Chapter 7: The hunt

EPOV

I was just walking to the second class, when I heard Alice call out to me, through her mind.

…Edward…meet us at the car. NOW. I need to talk to you about my vision, the one I have been keeping from you for the past week. Please. (Alice)

…Wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round… (Jasper)

I started walking briskly, still trying to keep the human charade but still reached the car in just within a minute. Alice and Jasper were waiting for me there. I wondered why she had not called Emmett and Rosalie. I hate the day she found out how to keep me out of her head and taught that to all the others in the family.

"Yes Alice, I am here. Tell me."

Alice looked at Jasper doubtfully and a wave of calming sensation hit me. I eyed Jasper suspiciously. Alice was fidgeting with her fingers.

I was losing my patience…"Talk" – I growled, so low that no human could hear us.

Alice opened her mind to me and I saw it all…I had to support myself on the car…It was painful.

…A girl, not just any girl but Bella was getting out of a blue BMW in Forks high school car park. She was wearing a fitting flared jeans and a cute beige scoop-neck top. A few strands of her beautiful mahogany hair was brushing against her cheeks, tickling her skin. She brushed them behind and looked up and started walking. A dull sparkle was clear on her dove-like brown eyes….

… I was sitting next to her and we had our math books open in front of us. She was blushing a beautiful shade of pink…a familiar shade… My hands move to brush her hair behind her ears…Bella…I called out…

"NO!"…I screamed in spite of Jasper's efforts. "It can't be. She must be dead by now…she can't be here…not now." My non-pounding heart was throbbing in pain…I felt another wave of calm hit me…stronger this time. I was on my knees, holding my head in my hands. "Bella.." I mumbled. I felt weak…extremely weak. Alice sat down next to me and pushed me to lean my back against my car.

"She is here Edward…I met her in my English class; she is my bench partner. Her name is Isabella Noris. I am so sorry Edward…the vision was hazy at first, maybe because of some indecision. She is very much like our Bella Edward and she even smells similar, in fact stronger, but she IS NOT our Bella. You should hunt before you go to your maths class…if you plan to go to your maths class. We can go with you if you want…"

"Alice, I can't see her. I just can't. The pain…its unbearable. And I would never hurt her, even if I do not hunt. I could never live with myself if I did. I got over my thirst for her blood long back…"

…Edward, I think you should meet her. May be you and Bella were always meant to be. This could be your second chance and you are lucky to have that. Not everyone gets a second chance to fall in love. I know how you feel when you are thinking about her Edward… I know you would have given Bella anything she would ask, even immortality, if she was with us now… you need her Edward. Trust me… (Jasper)

I looked up to him, my elder brother in so many ways. Deep with in I knew he was right. I would give anything to have my Bella back…I had regretted not giving in to her wish for immortality, the only thing she had ever asked me and I had refused…

"Can we leave now so that we can come back by lunch? I will get us excused from the rest of the classes in the morning…" I asked.

Alice perked up at once and Jasper smiled at me.

I was back in a flash and we were driving out of the town within minutes. I gave in to my senses completely... preparing myself for the hunt for the first time in a century. I needed to be strong near my Bella…Wait…my Bella…she was not mine…no…she was not. Why would she want to be with a monster like me. She will not love me. No one was as understanding and selfless as my Bella had been. I felt myself sinking. She would not want me. And how could I even think she could replace my love?? No…I will not betray my Bella. Jasper was by my side in an instant. He must have felt it. He placed his hand on my shoulder trying to relax me.

I let him calm me down. Alice pulled me up by my shoulder and punched me in my stomach playfully, she was quite strong for her size and that punch would have killed any human. "Edward…you might want to see another vision that I just had" she said and then I could see the images flowing in her mind.

…I was at our meadow, but I looked happy, I was in fact smiling. Someone came running to me as I opened up my arms in welcome. Bella hugged me tightly and said "Edward…I think I am falling in love…with you"…her cheeks warmed up and a beautiful blush appeared on them. After an eternally long second, a brilliant smile cut across my face and I kissed her head, inhaling her beautiful aroma and said" You have no clue…I have been waiting for a century to hear this, love"…

Stunned, I looked into my sister's face. She gave me a smile and told me" Trust me Edward. The vision is not set in stone but is quite decided. She will love you if you will let her".

With a sudden burst of energy I ran through the forest, away from where we had parked our car, with just one thing in mind…I need to get back to school, to my Bella as soon as I can. My Bella…

We got back to the car and I raced back to school, eager to see her. After a century of having her face in my memory, I could not wait to see the face, the smile, the blush…her silky hair…in reality. Jasper gave me a smile, sensing my excitement and nervousness. We were back in time for lunch and proceeded to the canteen (even though we had just had our meal), to look for Rosalie and Emmett. That name brought back some insecurity.

APOV

How would Rosalie react to Bella? After a century of seeing him wallow, I hoped that she would behave herself…but when has Rosalie ever thought of anyone except herself?

But even my visions could not have prepared me for her response…