Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight
AN: Could be viewed as a filler chapter, filling the breech between two segments of plot. Take it however you want. I'm super busy at the moment so I'm just happy I managed to get this out. ~Hannah
Chapter Thirty-One – Email Exchange
June 19th
Dear Ella,
Your boyfriend is atrocious company to keep. Henceforth he will no longer be referred to as my brother but as your lover. I do not know how you stand being near him for he is worse than a toddler without its favourite toy. Of course, we all want you to be safe and sound but I don't think that any of us anticipated quite what hunting Laurent down would mean or the lengths to which Edward would go.
Don't panic! We aren't in any trouble but Edward has become an unbearable version of himself. His determination to kill Laurent is clouding his judgement and making it difficult for me to track how the future will happen. He's not slow on calling me out on my talent and has fought with each member of the family.
If I had thought that he'd answer your calls or emails, I'd have asked you to get word to him but I know he will not risk something that he feels will put you in danger. Damn Edward and his moral high ground. I know I shouldn't complain for he wouldn't be Edward if he was any different but he doesn't make things easy on himself or others.
Did you know it's been almost a month since I've been shopping? A months Ella! I don't know how long I can last without buying a new pair of shoes, a glittery dress or bags upon bags of tops and jeans. It's like my soul is slowly shriving up into a prune like state. Don't you dare tell me that I'm being melodramatic, shopping for me is like the Art's for you. I live for the thrill!
I never thought I'd miss Forks but I do! I know it's a small town and not much happens but I wish to be back there. I wish to be at school and navigate through the pointless human gossip.
I wish to be by your side as your friend and sister. I miss you Ella. You're the closest friend I've ever had. I don't want to lose you but at the same time I don't want to be without you.
Lots of Love,
Alice.
June 20th
Dear Alice,
I didn't tell you because I didn't want anyone to know in case I didn't get in. If you weren't tracking Edward and Laurent's every move you might have seen it for yourself but I applied for an 'Arts Summer Camp' on a scholarship and I got in! It's only over in Port Angeles but it was the best decision I could have made. I'm learning a lot about art and music and have even been given one-on-one sessions with one of the art instructors.
I've been sorted into the 'red' group which is made up of seven people. That group was then split down further and into a group of three. Our big project is to produce a song and create a music video for it. The two others in my group play the drums and bass respectively and with me on the guitar it should be quite good. We haven't made a start on writing a song yet but we do have all summer.
Adrian has some Fey friends visiting for the summer. Bella is a bit on the fence about them but then she doesn't like change. They seem alright, I only hangout with them on the weekends as I'm so busy the rest of the time.
I'm sorry that Edward is being a grump but I can't say I'm surprised. It is in his nature to be overprotective and fight to the extreme. I can tell you that I miss him terribly. In fact, I miss all of you and wish you hadn't all departed from my life.
I feel as though part of my soul has been stretched thin as if it is trying to find all of you and bring you home but it cannot quite fit you in it's grasp.
I look forward to the day we are all reunited,
Lots of Love,
Ella.
June 21st
Dear Ella,
You joined a summer camp? How traditionally stereotypical you are but I'm glad you are having such fun. I hadn't seen your acceptance in my visions for you're right I was looking elsewhere. Jazz sends his regards; he is proud of you for achieving such a scholarship. I know it may seem small but such a camp can look good on your resume, should you want to pursue a college education in the arts.
Edward and I had a fight and it was a BIG one. I didn't mean half the things I said but words tend to run away from you when you're angry. He was just getting so frustrated that I couldn't pinpoint exactly what would happen in the future and I know that he had to some extent a right to question me but not in the manner he did so. If I could have cried, then I would have. He angered Jazzy so and he flew at Edward in a rage, their fighting bought the rest of the family and soon everyone was fighting. It got so bad that I think we forgot what the original fight was about, everyone was just venting their anger at each other.
We're better now. We don't talk about it but we have a better understanding of what each other is feeling. I can forgive Edward for a lot of things but the continuing ruination of my clothes is not one of them. I've been kept back on protection duty. Something about me moaning too much.
New Fey? Can they be trusted? Not that I'm saying Adrian wouldn't take care of you but I do worry. I haven't told Edward of your new visitors because there is no use worrying him without cause.
I was hoping you'd have more gossip for me but this will tide me over.
Lots of Love,
Alice
June 22nd
Dear Alice,
Could you tell Jazz how much I miss him? You're my best friend and partner in crime but Jazz is, well saying he's my best friend doesn't do him justice. I could say he's my brother but I wouldn't want to overstep my boundaries (even if I know that is how I feel.)
The fight you describe was bound to happen sooner or later because as a family you up and left without deeply discussing what each of you thought of the matter. Tensions were always going to be high when things finally came to a point. Edward means well but he needs you all by his side to steer him when he falls off the track. I know it is hard on all of you to have moved away from Forks for it is hard for me to remain in Forks without you.
Things will get better I'm sure.
Yes, they can be trusted. Bella is reading this over my shoulder and wants me to tell you that one of Adrian's friends has a crush on me and is persistent in that. Bella thinks that this attitude makes him un-trustable but it is all in good humour. He's aware that I'm taken and have no interest in him, I think he just does it to tease me.
There are no hotties at camp and if there are I haven't met them or noticed them so there is no gossip to tell you there.
Dad and Angela's Mum have been looking at redecorating and as a family of five we have dinner every Sunday night together. It has been comforting and enjoyable. It's clear to see the love in Dad's eyes and that is something I will be forever grateful for.
Do you have any idea when you will be coming back?
Lots of Love,
Ella
June 27th
Dear Ella,
I have no idea when we will return! I've tried to look ahead but I keep getting a blank page. I'm very sorry! Jazz say's he sees you as a sister also. Much closer than he sees the rest of us, he said that he feels like a human when he is with you and feels like he has formed an unbreakable bond with you.
As I have been on…punishment for my role in the fight with Edward, I have been doing some research into Jazz's empathy. You were right about how hard it has been for him. He has been feeling his own hunger a long with the hunger of all of us when we are hit with the bloodlust. I think that makes him so much stronger. I know it makes him feel weak but I have been training him not to feel that way.
Imagine your bloodlust was ten. There are seven of us Cullen's including Jazzy, so when that lust hits he's feeling a bloodlust of 70 and 90% of the time he's still in control.
It's mind boggling to me.
I want to help him in every way that I can and it's down to you that we even travelled down this path so I'm forever grateful for you.
I'm strangely pleased there are no hotties at camp, though I know this contradicts me asking for gossip. I don't think Edward would be very pleased to know how many attractive men were flitting around you.
Esme wants to know if you're eating enough, she wants to make sure you're taking care of yourself. Carlisle reminds you to stay out of trouble while Rose reminds you to email her as well because she is getting tired of hearing all your news through me. Emmett did ask if you'd moved on from Edward yet, before getting hit for his comment. He's now sulking in the corner and ignoring everyone.
Edward is out yet again but he did ask after you before he left so I guess that's a good improvement?
Hang in there Ella,
Lots of Love,
Alice.
June 28th
Dear Alice,
Can't you come home? I feel like I'm unevenly matched with my sister having Adrian, Angela and Adrian's friends on her side and me only having Tyler. It's an unfair fight that I'm always going to lose. Bella keeps trying to get me to third wheel her dates with Adrian, claiming that I 'don't get out much'. I don't want to be a gooseberry on her date, it's mortifying. Just because I'm not out at every hour of the day doesn't mean I need to get out more. She's driving me insane! More insane than you are when Edward tries to read your mind.
We started throwing lyrics around in our group at camp. It's not much but I guess it's a start. We haven't got any music down to accompany the lyrics yet but we'll get there.
So, glad you've started researching with Jazz. I was going to sit down and do it with him but that was before you all left. It will probably give him some piece of mind to know what is happening and how he can combat it. Jazz is a proud vampire, so try not to pity him or he'll get agitated. He need to not feel weak is a trait passed over from when he was human which I think is why it affects him so strongly.
Tell Rose to check her emails, I sent her something yesterday but she didn't respond. I hope I didn't send it to the wrong email address for that would be incredibly embarrassing!
I've taken pictures of a couple of art projects I'm working on in camp and attached them to this email so you can see what I'm doing.
Lots of Love,
Ella.
June 30th
Dear Ella,
I can't come home. I want to so bad but I can't. I'm needed here more than I'm needed in Forks.
I can't chat long, sorry. We think we've made a breakthrough.
I just didn't want to let you down without emailing you. I'm sure you look forward to my emails as much as we look forward to yours.
Oh, and there is a surprise heading your way so look out for it because I know you're going to love it.
Lots of Love,
Alice
June 30th
Dear Alice,
What breakthrough?
What surprise?
Alice?
Lots of love,
Ella
July 1st
Dear Alice,
What's going on? Why haven't you responded to my email? I even tried phoning you. I'm worried.
Are you all alright? What surprise is coming?
Lots of Love,
Ella