6
It's obvious the twins were born after vampires made their presence known.
Sure, they learn about the dark times in their history classes, but it's just that, history. They'll never know just how hard it was to learn how to coexist with the very things that almost destroyed humanity, and I'm glad about that.
They'll never know the struggle it was for our family in the beginning. They thought it was funny how unjarred I was the first time I met their kindergarten teacher and his aide, who happened to be immortal.
I want to make it very clear that I am not a racist. I have both working and personal relationships with vampires—it's impossible not to—and I highly respect quite a few. I proudly support President Swan.
Things changed when Alice brought Jasper home. It took a long time to come to terms with their relationship, but when he started using his ability to manipulate me, my opinion only worsened.
Of course, the tipping point for me was last year when I found out my wife had been cheating on me. She'd been sleeping with a vamp who worked on the fourth floor of Volturi Consultants in hopes that she'd get a one way ticket to an eternal life. The end of my marriage has left me bitter and prejudiced of their kind.
"Dad, one or two slices?" Angela asks.
"It's been a long day, let's take this into the living room."
She helps me carry everything in, and I call for Alice to come out of her room.
When she surfaces, her eyes are bloodshot, and Angie is quick to ask what's wrong. I explain what I came home to, and she just shakes her head in disappointment and goes back to dishing out the pizza.
"Dad grounded me, and now I'm going to lose my role in the play." Alice sniffs. "Mrs. Cope just told me that I'm being demoted to understudy because I can't guarantee that I'll be able to attend all the rehearsals. It's so unfair."
"I hate to say I told you so but …" Angela sings songs and hands her a plate.
"Shut up."
"Girls."
We eat our pizza and look for something to watch.
"Hey, Ang."
Angela rolls her eyes because even she can tell Alice is about to ask her for something.
"Ali?"
"Do you think if Dad agrees that maybe you could chaperone my rehearsals?" She gives me a hopeful pout. "That way you can make sure I'm behaving, and I don't have to lose my spot."
"Can't." Angela shrugs and turns back to the TV. "I picked up a couple extra shifts at the center. Exams are coming up, and they could use all the help they can get."
"But—"
"You brought this on yourself, Mary Alice," I tell her. "You disrespected me, and now you'll have to pay the price. Your sister said no, so drop it."