A/N: Have you ever gone back and read something you wrote a really long time ago? I feel a mix between wanting to improve upon it (and knowing I haven't the time) and giggling over silly teenage Bella.
Bite to Break Skin
Chapter Eleven
Bella
I wake up to find myself securely snuggled up to a slightly warmed, marble body. I'm cautious not to move or disturb the vampire beside me. I have no doubt that it's Edward's arms that are wrapped around my midsection, and that it's his chest that my face is hiding in. I don't want him to know I'm awake. I have this feeling he'd run like hell and try to pass off our snuggle fest as something else.
Oh, Isabella. You bumped your head and the only way I could ensure your continued good health was to hold you in your sleep. You know, so I can keep continual track of your pulse.
I want to roll my eyes at him, but then he'd know I'm awake, which would be counterproductive. I'm perfectly still and after a few moments I hear Edward chuckle. "Is that what you really think of me?" He's speaking softly with no indignation in his voice. I'm embarrassed. That's not really what I think of him, but on some level, yes, I do think he'd formulate a response like that. I continue to be still and despite the fact that it's getting really boring and tiring just laying here, stiff, and waiting, I'm thinking maybe I can fake him out. You know, because I'm young and naïve like that.
Edward's hands find my sides and his fingers begin to tickle me. I try to hold it in but before long I'm in hysterics, giggling and terrified that I'm going to tinkle all over the bed, and there's zero chance of ever living that one down. When he stops I catch my breath and give him the stink eye. I'm about to whine about being tickled when I realize that I must have morning breath. I can't let Edward smell how stinky I am, though, he's a vampire, he probably already knows. I cover my mouth the best I can to avoid breathing on him.
"Morning," I say, for lack of a better greeting. As I look up into his eyes, he looks so peaceful and so relaxed and… happy. He looks just how I feel and I can't bring myself to be bitchy with him. He laughs and prys my hand away from my mouth. I try to protest but it's no use.
"Good morning, love" I nearly swoon at the term of endearment. It sound familiar but I can't quite place it. "For one, even if you cover your mouth, I can smell your breath," he smirks and pauses long enough for me to be sufficiently embarrassed. "And two, I prefer your morning breath to your toothpaste. Toothpaste is unnatural. Your morning breath is all you, lovely and unique." I blush at the compliment. And just when he's being sweet and endearing, he reverts back to being Edward. "So, you really think I sound like that?" he asks, a tiny pout forming on his perfect lips.
"Well…" I start stalling and his fingers find my sides again, tickling me into submission. I start laughing and squirming loudly. The other hotels guests are surely annoyed right now, but I don't really care what it sounds like we're doing in here. Suddenly, Edward freezes and before I can ask him what has him worried, I hear the sound of a door fly open.
I look behind me to the intruder to find Alice standing there, eyes slightly glazed over, and a nervous expression on her face. What is Alice doing at the hotel? I survey the room before me, shocked to find that we're in my room… at home… back in Forks. I want to thank Edward in ways I'm not even sure I'm capable of, but Alice looks… worried. I look at Edward and he looks just as worried. I don't know what the heck is going on, but I'm not real keen on having to find out. I want to go back to thirty seconds ago when Edward was tickling me and I was pretending to hate him for it.
I really need a remote to rewind time. I'll bet one exists. I mean, vampires and hybrids exist, so why not magical remotes to rewind and pause time? Dad's really old. I should ask him about it.
I return from fantasy land to find that Edward has moved out of the bed and is now standing beside it, in a panicked state. "What's going on?" I try to avoid sounding worried. Alice looks over me to Edward and nods. I quickly turn back to Edward. He looks down at me, sighs and rushes to my glass wall and slides the door open. I rush toward him, but he jumps out, down into the forest below. I close in on the open glass door and peer down, shocked at what I find.
Carlisle is standing on the forest floor, arms crossed, glaring at Edward who is standing in the same position he no doubt landed in. Busted. I can't imagine why we'd be in trouble for… what, snuggling? Tickling? Regardless of my opinion on the matter, Carlisle does not look pleased.
"Edward," he begins cautiously, his voice authoritative but gentle. "My study. Right now." Edward nods and heads for the nearest tree to jump back in through my glass door, but Carlisle grabs his arm and shakes his head. Defeated, Edward zooms around the side of the house and out of my eye sight. Carlisle looks up at me with his best "Father Knows Best" look. I'm in trouble. "Isabella Marie. Get ready for school and then meet me in the kitchen. We need to have a discussion."
"Yes, Sir," I say in my best innocent voice. He just shakes his head and follows the path Edward took around the house. I sigh and look at Alice who is still standing in my doorway. "Why are we in trouble anyway?" I'm looking at Alice expectantly, hoping she gives me an answer.
"Carlisle doesn't think it's appropriate for you and Edward to sleep in the same bed."
"But Edward doesn't sleep," I protest. Alice throws her hands up and backs out of the room, and shuts the door as she goes.
"Don't shoot the psychic, Bella. You're going to have to discuss this with Carlisle." Frustrated, I kick my bed and then hop around in agony.
xxx
Once I've dressed and am fully ready, I head downstairs for the dreaded talk with my father. I'm half insulted that he thinks he needs to control my behavior. I mean, I'm pretty responsible for a seventeen year old woman, damn it. It's just rude. Two flights of stairs later, I'm in the kitchen and sit down to my Edward-approved breakfast. I begin eating, trying to ignore my father's penetrating stare.
"Bella, we need to talk about what I saw this morning."
I rehearsed what I would say during my shower, and I've got it down pat now. I'm going to tell him in a mature fashion that Edward is my mate and that we are not engaging in anything… sinful. We are responsible adults, and I would appreciate some privacy, respect, and understanding. I'm newly mated. Of course I want to sleep with my mate… even if we aren't sleeping.
This argument sounds wonderful, and clear, and mature in my head. Unfortunately, what comes out of my mouth is another story entirely.
"Edward held me all night and we didn't do anything wrong. There is nothing to talk about."
Okay, so, that wasn't what I had intended to say…
"Isabella, as your father it is my duty to guide you. It is inappropriate for a young lady to spend the night in her bed with her boyfriend." I scrunch up my nose in objection and this horrid whine comes out.
"But, Dad, everyone else gets to sleep with their mate!"
"Technically, no one else sleeps," he quips and the smile on his face is infuriating.
"You know what I mean."
"Yes, well, everyone else is over a century, or very near to it."
"This is agism," I whine. So far being a mature adult is not working out so well.
"It sure is, sweetheart; but I wouldn't be a very good father if I let you sleep with your boyfriend."
"But he's my mate."
"I'm your father."
"Sorry, dad, mate trumps father."
"Well, your mate is grounded."
I scream in frustration and kick the kitchen island with my ballerina flat clad foot. I try to avoid whimpering in pain, but it's no use. I let out a small whimper, hop off my barstool and hobble to the front door.
"How do you like 'dem apples?" I can hear Carlisle's twinkling laughter coming from behind me and mom is chiding him. Yeah, he's on my shit list so he's Carlisle. When he quits acting so… so… fatherly I will start calling him dad again, until then, he's Carlisle.
The best thing about being a part of a vampire family is knowing you'll never have to see the ones you love die. The worst thing about it is when your vampire father grounds both you and your vampire mate. Me? I'm only seventeen. But Edward is like a hundred... he should be exempt from groundings... apparently not.
I eye the key rack and am psyched to find the key to my truck hanging on the very last hook. I grin, grabbing the key, and rushing outside to drive my baby for the first time. I've never seen her in person, but I'm already crazy about her. I run down the front steps and around to the detached garage. I'm pleased to find that everybody else has left for school and the garage door is open. I trip over God-only-knows-what but am able to right myself before falling and I stumble into the garage.
She's even more beautiful in person. Rose has painted the top of the cab a stark white, matching the trim of the tires, and the rest of the body is cherry red. I swear she's glistening. The bed is lined with a wooden fencing, typical of the style, and although I feel like I should be farming something, I think my new truck and I are a perfect match. I walk closer and find Edward inside, sitting in the passenger seat. I grin like the lovesick hybrid that I am and carefully open the driver's side door, and crawl inside.
I can feel Edward watching me. Normally I would be watching him right back. I mean, I guess I can say normally even though I haven't even really known Edward a week yet. The fact that it's been a week since I thought I was on death's doorstep, and hell, I might still be; and even less than a week since "meeting" Edward really makes my head spin.
I stare at the dashboard and take in all the classic detailing. This must have taken Rosalie hours of labor and as much thought to restore. I know she's likely to hurt me if I press the issue, but I really want to thank her for my truck again, like, maybe a hundred more times. I notice the entertainment console has a compact disc player, iPod hookup and docking station, mobile phone charging and docking station, and what appears to be storage.
Edward breaks the silence with a proud smile. "Flip that door up," he says quietly, his mood evident in his voice. I glance at him quickly and turn back to the console. I fidget with the contraption momentarily, trying to figure out how to open the it before Edward reaches over and pushes a button below the handle. The door slowly lifts up and then slides into the console revealing a screen. Edward smiles and lightly touches it, bringing the screen to life. A welcome screen appears that reads "Hello, Hybrid!" I giggle and Edward quickly explains that he's going to re-program it to read my name instead. He explains that we don't need the humans asking what that is all about. I snort. Like the humans really talk to me, much less hang out with me.
It appears to be a touch screen navigator. I grin at the device. I just know I'm never going to figure out how to work it, but the fact that my classic truck has a navi is just plain cool in my opinion. MTV's "Pimp My Ride" couldn't have done a better job. Edward begins explaining to me about all it's features. I can watch movies on it and surf the net if wireless internet is available—but only if the car is in park. "This is so cool, but it's really just too much…" I trail off, not wanting to sound like I'm disappointed in my gift.
"Nonsense, Bella," Edward turns the device off by pushing the button he pushed to open to the door. The screen displays a "goodbye" message that reads "Don't even think about hugging me. - Rose" The door slides out of the console and covers the screen once again. Edward starts assuring me that he'll have the goodbye message changed as well, but I decline his offer. I'm starting to think Rose wants to be hugged after all. "Along with the navigational system, I had a GPS unit installed… I don't want to be losing track of you." I roll my eyes.
Go ahead, Edward. I'll just take someone else's car.
Edward's eyes narrow and I realize he's heard my thoughts.
Well, shit. I'm going to have to get better at blocking him.
"You can try to block me, Isabella, but I have had all vehicles, including the 4-wheelers, and your old bicycle fitted with GPS units."
I am so glad I got you grounded now.
Edward smirks and looks ahead, effectively ignoring me.
xxx
I pull Starla up to Forks High School and just in time. Edward has his hands neatly folded on his lap, his jaw in clenched, and he hasn't taken his eyes off the road since I took her out of park. He is totally killing my joy. At the very least, I'm thankful that he's not clutching onto Starla.
Poor Starla would be in shambles!
"Starla?" Edward asks, curiosity oozing from his tone. I nod and grin.
"Her name is Starla. Now don't damage her. I want her in mint condition for when I get Fred." Edward is staring at me incredulously. I can't tell if I'm driving him crazy or if he thinks I'm crazy, but the look on his face certainly is a sight to be seen.
"Who in God's name is Fred?"
"My helicopter," I grin and find a parking space next to Emmett's Jeep. Nervousness sets in. Starla is a little wider than I thought and I worry that in all her ancient glory that she won't fit in these parking spaces designed for more compact vehicles. I put her into park and turn off the engine. Edward is still staring at me like I've lost my mind. I just smile wide and climb out, gently shutting her door. I don't want to hurt the old girl.
"Bella!" I look up toward the entrance to building H. Mike is standing there with a shy, but hopeful look on his face. The last time I was at school, Edward made sure to keep Mike at a distance. He looked so confused and defeated. It broke my little hybrid heart! I rush toward him and his smile only grows. I feel warmed by the kindess Mike has shown me. It's been years since I've had a human friend. Sometimes being a Cullen feels very isolating.
"Hey Mike!"
"Is that yours?" Mike points at Starla. Edward is leaning up against her side, looking at the ground. I know he's reading Mike's mind, but he's giving no indication that he's finding anything "repulsive" in there. Really, I'm seventeen, I wouldn't mind so terribly if a boy thinks "repulsive" things about me. I know I don't look like Rose or anything, but it's not like I'm ugly… at least I don't think I am.
Mike is giving me a strange look and I realize that I spaced out. I smile at Starla and Edward. "Yep. All mine." They're both mine. Edward's head shoots up. He's smiling sadly. I wave him over. He hesitates for a moment but pushes off Starla and joins me and Mike. "Mike," I begin, meeting his eyes. He looks irritated and somewhat nervous, though, not as nervous as he did when he met Emmett. "This is Edward," I turn to Edward and smile. "Edward, this is Mike." I look back and forth between the two, praying the Mike isn't thinking anything that is going to get him killed.
Edward smirks, hearing something I'm not privy to. "It's nice to meet you, Mike." At least Edward is trying to sound friendly, even if his tone is laced with malice. Mike sort of pales. I give him a gentle smile, coaxing him into responding. Edward is trying here. The last thing I need is for Mike to sink my ship. If he's rude to Edward, I have no chance of remaining friends with him. I look back at Edward to see that he's smiling, showing an awfully lot of teeth and I elbow him, effectively hurting my elbow. I try to hide the pain from both of them. "I've heard a lot about you," Edward offers. Okay, Mike, you gotta say something here. Edward is not going to get any friendlier, and you're blowing it, dude.
Mike smiles and it doesn't reach his eyes. This is not good. "Really?" he says dismissively. "I've heard nothing about you." I'm getting nervous. This is starting to look like a pissing contest, and I don't really like being in the middle. I want to shout at the two of them. Mike can be my friend and Edward can be my mate and I can be a hybrid, and we can all get along… right? I sigh. Probably not. "All I know about you is that you're Bella's brother, right?" Mike emphasizes brother in the most curious of ways. Are we that obvious? Last time I saw him, I had no idea I was Edward's mate, so I don't know what he's picking up on, but it sort of squicks me out.
"Not really. We're both adopted. I have been in Chicago with our sister and biological grandmother for the past few years. I haven't spent much time around Isabella since her adoption." Edward wraps his left arm around my waist and I'm speechless. What to do, oh, what to do… I don't want to end up on Jerry Springer, and Edward is really making this whole adopted sibling/dating thing obvious.
"Well," Mike says snottily "you two seem awfully close for adopted siblings who haven't spent much time together." I gulp. This has gone from bad to worse. The next time I get a bright idea, I'm going to ignore it. Introducing these two is not going well at all. Damn testosterone. Edward pulls me into his side and kisses the top of my head. My breath catches in my throat and I think I'm actually swooning here. Taboo familial relations and small town gossip all but forgotten. I am Edward's and he is mine. I lean into him and resign to the fact that the humans are going to think this relationship is creepy; but I can't deny Edward to save my life.
"I have loved this girl it seems for my entire life." Mike's eyes go wide and he's speechless. At least one of them is. Edward, on the other hand, seems to be experiencing verbal diarrhea. "I'm just lucky we both found ourselves in need of a family. I cannot imagine my existence without this beautiful girl. She is my world." I look up at Edward with every ounce of love I can muster.
I love him when he's aggravating. I love him when he's cold. I love him when he's absent, and I loved him before I even knew it. I have always been his, and he has always been mine. Edward is staring down at me intensely, and I think I'm melting into him. The entirety of my being is wrapped up in and around him. The more time we spend together, the less I can identify myself as an individual. Once I'm speaking to Carlisle again, I'm going to ask him how unhealthy this is. Maybe I need an infatuation support group. Maybe Edward and I can get a group discount?
I lean up against Edward on my tip toes and he bends down, placing a gentle kiss on my lips. My entire body is alight with need and I can feel my heart beating in places I never imagined possible. Mike clears his throat and we pull apart. "Um, yeah," he says uncomfortably. "That's cool, dude." Edward is smiling devilishly. He's sporting a look of smug satisfaction and I want to smack him. I played right into it. He was marking his territory. If this was a pissing contest, I'm the tree he just marked.
I feel Edward pull away and look at him for an explanation. "Alice needs me," he whispers. I nod and he walks off.
"That was…" Mike trails off, bright red in his face, and scratching his head "odd." I sigh, reminding myself that this is going to happen.
"He can be a little intense, but he's a great guy," I defend. Mike turns towards our lockers and I follow him. There are four lockers separating mine from Mike's. I realize that I didn't bring my book bag with me this morning. I have no idea if I'm the least bit prepared for the day. Surely Alice or Edward thought to bring it. I look up and down the hallway, searching for one of my siblings. With how bad they all stick out, they shouldn't be hard to find. Mike is opening his locker and saying… something. I look around and past him and find Edward and Alice near the office. I sincerely hope that Edward wasn't giving Mrs. Cope trouble over his schedule again.
Alice spots me and she looks panicked. I realize that Edward and Alice are not alone. Lauren Mallory is talking to Edward. He nods his head in acknowledgment but doesn't appear to be saying anything. I watch for a good minute before I see her reach out and touch his arm. She bats her fucking eye lashes and leans in. What the fuck does she think she's doing? My chest constricts at the sight and I feel an intense, painful, heat spreading from my chest through my arms and legs. It feels like my insides are burning and I gasp for air. Mike looks at me, worried. I try to tell him that I'm alright, though, I'm not sure that I am, but no words come out.
Oh, God. Not again.
Lauren gives Edward's arm a squeeze and she gets all silly looking. She's putting on a show for him, trying to show him how impressed she is. Everything around me goes dead silent and her voice is the only thing I can hear. "You must work out, Edward," she purrs. She sounds like a fucking cat and she's still touching him.
Edward is backed up against the lockers and he looks like he wants to flee. My anger flares and the burning spreads to the rest of my body. I'm immobilized with pain and fear. My combination lock crumbles in my right hand. I move to look and the scorching pain in my neck is too much. My head lolls to the right side and I try in vain to keep myself upright. I open my right hand, dropping flecks of dust to the floor. I gasp again, but no air makes it to my lungs.
"Bella!" Mike reaches out at an inhuman speed and grabs a hold of me just as my knees buckle underneath me. I lean against him. My body makes a clanking sound against his. My entire body has gone stiff and the burning is being replaced by an eerie icy feeling. I can't so much as imagine what is happening. Am I turning? Oh, God. I'm turning! Not in the halls of the high school! I'm never going to fit in now! I feel the urge to cry, but no tears are falling. My eyes aren't even wet.
I crane my head up to look at Mike, my neck making a cracking sound in the process. I feel like I'm made of marble. Where is Edward? Why isn't he here? Panic sets in and I look Mike in the eyes. He looks deathly pale and his normally baby blue eyes are darkening. I focus intently on them. What the fuck is going on here?! The light in Mike's eyes fades slowly and is replaced with blackness.
"Bella," Mike gasps, "your eyes are pitch black." I try to process his words, but the pain comes back. A sharp jolt in my heart brings the burning back.
Edward.
Everything blurs before me. I blink, trying to keep my heavy eyelids open. My body goes limp again, and the last thing I see is Mike's eyes. In a flash they turn from pitch black to baby blue and the color returns to his face. My vision is gone, but I can hear and smell everything around me. Edward approaches and takes me in his arms. I hear Alice and all of my other siblings in the background. Emmett is panicked and even Rosalie sounds worried. I knew she liked me. Jasper is trying to calm everyone down to no avail.
"Bella… talk to me, love!" I hear Edward's pleading cries and I try to open my mouth to respond, but it won't open. I try a non-verbal cue instead. I have to let him know I'm okay. You're not okay, Bella! I at least need to let him know I'm alive… for now. My arms won't move, much less my hands.
Edward!
Bella! Tell me you're okay. Please, tell me you're okay.
Even Edward's inner voice sounds strangled and desperate. I feel the wind on my face and can smell the rich scent of the pine trees as we fly through the woods. Edward is holding me so tight, he might be bruising me, but I have no way to tell him this. Not that it matters. I'll likely be dead soon, anyway.
I think I'm dying.
Edward's inner voice is incoherent and he sounds like he's crying. I feel drops of venom hit my face. He is crying. The venom sizzles and seeps into my pores. I can feel where the venom has fallen—my face stiffens and cools. If I die now, my only regret will be that the last person I saw was Mike, and not my Edward. In this moment I realize that Edward told me he loved me for the first time today. Even if it was as a means to mark his territory—he meant it. If these are my finals moments on this earth, there is one last thing I have to do.
I love you. With everything that I am, I love you.
A/N: I know. I know. I'm sorry! All I can say is, I'm all about a HEA. This is not the end for these two—if it were, there would be no more story, and what a crappy story it would be.
