I Don't Bite, I Swear by .o.O.o.Emmett.Is.Mine.o.O.o.
Chapter Eleven... Reaction
For the entire drive home, Emmett couldn't help taking a peak over at the girl sitting beside him. She looked almost peaceful in her sleep. Definitely calmer than if she were awake, that's for sure.
The longer he thought about everything, the more he was beginning to fear her actual reaction though. The one where she freaked out and ran away, scared to death of him and his family. The one where he never saw her again.
Stop! he ordered himself, shaking his head. Kristina was special. She would never do that to him, not if what Edward and Alice had said was true. They had told him many times over that the girl wouldn't run from him if he told her. They said she was capable of accepting him and his family. But it was so hard to believe that when his race was so feared. They had horror movies on vampires twisting tales that must have been passed down. Little kids feared the dark, thinking a vampire would jump out and suck them dry. People even subconsciously avoided people that looked like them.
Finally pulling into the drive, Emmett just sat in his car. He leaned his head back on the head rest, and closed his eyes, stopping his unneeded breath. He needed to relax; calm down before he walked in there. He couldn't even imagine how Rosalie would react. Not to mention the rest of the family...
After about five minutes, he finally got up the guts to take her in. So he picked her up bridal style, lifting her weight easily. Alice opened the door before he got there, and Emmett didn't question her. It was obvious that she would know, and Edward probably knew as well. He nodded to her and stepped in.
He silently raced upstairs before questions were asked. After setting her down gently on a couch he had in his room, he straightened things out. His room was a disaster, and he was almost glad she wasn't conscious to see it.
After that was all taken care of, he sat down beside the laying form on his couch, watching her chest fall and rise with her breath. He sat there for a while, getting his thoughts organized while blocking out Edward. If he was going to find anything out, Emmett would be the one to tell him, not let him go digging around in his mind.
Kristina's breath began to return to the normal pace, and Emmett stood up to give her some room. He didn't want to see her reaction if he was that close to her.
Her eyes suddenly shot open and took in her surroundings. "Where the hell am I?" she asked, sitting up sharply, swaying a little. "What happened to me?" she asked again, looking up to see Emmett standing a little way away from her. "Emmett, why are you standing there like I'm poisonous?" she asked, standing up using the arm of the couch.
He gave her a funny look. "Why are you not running away screaming?" he asked back, watching her every move and reaction.
Kristina closed her eyes. "I'm not going to run."
Emmett looked utterly confused. "Then why is your heart beating so fast?"
"Who wouldn't be startled if they passed out over a river and woke up in their best friend's room?"
"Good point. But seriously, why aren't you running. I imagined a lot of running and screaming. I thought you'd never want to see any Cullen ever again."
The girl collapsed back onto his couch, and he rushed over, making sure she was alright. She flinched back from him, leaning into the back of the couch.
He smiled sadly. "See, I told you, you are afraid of me."
Kristina took a deep breath. "Emm, I swear I'm not afraid of you. I'm just not used to this whole thing yet. Which reminds me... does the rest of your family know you told me?"
Emmett grinned. "Thanks to Edward and Alice, probably. I forgot to tell you about that. Every once in a while, a vampire is created that has special abilities. Edward is one case, Alice as well. Our dear Edward can read people's minds, and Alice can see the future."
Kristina took a deep breath and sat in silence, processing it all.
"Kristina, do you wanna go home?" Emmett asked quietly. "I'll drive you."
She still sat there for another moment, then spoke. "I think I'll stay here, if you don't mind." Emmett looked at her, shocked. "How exactly do you think I could explain this to my mom? 'Oh, yeah, mom, I've just been passed out at Emmett's house for the past couple hours, so I think I'm ready to come home now.'"
Emmett chuckled. "I don't think she'd take that too well, judging by what I've heard of her…"
Kristina smiled. "So it's alright that I stay here than? You're parent's won't mind?"
"Heh. Carlisle and Esme let Bella stay over all the time, I'm sure they wouldn't mind."
"Really?" He nodded. "What about… Rose?" she asked tentatively. The boy flinched.
"She's just gonna have to deal with it," Emmett said heartlessly. "I can only see a couple problems. Obviously, I don't have a bed, but you'll be alright with the couch, right?" She nodded. "You don't have to worry about food, luckily, because Esme goes shopping regularly so we look 'normal'. The biggest problem would be… Rose."
"Emm, I'm not going to stay here if it causes problems. I'd rather deal with my mom than be trouble to you guys."
"Kris, you're not causing any problems. I swear. Besides, if you're that nervous, sleep with Alice. I would just feel a bit better if I knew where you were and that your mom wasn't hassling you just because my family and I have a secret."
Kristina closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Man… I'm still trying to get used to that…"
"It takes a while, trust me. Of course, it's even worse on the other end of the deal."
The girl smiled sadly. "I'm sure. And I'm sorry you had to tell someone outside your family about all this. I'm sure they don't really like this, do they?"
Emmett laughed. "Are you kidding? The only person to care is Rose."
"She already knows?"
"Yes. You gotta remember about our abilities. Everyone in the house knows about our conversation, and is listening in right now. Right, Rose?" he asked, still talking in his normal voice.
"EMMETT, I HATE YOU!" someone screamed from somewhere else in the house.
"Told you," Emmett said, cracking up. After catching his breath, he looked back at the girl that would be spending the night at his house. He became serious again. "So, where are you gonna sleep tonight? Home, my room, or with Alice?"