It was a while later that we climbed off of the daybed we had been sitting on as we talked and headed downstairs.
"She's still here?" Rosalie questioned cooly as though she couldn't smell me when she walked in the door which, due to the usual lack of human scent, she was likely to be able to.
"Come on, Rose" Emmett sighed, giving me a smile as he looked at me. "It's nice to meet you, Bella. I heard about your incidences in gym class"
Heat rose in my cheeks, and I chuckled a bit. "I know. I have clumsiness far beyond that of an average human"
Emmett let out a laugh at that. "If you stick around long enough, I will be able to see that for myself."
"I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon" I said, knowing that I didn't think it was too bad here and that my family would likely not let me come back for a while, based on everything that was currently occurring. Rosalie scowled at my words. "I will not reveal your secret. You do not need to worry about that"
"You are popular enough around here, despite not talking to many people. Someone could easily talk to you and you let it slip with your loose human tongue" Rosalie replied.
I frowned slightly. "Your secret is not the first secret I have had to keep. I am quite experienced with not discussing the supernatural"
Rosalie eyed me for a long moment before walking off to another part of the house, Emmett following the her trails, seeming as though he was trying to reason with her.
A soft sigh escaped my lips as she walked off. "She hates me"
"She's just worried" Edward said. "It has been a while since someone new has joined the family, and everyone that has had already been turned or was turned the day we met them" He explained. "You're human. She's more hesitant in trusting you" I could see there was more to the story, but I did not question. It was none of my business even though I desired to know. She must have her reasons.
I nodded simply, not saying another word about it. Esme approached me with a warm smile and said "Are you hungry? I prepared pasta and salad for you. I hope you like it"
"You didn't have to do that" I said, feeling guilty since nobody else in the house ate food.
"You are our guest" Esme said, smiling. "We never have a human around the house. I hope you like it. It has been years since I have had real experience in cooking"
I smiled. "In that case, I would very much appreciate the pasta and salad. Thank you"
Edward and I walked close together as Esme walked with us to the kitchen, where Esme placed the food on the island counter for me to start eating along with four different salad dressings for me to choose from.
"You did not need to get this many. I would be fine with any of them" I said, blushing a little.
"It is not as though money is an issue" Esme said kindly. "I want you to be comfortable here."
I smiled at her before starting to eat my food, not realizing quite how hungry I had been. The food was surprisingly quite good. It was not as good as some Olive Garden salads, as I recalled from a road trip I had gone on, but it was still very good, especially considering her lack of cooking experience.
"Thank you" I said as I looked at Esme with a smile. She had been watching me while I ate, which had been a bit uncomfortable but I ignored it as much as I could. "It tasted delicious"
"I am glad you like it" She smiled back at me.
I glanced towards the windows and saw a light reflection of Jasper and Alice in the corner as though talking to one another in a voice low enough that I cannot here. "Hello, Alice, Jasper"
Smiling broadly, Alice approached me very quickly at vampire speed while Jasper kept his distance for my safety and his sense of self control. "Hi, Bella!" She said as she looked at me. "I'm glad you like it here. Edward tells us you've met other types of vampires before? What were they like?" She asked curiously
"I guess I'll have to be telling everyone" I chuckled softly with a small smile. "Maybe I should write a book about it"
The pixie-like vampire laughed a little at that. "You don't need to tell me anything if you don't want to. Edward will fill me in. Won't you?" She looked at her favorite brother.
Edward sighed slightly. "Of course" he said simply.
Alice beamed at him, able to tell he was not lying, considering he had made the decision. She turned back to me. "How have you enjoyed the house so far?"
"I love it" I smiled a bit. "It is definitely more expensive and fancier than I am used to, but I still feel at home here. And the view is beautiful scenery"
"It is, isn't it? I cannot wait until we know more about each other. We are going to be great friends" Alice said and hugged me before pulling away. "Oh, you do smell good" she noticed.
"Alice, what are you-?" Edward started but was interrupted.
"You do not need to worry, Edward. Do you mind if I steal her for a bit? Now that I am allowed to talk to her, of course"
"You tell me" Edward sighed.
Alice cheered a little. "Come on, Bella." She said before taking my arm and lightly pulling me towards the stairs.
"Alice, be careful" warned the motherly vampire. "And please be polite. She is our guest"
"I'll be perfect polite. Besides, she has met several vampires before. If she hadn't, I probably wouldn't be doing this" Alice called back to Esme. "But nothing is going to happen"
I went with Alice upstairs to her room, and my jaw dropped as she opened the door. It was a big room with a large bed in the middle. The entire room was well decorated and seemed like it was a perfect fit for Alice. She then led me towards the double door connected to it.
"You won't be as fond of this part, but I want to show you anyways" She opened her large closet, causing me to look around curiously.
"Wow" I breathed out. "I mean, isn't this a bit much?"
"You can never have enough clothes. Besides, I don't wear the same outfit twice. Come on" she led me out of the room. "We don't need to make such a strong scent in mine and Jaz's bedroom"
"Why risk it?" I looked at her.
"He will be fine. Though if you stayed any longer, he wouldn't be. I really wanted to show someone my closet." Alice beamed as she looked at me.
"Well, I'm glad I could see it, even though clothes are not my thing"
"Obviously"
"Ouch" I laughed softly. It was easy to forget I was in a house full of vampires I just met when I was talking to her, Esme, or Edward. They were the only ones I really knew so far, though I doubted I would get to know the others soon.
"Come on. Edward doesn't want me to steal you all to myself" Alice said and headed down the stairs.
"So how long has he been keeping you from me" I questioned teasingly as I looked over at her.
"Far too long" She replied with a smile. "Well, soon after your accident. That was when I really wanted to meet you. I knew we would become best friends no matter what Edward decided to do."
"best friends. Wow" My eyes widened a bit in surprise
"Oh no rush. But we are meant to be best friends" beamed the pixie vampire. "Despite your distaste for fashion."
"You'd probably get along well with Caroline. She loves fashion. She has to drag Elena and I to go shopping in order for us to have something marked under Caroline approval"
"Hopefully I get to meet her."
"I'll introduce you to her" I promised. "If I get the opportunity to."
Alice's eyes got a glazed look in them before she suddenly smiled happily. "We are going to be good friends too. Though not as good as you and I will be."
"So if someone changes their mind, a small change, the entire future could be different?"
Alice's smile faded slightly, and she nodded. "Yes. Though usually I have quite a good idea. But we are always careful. I try to look at all possible futures as Edward and other members of my family think about them. Just so we have an idea on different possible outcomes"
"Wait, what was Edward thinking about that had you looking at possible futures?"
"Just about how he should approach his situation with you"
Edward walked over to us. "It's nothing to worry her over, Alice." He said before looking over at me. He held out his hand. I took it and said goodbye to Alice before heading with Edward back to his bedroom for a little time together before leaving.
"You're still waiting for the running and screaming, aren't you?" I questioned about fifteen minutes later after some conversation.
A small smile formed on his face, and he nodded.
"After the history of Mystic Falls, you really aren't that intimidating" I snorted in amusement, relaxing on his day bed.
"You really shouldn't have said that"
Edward Cullen flashed a wide, wicked smile before growling and positioning himself half-crouched as though he were a lion about to pounce. I raised an eyebrow, watching him. A flicker of instincts warned me he was in fact dangerous, but I ignored it as I watched him, amused. He then lept at me, and we crashed into the sofa, knocking it into the wall. I gasped in surprise. He curled me into a ball against his chest, holding me to his chest. It took me a moment for my heart to settle from the surprise. His eyes shined with humor as he looked at my expression.
"You were saying?"
"You're very terrifying" I said with a small laugh, still somewhat breathless.
"Can we come in?" Alice's voice rang out from inside the hall.
"Go ahead" Edward said, and I looked over to see Alice and Jasper in the doorway.
"It sounded like you were having Bella for lunch, and we came to see if you would share"
I snorted in amusement, not bothered due to the assurances we would be friends and the words Edward had spoken.
"Sorry, I don't believe I have enough to spare" he replied.
Jasper entered the room but still kept himself at a distance. "Alice says there's going to be a good storm tonight, and Emmett wants to play. Are you game?"
"Of course, you should bring Bella" Alice added, causing Jasper to throw her a quick glance.
"Do you want to go?" Edward asked me, his tone a bit excited.
"Sure. Will I need an umbrella?" I questioned curiously, not wanting to get drenched.
"No" replied the seer as she looked at me. "It should be dry enough in the clearing" Alice and Jasper left the room to ask the others if they would like to play.
"What will we be playing exactly?" I asked my boyfriend.
"You will be watching. We don't exactly play it in a way a human could join us. Especially not one as clumsy as you"
"Hey" I laughed softly and shook my head in amusement. "Alright. Well. thank you for inviting me" she said.