I awoke groggily, my thoughts bouncing, jumbled. The pounding that was present in my head was reduced to a soft thud, pushing myself up I found I wasn't nearly as drowsy as I had been, thank goodness for that.
Looking out the window I was greeted by pale grey clouds covering the sky, judging by the brightness I would guess it was somewhere in the afternoon. Yawning I arched my back, feeling a little pop I tossed the blankets aside, swinging my feet over the edge.
Something caught my attention, looking over I saw on the nightstand, in glowing red numbers say 3:06 P.M. No, this was new, it had to be. I'll accept not noticing the lamp, but a clock with glowing red numbers on the face? Absolutely not, I would've noticed it, so clearly it had been placed there recently.
Getting up I walked over to my closet, I felt heavy like weights had been tied to my arms and legs. Upon opening the closet door I was greeted by a rainbow of clothes, all placed perfectly to blend into the next color, the white and black clothes were the metaphorical bread holding the rainbow sandwich together.
Yes, Alice was definitely an artist when it came to clothes. I picked out a purple shirt, and black pants, I was hesitant to touch the white in fear of it being easily stained. Then made my way to the bathroom. Rosalie was kind enough to bring me an armful of neatly folded towels, which she placed into the cabinet under the sink. Though I have a sneaking suspicion that she was asked or made to do just that, maybe by Alice.
I hopped into the shower after grabbing a towel, glad to finally be rid of the sweat the stuck to me throughout the night. As the water trickled down my skin, it was as if the water was unlocking those invisible weights, leaving me to feel light, almost weightless.
I got out of the shower and dried off before wiping the fogged mirror with the towel, I don't think I'd ever get used to this, seeing myself the way I am now. Clean, fed. Sighing I tilted my head to the side, closing my eyes for a moment. A flash of red engulfed my vision making me spring them open, looking around to see no one there.
What was that? Thinking back on it I realized the familiar shade was to that of those eyes, those crimson orbs that I've dreamt of last night, why appear in my thoughts now? Shaking my head I resumed getting dressed, hanging the towel up on the wall.
Walking out of my room I made my way downstairs, Esme was sitting on the couch watching tv, Carlisle I assumed was at work. Esme always seemed to be home, does she not have a job?
Walking around the couch Esme turned to greet me with a soft smile.
" Hey sweetheart, how are you feeling?" She asked patting the cushion beside her.
" I feel much better compared to yesterday," I replied sitting down, Esme hummed in response.
Reaching a hand forwards she gently combed my damp hair back, pressing it against my head, I sighed leaning into the soothing touch. After a moment she pulled her hand back, looking up I saw her eyebrows were furrowed.
" What's wrong?" I couldn't help but ask, tilting my head to the side. She smiled.
" You're still very warm," She muttered, concern woven in her tone. I don't think it was because of the water, I kept it fairly cool, at least it felt cool to me.
I didn't like it, it felt wrong. Why should I care about what expression is on her face, or anyone else for that matter? Still, that barely-there frown, and the slight upward bend of her brows didn't belong.
" I still feel a bit drained, but it's a huge improvement from how I felt last night," I explained, hoping to curb at least a little of her worries.
She smiled gently, bringing her hand up to rest on the back of my shoulder.
" Well I'm glad to hear that sweetheart," She said giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze.
" Hey, little man! Feelin' any better?" Emmett boomed behind me.
When had he come in? Why didn't I hear him, surely such a big man would have as equally thundering footsteps as his voice?
" Yes, compared to last night I'm doing much better," I said turning around to look at him.
He had his arms folded on the back of the couch as he leaned slightly over it. He had that ever-present grin as he beamed happily toward me.
" That's great to hear!" He shouted said, slowly bringing a hand forward before carefully ruffling my hair. Emmett could be surprisingly gentle despite his loud personality.
I gave him a small smile which he returned tenfold.
" It's good to know you're feeling better, compared to last night that is." Another voice sounded, chuckling behind Emmett.
Leaning over to try and peer past Emmett, who upon seeing this kindly shifted to the side, I saw Edward standing by the stairs, his hands in his pockets. Has this illness forever affected my ability to hear people coming until they're already too near for me to get away if they were a threat?
Sighing I brought my focus back to Edward, who seemed to be frowning at something before his face went blank.
" I thought you guys have school?" I questioned, tilting my head.
Emmett, who moved to sit beside me snorted, bringing my attention towards him, but before he could say anything Edward, who had moved from the stairs to also sit on the couch, interrupted Emmett.
" We do, but not on the weekends, today is Saturday." Edward kindly explained sending Emmett a look I couldn't decipher.
Nodding, a thought came to mind.
" Then where's Alice, Jasper, and Rosalie?" I couldn't help but ask. Emmett and Edward exchanged looks before Esme chimed in beside me.
" I sent them out on a little errand, they should be back anytime now," Esme explained.
Nodding again, I felt that wasn't the full truth, but again I couldn't go around accusing them of something I have little to no information on, I needed more before I could effectively corner one with no excuse to help them escape.
Looking over I saw Edward staring at me, his eyes were opened slightly wider than what would be considered normal, for him at least. He looked away so smoothly I almost thought he may have been staring at something behind me, almost.
" Wanna watch something on tv?" Emmett asked, leaning over to retrieve the remote from Esme.
" Actually, is it alright if I look at more of the books in Carlisle's office? If not I understand." I asked, as I turned my head to look at Esme I could see the flicker of surprise on Edward's face as Emmett's jaw dropped slightly.
Esme had a similar reaction but recovered quickly, was it so wrong to be interested in books more so than tv?
" I'm sure he wouldn't mind if it's to only look at his books, oh! I have a great idea, why don't I take you to a library? You can pick out whatever and as many books as you'd like!" Esme said, sitting up straighter.
A rush of, something, shot through me before settling in my chest, making my heart beat faster. The muscles in my jaw felt as though they were trying to strain themselves and do, something. I succumbed to the need and grin.
" Really? You wouldn't mind?" I asked. Excitement, I realized that's what the feeling was, at least I thought it was, I wouldn't know how else to describe it.
" Of course not, put your shoes on and we'll go," Esme said, climbing to her feet.
I quickly went and grabbed my shoes, it took a few minutes to tie them, but I got it eventually, then raced to the garage door where Esme was standing.
" Grab your coat please, it's chilly out." Raising a brow in response, I did as told.
Esme told me about the different genres of books in the car, each apparently filled with infinite scenarios and possibilities, anything a person can think up can happen, especially in, I think it was called fantasy, or supernatural. Safe to say my interest has peeked.
The longer we were in the car the more fidgety I became, I couldn't find a comfortable position so I kept shifting, adjusting the seatbelt, pulling at the hem of my coat. Were these the effects of excitement? I'm still not certain if that's what it really is, it could be another feeling or emotion I just don't know of yet.
Sighing through my nose I forced myself to sit still, clamping my hands together in my lap, gripping my skin tight when the rising itch to move became too strong. I was irritated with my own body, why wouldn't it just corporate as it's supposed to? Like it always has before?
Looking out the window I realized, to my growing frustration, that I didn't recognize where we were, I had been distracted for too long to notice. I clicked my tongue as I glared at the buildings and stores, my metal map in disarray trying to make sense of this new area.
" So, given what I've told you, which books are you most curious about? Or do you just want to look around?" Esme asked, interrupting my internal dilemma.
" The Fantasy genre has caught my attention, with the mythical creatures and all, but I would also like to browse if it's not too much trouble?" I said turning to look at her.
" It's no trouble at all sweetheart, I would like to leave before 6:00 P.M, but that's plenty of time for you to look around," She explained, glancing over at me, I nodded in response.
It wasn't long after we were pulling into the parking lot, there were vehicles scattered here and there, not too many. We got out and headed for the building, it wasn't big, but it wasn't something to scoff at either.
For reasons that are beyond me, Esme felt the need to hold my hand as we entered, I didn't mind it, it just confused me. When I was with Alice and Rosalie, Alice only grabbed my hand to usher me along, Esme was doing the opposite, she kept a relaxed pace that easily matched my stride.
What was the point of holding my hand if not to hasten my walk? Storing that thought in the ever-growing pile of 'ask about it later', I was pulled back to focus hearing the bell on the top of the door chime softly. I saw the man at the front desk, as well as a few others, glance up, watching our entry.
Esme smiled at the man, who became an alarming shade of red, as we walked pasted. She leads the way walking to the back wall.
" This is the Fantasy/Supernatural aisle, those two usually go hand in hand, which is why in most libraries you'll see them mixed together. Or sometimes separated but kept in the same section." Esme explained quietly, letting go of my hand.
Nodding I began looking at the various spines, searching for one to catch my eye, it didn't take long before I was already carrying three books and searching for more. The smell of old paper and wood, combined with the quiet turning of pages and hushed whispers in the distance, calmed me.
My earlier irritation was all but forgotten. I had the sudden idea to find a dark corner to curl up and fall asleep in, I immediately discarded the thought, finding it foolish to have that of it, to begin with. While browsing over the plentiful titles I glanced over to see Esme happily looking at books in the next aisle.
Feeling someone stare at her she glanced over, smiling as her gaze landed on my arms, which were folded carefully around five books. Walking over with a few books of her own her smile widened.
" Is this everything?" She whispered.
" Can we come back tomorrow?" I asked just as quietly, I really like it here.
She gave a very soft chuckle before answering.
" Of course sweetheart. Come on."
We walked back to the front desk the man, who had been reading a book of his own, put it down upon seeing our approach. He moved very jerkily as he scrambled to scan the books before stacking them in the right order in a bag.
" 43'95$, p-please," The man stammered. Esme smiled handing him the required money, to which he shakily took, his face a new shade of red.
Esme said goodbye to the man leaving him more of a stuttering mess. As we got in the car I admired some of the covers of the books, I was looking forward to reading them when we got home.
Huh, home, I was starting to like the sound of that.