A/N: I am so sorry it has taken me so long to update! I've been really busy at school and blah blah blah . . . I know you don't really care, so I won't bore you with details!
I will admit that this is not one of my best chapters, but just hang in there! It does get better! I swear! (And yes, I do plan on working into Breaking Dawn) Enjoy!
"Why? Why? I REALLY don't want to kill anybody!" I pleaded frantically as Emmett dragged me to the car. Edward climbed into the driver's seat and Emmett, Jasper, and I took the back row; I sat in the middle, no doubt so that they could restrain/calm me at a moment's notice.
"It's just a test, Bree. You've made excellent progress the last few weeks and we just want to make sure you're safe for the wedding," Jasper explained. "We can't take any chances with the wedding."
They had been putting me through various "tests" since I got here. The worst, by far, had to be the first time they put me on the hiking trail. The scent of the humans was so strong I immediately began sprinting for town, but, luckily, Edward caught me before I could cause any damage. Eventually I could perfectly control myself on the trail; it was no big deal. Downtown was another thing.
Don't get me wrong, downtown Forks was not exactly the "hot spot" for people to hang out (it consisted of about ten ancient, decrepit tourist shops on a wide road), but people would certainly be there. I wasn't sure I could handle it. For some reason, my new brothers insisted I could.
"You'll be fine, Bree," Edward reminded me, no doubt reading my thoughts. "Just remember to concentrate."
Concentrate. I am in charge. I am in control of my body. I am in total control over my senses. I have the power to restrain myself.
We pulled out of the driveway and in less than three minutes, we were driving into the suburbs of Forks. I froze at the sight of two or three children playing in front of a house and Edward slowed down.
"Jazz, don't do anything. Let's see how she handles it on her own," Edward instructed. "Bree, stop holding your breath."
"Edward, I really, really don't want to hurt somebody," I told him, a hint of whining in my voice.
"You won't," he insisted. "Breathe." I did as I was told.
It burned. It was like waking up on a cold morning with strep throat; you don't realize how much it hurts until you swallow, and then it burns. I grabbed Emmett's arm for support, and he held my hand in place there. I forced myself to take another breath, and it was worse, the closer we got to the children.
"I CAN'T!" I screamed, holding my breath again.
"You can!" Edward urged. "Jazz, not yet." I knew Jasper was dying to help me, to calm me down. I was now shaking from head to foot. I let out a scream and put my head between my legs. I wrenched my hands free and held my head with them.
"Don't hold your breath," Edward warned. "This is a test." I began stomping my feet like a little kid, breaking through the floor of the car, even denting the pavement in some places.
"You're gonna fix those, right?" Emmett asked, looking at the floor, the hint of a joke in his voice. I was too preoccupied to catch it or even notice what he was saying. I was rocking back and forth, my vision going in and out, making me dizzy. Goose bumps might have popped up on my arms if they weren't in a permanently frozen state.
All of a sudden, it got better. Not completely gone, but I could at least stop rocking back and forth; I was still shaking with my head in-between my legs.
"Whoa," I heard Jasper say. "That was really impressive." Jerk. He didn't think I could handle it! Not that I really DID handle it. . .
"She thinks you're a jerk for not believing she could handle it," Edward informed him.
"Get. . . the hell. . . out. . . of my HEAD!" I managed to get out of my clenched teeth. Emmett laughed, clapping his hands together. I achieved getting my head up and sitting in a semi-normal posture.
"Very good, Bree!" Jasper congratulated me, and I glowed with satisfaction. Maybe I could actually do it. Maybe it really was possible!
Edward zoomed to the end of the street and took a right; we were headed into town. I clenched my fists even tighter than they already were. This was it.
A/N: Not horribly bad, right? Okay, I promise I won't be so slow updating next time, because that was just plain ridiculus! Thanks for taking the time to read!