She doesn't tell me anything. The one thing I can tell you is that they aren't really dating. She's jealous of you. She called him last night when you were outside and we were alone in your room."
"Oh. Um, should I be worried?"
"I don't know yet. I'm sorry, Bella."
"No, don't be sorry, this isn't your fault." I stood up and walked into the sitting room, looking for Tanya and James. Edward and Irina followed close behind.
I entered the room to find James pacing in front of Tanya while she sat in my father's chair.
"James, you need to leave," I said, defiantly. "You aren't welcome here."
"Bella, Bella, Bella. That's no way to talk to a guest," he said, stopping his pacing and coming up to me.
"James…."
"What? I told you, I'm just visiting. I know it was your birthday yesterday so I figured I'd surprise you." He held his hand out to touch my arm. I pulled away immediately.
"Isabella, relax. It'll be just like old times," Tanya said, coming up behind James.
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Edward went to answer it and came back with Emmett, Jasper, Alice, and Rosalie in tow.
"Wow, is this some sort of cult?" James said.
I looked at Emmett. I could tell by the way he looked back at me that he was angry.
"James, these are my friends. Guys, this is James Carter," I said, walking away from him.
"Hello, Emmett," Tanya said, flirtatiously.
"Tanya," he answered, curtly. Beside him, Rosalie threw her a disdainful look.
"I hope you don't expect to stay here, James," I said.
"Why not? I'm sure you have enough room in this mansion you've got here."
"You are not staying here."
"I understand, love. I'll be out of your pretty hair in no time." He walked towards us, walked right through our group and to the front door.
"Let's go, Tanya," he said, opening the door. "We can search this hick town for some place to eat, seeing I'm not welcome here."
I felt the guys tense around me, feeling their anger bubbling as Tanya followed James out the door. She slammed the door behind her.
"So, who broke up with whom?" Edward asked.
"Oh, gross, Bella. You dated that jerk?" Alice asked. They all entered the room and sat around the coffee table, relaxing now that James was gone.
"Yeah, I was almost determined clinically insane, afterwards." I laughed. "And for the record, I broke up with him."
"So what's the plan to get rid of him?" Alice asked.
"We don't know yet," I answered. "There's something fishy about his being here."
"I have to call my mother, Bella," Irina said from the doorway. "I'll be down in a few."
She turned and went up the stairs silently. I could tell she was really shy around my new friends.
"Can she be trusted?" Emmett asked, quietly.
"Yeah, she's harmless," I told him. "She's not like Tanya at all. She's the sweetest, kindest person I know."
"Speaking of," Jasper said, "did you guys wake up early this morning and something weird happened?"
"Yes!" Edward said, excited. "Bella's candles turned on and she turned them off. I can hear thoughts."
"Yeah," I agreed. "And I closed the door."
"How's that interesting?" Alice asked.
"Because I did it with my mind, silly," I answered.
"Oh, okay then. I get it," she said. "I kind of had a vision this morning. At least, I know it was one now. I dreamed about us sitting here, talking, just like this. But I didn't think it meant anything until now."
"That's awesome," Emmett said.
"What about everyone else?" I asked.
"My dad told me I'm an empath. I can feel your emotions, even now as we speak," Jasper added. "He told me later, I'll be able to change them, manipulate emotions."
"Neither Rosie or I have anything yet," Emmett said a little forlornly. "Neither of our parents was home to ask."
"We need to figure out what we're going to do with James," Edward said.
"We'll stick around while he's here," Emmett said. "I don't like him."
"Yeah, neither do I," Jasper said.
I stood up from the edge of the couch and walked to the fireplace, looking out the window and to the yard. I didn't want to have to worry about what James was up to. I wanted to enjoy my birthday weekend with my friends. It's like he was doing this on purpose.
"My father will make him leave," I finally said. "James has always been afraid of him."
"And if he doesn't go?" Edward said, coming up behind me.
"Then we're just going to have to make him go."
"I like the sound of that," Emmett said, laughing.
"I'm guessing if he goes, Tanya and Irina go," Jasper added. "Are you okay with that?'
"Definitely."
"I'm going to go check on Irina." I walked away from the mantel, but Edward held me back.
"What's wrong?" I asked, concerned. "Oh! Sorry." I knew what he wanted.
I took his face in my hands and gave him a kiss, trailing my hands down to his chest. He kissed me back, holding my hands in his.
"Get a room!" someone yelled. I kissed Edward once more, chuckling against his lips, and walked back out of the room and up the stairs.
"Ri?" I called upon entering my bedroom.
"In here!" I heard her yell from the bathroom.
"So, Irina," I called out, "how are you liking Forks?"
She came out of the bathroom and sat down on my bed.
"It's kind of dreary. But I guess with friends like yours, you're not missing out on anything. How'd you meet them?"
"Friends of the family. They grew up together. We're called the Founding Families of Forks, apparently."
"Founding Families?"
"Yeah, our ancestors found this town back in the old days."
"That's actually really cool."
"Yeah, they're my family," I said with a smile.
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