DON"T HATE ME!!! I know it took a lot longer than I expected to get this chapter out but I got my internet taken away. (Stupid Grades), it was exam week and I went to D.C. and couldn't write for a week. Plus this chapter was really hard to write due to the evils of writers block. So I made it extra long for ya. but I love reviews and I am happy.
Me(leaning over and panting heavily);This has got to stop. Wait,(stands up with curious look) how did this get started in the first place? I don't even remember.
Em;Me either, hey wanna watch VanHelsing?
Me;Sounds good, but I need popcorn.
Em;ANNNNDDD?
Me;I Don't own Twilight.
BPOV
I lazily opened one eye to the cloud covered sky. I yawned lightly and considered the growling stomach that I sometimes acknowledged as mine, what to do about it? Stealing would work, I briefly remembered Edward's offer then pushed it away, I didn't accept help from people. Or things that looked like people. That brought another question, why was I still here? I knew vampires weren't capable of anything except cruelty. I exhaled in a huff then shot up as I heard a gentle crunch near me and said
"If you're going to be quiet you might want to try harder." I turned to face the russet skinned guy who was trying to creep up behind me.
"Sorry," He said and came to sit beside me. "I'm Jacob Black,"
"Earth," I said, I noticed his confusion and said "Yes that's my name, my parents were hippies." (Thanks again to the reviewer)
"Cool, peace," He said holding up two fingers in the peace sign and nodding his head. "Shouldn't you be in school?" He asked lightly,
"Shouldn't you?" I asked deflecting the question easily.
"Didn't feel like going," He shrugged, I grinned.
"I completely know the feeling," I said and idly glanced at my watch, it was 11:00. I had a few hours until I had to meet Edward.
"So, you moving to the rez?" He questioned easily. I shook my head, bored with the conversation. This is why I never talked to people, because when they said something it didn't mean anything. I sighed internally and stood.
"Look Jacob it was nice meeting you but I really have to go, so goodbye." He nodded sadly and said
"Bye." I shouldered my pack and walked into the forest. The cool air felt great on me and I loved it. I allowed a laugh to bubble through and looked around for a wolf. What I got wasn't what I expected, it was a wolf alright but not the kind I had ever seen before. He was taller then I was with russet colored fur and intelligent black eyes. We studied each other carefully and as we did two more wolves emerged behind him. One was dark grey and the other chocolate colored. They stared at me and I couldn't connect with them so I did what a smart person would do. I ran. I heard them crashing through the under brush behind me and sighed, dodging a fallen tree limb. I don't know how long I ran but I was beginning to get winded and that took quite a bit of work so I leapt into a tree.
Tree hopping again, I rolled my eyes and moved faster, leaping from limb to limb. I suddenly heard their pursuits cease and got curious, I turned around and looked down. They had stopped in a line and wouldn't go past it. The russet colored one was looking at me wistfully. I rolled my eyes and kept going forward. I don't know how long I kept hopping but eventually I stopped and leapt down from the tree.
I stood poised and ready to run. When I couldn't see or hear any pursuit I dropped to the ground breathing hard. Why was it I had done more running since I had come upon Forks then I had had to do in a long time? Oh yeah cause for some odd reason I hit rainy places rather than sunny places. I made a mental note, stick to the sunlight. It was ironic though, the things I most wanted to get away from shared my natural habitat. I smirked at the unpleasant irony.
Sighing, I picked myself up off the ground and made my way to the cliff I had seen overlooking Forks. I picked up my Ipod and picked Cross The Line by Superchick.
follow the leader,
stay in the lines
what will people think of what you've done this time
go with the crowd surely somebody knows,
why we're all wearing
the emporers clothes
play it safe
play by the rules
or don't play at all
what if you lose?
thats not the secret but i know what is
everybody dies but not everyone lives
everybody dies but not everyone lives
This song always gave me a second wind so I picked up my feet and moved them, dancing to the loud beat.
i'm gonna run like i've got the cops on my tail
i'm gonna live my life like i'm out on bail
i'm gonna be upfront
i'm gonna blaze the trail
i'm gonna
i'm gonna
i'm gonna cross that line
everybody freeze
dont step over the line
dont stand up
they shoot down
the first one who trys
try to change the world
they'll think your out of your mind
revolution starts with someone crossing the line
I laughed as the chorus described me.
I'm gonna run like I've got the cops on my tail I whooped as I danced, wild and happy with laughter. Was I in a town full of vampires and God knows what else? Yep, but at that moment I couldn't bring myself to care about anything.
I'm gonna live my life like I'm out on bail
I'm gonna be upfront
I'm gonna blaze the trail
I'm gonna
I'm gonna
I'm gonna cross that line!
they want us to lie down
give into the lie
nothing has to change
and no one has to die
that's not the secret but i know what is
everybody dies but not everyone lives
So true, I thought as I broke the tree line and careened to a stop at the cliff.
i'm gonna run like i've got the cops on my tail
i'm gonna live my life like i'm out on bail
i'm gonna be upfront
i'm gonna blaze the trail
i'm gonna
i'm gonna
i'm gonna cross that line!
Hell yeah I cross the line, I thought as I sat down, dangling my legs over the cliff edge. The line did have merit, of course it wasn't the cops chasing me, but a thirsty vampire who called me his singer. I have the intense displeasure of knowing exactly what that means. Of course that was the only reason I was still alive, ironic really. He had said something about letting my blood ripen. Then he'd kill me by drinking my blood. I pursed my lips and sighed, I shook my head and checked the time. Noon, I could kill a few hours before 3. I listed things I could do for fun.
I could run; nah, already did that. Reading would be nice, I studied my selection of books. Nope I wasn't in the mood for them. I caught a glance at my lock picking kit. Time to break and enter, I thought grinning as grabbed my pack. Yes I am perfectly aware stealing is wrong, but I only take what I need and I don't steal electronics or anything other than food. Okay well I used the internet sometimes but that was it. I shook my head and slunk around the edges of the town. I spotted a small house that looked empty and there was no alarm so I decided it would do.
Another great thing about small towns, they think they're completely safe all the time. Of course a lock wouldn't stop a vampire but it the gave a nice illusion. That's what most people rely on, the illusion of something. Safety, love or something trivial like that. I saw the world for what it was. People are generally asses and are often no better than vampires. I smirked at myself, when had I become such a cynic? Okay to be fair I was only a cynic sometimes, I thought as I finished picking the lock on the door and slid inside.
Hmm, whoever this person was they had a a very well stocked kitchen, I smiled and bit into a hot dog. As I was about to dig around for more I caught the sound of of a car coming up the drive and I sighed before picking up my pack and running out the back door. I could hear my stomach grumbling angrily at me, the hunger fully awakened. Sighing and rubbing my hand over my stomach I remembered the time I had gone 4 days without food. I had basically spent those 4 days running as fast as I could. Somehow HE had caught up to me and I'd had to book out fast. I rolled my eyes at getting caught up in my past and focused on walking through the forest.
After walking for a while I sat down on a rock, flipped on my Ipod and took out Wuthering Heights and lost myself in the book. I don't know how long I read for but when I stopped I was jerked out of my haze with a start. Rolling my eyes I stretched and yawned, checking the time. It was 2:20. I decided to get going to the clearing where I was supposed to meet Edward.
My stomach fluttered in an odd manner at that thought. Rolling my eyes I shook my head at my silly thoughts and gathered my stuff together to start walking. I was thankful for my innate sense of direction that allowed me to know where places were. I never got lost because I never had a destination until now. It was pretty funny actually, the only reason I kept the watch was because it was one of the few things I had as a remembrance of my briefly happy childhood.
I need to stop remembering the bad things and focus on the good. I was alive, and I was as free as could be. True, I wasn't safe but I'd take my life of freedom over creature comforts any day. I laughed suddenly without thinking as I came closer to the clearing. I needed to focus, it was true I would leave myself a few exit routes but I needed to be ready to move at a seconds notice. So I wouldn't sit on the ground I would just sit on the rocks.
Why am I doing this again? I thought as I walked into the clearing, climbed up onto the rocks and sat down. I exhaled furiously and checked the time 2:55. I could handle this, I thought, fighting the urge to jump off the rock and run like hell. Just stay calm and be ready to run.
I thought about leaving you guys here but then decided I didn't want people hating me.
For 25 minutes I sat tapping my feet nervously. And then I heard him walking quietly through the bushes, I knew he was making noise to warn me and bit back a smile at the gesture. He stepped forward out of the bushes a few seconds later with a warm smile on his face. I cocked my head to the side and stared at him for a few seconds, he had a backpack pulled over his shoulders and his hair was windblown.
"Your here," He said happily.
"I said I would be." I said simply and shrugged my shoulders. He removed the backpack from his shoulders and held it awkwardly.
"What's that?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"Food," He said, holding out like an offering, my stomach growled loudly at the sight of it and he smiled at the sound. He hesitantly took a step forward and then another. I stood slowly and backed up a few feet. He set down the backpack and the backed away from it, his eyes never leaving mine. I was touched by the wordless gesture but pushed it away. I had to stay on guard constantly and that meant not getting near him.
"I won't get near you I promise." He said sitting down and tangling his legs again.
"It's not the getting near me I'm worried about." I muttered, knowing he could hear me. He nodded as if to try and assuage me.
"It's just food," he said, gesturing to the backpack. I gave him a skeptical look.
"Please eat something." He begged. I pursed my lips and debated. I should take it, it would be the best course of action I decided. I slowly got down off my rock and stalked forward, ready at any second to turn tail and run. I picked up the back pack with my eyes never leaving his, he smiled as I picked up the bag and backed up towards the rock. I slung it over my shoulders and backed up once more before grabbing the rock and climbing up it without removing my eyes from him. I dangled my legs off the rock and once I was situated pulled the pack of my shoulders and opened it.
My stomach practically roared when my nose took in the smell. I allowed my hunger to control me for a few minutes and pulled out a sandwich and bit into it tasting ham, mustard and cheese.
"Good?" Edward asked with a smile, I nodded and kept eating.
"There should be a few bottles of water in there." He said, gesturing to the pack. I nodded and dug around a few seconds before finding it and taking a drink.
"Thanks for the food." I said softly after a eating for a few more minutes.
"It's no problem, I wish you would let me take you to my home though." He said.
"No can do Cullen. You're lucky I'm still here." I said softly.
"Okay then, so can I ask you a question?" He asked.
"Ask away, though I'm not promising answers." He nodded and spoke
"Why don't you live with you're parents?" I shrugged and said
"No comment," Because I frankly don't want any pity from you just because my parents are dead.
"Okay, how old are you?" He asked.
"I'm 17," I answered and bit into an apple.
"Really?" He asked, I rolled my eyes and said
"How old are you then?"
"17" He answered instantly.
"Just how long have you been 17?" His lips twitched
"Awhile," He admitted.
"How old?" I questioned again.
"108" He said.
"Care to share the story?" I asked.
"If I tell you do I get to know yours?" He asked.
"No," I said instantly.
"You sure?" He asked looking up at me through his eyelashes. He grinned as my heart stuttered a little, I frowned.
"I'm immune to vampire charms Eddie boy." I said, smirking as he scowled at me.
"Please don't call me Eddie." He begged sourly. I smothered a laugh at his childlike pout.
"Fine Edward. I won't call you Eddie any more." I smirked again.
"Thank you," He said sweetly.
"So is there a story behind that?" I asked curiously.
"No, I just dislike it." He said.
"I don't believe you. I think there's a story behind it." I said and smirked at him. He laughed and said
"Fine, my brother Emmet called me Eddie for almost a decade and I became sick of it."
"I knew I could get the truth out of you." I sing-songed, then blushed furiously as I realized I was flirting a little. I 'd seen it done and hell I'd done it once just to see what would happen. Needless to say I'd had to throw a few punches at a miss priss who thought slapping me for trying to steal her boyfriend would teach me a lesson. She ended up with a few bruises and a black eye. I was scott free after the fight. I pulled myself back to reality and realized Edward was just staring at me.
"Christ are you going to stare at me all day or talk?" I asked him.
"Sorry I just really wish I could get into your head." He said sheepishly.
"No you don't, trust me, I don't even like being in my own head sometimes. Most of the time it's not a pleasant place to be." I said lazily shaking my head
"I beg to differ," He countered.
"Whatever vampire boy." I suppressed a smile
"Favorite Band?" He questioned.
"Random but okay," I said bemusedly. "Too many to count, Paramore, Pink, Linkin Park, Evanescence, Rise against, Papa Roach I love some classical pieces, and you?"
"I love classical as well but I love most of those bands too, except for Pink." He said with a warm smile, wrinkling his nose at the last name.
"Just what is wrong with Pink? She is a great singer, unlike most of today's mainstream, her song lyrics are meaningful." I said indignantly.
"Her voice is very raspy." He said and I rolled my eyes.
"So you diss an amazing singer because of her voice?"AN; I love Pink, she is one of my favorite singers.
"I suppose I do," He said, cocking his left eyebrow.
"You're missing out on something great." I said lazily swinging my feet.
"Fair enough, favorite movie?" I wrinkled my nose and thought for a minute, I didn't see movies ever unless I needed to charge my Ipods in someones house and I picked up a DVD and put it in. I had loved one I'd seen recently called She's the Man. Awesome movie if your looking for a tears of laughter in your eyes romantic comedy.
"She's the Man, I saw it a few months ago and I liked it." I said.
"Anything recent?" He asked.
"Hey," I defended myself, "I only see movies when I break into people's houses so cut me a little slack."
"Okay okay," He said, smiling and holding up his hands as if to ward off an attack.
"Favorite color?" He asked. I bit my lip, I loved all colors except white and red. My eyes flashed to the forest and the hidden secrets within. But, I especially loved green and brown, I loved the way green sparkled gently in the trees and then mixed with brown in tree trunks. Brown was warm and when they came together they created a home, a center of peace. A protective place, always ready to accept me with open arms and protect me with hidden nooks and crannies that only those connected to it could find.
"Green and brown" I said simply.
"I understand green but why brown?" He asked.
"Brown is warm, and when green and brown mix together they're the colors of a tree. I love trees because they form a forest and in a forest I'm safer than when I'm in the open. What about you?" I said. He nodded and said
"I see your point, brown is warm, my favorite color is blue."
"Blue is pretty," I conceded. "But I'll stick to green and brown."
"Fair enough." He said again. "Favorite flower?"
"Don't have one."
"Childhood pets?"
"None."
"Favorite gemstone?"
"Don't have one."
"Favorite memory?" This one stopped me. I flipped through memories in my head, Renee laughing as she bumped hips with Charlie and I giggled on the counter. Renee had made dinner that night and it had tasted terrible but we had all had so much fun it hadn't mattered, me squealing as my parents tickled me, showing mom a picture that I had made when I was 1. But the memory I chose was when I was 4 and I had climbed my first tree and freaked them out. Renee had wanted to call the fire department but Charlie had merely told me to come down.
"When I was 4 I climbed a tree for the first time and my mom found me high up in the branches and she couldn't stop shrieking so my dad came out and we both had a huge laugh as my mom ran around the lawn screaming at the top of her lungs. My dad told me to get down and so I did, when I did my mom and dad hugged me tightly as if they were scared." I remembered still giggling and wanting freeze this moment in time forever.
"Sounds like it was fun." He said, smiling warmly.
"It was, I don't know why, but it was." I said, gazing past him.
"So, if you loved living with your parents why are you living in the woods?" He asked hesitantly. I bit my lip once more,
"Things change." Mostly because my parents were murdered by psycho vampires, one of which intends kill me.
"That's it, that's all I'm getting?" He asked, I nodded.
"Fine, so how long have you been living like this?"
"A few years" I said, giving him a warning look.
"Okay, favorite food?" I stared at him in an incredulous manner. Talk about being random.
"I don't have one, I take what I can get when I can get it. No point in being picky." I said simply, it was true. I could never get the point of being a picky eater, it all ended up in the same place. Not my personal feelings lol, can't stand eating fish. "What about you?"
"Mountain lion." He said simply, I quirked an eyebrow.
"What?" He asked indignantly
"Nothing I was just expecting something like O+ or something." I smirked.
"I told you I only eat animals." He said in what sounded like honesty
"Whatever Cullen." I said. I didn't know why but I was enjoying this conversation. Maybe it was because I hardly talked to people and most people wanted some form of companionship, but I'd always considered myself an exception to this rule. I hadn't wanted human companionship for a very long time. I was one of those people who preferred to be alone rather than dealing with the most mundane people. We continued to talk for a long time, I found myself suppressing smiles and laughter. I hadn't felt like I could connect with a person before. Even if that person was a vampire. I glanced down at my watch and without thinking I slid down from the rock.
"Something wrong?" Edward asked as I stretched. I shook my head and noticed that the sun was setting.
"I'm going to go find a place to crash for the night." He opened his mouth eagerly.
"You could stay at my house."
"No thanks. Earth and a houseful of vampires do not go well together." I finished simply. He looked disappointed.
"Can we meet same time same place tomorrow?" He asked hopefully. I bit my bottom lip and nodded.
"Yeah, but same rules still apply." He nodded.
"Any kind of food you want for tomorrow?" I rolled my eyes.
"No because you are not bringing me food tomorrow." I said angrily. I don't take charity, it makes me feel like I can't do anything for myself. I know the fact that Isteal from people is like unoffered charity but it's that or go back to the life of a normal person. And I wouldn't be able to handle that, I'd go freaking insane. 2 days there and I'd be out of there like a bat out oof hell. So unoffered charity is easier for me.I snapped back to Edward as held up his hands in an I can't do anything about it gesture.
"It would break my mother's heart to hear you say that." He said. I bit the inside of my cheek in thought. If he really had a mother could I actually bear to hurt her? Yes of course you can, in fact get the hell out of Forks tonight. My rational side was screaming. But the irrational side was speaking strongly Don't do it, you lost your own mother. What right do you have to deprive someone else's mother of their happiness?
"I like strawberries." I confessed in a soft voice, playing with my fingers. "When I was little my mom said I could eat them by the handful."
"I'll tell Esme." He said with a dazzling smile that made me catch my breath in my throat.
"You sure you're immune to vampire charm?" He questioned teasingly. I narrowed my eyes and said
"Goodbye Eddie boy." With that I turned and walked into the forest. A few minutes later I heard a twig snap and I stopped.
"Go home Edward." I said without turning around. I heard his footsteps head in the opposite direction as I headed towards the beach on instinct. The walk there was completely quiet other sounds of nature. I walked to the ocean cliff and sat down. The sun was setting gently on the horizon and as I stared at it I pondered.
Why did my heart stutter when I saw Edward's crooked grin? Why had I talked to him? And why the hell had I not run out of Forks like a bat out of hell? These questions were annoying me. Before I had shown up in Forks my life had been relatively simple. Wake up, steal, keep moving, do whatever the hell I felt like. There was the occasional vampire across my path that I had to run from, but other than that all I had to do was keep moving. Now I didn't want to, I actually wanted to stay in this small town and talk to something with two legs. And said two legged thing was a vampire for fucks sake.
Maybe you like him. Said a voice out of nowhere. I rolled my eyes. Yeah and maybe just maybe if I wish hard enough my parents will come back to life. I groaned and flopped down as the sun sank fully below the horizon. I closed my eyes and emptied my mind, sinking into the black oblivion of sleep.
EPOV
When I opened my eyes that morning I felt excited. Earth was going to meet me this afternoon. I got up and threw on the random outfit Alice had made up for me. I was debating skipping school and just walking through the woods to find her. I traced her face in my mind, her heart shaped face, high cheekbones, full red lips, her think mahogany hair and her chocolate colored eyes. How one human could capture my attention so completely I didn't know. I smiled and turned to stare out the window. I was curious about her. I hoped she would be a little more forthcoming with answers this afternoon. But she probably wouldn't, I thanked my rarely lucky stars that I would be able to talk to her again this afternoon.
If she even shows up. The mental voice came out of nowhere. Normally I was so this was no shock. I just wanted this to go well, for some reason I enjoyed being around Earth. She was sarcastic and had a dry sense of humor. She carried two different auras, one was that of a strong woman who would fight for what she wanted. The other was that of a scared, fragile child who'd grown up to fast, that child was running from her nightmares. I wanted to protect both the child and the woman.
"Let's go Edward!" Alice yelled. I rolled my eyes as I walked downstairs.
"So eager to get to purgatory?" I questioned, smirking.
"Maybe it isn't." Alice said. You may end up enjoying it one day.
"Doubtful Alice, I wish the day were over already." I said.
"Let's go." Emmett said as he and Rose sauntered down the stairs. I walked out the door to my Volvo and we were off. The drive to the school was silent, each of them consumed by their own thoughts. We pulled into the lot and got out. Once more I was accosted by disgusting thoughts
Sexy Cullen c'mere.
Love the blonde
What a body.
I wondered what Earth was doing, I glanced over at the cliff, half hoping to see her there. She wasn't there, but I wished I could run to the forest and find her. The day seemed to drag even more than usual and by lunch I was truly ready to tear my hair out.
"Edward calm down, she probably won't even show." Rosalie said in an annoyed voice. I groaned and dropped my head to the table.
"Thank you Rosalie, you're a big help, you really are." I said sarcastically
"She's just a human, she doesn't matter." Rosalie said angrily.
"You know Rose, you're really being a bitch right now." Alice hissed, Rosalie rolled her eyes in response. As she was about to respond the bell rang and we left to our respective classes. As usual biology was boring, I wished Earth would show up for some strange reason. It would make the day much more interesting. I wondered what Earth was doing yet again. She was probably running again. The bell rang, signaling the time for Spanish.
I sat down next to Emmett and almost gagged at his thoughts about Rosalie.
"Em, would you kindly refrain from thinking those things? I would prefer not to vomit in front of the class." I said under my breath.
Sorry Bro, so think Hippie girl will show up this afternoon? I rolled my eyes.
"I really hope so Em, and her name is not Hippie girl, it's Earth." I said.
"Whatever bro Rose is still pretty pissed about that by the way." He informed me. Once more I rolled my eyes.
"Frankly I could care less what Rosalie thinks." I said angrily. It was true, I wanted to unravel the mystery that was Earth, her silent mind, her constant running, and her knowledge of vampires. I began to speculate about what Earth was running from. The logical choice was vampires. It made sense, she knew what we were, she knew the myths were just myths. That in turn brought out the question, why was her mind silent? I decided to ask Carlisle about it later.
When the bell rang I sprinted out the door. I couldn't wait to get to my car and go see Earth. Everyone except Rosalie was there, I located her mind and found her lazily strutting down the hall.
I'm doing you a favor Edward, she won't even be there and you're going to come home moping for the next three decades. Rosalie was thinking, I growled angrily.
"Rosalie Hale, I swear to God if you aren't in this car in the next 2 minutes, you are walking for the rest of the year." I said. She walked out the door and sauntered up, getting in the car. The second she was in, I was out of the parking lot. I couldn't help it, for the first time since I was a vampire I was nervous. I wanted this to go well, I needed this to go well. I pushed the Volvo as fast I could to get home. The sooner I could get home the sooner I could get to Earth.
The minute I stopped the car I was out of it. I checked the time, 2:55. I could make it. I tossed my bag in my room and jogged down the stairs.
"Here you go Edward," Esme smiled as she handed me a backpack filled to the brim with food. "Make sure to ask her about her favorite foods, so I can pack them for her tomorrow." She said.
"I will, thanks Esme." I said and walked back up to the roof. I shouldered the back pack and took off flying. The smile automatically twisted my lips as flew through the air. There were very few perks of being a vampire but flying was one of them. A few minutes later I landed in the forest and set off at a good clip. I checked the time on my watch. 3:15. I jogged through the woods for 5 minutes until I got closer. I could hear her heartbeat it was going at a good clip, she probably had plenty of adrenaline running through her system at the moment. I made my steps louder as I got closer, just to give her a small warning, she probably already knew I was there though. I stopped for a brief second.
She sat on the rock, her legs were dangling over the edge and she was swinging them slightly. Her mahogany hair was wound into a gentle braid and hung over her shoulder. She wore a simple T-shirt and blue shorts. Her sneakers were worn and looked old and very well used. I put a stop to the train of thought and stepped through the trees, smiling warmly at her, hoping to convey how happy I was.
"Your here," I said happily, I was more than happy, I was ecstatic.
"I said I would be."She said simply and shrugged her shoulders. I felt the weight of the back pack on my shoulders and removed it, I held awkwardly in front of myself.
"What's that?" She asked curiously.
"Food," I said simply. I held the bag out awkwardly towards her. She eyed me apprehensively. I walked forward carefully, she stood and backed up a few steps. I made sure to never let my eyes leave hers as I set the bag down in the center of the clearing and backed up again. I felt the need to assuage her fear.
"I won't get near you I promise." I said sitting down and tangling my legs up again.
"It's not the getting near me I'm worried about." She muttered, I held back a wince and nodded.
"It's just food," I promised, gesturing to the bag in the center of the clearing. She gave me a skeptical look.
"Please eat something." I begged. She needed to eat. She inhaled and slowly climbed down the rock, her eyes stayed locked on my mine as I held my self as still as possible. She walked forward carefully, I could see every muscle in her body was coiled with tension. She picked up the bag and walked backwards. She was still facing me as she slung the bag over her shoulders and climbed up the rock backwards.
She opened the bag as soon as she was settled and her stomach growled. She took a sandwhich out and tore into it.
"Good?" I asked with a smile, she nodded and kept eating.
"There should be a few bottles of water in there." I said after a few seconds, gesturing to the bag.
"Thanks for the food." She said softly after a few minutes of silent eating.
"It's no problem, I wish you would let me take you to my home though." I said honestly.
"No can do Cullen. You're lucky I'm still here." She said softly.
"Okay then, so can I ask you a question?" I asked, hoping I could begin to unravel her mystery.
"Ask away, though I'm not promising answers." I nodded and spoke
"Why don't you live with you're parents?" She shrugged and said
"No comment," Okay, she obviously wouldn't talk about family or her past, made sense if she was running.
"Okay, how old are you?" I asked.
"I'm 17," She answered and bit into an apple.
"Really?" I asked, she seemed so much older, she rolled her eyes and said
"How old are you then?"
"17" I answered instantly, I'd answered that for so long it had become routine.
"Just how long have you been 17?" My lips twitched at her question
"Awhile," I admitted.
"How old?" She questioned again.
"108" I answered honestly this time.
"Care to share the story?" She asked, I saw this as an opportunity, if I shared, maybe she would.
"If I tell you do I get to know yours?" I asked.
"No," She said instantly.
"You sure?" I asked looking up at me through his eyelashes. Humans seemed more receptive to us when we did this. I grinned when her heart stuttered for a second. She frowned at me.
"I'm immune to vampire charms Eddie boy." She said, smirking as I scowled at her use of my hated nickname.
"Please don't call me Eddie." I begged sourly, I started pouting like a child
"Fine Edward. I won't call you Eddie any more." She smirked again.
"Thank you," I said sweetly.
"So is there a story behind that?" She asked.
"No, I just dislike it." I said.
"I don't believe you. I think there's a story behind it." She said and smirked at me, she smirked a lot. I laughed and spoke
"Fine, my brother Emmet called me Eddie for almost a decade and I became sick of it." I admitted.
"I knew I could get the truth out of you." She sing-songed, then blushed furiously. I like the pretty rose color in her cheeks. I wanted so badly to be able to get into her head.
"Christ are you going to stare at me all day or talk?" She asked me.
"Sorry I just really wish I could get into your head." I said sheepishly.
"No you don't, trust me, I don't even like being in my own head sometimes. Most of the time it's not a pleasant place to be." She said shaking her head
"I beg to differ," I countered, the one head I wanted to be in the most and I couldn't get in.
"Whatever vampire boy." She said. I sensed the need for a change in topic so I asked,
"Favorite Band?"
"Random but okay," She said bemusedly. "Too many to count, Paramore, Pink, Linkin Park, Evanescence, Rise against, Papa Roach I love some classical pieces, and you?" Those were some of my favorite bands.
"I love classical as well but I love most of those bands too, except for Pink." I said with a warm smile, wrinkling my nose with distaste at the last name.
"Just what is wrong with Pink? She is a great singer, unlike most of today's mainstream, her song lyrics are meaningful." She said indignantly.
"Her voice is very raspy." I admitted, she rolled her eyes.
"So you diss an amazing singer because of her voice?"Earth asked incredulously
"I suppose I do," I said, cocking my left eyebrow.
"You're missing out on something great." She said swinging her feet on the rock.
"Fair enough, favorite movie?" She wrinkled her nose in thought.
"She's the Man, I saw it a few months ago and I liked it." She said.
"Anything recent?" I asked, that movie was a couple years old.
"Hey," She defended herself, "I only see movies when I break into people's houses so cut me a little slack." Breaking into houses again?
"Okay okay," I said, I smiled and held up my hands to avoid the verbal assualt.
"Favorite color?" I asked. She bit her lip in thought.
"Green and brown" She said simply.
"I understand green but why brown?" I asked, most girls say blue or red maybe, but brown?
"Brown is warm, and when green and brown mix together they're the colors of a tree. I love trees because they form a forest and in a forest I'm safer than when I'm in the open. What about you?" She said. I understood now, she saw the forest as her home. And it was natural that she would pick the colors of a place that provided her with protection.
"I see your point, brown is warm, my favorite color is blue." I said, brown was warm, her hair and her eyes were brown.
"Blue is pretty," She said. "But I'll stick to green and brown."
"Fair enough." I said once more. "Favorite flower?"
"Don't have one."
"Childhood pets?"
"None."
"Favorite gemstone?"
"Don't have one."
Favorite memory?" She stopped and bit her lip as her eyes glazed over in a memory. Finally she spoke.
"When I was 4 I climbed a tree for the first time and my mom found me high up in the branches and she couldn't stop shrieking so my dad came out and we both had a huge laugh as my mom ran around the lawn screaming at the top of her lungs. My dad told me to get down and so I did, when I did my mom and dad hugged me tightly as if they were scared."
"Sounds like it was fun." I said smiling at her. Memories like that are ones people treasure forever.
"It was, I don't know why, but it was." She said, looking past me.
"So, if you loved living with your parents why are you living in the woods?" I asked carefuly, I would have to tread lightly here. She bit her lip again,
"Things change." She said simply.
"That's it, that's all I'm getting?" I asked a little disappointed, she nodded again.
"Fine, so how long have you been living like this?"
"A few years" She said in a warning tone, that clearly said, keep it up and I'm gone.
"Okay, favorite food?" I asked, suddenly remembering Esme's request.
"I don't have one, I take what I can get when I can get it. No point in being picky." She said simply. "What about you?"
"Mountain lion." I said simply, she quirked an eyebrow.
"What?" I asked indignantly at her expression,
"Nothing I was just expecting something like O+ or something." She smirked. Okay I understood now.
"I told you I only eat animals." I told her honestly. It was true, I hadn't killed a human in decades.
"Whatever Cullen." She said. We continued to talk for a long time about everything. Earth was witty and sarcastic. She could always make me smile.
"Something wrong?" I asked as she stretched lazily, her joints popping a little.
"I'm going to go find a place to crash for the night." I offered to bring her home with me instantly.
"You could stay at my house."
"No thanks. Earth and a houseful of vampires do not go well together." She said in a simply, I was disappointed.
"Can we meet same time, same place tomorrow?" I asked hopefully. She bit her bottom lip and nodded.
"Yeah, but same rules still apply." I nodded and asked a question again.
"Any kind of food you want for tomorrow?" She rolled her eyes.
"No because you are not bringing me food tomorrow." That was it, another piece of the puzzle fell into place. She didn't like receiving help. I decided to play the Esme card and see if it worked.
"It would break my mother's heart to hear you say that." I said, putting on my best sad face. She bit the inside of her cheek as she thought.
"I like, strawberries." She confessed in a soft almost inaudible voice, playing with her fingers. "When I was little my mom said I could eat them by the handful."
"I'll tell Esme." I said happily, I couldn't stop the wide smile from spreading across my face. Her breath hitched in her throat and I couldn't resist teasing her,
"You sure you're immune to vampire charm?" I questioned teasingly. She narrowed her eyes and said
"Goodbye Eddie boy." She got up, turned around and walked into the forest. As was my routine I got up and walked after her. A few minutes of silent walking later and my foot stepped on twig, making it snap in two. Earth heard and stopped,
"Go home Edward." She said without turning around. I sighed and turned to go home. She always knew, how did she always know? I decided to walk a while, to clear my head. She was the strangest girl I have ever met. Her silent mind, her knowledge. I had come no closer to finding out the truth about her past tonight. And now that I think about it, her knee was healed. There wasn't a sign of a bruise anywhere. The hit she'd given Carlisle should have had her on a crutches and in a knee brace for a week, yet the next day she was bruise free and not even talking about it.
Truly the strangest human I had ever met. She was funny and witty, she never flirted like other humans. And even though her silent mind irritated me I couldn't help finding piece there. It ws rather pleasant to talk to someone who was never mind raping me to my knowledge. I just wished she wasn't so close off. My cell phone rang suddenly and I picked it up.
"How'd it go?" Alice asked perkily.
"It went alright, I think maybe she might possibly be coming close to trusting me." I said holding the phone away from my ear.
"Great, I can't wait to meet my new sister." Alice squealed.
"Alice I said coming close to trusting me, not ready to have me jump into the air with her in my arms and trust me to hold her." I clarified. Alice snorted.
"Whatever, did you get her clothing size?" I rolled my eyes.
"Alice, why would I ask he that?"
"So I could order her clothes for her." Alice said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Alice she had a highly unpleasant reaction to the food I brought her." I informed her.
"That's food, clothes are clothes. She'll thank me."
"No," I growled angrily. "Alice I am making progress with her and I don't want you ruining it." there went my peaceful walk. I leapt into the sky and began to fly home.
"But I want to meet her!" Alice whined a little. I rolled my eyes again.
"Alice you could scare her off. She could run and we wouldn't even have a name to trace her with." I finished as I landed. Alice was waiting for me and closed her phone.
"Fine," She said grumpily. I smirked and ruffled her hair as I walked past. She growled at me as I made my way to the piano.
I sat down at the bench and and stroked the ivory keys lovingly. The melody was taking shape in my mind, a story of a young girl, her long brown hair wild as she ran from an unseen danger. She ran through the forest in the pouring rain and crashing thunder, looking for an escape as the danger gained on her. As she about to be swept up into the danger a knight in shinning armor came out of nowhere, he swooped her up out of nowhere and saved her, fighting off the demon. The melody slowed down and sweetened as the young girl and her prince held each other.
A shoe came out of nowhere and hit me in the head, effectively breaking my concentration. I picked up the shoe; a six inch red stiletto heel.
"Thank you Rosalie, I'm so glad you enjoyed the piece." I growled sarcastically.
"Shut up and stop moping so the rest of us can get some sleep." She said in annoyed voice.
"Rose, that was lovely Edward" Esme admonished. I smiled at my mother.
"How did it go dear?" She asked kindly.
"It went alright I think she's coming close to trusting me." I said with a smile.
"I hope so, did you find out about her favorite food?" She asked. I nodded.
"She says she likes strawberries," I informed her.
"Wonderful, I hope we still have some." Esme said.
"I should be getting to bed." I said as I stood and kissed Esme on the cheek. I made my wayt upstairs and changed into my pajamas. I flipped Debussy on and settled under my covers. I really hoped Earth was alright. She really did seem tough enough to sleep out on her own but at the same time she gave off an aura that said 'I need to be protected.' More than anything I wanted to be that protector. The on who would save her, the one that could come running to whenever she needed me. Maybe one day she would trust me with that.
There you go everyone, one new chapter. I know it took a lot longer than I expected to get this out but in my defense there were a few debilitating factors. (See AN above) I would like another 10 reviews please, and for all of you to check out my newest story The Elite. It's Twilight and it's kind of a hodge podge between Twilight Dark Angel and Maximum Ride. Though only Twilight characters and the ones I own will be making it into this one. I think it is the best story I have ever written and the best idea I have ever had. I'd probably make it into a book if I could come up with my own characters. LOL
It's 4:30 in the morning so I'm a little loopy forgive me please. So I think I'm going to post this, cut my losses and crash for the night. Godd night or morning, whatever. But see below for usual crappy jokes.
Me;(Yawn) Time to sleep. (Uses Emmett for pillow.)
Em;TeHe I has of the evil plans. (Pulls out Sharpie and aims it at my face then proceeds to draw all over my face.)