Chapter Twelve "The Simple and the Complex"
JPOV
I forgot where I was. Forgot who I was almost. All that mattered was Alice and that she was happy. I was lost in her. I couldn't tell where I ended and she began. She was the purpose for my existence.
In the back of my mind I knew that she had far too much of me. That she would be the only person who could ever break my heart. Nothing anyone else did would matter as long as I had Alice. But what if I lost her? What would I do then? Too much of my life relied on her.
But at the time, these things were secondary. Right now, she was with me and nothing else mattered. I felt like the luckiest guy in the world, and that's an understatement. How could someone as special as Alice love me? How could I ever attempt to deserve her? Yet, as long as she was happy, I knew she belonged with me.
"Alice," I mumbled into her lips.
"Hmm?" she replied. She didn't stop kissing me. I pulled away enough to speak.
"It's getting late."
"Let it," she said, pulling me back.
"No I have to take you home." I grudgingly let her go and stood to pack up our picnic. She affected a disappointed countenance, but I could not yield her this. We had to be responsible about this.
I hated being responsible, but I knew she was worth it. If I could spend the rest of my life with Alice, I could wait for the best things until later.
We drove home in relative silence.
I think we both liked it better that way. There was far too much to think about. I pulled into the Cullen's driveway and walked Alice up the steps at 11:30:01. Barely in time. She stood in front of the door, framed by the porch lights and looking like an angel.
"Goodnight, Alice," I said.
"I love you Jasper," She replied. I re-ascended the stairs and swept her up in my arms and kissed her.
"I've loved you since I first set eyes on you," I said, setting her back on the porch.
Neither of us would seep tonight.
BPOV
Edward didn't answer me at first. We pulled up in front of the restaurant and he made some excuse to Jessica and Angela and offered to drive me home. They agreed and left, and we went inside. The hostess immediately started flirting with Edward and it irked me a little. He didn't seem to notice though, and asked for a private booth for us. I tried to ask him what was going on, but he insisted I eat something. After I ordered and downed my Coke, Edward gave me his. I drank it too and suddenly felt hungry.
"Are you ok now?" He asked. I stared at him incredulously.
"Huh?"
"How do you feel? Lightheaded?" He was worried about me? Why? Oh, yeah, I almost got attacked a few minutes ago.
"No," I replied, "I'm fine, I think. Why aren't you eating?" He stared at me the whole time, wide-eyed with concern.
"I've eaten," he said shortly, "you're sure you're ok?"
"Yeah, I'm just a little confused I guess." Edward signaled the waitress that our drinks were empty. "Are you going to explain what you're doing here?"
"You needed help," he said.
"And you knew that how? Did you follow me?" He didn't answer me. I was starting to feel a little creeped out, but I wanted to know the truth. "What really happened to you that weekend?" I inquired.
"I got sick," he replied.
"I'm not an idiot, Edward. Stop lying to me." A brief pained look crossed his face, but he rearranged his features to a picture of calm.
"Why would I lie?"
"I don't know, but you're trying to keep something for me and the rest of the world. Alice and Emmett know don't they? And the Hales, they know too?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Then I want to go home now." I picked up my bag and stared to stand, but Edward stopped me.
"Wait, Bella," he sighed, "I can't tell you, I'm sorry." I sat again and my food arrived. "You should eat." I nodded absently and started eating. I couldn't even remember what I ordered.
"Why can't you tell me?" I asked.
"Because I promised not to, and it would be too dangerous for you."
"What are you talking about? What is going on?"
"I can't say anything more. You should stay away from me."
"I wish I could help you."
"I know, but this isn't something you can deal with."
"You don't know that."
"I do. This is so much bigger than high school. And you should enjoy the triviality while it lasts."
"I never enjoyed it."
"Maybe you should."
I didn't understand Edward. I don't think I ever will. He acted like he was protecting me from something, but what could be so dangerous? And what had he become? I knew it was the enemy from Jacob's stories, somehow, but I didn't think Edward was evil. He couldn't be.
APOV
My dreams changed that night. I thought I would be dreaming of Jasper, but instead, I was back in that field with all the crazy vampires. Except this time, I was watching from the sidelines as they surrounded someone else. I tried to see who it was, but I couldn't. Then I saw Edward and rushed over to him. With him were Jasper and Rosalie. They were all vampires and their eyes were red.
I tried to ask them what was happening, but they just left me there and went for their victim. I followed closely as the sea of people parted to let my brother in. Then they all melted away till it was just the four of us and the terrified girl in the middle.
She lifted her face briefly and I saw she was Bella. Why were they after her? Why were Edward's eyes red?
He broke off from the group and came closer to her. She shirked back, but she could not get away. Suddenly, Edward bent down and bit her neck. She shrieked in pain and I was hit with the most delicious scent I had ever experienced.
It was Bella's blood.
I was a vampire!
I woke up screaming and Emmett came rushing into my room.
"What's wrong?" He asked, eyes filled with concern.
"Just a dream," I replied breathlessly.
"You're covered in sweat, and you're shaking," Emmett countered. It was true; I was shivering now from the wetness and the fear. "Tell me what you're so afraid of." I hesitated. How could Emmet help me? Wouldn't it just make him worry? Finally, I just told him the truth.
"Vampires."
EMPOV
Dad was in the kitchen when I came down. He still made breakfast for Alice and me, even though it disgusted him. It made me feel worse about what I had to do.
"We need to talk," I said.
"And you need to stop parading about the house half dressed," Edward said coming into the room. I knew what he expected me to say. "You're just jealous." It's what I always said. But not today.
"This is serious," I said. Dad nodded once, as if already knowing what I needed to say. Edward had some inclination from always reading my mind. He knew this was coming. We went out into the living room and I stated plainly,
"You have to leave." They only stared at me for a good 90 seconds. They couldn't have been that surprised, so I imagined they just had nothing to say. That was a new one.
Finally, Dad nodded again.
"You're right, Emmett," he said, "it's dangerous and if you aren't comfortable with this, we should go." Edward said nothing.
I can't believe I was kicking my Dad and brother out of their own house. It would be safer for Alice once they were gone, but it still felt like I was betraying them.
There was nothing more to day on the subject then. They were going, just as I said. They were giving up what they wanted to protect us.
Dad and Edward turned to the door, but just then, Alice came flying down the stairs.
"No!" She cried clinging to Dad's arm. "You can't leave!" Her tiny arms wrapped around his torso.
"Alice, we have to go," Dad whispered. "It's not safe as long as we stay." She mumbled something unintelligible into his shoulder and I saw little wet spots on his shirt. "I promise, we'll call you everyday," Dad continued, "and if it ever becomes safe again, we'll be back that second."
"I love you, Dad, please don't go," Alice sobbed.
How could he resist that? How could any father leave behind his precious daughter even if it was for her own good? I wouldn't have been able to do it, that's for sure. And with every tear, my heart broke. I had done this. I was the cause of Alice's despair.
I broke the rules. We were supposed to keep Alice happy. But was it more important that I kept her alive?
They were gone then and Alice stood alone in the center of the room. After what seemed like years, she turned to me and said,
"I am never speaking to you again."
Alice was the only person who could ever make me cry. Though, I was grateful she stomped up the stairs, before I lost it. I think I spent the rest of the morning on the living room floor. At some point, I looked up at the ceiling and sighed long and deep. I still didn't feel any better.
What would happen now? What would we tell people? They were on vacation, that's what we would tell them. They're recovering in peace and quiet.
I would take care of Alice. She might make that difficult, but I wasn't going to let Dad down there. She was the reason I had for living now.
Well, what'd ya think? I have an idea for a new story wher the Cullens go to a vampire school and they have to hang out with all these non-vegetarians and such. It's kind of more about an OC, but I'll post a summary on my profile if anyone's interested. Anyway, review this chapter if you would, I would love you forever... not that I don't love you already, but, well, you know...
