Chapter 28:

I yawned, hitting the snooze on my clock and stretched out, feeling so refreshed for the first time in a while. I rolled over and saw a note, it was from my dad and said that he would be at the hospital all day and would see us tonight for dinner. I climbed out of bed, I might actually begin to worry about him if mom didn't get better soon, she seemed to be his whole world…well she was all of our world, she had to get better. I went into my bathroom and hopped in the shower after disrobing and let the hot water wash away all my worries and fears.

Once I was finished with my shower, I wrapped a towel around me and rung my hair out, then quickly braided it so that when it was dry, there would be nothing but waves and curls to it. I dried myself and threw on a dress, feeling happy and excited that I wanted to look nice. It was chilly, so I pulled on some leggings and then some high heeled boots, nice and cozy now. I did my makeup as I waited for my hair to dry and it was taking longer than normal, so I went to my brother's room to see if he was up.

"I know, but I just need some time. I'll talk to her though, so don't worry." I heard his voice, it was quiet and he seemed to be trying to not to let anyone hear him. I thought he was on the phone but then another voice came to me. "We must not allow our present to be known here just yet. She needs to get isolated from everyone." "I know that. I'll make it happen. Get out of here before she comes to check on me." I heard movement, then a different voice came with a tone of cockiness. "That does include you in the end you understand that."

I didn't hear his response because his footsteps came toward the door and I quickly moved back acting like I was just getting to there. "Hey Ari, I'm going to cook breakfast, so get up!" I called, pretending I was just passing by to get downstairs while my mind was racing with what I just heard. I cracked some eggs and put them in the pan as I got a plate down for the bacon that was just finishing up when he appeared at the door, fully ready and smiling brightly at me. "How did you sleep sis?" he asked and I shrugged, unsure of what was going on with him.

We finished our breakfast without speaking much, both of us seemed to be in our own thoughts and didn't feel like talking. We walked outside to see a cloudy day, but thankfully no rain, which was surprising to us both. "Your car or mine?" "Yours, I don't feel like driving." I replied and we climbed into his car, letting him take his time and drive slow…which wasn't like Ari at all. "So everything alright Ari?" he nodded, but I felt like that was just a robotic answer.

I felt like he didn't want to talk, so I slowly unbraided my hair and began running my fingers through it to make sure there wasn't any tangles and it was going to be alright, my hair was iffy in odd weather. I sighed in relief as it fell just like I wanted and didn't turn into a giant ball of fuzz. We pulled into the school when Ari spoke to me, seeming to be annoyed. "Oh now he's just acting like you guys have been dating for years?" I blinked and followed his eyes to see Emmett strutted toward the car, smiling brightly.

He was wearing a simple t-shirt that was black, tight against his muscles, his jeans had that over washed look to it, making him look like a super model without trying at all. I got caught up looking at him that I didn't see him as he bent down and began to tap on the window. Ari clicked the locks in place and made me look at him. "I think you should really give this a good think. I mean, yeah he's good-looking, but he just seemed like a jerk. Don't do anything you don't want to, don't let him make you feel like you have to do stuff."

I tried not to laugh, Ari was acting like an overprotective father instead of my cool-headed brother…which reminded me about this morning. "Ari, I know you mean well, but you need to give yourself some time to think about whatever is bothering you. I love you and all, but you haven't been yourself since we got here. Please just relax and enjoy life. He makes me happy." I said and unlocked the doors, Emmett was fast and opened the door for me. "Hey you." he said in a husky voice and held out his hand.

I took it and he pulled me out and into his arms, granting several looks from the other students. I guess they were just so used to seeing Emmett with Rosalie, but now she was gone and he was holding me. He walked me over to Ari's side and waited for him to get out before telling him. "Hey, what's up?" "Don't act nice to me just because my sister likes you. I doubt you will last long." "Ari!" I hissed and Emmett just laughed, shrugging off my brothers insult like it was nothing.

"It's alright, I wasn't being nice because of Ariel, I actually think you're a pretty cool guy. The girls have been talking about you in gym, they say your really good at sports." Ari seemed surprised and I saw his cheeks flush a tiny bit, probably of embarrassment. "Yeah he really is. Probably the best in the school." "Ariel, shut up." Ari ordered, his cheeks flushing more. I giggled and Emmett squeezed me gently, making me smile at him. "Geez you two, get to class or something."

We walked inside and Emmett walked me all the way to my class, then Ari cleared his throat and walked into the room, giving us a moment alone. "I'll see you at the end of class." "Don't you mean the end of the day, we don't have any classes together til last period." "I'll walk you to classes, I think I can beat the bell." he whispered in my ear and I giggled, my stomach making flips as his breath lingered. "Alright you two, break it up." the teacher said and he released me, winking and walking away. The teacher gave me a hard look, to which I rushed in and took my seat next to my brother, who just smiled at me, seeming to like that I got in trouble.

The day seemed to melt together, at the end of the period, Emmett appeared outside, waiting on us and him and Ari talked a bit about sports as we walked, but his hand held mine in a private way, making me smile and enjoy the walks between classes. "I'll see you at lunch." Emmett said and I smirked, leaning up to his ear and breathing. "Don't you mean I am lunch." he jerked away and had a hard look on his face. "Don't say shit like that." he snorted and walked away, making me feel weird, I hadn't mean to say that, where did it come from.

I sat down next to my brother, who noticed I changed from before. "Did he say something that bothered you?" I shook my head and sighed, "It was me, I just don't understand why I said it. It doesn't make any sense." before he could answer, class started and we weren't allowed to talk anymore. When the bell ran for lunch, I was hurt because Emmett wasn't waiting for us, he wasn't anywhere to be found. "Ariel, you alright?" "I don't know. Emmett said he would see me at lunch, I thought he would meet us."

"Maybe he was hungry and went ahead, that guy looks like he could eat a horse." I bit back my laughter and we walked along, I still didn't like the feeling I was having. We turned the corner and I saw Alice and Jasper whispering to each other before their eyes found me. "Ariel! Come on over." Alice flashed a bright smile, then we walked over, sitting at the table with them. "You guys remember my brother right, Ari." I said and he waved, but quickly moved away, sitting with some girls and guys from gym class. "Sorry, he's not himself." "I know Ariel…I had a vision about him…he is going to cause your death."