Isabella & Abrielle
Disclaimer- I bow down to the original. I do not own Twilight or its characters. Just own Abrielle.
Chapter 5: Paper & Lessons
The morning was a blur. Alice drove me home to get my stuff for school. She said she would take me to school. I did not say much. Edward was ever watching. There were still too many thoughts I was working through. He was patiently waiting, not pushing me until I was ready.
This week I was in a fog. My mind trying to process everything. Since I do not converse with many people at school, nobody besides Bella could tell the difference. I waved Bella off with feigning sick. I felt Edward in the wings watching when he could. I will say that I had some points during the day when I would feel bouts of either calmness or safeness wash over me. It felt so random, but welcoming. Alice has been acting different. She is taking my attack very personal. You can tell she is beating herself up over it. I have not had the chance to talk to her about it. I just have not had the energy to help her. I don't blame her.
The following week, Edward came up to me on Monday after a weekend of doing nothing but reading, doing my homework and just sitting looking at the forest from my bedroom window.
"Abby, I hope you are doing well. I wanted to see if you could stay after school today or tomorrow since or project is due this week."
I look over at Edward. I think it over and agree to meet him after school today. His small smile warms me. I feel a little better. I not sure why now, but I am ready to move forward. I think I will talk to Alice today as well. I need to get back to normal.
I catch Alice at the end of English.
"Alice, I wanted to talk to you if you have a moment."
She started to smile. "Of course Abby. How are you? I have missed talking to you."
"I am doing better. I am sorry I haven't talked to you yet since you know. I wanted to say that I do not blame you for anything. I am very grateful to you. You did everything you could have possible have done to help me. I appreciate everything you and your family have done that night. It took me a little to work through it all. I am not up to talking about that night, but I like to start talking to you again. I missed you too."
"Oh Abby. When you are ready I am here for you. Edward will be happy to have you back as well. He has been beside himself. He has not been around this week much at home, but when he was home he locks himself away and plays his piano non-stop."
"I haven't really talked to Edward yet, but I do plan on seeing him after school to work on our project. I will make sure I talk to him then."
Just like the days passed, I was able to see Edward from time to time in the halls and in class. He did not say anything. He just smiled warmly as he caught my eye.
When I was putting my things in my locker I felt a shadow grow across it. I turned and saw Edward.
"Hey partner. Ready to hammer out this paper?"
"Yes, library again?"
"If you like or we could go to my house."
I thought about it. I guess it didn't really matter. "Either is alright to me, you choose."
"Lets head to the lot and get a ride with Jasper and Alice."
I followed him as saw him tap Jasper. Alice looked back and saw me. Her smile was radiant.
"Oh are you bringing Abby home with us?" Alice was excited as she questioned Edward. There was a happy twinkle to her eyes at the prospect. I was thrilled to be able to bring that spark back that has been missing this past week.
"Yes, we are hitching a ride if that is alright?"
"Definitely." She turned and smiled at me. I smiled back at Alice. She was such a sweet girl.
Alice jumped in the back with me while Edward and Jasper rode in the front. Edward was being his race car enthusiast and racing down the streets. He better hope that Dad does not catch him. This will surely end all rides with him. "Edward, remember my father is a cop. If he catches me in a car with Tony Schumacher he might cancel my chances to ever be in your car again. I might not even get to go for my drivers permit if he catches you." They were laughing at my comment.
"Abby, he won't catch me speeding. Trust me. We won't crash so relax." He chuckled.
"Fine gamble our lives away." I did notice he slowed down a hair.
"You mentioned your drivers permit, when are you going for it?" Alice had a thoughtful look on her face.
"I am not sure really. Dad's bringing me home the book. We have not mentioned a date yet. I have a few months until I can go for my license."
"Have you been behind the wheel yet?"
"No, I have to talk to Dad see if he is up to the task. Bella said no go."
"Edward why don't you show her. After all you are the one with the car." Alice had an innocent look on her face, but there is a mischievous glint to her eyes.
"Alice I really don't think I should learn from Speed Racer over there." I felt uncomfortable with her suggestion. He will feel stronghold-ed into teaching me.
"I could teach you just fine Abrielle. I am a very good driver. There is no need to assume that I would I would make you learn to drive at one hundred miles per hour." I saw his eyes in the mirror looking defiant at me.
"I guess.."
"There it is settled. Why don't you take her out tonight for her first lesson."
"I...I don't have a permit yet."
"No worries. Edward can answer any questions you have. Right Edward?"
"Tonight is fine with me if it is alright with you Abby."
"Ok, but only if we have time. We still have to finish our paper."
"You will be finished and have plenty of time for your lesson." I was looking at both Edward and Alice in turn. Jasper was quiet the whole time like he was not even in the car. Edward was looking at Alice with a strange look and Alice went to humming a song and looking right back at him with a little smile. It looked like he wanted to question her, but was biting his tongue.
When we arrived, I really got a chance to see the house this time. It was breathtaking. Alice grabbed my hand as Edward grabbed my bag. I felt like we were in a race to get inside. Esme greeted us from the entrance to the kitchen.
"How was school kids? Welcome Abby it is nice to see you again."
I waited as I hear different comments on how school was. It boiled down to school is school nothing new.
"Hello Mrs. Cullen. It is nice to see you also."
"Esme, please call me Esme. So what are your plans Edward?"
"Abby and I are going work on our paper."
"Well make sure she is comfortable. I have plenty of snacks and drinks. I will leave you to your guest. If you need me I will be out in garden." Esme left the room and I noticed that it was just Edward and I.
"Where would you prefer to work? We could work in the dining room or my room."
"Either is ok." I was a little nervous about the possibilities.
"Then we will work in my room. I can put on some music while we work. Plus we will get less distracted." He started for the stairs and turned back to notice I had not moved. He waved me over and I headed towards him. His room was on the top floor. He looked at me before opening the door. He stepped aside to let me pass into his personal space. It was definitely different than my room. His must have had his whole music collection on the walls. I then noticed the piles of books around the space. What got me the most was that there was no bed. Huh!
"Edward?...Where is your bed? You don't sleep on that couch do you?" I only saw a black leather couch by the window surrounded by books.
"I don't have one right now. We are going shopping for one."
"So you had one? What happened to it?"
"It broke."
"Really? Interesting. What could you have been doing that would have caused the bed to break. Were you being naughty?"
"Uhm, well you know boys we can be a little rough. It just broke from being rough." I couldn't help the laughter that came from my mouth. I was picturing some really off the wall things he could be doing.
"Well its good you are getting a new bed."
"Why?" The shock that appeared on his face was priceless.
I was sitting on his couch and laid back. "You definitely need a bed, this couch is too tiny." At this is eyes bugged out. What is so shocking about what I said.
"Really?" He swallowed loudly.
"Yes I am a great deal shorter than you and this couch is barely big enough for me to lay on. I can only imagine how undersized it would be for you to lay on. I grant you that the couch is comfortable, but to sleep on it you would be hanging off it. You need more space to stretch out." He visible relaxed after I finished talking. I wonder if Edward has a dirt mind. He is a boy after all. Should I tease him a bit. I will have to think about that.
"Oops let me make room for you Edward I sorry I hogged the couch. You need a place to work too." He came over and sat our bags down and grabbed the remote that was on the table. He clicked a few buttons and some nice classical music came on.
I listen to the music as I pulled out my stuff. "Edward I do not recognize the music. It is really lovely. Who is it?"
"It is me."
"Are you just playing or did you write it too?"
"Both. I like to compose my own music."
"You are very talented. I like this selection. So how long have you been playing the piano?"
"Forever." He smiled then continued, "I started at a very young age."
"You play well in class. I should have known you were this talented."
"Well I heard you playing too in class and I think your talent with the violin is equal to mine." I turn my head to keep the smile hidden. I smile easily at complements. I may not blush like Bella, but I get a goofy smile when I hear similar remarks.
"Are you embarrassed Abby?"
"Shut it Cullen."
"You are. I am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. Would you like to look at my research and information that I gathered for the paper? I even got some personal information to give it that extra something like we talked about."
"Yes that would be good. So who did you talk to?"
"I talked to Carlisle. I also know details from my brothers and sisters too."
"You asked your siblings there personal experiences? Wow, was that a bit troubling?"
"You have no idea. It was excruciating. The images were unbearable." I could not help but laugh. I laughed so hard I actually hit him. He started to laugh to at my reaction.
"I am so sorry. I am lucky I had no need to ask my sister or father. I am just going to let you be the soul person to suffer. I am now going to just use your research."
"Thanks you a lot for your sympathy. Maybe I should share it all with you so you feel my pain." My shocked look made him smile. I grabbed his shirt sleeve then pant leg as I got on my knees to beg. I looked up at him with a pain expression.
"Oh please, please don't. I will do anything not to hear about it. Anything. Let your suffering be it. You don't want to relive it do you?"
The smile that spread across his face was evil. "I think I am going to bank that for later use. Remember anything."
I gulped as I remembered he this side to him. He could make we do something really embarrassing. Edward then looked down and saw my hands on his knee and thigh. His face changed and he then gulped. I saw this and slowly withdrew my hands and proceeded to sit back on the couch a bit further away. I then picked up his papers that he had up and tried to concentrate on the words he had written in his all too perfect handwriting. I felt a bit warm. He reached over and grabbed my notebook and looked over my notes as well.
"Um sorry for my handwriting. Since the computer came around my penmanship has gotten worse. I don't know how you can have such perfect handwriting."
"Years of practice." It was a tight smile and response. I guess I did something wrong. The tension is thick.
"Oh my. Do we really have to use some of this stuff. I am just glad this is not an oral report."
He chuckled at my comment.
After awhile we were able to settle down and really the paper came together nicely. He is really great at this. We worked well together. He is so fast at typing that we had the finished paper printed and ready for class.
"Edward?" Esme's voice called out to him from the door.
"Yes, come in." She came in with such grace and a warm smile.
"I made dinner. How about a break. I am sure Abby must be hungry." He looked at me as Esme waited for a response.
"Of course. We will be right down." She left the room as Edward was finishing cleaning up. I had my stuff all together trying not to watch him. It was hard not to. I fought to keep my eyes off him. He looked ready good in those jeans and his t-shirt rose a bit when he bent over. Seeing his skin even though it was just the stomach and back, was causing a reaction I am just starting to experience. My heart rate increased as thoughts entered it that I should be suppressing. I felt a bit overheated. He turned around and looked at me. His expression when I saw his face was one of amusement.
"What are smiling about Cullen?"
"Nothing. Are you feeling well. You look a bit flushed."
"I am fine. You just worked me so hard that I must be faint from lack of food."
"Oh I am sure that is it." He smiled as he lead me out of the room.
After dinner Edward excused himself as I waited in the living room with my bag. He looked a bit green at dinner. I felt bad. Esme's food was delicious and he looked like it was a bit hard for him to swallow it. I wonder if he is ill. He came down looking better.
"So ready for the diving lesson."
"You sure? You looked ill at dinner. If you want we could skip it so you could rest."
"Don't be absurd. I am fine. Let's see how you are behind the wheel."
I followed him out to the car with my bag. He grabbed it and tossed them in the back. He opened the drivers door directing me to sit in his seat. I did so apprehensively. He got in the passenger's side and placed the keys in the ignition. He started explaining the different parts and pointing to the gadgets telling me how to work each one. I tried to pay attention, but he got closer at times to introduce the instruments and give instructions. I of course felt the closeness and I am afraid it affected me. He smelled good. My breathing changed. I found it harder. I was scared he would notice. At one point his face was rather close and I could actually see him and in more detail. I totally missed what he said about the stick on the left and what it did. His breath fanned across my neck as he spoke and the most incredible sensation ran down my spine. I know my heart rate was increasing. He finally stopped talking and was looking at me. I turned and I really did try not to look into his eyes. I failed and the liquid topaz was burning my blue irises. My mind went blank and I stopped breathing. I saw his lips moving but did not hear a word he said. He reached up and touched my cheek. I felt his cold hands skimming my skin. It was like he had been holding ice. I also felt a electric pulse at the point he touched and it did not stop but travel my body. He must have felt it because he pulled back.
"Your hands are frigid." That is the only thought so that is what I voiced. He had previously erased all other thoughts. Then the the realization I had after the van accident came crashing back to me. I had forgotten all about confronting Edward with my theory. It all came tumbling out of my mouth without abandon.
"Your a vampire."