CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Everything was easier, or at least, as easy as they could be. It had been a month since I told him, the summer heat on full swing, though we couldn't even feel it. We spent a lot of time outdoors after that, Emmett's resistance against human blood getting stronger till he could be in a room with them and didn't feel a thing.

That rough patch Emmett said we had, I felt like we were sailing through it at that very moment. Things were better, happier, and livelier. And now we were sitting in my—it will probably never be our—Buick as I drove through Virginia, going anywhere and everywhere. We had been through many states surrounding Virginia, but never actually in Virginia. So we hopped in the Buick and drove through town after town, just passing a sign that told us that we had just entered Charlottesville.

"I think we should get out of here for a while, you know?"

"Like what we're doing now?" I asked him, not quite getting what he was saying.

"No, I mean, time to ourselves. A couple of days, or weeks, or months…" he turned to me suggestively and I scoffed, but laughed nonetheless.

"And what made you think of that?" I asked, my hands still leisurely on the wheel.

Emmett leaned his head out of the window with one arm out so his hand held the roof and said, "I just, I don't know. We need to get away from here. I don't know, let's go to LA or let's go camping or just… away from them for a while."

I laughed. "Maybe. So why are we here again?" I asked Emmett, driving steadily through the streets.

"We need spice in our life."

"You're making us sound like an old married couple. I mean, spending our day in Virginia? What the hell's in Virginia? Nothing," I scoffed, sounding irritated.

But it was after that seemingly endless long stretch of road that I was suddenly awe-stricken. Brick upon brick upon brick, surrounded by trees which let a few rays of sunlight through, was a building with a few humans milling about. The car slowed as I stared at it, passing by a statue in front of a concrete staircase, leading past columns and to the doors.

I hadn't realized that I had stopped the car completely.

"Beautiful, ain't it?"

"Wow," I said breathlessly, my eyes inspecting every detail. "What is this place?"

"It's a school," Emmett said lightly, almost laughing.

I shot him a glare and he immediately shut up. Then, sadly, I stared at him and asked, "Weren't you in university before… all this?"

Emmett just stared at me, as if taking in my expression, and nodded, the laughter in his eyes never faltering. He looked solemn and contemplative, but I only saw a glimpse of that. He was much better at covering things up than I had originally thought. "Nah, I was taking a break after I graduated high school. But even then, I don't think school was for me. I had no idea what to do. I'm actually glad I'm outta there and stuck like this. It gives me time to decide what I really want to do. I mean, if Carlisle can become a doctor, so can I, right?"

The image of Emmett being a doctor didn't sit too well in my stomach, and my face must have said all that because Emmett started to bark with laughter.

"Okay, maybe not a doctor, but a normal human job. I don't know—I don't want to forget and just live alone for the rest of my life. I consider myself a people person."

My eyebrows rose up as I tried to digest what he said. "I see," I murmured, turning away from him and looking back at the building. "Any idea what you would like to study?"

"I have a feeling we had this conversation before." And we did. He shrugged his shoulders. "No clue, just that I like to play sports, but I guess I can't really study playing sports. Maybe sports medicine or the such, but… nah."

I chuckled at his bluntness.

"Now you, you have more hope, Rosalie. Music, engineering"—he knocked on the dashboard of the car—"math, the list goes on and on for you."

I pursed my lips. "You know, I thought a lot about what you said that day, about going to college, I mean. And… I'd like to really go someday. Just to see what it's like." I was staring right into him now, seriousness etched on my face. I shrugged my shoulders, trying to seem nonchalant. "Open up doors, see the possibilities, even if we are… like this. You sounded so passionate about it, even though you didn't really want to go anymore. I don't know, the way you talked about it, it made me want to be there, just to know." I turned away sharply, flustered. If I could blush I knew my face would be completely heated.

When Emmett didn't say anything I shifted my eyes to see him, but didn't move my head. My lips were pressed tightly together and I saw the smile on Emmett's face.

"Well, hell Rosalie! I think this means a celebration! Who knew I could sway your mind! I'm sure Carlisle will know what to do if we ask him, instead of staying cooped up at home all the time."

I looked down, trying to hide my smiling with my blond hair. I looked at my hands before turning back at him, scrunching my nose and twisting my mouth. "Was this a ploy to get me to go to school?" When he didn't answer I gasped, smacking him lightly on the shoulder. "It so was! I can't believe you Emmett!" Trying to be serious and angry, I put the car in reverse and started to drive back home. But the thin line of my mouth didn't last long before I started to smile. He caught it.

"Who's the best? I'm the best!" Emmett rejoiced without giving me a chance to answer. I rolled my eyes. "What? No sightseeing?"

I annoyingly turned my head ever so slightly to him, but still enough to see the road, and scoffed. I didn't say anything, just turned back to the road, trying to feign lividness.

"You can't stay mad at me, Rosalie," Emmett murmured, his hand on my shoulder as he leaned close to me. I felt his breath on my neck as his fingertips traced patterns on my now burning skin. I knew that if he kept that up I would end up driving into a ditch, but he didn't relent.

"Emmett…" I started.

"Yes?" he asked, his lips very close to my skin. "Ow!" he exclaimed, just as I kicked on his shin. Emmett backed up and a smiled triumphantly, a smirk on my face.

We got back home late at night, the stars out and at it's paramount. When I finally parked the car in the driveway I sighed, leaning back against the seat and blowing the tendrils of hair that had fallen in front of my face. I heard Emmett stretch beside me and I turned my head idly towards him.

I watched as he flexed his arms, his muscles clearly visible. He twisted his neck as if he were stiff and he had big hands. I always liked hands. His were marred yet soft looking, his hands probably having the ability to trap mine within his. I watched, in awe, at how enthralling he looked without even trying. It was when he caught me looking that I turned away sharply, preparing to leave the vicinity of the car.

"Like what you see?" Emmett asked, halting me in my tracks. "Because you know, we're all alone, in the car…" he said lightly, the grin not wavering from his face, his eyes sparkling an even brighter topaz than what I was used to seeing. It was like honey melting and I pressed my lips together. Instead of snapping at him, I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah right, as if you could make me want you right this minute."

"I got you to drive all the way to Charlottesville, didn't I?"

I glared at him. "Sometimes I can't believe you, Emmett. We drive across Virginia just so you can take me to the university, really? I mean, how did I not fall for that? A day wasted, that's what it was."

"Hey! It wasn't wasted. You want to go to school now, right? See? I'm very convincing, and I think I can convince you with other things too." His voice was soft and caring and brought me at so much peace, but I couldn't let him win—he already got me earlier today. I had to one-up him.

"You're sick," I said, looking straight at him with disgust. "You're stupid and say so many stupid things without thinking."

"Rose…" Emmett started cautiously, his smile slowly vanishing from his pale face.

"No, Emmett. Let me finish. You're always around, always in my personal space, and always laughing. You're always so happy and you don't care if I'm angry—like right now! Sometimes you care too much, sometimes you love too much. And…" I took a deep breath, slamming the car door back shut.

I watched him carefully, my eyes following his every move. "Maybe, possibly, I still want you." The last part came out as a whisper, as if I didn't want the trees outside to hear us, and without warning lunged at Emmett and kissed his lips lightly, my body on his, our closeness not completely setting into reality.

I smirked down at his surprised expression and patted the side of his face with my hand. Before he could react I hopped out of the car and when I was a few steps away turned, looking at him, still in shock. I laughed a hearty laugh and beckoned with my finger for him to come outside. I expected him to walk slow, like a human, but instead he rushed out and before I could blink he was on me as we lay on the ground.

"That was so cruel, Rosalie," Emmett said, his breath how against my skin. His nose was nearly touching mine and I gripped his shirt with my hand. He rolled off me a bit, but he was still on top of me.

I laughed at the hurt expression he tried to display on his face and pushed him off me, but I knew he also got off of me voluntarily. I wasn't that strong. Instead of getting up, Emmett was lying across the grass, his hands behind his head, his eyes trained on the sky.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my elbow propped on the ground and my hand supporting my head.

Emmett smiled. "Trying to impress you. You're such a mystery."

"Even after our talk?"

He looked stunned for a moment but quickly recomposed himself. He shifted his eyes towards me and said, "Yeah. Even after our talk."

I knew it was a touchy subject with him. I sighed. "Look, it happened, okay. I don't want things to be awkward between us. I'm still Rosalie and you're still Emmett. I mean, we've come this far, haven't we? I don't want to lose you just because of my mistake."

Emmett shook his head. "You're wrong, Rosalie. It wasn't your fault. I wish I could kill him, but it looked like you had the honour of doing that. And you're worried about me? Hell, I should be worried about you! You don't know how strong you are, coming to me, trusting me… wow. I'm amazed. You're a strong girl, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise—not even yourself." His eyes were right on mine and I believed every word he said. He sounded so right, his voice was soft, but strong. If he ever talked to me like that I would believe everything he said, everything that came out of his mouth.

Slowly, Emmett's hand came up and started to play with a loose piece of my hair. His fingertips twirled it around delicately, but his eyes were still piercing through mine.

"I should be the one afraid to lose you."

"Don't be, I'm here. Forever."

Emmett chuckled and looked away from me and I sat comfortably as well, mimicking his pose.

"Beautiful, aren't they? The stars, outer space… it's like there's another world out there no one knows about."

"You love the stars, don't you?"

"I guess I do."

I smiled at him and looked back out into the sky as we lay only a couple of feet from the house. I watched the stars, trying to find something. I made Edward help me that one night, trying to find it. The stars were so bright and the moon hid itself, as if it were afraid to outshine the stars.

"That's Orion!" I exclaimed, smiling wide as I found it—at least hoped so. I saw the three stars that made the belt and I pointed at it, even though to anyone it would look like I was just pointing to the night sky.

Emmett nodded, a deep chuckle rumbling at my expression, but even then it did not drop. His eyes followed my pointed finger before lightly grabbing my wrist and repositioning it somewhere else.

"And over there," he started to say, watching me, "is Hydra, one of the largest constellations."

I followed where he had me pointing and I didn't see it, but it didn't matter. I just leaned closer to him, resting my head on his shoulders as he started to tell me a story about the stars.

When he was done and my eyes were hardly focusing on the stars, Emmett caught me by surprised. "Rosalie, I'm sorry," Emmett said so suddenly.

I jolted awake and looked at him. I raised a brow, regarding him carefully. "For what?" I finally asked when I couldn't figure out what he could possibly be sorry for.

Emmett sighed, running a hand through his curly hair. "I'm sorry for leaving you. I just… I'm sorry."

"Where is this coming from? Why are you telling me this?"

"We're starting with a clean slate, aren't we? You were telling me something. I just needed to get this off my chest. I'm sorry. I scared you didn't I? I really didn't mean to, I just needed to think."

I didn't say anything and instead watched him as he sat still. My hand made the way to his arm, stroking it. My eyes were on his and his on mine, our eyes meshing together like hot liquid. "I know. We were both just having some conflicting emotions, that's all."

"What's the opposite of fear?"

I paused with a puzzled look on his face. "I guess that would be calm. I wouldn't really know—I'm probably a bad person to ask."

He studied my face for a while before asking, "Do you have any fears?"

"Yes."

"Like?"

"Water."

"Water?"

"Large bodies of water. I don't like them." I turned away from him. "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid of losing you."

I turned swiftly, eyeing him and trying to register his words. "Have you always been a romantic?" I inquired, my voice almost deadpanned in response to his humour.

The man before me smiled softly and snickered. "Women like the sensitive guy, don't they? Besides, it's all behind closed doors—can't tarnish my rep. Only you will ever see me like this, Rosalie."

"Maybe Edward too," I said, reminding him of the fact that Edward could read minds whenever and wherever he wanted to.

But all Emmett did was shake his head, convinced himself. "Nah, ever since that one time I thought about you he has been steering clear of my mind." The way he said it was so casual yet so confident and humourlessly, like he was hiding something. I tried to figure out what he was saying.

When I did I pushed him away from me. "You're disgusting," I spat out, looking at him in near horror.

"Hey, I think a man is entitled to a few fantasies every day. It's like, in the rules." I turned away from him, getting up from the grass. I was walking back to the house when I heard Emmett say to me, "I'm just saying, if you knew what I thought of you wouldn't be turning away."

"I don't want to hear it." I covered my ears with my hands, but it was when I opened the door and let go from covering one of my ears that I heard Emmett.

"I agree. It'd take at least a couple of hours to get through what I've been thinking since I saw you."

"Dear Lord, why am I alone with this crazy boy?" I turned towards him, my face frazzled and flustered. I was staring at the sky in a vain attempt to hear from God himself.

"Because you love me," he said all too tauntingly, getting up and coming towards me as well.

I scoffed and we both strode into the house. I didn't say anything in return; I just crossed my arms in front of me and tried to push everything behind me. When we entered the house I saw that the lights were on. We spotted Carlisle, Esme, and Edward in the living room, the radio on low and static reverberating through the walls of the house.

"We're back!" Emmett announced, striding into the room like he owned the place.

"How was your trip?" Esme asked.

"Great."

"Horrible."

We had said the words at the same time and ignoring Emmett, I sat beside Esme. "He took me to Charlottesville just to show me the University of Virginia. Then he made me drive all the way across the state back here after spending like fifteen minutes there!" I whined, nestling back against the couch and closing my eyes.

I felt the couch dip beside me and I opened my eyes slightly, glaring at Emmett, but not as harshly. He ignored me. Or he didn't notice—I didn't know.

"I don't know why you're so upset, Rosalie. You said you'd like to go to school. And who convinced her?"

"You want to go to school?" all three of them asked me: Esme was hopeful, Carlisle was surprised, and Edward was in disbelief.

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Yeah," I murmured, scowling at Emmett. "I think I'd like to still be in high school though, it felt incomplete when I left." I pushed my hair behind my ear, clearing my throat and sitting straight on the couch. Everyone was silent around me and I let my eyes drift towards Edward.

He met my eyes and I raised my brows at him, urging him to say something, anything. He didn't have to read my mind to know.

"I think I'd like to go back too. I haven't been there for two centuries. I wonder what has changed. Emmett?"

Emmett brightened. "Of course. I go where Rose goes." I heard Edward chuckle lightly at Emmett's sappiness. I think underneath all that muscle was a teddy bear. How ironic he almost got killed my one. Edward's chuckle deepened and I rolled my eyes playfully.

"I can do that," Carlisle said, adjusting the volume on the radio, "except we'd have to move out of here. We've been here long enough for people to recognize us. We could move at the end of August. Esme?"

Esme smiled softly, looking at Carlisle. "What Emmett said: I go where you go."

My eyes found Edward's again and he raised a brow at me and I knew exactly what he was thinking.

Shut up Edward.

He smiled at that but pressed on.

I sighed internally and gave him a look of annoyance.

I like him, okay? Now stop acting like a… like a jealous boyfriend.

I saw the look in his eyes, something that went along like 'Sweetheart, I don't like you like that at all'. He must have heard me because he smiled, trying to contain his laughter.

I brushed my hand through my hair and turned to Emmett, resting my elbows on my knees and having my hand support my head.

"Emmett…" I trailed off, but when he stared at me complete clueless I added, "…about us?" My voice was meek, just a quiet whisper as I looked at him expectantly.

"I should tell them I kind of love you?" Emmett asked, oblivious to what he had just said out loud. I smacked my forehead in the palm of my hand as silence surrounded us.

"Not as vocal as that, but I guess that works." I didn't know why I wanted to tell them, but a part of me did. Edward knew, and I bet he knew before even I did. Esme was perceptive yet quiet, and I think Carlisle had a hunch all along—especially after we had talked in the garage. I think they knew more than they let on. My eyes went to the rest of my family and they all had an expression of them already knowing, as I they were waiting for me to admit it. And I guess I did, in a way—even if Emmett was the one to say it.

I felt embarrassed at that moment, but that couldn't be right because I was never embarrassed. I covered my eyes and tried to change the subjects. "So… Emmett wants to go camping!" I exclaimed, and it was only after I said it that I realized how stupid it sounded.

Emmett lit up beside me and put an arm around my shoulders, bringing me closer to him. "Yeah, we could leave tonight, come back in a couple of days, since we just admitted to being crazy for each other, that's all," he said nonchalantly and at that moment I wanted to crawl in a hole and never come out. Their eyes were on me, probably aghast at the way I was acting—the way I never acted. I couldn't even recognize myself anymore.

"We could just have a bit to ourselves before we go to school, that's all. What is it now? July? August? I don't remember."

"August," Carlisle reminded him, laughter evident in his voice. I glared his way and he ignored it. He was too good at that. Just like the rest of them. Traitor.

"I have no problems with that. You two really need to stop staying cooped up in here," Esme said.

Edward nodded his head. "I agree. I come back from hunting and you know what I hear?—"

"Okay, let's pack Emmett!" I exclaimed, shooting up from the couch, not wanting to hear a thing whatever it was that Edward wanted to say. I practically pulled Emmett from the couch and went to my room, wanting to escape them as much as possible.

When we got to the confines of my room Emmett burst out laughing. "You should have seen your face; I haven't seen anything quite like it. You're always so calm and angry… and you were so embarrassed!" Emmett said between laughter, but I didn't catch everything, his girly giggles getting in the way.

"Oh, shut up," I said, opening my closet, but as soon as it opened Emmett shut it.

"Aw, it's okay," he started, petting my hair reassuringly. I pushed his hand off and he made no move to put it back. "Look, if that was what it took to actually have you agree to go camping… well hey, it worked."

"You tricked me?"

"Second time today."

I groaned, no words forming that I could spit out to him. He sounded so sure, so confident in himself. "Sometimes I hate you so much. But you're lucky that feeling has long simmered down into annoyance whenever I'm angry at you. You're lucky you're actually likeable."

"Oh Rosalie, you know how to touch a man's heart."

"I don't even like camping," I said, ignoring Emmett's comment. I plopped down on my bed I never used and didn't bother to get up. "I'll stay here. You go with them."

"With them? Rose, this was a trip for you and me. If I wanted to be with them I'd stay here."

I looked at him for a moment, trying to figure out if he was fibbing or not. "Aw, how sweet," I said too sweetly for me to be sincere. Emmett knew and plopped down next to me, our shoulders touching.

He laughed. "See, I know how to win a girl's heart. Besides, do you really want to stay cooped up here, or spend some time with me?"

"That depends. What does spending some time with you entail?"

"Fun!"

"You should be a politician, you sure know how to sway people," I muttered sarcastically, screaming when Emmett rolled on top of me, his mouth dangerously close to mine. I was surprised and he was smiling.

"Come on, let's go. We don't need to pack, just the clothes on our back. You're with a master camper, and being vampires and all, it should be easier than those mere mortals," he said, pointing his thumb outside to know one in particular. His breath was warm and inviting against my face and he was so damn convincing. Even if he didn't use persuasive language, there was something about him I could not resist. But he didn't have to know that.

"Fine. Since you're so adamant about it."

Emmett grinned and hopped off, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the door. He practically dragged me outside, barely saying bye to Edward, Carlisle, and Esme. He was so excited that I didn't bother to pull away, but when he rushed past the car I halted in my tracks.

"What about the car?" Emmett rolled his eyes dramatically and I had a feeling he was mocking me. "Okay, okay, no car. No need to get all prissy."

"Yes…" Emmett said slowly. "Besides what's faster than even the fastest sports car?" He grinned and pointed at himself. "Besides, I want to take you somewhere I planned to go when I was human. They weren't done building the place, but they are now."

I was intrigues and I had no idea what he was talking about. "Where's that? What is it?"

"It's a surprise. Now come on," he said, bending over and motioning for me to hop on his back. I raised my brows and he said, "I know you're fast and could probably outrun me—okay, probably not—but let me do something for you, Rosalie. You know you can depend on me, even if you don't want to."

And he was right. I wanted to trust him. I did trust him. He had no idea how much he could bring me down just to bring me back up without even realizing it. I didn't think he knew just how much he meant to me.

Almost reluctantly, but finally giving in, I walked to him and jumped on his back. I took a couple of minutes adjusting my position before Emmett ran, speeding through the forests that seemed to go on forever despite his speed. He was fast, I had to give him that much. I watched the world pass by, the trees moving with us and the night like a velvet blanket, sweeping through the sky.

I was sure at one point we were out of Virginia, but I wasn't sure. I didn't keep track of time, but then again I never did, and just let Emmett take us wherever we were going. He seemed to know where he was going and if he didn't, I didn't know. I didn't know what time we had left the house, but I saw the sun slowly rising in the distance, past all the trees. The sky was a tarnished gold and pink and orange, and even through the quick run I witnessed it all. It was early out now; the stars were hidden, turned away from the morning sunrise.

When he finally stopped he got me to climb off of him. I stretched, looking around me and past the expanse of trees. Then I looked at him.

He smiled at me, a small smile, then he pointed to a sign. I peered closely at it. "Great Smoky Mountains National Park? I never heard of it."

"Well, it was established in June 1934. But we can't go in yet, it's not open. It's early out, actually. Well, we could go in, but I wanted to show you something past it. When I was in Gatlinburg, I couldn't wait for this place to open. My brother and I were going to come here, but then… things happened. But you know what? I get to spend it with you, so that's a great alternative."

He sounded so happy, so whimsical, and so hopeful, that I couldn't bear to tell him I didn't want to be there, but then again, I did want to be there—with him. I smiled back at him and held his hand, letting him lead the way.

It was easy to get through despite the place being closed, and it was kind of romantic, being by ourselves. Emmett pointed to the trees that all looked the same and the flowers and plants and told me about them. He was passionate about the outdoors and about the night sky. I listened, trying to absorb everything he was saying, but only a few things stuck.

We finally got to one of the trails Emmett said was called The Alum Cave Trail. He didn't want us to run, he told me, and he wanted us to hike so we could take everything in.

And I was breathless. I had never been so fascinated before, but I think it was also because Emmett was with me. I told him I had never been to a park before and had not seen much beyond the city. He was surprised, but then he reassured me this wouldn't be the only park he'd take me to.

I asked him questions and he gave me answers, and I stared at him in awe as he reveled in what he was talking about. I didn't let go of his hand the entire time, but I did use my other hand to fix my hair whenever I felt it falling flat, or when I thought a bug had gotten into it.

"Some things never change," Emmett remarked as I swatted a few bugs away. I turned to him and wondered what he meant. "But that's not a bad thing, I like you regardless," he finished, pulling me as we reached the one place he must've wanted me to see.

When we reached the top Emmett said to me, "We're at the summit of Mount Le Conte, look at that." And I stared at the high scenery and was blown away.

"Wow," I said, but before I could take it all completely in Emmett led me somewhere else. We picked up the past, almost swiftly running to our next stop.

We ended up at the Chimney Tops and he practically pulled me to one of the mountain peaks. Worn down and tired, but not complaining—just inside my head—he held me and pointed to the sky. I watched as the sun was slowly rising. He wanted me to see the sunrise.

"I needed you to hurry up so we could see this. Beautiful, ain't it?"

"It is," I said, and at that moment I wished I were a painter so I could capture the moment. We were greatly elevated from the ground we came from and Emmett wrapped his arms around me, his head resting on top of mine.

"Someday I'm going to have to show you the city."

"I'll be waiting for that day to arrive."

When the sun was fully above us Emmett escorted me down the rocks, making sure none of the rocks were loose so I could slip. I smiled at the thought and held his hand as he brought me down. He walked more slowly now, and Emmett led the way.

Soon we were at what he said were the Laurel Falls Trail and I watched as the waterfall streamed down the worn out rocks into the bank below.

"It's beautiful… but there's so much bugs and dirt," I remarked.

Emmett laughed and said something about him liking me either way, even if I had to give some things a chance.