CHAPTER 28 – Goodbye, Alice
Bella's POV:
"She smells amazing.", Master said to another man, "Tastes UNBELIEVABLE too. But her blood is poison. It nearly killed me last month."
I was standing there, before the two of them, naked, my arms chained behind me, bent over. A thick, single chain came down from the ceiling, and was attached to a leather strap around my neck. Then, another chain was locked into my ball gag, and that was connected to the floor down below me, holding me in place, my head down. A spreader bar was between my ankles, keeping my legs apart and the chain above kept me on my toes.
The other man was a tall, super muscular guy with short black hair, white skin, black eyes. He looked me over, his finger running along my spine as I growled out in anger, not wanting him to touch me.
Master was allowing this, letting him look me over like I was a used car. I wanted to SCREAM, beg…fight !
But all I could do was growl and writhe around a bit, as good as useless. I couldn't even GLARE at them as my eyes were down to the floor !
"You have about 20 seconds of a high before the pain comes.", Master informed the prospective buyer.
"Excellent.", the other man sounded pleased, "I have some very special plans for her. There's a lot I can do with this blood."
Master smirked at the man and shrugged.
"I know.", he agreed, "But I don't need it. You can have her…for a good price."
"MMMmMmmmrRRRRRRR", I complained, unable to look up at my Master's face as I struggled, the chains jingling furiously.
They both paid me no attention and began to haggle.
"She's become a bit attached to me.", Master explained, sounding embarrassed by my display, "You can get her under control quickly. She's easily broken. A little pain straightens her right out. She's a great fuck, too. Very spirited."
"How much ?", the other vampire asked, his arms crossed.
"Mmm", Master pondered for a moment, "If she were a normal human, I'd say ten thousand…but being as she has special blood…one hundred thousand."
My eyes rounded in horror. No one would pay that much for ME.
"RRRRRRR", I tried to plead with him not to do this. I WON'T go ! I felt tears cloud over my eyes, the floor becoming gray and blurry.
I felt Master take hold of the chain that was at my spine, going up to the ceiling, steadying me, silently telling me to behave myself.
The other vampire looked me over again and said, "She's a brat that needs taming. Ninety thousand."
"You're right about that.", he said, taking a silent moment to consider, I felt his eyes moving over me.
"MMMMM ", was all I could say in protest, and I hoped he'd hear my voice and change his mind. Please, Master, don't do this. I love you. I'll do anything.
"Done.", he said, breaking the silence. I felt my heart shatter in a million little splinters, my growl growing louder and defiant now. Maybe this man would see how disrespectful I was and change his mind.
They shook hands and I yelped.
Tank was laying over my chin, almost over my mouth when I opened my eyes and saw I was in my room. He was used to me having these occasional nightmares and slept right through it now.
I couldn't even be upset about my dream because his little belly was so warm and so soft. His little eyes were closed but the eyelids bugged out from his head and his little mouth looked as if it were smiling. I kissed his belly, letting him lay there a bit longer. My alarm was not going off yet and it was still early outside I could tell.
I took a breath and analyzed my dream. It wasn't a stretch. We had played him selling me before. And now the fear of him not wanting me anymore was in my subconscious. In my writer mind, I could see the appeal of my bad blood to a vampire. It could be used to kill other vampires, or others like witches or werewolves.
I could be kept alive for my blood alone, stuck in a cage forever and used like a lab animal. Every so often I would be poked with needles, my blood being withdrawn into syringes. I would be fed and kept alive, just so they could keep getting my blood, used in weapons, used to kill.
Even worse, I could be a very nice trap, set for certain vampires. I looked very small and fragile, and my blood smelled so amazing. I could be placed somewhere, just to lure a vampire to come and bite me. He does, he dies. I get returned to my cage and master afterwards.
I shuddered. I knew my Master would not do that to me or sell me either. I hoped Master could find the cure for me. I was so glad when he enjoyed my blood for that minute before it started to harm him. I wanted him to have it. Only him.
Also there were the nightmares about the real memories of Master screaming, twisting in pain, turning gray and weak.
I really worried that this would change the dynamic between us. The games, the role play…would he be into it with me anymore after what happened ?
I thought about Alice. She never showed up at the old hospital and neither did the Fagan bitch. I had to give Fagan the benefit of the doubt. I never spoke to her directly. I could've had a bad or old phone number for her.
I wondered if they would dare to show up in gym today. I couldn't wait to see their faces when Mr. Cullen walked into the class. I didn't tell him anything about them but they didn't know that.
Yesterday, he was absent from gym. Maybe they thought he was already dead. I wonder who taught his classes yesterday.
When I got to gym class, I went to the locker room. Alice was waiting there by the area where I changed most days.
I stiffened and walked right by her, not saying anything.
"Bella.", Alice said and waited. I just put my bag down and started to dial my locker combination, pretending she wasn't there as she certainly hadn't been when I needed her most.
"Bella.", she tried again, her voice defensive.
I opened my locker, swinging it open hard, letting it crash into other lockers behind it.
"Is he…", she stopped.
Oh she wants to know if he's dead. I'll never tell.
I took my shoes off, and began to take my skirt off, acting like I was deaf.
"I know you hate me…", she said, "I get that. But you don't know. You—"
I was putting my blue gym shorts on when she stopped and looked around behind her. He wouldn't be here in the locker room while we were changing, he never was. But she was paranoid, not knowing if he was within earshot. I wasn't about to help her. She didn't help me.
She looked at me and frowned, then hurried away to change for gym.
She's lucky he's NOT dead. If he was, and by some fluke I was here in gym the next day, and she approached me like this, I'd kill her myself with my own hands.
I went outside to the field where we were told to meet now for class. I took a breath and was glad that I'd see him coming out here soon, in his gym clothes, that fucking whistle around his neck. I would never dread seeing him, even here, after what I watched him go through. He could whip me in front of the class and I'd be okay with it.
When I got out there, a couple girls were already there, wearing sweatpants under the shorts. I had to get a pair of those, it WAS getting chilly now. Miss Fagan finally came out…then a few girls later, Alice. I crossed my arms and looked away, hating them. Fagan didn't look upset or afraid. I was right. She didn't get my message. Okay, Fagan, you live another day. But Alice was on my shit list.
Mr. Cullen was coming towards the field and I marveled at the sight. I looked at Alice and waited for her to notice.
When she did see him approach, she looked at him in utter horror. She looked around her frantically, looking at me like I would help her. Ultimately, she figured to stay in her place was the better option and she looked down, crossing her arms as he came closer.
I looked at Fagan and she was acting normal. Okay. Maybe she doesn't know what's going on.
Mr. Cullen walked in front of us and I saw he was wearing sweatpants, very snug ones too. I almost sighed as I drank him in.
"Jumping Jacks.", he was his usual cheery self, not cracking a smile at all, "35."
He blew the whistle one short blast and we all began doing our jumping jacks. Alice was doing it but she was clearly freaking out, internally. I almost smirked at her, performing my lame jumping jacks.
Mr. Cullen could read her mind. Oh no. That thought just dawned on me now at this moment.
I forgot about that until now. Uh oh. He was about to find out what happened with her yesterday.
He began walking around us, as usual, making sure we were all doing it correctly. He stopped beside Alice and observed her closely, his face void of any warmth or understanding.
I could hear Alice panting heavier, and then I heard her crying. Mr. Cullen was staring right through her as she kept trying to do jumping jacks. I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.
He knows. His eyes began to turn more cruel as he studied her, not moving away.
The other girls were watching this and they looked confused as they kept moving.
Finally, Mr. Cullen smirked at her and gave her a look that even chilled ME a few girls away. He moved away from her and kept watching the other girls as he passed them. He walked past me, hardly looking, not speaking.
Should I ask him not to hurt her ? Should I do anything ? Should I stay out of it ? Just a week ago, she had helped me look so beautiful for the dance. She was always a good friend. I felt like shit not helping her. I could've probably. But I kept remembering how she wanted me to set him on fire. Oh God…Mr. Cullen knows that now. She's going to get it. Would he really HURT her ? Maybe he would just punish her like he did with Miss Fagan. But even the thought of THAT seemed terrible to me now.
Once we were done exercising, conducted class as usual. I stood away from Alice and waited in the back for my turn. I watched him and he stood back now, watching each girl take her shots. Every so often, he would personally teach them what they could do to improve, what they were doing wrong. He didn't seem angry at them…but then Alice was up. I tried to move closer but not too close to try and hear what was going on with them. She had stopped crying…but she looked as if she was going to be sick.
"Hale.", Mr. Cullen's voice was curt and dripped with loathing as he greeted her. He stood back and watched her as she fumbled with her arrows in the quiver behind her. She dropped a couple and her hands were shaking as she tried to put one in the bowstring. He didn't say a word but his eyes said plenty. He looked like he wanted to EAT her. Even in my worst days with him, I NEVER saw him look at ME this way.
She couldn't seem to get the arrow to sit in the string properly and he finally spoke to her.
She jumped a mile when he did.
"Miss Hale, do you have to go to the bathroom or something ?", he asked, impatient with her.
A couple other girls laughed and Mr. Cullen turned, giving them a little shot of his eyes. They stopped.
"Let's go, Hale.", he snapped his fingers.
She got the arrow in the string….and then she pulled it back…pausing…pointing it at the target. She let go and it went far above the hay bale, missing.
He huffed and tilted his head, a black grin on his lips, waiting as she had to shoot again. He kept watching her, as if toying with her, a lion watching a mouse scurrying around as he had it by the tail under his paw.
She missed all five shots she took and he blew his whistle with three short blasts. This also made her jump in surprise. But this meant the other girls could go get their arrows and no shooting should happen now.
I was a few feet away from Alice and she just stood there, frozen, not going to retrieve her arrows. Mr. Cullen shook his head and went out there to get her arrows. I looked away, feeling bad about this. Not a word had really been spoken between them but it was all internal. Only I could guess what was happening between the two of them.
When I turned to look at Alice again, she was pulling back on her bowstring…an arrow in it…and she was pointing it at Mr. Cullen out by the target ! His back was to us, he couldn't see her !
"MR. CULLEN !", I screamed out as hard as I could, running at her with all my might, which probably wasn't very fast at all.
I was almost upon her when the arrow left her bow and it was on its way to him !
I leapt on top of Alice's back and she fell down under me. The arrow was headed right to Mr. Cullen's back, his gray t shirt.
I couldn't move or speak as he picked up a couple of arrows from the ground then at the last second, spun around and caught the arrow in midair in his hand ! It was stopped a hair away from his chest but it was alright. He got it ! I felt a gust of breath exhale out of me.
I looked around to make sure no one else was trying this besides Alice. In my imagination, I pictured all of them shooting their arrows at him. But in reality, no one was, Fagan included. They were just watching like I was, their mouths open.
Mr. Cullen's face looked disgusted as he strode back over towards us. I climbed off Alice and moved back, now letting her have whatever fate awaited her.
It scared me a little when he got to her. I wanted to say something to him, but I was too numb to attempt it.
"NOW you hit your mark.", he muttered as he reached for Alice.
He scowled down at her and yanked her up by the back of her shirt.
"Get up.", he demanded as she squealed. I opened my mouth a couple of times wanting to say something to him but nothing came out.
"Everyone sit down and wait until I return.", he barked at us, "No one shoots an arrow until I get back."
With that, he tossed the broken arrow to the grass where Alice had just been.
I sat then rose then sat again. He dragged Alice off and I swallowed, wondering what he was going to do.
"GET THE FUCK OFF ME !", I heard Alice screech in the distance.
My legs began to shake as I saw their bodies get smaller and smaller until they disappeared behind the side entrance of the locker rooms.
"Holy fuck did you SEE that ?", Harris asked Peters.
"No, what happened ?", Peters wondered aloud, sounding excited about this.
"Alice shot at Mr. Cullen !", she informed.
"No way !", Peters' voice was shocked. Other girls gasped, in disbelief, looking towards the building.
I butt in.
"I think it was an accident.", I tried to defend her. Why I wasn't exactly sure.
"No way, I saw it.", the girl argued, "And you saw it and yelled to him to look out ! Then he CAUGHT the arrow in his fucking hand !"
I looked away, wondering what was happening to Alice. I tried to hide the broken arrow behind me under my long sweatshirt.
The girls were all buzzing about it some more and about ten minutes later, Mr. Cullen was coming back alone. Fuck.
His face was more angry than I'd ever seen it. He blew the whistle twice and that meant for new shooters to come to the line and prepare to shoot.
I looked and saw no Alice coming. My throat felt very dry suddenly. I know she deserved whatever she was getting now but still a big part of me felt bad for her.
"Swan, you're up.", he said, waiting and looking out at the targets.
I came up and started to load my arrow into the bow.
I spoke in a very hushed voice.
"Is she okay ?", I asked, no one else seemed to be hearing me.
"Shoot your arrow, Swan.", he said tensely, his eyes now staring at ME.
I took a breath and pulled the string back, then let go and watched my arrow fly. It went not in the center but hit the target, in the outer black ring. Not my best shot. But I found my hands were a little shaky too.
I swallowed and glanced at him beside me. My concentration was off, he would see that.
"I'm alright, too, thanks for asking.", he snapped.
Ouch.
"I'm sorry.", I said, meaning it, "Are you alright ?"
"Fine.", he said, a bit calmer, his shoulder giving a small roll and his neck rolled his head a bit to the right as he looked out over the other girls, "I'm not angry with YOU, Swan, my apologies."
I felt a bit better now as I pulled back on the strings, about to shoot.
"She was just scared.", I tried to plead Alice's case, "I think—"
"This is none of your concern.", he said flatly.
Really ? I almost said 'She's my friend.', but that wasn't really true anymore. I called her, I involved her in this. It IS my concern.
I didn't say anything else…I shot my arrows and they hit the target but they weren't very good shots. He was sure to notice and scold me. But he didn't.
"I know she's your friend.", he said in a low voice, looking out at the targets, not at me, "That will buy her some mercy. But not much."
He abruptly walked away from me and went to watch one of the other girls shooting. He was speaking to the girl as if nothing happened and I waited there, watching, as he kept conducting class.
Three whistle blasts. I went to get my arrows and turned, paranoid now that someone else would try to shoot at me or him. No one was. I kept imagining what he would do to Alice…and my mind told me to stay out of it. I was involved in this and felt responsible. But I didn't shoot an arrow at him right in class. I was already mourning the end of our friendship. When and if she got back, she would surely hate me for not helping her. But she didn't come to help me when I called her. I was so conflicted.
We were dismissed and Mr. Cullen walked past me, saying, "No detention today, Swan. I'll find you tonight."
Before I could say another word, he was gone, moving at vampire speed towards the forest as the other girls were now out of sight, almost to the school.
Miss Fagan had been punished by him and she returned, looking fine. But her attitude was completely different. I often wondered what kinds of things he did to her to make her so…compliant. I'm sure it wasn't pretty.
He is evil. Alice's words buzzed in my brain like an unwelcome bee, stinging me. What things he must have done to her even before this incident that I had no idea about. Would she ever tell me ? Did I WANT to know ? Would she ever talk to me again ?
Dr. Carlisle sensed that something was troubling me in group therapy and he asked me about it. I would never tell him anything but he kept trying every day. Maybe if I put it into other words, like a friend of mine did something to betray me…no. Master would surely be listening and hearing that. I didn't want to be the next one on his list. Also, I didn't want him to think that I wasn't on his side in this. And I didn't want him to think that I didn't trust him or believe in him.
As I tuned out the others' voices, I told myself that this was his business, she was his slave. And Alice certainly didn't sit around worrying about what he was doing to ME during our time together. I felt myself turn off a very human piece of me. I chose Master over Alice. That was my final decision. Whatever happens to Alice now is her problem. Not mine. I would not let this change my view of him.
He could've gotten really hurt today with that arrow. It IS wooden. Like a stake only thinner. Would it have hurt him if it pierced him ? How tragic it would've been if he survived my blood and then the next day he was killed by Alice's arrow ? I talked myself into NOT feeling any pity for her.
I decided to go to the kennels since there was no detention today. I had to keep my mind occupied now. I walked all the dogs and gave them treats. Rage and Fury weren't there and Tank looked sad about that, alone in his little cage.
"Aww.", I held him and kissed him as he licked me enthusiastically, "Your friends not here today ? Poor little thing. Mommy's here. You wanna go out ? Let's go for a nice walk."
I tried to think of other things as I walked. But Alice, in the hole I had been in in the forest, kept coming to my mind. Alice with her hair all wet, nose up, trying to deal with the cold water rising up around her mouth, spitting and pleading as he stood over her, glaring.
"You still want to set me on fire ?", his voice asked her bitterly.
I'm sure there were a million different things he could be doing to her now. I kept telling myself to think of something else. I watched a movie, I read, I wrote…I went to dinner in the cafeteria and just picked at my food. I looked around at all the other faces in the cafeteria, faces I never noticed or really looked at before…they were blissfully unaware. Or maybe they weren't. Maybe they were just glad it wasn't THEIR turn tonight.
I went back to my room and waited for him, not sure when he would arrive.
I had fallen asleep, I guess, and when I woke up, he was there, sitting in my chair near my desk, watching me calmly.
I rubbed my eyes and sat up, glad he was here. He didn't look as aggravated as he was in class earlier and I didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
He wasn't touching me or holding me…nuzzling me with his nose in my hair as usual when he showed up.
"Hi.", I blurted out, "Where-how…are you ?"
"I'm fine.", he said without much feeling in his voice.
"How are you ?", he asked, thick meaning in his words now.
"Master…", I began, looking down at my pillow then to him, "I feel like I'm kind of responsible for this. I called Alice and asked her for help. I didn't mean to get her into trouble. I just…needed someone…I was losing my mind…and you didn't stop screaming. I -"
"Bella…", he moved his hands over my hair, "Shhh…this is not your fault. This has been coming for awhile now. Without going into detail, she was in need of a…re education. I put it off because she was your friend. But this is what happens when you spare the rod…"
"Is she alright ?", I heard myself asking, "I mean…she's going to be alright?"
"Yes, she'll be fine.", he furrowed his brow, "I try not to murder the students, the faculty frowns on that."
He looked a bit insulted, as if I thought he would actually kill her.
"I didn't mean—"
"Look.", he said, "Think of it as a family. Sometimes the children misbehave and need to be punished. It doesn't mean I'm bad because I have to discipline your siblings OR YOU from time to time. Hale has gotten out of control and I'm just reigning her back in. She will be a lot more…agreeable in a couple of days."
I shivered inside, his tone was so normal. A couple of days ?
"But.", he added, leaning forward a bit, his voice softer now, "It might be best if you steered clear of her from now on."
I thought as much already but to hear it in words was a little difficult.
"You've only known her a couple months.", he reminded, "You'll make new friends. If you like, I can select some for you."
I frowned before I knew I was doing it.
"No, it's okay.", I shook my head, "I think I'll just forget about friends for awhile. There's no one here I really like anyway."
He made a face as if to say 'oh come on'.
"You've met three people since you've gotten here.", he informed.
"I'm not the type who needs lots of friends.", I assured him, "Don't worry about it."
He sighed and looked down.
"I'm sorry, Bella.", he said, "I don't want to cause you any pain."
I was about to speak again when he continued.
"She hates me.", he stated, "She wants me dead. I could wipe her memory clean, back to the first day of school this year. But if I leave her as she is, she will try again. She will try to enlist you to assist her. She might even hurt you. I can't take that chance."
It sounded like he was right about this. And if he wiped her memories of me, she would be alright again. It would all be okay.
I nodded and said, "Alright. Can you do that ? Please?"
He looked at me with such shame in his eyes…as if he felt so sorry for me. His eyebrows furrowed sadly.
He gave a firm nod and looked very concerned for me.
"Done.", he agreed, "I'll leave you alone tonight. I understand if you're angry with me."
"I'm not.", I told him and he looked confusedly back at me.
"This is not your fault.", I said, "She tried to shoot you. She wanted me to burn you alive. I get it. Some people can't handle this kind of information. It's better to do this. Maybe…you can erase all her memories of YOU, too."
"It will be done by morning.", he said, agreeing, "Would you like to say goodbye to her ?"
I pictured that scene and shook my head no right away. It would be too hard and too awful. Would she be chained up somewhere while I said my goodbyes ? Would she beg me to help her ?
God no. I didn't want that.
"No.", I tried to smile, "No thanks."
"She won't remember any of this…you…or me...", he assured me, "It's a gift for her, actually. She was never happy belonging to me. That's why I never bothered her much. But it's time to let her go."
I nodded, afraid if I spoke I would hear my voice crack and I would get upset. I wished I could be harder, tougher. Then I thought about it and took that wish back.
"I'm truly sorry, Swan.", he put his forehead to mine and I held his hands, deciding to let her go as he had. I would not interact with her again after this, even if she didn't remember me and said hi. I couldn't.
"It's alright.", I tried to act indifferent, "I understand."
He left that night, and the next day Alice was not in gym class, as he said. A couple of days.
But I pushed that thought away and just tried to make myself forget about her. I made myself forget and go on with my life. I was almost relieved that I wouldn't have to hang out with her and wonder what things he did to her because of me.
And we would have to pretend that it didn't happen, never talking about it. Even if we DID talk about it, she would think…and know…that I chose Master over her. How could I apologize enough for that ?
The guilt, the pain of it would have imploded our friendship and I was sure of that. I just looked forward to seeing her in class, seeing that she was fine and totally unaware of who I was. Who HE was. It would be better that way, I knew. I could hold on until that day.
I started reaching back out to Jasper and Maya, and they did text me back here and there. But it wasn't the same as it used to be. We were like acquaintances now, not having much to say to each other, polite…strangers.
I soon decided to get back into my life. Archery, studying, writing, slave training, Master, Tank. It did fill up a lot of my time and Master seemed to go right back to normal the next morning, conducting archery class without her, the scowl firmly in place as always.
The next day, as I changed in the locker room, I DID see Alice…coming in, across the way, where she always changed. I spun my head away from her, frozen.
As she changed, I could see her body and it had no marks, no cuts or welts, no bruises. I felt like a perv, sneaking peeks at her.
I let out a very deep breath that I had been holding for two days and felt tears in my eyes, glad to see she was alright. I felt weird. Should I hide ? Should I change in another corner where she couldn't see me ? Should I just act normal ? I fumbled around with my own clothes, forgetting how to put them on.
She laughed and smiled, talking to her other friends, as if nothing happened.
"Oh my God, that test was INSANE !", she exclaimed, giggling with Miss Harris about some killer History test they'd just taken, "Some of those questions weren't even stuff he TOLD us to STUDY !"
"He is such a JERK !", Miss Harris agreed, putting her hair into a ponytail.
Never glancing my way, she got into her gym clothes and went with her buddies outside to the fields.
I wondered what would happen when she saw Mr. Cullen again. I went, my legs feeling like jello with every step closer.
He was already out there, and so were all the other girls, when I arrived. I exchanged a strange look with Mr. Cullen as I stood in my spot, waiting for class to begin.
Mr. Cullen turned away from me and I peeked again at Alice then. She was smiling and glancing up at the gray clouds overhead, as if afraid it would rain and ruin her hair. She did not look afraid of Mr. Cullen or even seem to notice him.
Then the whistle blew, alerting us that class was going to begin. I looked at every face I could see around me…they all looked fine. No one gossiping…no one giving off any weird looks about what happened the other day.
"Burpees, 30.", Mr. Cullen ordered. I let out a little giggle. No one else did, though.
I never heard of a burpee in my life. I pictured all of us burping in unison. That can't be right.
Alice and a few others glanced my way and I froze again. But Alice looked away, not paying me much mind as she and all the others began moving to do the exercise he demanded.
I watched them.
They gave a huge hop upwards in a straight line…then came down into a low squat position, legs apart and bent, then their arms came down, hands placed firmly on the grass, then their legs shot straight back out behind them, as if in a push up position now…then they did a push up, hopped back up with their legs to that squatting position, then straightened up.
My mouth hung open at this…
Get. Fucked.
It was like ten different exercises in one ! I could never pull this shit off ! And Mr. Cullen knew it. He IS mad at me, I knew it !
"Are you waiting for an invitation, Swan ?", he asked me, his arms crossed, a gray hoodie over his white t shirt.
"No, Mr. Cullen.", I answered and tried to begin this herculean task before me. I was so not coordinated enough to do this. Someone could get hurt.
I was watching Alice…she wasn't paying attention to me or Mr. Cullen at all. I jumped into the air and came down, trying to come down in the squat position…and fell back onto my ass.
Mr. Cullen looked down and pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something to himself. Or maybe he was praying.
I got right back up and tried to continue, doing a very bad push up. Then I crawled to my knees and got into a squat, then straightened.
Mr. Cullen's eyebrows slanted in disbelief and his hand went over his mouth as he continued to watch me try it a second time.
"Stop, stop, Swan, stop.", he finally said to me, "You may do jumping jacks. Only you. I forgot who I was dealing with, my apologies."
He turned away from me, moving his hand over his eyes as he went to observe the others.
I smirked to myself, finding him cute, watching as he walked past Alice.
"Very good, Hale.", he commented, glancing back at me.
She didn't look scared or nervous, she just kept going. I felt the pressure in my chest lowering significantly. I guess she knows gym teacher Mr. Cullen, but not Master Cullen…or me. I'm okay with that.
For the rest of the period, we shot our arrows, I stood alone in the back as Alice hung out with her friends in the middle of the line. She paid me no mind at all, she didn't even seem to look at me for more than a second or two. And when she did, it was a pleasant look, not a mean or angry one.
I would look away and ignore her. When it was my turn, Mr. Cullen stood there and gave me a little smile as I nocked my arrow into the bow.
"Everything alright, Swan ?", he asked me…and I knew what he was asking.
If this was alright, if I saw that Alice was fine, if I was fine with all this, if I was alright with HIM now.
I smiled back shyly and looked at my target out there as I drew my string back, aiming.
"Yes, Mr. Cullen.", I said clearly and without hesitation, "Thank you."
A pause went by between us and he let out a very relieved sounding breath, the breeze playing with his dark copper hair. He would never tell me what happened between Alice and himself and that was fine. She looked better than ever. I would let this all go now. I would pretend that I also had my mind wiped of her. But as I watched her shoot her arrows, laughing with her friends, I took one last look behind me at our short friendship. I was glad Mr. Cullen couldn't read my thoughts. He would feel sorry for me.
I could see Alice in my room, sitting on my bed, tossing me a snickers, talking to me about music, I felt her putting makeup on my eyelids as I sat across from her and let her fix me up on Halloween, I could see her helping me pick out my dinner every night…her going through my closet, teaching me fashion…and lastly, me, hugging her in the ballroom, telling her I loved her. I meant it. I knew she did too.
"Dismissed.", Mr. Cullen announced as he blew his whistle, snapping me out of my flashbacks.
The other girls gathered up their arrows and Mr. Cullen followed behind all of us, back towards the school. He didn't say anything to me right now and I was glad.
'Goodbye, Alice,' I said, mentally, to her as I watched her stylish ebony wisps of hair move further and further away from me.
END OF CHAPTER 28