Chapter Eight - It's Nice to Have a Friend
Disclaimer - I don't own anything Twilight related, that all belongs to one Stephanie Meyer
Long time, no update everyone! I know it has been months since I updated, so I'm sorry for the long wait! Life sort of just happened. Between the last time I updated and now I have gotten so many lovely reviews from you all! I am honestly blown away by how much people are enjoying the story and it has been really encouraging hearing all your thoughts! And I have a lot planned so I hope you can all stick with me. So thank you so much for your reviews and for everyone who has followed and favourited! This chapter is a bit on the shorter side but I hope you enjoy it! Stay safe everyone!
Light pink sky up on the roof
Sun sinks down, no curfew
Twenty questions, we tell the truth
You've been stressed out lately? Yeah, me too
Something gave you the nerve
To touch my hand
It's nice to have a friend
It's Nice to Have a Friend, Taylor Swift
A scream left my lips as I grasped the towel closer to my body. My feet moved backwards, scrambling away from Alice, who began shushing me almost immediately. As she took another step forward, I squealed again, bumping into my desk, causing some of the items on top to clatter to the ground.
"Clara?" My mom's worried voice rang out as her hurried feet banged their way up the stairs. "Are you alright?"
Alice glanced from the closed-door then back to me. Annoyance coloured her face, hands moving to rest on her hips. She took a few steps back into the corner, just as the door opened, hiding her once more. My mom looked around warily, rolling pin clutched tightly in her hands. If I was not so freaked out I would have laughed.
"What happened?" She asked staring at me, worry and confusion clear in her eyes. I glanced to the door then back to my mom, my throat tight at the thought of the presence hidden from our sight.
"Spiders." I croaked.
"What?" The rolling pin was lowering.
"I saw some spiders. At the window." My voice had rose in pitch and I was surprised my mother didn't call my bluff right then and there.
"Spiders." She said unbelievably. My mom shook her head. "I thought something had died!"
"Well you never know how the night will turn out." I laughed nervously, trying my best to keep from looking at the door.
My mom took a breath, the worry leaving her body. She rolled her eyes, pointing the rolling pin in my direction. "You'll be the end of me I swear."
She turned to leave.
"Mom!" I squeaked, hand reaching out to stop her.
She looked at me questioning.
"I'm feeling a bit sick actually, going to call it an early night."
"Everything alright sweetheart?" Her eyebrows furrowed.
"Yeah, just a bit… a bit under the weather."
"I'll wrap your dinner up for tomorrow, can have it for lunch." She smiled softly, hand on the doorknob. "You, need anything just give me a shout okay?"
"Okay." I forced a smile.
The fear rose in my body, as the door shut, obscuring the view of my mother and revealing a highly amused intruder.
"Spiders? Since when have you been scared of spiders?" Her voice was teasing, but if anything it put me further on edge. I clutched to towel tighter to my body.
"Listen- listen… you!" I tried to be firm, intimidating even, but my voice shook and my fingers clenched, nails digging into my palms. "Whatever is about to happen, it's between me and you, okay! You leave anyone else out of it."
My mind whirled, people flashing through my mind; my mom, Bella and Charlie, Addy and Joe…
I was scared. What had I dragged myself into?
Alice's face dropped as she frowned. She took a step forward, and I took one back. She sighed deeply but her face set in determination.
"I know this is confusing-"
"Confusing!" I laughed bitterly, fearful. "More like impossible!"
"I picked some clothes out for you." She indicated beside me.
I turned and sure enough, a well put together outfit sat on my bed, folded perfectly.
"I figured you wouldn't want to speak wearing nothing but a towel." She gave a small smile.
I didn't return it, neither did I deny she was correct. I felt exposed, I needed another barrier between myself and her.
Alice walked to the desk and sat in the chair, turning her back to me. I watched as she leant down, picking up the objects I had knocked over in my stumbling. I awkwardly shuffled for a moment, and then with caution, I walked to the pillow at the top of my bed, eyes fixed on Alice the entire time. I reached a hand under, pulling out my pj's, and then dressing quickly. There was no telling what she had done to the clothing she had picked for me.
I stood at the foot of my bed, arms crossed in what I hoped seemed like confidence. I cleared my throat, and Alice spun around. Disappointment clouded her face as she took in my outfit, but she quickly smothered it with a smile.
"So…" She trailed off, looking at me expectantly.
I shrugged awkwardly, unsure of what she was looking from me.
Any hesitation Alice had, had flown out the window. She bounced on her heels in excitement. "Oh, Clara! I'm so relieved I can finally tell you about all of this and I mean you deserve to know! Of course, I didn't realise we would meet again, I didn't see it coming… And I mean, you did work most of it out for yourself-"
I shook my hands in front of me, stopping her in bewilderment. "Wow, okay let's slow down." I sat on the edge of the bed, analysing her carefully, "You… know who I am then?"
"Obviously! I couldn't forget you, Clara." She smiled warmly, the sight sending a shot of nostalgia through my body. I felt myself soften, then I immediately tensed again.
Focus Clara.
"Could have fooled me," I said bitterly, hugging myself tightly.
Alice's smile faltered slightly, but she wasn't put off. She watched me carefully, allowing me to lead the conversation.
"I think…" I bit my lip, "I just need you to explain what the hell is going on, okay? None of this should be possible! We- we're the same age! How are you-" I shook my head trailing off. I looked at her, pleading. I needed to know.
I stood in silence as Alice explained everything. What she and her family were, how they moved every few years, rocking up to a new town, and establishing themselves as the newest students at the newest school.
"No wonder you were all so good at everything," I muttered. Alice laughed lightly.
"Well, we had a lot of time on our hands, being immortal and all."
She was smiling as she said it. I couldn't help but stare, completely unsure of what to think or feel. Looking at her now, years later, older and more knowledgable, she looked the same yet… different. It was like I was finally seeing her for what she really was for the first time. Not a human girl, but something more. Something older.
It was like a dream. Like I had stepped into one of my books of wild and unexplainable things. I had always imagined if I was faced with the supernatural I would have openly embraced it. But here I am looking right at it, everything I have always wanted proven to be true and I was afraid.
Alice's eyes analysed me, and I tried not to squirm.
"I wish I was Edward right now, you're so hard to read sometimes."
I looked at her confused not understanding the meaning of her words. I pursed my lips.
"So, the rest of the Cullens, they're not like your real family then? Like you're not related by, well… blood."
"No. Though they're the only family I've ever known. Well, at least the only family I can remember."
I crossed my arms across my body, "You don't remember your family?"
"From when I was human, no." Alice shook her head. "I can't remember anything from before I was turned…" Alice became unfocused for a moment, a sad look entering her eyes.
"I'm sorry," I said. And I meant it. I couldn't imagine a world without my family. My worst fear was forgetting about my own father.
The sad look vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared, and she smiled at me once more. "Don't be. I love my family, they mean the world to me."
"Something we can agree on." I threw her a small, fleeting smile. "And I suppose like you, I'm quite protective of my family. So I'd prefer it if you didn't climb through my window and lurk about my house."
Alice grinned, and my stomach lurched. "A lot of my family members feel just as strongly in that regard."
"What- What do you mean?"
"Seems we're even now, aren't we? You climb in through my windows and I climb in through yours."
She was still grinning, and a light twinkling laugh left her. Amusement bounced around her face.
"How… did you know?" I didn't even try to deny it, there was no point. I could see clear as day that I was caught by the certainty in her face.
"I was impressed by your gall. So sure your best friend is a vampire that you engage in some home invasion. Of course, I had an idea you were going to, but it seemed like you kept going back and forth in your decision making… it was hard to track."
"Wha-?"
"I helped of course. It was selfish of me to be sure. And my family is furious. I've already seen what Rosalie is planning to say when I get back." Alice rolled her eyes, "I'm used to it though, she always has something to complain about-"
"Okay, I'm getting a bit lost…"
"Oh sorry," Alice looked at me sheepishly. "I keep getting ahead of myself."
"What did you mean, you 'helped'?" I asked.
"You think that window was left open all on its own?"
"You knew-" I looked at her startled, and let out a laugh. "There's no way you could know I would try and get in through that exact window."
Alice grinned again, "I can, and I did. I have a gift-"
"Wow, hold on." I leaned forward, excited, "You can see into the future?"
Alice nodded, "It's a bit unclear at times, I can see possible futures, depending on decisions made. Nothing is ever set in stone."
"That is… amazing. And kind of frightening."
She giggled, and I joined her quietly.
Alice opened her mouth to speak and then froze. She turned her head toward the window.
"What is it?" I asked cautiously, following her as she moved to the window.
Alice rolled her eyes, "I'm coming now, calm down."
"What?"
Alice turned toward me, "Jasper."
I recoiled slightly, a panic filling me once more. I began to move away from Alice. From the window and Jasper. Alice caught my movement and like a blur, gently grabbed ahold of my hand.
"Hey, it's okay. He's not going to hurt you. Just- I have to go." She said softly, like talking to a scared rabbit.
Reality hit me quickly once more, I was a scared little rabbit, in a town full of wolves and I was the only one who knew it.
"Hey, breathe," Alice said, "You're okay. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you" Alice held both my hands. Her's were cold, and smooth, calming the panic that was rising within me. "Clara?"
I looked into her eyes, gold and soft and full of the same trust and warmth I had known as a girl.
"Okay…" I whispered, "...but, you have to promise me something."
"Anything."
"You won't disappear again. We- I mean… You'll explain everything to me. But not here… I don't want my mom or anyone to get involved." I stumbled over my words. Both sure and unsure all at once.
Alice smiled, "I promise. Starting this week, I'll answer any questions you have for me. Besides, I have a few questions of my own I want to ask you."
Alice jumped with grace and ease, onto the window frame. With a fluid movement, she opened the window, and a cool breeze hit my cheeks.
"And don't worry about my family." Alice gestured behind her, "I'll deal with them."
I nodded, choosing, for some insane reason, to trust the woman in front of me. Curiosity got the better of me, and Alice watched me with interest as I moved forward, looking past her and out of the window. I strained my eyes along the faraway treeline watching for any movement. Alice followed my gaze.
I breathed out a gasp and blinked. I couldn't see anything but green in the distance, but I was certain for just a moment, I had looked right into Jaspers golden eye's, that were watching us from the trees, guarded, and ready to strike.
Alice's perfect brows furrowed in confusion. "Did you see him?"
I pulled my eyes away, shaking my head. I let out a quiet laugh, "No, there's no way… It's too far. I just thought-... Hey, are you okay?"
Alice had a faraway look in her eye, glassy and unmoving. Was this the gift she had mentioned? And then something clicked. This is what happened when we (or just me?) were kids! Those far off looks, they were visions.
Alice blinked, her sight becoming clear again. She snapped her eyes to mine in shock, then grinned. Her eyes flew out the window, then back to me again. She giggled, her body moving slightly in giddiness.
"What?" I asked impatiently, "What did you see?" Alice grappled me into a hug, which I returned after a moment of shock. "What is happening?"
"Nothing!" She sang, pulling back. I'll see you soon, okay?" And just like that, Alice vaulted from the window, landing softly on the ground.
"Okay." I replied bewildered, "Holy shit!" I watched as Alice moved like a blur from my home into the treeline, disappearing amongst the greenery. "So cool. And so very terrifying." I swore I could hear Alice's laughter echo through the breeze.
I shut the window and let out a breath. I leant against my desk.
Am I dreaming?
I tapped my fingers against my desk, looking down as they brushed against paper. My fingers wrapped around my sketch pad, bringing it in front of me, and I looked down at Jasper Hale, the man that seems to be like some sort of ghost within my own life. Always in the background, out of reach.
I wonder what his voice sounds like? And do I even want to know?
