Chapter 11 – Noticing

The week following the charity masquerade, Esme spent her afternoons with Carlisle. She came home smiling every night and some nights, with a bouquet of fresh cut flowers. The following weekend was Alice's birthday party. Despite the weather, she wanted a fifties themed party. Esme spared no expense getting everything for Alice. Rosalie and I made our contribution by making it unseasonably warm for the party. To change the weather was a tricky thing. It had to appear natural. We summoned a warm front from the south some time ago, so it would arrive in time.

The backyard was perfectly decorated. Alice insisted on doing the decorations herself. Pink and black balloons hung from the branches. A rented jute-box played fifties music. Rectangular tables lined one side of the yard, with food, snacks and dessert. The serving staff stood on the other side of the table, dressed as the characters from Grease. Rosalie was setting a tray of sandwiches down, dressed in her leather off the shoulder shirt and leather pants. Her hair was pinned up in curls, just like Sandy.

I wore the traditional purple poodle skirt, with an outline of a white poodle on the leash. Alice wore the same poodle skirt, only hers was pink with a black poodle. She wore the small neck scarf and fake cat glasses. Esme wore black capris with a tight red sweater. Guests began to arrive, walking around the house. Alice greeted everyone as the guests entered the party. More people came than I thought. Curious to see the mysterious Platt home. To my surprise, Lauren Mallory and her clique of friends arrived, dressed in the fifties costumes. Alice was nicer than Rosalie and myself as they entered.

The music mixed between fifties and modern music. I was busy sorting Alice's gifts on the table as someone placed a large box on the table. A hand rested on my back, "May I have this dance?" My face turned red as Edward took my hand. He wore black jeans, a white t-shirt and a black leather jacket. "I was just thinking about you," I confessed. "I know." Fifties music played and Edward expertly danced to it. Relaxing, he swung my legs on either side of his body. I laughed as he stood me on my feet, "Commit that to memory, because I will never me doing that again."

Carlisle and Esme stood on the veranda watching the party. He dressed in a suit from the fifties and it looked brand new. Bella, could you look for some candles? Rosalie asked. "I'll be right back," I told Edward. Going into the house, there was the sense that someone was inside and they weren't part of my family. Looking through the rooms, there were whispered voices coming from the parlor.

Three girls were inside, looking over our family's book. "I knew it," one said. Another huffed, "We take this and it'll prove they're witches." The other looked around, "What do you think will happen to them?" The second laughed, "Maybe they'll be burned at the stake." Alice, Rosalie, Esme, come quickly.

Not waiting for them, I pushed the door open, "What are you doing in here?" The three girls, who I recognized as Monica Baker, Alexandria Thomas and Lisa Withers froze. Lisa froze, while Alexandria bit her lip. Monica held the book in her hands, unable to hide the evidence. They broke the lock on the display case. Monica sniffed, "What is this?" she showed the book-cover. My eyebrows pulled together, "It's called a 'family heirloom.' It's been in my family for centuries. That's why it was in a locked case." Monica opened the book, "Really? It looks like a spell book to me." She flipped through the pages. My arms folded, "Oh and you've read a lot of spell books lately?"

Monica's scowl deepened, "I knew it. You are a witch and I'm going to tell everyone." I scoffed, "Honey, they've been saying that for years. Come up with something new." Rosalie stepped into the room, "What the hell is going on here?" Lisa gasped, "No, now there's two of them." Alice and Esme stepped into the room, "Four." Esme slide the doors closed. The three girls began to tremble, clearly afraid of us. Esme huffed, "Alice, go back to the party. I won't let this ruin your birthday. Your sisters and I will take care of this." Alice smirked, "Now, you're in trouble. Esme's the head witch."

Alice left the room and returned to her birthday party. Esme crossed the room and snatched the book away from Monica. She opened the book, "So, you think me and my daughters are witches." She turned several pages as she stood between me and Rosalie. I looked over the book, "Well, this is quite annoying. I'm tired of being harassed by you small-minded, back-wood, know-nothing people." She turned a page and smiled, "Perfect, as usual." She closed the book and handed it to Rosalie.

Alexandria and Lisa were holding hands. Lisa tugged at Monica's hand, trying to pull her back. "So, your punishment is," Esme began, "this." She held her hands up, "Some are evil, some are kind." Her body swayed from side to side and Rosalie and I joined her, "Now they all must speak their mind." Rosalie and I began to chant the spell three times, "Some are evil, some are kind. Now they all must speak their mind." A blue light filled the room and washed over the intruding girls.

As the light faded, the girls were in a trance. Esme walked over to them, "Tonight, you will inform your parents that you broke into my study and tried to steal my family heirloom. When you heard someone in the kitchen, you ran through the front door and went back to the party. You will ask your parents to call me and you will volunteer to clean my front and back yards for a month to help pay for the damages to the display case. Do you understand?"

The three of them nodded. Esme folded her arms, "Good, now go back to the party and don't set foot in my house this night again." The three of them walked away silently. Esme sighed heavily. She held out her hand and the large book floated back to its case. The girls' fingerprints remained on the case. Esme intended on finding the display case broken and called the police. She smiled at us, "Now, let's go sing Alice 'Happy birthday.' Come on."

At school, students talked about the break-in at our house. Alexandria, Lisa and Monica apologized to us. Rosalie looked at them, "Fine, but don't be late this afternoon." Edward looked at them as they walked away, "I can't believe they actually confessed." I shrugged, "Their prints were on the case. Confusing reduced their punishment. They caught Esme on a good day."

School was over and my sisters and I were at our lockers. Alice's eyes were on me, "Bella, what happened to your amulet?" My hand caught the swing amulet around my neck. I shrugged, "I had a dream that scared me, so I merged the amulet with the protection charm. If you like, I could do the same for you. That dream really made me nervous. I did it as an extra precaution," I offered. Alice pulled on her jacket, "I think you should…" she looked up, "Hi Jasper," she greeted him brightly.

"Hello Edward." A hand caressed the small of my back, "You have got to tell me how you do that?" I smiled up at him, curling my fingers on the collar of his jacket, "It doesn't take a genius. Once Jasper showed up, I knew you wouldn't be far behind." He hugged me, "Of course." Edward took my hand, opened an umbrella and walked me to his car. His breath blew into my hair as we walked together. "Have I told you how beautiful you looked at the masquerade?" "Not lately," I sniffed.

He pulled me closer to him, "You looked breath-taking in your dress." My cheeks burned red from his compliment. "And you looked handsome in your suit." "But you stood out, in your blue gown. That was a lovely color on you." He held open his car door open for me, "Are you alright?" I brushed his face and he stopped my hand, "I'm fine."

Edward's eyes were black as night. His eyes will be of black and gold, the line came from nowhere, but I knew what it meant. I would think about that later. Edward was silent as he drove out of the parking lot. I didn't need my abilities to know there was something on his mind. "What is it?" He inhaled, "Bella, my brothers and I are going away this weekend with Carlisle." My heart stuttered for a moment, "Really?" His hand rose, to stroke my cheek, "We'll be back Sunday evening, so it won't be long."

I smiled sheepishly, "And you thought that I was going to miss you so much, that I was going to plead with you not to go." He smiled as he looked out the windshield, "No, but that might be interesting to see." I folded my arms in mock irritation, "That is beneath me, sir." I couldn't stop my own laughter, "What are you doing?" We were at my house already. He opened my car door for me, "Hiking, we do it every other weekend."

Inside the house, I walked into the living room. While Edward hung up our coats, my eyes fell on the logs in the fireplace, igniting them. Standing by the mantle, I watched as the flames spread. Fingers pulled through my ponytail, "We you that cold?" I shook my head, "No, I just love fires." Edward continued to play with my hair, "How'd you get the fire started so fast?" I bit my lip. It was all too easy to be comfortable with Edward. "That's how we have it set up," I lied quickly, "It's started by gas and the flames keep going with the wood."

I took his hand and guided him to the couch. The two of us talked about his upcoming hiking trip. He and his brothers would have their wrestling matches and Edward was looking forward to knocking Emmett into a pond. Rosalie and Emmett came into the room. His arms were around her waist and walking her backwards in the room, "Whoops, sorry. Didn't mean to disturb you two."

He towed Rosalie to the greenhouse. My head shook, watching after them, "How do you deal with him?" Edward chuckled, "The same way you deal with Rosalie." My head rested on his shoulder, "True." Soon, Alice and Jasper came into the living room, "Sorry. I was just getting something." Alice danced through the living room. Edward looked up at Jasper and nodded slightly. I pretended not to notice it. Bella, have you seen my Renaissance art book? I picked it up off the coffee table, Here it is.

Alice whirled around, "You read my mind. Thanks, Bell." Edward watched after Alice as she and Jasper left. "Something wrong?" He looked back to me with confused eyes, "Nothing." After the room was warm enough, Edward and I began on our homework in front of the fire. He pulled the blanket out from under the couch and held my hand as I moved down to the floor.

"Bella, it's your turn to cook dinner," Rosalie called. "Thank you," I called back, my voice heavy with annoyance. Edward chuckled, "Would you like some help?" I sighed, "No, it's fine." I got up and went to the kitchen, with Edward right behind me. My hand rested on his chest, "Seriously, you don't have to." He took my hand, "I want to." Goosebumps rose on my skin and my knees wobbled. How does he do that? In the kitchen, Emmett and Jasper were sitting on by the long table, while Rosalie and Alice were pulling pots and pans out.

Walking past them, I noticed all of their eyes were black. Huh, the book said vampires' eyes turned black when they were thirsty. Were my sisters and I in danger? No, if they meant us harm, then they wouldn't be able to pass through the circle of protection around the house.

While cooking, Alice asked the guys about their upcoming hiking trip. "Mount Rainer. Carlisle says it's a pretty good place to hike." "Rose, pass the cover," I held out my hand. When she brushed my skin and felt my concern. Rosalie looked at me and I shook my head. Mt. Rainer was known to have bear problems.

While chopping vegetables, my head snapped up; Esme was home. "Do you guys want to stay?" Rosalie offered. I looked up, knowing they were going to decline. "Sorry, not tonight," Jasper spoke up for his brothers.

"But it's wonderful that you're so passionate about what you do," we heard Esme from the front. "Well, if I'm going to work, it should be something that I love," it was Carlisle. Alice and Rosalie looked at me with our mouths were hanging open. The three of us stood by Edward, Emmett and Jasper. "Girls?" Esme called out. "Hmm, guess they're not here. Would you like something to drink?" Esme offered.

The kitchen door open and Carlisle was right behind Esme. Alice had to cover her mouth from laughing aloud. "I wonder where those girls are… AHH!" she turned around and saw the six of us. No one could help themselves from laughing. "I hate it when you do that," Esme scolded us. Carlisle smiled, "I knew my boys were here. We have a hiking trip to get to." They nodded and said their goodbyes. This was getting strange; Carlisle's eyes were as black as his sons were. I didn't know how to tell my family my theory about the men in our lives.

School was exceedingly boring without Edward, Emmett and Jasper. To make the day go by, Alice, Rosalie and I took up our old habits of bothering other students. "I know I'm not supposed to talk about them, but how else would you explain how those girls got the Cullens so fast. They were the first ones I warned about the Platt Sisters." Sean clearly hadn't learned his lesson.

At lunch, Rosalie was standing behind Sean in the line for getting their lunch. She discreetly tapped his bottle of soda and it began to fizz. Sitting down, we watched Sean open his drink and it splattered all over his face. The three of us laughed uproariously, as well did everyone else who saw. Sean rushed off to the bathroom. "I guess the binding spell wasn't enough," Alice sniffed, "What should we do?" They looked at me, "Later. Get his picture and we'll use a stronger spell. I'll go to Port Angeles later for the things we need."

Alice got up and went to the bathroom as well. Rosalie and I held hands and saw what she was doing. Alice brushed the boys' bathroom door, locking it from the outside. In the girls' bathroom, she held her amulet in cupped hands, speaking and incantation, "By the power of three times three, make him see, make him see." Rose and I chanted with her, holding our amulets, repeating it three times.

In the boys' bathroom, the lights flickered off and on, the windows opened and shut on their own, the stall doors slammed repeatedly and Sean was screaming, trying to get the door open. Alice came back into the cafeteria, smiling coyly. She sat down quietly. "Let him out," I whispered. Sean ran in the cafeteria, horrorstruck. The three of us had to stifle our giggles. "We'll complete the spell tonight," Rosalie reassured me.

Biology was boring without Edward, but Sean was keeping me entertained. Whenever he glanced back at me, I alternated between ignoring him, smiles and stern looks. Some people just love hard lessons. On our way to Port Angeles, I went over what we needed. "We'll need ribbons, blessing seeds and more candles," Alice explained. Rosalie drove to Port Angeles, while Alice played with the radio and I thought about my latest dream.

I was in my front yard, sweeping the steps and a dark figure came up behind me, trying to take me away from my home. My hands closed over my amulet. "Do you two want to eat first?" Alice asked. I wasn't that hungry; "Go ahead without me. I'll pick up what we need and meet you at the restaurant. Also, order something for Esme." Rosalie looked back at me, "You're sure?" I nodded, "Yea, go ahead." I wanted sometime to myself to think about my dream.

Alice and Rosalie went to the only Italian restaurant in town, while I went to the herbal shop. The smell of the ocean was strong in the air and I loved it. To me, the ocean was the most beautiful thing in nature. "Hello dear," the shopkeeper greeted me. "Hello, just need to stock up today." I picked up my desired items, including a book on dream interpretations. The book was so interesting, I was reading before I left the store.

While reading, I learned that dark figures meant someone of harm. Someone who meant harm was coming for me. That was no surprise. I sighed and held my amulet again. I needed to speak with Esme. "Hey!" Someone called from behind me and I looked back. I rolled my eyes and groaned; it was Sean and a few of his friends. This guy was a glutton for punishment. "Look, it's the witch." I made a disgusted noise in my throat, "Stop reading fairy tales." I began to walk towards the restaurant. I wasn't in the mood for this.

"So, without your sisters, you're nothing," Lex, one of Sean's friends taunted me. I smiled to myself, "You little boys really need to get home." Someone grabbed my arm and spun me around, pinning me to the wall, "Don't talk to us like that." Sean was in my face and I glared back, "And you do not touch me!" Sean smirked, "We know what you are and we're going to tell everyone." I scoffed, "Ahh, Monica already threatened me with that and she was almost arrested for busting my family heirloom. You're already on thin ice."

Sean glowered at me. "Everyone knows that you're a witch," Mark interjected. I folded my arms, "Really? How do you know? You are nothing but little back-wood people with limited minds. If anyone is remotely different, you look to your town's little stories of superstitions to explain what you know nothing about," I spat at them. This is why I wanted to live in the city.

Sean leaned closer to me, "You almost got me suspended." My eyes narrowed, "You did that yourself, idiot." Sean slammed his fist against the wall I was pinned against. "You witch!" My eyes closed and his hand was on my throat. I gasped from his tight hold, "You should be burned." My teeth chattered as my anger flared and my skin began to burn. Sean released me quickly, "What was that?"

Lights flashed from around the corner, then tires screeched to a halt, "Get away from her!" A tall figure stood in the headlights, "Bella, get in the car," the voice demanded. I ran to the front seat of the familiar car. Edward held Sean by his throat, pushing him against the wall, "If you come near her again…" Edward's face was livid and Sean was gasping for air. "Edward?" I called out. He looked back at me; his face was malice. He released Sean and got back into the car.

The vehicle was thrown into reverse, whirling the vehicle around and drove away. His hands were taught, holding the steering wheel. The restaurant where my sisters waited flew past us. I didn't speak while watching Edward's face. I've never seen him this angry. Soon the car stopped just outside of Port Angeles. Everything was dark in the car, except for the few lights on the dashboard. "Did he hurt you?" I shook my head, "No. Are you alright?"

Edward clasped his hands over his face and breathed deeply. He threw his car door open and sat on the hood, running his fingers through his hair. I bit my lip and got out of the car too. I stood by him, "Edward?" He looked at me, "I'm sorry," he exhaled slowly, "I have a temper problem." I half-smiled, "So do I." He looked up at me, "Did I scare you?" "No," I lied. Edward looked into my eyes, "Yes, I did." My head tilted to the side, "I said you didn't."

He stood up "You can't lie to me. I can see it in your eyes. Despite what he said and did to you, you were concerned about Sean." I grimaced, "Maybe…. a little," I rolled my eyes. Edward stroked my cheek, "I wasn't going to hurt him. I just wanted to scare him." I laughed, "Well, you succeed. I think he'll transfer schools now." Edward's arms wrapped around me and his face was pressed into my hair. My arms were locked under his, "Bella." My eyes flashed open. The way he crooned my name was just like my dream stranger. I hugged him back, happy to having him hold me. I found him.

Edward drove back to La Bella Italia. "What are you doing here anyway?" He looked at me. "I thought you were hiking with your dad and brothers?" Edward smiled, "I was. They're still up there. Carlisle forgot some things, so I came back to pick them up." I raised an eyebrow, "How'd you know I was in Port Angeles?" He hesitated, "Mike Newton. I was at his shop and he mentioned you coming here." I nodded, "Ok."

My phone vibrated as my sisters came outside, "It's Rosalie." Edward took my hand, "I'm sorry I kept you from your sisters." We looked at each other in the dark car. "You should get back to them." I smirked, "Ok. Your dad is probably wondering where you are anyway. Thank you, Edward. That's another thing I owe you for." He shook his head, "Say you'll be my girlfriend and we're even." My heart slammed in my chest. "Well, I kinda thought I already was." He smiled his crooked smile, "I never officially asked you."

I laughed, "Bye." "Just keep yourself out of trouble until I get back." I smiled brightly, "Ok, so, I'll get into trouble when your back." Edward chuckled once, "Fine, I could use the exercise." He caressed my cheek, "I miss you." I held his hand on my face, "I miss you too." I got out of the car and half ran back to my sister's car. Rosalie scolded me, until she saw Edward's car driving away. "Drop it, Rose. Let's go," Alice interjected.

At home, we bound Sean's picture and the pictures of his friends in the ribbon. After finding out what happened in Port Angles, Esme called the police and pressed assault charges against Sean and harassment charges against his friends. That night, I slept peacefully and I dreamed an old dream:

I was a little girl in the greenhouse. It was late at night and everything was quiet. In my periphery, Rosalie was watching me, her hair in pigtails. The two of us were talking as I picked flower petals. Each petal symbolized what I wanted:

He will come on wings of silver

He will be strong, but his strength is unparallel

He will be different from his kind

But he will not be alone

His eyes will be of gold & black

And his love will be unmatched

For him, I will make a great change

Creating a powerful bond for all eternity

My eyes opened slowly and sat up in my bed. Letting the dream play through my mind, Rosalie and I were standing at the highest balcony in our house. My arms were extended straight ahead of me and the petals began to float into the air. They swirled away in the distance, carrying my spell with them. Crossing the room, I began to look through my old journals. That was a dream, but a memory. A memory of the spell, Amas Vertitas I cast when I was younger. The poem from my dream was the one I wrote, searching for my true love.