"Stay still, Isabella!" Alice scolded. "We wouldn't want to draw blood in a house full of vampires now, would we?"
"Alice," I whined, "do you have to straighten out my hair?"
"Yes! And before you ask, 'Why?'"—she made my voice annoyingly high-pitched—"I will answer, 'Because I wanted to try something new with your hair! And I know that it's already straight, but your hair is not super straight; it's still a little bit wavy.'"
I pouted.
"Suck it up! You're not infantile like Emmett or Edward; you're—"
"Hey!" I heard Emmett and Edward yell.
"—a grownup woman. Am I clear?"
"Yes, ma'am."
She giggled, "I love the sound of that; It gives me authority, and it makes me sound all superior!"
I shook my head, smiling. Alice's all hyper and cheerful like how she always is... I remember the time when she wasn't... It was when she couldn't see anything..., I thought sadly.
--
Edward drove faster than usual. His pale hands were gripping the steering wheel so hard I could hear the wheel cracking a little.
"Edward, calm down before you break your car to pieces," I scolded.
He didn't do anything; he didn't even turn to look at me.
"Edward! Stop!" I yelled.
His head turned towards me at inhuman speed. His expression was...frightening and...murderous.
"How can I calm down, Bella?!" he yelled. "Alice can't see anything! Our—your future's—disappeared all of a sudden! Something bad might happen and we wouldn't know it! Alice has always been our number one source of information! And she's not even used to being so...so...blind! Now how can you tell me to calm down?!" His eyes were coal black; I couldn't even see his pupils.
"Well, Edward," I began, my temper getting to me, "being all angry won't do you any good! You have to calm down. I'm very sure there must be something—or someone—that's messing with Alice's and everybody else's minds. Jasper must be beyond furious right now. We don't want two furious people here, let alone three." And that number three would be me, I added.
He was still angry, so I placed my hands gently on his own. I rubbed them soothingly.
"Calm down," I repeated.
I saw his eyes soften and turn into his beautiful, golden orbs. His hands relaxed, but remained on the wheel. He took off one of his hands and grabbed mine, rubbing soothing circles on it.
"Thank you," he whispered. "I—I needed that. Forgive me for my wild outburst. It was definitely uncalled for. Forgive me, Bella."
"It's all right, Edward. It's not your fault. Your sister's having problems. It's a natural over-protective brother thing," I told him gently.
"It was not only for Alice; it was for you, too. Your sake. Your safety. You."
"Edward, right now you have to focus on Alice, okay? She's not really your blood sister, but she is still your lovable, annoying sister. So focus on Alice, not me."
"That's going to be quite difficult, love. But you're right—I need to focus on her." He took off his seat belt. He was right next to me in an instant and opened the door for me.
I slowly took off my seat belt, shocked. "How—how did we get here so fast? When you were yelling at me, I thought for sure we stopped driving. I..." I was so bewildered.
He winked at me. "Vampire, remember?"
I scowled at him. "Don't rub it in."
He held my hand as we walked toward the Cullen household. As we stepped over the threshold, we were immediately confronted by Alice—but she wasn't Alice; she wasn't our happy Alice; she was...a very depressed Alice.
"Oh, Edward! Bella!" she cried. "I'm sorry! I—I can't see anything! How can I protect Bella from the dangers that lie within the future?! All of your wonderful futures just...just vanished!"
"Alice, don't—" I started.
She cut me off by hugging Edward and I.
"I'm sorry!" she shouted, depressed. She was sobbing dry tears. And I bet if she were to be human, her perfect face would be covered in salty tears.
"Alice," I whispered sadly.
"Alice," Edward said; from the tone of his voice, I could tell he was feeling agonized. He rubbed her back affectionately, in a brotherly way.
"Shh, Alice, stop crying," he said, consoling her. "Shh... It's not your fault. Jasper, Emmett, and I—but mostly Jasper—will kill the demon doing this to you. Shh..."
"No!" she wailed.
"Why?" Edward asked.
"Because I want to kill that demon, too! I want to burn them until they're ashes if they're a vampire, or tear them apart limb by limb if they're an unintellectual werewolf! So the victim, I, Alice, will be a part of it too!"
Edward chuckled softly. "Of course, Alice. Now stop being such a crybaby."
"Shut up," she muttered. She looked up at us with her glorious face. "I was just so...frightened that I might disappoint you guys. Looking through the future for Bella, and for your sake, is my twenty-four-seven job! And other things..."
"Alice, it's okay," I said. "Don't worry about me or Edward; I can take care of myself, and he can take care of himself. You can't always worry about us. Worry more about you and Jasper's future. And, speaking of Jasper, he has to come over here, and kiss you senselessly. Stop being so gloomy—that's an emotional person's job. Be happy!"
She giggled. Jasper appeared, smiling at us with happiness and thanks, and hugged Alice.
"That's my little sister," Edward teased.
She stuck her tongue out at him. And then she kissed both of our cheeks.
"You guys are the most kindest siblings ever!"
"I better get something in return," Edward joked.
"A wonderful future with Bella?"
He smiled at me. "That'll work."
"Edward? Bella? Alice? Jasper?" we all heard Carlisle call. "Please come over here—we need to discuss Alice's...blindness."
Alice frowned. "My name and the word blind"—she sneered at the word—"doesn't match at all. I don't like it."
Jasper kissed her cheek.
We all walked to the living room and saw everybody else sitting there. They were all smiling at Edward and I.
Carlisle cleared his throat. "Before we discuss the important matters at hand, I would like to thank Bella and Edward for consoling Alice. That was a wonderful thing for you guys to do."
I smiled at him. "It's no problem." Esme beckoned me to sit next to her, and I happily obliged. Edward sat next to me.
"Now, Alice, they're both right—don't worry, we'll take care of it. I'm pretty sure it's a werewolf's doing," Carlisle told her.
"How?" Alice asked.
"Well, you can't see werewolves. And don't blame this predicament on them; they might have made a decision to come here, or to come to Bella. I don't think this is a bad thing. They might want a chat with one of us. Alice, dear, can try to look into the future?"
Alice closed her eyes. Suddenly she became still.
Edward chuckled softly, "That pixie..."
"What?" I asked.
"You'll see."
Alice opened her eyes; it wasn't so gloomy anymore; it was all bright and happy—the real Alice.
"I...can see!" she cried with happiness.
Emmett laughed.
Alice glared at him, and then turned to Jasper. "Jazzie! We're going to have another wedding at...Puerto Rico! Romantic and beautiful, right?!"
Jasper kissed her. "Yes, it is, Alice, honey."
"I can see!" Alice shouted with glee again.
Carlisle smiled at her. "So it was based on the werewolf's decision. They probably canceled their trip to us. Our case is solved—for now."
I sighed with relief.
"Oh, Alice," I heard Esme murmur.
I looked at her. She was bouncing and being all loquacious.
Oh, Alice, indeed...
--
I smiled at the memory.
"Done!" Alice announced, breaking my reverie. "You're a beauty!"
"Can I see Edward now?" I asked.
"No. You have to look in the mirror—"
I cut her off, "Edward!"
"I can't come in, Bella," I heard Edward say behind the door. "If I did, Alice will have my head."
"Good, Edward." Alice smiled smugly. She turned to look at me—no, glare at me. "Isabella, if you pull another stunt like that again, I will have to do something very drastic. Understood?"
I sighed resignedly, "Yes."
She grinned at me. And then, in a flash, a pair of black ballet flats were held in front of me face.
"I saw that you would totally freak out if I showed you these awesome stilettos I bought, so I decided on these cute ballet flats. Your coordination—which you don't have—is safe."
"Good plan," I noted.
She smiled at me.
I slipped on the flats. They were comfy.
"Now get up!" Alice commanded.
I got up. Alice spun me around so I was facing her huge mirror.
"Wow. I'm a vampire."
She scoffed, "A gorgeous vampire."
I was wearing a black spaghetti strap dress, which stopped just on my knee. It was silky and comfortable. My hair was unbelievably straightened, and had a torn up—that goes with the vampire style—ribbon on it. I had red lipstick on, and my eyelashes were curled upwards. I was a vampire, but a vampire in style. I didn't need to put on powder, because I'm already pale.
I smiled at Alice. "You're awesome."
"I know!"
"What are you going to go as?"
"Nothing."
"You're going as yourself?"
"No, I meant I'm not going as anything. I'm not going to the dance."
"What?! But—but you said that we—"
"I'm a good liar, just like Edward, Bells. Sorry. But I didn't want to ruin your prom night with all my giggling."
I sighed. "That's true. But we're only going because you're going."
"Actually, Edward wants to go."
I fell back on the chair.
"Edward," I mumbled, "come in here."
"Is it safe?" he called behind the door.
"Yes!" Alice answered.
He was in front of me, wearing a dashing tuxedo. He was gorgeous, but I was too angry.
"You look—" he started to say.
I interjected, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, all beautiful and whatnot. Why did you lie to me?!"
"About what?"
"That you're going to the dance, or else you'll face Alice's wrath?!"
"Oh. Well, you see, I knew that you wouldn't go, for you absolutely despise dances."
"Which I do," I said, irked.
"Yes. And I wanted you to experience your life the way humans should."
I grimaced.
"So, are you still up to it?" he asked.
I sighed.
He smiled crookedly at me, making my heart flutter. "I'll take that as a yes. By the way, you look gorgeous."
"You said that already."
"I was but you interrupted me."
"Right. Hey!"
"What again?"
"You're not dressed up as a supernatural being—even though you are one."
He smirked. "Nobody listens, Bella. You should know that by now."
"But what about me?!" I cried.
"Take off the lipstick; it comes out easily," Alice informed me. She held out a soft looking napkin.
I grabbed it and quickly began taking out the toxic on my mouth.
"There," I announced when all the redness was gone. I yanked off the ribbon on my hair. Alice caught it, and then glared at me.
Edward held out his hand at me. "Shall we?"
"Let's get this torture over with," I grumbled, taking his hand.
* * *
I pouted and crossed my arms over my chest.
"You can't make me!" I said childishly.
Edward sighed. "I can and I will, Bella. It's too late."
"But just look at it, Edward! You might not know that that place must be a torture chamber! They might even have a flamethrower!" I tried to scare him a little, but it didn't work.
He rolled his eyes. "Stop with all these exaggerations! You agreed to this earlier."
"I'm human. Humans change their minds easily."
"Do you love me?" he asked, suddenly serious.
I, of course, didn't hesitate. "Yes."
"If you love me, then you'll go to this dance with me—no complaints."
I glared at him. "That's unfair, and you know it!"
"Now is not the time to be indignant. Please?" he pleaded, dazzling me.
I shut my eyes close tightly. "No dazzling!"
He sighed. "Fine."
I peeked at him. "What?"
"We won't go," he said sadly.
"Good. Glad you see it my way."
"I wanted to go, you know."
"Well, that's too bad; you already changed your mind.
"I wanted to hold you close in my arms, swaying softly to the music..."
"I'm no good at dancing."
"...feel your hands around my neck, seeing your face glow as you smile..."
"I'll smile for you everyday, okay? Let's go!" I was almost giving in. Who could resist that adorable, gorgeous, sad face?
"It's not the same, love. I love dancing with you, no matter how bad you're at it."
"Edward..."
"Oh, well, never mind. Let's go. Forgive me for my selfishness." He sighed sadly again.
I groaned, and then took off my seat belt. "Fine! Fine! We'll dance! Stop being such a drama queen! Let me break my leg dancing! Ugh!"
He smiled at me with pure joy. "Really?"
I nodded reluctantly.
He was right beside me, opening the door. He quickly grabbed my hand and led me towards the forbidden place.
I felt my jaw hanging open. "You dirty, dirty boy," I said, glaring at him. "Using your acting skills towards your girlfriend. I am ashamed."
He smiled smugly. "Reverse psychology, love—works all the time."
I scowled.
I saw everybody twirling and shaking and all that. It was pure horror. And Edward was right—not everybody listened. There were werewolves—which I saw Edward grimace at—vampires, witches, and all those other things. But some just wore buttoned-up shirts and dresses.
I saw Angela as a witch, (Eclipse. :)) and Ben as Harry Potter; it matched him well.
"Let's go out to the gazebo, Bella," Edward said in my ear.
I nodded.
As we walked out, I was mesmerized by the candlelights along the sidewalk. There were black ribbons and red ones, too on the trees.
"May I have this dance, my lady?" Edward asked as we entered the solitary gazebo. Privacy—I like it.
"Okay," I said. "I'm pressing charges on you, though, if you make me break my leg."
He laughed, and then he picked me up so I was standing on his feet.
"Déjà vu, huh?" he murmured in my ear.
"Yeah..."
"Now isn't this—" Edward stopped. His eyes suddenly turned cold. Suddenly I was behind him.
"Edward!"
"The dog is here," he growled. "Stay behind me."
I clung to Edward's jacket, hoping he wouldn't do anything that could get him injured.
Jacob was suddenly in front of us. His chest was exposed, but he was wearing pants.
"I just want to talk to Bella," he said huskily. He's grown. "Privately," he added.
"No," Edward growled. "I'm not leaving her."
"You left her last time! Two minutes doesn't make a difference now, bloodsucker!"
"Listen, dog—"
I interrupted him, "No, Edward. Please. I'll talk to him. Five minutes only."
Edward looked at me with wide eyes. "Love, are you sure?"
I nodded. "I need to talk to him, anyways. Please?"
He scrutinized my face for awhile, and then nodded. "Okay." He kissed my cheek. He turned to Jacob. "If you hurt her, you're dead, got it, mongrel? Don't even as so much make her cry. It doesn't matter if it's physically or emotionally, otherwise you'll be running with three legs or two," he threatened darkly.
"Wouldn't dream of it, parasite," Jacob replied coldly. "Get out of here now."
Edward growled. He kissed my cheek again, and then was gone.
Jacob grinned at me. "Hey, Bells."
I glared at him. "Don't 'Hey, Bells' me! What gives you the right to think that we're even friends?"
He sighed, "C'mon, Bells. There are a lot of reasons why. I wanted to keep you safe, and—"
I scoffed, "Oh, so you think pushing me away at my time of need—for your need—was called keeping me safe?! Pathetic."
"I was a young werewolf, and I still am one!" he defended. "I might've lost control and killed you!"
"But I knew you wouldn't, Jake! I knew. You were my best friend! I trusted you!"
"I didn't believe in myself." He stared sadly down at the floor. "Are you happy?"
"Of course I am! Look at me! It's apparent. He cured me." I smiled a little at the thought of him.
"He left you."
"He came back."
"But he left you."
I snorted, "Nice comeback, Jacob."
"I don't understand."
"Nobody understands love."
That made him shut up.
"Look," he finally said, "I just wanted to apologize."
"Now?"
"Better late than never, right?" he said bitterly.
"Well, I forgive you."
"Really, Bells?" He smiled at me.
"Yeah. No hugs, though."
He pouted. "No fair."
"Life's not fair. Deal with it."
He grinned wolfishly at me. "Bye, Bells."
"Wait!"
He turned around. "What?"
"Friends?"
He smiled. "Friends." He was gone.
I sighed.
"How did it go?" a velvety voice said in my ear. Edward wrapped his arms around me.
"You didn't eavesdrop?" I asked, a little bit shocked.
"No."
"It went...good."
He kissed my cheek. "That's nice."
"I love you, Edward," I whispered.
"As I love you," he whispered back.
* * *
Okay, I wanted to get the "Jacob thing" out of the way. I respect him in some ways.
The next chapter will probably be the last chapter. Sorry!
Review!
Monica-san
