Alice Pt 2

I tried to look ahead to the family meeting, but the only detail I could identify concretely was that there was going to be one. I wanted to spy on Jasper and Edward, but I refrained. I was probing too much into their privacy. Instead I tried to focus on what would happen at school tomorrow with the new girl. I could definitively see both her and Edward making it until biology class. And then nothing. For either of them. I made an unladylike sound and then decided to stop trying to see. I focused on weather instead, and waited patiently. Suddenly, the family discussion we'd all been about to have upon the return of the two hunters disappeared. The boys had gone further out, instead of doubling back, as was their original plan. Now I watched them rush in, change clothing, and dash back out almost as suddenly, headed for the Volvo.

"They won't be back for a talk before school. Edward and Jasper will barely make it before they have to turn around and leave again." I announced into the empty house from my room. I received no direct responses, but I heard the mutterings between couples. I would have to interrogate them at school. Or be patient. I hated being patient. I got myself ready for school, set out some clothing for Jasper, and then went to Edward's room, his bachelor like living room finally showing signs of gentle use, and set out an outfit for him too. Rose could handle her and Emmett.

I sat, picking wool fragments off of the floor, until it was spotless, and until it was time to leave. I danced downstairs, opening the door just in time to let Edward and Jasper through. Jazz kissed my cheek gently on the way through, and I continued dancing at a human speed towards the car. Rose and Emmett soon joined me, and finally the other boys had too. We all got into the Volvo and as we sped to school I perused Jasper's future, Edward's future, and what little I could of Isabella Swan.

It was snowing by just before lunch. As I watched Isabella's immediate future I saw her glance over at our table, and walk into another one. Isabella limped – while trying not to limp – to her lunch table, and laid her head down to rest. Two minutes after she glanced towards our table again, and I watched as we all looked boringly statuesque. I could very easily fix that vision for sure, discreetly grabbing a handful of slush I entered the cafeteria and sat with my siblings at our regular table. We were arguing loosely over the ethics of causal murder in low undertones, Rose and Jazz vehemently for doing anything to protect the family, Emmett indifferent, Esme and Carlisle would of course be on the side of life, and I was silent. Still watching. This afternoon would tell all really. If Edward managed not to kill her today, then there was hope.

I watched from the corner of my eye as the girl hit the table, and limped to her seat. Edward watched in concerned fascination. There was something more to this than just the smell of her blood. I was sure of it. He was holding something back, but as he hadn't decided to tell anyone I couldn't see. He looked extra frustrated somehow when he looked at her. Maybe he was just extra annoyed at whatever it was her thoughts betrayed. Edward flinched slightly, and looked determinedly towards the rest of us. As Isabella rested her head against the table. I threw the handful of slush into Emmett's hair, and in retaliation he leaned back towards me, shaking the slush back onto me, and unfortunately dousing Rosalie as well. We all laughed, and no one except for Edward realised how perfectly planned this seemingly candid moment was. I held up my tray as a shield from the worst of the moisture, while Rosalie scowled menacingly at Emmett. Edward smiled a little forcefully, and looked back at the girl once her attention was diverted.

We all tried to be normal, while all listening in on the girl's conversation.

"Bella," Jessica Stanley began in a rather contrite voice. "What are you staring at?" she looked towards us, seeing Rosalie wiping moisture off of her blouse, and Emmett idly stacking jello containers from our lunch trays. She also undoubtedly saw Edward's gaze on Isabella.

"Edward Cullen is staring at you." She informed the girl.

"He doesn't look angry does he?" Isabella asked in response.

"Pfft. Nice bro. Clearly not very subtle are you?" Emmett chuckled. Edward didn't even respond.

"No. Why would he?" Jessica asked the girl.

"I think I jabbed him with a pencil in biology," she offered, as a means of explanation. We all looked confusedly at Edward but he just chuckled darkly, at an inside joke apparently. Nothing else happened in the lunch hour, except for what I already knew. Everyone was headed to class, and for the first time in my life, I was worried about Edward accidentally committing murder at school, instead of Jasper. I decided to skip my after lunch class. I would be a body guard if Edward needed, being right outside the classroom where I wouldn't be seen, and watching the future as though lives depended on it.

I watched Edward begin his awkward small talk, watching disconcertingly close in the future, so that everything around me occurred in a one second delay to what I was seeing. It was like the delay you get with subtitles on a television, still current, but ever so slightly lagged. And suddenly she asked about his eye colour, and my entire vision changed. Where before things had been balancing grimly and gently on the border between life and death, we had suddenly jumped off of the fence and into a pool of clarity. He would continue talking to her. Day after day. I saw dozens of biology classes pop up and into my existence, the two of them side-by-side. I started to relax again, looking in on Jazz. He was fine, very wrapped up in looking out of the window towards the biology building. I looked further into my own future and I saw me going through the ASL alphabet with Emmett. Why on earth had we all taken up ASL in the near future? I couldn't tell when exactly, but more of us seemed to be jumping on the ASL train. I could only assume it had something to do with a decision made today. The decision Edward made to keep Bella alive? That somehow lead to sign language lessons. The visions were hazy, and limited, like I was watching in the surface of a sink, instead of being submersed in a pool, but they were there. It was interesting to say the least. Something to ponder for sure.

…

That night we heard Edward's full story, and I added in the partial visions I had seen about him potentially murdering her. The others were instantly wary, and offered suggestions, most of which Edward vetoed, as most of which involved Bella Swan's life ending. It was a long and heated and repetitive discussion that had Carlisle very quiet. Finally we all looked to him for the final word. I saw what was coming and therefore so did Edward. We both relaxed a little as he began speaking.

"For now, we pose the larger threat to this girl than she does to us. If Edward believes he can withhold himself, show the restraint that he believes he can, then I see no reason to act now. He was able to not act on impulse when at his thirstiest, and so with adequate preparatory measures, he will be more than able to control himself. I must have faith in my family. So should you all." Carlisle stood, Esme at his side, and dismissed himself. The others filed out. I asked Edward to stay mentally.

"Alice." Edward nodded towards me, indicating that I should begin the conversation.

I can't see what will happen.

"I know."

Every day you'll want to kill her. Every second.

He merely rubbed his temples with his fingers.

Although I will admit, I am getting some strange futures popping up. It's very blurry, but some things are still there. I showed him a vision, of him, coming through the front entranceway, laughing at something. Not his normal laugh, the quiet chuckle, but a throaty and hearty laugh. Present Edward's brow merely furrowed.

I doubt you'd be that happy after a murder.

"I suppose we'll see."