--------Chapter Eight-------

The flight was going to be long. Maine was on the other fucking side of the US! I sighed as I looked at the plane, getting ready to accept passengers. I looked beside me, and saw something I didn't expect; Heather, waving Edward Cullen and Jasper Hale over to us. What were they doing here? I smiled slightly, and then dropped it as they came over. Edward came over to me and cupped my face. That startled me. It was something I had never seen him do. He usually avoided me, and even though I knew why now, it still took me out of myself.

"I heard about your brother. I am so sorry, Alex. Why didn't you tell me?" he said, looking at me with his amazing golden eyes.

I took his hands off my face and just held them, hoping he wouldn't pull away. Hoping was stupid, because he did. I sighed and looked at him.

"Edward, I don't know what has come over you. First, you act like you hate me. Then, I figure out it's me that is causing you torment every second you are near me, and you warm up to me? Just one question, Edward. Are you bipolar?" I said, looking at him, then to Heather who was chuckling in the background. I looked over at Jasper, and felt an instant calm wash over me. I glared, and the anger wiped it away.

"No super special vampire tricks on me, not now. Not when I have to go and…" I couldn't even finish my sentence before the dread came on. I looked away, and Jasper came over and placed a hand on my shoulder. I was calm again, and I smiled at him. Maybe a vampire trick or two would be good for me, just this once. I looked at them, and they each had one carry on item…and a ticket in their hands. I furrowed my brow and spoke.

"You guys going somewhere?" I asked, and Heather laughed again, but answered for them

"They are coming with us you dumb shit. Even I could see that, and I am not the one that likes him!" she said. I shot her a glare, which only made her smirk in triumph. I went off, looking for a place to get some food before take off. I was nervous, but hey, wouldn't you be? If you just found out that your beloved younger brother with leukemia was suddenly about to die, wouldn't you be scared? Yeah, that is what I thought. I was staring at the menu for a Chinese place, when a cold hand came on my shoulder. It was then I realized I was crying.

"Alex, come on now. They are boarding our flight."

"…no. I'm….I'm scared, Edward. I can't go."

"Alex, you have to go. What about Tristan? He wants to see you."

"I can go there only to say goodbye to him. I can't, I just can't!"

Edward did something very unlike him then. He pulled me into a hug. It was something, again, unexpected of him, and it only proved to scare me further.

"Come on now, Alex. We'd better go."

I turned away from him and walked in front of him, grabbing my bag and following Heather on the plane. She sat behind me, and Jasper sat next to her. How had he gotten the seat next to her? Vampire tricks, maybe? I shook my head as Edward sat next to me. Yes, definitely vampire mind tricks. I looked out my window, the rain clouds blocking the sun. I sighed and shut it, for there really was nothing to look at. I took out my book, and began to read as we began to take off.

Break In Time

"The captain has illuminated the fasten your seatbelt sign…"

"Alex, come on. You know that no one can beat you in poker. You're just too fucking good!" Heather said, rolling her eyes as she sat there with Jasper. He smiled, and I smirked.

"I know. I am just that spec-fucking-tacular."
Edward looked at me, raised an eyebrow, and shook his head. Why had he even come along anyways? Something was going on with him, and I just couldn't put my finger on it. Heather rolled her eyes and looked over at Jasper.

"So, how come you aren't in school with us?" she asked. I suppressed a giggle. I loved knowing more than she did.

"I graduated last year, alongside my brother and sister." He said, looking at me with one of those 'why didn't you tell her that?' faces. I mean, how was I supposed to know that they wanted me to tell her everything? Wait a minute, they didn't. So he had no right to give me that face. I smiled at Heather, knowing, once again, something more than she could picture. Jasper, our fair, fair Jasper, was falling for my best friend. Oh, how I love sweet, sweet revenge. She was so getting mocked for this later. I turned back around to my book and continued reading since no one wanted to play cards. We'd be back home in less than an hour anyways.

Break In Time

We were getting off the plane, heading over towards baggage claim when I spotted someone. I screamed as I ran to him and threw my arms around him; my older brother, Derek. In case you haven't figured it out, I am the only girl in the family, and that means all of my brothers are obnoxiously protective of me.

"Derek! Derek! Derek! Derek! Derek!" I laughed out as my brother encased me in his arms. He was getting bigger every day. I smiled as we pulled apart and two arms trapped around my shins. My niece, Riley, was hugging me with all her might.

"Auntie 'Lexy! Auntie 'Lexy!"

"Oh my! Hello Riley, my you're getting bigger every time I see you!" I laughed out, pulling her up to me and kissing her. Heather came over and smiled. She introduced herself to Derek as I hugged my niece. I kept her on my hip as I carried her over to baggage claim, Derek and Heather behind me. I walked up to Edward and Jasper and introduced her.

"Edward, Jasper, this is my niece Riley and her father, my brother Derek." I said as Derek came up behind me, extending his hands to them to shake.

"Hello." He said, as in turn the two vampires shook his hands. They smiled, just enough , and introduced themselves to him. Derek wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me away.

"Is one of them your boyfriend, Alex?" he asked. Oh great; big brother mode. This was going to be one great trip. I rolled my eyes and looked at him.

"No, Derek, neither of those boys is my boyfriend." I said, even though I wanted one of them to be. He gave me that hard I am your big brother look and I walked away. We got our baggage, and left the airport. Edward and Jasper rented a car, and followed Derek all the way back to my house. It seemed almost morbid now, to be walking in those doors again. I was greeted warmly by my sister-in-law, and her growing belly.

"Sandra, you're pregnant again?" I said, rubbing her belly. She smiled and nodded. Derek was beaming at his wife, and I beamed back at him. I looked around as the room got deafly silent. I turned, and all the beaming and smiling ceased. My mother had come into the room.

"No hello for your own mother, Alexandra?"

"…..no." I said, looking at her coldly.

"And do not give me this mother shit. You were never really my mother, and you know it."

--------End Chapter Eight-------