Hi there.
Yeah, your eyes aren't deceiving you. I am indeed back after almost a year away.
For those of you that don't know (since I deleted the note left explaining why lol), I took a break from this fanfic after receiving a few unnecessary reviews full of shitty, unhelpful opinions by some terrible people. And with the way 2020 was already going...it was just something I didn't also need bringing down my mental even further back then.
But now I feel comfortable enough to finally return and continue writing on the story that brought me the most fun. And I'm not allowing any trivial shit from anyone to bring me down again.
So, I say this here and now- Don't like the story, my characters, or writing? Then please leave quietly and have a nice day. I honestly don't care or need to hear that you do.
Anyway, this chapter's shorter than my usual..but hey! It's better than nothing again, am I right? Thank you for being patient as always and double thank you to everyone who sent me understanding and encouraging messages during the hiatus! I really hope you all enjoy.
Be kind, be safe, & stay classy, peeps! -xoxo, Lovely
Lots of Love for A silent type, Ellixwolf, Gold Star Potato, acompletenerd, Ibag18, Alexa Petrova, Aryabloodlust, & Nxrdist for your reviews! And everyone else for 123 favs & 174 follows!
Chapter Eight:
"Interlude: Bad Decisions"
(Chapter Song: To Belong by Broods)
The showery afternoon had long since morphed into a thunderous night. A cloudy blanket pouring endless rain obscured the dark sky and Forks' evergreen scenery. Only the occasional flash from ominous lightning revealed the tall swaying trees to the observing eye. It was almost midnight now and still didn't show any sign of stopping soon. Thankfully, no one was crazy enough to be seen on the roads during the violent storm and late hour. Most were likely settling in for night and ride out the weather until the next morning.
However, for several reasons, sleep eluded two resident night owls. On opposite sides of the small town, inside their respected homes with their loving families, both unknowingly were found in similar positions. Having taken solace in the privacy of their bedroom, contemplating gazes stared out the window at the stormy weather. Silently reviewing the earlier events of the day over and over again in their bustling minds.
A soft lull took over the Swan residence once Charlie trudged up the stairs to bed hours before. The only sounds disrupting it came from either outside or the man's loud snores from across the hall. For Cyan, it was a much welcome reprieve nonetheless. A good majority of that evening had been quite awkward and extremely embarrassing once he returned home. As expected, he received calls from not only Mrs. Hammond but Mr. Molina too. Which left her with no choice but to confess about her episode at school; although an edited version of course.
Thankfully, he was understanding and surprisingly well-educated about all of her triggers and trauma. Even going so far as getting upset for her that the teacher wasn't considerate enough to warn the class of the assignment beforehand. Offering to set up and pay for a visit to a therapist in Port Angeles if she wished as well. She hurriedly but politely declined the latter, secretly hating how her eyes automatically teared up at his unwavering kindness.
Making her wonder sadly if he knew everything, would that continue being the case?
Still awake, Cyan sat perched on her windowsill; one leg up with the other draped over the edge touching the floor to keep her balanced. Hands folded atop the bent knee pillowing her chin as brown eyes tracked the raindrops sliding down the glass. Uncharacteristically caring that her bare foot was being sprinkled with cold rain pushed in by the wind through the partially open window. Despite earlier and her previous statements, she tolerated them during such rare moments.
It kept her grounded, reminding her today wasn't some messed-up dream. That the severity of what transpired between her and Edward currently gnawing her entire being was unfortunately real. After leaving him and the school behind, she sorta dissociated for awhile. Driving and moving on autopilot around the home as she did the cooking and other chores tasked for that day. Only coming back to earth when Charlie arrived. However, she remained unable to fully reassess everything until left completely alone in her room.
As for the Cullen household..
Well, that was an entirely different story.
That evening, the living room was filled with nothing but loud overlapping voices and thoughts. Various opinions and emotions being expressed after informed of everything they missed. Some were in agreement of what Edward had done but not without reprimanding him for the possible outcome should he fail. And others disappointed he couldn't have handled it in a much better way but resigned if all of this didn't end in their favor.
Now, the atmosphere was somewhat placid but never truly silent, thanks to the advanced hearing they all held. Everyone was scattered to different sections of their immense home. Rosalie and Emmett, after returning from the forest hours ago, were together in the garage below. The beautiful vampire taking her frustrations out on whatever car from the several she owned by either repairing or doing simple maintenance. Continuously ranting as she did with her patient husband leaning against the wall nearby, quietly listening to it all. It was clear she'd been the most vocal out of everyone during the whole discussion.
Alice and Jasper were trying hard to momentarily distract themselves from the looming topic hanging over their heads like the imaginary ax of a medieval executioner. The future seer flitted about in her insanely huge walk-in closet, rearranging every single one of her clothes, shoes, and accessories at the moment. Planning to do the same with everyone's as well. And lounging in the study adjacent to Carlisle's home office, the empath was multitasking. Reading volumes spanning the entire history of Ancient Rome while sending a steady stream of soft calming waves throughout the house so another heated exchange wouldn't occur.
Meanwhile in the living room, the leaders of their coven naturally found solace in one another. Curled up close on the pristine white couch, whispering between themselves even though the action was pointless to do. Again, there was no such thing as actual privacy when living amongst vampires. They simply emulated the notion, so every sweet nothing or reassurance went into one ear and out the other.
And last was the source for the discord stirring around their once serene home. Always alone, Edward stood in front of his ceiling-to-floor high windows on the far side of his bedroom. Hands clasped behind his back, he was as motionless as a stone-carved statue, peering out but not really seeing anything. Mental film reels of today—both the good and bad—replaying in his mind's eye repeatedly while the mixture of angry, worried, and calm thoughts from his family whispered in the back of his head.
But his mind lingered longer and longer on the final part—the deal, or game as she called it. The one created out of ire and desperation Cyan herself foolishly brought into existence was plain and simple: Find out what they were before the month ended. First one to guess correctly wins. The loser would have to go, never to be seen or heard from again, while the winner remained in Forks.
The second she finished voicing it, his mouth opened and was prepared to flat-out refuse. But his golden eyes made the foolish mistake of meeting hers. Those suddenly hypnotic orbs momentarily erased all sense of logic from him as a haze seemed to fall over his vision. He then became sorta outside of his body, watching as he saw himself agreed to the game in a heartbeat. Disgusted at the breathy tone heard trailing alongside his words. He stood there, oddly transfixed as a wicked smirk spread across her lips with the ease of a poison at work. Appearing quite menacing thanks to the blood-resembling color they held.
"..As xekinísei to paichnídi." were the last words she spoke before turning on her heel. Walking away with an air of confidence, almost as if she had already won by him simply agreeing.
Confidence the young woman wish she still currently held.
Instead, she dug the heels of her palms into her eyes, cursing softly under her breath in angry regret. Spoken accords were not to made lightly she learned from a young age. 'Our words can hold power', she remembered her mother telling her long ago. Hell, someone of her age and inexperience wasn't suppose to be making games at all! What she'd done was deemed illegal in the eyes of certain people and could end very dangerously.
If Mother finds out..I won't have to worry about being placed on trial. She grimaced, stomach twisting sickly. She'll kill me before it could even be brought before them.
She leaned back with a heavy sigh, letting her head gently thud against the wall. Her melancholic eyes then slowly roamed around her room. Taking in the mint green wall color and other objects cluttered inside the small space just like she had done when first arriving. By now, her own personal touches were nicely mixed in alongside her cousin's left-behinds. But her second most prized possession was what made the room feel truly hers. Hung from plastic clothespins and attached to fairy lights above the bed were a hand-full of precious captured memories.
It was a pleasant mixture of Bella's old polaroids that were once pinned to the cork bulletin board, her silly adventures with Becca back in Boston, and the few Angela shared with her of everyone hanging either at lunch or in the parking lot. The only photo not hanging was the framed one which sat on the top shelf of her bookcase. It held the image of an eight year old Cyan with two missing front teeth grinning stupidly from ear to ear. Tiny arm thrown around her father's shoulders, doing the very same at their first Red Sox game together.
She moved from her comfortable spot on the windowsill. Stopping once her knees bumped against the right side of her bed. To then crawl on top until she knelt in front of the rows of frozen images; a soft gentleness in her gaze as they skimmed over them. One of her hand raised to affectionately brush fingertips across the latest addition—a candid photo featuring Charlie, Billy, and Jacob. Grouped together with a bunch of other faces she neither met nor knew in the Black's tiny living room, cheering to some basketball game on the television. Jake had gifted it after having seen the beginning to her little project a month ago.
"You can keep that until we get you included in one, haha." he told happily with that ever million-watts smile strictly his. A warm little smile of her own always stretched across her face when peering at the entirety; no matter what mood or dilemma bothered her.
Her forehead fell against the photo then, eyes squeezing shut as the urge to cry overwhelmed her once more.
She didn't want to lose nor taint that feeling.
"..How much change will come because of this?" Edward voiced his inquiry aloud. Finally turning away from the raging storm, golden eyes slowly trailed to the open doorway. Landing on the dark-haired pixie teeming with nervous energy leaning against it. "How much, Alice?" Her gaze remained planted on some random spot on the white carpet as her thin shoulders lifted with a hesitant shrug.
"Asking me that is cheating, Edward." she answered softly, knowing the true implication those ostensibly innocent questions held. A deep frown appeared on his lips, figuring as much. Desperate, he ignored their long-established rules and tried to search her mind for answers instead. But as always, the future seer is one step ahead of him. Which results in him getting a mental first row seat to she and her husband's recent raunchy escapades.
Nose crinkling in disdain, he deadpanned. "That was uncalled for."
"So was peeking inside my head without permission." came the smug reply. Moving towards the gray chaise lounge chair sat in the middle of his room, her brother dropped down ungracefully across the plush cushions. As if all the strength holding him together left his cold body in that very instant. His sister chuckled behind her hand at the sight. He was always one for the dramatics, having a tendency to act like he was trapped in some tragic Shakespearean play.
"Oh, woe is me!" She imagined him proclaiming next which made that twinkly laugh of hers float in the air again.
The golden eyes they shared narrowed at her. "I'm so glad you find my current predicament amusing."
"Oh no! There's definitely nothing funny about that." was assured in an earnest tone, yet an entertained smile remained on her lips when finally entering the room. "But! If it makes you feel any better, there's still no drastic change to the future so far." Nothing more was exchanged between them as the tiniest member of the Cullen household disappeared into his closet. His auburn-haired head shook upon hearing a merry little tune being hummed along with the sound of shuffling clothes hangers. Leaving him once again to wonder whether the cheerfulness oozing from her with ease came naturally or was influenced by her empath significant other.
His gaze returned to staring through the ceiling for a few quiet moments until the circling memories finally grew too much. Antsy fingers combed harshly through deliberate messy locks; another frustrated sigh escaping. Not caring that by doing so ruined the tedious style and causing a few strands to rest against his forehead now.
No, the thing he cared about was what the right choice could be—
Go through with the deal and win? Or forfeit and go?
God, choosing the latter would've been so effortless, if not for his knowledge of Carlisle's odd love towards the backwoods town. Because from the long list of former places they had resided, Forks wasn't even close to being considered one of his favorites. Never was there any other thing nor person that made him want to continue tolerating such a deary, boring place where giant wolves roamed and waited for one of them slip up.
Leaving and never returning would be a welcomed refreshing breeze.
The 'beast' whined pathetically at the very thought. An action it had never done before when the topic came about. It usually longed to roam; thanks to the nomadic nature all vampires were stricken with since creation. The idea of being domesticated was still a surprisingly foreign concept to a large majority of their kind even today and not only hundreds of years ago. It was seen as substantially more natural and a part of 'their roots' to simply survive on constant movement and fed under only the cover of night. Plus, not every vamp or coven was fortunate enough to have riches they accumulated over centuries. But his coven's lifestyle was considered even more of an oddity in their crimson eyes. Vampires hardly desired to coexist with their 'food', much less feast willingly on animals alone.
However, this time around felt strangely different to the telepath. Something made him want to stay..
But you already have, sadly told the unknown voice in her head; apparently returned to normal by now. Cyan grimaced, hating the disappointment also laced in its' tone. Much like a parent would after their child done something they thought them better of. That always resulted in them instantly burning with pure shame. The one she'd been met with on multiple occasions during the course of her so far short life.
So it was second nature for her to lash out, bitterly snapping back. It's your fault I'm in this mess! The voice didn't care much for her unwarranted accusation as the doleful disappointment quickly vanished. Replaced with the familiar venomous scorn that dripped from her mother's tongue.
No, it's yours.
The word made her flinch back as if physically slapped. And with it the hated shame sprung forth once more.
Because all of the blame, no matter how much she wished, couldn't be pushed on some phantom voice. It was her who couldn't face the damn truth when suddenly confronted. Her, who with nowhere else to run and metaphorically backed into a corner created a game. Like the coward she always found herself being..a coward who now forced someone into something they believed was probably harmless.
And sure, Edward tended to be a pretentious asshole in her opinion and got on her nerves but—
He helped me. A velvety soothing tone trying to prevent her from reckless driving. Arms stretched in a placid manner that were strong enough to stop a car. Yet held her gently with such care when drenching wet and half out of her mind. More than once when he didn't have to at all.
And now I've damned not only him and myself..but his family as well. Who she always heard nothing but only good things when Charlie mentioned them. Carlisle and all the help he brought to the community by being such an efficient doctor. That his wife was such a doting and loving mother. And the other siblings kept to themselves and never caused any trouble or received any in return.
Not until I came around. The harsh sting of self-loathing pierced her insides twice as violent this time around. "..Fuck!" Her hand slammed against the wall in anger; the loud bang and shout thankfully lost amongst the roaring thunder.
She needed to fix this somehow.
Tawny orbs unconsciously drifted to his desk nestled in the corner. Landing on the red aluminum can which sat right smack in the center like a silent beacon. The sealed beverage still having absolutely zero use whatsoever for the vampire. And yet he stubbornly continued to hold onto it. The longer he stared, none of the dire answers he needed came forth from the cylinder.
Instead, lost brown eyes entered his mind. Peering back and seeming to plead with him again to somehow relieve whatever sorrow consumed them.
"Help me.." whispered suddenly in his ears then like a strange mantra. "See me.."
Oh so slowly wearing him down. And right as his confliction and logic began to trickle away, those sad dark browns overtaking Edward's thoughts quickly melded to that bright compelling green. The beseeching whisper turned sultry, adding one last phrase to finally seal his fate and set a fire ablaze deep inside both him and the 'beast'.
"Know me."
On opposite sides of the same sleepy little town, two foolish souls were consumed with utter determination as they came to a decision.
Translation: "As xekinísei to paichnídi."- "Let the game begin."
Lovely's Honorable Mentions
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