Author's Note: Wrote this a while ago but hadn't had the time or motivation to post it. Review, porfavor. Wish me luck on finals, I'll truly need it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, which includes twilight.
The music drifted into the patio as Gregory opened the door. He stared at Edward, then at me, then back at Edward. His face showed no emotion. Edward was staring at Gregory with complete malice, holding a defensive stance in front of me.
"Bella, you okay out here?" Gregory said calmly.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll only be a minute." Gregory slowly went back through the door, never once turning his back on us. Edward turned to look at me, his topaz eyes giving nothing away.
Gregory was a vampire, and even though I had had suspicions about that, I couldn't believe it. Out of the two people that I called friends in New York, one was a vampire. What did that say about me? Couldn't I attract some normal human friends?
"So…you were saying something about a letter before we were so rudely interrupted?" Edward looked down at his watch, giving me the impression that he was in a hurry.
"Yes, do you want the cliff notes version?" I looked directly into his eyes in futile attmept to will him to stay with me. Everything was happening too fast, and for someone who had eternity he sure seemed to be in a hurry.
"I think the cliff notes version would be appropriate."
"Well, I left because I wanted to force you to make the decision to change me or let me be human. I wanted you to find me and tell me you were willing to change me." Edward was looking around, not paying the slightest attention to me.
"We should go, NOW." He pulled my arm and dragged me to the far end of the patio.
"Edward, I know Heidi is in New York." I said non chalantly. "I don't think she recognized me. Plus, Anabel and Gregory are going to wonder where I went," I paused as I stared at him reaching for the top of the brick wall, "…and you completely ignored what I just said."
"Bella, now is not a good time. Now let's go before HE comes back."
"What are you talking about? Who's he? Is there someone else after me?" This was the last thing I needed. I mean four months without a sign that vampires truly existed, and now I casually strolled by one and was being stalked by another.
"I'm talking about your 'friend' Bella. He'll be back soon and its best if we're not here when he gets back." The idea that Gregory could hurt me hadn't crossed my mind, and the extra emphasizes on friend didn't help to calm me.
"What do you mean by 'friend' Edward?" Edward rolled his eyes.
"We can do this the easy way or the not-so easy way, your choice?" He smiled. He was clearly enjoying the riddles and secrecy behind his actions and it was driving me insane.
"Fine." I reached up to grab his hand and we were over the wall before I could blink. He led me through the alley without a sound and turned right onto the street. He kept his hand in mine, and the feeling was comforting.
"Can I know where we're going?"
"Well, where do you live?" I looked up at him regretting even asking. He was staring ahead without the slightest indication of interest.
"I'm kinda living with Gregory. My apartment building was burned to a crisp, and I needed a place to stay." Edward released my hand and ruffled his brown hair.
"It's no longer save for you to stay with Gregory. We'll go to my place if that is alright?"
I looked at him and nodded. I wanted to reach for his hand but he had stuffed it in his jean pocket.
"So, are you going to tell me what's going on or keep me in the dark as usual?" He stopped walking and turned to look at me.
"When have I kept you in the dark Bella." He closed his eyes. "Wait…forget it. I'm sorry, this is not the place for this discussion." He quickly headed towards the subway station, I struggled to keep up.
"So, when will it be a good time for this discussion. I mean don't you have to over analyze the consequence of letting me in on what's going on. You know, pretend that the less I know the better." I was angry and practically running behind him trying to keep up with his pace. At this point I would have been in tears, but I was a stronger person now.
His voice was a whisper, "Telling you what I was, allowing you to guess, wasn't exactly keeping you in the dark, Bella." I was stunned by the intensity of his voice, the look in his eyes. I stayed quiet after that, everything I wanted to say would only make things worse. Minutes paced in silence as we continued to walk.
We stopped in front of the subway station. I wasn't sure what Edward was thinking but it was freezing, and I wanted to get out of the cold. Before I could complain, Edward dragged me down the street.
"I think its better if we walk."
"You know, I can walk on my own."
"I know, but its more fun dragging you." He stared out in front of him, listening to something inaudible to my ears.
"I guess I should fill you in on what's going on, if you think you can handle the truth."
"I'm not a baby Edward, and you've said it yourself, I handle unpleasant things very well." Edward growled, and abruptly turned to look at me.
"This isn't exactly how I thought things would be when I found you." His cold fingertips caressed my face and he stopped all too soon.
"Well, Heidi is looking for you. She didn't pay any attention to you earlier because that would ruin the plan, and I haven't figured out exactly what the plan is. There's more of them, and I think its best if I take you back to your friends. I want to avoid a confrontation, it would probably turn out bad, for both us."
Once again I was in mortal danger, and the most morbid part was that I didn't care as long as Edward was by my side. Love is irrational. We began to walk back to the pub, our footsteps echoing down the empty street.
"There's one thing I want you to do Bella, and its important."
"Alright, what is it?"
"Just keep an eye on your friends, there's something I haven't quite figured out yet."
"Fine, but what exactly am I looking for?"
"You'll know, your quite perceptive." We had reached the alley entrance.
"You should go on ahead. I don't want your friends to see me."
"When will I see you?" My arms were wrapped around my torso tightly, I wasn't going to let the pain get to me. He gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze and started walking away.
"Soon." I watched him walk down the street and slowly disappear into the darkness.
I relunctantly walked back towards the music and people. Everyone around was a blur, an array of colors passing by me. I knew the forms were people because of the murmuring of words all around me. Nothing was a complete form until Anabel stepped in front of me.
"Earth to Bella," she said as she snapped her fingers.
"Anabel, can we go?"
"The fun is just beginning, plus Gregory said you were making out with a hot guy. Where is mister hottie?" I ignored her comment and started walking past her hoping Gregory would be a bit more understanding. I decided that the best approach would be to act normal, even though Gregory had been keeping a secret, a big secret, we all had secrets.
Maybe Gregory thought I wouldn't understand. Maybe he was reluctant to tell me what he was for fear of rejection. Edward wasn't too clear about what side Gregory was on, which made things even more unpleasant.
I looked around hoping to see Gregory jumping or stage diving. Anything that would set him apart from everyone surrounding me. I saw him standing against the wall, his head bobbing to the beat of the music; his dark hair covering part of his face. It took a lot of pushing and shoving to make it through the crowd.
"Gregory." I yelled unsure if my voice could be heard over the music. He turned to look at me, his eyes distant.
"Hey you," he looked over my shoulder, "Where's lover boy?"
I sighed. "He was just a—an old friend."
"Sure, whatever you say."
"Stop with the depressing mood, can we go now?" I'm sure I sounded like a nagging five year old but I needed, wanted, to rest.
"But its just getting good….," Gregory pointed at the stage, as if to prove a point.
"Yeah, and you seem to be having so much fun standing against the wall muttering to yourself." It was obvious he didn't want to be there any more than I did, but he was being difficult.
"Are you going to let me walk home alone?" Guilt was my last weapon plus I didn't have a key to his apartment.
"Fine, but you owe me." He turned around and headed for the door, clearing a path as he walked through the crowd. Anabel was standing outside the door waiting for us.
"I knew you would convince him to leave, Gregory your so predictable," Anabel said as she drapped her arm around my shoulder. Gregory shot her a glare before walking ahead of us.
"Well, come on then, all the fuzz about leaving and your walking at turtle pace."
Playlist:
I'm in love – Audio Bullys
Sub-Zero Fun – Autolux
Blood on our hands – Death From Above 1979