I woke up this morning with a start; a bead of sweat trickling down my back under the t-shirt I'd worn to bed. The dreams I had were always vivid - I was used to them as I knew no different. But I'd never had this bodily reaction to them before. I couldn't remember what I'd dreamt about and that frustrated me. Because of the start, I knew I wouldn't fall back to sleep easily. So my Saturday was starting early. The first thing I needed to do that morning was hunt. The reaction to the dream had taken away some of my energy and left my throat aching and parched.
Most of the students would still be in bed at this time on a Saturday morning so I took the advantage and had a long, warm shower. The hot water pelted my back muscles, loosening them and relaxing my body. Mixed with my fruity shampoo, I felt at home.
I dressed quickly, leaving my hair damp and walked out of the door. The morning had a light breeze beneath the sunshine making it quite cold. It was unusual to have any form of sunshine in these parts in October so it was natural for people to relish in it despite the drop in temperature. I made my way slowly and unnoticed to the forestry area where I broke out into a run.
I loved the free feeling that accompanied running. It was liberating. I got the same liberation from running as I did from sketching or playing piano. I ran for a while, ignoring my senses and relished in the sensation. I couldn't ignore them for long though as I automatically picked up a scent of some elk nearby and proceeded in their direction.
I drained the two largest, immediately quenching the burning that had started in my throat. I stood surveying myself for a while deciding that I'd be fully satisfied with another kill. Barely a second after that decision, I had taken off after the rest of the group that had scattered. Following the faint earthly scent the elk produced, I nearly missed the sweet aroma that passed through my nose making me halt. I sniffed the air again and tensed. The scent was fresh meaning that they were nearby. I turned around and retreated. I knew who the scent belonged to. I thought I was far enough from campus for me not to be interrupted by anyone else; I suppose I didn't take the vampires into consideration.
Luckily enough, I picked up the sound of a herd lapping water at the river. Their heartbeats were stronger meaning the blood was fresher and that there was more of it. I approached the river and hid myself behind a tree, eyeing my next prey. I identified a small doe that was the nearest to me and lightly stepped forward with caution. I crouched, not blinking once, and then pounced. My teeth sunk into her jugular and the blood slid stealthily down my throat. Animals with a larger heart always tasted better to me. Of course, carnivores had better blood than herbivores.
I sensed it then and automatically tensed; a new smell blowing in from the east. And it was close. I couldn't process the scent within my brain as I was mid-hunt and my instincts came first – I had to protect my prey. I released the doe's throat and turned in a crouch, growling. A russet coloured animal then spouted from the trees. The recognition sunk in and I forgot my vampire instincts.
"Jake, you idiot, you scared me!" I told him as I turned back to the limp carcass. It wasn't quite dead so I had no choice but to snap its neck.
Jake's wooden scent then approached me and I was pulled backwards into a warm wall. "I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were hunting."
I turned in his arms. "Well, why else would I be in the woods?"
He hesitated then and a light bulb illuminated in my head. "You're not here for me, are you?"
His arms tightened around me. "No, I wasn't but I picked up on your scent while we were patrolling and came looking. I was worried why you were so far out. I would have come to see you soon anyway." He was pleading and that made me smirk.
"Sure, sure, Jake," I teased looking away from him.
"Aww, Ness, come on!" He whined. "I know you've missed me too, how could you not?"
I laughed and hit him in his chest. "Smart ass."
"Okay, I'm sorry. I would have stopped by though. I needed to give you your birthday gift," he told me.
I looked at him wide eyed. "Jake, I told you I didn't want you to buy me anything-"
"And I didn't," he interrupted. "I made it, so technically I didn't buy it."
"But Jake that's-" I whined but he cut me off by placing his large warm hand over my mouth.
His other hand was held up in front of my face. Dangling from it was a small woven bag. I'd seen the bag before, I know I had. He removed my face from his grasp so that he could shake out the contents onto his palm. His raised his hand to show me a silver chain-linked bracelet. Dangling from one of the links was a mahogany coloured wolf. I recognised it. My mom had one similar from Jake. I could tell it wasn't the same because the chain was smaller and a different wood had been used. Plus, another charm in the same wood dangled close to the wolf: a small rounded heart. On the opposite side of the chain dangled the shape of a swan carved in a lighter brown wood.
Jake grinned at my open mouthed expression and gently brought up my wrist to attach the bracelet. "The wolf represents me and the pack, the swan is there for Bella and Charlie as they wanted a representation."
"What's the heart for?" I asked without thinking.
He smirked, "Two reasons. First, your mom told me that your new best friend – who I'd like to meet soon – is named Jenna Hart." I dumbly nodded my head as I realised its significance. "The charms represent everyone who is important to you. I thought you'd like it."
"Jake, I love it!" I exclaimed before throwing my arms around his neck and hugging him.
I felt him arms constrict around my waist again and I felt a wave on euphoria I'd never felt before. It was like a stronger electric current wrapping ourselves around each other. Emily told me she had that feeling with Sam and that I could experience something like it as a way to tell me my feelings were changing. "What's the second reason?"
He took a step back and looked at me to assess my reaction. "You may not feel it yet, Nessie, but one day I'll have your heart. You already have mine," he told me tapping the bracelet. I understood then.
I stared at him in wonderment. I saw him raise his hand as if to cup my face before a howl ripped through the trees startling me. Jake dropped his hand. "I have to go. I'll see you soon."
On impulse I kissed him. It was only a soft kiss but it sent a ripple down my spine and even though our lips were no longer touching, I could still feel the heat on them.
Jake tilted his head to the side and smiled.
"Thank you," I told him. He began to run through the trees then. I stared after him for a while before I decided to walk back at an average human pace.
My mind kept wandering to different things, mainly revolving around Jake. I didn't have any particular idea about what was happening. I knew the inevitability of loving him; it was destined way before I was born. But I'd also agreed that no relationship would happen until I was officially sixteen. I'd promised it so I was sticking to it. From this, I rationalised that things would happen naturally and I wasn't to rush it. This thought alone put a smile on my face.
Half way through my return to campus, the temperature dropped consistently and the sun declined further in the west. A cool breeze whistled the trees and it was then I realised how far I'd actually come. I sniffed the air searching for my scent and found it fading. I must have been out here hours. I made the decision to run back at vampire speed.
As I heard the movement of people in the distance, I slowed back to my human pace and exited the enclosure of the forestry.
The sky had dulled; the day had entered twilight as I made my way sluggishly back to my room. As I approached, I caught the sight of black hair stood at my door. I sniffed and smelt the familiar honeyed scent of Alice. I looked and saw she was carrying masses of bags with her. I frowned in confusion.
At that moment she turned around and spotted me, "Nessie! Come on, where have you been? I've been trying to call you for the past hour."
"Sorry, I didn't have my cell," I told her.
I reached her a second or so later and began to open my door. It flew open and Alice barged in dumping the bags at the foot of my bed.
"Alice, what is all that stuff?" I asked her.
She rolled her eyes. "Our outfits for tonight, make-up; etcetera." All she needed was a duh on the end to match her tone. How could I know that was what it was? Sure I wasn't as bad as Bella – I actually liked being dolled up – but I was still a simpleton and didn't see the point of having an entirely new outfit and products for one night. Alice obviously did.
"Right, Jenna will be here in half an hour so go get showered because I need to do your hair before she turns up," she ordered. "I said I'd do her hair while she does your make-up."
I raised my eyebrow, "And I can't do my own hair and make-up because...?"
She just glared at me, "Because that's no fun." I smirked at her. "Now go!"
It was hopeless against her. I walked to the small bathroom I had and grabbed my towel, toiletries and robe before walking to the showers.
The warm water helped relax me for tonight. I'd never been to a party before and I'd never let myself drink either because no one was sure how alcohol would affect me given thanks to my vampire side.
Massaging my shampoo through my hair one last time, I calmed myself down. I told myself I was over thinking things too much.
I shut off the shower and towelled my body before I slipped on my robe. I wrapped my hair in the towel on top of my head before I grabbed my toiletries and headed back to my room.
I walked into my dorm and froze. Alice's head snapped up and her eyes met mine as a clatter sounded somewhere in the room. Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at me. It was then I realised that I'd dropped what was in my hands, causing the clatter she'd responded to. I couldn't bring myself to fix it though as I stared at Alice. On the bed next to her lay one of my sketchbooks. She was casually flicking through it when I walked in.
"What are you doing?" I asked her keeping all hostility and irritation out of my voice.
She looked at her hands. "Oh! I was looking for your hair brush and saw this on your nightstand. Curiosity got the better of me. You don't mind, do you?"
I looked at her again, "Err, no." Yes.
"They're really good. You're so talented. I mean, I know you're good, I've seen your work before, but these are different. They're... wow..." She trailed off.
It wasn't the fact she was looking at the sketches that bothered me; it was what I'd sketched. The book that she was looking through was all my personal stuff. Nothing she'd recognise had come up yet. She'd seen the park by the diner and some other sentimental places which would appear like generic places. She'd just turned to the picture of the meadow my mom took me to and gushed about how beautiful it was, claiming it as her favourite drawing. I understood what she was saying but the sound of my heartbeat filled my ears. The next picture was a photo of Jake... in his wolf form. She was a vampire and it wouldn't take her long to figure out what I was associated with, or who I was in general. The picture after that was a sketch of my mom and Jake. I'd put that much detail into it that you could tell that Bella was a vampire. Alice wasn't stupid; she'd know for sure.
I'd taken care with hiding the photo and left the book out for her to find; how could I be so careless?
Did I mention that Jenna was a god send? It was at that moment that she'd decided to walk through the door, preventing Alice from turning the page. I felt like kissing Jenna right now. She'd just saved my ass from what could have been the most awkward conversation in history. Alice closed my book and jumped from the bed.
"Jenna, you're early!" Alice scolded, "I haven't done Nessie's hair yet!"
Jenna just shrugged, "It's fine, I'll wait."
Alice came on full force then and started ordering me to sit and hold still as she worked her magic on us, dressing us in typical party gear and dolling us up to perfection. My outfit was classy and was perfect for me. I felt comfortable. Alice had asked me to wear heels but I stubbornly refused so she settled on simple ballet flats instead.
Before long we were heading out of the door and making our way to the other building to find the floor that was hosting the so-called 'college party'. Alice walked in front, with Jenna and me at her heels. I couldn't take that opportunity to thank Jenna for her accidental interruption because I knew no matter how low I spoke that Alice would still be able to hear me.
The vibration and echo of the bass thumped from above us as we walked up the final flight of stairs. Opening the door, people could already be seen entering and exiting different dorms further down the hall. Five doors at the end of the corridor were in use and they all bustled with life. Alice let out a small squeal of delight whilst Jenna gave my hand a squeeze and sent me a huge smile. I smiled back, maybe not with as much enthusiasm. I'd never wanted to come to this 'party' but now that I was here I thought there was no harm in letting my hair down – figuratively.
Before we could do anything else, two tall guys stepped in front of us preventing our approach.
"Excuse me," I hissed, "what do you think you're doing?"
The guy on the right sneered whilst the other looked taken aback at the venom in my voice. It was natural, I couldn't help it.
"There's no entry without a paying toll," he told us, "so pay up."
I was confused and my expression must have shown that. The smug one raked his eyes up and down my body and licked his lips hungrily as he assessed my figure. I sneered in reply before Alice stepped forward and held a bottle of vodka in front of his face. He directed his attention to that and nodded slightly.
"Take it and your perverted ass somewhere else," she hissed, "before I do something to the little you down there." She indicated towards his trousers.
From behind me I heard Jenna snigger and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. A threat like that coming from Alice was laughable as she was only small and looked feeble. Of course, we knew better, but he didn't and the look on his face was priceless. He snatched the bottle and walked away from us. We walked into a room and found a corner for us before Alice declared she needed the bathroom. As she danced off I eyed Jenna suspiciously. Jenna shrugged and turned to retrieve something from the bag she was carrying. From it, she pulled an identical bottle of vodka.
"I thought you'd given it the creep?" I shouted over the music.
"Please, have a little faith in me," she scoffed. "That one was full of water. This is the real stuff."
She dragged me and the bottle over to a group of about five people sat on a couch surrounding a small table. "Hey, do you mind if we join? I have vodka!" Jenna declared.
All of them whooped in response before we were indicated to join the circle too. A guy with black hair announced that there were enough people to play ring of fire and quickly dribbled the rules to us. He announced that because he wanted to get wasted that every rule would require us to drink. I was reluctant and felt a little uncomfortable being here at that moment, however, my eyes caught Jenna's and she mouthed 'experience'. I glared at her and she just smirked. Before I could do anything else, the game had been initiated and I was sucked into a game that used up more than half the bottle of vodka. Jenna kept pulling out the higher number cards and all of the aces were pulled out within the first ten hands making her rather intoxicated early on. My body felt lighter than usual and the feeling of confidence entered my system but other than that I was fine. Jenna had obviously seen this so every time a 2 or 8 were picked up she shouted my name. It was then I became almost everybody's 'mate'.
Three of the group left to go and dance so the game had to change. Jenna introduced us to a card game called Irish snap but she added a twist: the last person to 'snap' would not only get the cards but had to take a shot. It was safe to say that the game was a hit and eventually we were all out of vodka. The black haired guy, who I'd learned was known as Whitey, pulled me and another girl called Zara onto the makeshift dance floor whilst Jenna was preoccupied with his friend. They were good looking guys but I wasn't interested and Whitey didn't seem to be either so it was fun. As we were dancing to I'm Sexy and I know It, I subconsciously looked around for Alice who had yet to return. My vision was becoming a little hazy and the only resemblance I saw was a small black haired girl stood with a penny-haired boy. I couldn't tell if it was her with Edward or not but I was sure she told me this stuff wasn't his thing so I chose to ignore it and not dwell on anything but this moment.
A new song started and Jenna came over squealing in my ear, "Oh my god, I love this song!"
It had been played that night already and I couldn't help but sing along with Jenna. That is until she got the words wrong. "I AM A DIRR-TYY WHORE!" she screamed along.
I couldn't help myself and laughed in hysterics as I watched Jenna fling her blonde hair back and forth, repeating the wrong lyrics over and over.
"Jenna, those aren't the words!" I shouted to her. "She's saying: I am Titanium, you dumb ass!"
Jenna just shook her head, "Yeah, but if you listen closely it sounds similar! Besides, my version is soooo much better!" She droned in her drunken haze.
I laughed at her again and continued dancing before my head felt heavy and I had to stop. I felt the wall hit my back before I could register that I had slumped against it. I heard my heartbeat in my head and I panicked, "Jenna!" I tried to call but my voice couldn't be heard.
I had no idea what was happening as I felt my blood burn inside me. My body must have been responding to the alcohol but it never affected a human rapidly like this. Sure, if they drank a lot then they could pass out but I didn't feel any of the effects until now. I'd lost my inhibitions and my eyesight was blurry now and then but nothing else had affected me yet, so why now? A searing heat rocketed through me, igniting a fire in my chest and I collapsed on the floor not being able to hold myself up. My eyesight blurred as tears formed in my eyes but these tears stung. It hit me then like a ton of bricks. It was venom. The venom in my body was reacting to the alcohol I'd consumed. As with every contaminant, my venom expelled a foreign substance as it would a virus.
Before I could think any more, the fire went into my head and I looked around frantically. From my blurred vision I could see two people make their way over to me before they slanted to the left and I blacked out.
-o0o-
I verged on a state of consciousness and I felt no weight on me at all. My head was slumped against something hard and I registered the motion of being carried. Other than that I couldn't fathom anything else. As my body woke up steadily, my mind forced it back into slumber. I couldn't physically make my body move so I just lay still in whose ever arms were carrying me. For some reason I felt safe, but that was all I could comprehend...until I heard voices.
"I can't believe we have to do this," I heard a male voice groan. I recognised it but I couldn't put it to a name. I felt the vibrations against my ear which told me this person was carrying me.
A female voice replied, "Suck it up, Edward, we couldn't just leave them."
Edward. An Edward was carrying me. Wait, Alice's Edward? Hold on, them? Who else was with us?
"Yes, we could have," he grunted.
"Could you really?"
I felt him sigh, "Probably not in the state she's in, no."
Was he referring to me or to the other person? I heard the female chuckle before a silence fell. I couldn't hear anything so it startled me when he tensed and spoke.
"Alice, we're not getting into this again. There is no resemblance at all, besides she'd be too old to be her daughter," he hissed. So it was Alice then.
"It doesn't have to be her daughter!"
"If she was a sister, we'd have known; it's only been ten years." After a pause his body stance changed then and his voice became laced with fury. "She's not dead!"
"And how do you know when you've not thought to check?" Alice whispered.
"Your visions are subjective, there could be many reasons why you can't see her."
He sighed, "I refuse to believe she's dead. It's been ten years; she's somewhere with her own family. She's happy."
"What if she's not?"
"I can't Alice, please just drop it."
"Fine," she told him. "This is her dorm; just put her on the bed."
I felt myself being lowered onto a bed before my shoes were removed and the covers were pulled over me. My body felt heavier.
Alice's voice seemed further away when she next spoke, "It's a good job I can hear her heartbeat; she looks dead."
She was definitely talking about me.
Edward chuckled, "That's humans for you. We all know they're reckless and idiotic. Especially teenagers."
"We are teenagers."
I didn't hear the rest of the conversation as my mind won and my senses cut off into a peaceful bliss that were my dreams.