Chapter 5

Corin kept telling me that I was a glutton for punishment, as we were following Charlie's cruiser over to the Cullen house. I was wondering the same thing since I was sitting in the back seat, but I found the friendship that was forming between me and my new companions to be odd and comforting at the same time. It was odd because it was almost like they deferred to me, as if they were waiting on my command. Comforting because of this strange little mission it felt like I didn't need Edward or any of the Cullen's for that matter. At the drop of a hat, they left me. I don't even think that I cared about their grief anymore than I did for Jessica or Lauren's. And for that reason alone, I had no qualms about going to the house.

But the confrontation with Edward outside the school shook me up. Being that close to him, his cool breath rushing over my face with every word; it was enough for shivers to go down my spine.

"Corin, if we don't go to the house, Edward will get suspicious of the three mystery friends from Phoenix. What if he asks Renee more probing questions about us? Renee will eventually realize that she has no idea who we are, and then the entire Cullen family will be searching for us."

"So let them look." She said. "It's not like they'll ever find us, none of us look like ourselves right now."

"You act like they can't try to sniff us out. They may not be trackers, but once they, Edward especially, become determined, there's no changing their minds." I noted. I only vaguely remembered the way they saved me from James. "As it is now, I have no idea how Alice of all people hasn't seen me coming."

"That's the one that can see the future, right?" Demetri asked as Corin turned left into the Cullen's long driveway. The last time I had been down the drive was when Edward brought me here for my birthday party. The night that essentially started this whole mess. I tried imagining how different my life would have been if the Volturi hadn't been the ones who found me. What would have been of my life had someone from Charlie's search party found me?

We started getting out of the car, when I thought popped into my head. 'Corin? Can you make our eyes look like we've been crying?' I asked, but I made sure that Demetri heard the question as well before we were surrounded by people. Corin nodded her head and I looked in the side mirror. Perfect. Maybe this will confuse Edward even more, since vampires don't have tears to cry. Once again, I checked the shield around Demetri and Corin, even though I knew they were secure.

As I would expect, my arm instinctively found its way around Demetri's waist , as we walked into a room full of humans and a handful of vampires. Tanya, Kate, and Irina were talking with Rose and Emmett, about Laurent in the corner by Edward's new piano. Irina said something about Laurent being interested in the lifestyle, but he wasn't ready to commit, just yet at least.

I didn't see Carmen anywhere around but I did see Esme. She was putting a huge spread of food out on the buffet tables that were set up in the living room. Glancing around the room, there was a nice gathering of people. Of course some of the students that I went to school with were here. I shook my head in disgust when I saw Lauren and Jessica leering around the house. Seeing them confirmed my suspicions that they were more so curious about the allusive Cullen's than with bereavement for me. Angela and Ben were standing by the huge big screen t.v., with Alice of all people. I guess when not surrounded by Emmett, Jasper, or even Rose; Alice didn't look so intimidating. I walked over to them, thinking they would be helpful with information. Demetri and Corin followed me, poor Corin looked so uncomfortable being in close proximity of all these humans.

'Corin are you going to be okay?' I looked back for an answer, and was disappointed when she shook her head 'no'. 'Okay, go hunt, but not within Forks, please. And take the truck, I know it's slower than running, but with it missing, there's an excuse for your absence.' Corin couldn't get out of there fast enough. I took a look at Demetri as well. It was hard to tell how hungry he was since his eyes were neither red or black, but a beautiful shade of green. Demetri do you want to go with her?' He bent close to my ear and whispered, "I'm here for you Bree." I was startled that he called me Bri and not Bella, but when I turned my head back towards the direction we were walking, I saw that we were almost directly next to Alice and Angela.

"Hi, I'm Brianna. You must be Angela? Bella's told me a lot about you. You were really dear to her." Angela's face beamed up with a smile on her face. Ben seemed happy that Angela was smiling for what may be the first time since the news of my disappearance.

"Really? I keep hoping that this is a bad dream, and that I'll wake up soon. I miss her so much. I just pray that she can escape from whoever took her, and that she's okay. You know?" Angela was always going to be special to me for that very reason. She was a true friend that I'd always hold close to my heart.

From my peripheral, I could see Alice looking at me, half expectantly and half curious. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name," I said innocently.

"I'm Alice. Alice Cullen."

"Oh, right, Alice. Bella talked about you too. Did you really dress her up like a doll?"

Alice lit up and started laughing in her pixie-like way. "She would complain about that. I didn't know she still kept in contact with anyone in Phoenix though. How long have you known her?"

"All my life practically, we met in ballet school. She was so clumsy, but was the only one that would dance beside her." Alice seemed to buy that and simply said 'oh'.

The four of us started talking about our favorite moments with Bella, with Demetri only jumped in the conversation a few times. Demetri stood behind me, sometimes using the top of my head as a chin rest. While both me and Demetri were conscious of shifting our weight every so often, I became slightly alarmed when Demetri's grip around my waist became tighter and he pulled me closer to his body.

'What are you doing?' I asked him. Demetri inclined his head slightly to the left of us, as if he had a kink in his neck. I followed the direction of his head and saw Edward walking down the steps. I was relieved that he hadn't noticed us yet. I raised myself on my toes and gave Demetri a kiss that landed on his chin.

"Aww, you two are so cute together." Angela noted. "How long have you been going out?" I opened my eyes, not even realizing that I had closed them; only to find Edward now staring in our direction. Crap!

"Since freshman year." Demetri said. I quickly turned my head and smiled at Angela when Edward started making his way over to the other direction.

"Yeah, this one has been talking marriage after we graduate." I said with disgust. But honestly, would a life with Demetri be so bad? Already he was proving to be loyal, though he seemed awfully clingy.

"That's really sweet. But you're against it?" Alice asked.

"I'd rather wait till after college." I answered as Demetri kissed the top of my head. "Umm, if you'll excuse me I need to use the bathroom. This house is so huge. Where is it?" I said looking around as if I didn't know exactly where it was. Alice pointed me in the direction that I knew where she would, and I stayed in the bathroom for what I thought was an acceptable time to be in the bathroom.

As soon as I walked out of the bathroom, Edward bombarded me. "I'm sorry about earlier. I was, am in love with Bella and I was a little distraught. I apologize. You just remind me so much of her."

"It's okay. Umm grief tends to drive people crazy I guess. People used to ask us if we were twins, even though we had different color hair and eyes. But I think that even if we looked exactly alike, people would still be able to tell the difference between us. I was the sporty one and she liked to read. Some even said we sounded alike." I said trying to seem convincing. I looked down as if I was thinking about the good times that Brianna and Bella "shared."

"Can I offer you anything?" He said while practically shoving a cup of punch in my face.

"Yes, actually, this is fine." I remember Edward saying something about human food tasting like dirt, and eventually it needed to be regurgitated. I knew exactly what Edward was doing, his little act was just that an act. He wasn't sorry about before, he was just even more suspicious. Unfortunately for him, there were two things that worked to my advantage. One, I did actually eat dirt before, so I knew what to expect. And two, I lived with Renee for most of my life, and until I was able to cook for myself, I had to suffer through years of Renee's cooking without making a face.

I quickly downed the cup of punch, and Edward looked shocked, as if he was expecting a different reaction. "Gosh, I didn't realize how parched I was. Crying must do that to you." Edward no longer seemed wary around me, maybe he was just uncomfortable because he couldn't read my mind. I was almost tempted to open up my mind and think random things so that he would act so guarded around me, but I didn't want to risk blowing my cover. I wasn't a good actor as it was and having to play a role in my head and the same role with an audience might be a little too taxing on my concentration. I stuffed a pig-in-a-blanket in my mouth. I used to love these when I was human, and now they really did taste like dirt.

"So you were the boyfriend?" I asked after I swallowed. I felt the food slowly sinking into my stomach and resting there. It was not going to be fun bringing that back up.

"Yes. My name is Edward Cullen. I believe you met my sister, Alice."

"I did. She's very nice. Can I ask you something personal?"

"You can, but you may not get an answer." I averted my eyes when I saw he was turning his lips into my favorite crooked smile. I couldn't afford for him to dazzle me.

"When I called Bella, to wish her a happy belated birthday, she mentioned that things between the two of you were strained. Was it something she did?" Was it me? I wanted to ask.

The smile disappeared from his face in a flash, and his nose started pinching. "Why would you ask that?"

"I'm just trying to understand my friend before she left, or disappeared. I used to be able to know when something was wrong with her, and vice versa. But ever since she moved, I only knew what she told me. We told each other everything, but lately it was if she was keeping a secret from me." I'd hoped that my probing answer would deflect him from being guarded around me.

"You're boyfriend is on the way." I followed his eyes around, and saw Demetri stalking over to me.

'Relax big guy, he's made nice, we're just talking.' The stress lines in his forehead eased up a bit and he walked over with a smile on his face. Demetri's stride also tapered off a bit, and now he was gliding over to me. He gave me a quick peck on the cheek and again brought me into his body in full protection mode. I played it off as an embrace, and wrapped my arms tightly around him.

"Edward, this is David. David, Edward. Edward was Bella's boyfriend." I informed him as if he didn't know.

"Yeah, sorry about earlier, we definitely got off on the wrong foot." Edward tried sounding polite, but I could hear the strain in his voice. No matter how comfortable he seemed to be with me, it was definitely not the same case with Demetri, well David around.

"Whatever, dude, I'm over it." Demetri said rather rudely, though I couldn't blame him, no guy would be okay if the saw their girlfriend being attacked. "Bree, Corin is back from gassing the truck up, you ready to head back?"

"Yeah," I said looking back at Edward. "I just want to say bye Mrs. Dwyer and tell her about some of the stuff I have of Bella's. I'll meet you in the car okay?"

He kissed me on my forehead and I shivered without meaning to. The last time someone kissed me on my forehead was Edward, when he was leaving me. The memory rushed back at me and for a split second, I lost control of my shield. I looked back up at Edward, but he was unaffected even when Demetri walked away from us.

"Well Edward, it was nice meeting you." I waved at him and went to find my mom. She was surrounded by Charlie, Phil, Carlisle and Esme, which was fine by me. I was able to say goodbye to all of my parental figures at once. The hardest one to say goodbye to surprisingly was Esme. In so many ways she was a mother to me where Renee failed. I almost didn't want to let her go.

I waved to Angela and Ben on my way out the door, and hurriedly climbed into the passenger seat. Corin was now sitting in the back and Demetri was driving this time around. "Demetri, hurry up and get me out of this town." I was now understanding why Jane kept zapping Corin, I was just as anxious for my appearance to return and it was only for a day. But we all understood the importance of waiting until the city limits. There was a possibility that someone may see me as myself, and call Charlie.

Demetri pulled over on the side of the road about twenty miles north of Forks. I couldn't jump out of the car fast enough. That stupid pig-in-a-blanket and punch had to come out now! It was just sitting there and getting even more uncomfortable the longer it was in my body. I was cursing Demetri and Corin out with my gift since they were laughing and teasing me, when all of a sudden, I heard Demetri say, "Damn. We got company."

I wasn't going to pay attention at first. We were still in disguise since Demetri felt it best we wait till we were out of the state before we went back to normal. Anybody that happened to be passing by would be seeing a couple of teens waiting for one to finish puking her guts out. But then what had him so worried?

I looked back at him and Corin at the car, then followed their gaze towards the woods. There, only slightly submerged in brush, was Edward peering at the three of us, trying to make us out. I held his stare and before long, he was staring back at me, neither of us were blinking or moving. If he had any doubts before, he definitely knew that we were vampires.

'Drive!' I ordered. 'I'll linger a bit and make sure he doesn't follow you. I'll run faster than him, but be ready when I make it to Denali. We'll need to grab Aro and get out.'

A/N: The next chapter, I think I might do in Edward's POV of the last two chapters. It may seem repetitive, so I'm not sure yet. But there's still time to think it over since I'll be working on the next two chapters of Black Nebula next. (I think that's going to be my pattern, two chapters per story before switching to the next one). So let me know what you think, should I continue the story with Bella's POV or pause and rewind with Edward's before moving on?