Chapter 10 – Birthday surprises
Jpov
Sitting in front of my beauty table I regarded myself with a smile. I had eaten last night and my skin was now translucent. My eyes twinkled as I applied my usual makeup but my smile died as I saw the two pictures that sat side by side at the frame of my mirror.
Needy and me as kids playing happily in a sandbox.
Needy and me at the homecoming game last year.
I sighed.
"I'm sorry Needy, I'm so fucking sorry"
"This is great"
I walk down each school corridor knowing all eyes on me, not that I'm conceited or anything but... I'm used to it though. What I'm not used to is the gossip. Small, tiny voices, yapping about last year
GAH! There's a reason it's called 'last year'
Right goes the flag.
Left goes the flag.
Jump does the flag.
Big Smile!
Gossip. Gossip. Gossip.
"You know what? I'm done"
Friday right after flag practice I tossed the bag in the back seat of my cherry pink car. While I was away the butcher proposed to my mom. She said yes and now we have free meat.
Pun fully intended.
"Now let's see how fast you can go"
I stroked the wheel and pushed the pedal hard. Bella did the trip in 4 days, I have only 2.
"Two days on the dot. I rock!"
Finding the address Bella had sent me her road trip pics wasn't hard and neither is breaking in. Finding the small town she lives is harder. The inside of the house is just what I pictured it to be, homely and lived in. there were two unique yet intertwining scents. A masculine, woodsy one and a floral one with the hint of danger.
I followed the floral scent up the white stairs to a small bedroom, slightly messy but not untidy, reeking of Bella scent. I took a deep breath finally relaxing and fell backwards on the silky bedspread my pendant sneaking its way to the small of my neck.
"Hmm 'The name of the rose'. Bell really needs to lighten up"
About an hour later I was engrossed in the book when I felt a slight tug in my chest.
"Bella's home"
Smiling to myself I pulled a long red ribbon from my bag tied it on my head with a big bow and straightened by clothes. The front door was unlocked and steps were heard before it swung closed again
"I don't want a birthday party Edward"
Bella's sweet voice was frustrated yet whiny. I held a chuckle in when an amused male one joined in
"Alice is being Alice, Bella. What's the worse that can happen?"
The voice said. In the dead silence I could imagine Bella staring at him thinking of the night I attacked her. She had said those exact words to her mother when Renée said swimming alone at night wasn't safe.
"Does that mean you won't unwrap me either?"
I said in a faux kitten tone from my perch at the staircase railing. Bella slowly turned around, eyes widening as she saw me and rosy lips stretch to a cute smile.
"Jen?"
She dashed for me and we hugged.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Happy birthday bestie"
"I missed you"
She whispered in my ear.
"I missed you too"
I grinned. Pulling back I grinned wider at her appearance. Wild curls, understated makeup, slightly low riding faded jeans, silverish silky top that seemed to be poured on her skin, tight across her chest and slightly loose everywhere else, and flats. She saw me checking her out and laughed.
"Jen this is my boyfriend Edward. Edward this is Jennifer, my brand new best friend"
The boyfriend seemed taken aback. I didn't hold the smirk back seeing his light brown, almost golden eyes widen slightly with the iris turning blacker. The thin lips parted slightly and if there was a third heartbeat in the room, it'd be beating faster and faster as he got excited. I felt Bella stirring next to me holding a grin of her own at the response of the boyfriend
"Nice to meet you boyfriend"
I said wrapping an arm around Bella holding her close.
Wait. There's no third heartbeat in the room?
BPOV
Bella couldn't help but grin at Edward's response to the duo. Ever since she had returned from Florida she'd been trying to get her boyfriend to bed in a desperate attempt to see if there was anything more to their relationship besides his vampire hunger for her.
It hadn't worked. Even though Edward was tempted he never crossed the physical line much to her annoyance. On the other hand, Edward's cousin Tanya had joined the Cullen family as she found herself being the only unmated vampire in her own coven and the blond bombshell had almost blown Bella's cover.
Tanya was also a succubus-turned-vampire.
Tanya was also fighting for Edward's affections even if she played the 'best friend' card.
Neither was winning.
Maybe with Jennifer there, Bella would. She didn't mind having to share with her, from what she had peaked, there was enough to share.
EPOV
Edward found himself in a backtrack. The demon inside him, quiet for so long, had wakened up and wanted food. It wanted his singer and her tantalizing blood. Ever since Bella returned from her holiday, Edward's grip on the demon (not to mention his grip on the demon living inside his pants) was slowly loosening and knowing he'd give in, Edward had drown back from his love.
The other half of him, all the goodness Carlisle and Esme had instilled him with was telling him that he had descentise himself with Bella's potent scent. He could do it again.
Maybe he should.
Maybe he would.
Maybe it'd end horribly.
3rd POV
Edward reached out to shake Jennifer's hand politely.
As the cold skin touched her hot one Jennifer shuddered. There was something wrong with this but what? What is freezing cold has weird eyes and no heartbeat?
Bella smiled pleased seeing Edward and Jennifer being nice to each other. She'd hate it if her best friend and her boyfriend couldn't play nicely.
Edward's long fingers wrapped around Jennifer's slender ones. Jennifer's other hand was firmly wrapped around Bella's in a familiar gesture. The two had obviously held hands a lot.
Red fury and black hunger engulfed Edward as he finally recognized the 'blue pill' of a scent the two girls emanated together. With a snarl he pulled Jennifer forward and tossed her over his shoulder not caring where the brunette succubus landed. With a hiss he blurred in front of Bella
"You're mine!"
He snarled, his eyes turning coal black, his teeth glistening with venom.
Bella's eyes widened in recognition
"Oh shit!"
Jennifer landed with a loud thud on the coffee table near the front door shuttering it and remained unmoving.
"Jen!"
Bella called scared. Both girls were unkillable when full but when was the last time Jen fed? When was the last time she fed?
"Edward calm down"
She tried to reason with her boyfriend. Why hadn't Alice seen this? Where was she? Oh yeah, the pixie vampire hadn't 'seen' her since she got turned to a succubus. Alice couldn't see what she had never been. Darn!
Edward lunged for Bella. She evaded him. With a snarl Edward grabbed her by the long hair and sent her flying against a wall. With a sickening crack Bella remained motionless, too scared to fight back even as the demon inside her was ready to. She didn't register the tear of her top or the loud whirl that came from Edward's chest.
"I'm sorry"
Edward whispered tenderly in Bella's ear as his teeth bit roughly at her neck, the soft flesh giving in to his stronger jaws.
