A/N: This chapter is slightly shorter than the others. Sorry if you like longer chapters, happy day to you if you like shorter chapters!
Hmmmm so I got a super review telling me to update soon and I want to say thanks! That honestly does make me type faster…
I don't own ANYTHING!!
The rest of the evening was not exciting. Will and I barely talked besides me telling him I already knew how to hunt because of the Emmett vision. The first time Will had killed the deer and then gave it to me. The second time though, I killed it myself.
I felt a lot better after hunting. I wasn't really angry at Will but didn't want to talk to him. I still felt guilty and embarrassed that I had thought that I was the only one who had tragedies in their lives. These people had lived a lot longer than I had, and had probably lived through far worse.
We got back to the house and as soon as I opened the door I felt better. There in the entrance way were all of the Cullen's and my grand piano.
"Not that this one isn't wonderful, but we already have a piano." Edward said, pointing to the living room. Sure enough, there was a beautiful specimen of a piano sitting on a platform.
"Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't know. You didn't have to bring it if you already had one," I mumbled. I could feel sadness creeping into my eyes and voice so I looked down as if ashamed. My mother had bought that piano for me when I was seven and had finished my first set of two-handed compositions.
Edward must have seen this in my mind because he immediately said, "its okay, Zal. We'll just have to get you a bigger room."
"That's okay; the room that I had her in was too small with all the rest of her stuff." Esme said, quietly.
With that she pulled the girls upstairs with her. I stared at them, or at least, stared at where they had been a second ago.
I took in the rest of the first floor. It was very… open. The stair case was right in front of the front door. To either side of it was a living room. One had a super sleek TV. It was black, flat screened and huge; probably HD too. There was a couch and chairs in front of it along with the beautiful piano. I walked over to it and looked at the keys, I wanted to play it but wasn't sure if I was aloud to.
"You play?" Edward had come to stand next to me.
I nodded. I was drawn into a one of his memories almost immediately but this time I wasn't there. I just saw it and heard it. There was no tunnel, just a beautiful composition being played. I could see the notes through Edwards mind and sat down on the bench. I began to play the notes I saw in his mind. It didn't sound as perfect as it had in Edward's mind, but it was still beautiful. In the memory he was looking at Bella and I realized that he had written this song for her. I stopped playing because it felt too personal.
"How did you know that song?" his voice wasn't angry, just confused.
I turned to look at him. "I saw it in your memory. What were you thinking about?"
"I was actually thinking about the first time I played that song for Bella."
"Yeah,
that's what was happening in the memory."
"Wait," Emmett
said as he, Jasper, and Carlisle came over to us. "The last time
you had one of those… what are we calling them? Visions? Anyway,
the last time you had one, you were catatonic."
"Yeah, this time was less intense. Edward was remembering playing that song to Bella and I remembered it with him."
"Did you feel emotions?" Carlisle asked.
"She was happy, content, and in awe," Jasper answered for me.
"What does it feel like when you're in these memories?" Carlisle asked.
"It feels like it's me who's there; like I'm living their lives. It's a little weird sometimes." I added, thinking about Will's memory.
"Does that feeling go away after the memory?"
"That's a brilliant idea Carlisle. And very convenient." Edward said smiling.
"No it doesn't, and what's brilliant and convenient?" I was getting a little confused.
Carlisle began explaining. "You already know that I was disgusted with what I had become and started this way of life -- as far as we know."
"Yes," I said as Alice bounded down the stairs.
"In a minute Alice," Carlisle said, putting a hand out to stop her from speaking. He continued. "I've never had one drop of human blood except when I changed someone. I'm immune to the scent and taste of it. If you were to experience that feeling you would be able to resist the blood lust."
"Brilliant!" I exclaimed.
Edward laughed, "I told you. Now we should probably be good and follow Alice or we'll be in a lot of trouble."
"I agree," Alice said looking menacing.
We went up to the third floor and Alice waltzed her way through a doorway. I was the last one through, even though it was my new room. I couldn't do anything but stare. The room's far wall was entirely glass. There was a white couch on top of pale blue carpeting. The walls were green with pink flowers painted extravagantly on them. My lap top from storage was on a white wooden desk. I looked at space behind me and saw two open doors. One was to a bathroom and the other was to a huge closet. My piano was settled in the corner and I was wondering how they got it up here so fast.
The most important thing I saw was my fifty-six beautiful instrument cases. They were lined up neatly against the wall and to see them again would have brought tears to my eyes- if that was possible. "Thank you so much," was all I could whisper. "The room is beautiful. You didn't have to do all this for me."
"Of course we did silly." Alice said, waving her hand in the air as if to dismiss my comment. "You're a Cullen now."
"Only if she wants to be." Carlisle said gently.
"Where else would I go? And you guys are great. Thank you so much!" I said smiling.
"Yea!" Alice ran to me and gathered me into her small arms. I hugged her back while meeting each of the Cullen's smiles. Will was leaning against the door frame, not exactly smiling at me- more like smirking. I was curious at his expression, but Esme called,"Come, let's give Zal some time to set up her room as she likes."
I watched them all file out, until only Bella was left. She turned to me and smiled widely before skipping out. It was extremely unnerving to be able hear her skip down the hall, open a door, close the door, and plop down on a seat. Then I realized that everyone (except Will) in this house was a couple. I shuddered at the not 'g' rated things that I might hear.
I took in the room some more before I walked over to the cases on the ground. I desperately wanted to play something, but didn't want to disturb anyone. At the moment I would have to be content with just staring at the metal, wood, and plastic, that made up my favorite things.
I was just opening the case to my trumpet when a faint knock made me jump. I went to the door and opened it to find Edward standing there.
"Hey Edward, what's up?" I asked.
"You were wondering if you were allowed to play your instruments."
"Uh, yeah I was," I stuttered. I had forgotten about Edward's special ability.
"You can. Actually Esme misses my playing. Ever since Bella, I haven't played as much as I used to. I think you'll find that this family is very flexible." He smiled, and left, closing the door quietly behind him.
Alrighty then, I thought to myself. Maybe living in this family would be better than I thought.
I looked down at the trumpet in my hand. Trumpet was one of the first instruments I learned to play. It was hard at first because I was so young (A/N: you need a lot of air to play trumpet). Eventually I learned about Jazz. That's what really sold me on the instrument. I loved improv too; getting up on a stage and totally winging what I played was a high I couldn't compare anything to.
I pulled my straight mute out of my case. The trumpet was really loud and even if they all liked music, I didn't want to disturb them.
I began with a simple scale to warm up and slowly worked my way up to improvisation.
All through the night I played different instruments. I finally ended up on the piano, playing one of my favorites, Clair de Lune. I had my eyes closed, working my way through the rises and falls of the music when someone knocked at my door.
I opened my eyes, only to scrunch them up again. While I was playing, the sun had come up and was currently shining into my new room. I got up and went to the door.
"Carlisle, what's up?" I said after seeing who it was.
"I was thinking that we should try my theory, would you come downstairs?" he didn't wait for my answer; he just flew away down the hall.
I laughed and followed him, a little more carefully; I was new at this.
Down stairs in the dinning room sat the Cullen's all arranged around the table. There was a seat across from Carlisle and I sat down.
"What should I do?" Carlisle asked.
"I was about to ask you the same thing, actually." I responded. I wasn't exactly sure how this worked yet.
"What seemed to trigger the visions last time?"
"Uh," I thought back; with Will it was physical contact, and him actually remembering. With Carlisle, it had been him just remembering. "I guess the person just has to remember, but I'm not really sure. I think I triggered it once just because I was curious about how you hunted."
"Well you're curious about the thirst, and I'm going to be remembering it as well, so it should work." Carlisle mused.
"So…"
"Right. Moving along." Carlisle began staring off into space and then I was in the all too familiar tunnel.
I was somewhere in London during Carlisle's time. This time it was slightly different from the other memories. I was inside Carlisle but I was also watching him from the outside.
He had just emerged from a pile of rotting potatoes and looked at his hands. I could feel the thirst and it was excruciating. Carlisle knew what it was immediately. He sank to his knees, still looking at his hands.
That was when he smelled it; the delicious scent that filled his nostrils that made the thirst even more painful. It was coming from behind him, in one of the allies. Carlisle knew that he couldn't resist the alluring smell for much longer so he ran. He ran as fast as he could out of the city but not fast enough. The scent of humans was all around him and by the time he got to the city limits, he realized how much he had truly resisted. How he had battled his personal demons and won. How he could and would resist again and again, until he had conquered this thirst or died trying. Dying… Carlisle mused. Is that possible?
I came out of the dream in sort of a daze. I could feel Carlisle's resistance, but was it enough?
As
if sensing my question he asked,"Well?"
"I… don't know.
I feel your abstinence but I don't know if I
feel it or if I feel you
feeling it."
"We could test that…" Emmett started, stroking his chin dramatically.
Rosalie threw a glance at me before shooting a glare at Emmett. "And risk things getting out of control? Emmett, we can't risk it." Her voice was surprisingly calm for looking so angry.
"We'll have to try it eventually. She just hunted so why not sooner than later?" Emmett pressed.
Everyone looked at Carlisle; his opinion would count the most.
"School will be starting soon. If she is immune to humans, she will have to go or not go out anywhere at all," he addressed them. Then turning to me he said, "It is up to you Zally. There are risks, but we all take them every time we expose ourselves to humans."
What was I really willing to risk, or better phrased, who was I risking? I didn't want to be the cause of grief for someone if I lost control and killed, there spouse, child, or other relative.
"I don't know…" I trailed off.
"You won't be alone," Carlisle continued. "We'll always be watching you, and of course," – his gaze hardened as he turned to Will –"Will will be with you."
Will and Carlisle stared each other down and I felt my eyes move back and forth between them as if I was watching a tennis match. Will was the first to give up and I noticed that my eyes had stayed on him longer than they had on Carlisle.
"What exactly is you're plan then?" I asked.
"You'll do it?" Rosalie sounded slightly appalled,
"Only if I approve your plan," I amended.
Her expression relaxed and we both turned back to Carlisle.
"We should start with you farther away from humans. If you can handle that then we will up the proximity."
"Sounds like what I was thinking of," I said.
"Should we do it now?" Emmett clapped his hands together and looked around the table, smiling.
"Are you ready Zale?" Carlisle asked.
I thought a moment as I looked around the room at my new found family. All of them had had trouble coping with the transformation, whether it was their own or another's. This would make it easier on them if it worked.
"Yeah, I am," I said confidently. And I was confident. Confident I wouldn't hurt anyone and confident they wouldn't let me.
Carlisle stood up and began directing people. "Edward, Bella, and Will, you take Zale in the Guardian (AUGEST 2nd!!). Emmett, Rose, Jasper, and Alice, follow behind them in the jeep. We'll be driving, slowly" – he shot pointed glances at Emmett and Edward – "toward Port Angeles. If she can handle that, we'll get out of the cars. If she can, Will, walk with her somewhere; in sight. The rest of us will walk around the area and make sure nothing you can't handle happens." Carlisle's plan was defiantly well thought out but I wished I didn't have to be with Will. Edward snorted a laugh indicating that he had heard what I was thinking. Shut up, I thought.
"Will," Carlisle called. Will went over to him after shooting me an angry/curious glance. He obviously hadn't missed the little transaction between me and Edward.
"C'mon Zally," Bella sang, pulling me to the front door. We ran to the garage and she slipped into the passenger seat. I followed suit and went to the back seat behind her. Edward quickly got into the drivers seat.
Bella turned around to face me. "This is the car, or at least a newer model of the car, that Edward gave to me when I was human." She squeezed his leg and he chuckled.
"Yeah it was the nicest missile proof car I could find."
"Aw! So cute. Out of all the things out there for rich people to buy you give her a missile proof car." – I got a flash back of Bella trying to drive it – "She couldn't even drive it smoothly!"
"That's because she was used to a rusty old truck that could go from 0-60 in about 3 minutes. If you were lucky."
"Hey!" Bella interrupted. "I liked that truck and I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk about me as if I wasn't here." She was smiling so I knew she didn't really care.
"But seriously, why did you need such a high power car?" I asked.
"Edward wanted to keep me safe before the wedding."
"She had horrible luck. I used to tell her that if you could bottle her luck you'd have a weapon of mass destruction." Edward shook his head in mock sadness earning a slap on the arm from Bella.
"So because she was a possible threat, missiles were being pointed at her?"
"Something like that," he laughed. As he talked the door opened forcefully and Will climbed in. When the door closed again, Edward pulled out with such speed I had to brace myself against the door.
"So, Will, what did Carlisle want?" Bella asked.
Will sunk down in his seat a little. "Nothing."
"Okay, Edward, what isn't Will telling us?" she asked, clearly frustrated.
"Love, if he didn't want to tell you…"
"Curiosity killed the cat, Bella," Will stated smugly.
Bella stuck out her tongue at him. "Fine, be that way. Oh, Zally," She sang.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Look into darling Will's past and find that conversation!" Of course! How silly of me to forget my new ability… I thought sarcastically.
"Curiosity killed the cat." I tried to sound confident but it came out more as a question.
"Fine," Bella pouted.
"She's getting more like Alice and Rosalie every day." Will shook his head.
I just laughed and looked out of the window. That was a mistake. I could tell we were coming up to the residential part of Forks because the trees were starting to thin a little on one side. The car decelerated as the first of the quaint houses began to appear.
Edward looked at me in the rearview mirror and partially rolled down the windows.
"You should be able to smell it now," Edward murmured. I searched his memories for the scent and found it quickly. It was a sweet smell, but varied from person to person. Sometimes it was better then others.
I sniffed the air searching for that scent and found it quickly. It wasn't strong and I had no urge to jump out of the car and seek out the scents owner.
Everyone in the car stiffened. Up the road was a woman in robe, picking up her paper with a cup of coffee in one hand. As we neared her Will's hand jutted out to grab mine. And then we passed her. I didn't notice her scent. I wasn't sure if it was because she was down wind, or if other scents were masking hers. No, I knew from Bella this time that the increased sense of smell can separate an infinite number of smells from another. Maybe I was truly immune.
Will coughed and released my hand. I was sure that if he could, he would have been blushing. I wondered why he was acting embarrassed.
Onward to Port Angeles.
A/N: Whadya think?? Good? Bad? Yeah short but sweet too right?? Um yeah, as your reading this im probly writing the rest of this chapter… (it's a two parter). Just FYI im writing two other stories at the moment so im a wee bit busy. Not to mention my exams which ive totally given up on…