Rosalie's POV
I had threatened Bella to stay away from us but judging from the nerves that are flowing off Edward, Bella is still expected at the Cullen home. He has been rearranging the fucking sofa cushions for the past 10 minutes and I just want to rip his arms off if he dares to touch them one more time.
The vampire side of me is simmering with slow building anger because the human it wants to be near to is coming to see someone else. I let out a growl as I think about how I should be the one rearranging those fucking cushions and waiting impatiently for her arrival. But I must shake it out of my mind. Two people can't be close to losing their control today. The reoccurring possessiveness I feel towards Isabella is scaring me. I don't understand it, I don't know what causes it, I don't understand why am I feeling it, I'm unsure how far the extent of it is and the fear of all these unknowns is eating at me more and more. I need to talk to Emmett about all these feelings before I lose my mind.
Edward looks over at me and sees he's pissing me off more than he already has, he puts the cushion down and sits on the sofa with a small "sorry".
The animalistic part of me is enraged that this pesky human has given no heed to my warning and has blatantly defied me by still making her way over here. Does my fury not scare this human? No one human has ever dared to go against my warnings in all the years that I have lived as a vampire. Emmett says it's one of the qualities that make me sexy from afar because up close my anger would burn someone to a crisp.
"Bella texted that she's on her way over now, she should be here in about 15 minutes." Edward informs us whilst leaning forward on the sofa and clasping his hands in front of him.
The girl has some nerve, I give her that. But I'm impressed and feel heat building low in my abdomen at the thought that this human has outright disregarded my warning and is still making her way over here. He rebellious nature is something to be admired and I feel the vampire purr in delight. My mental shield is still intact, so Alice is none the wiser of the war in my mind.
The rest of the family take a seat on various furniture, Emmett puts on the PS4 console and starts a game while I take a seat in the kitchen with the latest copy of the Car and Driver magazine in my hand.
Let's just pretend we're a happy and normal family for the pesky human.
I just wish she hurries the hell up.
Bella's POV
My hands feel uber sweaty as I drive in my Chariot to Edward's home. Yes, I have named my 'Stang, the Chariot. It's too regal to be known as just a car. If Rosalie ever gets to sit in this car then it needs a name worthy enough for a Goddess. She'd be Hera and my 'Stang her faithful ride, unfortunately she'll have to make do with being pulled by mechanical horsepower and forget about the peacocks.
I'm trying to follow the directions to a tee but as the trees are getting more and more dense with every turn I'm asking myself if the dude has given me directions to a place where we'll act out the Blair Witch Project because right now I have no idea where the heck I am.
In his defence he did say it was a strange route and to not be alarmed by the isolation from other buildings and homes.
I take the final right turn, and at the end of the road the rows of trees break up to reveal a humungous clearing before me. Smack bang in the middle of this arena of meticulously mowed grass is a beautiful, and I mean absolutely-stunning, house. No not house, it's a flipping mansion.
Of course, my goddess would live in a house fit enough for a deity.
It's three storeys high and all dark wood and glass. The perfect blend of modern and traditional. The wooden parts are a dark mahogany colour whilst the non-woody bits are chrome. The windows are huge in every section as though it was an aquarium. The house blends well with the woodland area but at the same time makes a statement of wealth and you can tell it boasts all the latest mod-cons.
The driveway alone is full of sleek cars. I immediately spot Edward's Volvo which is the smallest in the lot on the drive. The Mercs and the BMW's are lined up like a fleet in an expensive car showroom. Damn they have money. In the words of the great Freddie Mercury: I'm just a poor girl from a poor family. Well not exactly poor but compared to all this grandeur, I surely am.
The feeling of money inferiority starts to seep in and I fidget with my hands, double thinking if I should forget turning the engine off and instead just turn the car back around again and drive home.
With money comes status, right? I'd probably stick out like a sore thumb amongst all the nice things and the shiny mannerisms and with my averageness and total clumsy nature I'd eventually show myself up. I cannot be on the same level as all this. Can I?
Take a deep breath Bella. Don't judge a book by the cover.
I put my big girl panties on and take in a deep breath before switching off the engine and getting out of the car.
Since Momma brought me up right, I bought some flowers with me for Edward's Mom as a small token of gratitude for letting me into her house. They're nothing fancy just a bunch of sunflowers. They kind of reminded me of Rosalie's eyes with the bright yellow hue but incredibly dark centre so I had to pick them from the variety of floral choices at the florists. Even though they're not for her. Yet.
I walk up to the door with the flowers in my hands and ring the doorbell but within seconds of the bell ringing out a tune I can't recognise, the impressive door is opened, and Alice Cullen is standing in the doorway with a massive beaming smile on her face.
"Bella! You're here!" She launches herself at me and hugs me tight. I mean seriously tight.
"H-hey Alice, I-I…. you're squeezing a little hard there bud." I can feel my ribs protesting at the added pressure.
"Oh crap! Sorry Bella!" Alice let's go of me but takes a hold of my hand firmly and leads me into the foyer.
I rub my side with my free hand and blush. Alice has cold hands. But she's really affectionate. True what they say, cold hands mean a warm heart. Mama was right about not judging books by their covers.
"It's okay Al, I'm okay." I smile at her before looking around and realising we are now in the living room and the whole family is there to greet me. I gulp. Did these people just come from a fricking Vogue magazine shoot? It must be illegal somewhere in the world for so many good-looking people to be in a room together at the same time. Big girl panties Bells. Big girl panties.
"Oooooo flowers! Are they for Eddie?" Alice asks. I laugh at that and shake my head no.
"They're for your Mom."
I do a quick sweep of the room and furrow my brows when I realise my Goddess is not there.
"Hello Bella." Edward gets up off the purple velvet chesterfield sofa and greets me. "I was about to answer the door but a hurricane beat me to it."
I chuckle because Alice was like a hurricane when she yanked that door open. "No worries Edward, wouldn't want you to mess up your hair because of hurricane Alice."
Alice sticks her tongue out at Edward before dropping my hand and running off to take a seat next to Jasper who is sitting the furthest away in the room. He's on a window seat on the other end of the room with an antique looking book tucked under his arm.
He gives me a painful smile and a wave when he sees me looking over at him. "Hello Bella, it's nice to meet you finally. I would come over to great you but I'm feeling a bit… ill and wouldn't want you to get sick too." I get that same look sometimes when I'm… backlogged.
"Like-wise Jasper and it's okay, maybe we can meet properly some other time?" I smile back sympathetically at him.
As I turn back to Edward I take in my surroundings. The room is decorated in purples and greys with a few blue touches thrown in here and there. Purple sofas, light grey rug, purple and light grey cushions, blue tea light holders but dark wooden furniture matching the wooden flooring. There's a fire place just behind the sofa which has a fire going and it gives the room a homey feel. Everything looks exquisite but at the same time extremely comfortable. It wasn't about show, it was all about comfort. This puts me at ease slightly.
"Bella," Edward calls to gain my attention, "these are my parents, Esme and Carlisle."
Esme has the most gentile features with softness radiating from every mannerism and of course she is also extremely good looking. If I was a few years older and not crushing on my Goddess…
She walks towards me with a motherly smile and gives me a soft hug. "Welcome to our home Bella sweetheart. It's great to finally see the… friend Edward hasn't stopped talking about."
I look behind Esme to see Edward shuffling his weight from one foot to the other with nervousness.
Esme smells like fresh linen and strawberries and it's extremely comforting. For a moment I feel a pang in my chest as I think of my mom and how much I miss her. Better call momma bear later tonight.
"You have a lovely home Mrs. Cullen. Erm… these are for you."
"Please call me Esme, sweetheart and thank you, these are beautiful!" I shyly smile at her and feel the cheek warming commence. I hear a throat clear and Dr. Cullen is standing before me with his hand out stretched.
"Good to see you well Bella!" I take his hand and he covers it with his other and gives it a firm but jubilant shake. "No more fainting since I last saw you?"
For God's sake, that was such an embarrassment.
"Erm no Dr. Cullen. I've been as fit as a fiddle! Whatever that means." My cheeks are certifiably on fire, I can feel them heating up like hotplates. They better have fire extinguishers in this castle somewhere.
I look over at Edward and see that his eyes have gone a little darker and his hands are balled up into fists, but his face looks like the face of serenity itself. What an oddball. And that's rich coming from me.
"You okay Edward?" I ask him whilst cocking my head to the side to study him.
"I'm fine Bella, why do you ask?" He gives me a tight smile as he replies but before I can explain why I asked him, a huge rock moves off from the floor where he was playing a video game, strides over and looms down at me. I gulp and take a step back.
Emmett smirks before grabbing me into a bear hug the same way Seth likes to do and lifts me off the ground. I let out an extremely embarrassing high-pitched squeak. This dude is on some serious steroids. I want to dislike him but I feel guilty just thinking bad of him when he's so… kiddish.
"Bella! You're finally here! Edward can now shut up." He laughs, puts me down and extends his hand out, his smirk replaced with a cheeky grin. "I'm Emmett, we haven't officially met but now we have."
I catch my breath back and take his hand gently, all the while blushing like a fool again. "H-hey Emmett. Nice to officially meet you."
"Do you like video games?" Emmett asks with a hopeful look on his face.
I grin at him and as I feel myself relaxing again. "You bet I do."
"YAS!" He fist pumps and smirks at Edward. "She's going to play with me later on the PS4 since you won't, wuss."
Edward rolls his eyes and is about to say something when the sexy blonde that I saw with them earlier on in the parking lot saunters down from the stairs and makes her way over to me. Like a cat who has seen a bowl full of tuna. The way my mouth is floundering I might as well be a fish. Her hair is wet and she's wearing a loose navy comfy sweatshirt and some ripped jeans. She looks really good.
"Isabella Swan, I've heard so much about you." She puts her hand out, palm upwards asking for mine.
"I-I erm… I-," my brain has short circuited from the sheer sexuality she is eluding as I place my hand in hers and she kisses the back of it. My eyes widen at the action and I squeak again.
"Tanya Denali, I'm a cousin. Enchantée." She winks at me. I nearly turn to gloop.
"H-hey Tanya."
She lets go of my hand and turns around, sways over to the sofa and takes a seat with her leg crossed over the other, her face cradled in her hand as she rests her elbow on her crossed legs. Her other hand is tapping the sofa in a rhythm only she knows. She's smirking at me.
Edward looks over at her with a disapproving look before clearing his throat and looking back at me.
"Would you like a tour of the house Bella?"
My heart is beating wildly after the encounter with Tanya. I can admire beauty and she is stunning. Not as stunning as Rosalie but close enough. As demeaning as it is, there is no other way to describe Tanya and how she carries herself but she is sex on legs. It's not sleazily and not in the least bit promiscuous but she's the personification of seduction.
Was she hitting on me? I furrow my brow in confusion.
"Bella?"
"Oh oh-yeah sure Ed!" Anything to get away from Tanya for the time being before she makes me into a complete dithering mess of nerves. It's bad enough with Rosalie turning me into a gormless twit but her cousin making me speechless too? It's too much. And weird.
Where is Rose though?
Tanya's POV
After speaking with Rosalie during lunch, the pain in my chest was intensifying due to withdrawal symptoms. Leah withdrawal symptoms. All this mate match-making was making me miss my puppy more and more and all I wanted was to have her in front of my eyes again. Within touching distance. My hands would be touching all over that exquisite specimen of a being. So, I sent her a quick text to meet me at our place again. We had made the place we first met into our secret meeting area. It was near the river which means I can have a quick dunk to wash off Leah's scent before getting back to the Cullen's and it was away from prying supernatural eyes.
Leah's reply was instantaneous with an exclaimed 'YES!' and lots of heart eye emojis.
I shake my head at her eagerness and smile. This woman was impossible not to love.
School couldn't finish quick enough. The rest of the day was uneventful and finally the end of the school day arrived signalled by the bell. I was out of there like a shot. I said my quick goodbyes to the Cullens and Hales telling them I had a few errands to run and would meet them back at the house before the arrival of Edward's guest.
I run to the clearing and Leah is already waiting there pacing backwards and forwards. She stops as soon as she sees me and runs towards me as I run towards her, she snakes her arms around my waist and lifts me up off the ground. My legs automatically cling onto either side of her waist and my arms wrap around her strong shoulders as her desperate lips clash against mine. Her hands that are on my thighs keep me anchored to her.
"I fucking-umph-missed-mmm-you." She whispers heatedly against my lips in between frantic kisses. Her words bring warmth to my whole body and I purr with delight as her mouth moves to my neck.
"I," I let out a groan as her teeth nip on a certain sensitive area where my neck meets my shoulder, "missed you too puppy." She kisses a few more times hotly along my neck and all I can do is desperately cling onto my mate but eventually the intensity of her kisses dampens, and she finally rests her head in the crook of my neck, taking in large breaths. Taking in my scent.
I use my hands to push her head back, so I can rest our foreheads together.
"That's one way of saying hello, Baby." I nip at her bottom lip. She hisses softly at the bite, a subtle pink blush creeps along and adorns her caramel cheeks as she clears her throat.
"I just really missed you." She replies as she walks forward whilst still holding on to me. As soon as she reaches a huge tree trunk she turns around and sits with her back against the tree and seats me on her lap, my legs on either side of her hips.
"I hate being away from you Tan, the moment I can't see you anymore, my world becomes darker." Her eyes glisten with emotion as she looks at me. The intensity of her look burns the embers of the emotional fire that came alive within me the moment Leah walked into my life.
I stroke her still heated cheek and kiss her inviting lips softly. "I know exactly how you feel, Baby."
Leah's hands move up from my thighs and hold firmly onto my ass. She pulls me into her and I let out a gasp from her forwardness. My core is pressed up against her abs and the only thing separating us is the clothing we have between us, but I can still feel the heat of her body. "And when I do see you, my vision clears and there's light everywhere I look. But you're never close enough. I can never get enough light. Even here, now in my lap, you're still not close enough."
She puts her face between my breasts and nuzzles her cheek back and forth against my sternum softly. Soft puffs of air from her mouth hit against the side of my right breast every time she breathes out and her hands clench and unclench on my buttocks. I recognise the movements as Leah marking me with her scent.
I purr in delight again and rest my cheek on top of her head, cradling her face between my ladies and letting her do her wolf thing without much protest. "I knew you'd be a boob girl." I tell her as I feel her nuzzle just that little bit harder.
"Well you do have a fantastic pair of twins." She laughs and bites the side of my right boob playfully and I can feel her grin. I moan out loud and feel waves of arousal shoot down to my already heated core. Play time would happen soon but right now there's Royal matters that need urgent attention.
"As much as I love foreplay Baby and believe me, I would love to play with you till the end of time, I mean, I am part succubus, you're fucking hot and all mine, but I do need to tell you about tonight."
She groans in displeasure and shuffles me back a little, but her hands remain possessively on my ass. I love the claim stake. No one knows this, but I love being dominated. I may be an all-powerful vampire with many years of sexual experiences, but I have never been fully dominated. Never been claimed as someone's. I never allowed it but with Leah… it's a thrill that travels right down to my groin and these jeans I'm wearing are getting more and more uncomfortable as I squirm against her abs subconsciously.
I clutch onto the plain white t-shirt she's wearing with both hands, just below her collarbone to ground myself. "Bella is coming over tonight. And Rosalie will be there."
Leah's eyes widen. "The plan is coming together already?"
"She's 'friends' with Edward. He invited her. He wants to learn to control his thirst around her so he's spending more time with her outside of a school setting."
"Bit fucking dangerous isn't it? I mean he could just take her to the woods, lose control and drain her! She's my sister!" Her hands move from my ass and make fists against my waist instead. I can feel her body start to vibrate as anger flickers in her eyes. She'd never hurt me though. Even if she lost control and transformed, I don't think Leah could ever cause me harm.
"Puppy, Calm down." My fingers scratch at the baby hairs at the nape of her neck and the flames in her eyes become dimmer. "All the Cullens will be there, the Hales and so will I. We won't let anything happen to Bella. I won't let anything happen to Bella, I promise. She's my sister too now ya'know?" I take her hands into my own and hold them between us, stroking the back of her hands with my thumbs. She finally fully relaxes and lets out a breath.
"Sorry my Queen. With vampires being our natural enemies, you being my only exception, it just sets me on edge."
"That's understandable but I would never let anything happen to Bella. Even if she wasn't the blood singer, she's still family." She just doesn't know we're family. I muse to myself.
I get off Leah's lap and she starts to protest and look scandalised that I would do such an atrocious thing, but I silence her by lying down next to her and pulling her down with me. I lay my head on her shoulder and throw my arm and leg over her. I can feel her heart thrum in her chest as I encompass her with my body. The life force of my Universe is strong and steady.
"Tonight, Rose and Bella may start feeling the bond. Bella may start feeling… different, Leah. Just keep an eye on her when she gets home."
"Different, how?" Leah runs her hands through my hair and I hum in contentment.
"I don't know Baby but just keep an eye on her."
"As you command, my Queen." Leah puts on a deep voice, I roll my eyes at her and smack her side.
"Shush you and just hold me with those muscular alpha arms of yours for the next hour or so."
"You don't have to tell me twice Beautiful."
We just lay in each other's arms and talk about our families. Leah tells me how she wants me to meet her mum and stepdad as soon as this thing with Bella comes to fruition. She said she wants me to meet her brother beforehand though as he could help us out too.
I tell her that my sisters would be arriving in the near future and I will introduce them as soon as they're here along with Carmen and Eleazar.
Time seems to fly and soon I'm kissing my love goodbye and dunking myself in the river again. Luckily, I have enough time to jump into the house, dry myself off and change before the blood singer arrives.
Tanya's POV (Cullen house)
I can smell Bella before I see her in the house. I had jumped in through the window after leaving my Puppy and had changed quickly out of the wet clothes but left my hair as it is. Wet hair is extremely sexy on me. And right about now I need some sexy. Leah would probably kill Bella (and maybe give me the cold shoulder) if she saw me flirting with her as I'm about to do now, but it needs to be done. I need to see if it riles up Rosalie. I need to make sure that Bella is 100% the one.
So, I use the sexiest stalking walk that I can down the stairs and glide myself over to her. If her jaw could drop any lower, it would be mining for diamonds under Esme's floorboards. She smells divine though and I can feel the flash of the burn at the back of my throat start to creep up.
"Isabella Swan, I've heard so much about you." I offer my hand to her and kiss the back of hers once it's in my palm.
Blood has never smelt as good as it does right now thrumming through Bella's veins. Rosalie's snarl from the kitchen reaches my ears and sends a shiver down my spine and not the good kind of shiver either. Jackpot.
"Tanya Denali, I'm a cousin. Enchantée." I let go of Bella's hand and take a seat, making sure that my intense gaze is still on her. She is completely flustered right now. Poor human.
I can feel Edward's disapproving looks without even having to look at him. He needs to move that stick from his jacksie.
"Would you like a tour of the house Bella?"
Edward is trying to move her away from me and probably from Rosalie too. Rosalie wasn't quiet about her disapproval for letting Bella come over, but the reasons that she gave the family was just a cover up. I'm part succubus, I can feel attraction between people just as well as Jasper can feel emotions. Rosalie is hiding from Bella but she's also hiding from herself.
There's too much hiding going on all over the place for my liking. This prophecy needs to be over and done with so that no more hiding takes place. It's annoying. And such hard work. I just want everything to come out into the open so that all my time can be spent on getting to know my mate. I've had to wait for years and now I must wait even longer!
"Oooo can I join in with the tour Eddie? Everything has changed since I last came down." I flash Bella a smile. I need to protect her from any mishaps that could happen because of Edward. I heard about him nearly losing control before. I promised Leah I wouldn't let anything happen to her sister.
I can see exasperation cloud over Edward's face. He can only handle me in small doses.
"Yes Edward, show Tanya around too. It has been a while since you've been here Tanya. I had to redo the whole décor, it's much more modern now." Esme answers for Edward leaving no room for argument.
"Fine. C'mon Bella, let me give you the grand tour. Start upstairs, make our way down?" Edward offers his arm to Bella like the gentleman he is.
She gives him a strange look of bemusement before taking his arm. "Sure! After you."
I walk behind the pair as they make their way up the stairs. The first room we come across is Carlisle's study.
Edward opens the door and lets Bella walk in. Carlisle's study hasn't changed much except there now seems to be an even larger volume of tomes adorning the shelves behind his old desk and office chair. Bella walks up to the shelves and bends at the waist to peer at a book title.
"Your dad has read all these books?" Bella asks Edward. "There's like over 10 different languages here."
"Yes, he's a bookworm and he can speak about 15 different languages fluently, including Latin."
She let's out a low whistle. "The last time I saw my dad read, it was the Hymns book at Grandma's funeral."
I let out a laugh and take Bella's hand. "Let's go see Edward's room. It's right next door, it's been a while since he last let me go in there."
She stumbles after me while I pull her out the room. Edward huffs from behind but doesn't say anything.
He opens the door to his room and lets us in. Edwards room is very light with floor to ceiling windows. Dark wood furniture is scattered around along with pale blue furnishings. Everything looks brand new.
"Feel free to roam."
Edward's baby grand piano is on a raised platform facing the forest and Bella makes a beeline for it.
"You play?!" Bella asks with excitement. "I haven't played in so long. The last time I played was in Phoenix. May I?"
I feel my eyebrows rise towards my hairline in surprise. Rosalie will be pleased. She believes those who are inclined towards music have a soul worth knowing since music speaks things that the voice cannot. And the piano is one of her favourite instruments.
"Please Ms. Bella, share your music with us." I purr out while Edward tilts his head in wonderment.
Bella takes a seat and starts to play Carol of the Bells. One of Rosalie's favourite pieces of music. My eyes widen as I see Bella in her element. She was made for Rosalie. You can clearly see it. From the plethora of compositions she could have chosen, she chooses the one piece that is Rosalie's favourite. Bella's fingers fly over the keys and her eyes are closed as she loses her self in the music she is producing.
As if the music is an enchantment which casts itself upon Rosalie and beckons her closer, she appears at the door. She stands in the doorway staring at Bella, her brows furrowed and her mouth slightly agape in shock. Bella is oblivious to the new presence in the room as she carries on playing perfectly. Rosalie clenches and unclenches her fists and I can see the fight in her. To come in or to not. She makes eye contact with me and she knows I know something is up with her.
Before Bella plays the last note, Rosalie flees without Bella even knowing she was ever there. Using my vampire hearing, I can hear that Rosalie is now pacing around in her garage.
"That was beautiful Bella." I tell her softly, losing all my flirtatious manner for the moment and sincerity coating my voice. She gets up from the stool and her cheeks are bright red.
"T-Thank you, Tanya. I miss playing but my house here is too small for a piano so I kinda got lost there for a moment. Sorry guys."
Edwards nostrils are flaring and he's standing as still as a statue. For fuck's sake. Bella needs to get out of here.
"Edward! Shall we carry on with the tour?" I grab his arm and pull him towards the door with Bella trailing behind us. "Get a grip Eddie." I harshly whisper to him.
I let go of his arm and link arms with Bella again as we go into Alice's and Jasper's room.
"A lot of idiots at school make comments about Alice and Jasper being together. As well as R-Rosalie and Emmett." Bella stutters over Rosalie's name which doesn't go unnoticed by me or Edward. "Does it bother them?"
"No Bella, it doesn't," Edward starts to answer with a slight strain to his voice, "they have this bond with each other which I haven't seen before. They complete each other. Like soulmates. A few words can't harm a bond like that."
"Oh." Bella looks a bit sad but she shakes it off and grins sheepishly. "That's kinda sweet."
"What do you think of Alice's room?" I ask her.
"It's very… Alice."
I laugh as I hear the pixie downstairs yell out a "Hey!".
"It really is."
All three of us make our way out and over to Rosalie's and Emmett's room.
As Edward pushes the door open, Bella steps in and freezes.
"Rosalie's room?" She breathes out.
Bella takes a step forward and looks around slowly. As though she's savouring it. I can see her trying to discreetly take in breathes. Rosalie's and Emmett's room is more Rose's than Emmett's. The room has a dusty pink, rose gold, grey and white theme going on. Everything looks extremely soft and cosy. The complete opposite of Rose.
"It smells good in here." She says quietly. There's a book laying on Rosalie's grey painted wooden desk which Bella runs her fingers over. She picks it up, opens it and reads the first page before putting it back.
She looks like she belongs in here. Her presence makes it seem as though she's been in this room for years. She just fits in.
"Next room!" Edward shouts startling us. He clears his throat and looks a little remorseful.
We walk out of the room and have a quick look around in Carlisle's and Esme's room before making our way downstairs.
I can tell Rosalie has left the garage and is now back in the kitchen as the aggressive magazine flipping gives it away. Let's hope for the best since the beast has been poked awake.
Bella's POV
After we make our way downstairs, Edward and Tanya bicker a little about something I can't quite make out as they walk with me into the kitchen. Just as we walk in, Esme is pulling a tray out of the oven. Talk about great timing.
"Are those cookies?!" I yell out in excitement, forgetting where the hell I am right now. Being with Seth and Leah has really made me lose the filter between my brain and my mouth. Their excitement for food has completely rubbed off on me and I can't seem to control myself around it.
I hear a scoff from the opposite side of the room and… there she is. The owner of the scoff is none other than the cause of my sleepless nights. Rosalie is sitting on a chrome breakfast stool with a car magazine in her hand. She is wearing a light blue denim shirt with the buttons open and underneath it she has a white tank top on. Her legs are adorned by these super tight black ripped jeans that look as though they were painted on her. On her feet, she is wearing some classic Timberland Nubuck boots. In short, she looks delicious. And now I feel like a complete and utter moron.
My face is heating up to extreme levels and Rosalie has this super sweet smile on her face which seems way too sweet to be real.
"They were baked especially for you... try not to choke on them." Rosalie starts off kindly before she spits out the last part, gets up off the stool and walks past me. She scoffs once more as she storms past. Her shoulder brushes against mine briefly and I feel electricity travel from my shoulder, down my sternum and shock the caged organ within it. My heart actually stops for one second. I can tell it does because my brain must have lost some oxygen as that can be the only reasonable explanation for the next thing that comes out of my mouth.
"ROSALIE!" I shriek out at her like the complete imbecile with mush for brains that I am.
She quickly turns around and glares at me fiercely. I can feel Tanya's, Edward's and even Esme's eyes on me. There's silence for a few seconds which eerily carries on as everyone waits for me to say something after that. I gulp as I think of something to say to cover up my unintentional violent outburst.
"T-t-thank you?" I mentally facepalm myself because she will definitely think something is socially not right with me.
I see her clench her jaw before she turns around again and continues walking out without dignifying what I just said with an answer. I don't blame her. I wouldn't dignify that either.
"Sorry about Rosalie, Bella, she's not feeling very well but yes these are cookies. I made them especially for you." Esme puts a few of the cookies on a plate for me, places them on to the table and pats on a stool, ordering me to sit.
I sheepishly make my way over and take a seat. Tanya is looking at me with a highly amused face while Edward looks like he's in pain. I'm feeling a bit of both at the moment. Why I am so… me?
"Thank you, Mrs. Cullen."
"Please sweetheart, call me Esme." Esme pats my cheek and encourages me to try out a cookie. She's so motherly. I really do need to call my mom.
I put a cookie into my mouth, take a bite and oh my God she should sell these and become a franchise because they are effing glorious.
"Mmmmm, Esme these are amazing!" I can tell there are crumbs all over my face, but I couldn't care less because these cookies are outstanding, and they need me. To eat them.
Esme's bright smile lights up the whole room and makes me duck my head in shyness.
"Thank you Dear."
I eat a couple more while Tanya and Edward ask me questions about my family. I tell them about Charlie and Sue, Seth and Leah (Tanya has a small smile on her face the whole time when I talk about Leah which is super creepy) and my Mom. After I finish with the cookies, Esme ushers us out the kitchen and we make our way back to the living area where everyone is still present bar Carlisle as he had to head back to the hospital.
"So, Bells, what did you think of the house?" Alice asks as she skips over, grabs my hand and walks us to the sofa. Tanya joins too and sits right next to me. Her knee is touching mine and I can't help but fidget. Rosalie is sitting down on the opposite sofa with her magazine still in her hand. She doesn't even look up or even acknowledge the fact that there's now a full room.
"Er-rm, it's… beautiful Alice." I can feel my eyes drifting over to Rosalie every few seconds and I just want her to look up. I want her to look up and make eye contact with me so that I can then talk to her directly or at least get lost in her eyes. Or tell her she looks cute when she reads and concentrates or that I've never seen someone so perfectly proportioned in my life or that her voice sends shivers down my spine. Or that I dream about her nearly every night and all I want to do is put my lips on her skin. Or tell her all the things she makes me feel. Or that even though she's only been mean to me so far, she does anything but deter me.
"Hey Bella! Time to show me what you've got girl." Emmett has gotten up off the floor and thrusts a PS4 controller into my hands which kinda wakes me up from my Rosalie induced haze.
"Erm… sure Emmett. What game are we playing?"
"Injustice 2."
The title has me snickering under my breath at the irony which I swear Rosalie hears because her head whips out of her magazine to give me another glare before she huffs and carries on reading.
"You do realise Bella was invited over by me, right? She's my guest? Yet you've all taken over." Edward waves his hand around slightly exasperated. He probably wanted to spend time with me alone, so he could 'get to know me' and try talk me into dating him. Not a chance in hell.
"Oh, pipe down Eddie-Boy," Tanya purrs out, "sharing is caring." She runs her fingers down my arm while I'm holding the controller which causes me to drop it.
"You're always throwing things about aren't you Isabella, first pencils and now games controllers?" Rosalie asks rhetorically in a snarky manner not even looking up from her magazine.
I scramble to pick up the controller and whisper out a small "Sorry" whilst looking at my feet.
Why is she being so mean? It's like my mere presence is annoying the crap out of her. And Tanya… is making me feel very self-aware with the touching. The only person I want touching me can't even look at me or talk to me like I'm another human being.
Who was I kidding? Look at her! She's like the epitome of perfection so of course she sees me as being beneath her. I'm a nobody. Her whole family look like movie stars, they are all so smart, well dressed, they have wealth and I am just a klutz with average looks and average intelligence. And let's not forget she has Emmett. Emmett who looks like an eager puppy as he waits for me to pick a character on the screen. Emmett who belongs to Rosalie. Rosalie, who I think hates me, which completely baffles me because I haven't done anything.
I can feel myself shivering slightly from the cold feelings setting within me and the start of a headache creeping in from the base of my skull.
I can't be impolite and just up and leave right now. Not with Emmett looking so excited about having someone to play with. So, I choose Batman as my character and proceed to kick Emmett's ass for the next half an hour or so.
The headache seems to be getting worse and worse with every minute. The pounding is making my vision kind of bleary, but I don't want Rose to see me as a weakling. Not on top of everything else.
So, I carry on without really saying much. I suppose they might they I'm just concentrating really hard on the game.
Edward still seems to be sulking, Tanya is watching the TV and keeps moving her hand on my knee and squeezing it every time I win a round which just adds even more to my headache. I kinda want to move her hand away but I don't want to risk my brain short-circuiting. Alice had moved back to Jasper and is currently sitting on his lap and playing with his hair whilst looking out the window in a daze. Rosalie has stopped reading her magazine and is instead sitting on the floor next to Emmett and resting her head on his shoulder while he hammers away at the controller.
Her back is towards me and I'm just staring at it while pressing random buttons on the controller. I want to go home.
"YES! Eat my dust Bells! I win again." Emmett is doing a little jig while still sitting which causes Rosalie to move her head away from his shoulder and swat his arm playfully. She seems so at ease next to him. If that was me next to her, she'd probably punch my arm super hard until it bruised. Well she'll have to sit next to me in the first place to do that.
"Are you okay Bella?" Edward is looking over at me with concern written all over his face. No Ed, I feel like shit.
"I have to go home Bud, it's getting late and I don't feel so good." I tell him getting up off the sofa.
"Would you like to me drive you back? Emmett can drive your car back."
"No, it's fine, I'll be ok!" I give him a cheerful grin which is a complete lie because I feel anything but cheerful right now.
She still isn't even looking at me. If I was a dog, my ears would be drooping… and I'd be whining.
"Thank you for having me, it's been great, I hope I haven't been too much trouble." Esme must have heard me because she comes over and gives me a hug without warning.
"Nonsense sweetheart, it was lovely having you over, you must come over again soon." She says while resting her hand on the side of my head and looking down at me sweetly just like a mother does.
I don't think I'd be welcomed back by a certain someone. I can feel my shoulders slump in sadness and I don't say anything, but I manage to give Esme a small smile and nod before walking over towards the door. Edward walks over too, to accompany me to the door.
Tanya saunters over one last time and grabs me into a huge hug. "Bye Bells, I'll see you around at school." She kisses my cheek, winks one last time and saunters away up the stairs and out of sight. Thank fucking God.
Alice is next to give me a hug, she squeezes real hard before pulling back and holding onto my arms.
"You sure you'll be okay?" She looks at me worriedly. Happiness and joy suits Alice more than worry. It just doesn't look right on someone as blissed out as she is.
"I promise I will, Ali-Cat."
Emmett decides that gravity is once more not for me and lifts me off the ground into a huge bear hug. "See ya around at school Bells! You'll come by to play with me again, right?"
I can't help and smile at his innocence. He's a walking oxymoron. "I'll see what I can do big man."
He puts me down and ruffles my hair. I glare at him a little to which he just responds to by sticking his tongue out.
I chance one more glance at Rosalie who hasn't moved an inch and is still buried in her magazine. Right.
Edward and I walk out the door, he opens my car door for me and waits for me to get in. I roll down the window to talk to him even though I just want to throw my car into reverse and bomb it down the path and go home so I can bury my face in my pillow and bawl my eyes out.
"Thanks for inviting me round Edward, it's been a nice evening."
"You're very welcome Bella, hopefully we can do this again sometime?"
"Sure…" I give him a pinched smile. The headache is getting worse the longer I stay here and I can feel heat radiate from my forehead and flow down to my ears causing my hearing to be a little fuzzy. It's like the beginning of the flu but a much quicker onset then the usual flu. I just want to teleport home.
"Bye Bella. Have a safe journey home."
"Thanks Edward, see ya around." I roll the window up, put my foot on the gas and start my escape.
The pounding behind my eyes was causing the road in front of me to blur. If you had asked me how I got home, I would not be able to recall one single bit of the journey.
Time must have rushed past me every time I blinked. Chronos must have waved his harvesting scythe and said, "time, you must escape before Bella's eyes". And it did.
The last few hours may as well have not happened because there's not a single trace of them in my brain.
I don't remember driving home. I don't remember parking the 'Stang and greeting my family when I get in. I don't remember sitting with Charlie, Sue, Leah and Seth for dinner and talking about my day. I don't remember showering or ending up in my bed ready for a good night's sleep. I don't remember a single thing.
What I do remember is suddenly waking up to the most intense pain I have ever had. My heart pounding and my breaths quick and shallow. There was this searing pain radiating from the base of my skull and travelling down each vertebrae of my spine causing a burn as it seeped from bone to bone. Breathing hurt. Trying to move hurt.
It felt as though my skull and spine were being stretched and burned from the inside like when you light a candle and the wax melts. It stretches and drips down the candle and if you touch it you end up burning your fingers. It felt as though they were both cracking in two simultaneously but still trying to hold on. It was nauseating.
I was feeling feverish and could feel sweat dripping uncomfortably down my back. I wanted to scream out but moving inflicted more pain. I don't know how long the pain lasted but I had to lay on my front. My back and my head were on fire. I was turning into a human matchstick that had been struck.
My unfocused eyes had managed to filter through the haze in front of them and make out a shape kneeling near the bed. The figure was made completely out of light. Delirium must have set in because this light was human shaped. It was as though the various directions the moon glows in was stitched together and the rays formed a shape that resembled a human. The human-light reached out towards me and I cold feel coolness attack my body as the hand got closer and closer.
My body scrambled slightly trying to get closer to this body of coolness that seemed to help my aching body. The promise of relief was drawing me closer like a magnet. Who cared about stranger danger and the fact this thing in my room didn't have a face or seemed to be made out of photons?
I was going towards the light. I was going to die.
I wanted to laugh out. I was going insane and going towards this human shaped light who might as well be the angel of death. I was welcoming death with open arms because I couldn't deal with the pain my head and back was going through. Rose was right to distance herself from such a coward. I couldn't even handle this. What chance did I have of dealing with things in the future?
The light-hand rested its palm on my forehead and all the pain disappeared instantly. My body completely relaxed as the pain left my body and I fell into a still, deep sleep.
But just before giving into unconsciousness I remember the light speaking with a soft motherly voice with a bell like quality.
"Sleep my child, the pain is over now."