College, Best Friends and Enemies

Bella's POV

"Just like you my sweet Bella." Coming from anybody but Edward those words would have sounded corny. Coming from Edward, it made my knees weak and made me want to swoon. I blushed again. He let go of my arm and let me pass, seemingly amused. Alice was going through the closet, ignoring Edward and I.

She turned around and grabbed my hand again. "Are you hungry? You must be starving. Let's go to the kitchen. I think everybody else is gathered there anyways." She led me to the kitchen, Edward followed closely behind.

Inside the kitchen Carlisle and Esme were preparing some food. Jasper, Emmett and a girl I hadn't met before, whom I assumed was Rosalie, were sitting on barstools around the counter island. Rosalie turned and looked at me, and suddenly I didn't feel like going any closer. If it wasn't for Alice pulling me along I would have fled. Rosalie was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen, and she was giving me the dirtiest look I have ever received. I could see hatred in her eyes and in her expression. Emmett also noticed, and he elbowed Rosalie in the arm. Rosalie turned around and ignored me.

"Bella dear, are you hungry at all?" Esme pulled out a barstool for me next to Emmett, and I sat down. Edward joined Carlisle in cutting some vegetables and Alice sat on Jasper's lap.

"I'm a little hungry." Esme seemed thrilled with my response.

"Carlisle and Edward are making a vegetable salad, and I was about to cook up some chicken if you like?" She reached into the fridge and pulled out three large chicken breasts.

I looked at the clock and saw that it was already 8 pm, a little late for chicken. "Just a salad would be fine, I'm not overly hungry, more tired than anything really."

Esme put the chicken away, and pulled out a bowl, some utensils, and some salad dressing for me. Carlisle served me some salad and waited patiently for my approval. It was delicious, and I told him so. Everybody seemed pleased.

I noticed that no one else was eating and I remembered about the whole vampire thing. "So, you're all vampires?" I tried to make it sound casual, but I'm sure I sounded nervous.

"Oh! You guys already told her about that?" Alice looked completely disappointed and slightly irritated.

"Yea, we kind of had to after the Volturi attacked." Jasper responded, placing a light kiss on her forehead.

"How did that go anyways?" Esme seemed concerned.

Carlisle was cleaning up the counter, and putting the rest of the salad away. "It went as well as could be expected. We didn't get injured. Bella is probably scarred for life." He said this with a light chuckle. "We had to tell her everything afterward." Carlisle sighed. "I'll get a hold of Aro later, and see if I can explain things to him, and see if we can work something out. Bella is part of this family now and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it."

I cleared my throat. "Speaking of family, what about my parents? My mom is probably having a fit, and I'm sure she's called Charlie by now."

Rosalie whispered something to Emmett then stomped off. Emmett excused himself and chased after her.

Esme sighed. "Bella we need to come up with a reason for you to be staying here with us that your parents will believe and accept."

Carlisle spoke before I had a chance to say anything. "There is an unexpected complication. Bella is Police Chief Swan's daughter." Esme and Alice gasped.

"Charlie's your dad?" Alice exclaimed.

"You know him?" I was really surprised.

Alice looked down in exaggerated dismay. "I had to talk your dad out of giving me a few speeding tickets a few months ago."

I had to laugh at that. Esme on the other hand gave Alice a look that turned her exaggerated look of dismay into real dismay.

I looked at Carlisle and Esme and gauged their reactions as I spoke. "First, I don't want to sound rude or ungrateful, but do I really need to stay here? This whole 'vampires are real' thing is still a little hard for me to swallow. Second, can I see my dad? Third, what in the world could I tell my parents?" I finished my salad, and brought the bowl to the sink. Edward grabbed it from me before I could clean it. He put it into the sink and washed it himself. I whispered thanks and sat back down on the stool.

"Bella, did you just graduate from high school?" Jasper spoke up suddenly.

I nodded my head, unsure of what he was getting at.

"What were your plans for post secondary?" As Jasper spoke Edward was smiling and nodding his head.

"That's a good idea Jasper." Edward seemed relieved. "This is going to work."

I felt confused. "I was going to go to a community college in Phoenix in September."

Carlisle was nodding his head. "Bella, I am offering you a full scholarship, plus room and board, to go to college here."

I was starting to catch on. "And because my dad lives here I thought it would be a great idea to try out the West coast for awhile."

Alice joined in. "And because we're best friends you couldn't resist the opportunity!"

Their excitement was contagious, but I still felt weary. "But can I see my dad?"

Carlisle smiled. "Of course Bella."

I smiled. My life was still not making sense to me, but for some reason I felt content.