Ryan Hale
As soon as Lily left the car, my phone rang.
My thoughts were so scattered that I barely noticed, and I almost didn't answer it. But as I knew well, no one outside of my family had the number, and anything unimportant would probably be sent to Rosalie or Emmett. The name that flashed across the screen surprised me. It was unusual for anyone to call me apart from Rosalie or Emmett, but this particular family member confused me more than anything.
Doubts that circled in my mind didn't vanish. Despite my surprise, I considered not answering it. It might have been important, but I'd have some difficulty carrying out a usual conversation. It was perhaps in my best interest to not answer it, and allow her to call Rosalie or Emmett. But finally, glancing at the name one last time, I chose to answer it.
Bella Cullen.
I flipped the phone open, and immediately Bella's anxious voice was in my ear. It didn't surprise me that the family often teased her about being like this as a human, too, growing hysterical over smaller issues than the rest of us truly cared about. Bella was a true mystery to me. I hadn't gotten the chance to know her very well, since my time spent with her was very limited. When I wasn't spending my time focusing on not killing anyone, she was often spending time alone with Edward.
What I did know about her was strange, if nothing else. I knew that she and Edward had met and fallen in love while Bella was still alive, a human. Bella's personality had apparently not changed much since she had been changed, and therefore it was to be expected that she wasn't as used to the perks of immortality as the rest of us. Even I, such a young vampire, had all but forgotten what it was like to be mortal. It must have been different for Bella, someone who had chosen the change for herself, and had known what to expect. The stark comparison must have been more than most people could bear.
"Ryan, hello? Can I talk to you?" Bella asked.
"Sure, Bella," I replied, hoping that she would begin speaking slowly again. It was hard enough to concentrate on thoughts of her while my kiss with Lily was still in my mind, but my driving wouldn't take kindly to so much concentration focused on the phone. Even if I was a vampire, an expert at driving while kissing a human, it was harder to do so when I was trying to interpret a worried Bella's voice.
"I just saw Rose and Emmett, and they were just telling me about the close call you had a few days ago." I winced, but murmured in agreement. She might be calling to tell me off, certainly an unwelcome development. I hadn't expected something like this from her, but that was not to say that it was impossible for her to do so. "This is really important, Ryan. Can you tell me the name of the girl that you were worth? I just… I need to check something. What's her name?"
"Lily Dwyer," I replied, hoping that the confusion in my voice was enough to prompt her to explain. Curiosity was beginning to replace my fascination with Lily in my immediate thoughts as I wondered why Bella sounded so concerned about the human she had certainly never set her eyes on before.
"Is she… Is she from Forks?"
"Certainly not," I replied. "She's from Phoenix, just like you, although a little young to have known you at all. She was born after you left, wasn't she? In any case, the word around Forks High is that she moved here because her mother died of cancer. Her father is supposed to have had a break down or something. She's staying with Kyra Williams."
I heard Bella's breath catch in her throat, and then Edward's voice came onto the phone to replace her. "We'll be there in a few minutes. Don't do anything until we get there."