Life of A Reluctant Mate

New Moon

Chapter Eighteen: Avery's Note

Avery walked into the house with a small groan. She back and ass hurt and her wrists were sore from the blood samples.

"So what happened to the results?"

"Oh, well, we found some…anomalies that shouldn't have been there so we're going to redo the samples. Thankfully we've gotten the funding for a new lab and will be able to have them in only a couple of days." The Doctor smiled supportively at her as he swabbed the crook of her elbow with an alcohol wipe.

As he drew a vile of blood the nurse came into the room with a small metal tray. She bent down and whispered something in the doctor's ear that made him frown but nod.

"Ms. Carter, would you mind possibly giving a bone morrow sample?"

"A what?"

"It's a simple procedure, only take a few minutes. It would give us more accurate results." The doctor's smile was no were near Carlisle's range but still was enough to make her consent.

That had been the most painful ten minutes of her life. And she was still sore from it.

Walking up the stairs she paused as something caught her eye. A sliver of light peaked out through the cracked bedroom door. Avery took a deep breath to steel her nerves as she approached the door.

'Please don't be Victoria. Please don't be Victoria!' her mind shrieked as she slowly pushed the door open.

A figured stood over Avery's dresser, picture frame in hand. She new the picture just by the silver and gold frame. It was of her and Jasper at Bella's party. Caught by Alice, the two stood close together staring into each others eyes with only an inch between their faces.

"Alice!" Avery's favorite pixie turned around and put the picture frame down.

"Av-y!" Alice bounced over and hugged her tightly letting go when Avery whimpered. "Sorry, forget my strength sometimes."

"It's fine, Ally. Wh-What are you doing here? Are you back? To stay, or what?"

Alice looked sad yet relieved. "No, No. I had to come here…I had a vision of Bella…Bella cliff jumping and I mistook it for something else. She's fine though, thankfully. How about you! You look…." Alice tried to change the conversation but stopped and bit her lip as she looked Avery over.

It was a shocking change to a vampire's eye. Her hair was lack luster and appeared to be fading in color, no longer a striking gold with light strawberry highlights but not now a dull straw color. And her eyes, where they use to be explosions of silver, green, and multi-shaded blues had lost their sparkle and shimmer. It wasn't the hair or the eyes that caught a vampire's attention. It was Avery's skin. A natural glow that had drawn in the people around her had become a sickly pale, so much so she was only a few shades lighter than Alice's, and the bruises that were invisible to humans underneath the skin were glowing in blues purples and greens to her.

"I'm good. How are you guys? Where did you go and disappear too?"

"We're all fine..well, except Jasper. He doesn't hunt much and he's more quiet now then he's been in decades."

"Why?" Alice gave Avery a 'duh' stare as she gently smiled. Avery felt her face heat up as she realized what Alice was saying. Her heart tugged in a savage manor and a million questions about his well being came to mind, but she stayed silent, instead changing the subject like Avery had earlier.

"I'm glad you're doing okay Alice, I mean I-" Avery trailed off as she made eye contact with Alice. Her gold eyes were a bit hazy as she stared straight ahead. Her expression changing from confusion to horror.

"Alice? Alice? Are you okay? What's happening?"

"Edward!"

"What about Edward?" Avery asked.

"Come on!" Alice grabbed Avery's hand and dragged her through the house and into the Swan's kitchen.

"Bella! Bella it's Edward. He thinks you're dead. Rosalie told him why I came here."

Bella and Alice turned to look at Jacob and Avery followed their gaze. "Why would you…why didn't you let me speak to him?" Bella asked in panic.

"He didn't ask for you." Jacobs voice was commanding and yet defensive.

"Bella." Avery grabbed Bella back not wanting yet another Paul and shifting incident.

"I don't care!" She yelled back. Alice grabbed the smaller girl and pulled her away.

"Bella. Bella! He's going to the Volturi. He wants to die too."

"He left you, Bella. He didn't want you anymore. Remember?" Avery looked at Jacob in slight disgust as he said it. Sure he was desperate and hurting but that might just have been the most hurtful thing she'd ever heard from him.

"No, I'm not gonna let him kill himself out of guilt." Bella's face contorted with hurt at his spiteful words.

"What about your dad?"

"I'm 18. I'm legally free to go."

Jacob then turned his stare onto not yet legal, 17 year old, Avery who broke eye contact and shrugged. "I left a note." She explained as if that justified leaving the continent.

She got in the back of Alice's car and buckled up. "Please, Bella, just stay here." Jacob leaned into the window and Avery couldn't help but laughed silently at the look of disbelief and disgust on Alice's face as Jacob leaned forward into the pixie's personal space.

"For Charlie. Or for me." Jacob's plea sobered her up as she then stared at a determined looking Bella.

"I have to go." Her voice was hard and full of determination as she said the words.

"I'm begging you. Please."

"Goodbye, Jacob." Bella's voice was final although conflict was clear on her face. Within a second they were quickly speeding away with Alice.

Metallic. Coppery? Iron? That was the taste that lingered in her mouth. Avery's eyes fluttered open as a coughing fit started deep in her chest. She quickly excused herself from her air plane seat and locked herself in the bathroom. With a shaky gasp she gripped the white plastic sink as she coughed. They racked her body and constricted her chest, making Avery close her eyes as she felt the mucus and liquid leave her mouth. Soon the body shaking coughs had turned into small hiccups almost. Taking a deep breath Avery relaxed and slowly regained her normal breathing.

She opened her eyes and almost screamed at the sight. Blood. Specs and small pools slowly made their way down the drain, leaving startling trails of crimson and pink swirl against the white plastic. She clamped a hand over her mouth, pulling away when she felt wetness. She eyes her slightly bloodied hand with wide frightened eyes.

Acting quickly she pressed down on the water, trying to rid any and all evidence of the blood as if it was a dirty little secret. With her heart pounding, her chest aching, and her mind spinning Aver took a moment to splash some cold water on her face and rinse her mouth out.

With a poker face that would make even Rosalie proud she calmed and collected herself before returning to her seat, putting the incident in the far back of her mind, away from prying minds.

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New Moon is coming to an end and next chapter is the reunion of JASERY! YAY!