17
Angela is gone before I can assure her that Isabella Swan isn't going to care if her already immaculate bedroom isn't spotless. She's here to watch over them, Alice mainly, and I doubt she'll even go inside a bedroom that isn't hers.
I double-check the guest room I've set up for her, wondering if I should take the bed out before hunting down Alice. I know exactly where she is, but I take my time because I know this isn't going to go well. Hence, why I saved her for last.
She's sitting at the window seat, scrolling through Facebook on her computer, when she grants me entry into her chaotic mess of a bedroom. She doesn't look up when I ask if I can have a minute of her time, so I lean against the doorframe and drop the bomb so I can make a hasty exit.
Her reaction is just as explosive as I expected it would be.
"I've already lost my role, you won't let me see my boyfriend outside of school, and now you're telling me that someone is going to be here 24-7 to make sure I behave?" she demands, the apples of her cheeks turning a dark shade of scarlet. "I knew you were going to do something, but this is insane."
I sigh.
"And Jasper doesn't project on you on purpose! He's come so far since changing his diet for you!" She jabs a finger at me. "He has to learn how to control his gifts all over again."
"It's done, Alice. I've already signed the contract and made my deposit." I show her the fading bruise on the inside of my left elbow.
In true dramatic fashion, she stomps her foot. "I'm sixteen years old. I don't need a babysitter."
"You're sixteen and your boyfriend is a vampire, Mary Alice." Her eyes narrow, and her jaw clenches. "The two of you are constantly disobeying the rules I set when you brought him into my house."
She opens her mouth to argue. but I continue. "I want to make it very clear that Isabella isn't here because of your sister. This is all because you and Jasper have made it so that I can't trust you."
Her eyes blaze with anger. "I hate you."
Years ago, the words would have gutted me like a knife, but this isn't the first time I've heard them, and I highly doubt it'll be the last. It just goes with the territory of being a single father to two teen girls.
"That's fine. Hate me." I shrug. "Isabella will be here tonight for a week-long trial, and I expect you to welcome her graciously into this house."
Her eyes roll. "You expect me to be friendly to the vampire you hired to spy on me for the next two years. Not a chance. I don't care if it's the president herself." She stomps forward and all but pushes me out of her room.
"This attitude isn't going to get you anywhere, you know." She slams the door in my face. "And the bathroom better be spotless before she gets here!"
I walk past Angela's room and hear a soft "thank you".