Invitations and Gifts
Bella's POV
I had completely shied away from discussing the nomad's attack while I stayed with the Cullen's. Edward stayed by my side for three days until I had to return home. I didn't like that he was pushing his limits by refusing to hunt. I planned to send him out - soon. Carlisle told me he had informed Charlie the tests were inconclusive, but I had a several disease markers that could manifest in different forms of cancer at anytime.
He tried not to upset Charlie. We had agreed that we needed to pave the way for my change in the near future. I was happy for his quick thinking since I hadn't fully decided what to do when the time came to leave Charlie.
I was still in pain when we arrived, and went to my room leaving Carlisle to talk to Charlie. Tomorrow I'd be returning to school, and it was bound to be nightmarish. I could already feel the stares and hear the whispers about having been out of school with Edward at the same time. We would need to let Charlie know that we were dating before the rumors reached him. Before he left for work, my dad came to my room to check on me and ask if I was planning on going to school.
Edward helped me get dressed for school. It was strange and liberating to be so comfortable while walking around half dressed with him there, especially since some of my bruises were still visible. He didn't comment as he checked each one. The morning was quiet as was the drive to school. The rest of the Cullen's and Hale's were waiting in the school parking lot for us to arrive.
I noticed there was a lot more buzz than usual in the school's hallways. I ignored it because high school was the least important thing on my mind. I was focusing hard on ignoring everything – the books, the dangers, the wolves, vampires – everything that forced me to face what had occurred the past few days. I spoke to Eric, Jessica and Angela during our classes but said nothing to Alice. She gave me a hug before she left class, letting me know she understood. Edward walked me to all my classes saying nothing. The Cullen's were more reserved than usual. They were so quiet, it was almost eerie.
A big green notice on the bulletin board just outside the lunchroom caught my attention. The Girls Choice dance was coming up soon. Without really thinking about it, I pulled Edward's hand and pointed to the poster.
"Come with me," I asked." "Let's go to the dance, please come with me."
He seemed momentarily at a loss for words before nodding 'yes'. "I'd love to come."
Alice screamed as she skipped toward us and squeezed us in a hug.
"Oh, this is going to be so much fun," she exclaimed.
We talked about the unavoidable shopping trip, colors, hair and makeup during lunch. Jasper had to hold Alice down in her seat several times as he smiled at her excitement. He loved to see his Alice happy. I was genuinely glad to have something normal to focus on.. It was exactly what I needed.
That week, Mike asked me to the dance. I declined politely, telling him that I was going with Edward. I refused to let my mind wander back to the events in the books. Eric, as expected, was the next person to ask me to the dance. Jessica was watching. I turned him down too, but withheld mentioning Edward.
I guess Mike decided to spread the word because their whole table kept stealing glances at our table during lunch. At the end of the day, Taylor asked me to the dance just as I was leaving gym class. I hadn't expected him to since Mike had already told them I was going with Edward. He thought that I only said 'no' to let Mike down easy – like in the book. I turned him down too.
Edward seemed to be in a good mood, not glaring at the three when we passed them in the parking lot.
I called and emailed Renee about the dance. As expected, Charlie asked me about it at dinner.
"I asked Edward, Dr Cullen's son," was my mumbled answer. Charlie stopped eating to stared at me.
"Isn't he too old or you?" I figured he was mistaking Edward for Emmett.
"No dad, Edward is the youngest. He's a junior just like Alice and me." I watched as he nodded, pleased and unhappy at the same time.
"We're going shopping tomorrow after school," I informed him.
"You and this Edwin?" Charlie raised his eyebrows at me. I rolled my eyes at his antics.
"No, I'm going with Alice, and its Edward, dad." We finished dinner in silence.
I was glad he didn't bring up his conversation with Carlisle. He had talked to Renee and she seemed to have no insight about my condition, either.
Alice and I finalized our afternoon plans at school the next day. Rosalie had been sulking for days, declining to join us for shopping. The excitement over the dance was palpable as more people became sure of their dates. It was all the talk at school. Edward held my chair when I tried to get up after lunch. At my questioning look; he informed me we would be blood typing in Biology. He wasn't attending. Emmett laughed at my face when I shivered at the thought of exposed blood.
"We can skip all afternoon classes and start early Bella," Alice suggested.
A part of me wanted to spend the time with Edward. Still, I agreed to leave for Port Angeles with Alice – sending Edward to hunt.
Fortunately, Alice minimized the torture of our shopping trip although, not without the complaint;
"Your bruises make it harder to find a suitable dress Bella".
"It's not my fault. Maybe this way I can get something that actually covers the essential body parts," I threw back.
"Alice, there's still prom, no need to buy everything now," I offered as I tried to reign in her enthusiasm.
She beamed at me with her brightest smile yet.
"Oh Bella, you'll be so perfect," she exclaimed, cheerfully clapping her hands together. "And, we have enough time to find dresses for prom." Alice was easy to please - sometimes.
I didn't mind going to two dances with Edward. I knew I'd enjoy it, and he'd stop me from falling on my face on the dance floor. I knew he'd like it that I was trying for some balance between my current and future life. Renee and Charlie would enjoy having the pictures later.
"What's going on with Rosalie and Emmett, they seem…?" I let the question trail off, asking Alice.
"It's Rosalie's birthday on Sunday. She always has a difficult time when it draws near." I nodded, unsure of what to say.
Alice didn't remember her own birth date. I also knew none of the Cullen's celebrated their birthdays.
We finished shopping quicker than I would have thought Alice capable. I was idly thinking about Rosalie's car when Alice squealed and turned the car around.
"That's a perfect gift Bella." I watched her in confusion, trying to guess what she meant.
"It's so good to finally see something about you. Half the time you're mixed with the shadows in my visions. The ones that I get are so random. But this, oh, Bella she'll love it." She continued talking ignoring my confusion.
"What are you talking about Alice?" I asked when she stopped in front of a car dealership.
"Rosalie's gift" She rushed out of the car and into the shop.
I followed slowly, trying to remember if I had made any decision to get her a gift. I noticed halfway into the showroom that the cars on the floor were all brand-new sports cars, mostly red. I gasped when I read the dealership name across the floor by the makeshift office, Ferrari.
I remembered that Edward had bought me one in the books as an after car. I don't think I enjoyed it much, not with everything else that was happening. Besides, in the books I still preferred driving the Volvo when traveling with Reneesmee. I rounded the car closest to me. Even I could appreciate its beauty and style. It was perfect for Rosalie. I knew Edward wouldn't buy it for me later if Rosalie already had one.
Alice walked toward me dragging a reluctant salesman behind her.
"Have you decided which one Bella?" Alice chirped.
The salesman stood a few feet away from us, watching my hand that rested on the car.
"This one is nice, what is it?" I asked.
"That's a 599 GTB Ferrari miss." The man answered looking down at me.
"Is it the best in its class?" I followed.
The man drug his feet as he started reciting the car's features inside and out. None of it meant anything to me. I looked at Alice questioningly while he babbled on. She gave a nod and a smile, approving my choice.
"We'll take it," I stated when the man was finished. "Alice, I'm sure Edward will understand." I encouraged her to use Edward's money for the purchase.
"Yes, he will." She pulled the salesman back to his desk to complete the paperwork while I looked around the shop.
"A new car will be brought in from New York by Saturday. We're finished here," She announced. The man tried to be polite as we walked out the store, happy to have made a sale.
"Bella, you're the only one she'll accept a gift from for her birthday. We don't celebrate birthdays, especially her."
Alice informed me as we neared my house. I became nervous, unwilling to strain the relationship between Rosalie and me. I had planned to make the car a family gift.
"She'll accept it from you, don't worry," Alice comforted, before she and the Volvo disappeared down my street.
I picked up my bags and made a beeline for my room. Edward was waiting there.
"Why is my sister hiding her thoughts from me?" He asked as he welcomed me back into his arms. I shrugged, knowing he'd find out sooner or later.
"I thought you went hunting?"
"I wanted to see you before I left. Jasper and I are making a weekend of it. Will you let Alice look after you while I'm gone?" he asked.
I was disappointed to know that he wouldn't be around, but accepted it.
"I'll miss you." Edward kissed me passionately.
I did my best to hold still and keep my hands restrained. I showed him the dress and shoes Alice picked out for me. We spent the rest of the evening cuddling on the bed and talking.
Charlie had a fishing weekend planned with Harry Clearwater. I would be all alone. Alice came to pick me up for school on Friday; Jasper and Edward left for their hunting trip while we made our way to school. The day passed slowly with Edward gone. Jessica asked me if I was really taking Edward Cullen to the dance because she didn't believe it.
Fortunately, the teacher kept us busy, saving me from saying anything other than a simple yes. I couldn't think of anything but the books. I was afraid to be left alone for this reason. A weekend with Edward away was the perfect opportunity to try to understand why things were happening differently than in the books. I was afraid to face the answers.
"I saw that you would be reading the whole weekend so I am taking you to my house."
Alice offered. I was nervous about taking the books out of their hiding place, so I took only two of them to the Cullen's house.
"You can stay up in Edward's room Bella, I'll bring everything you need,"
Alice assured me as we reached her house, scolding as she said; "I saw that you will not accept help, and that I'm not to offer. Whatever it is Bella, it's important."
Her eyes glazed over with another vision.
"The boys will be back Sunday morning," she smiled again, back to her cheerful self.
After spending a little time with the family, I made my way to Edward's room. Alice had left a large stationery pack on the bed. I sat comfortably and started reading, trying to untangle the knots in our lives.
The stationery pack Alice left me came in handy when I decided to map out the book's events. It's a good thing the author mentioned dates and days where she could. I jumped when I woke the next morning. The Twilight book and notes was spread on the bed. I panicked, wondering if any of the vampires came into my room while I slept. I didn't remember when I had fallen sleep. I looked over my notes again, but gave up when my stomach made it known it needed to be fed. Something was amiss, I couldn't make sense of the differences.
Alice went to fetch Rosalie's car, leaving me with Esme and Carlisle. Emmett and Rosalie were out, no doubt Alice made sure of it.
Both my parents noticed that I was pre-occupied, but let me be when I retreated to Edward's room to read some more. I quickly grew frustrated with the books. Everything was the same, yet so different. I found that I remembered most of the text with astonishing clarity, so much that I was finished with the first book by midmorning. I studied my notes again before lunch, drawing comparisons over the differences in the book and events that had happened since I came to Forks. The only differences I could make out were that things were happening faster, with worse outcomes – except - Edward and I were much better now than in the book. Annoyed, I threw the books and the notes in my bag and went to find Esme.
We talked lightly about her injury and she explained that it was painful to lose and reattach but she wasn't in pain inbetween. I was fascinated, never having learnt about that from the books. She mentioned that she was concerned for the family with Victoria out there. I refrained from confirming her fears, remembering all too clear my dream; watching as Victoria tore her arms and head off in the darkness. Even with the books events, I couldn't give her comfort where it concerned the safety of our family.
"I was thinking to look into a new home for our next move." She announced.
Fleeting panic grasped me when I realised that they could disappear and I wouldn't know where to find them since things weren't happening exactly as in the books.
"Don't worry Bella, we will stay here until we can safely leave without raising suspicion" She mistook the reasons behind my panic.
"That's good. I don't think I can leave Charlie yet" I replied lamely, wondering how true the statement really was.
"Will you be okay dear? when the time comes. When will you change?" Esme asked tentatively, her voice very soft and quiet.
"It happened next year September in the books. Edward is my life, you are all my family. I'll be ready" I assured.
Again, Charlie quickly passed through my thoughts. I wondered if I could still have my father in my life after the change.
"Alice is back," Esme announced as Carlisle joined us on the porch while we waited for approaching car. I knew she was driving fast by the sound of the car's engine. Carlisle whistled in appreciation when the car came into view, shaking his head. I misunderstood and a moment later realized his disapproval.
"Alice, a new car? A Ferrari no less?" He asked her when we walked down the stairs to take a closer look.
"Don't blame me, it's all Bella." She pointed at me. Carlisle and Esme stopped, staring at me in shock.
"Bella?" Carlisle asked, disbelieving.
"Edward encouraged I should ask Alice to take me shopping for anything I might need" I shrugged
"Why do you need a Ferrari?"
"Edward and Rosalie have fast cars. Alice is getting a Porche, I figured why not?"
I enjoyed watching him as he struggled for words that he clearly wanted to say.
"Bella, they don't drive those cars in Forks. What will you tell your father?" Esme asked.
"I don't know. I'll keep the car here."
"Bella, we try very hard to remain inconspicuous. That is true with our wealth as well. You're welcome to use the family money for anything you want daughter but please be reasonable; this particular car will get noticed." Carlisle tried for a calm approach.
"But I really want it" I pouted, leaning into him like a spoiled child.
"Bella dear, I'm just concerned for your safety. Will you be able to handle this car?" Esme tried the motherly concern approach to support Carlisle.
"Sure, or Edward will drive me." I shrugged.
"Bella…are you sure?" I nodded, holding his eyes firm - giving nothing away.
"Okay" Carlisle gave in unwillingly "Just…please remember the rules next time" I nodded enthusiastically.
Esme held my eyes a moment longer before turning to look the car over.
Alice just winked keeping out of the conversation. We wrapped the car in a big ribbon and hid it in the garage before I went back in to continue reading the second book. I didn't enjoy it, just like the first time I had read it.I skimmed over the words, trying hard to remain detached. Later that night I packed the book and my notes away. I was still without any real answers. I wanted nothing more than for Edward to be back by morning.