—You guys came. Carlisle says, greeting Sam, Jacob, and Seth. They came in at the first ray of light, eager to get answers. —Come in and make yourselves at home.
All three of them enter the house and gather in the living room like always, but this is far from a social visit.
—You know why we're here. Sam is not looking for chit-chat. The smell of a human in a house of vampires brings back bad memories.
—Of course. Carlisle always tries to be as relaxed as possible when talking to Sam. The boy has enough anger in him for the both of them, so it's better to keep things civil. —And I believe you also know that there is nothing to worry about. We are practically a hotel for humans at this point.
Carlisle's humor falls flat in the room. Emmett is better than me at this. He thinks, feeling uncomfortable.
—That isn't true. The situation here is different, right? We heard from Jasper that human has no ID. Sam says.
—Yes, but we are investigating that. Alice says.
—Is that so? Sam says sarcastically, looking around the room like he's looking for someone. —I don't see any police anywhere.
—Jasper is taking care of the investigation. It's… complicated. Alice looks over to Esme. She has her head down like she's ashamed.
—The situation is always complicated. What is the problem this time? Sam is very impatient.
—She appeared to us in an…. unusual way. Carlisle explains. —We found her, lost in the woods. We were not going to interfere, but she came to the house, looking for help, and we couldn't let her freeze to death because we had to keep a low profile.
Carlisle is cautious about keeping the most crucial details out. He and Edward have always acted like mediators between the shape-shifters and their family, and they have gotten closer than ever to each other, but they can't ignore thousand-year instincts.
—I took care of her. He continues. —She was very weak, and when she woke up, she had no memories of who she was, but we noticed some peculiar things. She couldn't remember her name, but she knew how to use the robots. Carlisle can hear Anne breathing slowly in her room. He agrees with Jasper that it is better to investigate this ourselves. Besides, Anne is just a human. She's not a risk to anyone in that house. They can keep things under control until Jasper returns. They have to.
—It's true. Alice says, backing up Carlisle. —She didn't recognize herself in the mirror. She doesn't even know how old she is.
—So, she has no ID, and no other human knows that she's here. If she disappears, no one will notice. Sam must ensure that the Cullens keep the rules they agreed upon for a peaceful life together. It doesn't matter how friendly they are to each other; some lines shouldn't be crossed.
—Why are you keeping it a secret? Her problem sounds serious; maybe it's better to let the humans handle it. Jacob gets in the middle of the conversation, trying to calm things down and move the conversation to a more optimistic one than the "human captured to become dinner" tone that Sam was going for.
—Because I made her a promise. Esme finally speaks up. She's anxious about this conversation and knows she can't let things get out of control. She needs Anne to stay with her, at least until Esme's… ready. —When she woke up, she was terrified of everything. If we were to deliver her to the police, she would have to suffer the trauma of being put through the system and tossed in a home without anyone on her side. I want her to feel safe, at least until she recovers her memory. She's very… sensitive to everything around her and very jumpy. I knew she needed someone to rely on, so I promised her she could stay with us until we found her family.
Esme kept the real reasons to herself since they might misinterpret them for something else. For now, this should suffice to convince him that she doesn't want to hurt the girl or keep her to herself somehow.
—You sound like you understand her very well. To Sam, Esme has always been a quiet presence in the background of his visits to the house. She was always calm and polite to everyone. This is the first time he heard her speak her mind this way.
—I know enough. I know she's just a child, a sweet child that doesn't deserve to be dragged around by strangers that don't care if she's afraid or not. I can help her, make sure she's safe until she remembers. Esme can tell by the look on Sam's face that he is cautious but not aggressive like before. He believes her words.
—She's right, Sam. We are not doing anything… bad. She's getting better and trying her best to remember. Alice also notices that Sam is less defensive than before and tries to help.
—All right. Let's say I believe your reasons not to take her to the authorities. What will you do if you can't help her? Sam has a serious look on his face again. He has to cover all the possibilities.
—What do you mean? Esme asks, confused.
Sam knows that the Cullens consume animal blood, and they are not attacking humans, but he can't understand their style of life. They jump from town to town and then come back to Forks for a few years. He's not ignorant to the fact that they come back because of Renesmee and Jake, but he disagrees with that. Because of them, he has to keep living on as a shape-shifter and watch the people around him die, only because they want to play humans.
—I mean, Sam continues —What will happen if she doesn't remember? What if Jasper can't find her family? You look very… determined to keep her around. The longer she stays, the more difficult it will be to take her to the humans without getting involved. Are you going to… keep her?
—If you're suggesting we will turn her, I guarantee you that won't happen. I admit that I didn't consider the possibility of her not recovering her memory or Jasper not finding her family, but it is too early to be so pessimistic.
The silence in the room is deafening. Sam is not entirely convinced, and Carlisle doesn't know what else to say to make him believe they mean no harm to the girl.
—What are the chances? Sam asks.
—Of her recovering her memory? I can't be sure, but she looks healthy, so it shouldn't be very long. Carlisle answers.
—Is there a chance she is suspicious of you?
—That's a vague question. Do you want to know if she's apprehensive? Yes. She thinks she's invading our space and being an inconvenience. She feels guilty for relying on us to help her and thinks she's asking too much of us. But if you want to know if she suspects who we really are? No. She trusts us.
—What about meeting other people? Jacob asks. —Is she not feeling trapped inside this house? He doesn't want to worsen this, but he also has to make sure this "situation" won't cause a… ruckus.
—We're are not locking her inside! Esme feels offended that Jacob would suggest she would do something like that to Anne.
—I know that Esme. What I mean is, if she's inside all the time, alone and not talking to other people… I just think that she'll start overthinking if she has too much free time. Jacob believes in Carlisle and Esme's words, but he also has to convince Sam as well.
—Jacob is right. Have you thought about it? Sam asks.
—We have tried to distract her, but we don't have a definitive solution. Alice thought about going around town with her and letting her have fun, but the possibilities of things going wrong are endless. What if someone asks her about the girl? What would she even say?
—And it's not like we can explain to her why she can't tell anyone about not having any memories, so it's risky to let her befriend a stranger. Carlisle says. He knows it's not enough of a distraction for Anne to hang around boring old vampires, but he can't think of a good way to keep her entertained.
—I suggest one of us then. Jacob says, making everyone look at him. All faces in the room go from "serious discussion about the future of the human" to "what the heck?" very quickly. A wolf living in a house of vampires? It is like putting two hungry lions in a den and hoping they won't kill each other.
Jacob is trying his best to keep the situation under control, and he thinks his plan is perfect. At least, he wants to keep the problem under control until Bella and Edward are back. Maybe he can read the girl's mind or something.
—What do you mean, one of you? Alice is very frustrated that she can't read the shape-shifters. It would be much easier if she knew what to expect, but with one of them next to Anne all the time, it will affect her visions of the girl.
—If she can't have contact with humans, then she can get close to one of us. That way, we won't compromise any secrets, and we can keep an eye on her at all times.
Jacob's idea doesn't please everyone in the room. Carlisle seems to be thinking about it, but Alice and Esme are exchanging worried looks. They are afraid something might happen to the girl with a big angry, unstable wolf in the house, always on edge because he's surrounded by vampires.
Sam doesn't like the idea, but he can see some sense in it like Carlisle. Seth thinks all of them are crazy for even considering such a thing, but as the youngest one in the group, he's not about to say something about all this madness.
—So? Jacob says. —Who's in favor?
—The idea is not bad, but we need to discuss it more. Carlisle knows many things can go wrong, but it is worth trying. This looks like a good way out of a challenging situation.
—All right then. Let's sit in the kitchen. I'll make some tea. Esme is mentally exhausted and needs a break. She just wants to hear that Anne can stay with her. She can manage a wolf in the house, right?
They are all sitting by the table, talking and eating. The discussion goes well until Esme can hear Annes steps towards the kitchen. She stops in front of the door, eyes wide open, and says a shy "Hello" to all in the room.
I can feel my consciousness coming back, but I delay the moment of waking up for as long as I can. I stretch under the sheets, enjoying the wave of laziness through my body a little too long. When I look at the clock, it's already nine, and I jump out of bed right away. I totally overslept!
I get ready as fast as I can and run down the stairs. Esme must be waiting for me in the kitchen. I ran as fast as I could but I should've paid more attention to the voices. When I get to the door, the dining table is full, and Carlisle, Alice, and Esme are talking to their guests.
And by "guests" I mean three huge men, sitting on the dining table. All of them are dressed too lightly for the cold outside, and I can see the tan skin on their naked arms through their T-shirts. The one further away from me, closer to the kitchen island, has short black hair and a somber look on his face. He doesn't react to me. The one sitting next to him is more friendly and smiles at me. He has the same hairstyle as the angry one, but big gentle eyes, and although he is also huge and intimidating, he looks less scary than the first guy. The third one looks as young as I am and has a strange look on his face. His hair is a little longer, but he also looks like a quarterback. He looks at me like I'm the most bizarre thing he's ever seen, frozen in place.
—Ahm… Hello. I say with a small voice, intimidated by all those eyes. I should've listened better.
—Anne, you're awake! Esme comes closer to me and stands between me and all the eyes on the dining table.
—Hum… I'm sorry. I overslept. I say in a quiet voice.
—I didn't notice. Esme is smiling at me, ignoring the eyes on us.
—You have guests… I say quietly.
—Oh. Yeah. Ahm… These are our friends Sam, Jacob, and Seth. She points to each one of them as she says their names. The angry guy is Sam, the friendly one, Jacob, and the weird one is Seth. Sam still won't smile, but Jacob says hello. Seth is still staring at me and doesn't say anything.
—Nice to meet you all. I say, keeping as close to Esme as possible.
—This is Julianne. Esme says. —And I think she's still a bit sleepy, so Alice, why don't you take her upstairs?
—Sure! Come on, Anne. Alices walks over to me and pushes me outside the kitchen and toward the stairs. We walk in silence all the way to my room, and she takes a deep breath when she closes the door.
—I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt.
—What? No, that's not it. I was just tired of that conversation. Alice says, smiling. —Esme used you to get me out of there, sorry.
—Who are those people downstairs? I'm very curious about them. I wish to know a bit more than their names.
—They are old family friends. We've been friends for a long time, and they came down for a visit. Alice lays down on my bed, stretching her body.
—I see. She didn't really explain anything.
—Also, one of them will stay with us for a while. She says, perfectly relaxed.
—What? I ask more loudly than I intended.
—I know. I was shocked too. And you know what's worse? I have no idea who'll be. Alice is lying down on my bed and smiling at the ceiling. She always felt like a very relaxed presence to me; someone that just does what she feels like when she wants to. I wonder if she knows her words make no sense to me. I need to speak to Esme.
Alice changes the subject fast and talks in length about all the possible clothes combinations I can make with all the stuff in the closet and explains the makeup and skincare in the bathroom. She's obviously avoiding talking about what's happening downstairs, and I get more curious about it. I thought it was just a friendly visit, but to be honest, they looked a bit too serious for people having a casual conversation. I'm on the verge of asking more about them when Esme enters the room, distracting me with her smile.
—They're gone. She says, entering the room and smiling at us.
—What did they decide? Alice asks, sounding impatient.
—Anne, you must be confused, right? Esme doesn't answer Alice and comes closer to me.
—Well… a little.
—Jacob is the son of an old friend of Carlisle's. He and Sam are friends, so we naturally got closer. They just came back from picking up Seth and came to visit us. He was studying abroad, and he found a way to come back for the holidays, so we'll be hosting him until Christmas so they can make a surprise for his family. I can feel my face moving and changing at every word. She means he'll, what? Live here?
—Seth? Really? Alice asks, confused.
—Yes… He gave off a nice first impression, right Anne? Esme sounds a little strange, looking earnestly to Alice and back at me.
—What?… Oh, sh…
—Right Alice? She asks again a little too loud. It must important to her that I make friends with him. I guess it would avoid an awkward stay for him, but what about me?
—Yeah. He's a really nice kid you know. Alice smiles.
—I see… I'm trying to smile but failing miserably.
—You'll like him. He's practically you're age. Maybe a little older, but I'm sure you'll be able to communicate well. Esme is touching my hair as she speaks, and I can tell she's also not that comfortable with it.
—Besides, you won't be so bored all day. You'll have someone you're age to talk to. Alice says. Those were supposed to be good news, but…
—I…
—You'll become friends in no time, don't worry. Alice pats me in the back, and I can tell her smile is full of pity for me.
—You must be hungry. I'll make some dinner for us. Alice, will you give me a hand? Alice and Esme leave the room together, and I'm still frozen in place, processing her words.
Live here? Until Christmas? "We'll be friends in no time?" So, he'll be MY responsibility? Alice and Carlisle are usually out all day, and I haven't seen Rosalie or Emmett in some time. Esme is busy in the house, so she won't be with us all the time, and I can't just hide in my room all day like a crazy person.
I can already picture the long awkward pauses between conversations that are about to come. I've never had to make conversation before! I'm not sure I can!
I try to picture Seth's face, but the only thing I remember is how awkwardly he was looking at me. I also remember how big he looked and can't believe he was almost the same age as me. He didn't stand up, but I'm sure he's much taller than me. I wish I had paid more attention to him, but now it is too late.
When Esme called me downstairs for dinner, I didn't think it would be different from any other day. We usually eat alone, just the two of us, so I was confused when I saw the table ready for four people to sit.
—Have a seat, dear. Esme is putting big bowls of food on the table. —Alice, Carlisle. Dinner's ready.
So today is the day? Are we finally eating together?
Alice and Carlisle enter the room and take their seats at the dinner table. For them, this must feel like any other day, just a family dinner, but for me, it is like an event. I sit next to Esme at the table, and we all have dinner together. I watch them eat like they probably do all the time. When Esme asks me how's the food, I still have trouble concentrating.
—It's excellent. I say, but didn't really notice the taste.
—So, how was your day… dad? Alice starts to make small talk, and I open my ears, paying attention to the type of conversations they usually have. I want to learn more about them.
—Well, it was normal. Things at the hospital were slow; that's why I could come back early to welcome Jake and the others. Carlisle looks like he's enjoying the food better than me.
—I thought you had a procedure scheduled for today. Esme asks, taking a sip of wine.
—I had, but the patient needs more preparation. He was nervous, so I sent him home to be with his family. Anne, you heard about Seth already, right?
—Huh? He takes me by surprise. I was very concentrated on their conversation.
—You'll show him the house and get him to feel welcome, right? He asks, smiling at me bringing me back to reality now. I'm freaking out about the Seth problem again.
—But, I haven't been here that long…
—Relax. You just have to show him his room and the common areas. He doesn't have to see everything. Alice rolls her eyes when she talks. I wonder how annoyed she is about the new guest.
Well then, his tour of the house will be the living room, kitchen and the TV room because those are the only rooms, besides my bedroom, that I've been inside. And after the tour? A month of awkward silence. Yay!
—And how's the store, Alice? Still having trouble with the supplier? Carlisle asks, changing the subject.
—It's not perfect yet, but it will be. Alice stabs one of the potatoes, making a scary face.
—Take it, easy, honey. Esme says. —You're not the only one feeling the pressure. The employees need focus, not fear. I mentally agree with Esme's advice and continue to observe their conversation.
After dinner, Carlisle and Esme washed the dishes together while Alice and I had tea. They look so peaceful together, so happy. I know they must be trying to compensate for the sudden responsibility they gave me, but I couldn't be happier. This is the first time I feel connected to them. As we spend time together, I slowly feel more welcome, like… like we're…
They are not you're family. Don't fool yourself.
The voice in my head squashes my happiness. My mind quickly reminds me of the truth and plants my feet firmly on the ground. I go to bed with a heavy heart, feeling the weight of that fact on it. The importance of the truth I can't forget. I'm not this person. I don't know who I am.
The fearful morning comes. I wake up earlier than usual, get ready like always, and sit on the bed, thinking about what I will say to Seth. What kind of person is he? What is he going to say? Is he going to be friendly? I'm getting really nervous, so I stand up and pace around the room, trying to calm down. I just have to be natural. Am I too dressed up? I look at myself in the mirror, but I'm dressed like any other day, jeans and a gray hoodie. The boring stuff Alice doesn't like. I laugh, remembering how she told me to dress up better yesterday, and here we are.
I hear Esme's voice coming from the robot, calling me for breakfast. I quickly get out of the room and notice a "Welcome" sign in front of one of the doors. This must be his room. I measure the short distance between our rooms. Just three doors. After all, this is the guest area, so I shouldn't be surprised.
I go down the stairs but stop mid-way when I hear the doorbell. It's him. Esme approaches the door and smiles when she sees me, waving her hand, asking me to come closer. I take slow steps towards the door. When Esme opens it, there he is, the same strange look in his eyes.
—Seth, you're early. Come on in; breakfast is ready. Esme helps him put his bags on the carrier. He smiles at her and looks at me. I get down the stairs, trying to think of something nice to say, but all I can think of when I reach the bottom of the stairs is "Hi" so that's what I say.
—Hi. He answers. He looks as uncomfortable as I am right now. God, I can touch the awkwardness in the air!
—Seth, Julianne. Julianne, Seth. Esme says, introducing us more formally now. I feel like a five-year-old child making friends at the playground. —You saw her yesterday. I'm sure the two of you'll be very good friends. Esme pokes my arm, probably asking me to smile. —But first breakfast. Let's go.
I follow Esme closely to the kitchen with Seth right behind us. She organized the food on the big dining table. The amount increased frighteningly. Esme usually doesn't eat breakfast, so I'm not surprised she only put two seats on the table, but the seats face each other, to my despair. It's going to be difficult to avoid eye contact.
—Sit down and dig in. Esme goes to the stove to prepare something, and we sit down, one in front of the other. He is quiet, and so am I. Be a good host.
I grab a basket of bread and push it in his direction.—Here you go. Have some.
—You first. He says, pushing the basket back. This is going to be complicated.
—Ahm… all right. I look around the table and grab one of the apples. He grabs a piece of bread from the basket. The atmosphere is unbearable. I don't know if I can do this until Christmas.
Esme is looking at me from the kitchen table and laughing at my situation.
We eat in silence for a while until Esme takes pity on me and starts talking with Seth. She asks him how's the food.
—It's delicious, Esme. Thank you. His voice sounds shy when he answers.
—Great. Have some more. Esme smiles and walks away, bringing the silence back.
I finish eating as fast as I can and start to collect my dishes so I can get away from this for a moment, but I only get halfway to the sink before Esme grab them from my hand.
—Let me take care of that for you. She takes all of the dishes and brings them to the sink, leaving me standing in the middle of the kitchen.
—Oh, you're done too, Seth? Esme walks back in my direction, and I notice Seth standing right behind me. I step aside quickly and let him pass through to give his dishes to Esme.
—Anne, would you take Seth to his room? You must have seen it. It's the one with the sign hanging on the door. She's smiling at me, but I can read her diabolical plan behind that sweet smile. She wants to push me to talk to him. Her eyes are telling me, "sorry, but he's your responsibility."
—Sure. Let's go. I walk ahead of Seth as we leave the kitchen. We stop by the stairs for a moment to pick up one of the bags he didn't put in the carrier.
—You're room is on the second floor. I say, pointing upstairs. —I can help you with the luggage.
—It's ok, I can manage. He grabs a big old-looking bag and puts it over his shoulder. We go upstairs together, and after what felt like the longest walk of my life, we finally reach his room. I slide the door and go inside with him.
His room looks very similar to mine, minus the princess bed. His bed is big and normal.
—So… The bathroom is over here, and the robot controls everything electric inside the room, so just let it know what you want, but you can also use the switches on the wall. I try to explain all I know about this place the best I can.
—The closet can organize your clothes for you, and the towels are inside as well. I point to the pile of clean towels inside as I speak.
—Hum… Seth puts his bag on the floor and looks around.
—Well… This is everything. I'll let you rest then. I'm stepping back towards the door, happy this conversation is ending.
—I'm not tired. He says, making me stop. He has a big smile on his face when he speaks.
That's not what I mean.
—I mean, you must be tired from the trip. I need him to understand that I have to end this conversation right now!
—It wasn't a long one. He says, shrugging.
—That's good. I don't know what to say to this guy to get me out of here, but, luckily, Esme walks into the room, and I can breathe for a moment.
—How do you like the room? Did Anne teach you everything? Esme asks, smiling with one hand on her waist, looking around the room.
—Yeah, it's a great room, and Julianne was very… helpful. He doesn't smile much and looks a bit awkward. Maybe, he's just not that close to her.
—Why don't you unpack and get ready? I want to show you guys something. Oh, and wear nanotech. We're going outside. I follow Esme out of the room and finally relax after closing the door.
—Don't be so nervous; he won't bite. Esme says, laughing at my behavior around Seth.
—I know, but… it's just so awkward. I put my hands over my face and shake my head, trying to shake the embarrassment away too.
—It'll get better. You just need time to get to know each other. She pats my head, and I look at her, smiling at me like aways. —Get changed. You'll love what I have to show you.
I walk to my room, dragging my feet, and put on the nanotech with an extra coat, so I won't get my clothes wet. I stall a little bit, giving Seth time to get ready and leave his room before me. When it feels safe, I go out, but bam! There he is, leaving his room at the same time as me. Maybe we had the same idea.
—Hi… Again. He says, smiling at me.
—Hey… Ahm… shall we? I say, almost running through the corridor and downstairs to meet Esme.
She's waiting for us by the door, wearing a beautiful white coat. It's the first time I see her with her hair tied up, and she looks stunning as always. I didn't notice before since I wanted to run away from a conversation alone with him in the corridor, but now I can see better what Seth is wearing. A thin-looking coat and jeans. No gloves or scarf. It doesn't matter if he lived inside a fridge when he was abroad; there is no way he's not cold. Esme doesn't look bothered by it and just opens the door.
—Let's go. It's just behind the house. You two are going to love this, especially you, Seth. When she opens the door, the cold wind burns the skin on my face, making me shiver as we walk outside.