8. Friends with a Vampire

October 2009

Olympus

My body shook as I exhaled sharply, goosebumps spread across my arms and neck. Dad said it would be best if we meant in Olympus, neutral ground. Aphrodite took that as an excuse to throw a party, and Zeus, of course, supported the idea. Any reason to throw a lavish party to flaunt his power and position. He even chose the theme. Which was how I found myself squeezed into a mid 19th century evening gown. It was a lovely gown, vibrant emerald silk glimmers in the candlelight, off the shoulder exposed my chest with short, weird puffed out sleeves. And I have never felt as uncomfortable and irritated as I did now, even the emerald stone tiara was giving me a headache.

"Nervous?" Percy's voice rang out of nowhere, which caused me to jump a little.

"Yes, and not able to fully breathe is not helping me calm down," I rested my hands on my stomach, and felt the strains of the corset.

"Well, if it's any consolation, you look beautiful," he gave me a reassuring smile, I smile back, but I'm sure it looked more like a grimace.

"Thank you," I returned the smile. "But it's so itchy."

He chuckled at me as I squirmed. "Yeah…that doesn't look comfortable."

I huffed, "Why does the party even need a theme? What's wrong with a 21st-century dress?"

I scratched my upper arm, where the fabric was irritating my skin. I couldn't wait until I can take this dress off.

"I get it," He said, and I gave him a confused look. "I mean they have lived through so many eons. The styles they must have seen and worn throughout the years. Why stick to one style or era when there so many to choose from? Travel back in time for one evening. Even mortals do it, remember that 80's theme at Yancy?"

"That was awful," I gagged, and he laughed. "Yeah, I guess that does make sense."

The stars were shining brightly in the sky; no thunder booms tonight, but there were still plenty of thunderclouds. Zeus always seemed to be around. Back in the ballroom, I could hear his thunderous laughter from the opposite end, as other gods surrounded him. They waited patiently to speak with him or share a drink. I needed some space from his overwhelming presence so I had step outside to a balcony where thunderclouds roam the sky.

"Has he arrive?" I said quietly, I started to scratch the back of my head gently. The elaborate hairstyle took almost an hour to complete, my hair curled and pinned at the nape of my neck. Percy was about to respond when thunder rumbled in the sky followed by lighting.

"I think he just got here, let's go back inside." He held out his hand, and I gladly took it as we made our way back into the glittery ballroom. I clasped his hand tightly the entire time, and he squeezed back in comfort.


It was dark; the only light source is the moon illuminating the night sky. But even that is slightly covered by clouds and branches of tall trees. I don't why my dream led me here, there was no one around for miles. But out of nowhere, a mountain lion jumped out from behind a bush. A blur body tackled it to the ground, it was so sudden that I almost miss it. The mountain lion growled in anger before it was silent for good as sharp crack rang out. A slurping sound replaced the animal's growl, the moonlight shined on the body that was hunching over the animal.

My blood ran cold as I recognized untamed bronze hair, Edward. He stood slowly once he was done, the animal slumped to the ground by his feet, blood-drenched the fur at the neck. He turned and for one brief moment, it felt like he was looking at me until I heard more feet coming up behind me. His eyes shined bright gold with small trial blood falling from his mouth; I stepped back as my body quivered in fear.

"How long has it been since you last hunted?" Jasper asked him as he sat on a fallen tree trunk covered in moss.

"Not long," he wiped his mouth with a piece of cloth he pulled from his pocket.

"Have you notice how much change has been occurring lately? We find ourselves hunting more often, Alice's struggling with her visions when it comes to those three. And you can not read their minds." Emmett said, leaning against a tree.

"Yes, there's been changes lately. And I have a feeling more is to come," Jasper spoke out, his tone hushed and serious. "Which is why I think we need to limit our interactions with them."

He looked directly at Edward as he spoke. Edward stayed silent as he looked back at Jasper with a frown. I look between the two, it was clear that this wasn't the first time they had this argument.

"They don't mean any harm. They would have made a move already by now," Edward argued.

"What's to say that they are waiting for us to let our guard down, then they will strike."

"You don't know that." Edward rebutted tensely.

"And you do? We outnumber them here, yes. But you heard her; they have a whole camp filled with demigods training to fight monsters. She can send word to them, informing them of our kind, of our family," Jasper raised from his post; he stood up fully, head straight with his arms behind his back. He does have a point; he doesn't know anything about me. Our small interaction during our first meeting doesn't give him proof to trust me. He was protective of his family, and I couldn't blame him for trying to keep them safe.

"Bella is not like that. She hasn't given us any reason to distrust her, she just wants peace," Edward tried to reason with Jasper, but it seemed he was fighting a losing battle.

"Yet look at what is happening with our family, Alice is constantly worrying about our safety. You claim to know Bella and her intention's in this town, however, you can't read her or her friends' mind. We're exposed, vulnerable-" Jasper's argument was interrupted by Edward.

"You speak as if we're humans, we still have our strength, speed, agility, and heighten senses. This family has grown to heavily rely on mine and Alice's gift. Took it for granted. How do you suppose Carlisle survive for so long without a gift? We may not have the upper hand, but we can still defend ourselves if we must. If you're still a concern for our family's safety, let me prove to you, to our family, that Bella is not a danger to us," Edward finished his speechless and rendered Jasper silent. It may not be losing battle after all.

"How do you plan to do that?" Emmett asked curiously, one of his eyebrows raised.

"I can befriend her. Let me prove to you she means no harm," Edward responded firmly, Jasper stayed silent as he thought over Edward's proposition. While I'm left shock at Edward's word, he wanted us to be friends. Jasper must have thought of something, that caused Edward to snap at him. "It's not like that. I only want to be her friend."

"Ooh does Edward have a little crush on Bella?" Emmett joked, causing Edward to growl at him. And it had felt as if a fire ignited inside me.

"No, I don't. Drop it." Edward snapped at him. I could feel blood rush to my cheeks, and at the moment, I was so grateful that Edward couldn't see me.

"C'mon Edward, once you become her friend then you can ask her out on a date," Emmett's eyebrows suggested something more than a date.

"Don't be a prude, Emmett. Beside…she's not single," Edward informed them.

Emmett puffed dismissively, "Please, I don't see a ring on her finger."

"It's the same reason why you don't wear your ring." Edward snapped.

That comment left Emmett and Jasper shocked.


I can befriend her, he had said, I can befriend her. His words were constantly circling in my head for the rest of Sunday. I struggled to concentrate or focus on any task I tried to do. I dropped Stella's food all over the floor, I slammed my toe on the corner of the coffee table when I was cleaning it. I call it day when I managed to slip while I was mopping the kitchen floor, and it wasn't even noon yet. I hobbled to myself to the couch where I didn't move for the rest of the day. Jessica came around an hour later to drop off my car, I screamed from my place that it was open.

"You shouldn't leave your door unlocked, I mean I know it's Fork. Nothing really bad happens here but still," she commented as she walked to the couch. After she dropped my keys on the kitchen island.

"I was watering my plants earlier and I just…eh…" I trailed off with shrug.

"Why are you watching TV anyway? Don't you usually do a bunch of chores on Sunday," she dropped down on the seat next to mine, pulling up her legs on the coffee table.

"I do, but after I slipped mopping the kitchen I gave up. Decide to just relax today, be lazy today," I told her, she hummed in agreement. I consider telling her now about my dream last night, but I decide to wait instead. We sat there for a while watching TV aimlessly, flipping through channels until we settled on a movie.

It was during a commercial break that I just blurted it out, "I had a dream about Edward last night."

So much for waiting, I thought.

She whipped her head to look at me, shock evident on her face. "What?!"

"Well it wasn't like that. He was out hunting with his brothers," I said quietly as I paused the movie.

"What else happened while he was with his brothers?"

"They were talking about their family, and how Jasper didn't fully feel safe with us around. Still felt that we could be a danger to them, especially me, but Edward told them that he would show them they didn't have to worry so much." I told her, refusing to meet her in the eyes. I looked down at the blanket I had over my legs, and I picked at the lint balls as a way to distract myself.

"What did he mean by that?" She inquired, it takes a while for me to respond but when I do, my voice is quiet.

"That he would be friends with me," I muttered.

It was quiet between us for a while, the only source of light was from the TV. I could even hear the pegasi neighing in the distance.

"Woah, that's…," she trailed off, but I could feel where her thoughts were going.

"I know," I said, "Crazy."

We were both quiet for a while once again so my words could sink in. After I while sitting in silence, I pressed play on the movie. But I lower the volume until it's only background noise. We both watch the movie but I knew we both weren't paying attention anymore.

"What are you going to do?" She asked during another commercial break.

"I guess I have to try to be friends with him," I answered quietly. "It could make things worse if I don't do my part after one of them tries to be friends with me."

"What do you think he'll do?"

"I don't know, we'll wait to wait until tomorrow and see." I said and I turned up the volume. Efficiently putting an end to the topic.

One movie turned into two, and then three. After the second movie, she helped me put the pegasi back inside the barn with food and water. We went back to order pizza for the third movie. We didn't talk any more about Edward or any members of his family. But I didn't drop the topic in my head.

Different scenarios raced in my mind of what he could do tomorrow. I only have biology with him so will sit with us during lunch? Or have we sat with them? By the time the third movie ended, I had a raging headache. It was around 11:30 when Jessica left home, and I was alone all over again in a big house.

It was harder to be alone when it was night, the dark corners or hallway remind me too much of my dreams. More scared of the dark than I would like to admit, I ran upstairs to the haven of my bedroom.


I walked into the cafeteria with Mike by my side; it was loud with people's voices and laughter. So far there hasn't been any contact made by Edward or the rest of his family. Alice merely smiled politely at me during our class together.

"So you coming?" Mike's voice forced me out of my head.

"Huh?" I mumbled still a bit distracted.

"You didn't pay attention to a word I just said," He declared, I look at him sheepishly.

"Sorry. I was thinking about something. What did you say?" I asked him as we made our way to the line. I made a face when I saw that it was lasagna, which was almost as bad as the pizza. I grabbed the plastic container of the grilled chicken salad.

"We're planning on going to the beach next weekend, Saturday most likely. Do you want to come?" He said again once we're out of the line and headed to our regular table.

"Yeah, of course. What beach?" I grinned at the idea of going swimming, I haven't been able to since I arrived at Forks. I placed my tray on the table and sat down with Jessica sitting across from me.

"First Beach, it's on the Quileute reservation called La Push."

"Yeah I'll come." I smiled excitedly, completely forgetting about Edward and his family until Jessica gestured subtly over to their table with her eyes. That's I noticed they were all seated around their usual table, except for Edward, and they were all looking at me. The chair he usually occupied next to Emmett was empty.

I looked around for Edward, only to find him seating alone on a table in the far corner of the cafeteria with another chair across from him. Once again his eyes were bright gold, and the memory of how he tackled that mountain lion flashed in my mind. I tried not to flinch when he grinned openly and motioned with his hand for me to come over. With a glance at Mike and Jessica, I gave them a reassuring smile and made my way over to Edward.

As I walked over to him, I could feel every eye on me and it was getting more quite with each step I took. I smiled courteously at him when I arrived at the table, I dropped my backpack to the floor. With one hand supporting my tray, I pulled out the chair and sat down.

"Why aren't you sitting down with the rest of your family?" I questioned him as I began to prepare my salad.

"I thought I'll be easier to talk to you without my family eavesdropping," He said and crossed his arms over the table.

I turned my head over to look behind my shoulder to the rest of his family, and still haven't taken their eyes off of us. I have no doubt they are listening to every word we said. I looked back at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, we can always pretend, can't we?" He chuckled.

"It's not like we have much of choice," I answered before I took a sip from my water.

"So why the sudden need to talk to me?"

"Isn't that friends do? Talk to each other," He said with a shrug, his nonchalant disposition made me laugh loud enough for nearby tables to look over at me. "What is it? Did I say the wrong thing?"

"No you didn't. It's just this whole situation is bizarre. We're not even of the same species, yet you're acting as if we are," I said once I'm done laughing, "So, friends?"

"Friends," He confirmed with a nod and we don't say another word to each other for a while.

Now what? Do we go have a cliché montage of us doing hop-scotch, or playing hide-and-seek to Queen's You're my best friend? This felt so strange, a little force if I'm being honest with myself. I played with the cap of my water bottle and took measly bites from my salad. It felt like we were in kindergarten again when the teacher paired you up with the kid you have nothing in common with. After another sip of my drink, I get the courage to speak.

"So…," I dragged it out, and now I sound like an idiot. "What do we do now?"

"Well we should get to know each other," He said with a smile.

"Isn't that what we already been doing?" I pointed out obviously. I mean, haven't we been asking questions about each other? Or did I miss something? This conversation is getting more and more confusing every time he spoke.

"Nothing gets pass you, huh?" He asked with a smirk.

"I mean...these past few days all we've done is ask each other questions. Getting to know each other so what's the difference?"

He thinks it over for a moment, before he spoke, "Well, we've mainly ask questions about each other's family or about our respected 'species'. We haven't asked much personal questions, or talk for that matter."

"Okay, well, what do you want to know about me, beside what I already told you," I told him a bit nervous.

I don't know why I was so nervous, he already knew why I was here and that I'm engaged. Yet there was still so much he doesn't know and there's only so much I could tell him. Being friends shouldn't be this hard, but then again I've never been friends with a vampire before.

"Tell me about your family," He said gently, and I sighed in relief. Okay, that's an easy start, he knew most about my family anyway.

"Well you know about my dad already, mom's name is Renee Jackson and she recently married Paul Blofis, he's her second husband. He treats her very well and loves her, which she truly deserves after her first husband," I frowned at the thought of Smelly Gabe; good riddance. "Then there's my brother, Percy, he's older than me by a couple minutes."

"What happen with her first husband?"

"He was awful, he was a drunk and abusive to my mom, we hated him. But I think we hated ourselves once we found out the actually reason why she married him in the first place," I said bitterly as I clenched my hands tightly.

"What was the reason?" He asked gently. I looked into his gold eyes and while it was still a challenge to look at his gold eyes. It was getting gradually easier.

I sighed deeply, "We use to call him Smelly Gabe, he smelled awful and revolting all the time. He stench was so strong that it masked our scent, as a children of Poseidon our scent is very strong so monsters could have easily find us. Well they still can but we can defend ourselves now."

He was silent as he thought over my words. His eyebrows furrowed that it created wrinkles on his flawless face.

"So your mother married him to protect you and your brother," He concluded with a frown, I nodded grimly. "So what happen to him?"

I tried not to smile, but I failed epically. It was hard not to smile; I just couldn't help it when I remember what Mom did to Smelly Gabe.

"It was the year we found out who our father was, we were twelve years-old and its long story, so no interruptions, okay?" I gave him a stern face; he nodded eagerly with his eyes fill with interest. I look at my wristwatch to see how much time we have left at lunch, only ten minutes. "Though it seems we don't much time left so I'll have to tell you shorter version. So Percy and I were accused of stealing Zeus's Master Bolt, so we were sent on a quest to find it and prove our innocence or war would break out among the Gods. We ran into all kinds of monsters- the Furies, Echidna along with her creature, Chimera, and Medusa."

His eyes wide in shock and amazement as he listened intently to me talk about our quest to return Zeus's lightning bolt. As I heard myself telling him about my first quest, I was baffled by how it all sounded. Twelve-year-olds fought Medusa and Ares, jumped from Gateway Arch into the Mississippi River, traveled into the Underworld; all my life I've been fighting to survive. That's all I ever have known.

"So, we told mom about Medusa's severed head, since the head still works even after it's been detached from the body. We didn't want to leave her there with him, especially after we found out that he's been hitting her. But she told us to go, that she would be able to take care of herself. She wrote to us later, how she used it to turn Smelly Gabe into a stone statue titled "The Poker Player" and she sold the it at a huge profit. Enough to put a deposit down for a new apartment, a new school for us and was still able to pay for her first semester at NYU," I finished just as the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.

I reached down to grab my backpack from the floor and lifted my tray form the table. I swung my backpack over my shoulder, and I looked over to Edward. He was still sitting down on the table. With his head resting on his fists, face frozen in thought.

"Edward," I said to break him out of his thoughts. He looked at me dazed; I think he was still trying to process what I told him. "Aren't you coming to class?"

After a moment of staring at me, he answered, "Yes, I'm coming."

He raised from his place, and we made our way out of the cafeteria, throwing away our trash along the way. He doesn't ask me any more questions or talked to me for the rest school day.


The sounds of swords clashing sounded throughout my backyard, grunts followed as Mike and Jessica practiced. Mike lunged while Jessica dodged to the side, Mike quickly change his direction. But Jessica still managed to block his attack with her sword.

I clapped from the sidelines with a large grin as Mike groaned in annoyance that Jessica was able to block him. Jessica pushed him back which caused him to lose his balance for a brief second. Jessica jumped at the opportunity to attack but Mike quickly regained his balance to defend himself. And once again they were off to fighting.

The fought until Jessica finally manage to put Mike on his back, she kicked his sword from his hand. Her sword was pointed right at his neck. They heaved and panted, Jessica's hair cling to around her face.

"Surrender," she wheezed as she brushed some hair away.

Mike rested his head on the ground, lifted his hands by his face, and breathlessly said, "Fine, you win."

I whooped and clapped before I got up with the towels and their water bottles. As I jogged to them, Jessica gave a hand to Mike, he clasped it and stood up.

"Again?" Mike asked as he wiped his face.

Jessica took a large chugged before she answered, "Sure. But break?"

"Gods yes!" Mike exclaimed before he drank from his water bottle. "What about you Bella? Want to practice?"

"Noo," I shook my head frantically. "After what happened last time. I think I'll stick to my bow."

"You need to practice," Jessica commented and from the distance, we heard the doorbell rang faintly. We all frowned as we face the same direction. "Were you expecting anyone?"

"No," I answered in a low voice as I began to walk to the house. "Wait here."

I walked slowly to the door, my bow and arrow charm already fisted in my hand. One yank to release it from the bracelet, and it would transform to its full size.

"Who is it?" I asked calmly when I had reached the door.

"It's me, Alice, and Emmett," Alice responded from the other side, and worry turned to curiosity.

What were they doing here? I released the charm the open the door to a grinning Alice and Emmett. Alice was the first to speak up.

"Hi."

"Uh, hello," I greeted them.

"Hey," Emmett responded with a large smile that showed his dimples.

"What…are you guys doing here?" I questioned a bit too harshly that I had wanted.

"We wanted to hang out, if that's okay?" Alice's childlike eyes made it hard for me to say no. It was like refusing a kid to eat ice cream.

"Um…sure," I murmured as I stepped back to let them in. "We were in the back yard, practicing."

They followed quietly as I led them to my backyard where I left Mike and Jessica. I threw them a look to mirror my puzzlement as Emmett and Alice appeared behind me. They relaxed but confusion was still present.

"Are those real?" Emmett asked when he saw their swords.

"Yes." Mike said and held up the sword, it glowed softly. With a glance at Emmett, he handed it over.

Emmett took it by the grip, cautiously, felt the weight in his hands. And he looked it over from top to bottom with a piercing eye. When he dragged a finger over the sharp tip, he hissed and snatched his finger away.

"What happened?" Alice reached for his hand.

"It…cut me," his voice was heavy with confusion and disbelief as he showed her. Her eyes enlarge when she looked at his finger and then looked at us. "Holy shit."

"How is that possible?" Alice questioned, and that childlike wonder was now gone from her eyes.

"Celestial bronze, a very strong metal. It could cut through the toughest skin. Turn monsters into dust," Mike told her as he took his sword back from Emmett. "It is only meant to be wield by gods and their children," he swung the sword in the air so quickly that it hissed in the air. "But, could an exemption be made?"

Mike's eyes were on me now, as were the eyes of everyone else. I looked to Emmett and said, "It could. Do you want to?"

"What? Fight?" Emmett asked as his eyes flashed between us.

"Let's call it practice," Mike said with a smirk as he held out his sword again. "I lost against Jessica so you'll spar with her."

Jessica stood next to me with a certain look in her eye, I nudged her and raised an eyebrow. She smirked and shook her head. Emmett looked from the sword on Mike's hand to Alice. She shrugged as if to tell him that it's his choice.

"What do say, Emmett? Want to give a go?" Jessica asked him, teasingly. "I promise to go easy on you."

And with those words, a large smile appeared on his face and confidently took the sword again.

"Bring it on." He challenged.

"I will," Jessica taunted as she began to bounce lightly on her feet.

"Okay, before you guys start, let me explain some rules, Emmett," I jumped before it was too late. "There isn't a lot, don't cut off any hands or ringers. And do not kill each other, that's a big on. Breaking bones isn't encouraged, but it's not exactly against the rules. Keep that in mind."

Emmett nodded. "Got it."

I took a couple of steps back, and Alice quickly followed my lead. Mike came to my side as Emmett and Jessica prepared themselves. The air grew thick as Jessica inhaled and exhaled deeply. And with one nod to each other, they lunged.