Emmett had dropped me off before 7:00, which was great because I was starving.
"Clara, is that you?" I heard Dad call out.
"No, it's a robber," I joked, walking through the door. I went into the living where Dad sat watching baseball in his club chair.
"The Nationals winning?" I asked, coming into the living room and sitting on the couch next to him. Sports was never much my thing, but I knew it was one of the subjects he could talk about.
"We're rallying," he replied while continuing to watch the game.
"I got your message that you were out with a friend. Who?" he asked curiously.
"Well, initially, Bella was supposed to bring me home, but she fainted and took the truck with which we both know even if she hadn't, I wouldn't be driving since we both know why I don't have my license.
"You still afraid of driving?" he asked in disbelief," I gave him a bewildered look. Did he not remember?
"Dad, it only been two years ago, and I'm still traumatized," I said.
"Don't be too hard on yourself. So you got confused where the gas and the break where it happens to everyone. Besides, no one got hurt," he responded. Yeah, well, I don't think that everyone does 10,000$ in house and car damages.
"Yeah, well, not everyone drives through a garage, Dad," I said. Dad laughed at me. Causing me to giggle as well. It wasn't often that we had moments like this. He tried, but he always seemed to never understand what to say."So anyway, Emmett Cullen saw me, and we had a study session since we are both in AP English. Afterward, he drove me home," I continued finishing my story. Dad looked away from the TV and turned towards me.
"Cullen ay ain't he a little old for you?" he asked. Oh, no, overprotective Dad mode was turned on.
"Yea, by a year, Dad," I laughed lightly.
"Hey, I'm just making sure your safe. I'll put a can of pepper spray in your bag before I leave for work tomorrow," he said. I loved him for that. Someone might not have seen it, but this was the way Dad said I love you.
"I know," I replied softly. I got up from the chair and kissed him on the cheek.
"I'm going to get something to eat and go to bed. I love you," I said, walking away from the living room.
"I love you too, kid," I heard him say. I smiled and walked into the kitchen. I was surprised to see the next morning that the sun was out. I hadn't seen it since Bella, and I had left Phoenix. I put on a t-shirt and leggings, trying to enjoy the glorious weather. But I was taken aback when I didn't see a silver Volvo or cherry Red Jeep at school when Bella and I got to school. Bella did as well as much as she tried to hide her disappointment.
"Clare," I heard a whispered yell. I looked around, confused at trying to place the voice.
"Clara," the whispered called out. Was I going crazy? Oh, god, am I being possessed? Because I could handle vampires, demons, on the other hand, no. Just no. I decided to ignore the voice and keep on walking when I felt something small and hard hit me in the back of the head. I whipped around, ready to tackle the person, when I saw the familiarly large figure standing in the woods just outside the parking lot. Emmett with a satisfied smile on his face. What was he doing?
"Why are you whispering? And why are you hiding in the woods like a stalker?" I whispered to him. He surprised me with a big kiss on my lips that knocked the wind of me.
"I wanted to see you before I go hunting tomorrow," he announced. I smiled, biting my lip. I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. He was too sweet.
"So I'm guessing you burn in the sun," I theorized. He laughed.
"No, it's way worse, trust me," he said, looking down at the ground before looking back up at me. "What would I have to do to get to get you to skip school and spend the day with me?" he asked with a mischievous look in his eyes. I smirked at his words.
"Take the blame if you get caught," I replied. He nodded in agreement. "So, are we going to take your jeep or?" I question.
"Oh, no. We are going on foot," he laughed, a mischievous smirk arising on his face. Oh god, I knew exactly what he meant.
"Emmett," I warn in fear. But, before I could even say another word, I felt my body being flung over his marble shoulder and being cared away. My hair whipped in my face as he ran. He was faster than any rollercoaster I had ever taken, but a rush of adrenaline kicked, and I felt alive as he raced off to where ever he was taken me. In what felt like mere seconds, Emmett had stopped and placed me down on the ground. We were back in the field he had taken me the night before.
"Dude, I'm going to need a better warning next time," I said, trying to slow my pounding heart rate.
I could now see clearly why Emmett and his family didn't come out when the sun was. He sparkled like a pound of glitter had dropped on him.
"Are you sure you a vampire and not a fairy?" I teased. Emmett did not like my joke because now I was being picked up again. I screamed in surprise. Suddenly I was lying in the grass. Emmett laid on top of me.
"Take it back, Clare Bear," Emmett threaten me jokingly. I shook my head in rebellion. I felt his cold hands roll down my body and start tickling me. I laughed.
"Okay, okay, I take it back," I laughed. I felt him stop; he was staring at me again.
"What?" I smiled. He returned a warm smile to me.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered. I felt a blush warm my face. I pressed my lips to his wrapping my legs around his waist. My hands went his short black hair and grasped firmly. His hand were on either side of my body. With enough momentum, I flipped us over, and he was now on my waist, moving up and down. I pulled away, needing to breathe. I rolled off of him and laid beside him, laying my head on his hard chest.
"So how exactly did you become, you know, Night of the Living Dead," I teased. He laughed.
" I was turned in 1935. I was twenty years old, hunting to put money on the table for my parents and siblings. One day I came across this bear. I should've turned and walked away, but I couldn't. It would have been my best hunt in months. I fired and missed, and the bear turned towards me, and before I could even reload my rifle, I was knocked down. All I could feel was the searing pain of claws. I thought I was going to die, and that's when the bear was pushed off me. I opened my eyes and saw what I thought was an angel bringing me to heaven. She brought me to Carlise, who I thought was God in my very blood lost state. I could hear her begging her to save my life. I heard Carlise agree, and the next thing, I was being changed into a vampire. It was the most painful thing I had ever felt. But three days later, I was awake," he explained.
"Who saved you?" I asked. He looked at me like he was about to tell me he murdered my dog.
"Her name is Rosalie. She was Carlise's third turn. She said that I reminded her of the child that her friend had when she was human," he explained. Oh. Oh. I could tell that he had some type of feelings for her and still might.
"What happened to her?" I asked cautiously.
"We were together for a couple of decades. I was so in love with her. Maybe because she saved my life, and I was grateful. But we never really had a connection as much as we pretended that we did. She was always unhappy. She never wanted to be changed. I tried to make her happy, but I never could. She met someone else while we in Alaska. We both realized that we never truly loved each other, so we broke it off," he explained.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered. Emmett shook his head.
"It was a long time ago. Besides, she's finally happy with her life, and that's all I've ever wanted was for her," he said. I stared up at him with sadness. How could I beat out a girl that saved his life and loved him for decades?
"You are a good man Emmett Cullen," I whispered, pressing my lips to his chest. I felt his arm around my waist tighten. We laid there on the field for what like hours. Emmett sat up, bring me up with him.
"What?" I asked.
"How would you like to meet my family?" he asked.
"I would love to," I replied, smiling.
"Alright, let's go," he announced, standing up quickly.
"Wait, right now?" I asked, taken aback.
"Yep," he replied, popping the p. Before I could say anything else, I was once again thrown over his shoulder.
"EMMETT!" I screamed over the wind hitting me in the face.
The run to Emmett's house was longer than the run from the school to the field but not by much. We got there, and Emmett set me down on my feet.
"You do that again; Edward won't be the only one I think of hitting in the head with a crowbar," I threatened.
"Sorry, Clare Bear, I hate to tell you this, but if you hit Edward or me with a crowbar, you are going to have to buy a new one," Emmett teased. I rolled my eyes and pouted in defeat. We started to make our way to the front door. I quickly felt my hair to make sure it didn't look like I drove with the window down. The house itself was beautiful. There were windows everywhere, so the natural light could be let in. We walked into the living room, the fire that was going on warmed up the room.
"It's beautiful," I said. I heard the sound of food steps coming near me, and I turned around to see the short pixie-like Alice run over to me and wrap me in a hug. Taken off guard by the sudden welcome but decided to embrace it. What can you say? I'm a hugger. She pulled away with a grin on her face.
"Clara, I'm so happy to meet you officially! We are going to be such close friends," she said excitedly. I smiled at the warm greeting. I saw Jasper standing a couple of feet from her.
"Hi, Jasper," I greeted warmly. He nodded in response. Emmett said that he was still struggling with his 'diet.' So I didn't push him.
"Emmett, what the hell? Why did you bring her here?!" I jumped out of the sudden outburst and turned to see an extremely unhappy Edward Cullen.
"Edward, it's fine; she can be trusted," Emmett defended me, stepping closer to me.
"Yeah, right, I'm sure she hasn't said anything to her sister," he spat. Alright, now I was pissed. This bitch.
"Um, yea, first of all, don't talk about me like I'm not even here; it's rude; number two, I haven't and will not tell Bella because it is not my secret to tell, and number three, speak to me or about me like that again and I will rip you a new asshole buddy," I announced unafraid. I don't if this guy was the freaking queen of England. No one was talking to me like that. There a considerable pause in the room. To say Edward was speechless would be a substantial understatement. I looked at Emmett, who was just staring at me in surprise.
"I've never been more attracted to you than at this very moment," Emmett said in a daze. I warm blush rushed to my face before I started laughing. I turned to see Alice and even Jasper looking like they were ready to go into full-blown laughter.
"What is going on here?" I heard a voice as sweet as honey. A petite woman who was not as short as Alice but wasn't tall either had entered the room. She had shoulder-length brown hair that complemented her heart-shaped face.
"Clara, this is Esme, my mother," Emmett introduced me.
"Oh, Clara, it's so nice to meet you," Esme welcomed before walking over to hug me. Okay, these people were huggers. Good to know.
"It's nice to meet you, . I'm sorry if I'm causing a bit of a ruckus in your home," I replied.
"Call me Esme, dear, and don't you worry, Edward just cranky because he's hungry," Esme joked. I let out a small laugh and look to where Edward had been standing, but it looked like he had runoff.
"Are you hungry, Clara, are you hungry? I can make you a snack?" Esme offered.
"That would be amazing. Emmett didn't give me a chance to eat before kidnapping me," I said. Emmett rolled his eyes.
"I was trying to spontaneously romantic," Emmett defended.
"Yea, well, my stomach says otherwise," I shot back playfully as we all made our way into the kitchen.
The kitchen was just as big and bright as the rest of the house. The granite countertops looked untouched, as well as all the appliances. "So Emmett tells me your from Phoneix?" Esme asked as she started pulling out a pot and filling it with water. Emmett sat next to me on the island while Jasper and Alice stood on the opposite side of the kitchen.
"Yeah, my mother remarried to a minor league baseball player, and they're moving to Florida in hopes of him going major," I replied. We started chatting about my mother and stepfather while Esme cooked. She placed down a plate of Pasta Alfredo that made my stomach growl and my mouth water. Esme watched as I took the first bite.
"Oh my god, this is the best thing I've ever eaten. Where did you learn to cook like this," I complimented. I watched Esme's face light up with joy and excitement.
"Alice saw you coming over some time this week, and I wanted to be prepared, so I caught up on some recipes," Esme gushed proudly. I stared at her, confused.
"Saw?" I questioned curiously. Emmett, who had been sitting next to me, who had actually been unusually quiet, leaned in close.
"Alice can see the future," he said softly near my ear, his cool breath tickling my hair. I looked up at Alice.
"Wait, that's so freaking cool. Does that mean you can tell me how I did on my Algebra test?" I asked excitedly. Alice looked at me, bashfully.
"Yeah, you might want Emmett to start tutoring you," she chuckled. I looked to the ceiling letting an exasperated sigh. Causing the room to fill with laughter once again.
Emmett and I left the house about an hour after I finished my meal. We sat outside on the steps of the house. Emmett had been quiet ever since I ate lunch.
"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly, brushing my hand over his.
"Yea, it's just been a while since I've seen everyone that happy since Rosalie left," he said softly. I quirked my lips, not sure what to say. How do you respond to that? I gave him a pained smile.
"I really like you, Clara," he whispered. I stared at his warm, honey brown eyes.
"I really like you too," I whispered back. He leaned in a pecked my lips softly.