Morning
"I love the sweet smell of dawn, our unique daily opportunity to smell time, to smell opportunity, each morning being, a new beginning." -Emme Woodhull-Bäche
Harper told me that Jade, Audrey's
older sister and one of my best friends, would pick me up at eleven
o'clock the next morning. I continued to have peaceful dreams once I
went back to sleep. I woke up around nine, finding that my hair
managed to escape from the scrunchie it was once in. Bright sunlight
peeked through the gray clouds. I slipped into the shower, the water
feeling warm on my bare skin. Afterwards, I found a light blue Gucci
bikini in my old dresser. I put that on as well as old blue jeans and
a sweatshirt.
It was thirty minutes past ten when I went
downstairs for a quick breakfast. The members of Tanya's coven were
gathered in the living room, looking eager for the hunting trip. Ryan
saw me when I came down the long staircase, a dazzling grin spread
across his lips. I clutched onto the railing tighter, feeling as if I
could fall at any second. Ryan got up from the couch and joined me at
the bottom stair.
"So, I heard you are going to the forbidden reservation," Ryan commented as we walked to the kitchen. His soft voice sounded a little annoyed.
"My friends invited me, I haven't been before for obvious reasons," I said, innocently.
Once we got inside the large kitchen, Ryan sat himself down onto one of the bar stools, folding his arms as he watched me place some Pop-Tarts into the toaster. I stood anxiously in front of the cooking devise, waiting for my breakfast to be ready.
"We think it's funny how you all gave us beds," Ryan pointed out, giving out a small laugh.
I shrugged.
"Esme thought it would be hospitable."
"Oh, and it is. Very hospitable. Very comfortable, might I add."
"I'm thrilled that you're enjoying it."
"You really haven't been?" asked Ryan, quietly and suddenly.
I was starting to get a little annoyed myself, though I didn't show it.
"Nope."
"Cecilia," said a warm voice. I turned the on the spot as Esme, Alice, and Rosalie entered the kitchen flawlessly as if they were on a runway. I smiled at them, my annoyance ceasing. Esme, her carmel colored hair and grinning face glowing, kissed my forehead as if I were her child.
"I want you to be careful today," whispered Esme in my ear, her voice sounding motherly, like always.
"I will."
Alice, with her pixie like features and dark spikey hair, threw her arms around my middle and kicked her legs up. I laughed at her action. She always did that when she was in a good mood. Rosalie cracked a little smile, her unaturally beautiful features shinning and made me feel very plain.
"Hey, kiddo!" Alice sang, her voice sounding overexcited. "I've missed you!"
I gave out a snort.
"It's only been like ten hours," I laughed, as Alice pulled away from me, a smile playing on her face.
"It was the longest ten hours of my life...and I've been alive for quite some time," Alice teased as she examined my outfit. She seemed to approve. I could tell because she gave me a quick thumbs-up, made a clicking noise with her tongue, and flashed her straight white teeth. I snorted again.
"Mrs. Whitlock, what am I going to do with you?" I rolled my eyes in a playful way.
Alice grinned at the fact that I called her 'Mrs. Whitlock.' That was Jasper's, her mate's, real last name.
"Can I fix your hair into a French braid? It won't take long," Alice asked, sounding hopeful."I've been planning to make you one since early this morning."
Before I could
answer, Alice ran off to go fetch supplies that she needed. I rolled
my eyes at Esme, who laughed musically at Alice's eagerness. Rosalie
had left the kitchen, no doubt going to look for Emmett. Or maybe a
mirror. Ryan, I also noticed, had disappeared, too. I ate my hot
Pop-Tart as Alice did my hair. I looked like I was going to a party
rather than the beach after she was done with me. I thanked her,
telling her that I really loved it.
I danced down the hallway as
I made my way to the front door. I did some ballet twirls and spins,
not caring that I probably looked ridiculous. I leaped once I got
near Father's grand piano, finishing off with a triple turn. I threw
my hands into the air during the last turn, concluding my little
dance. I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. I was falling, of
course. I let out a small "Whoops!" as I caught myself,
balancing my body, my arms out at my sides. I was feeling really
wobbily.
"And they said you were clumsy," laughed Ryan, who I saw was standing a few inches away from me. I screamed, falling to the ground, my heart pumping quickly, my whole body feeling a cold sensation. He scared me, I wasn't expecting him to pop up. Ryan had a sudden horrified look planted on his flawless, too perfect for words face.
"Oh...oh, dear. I frightened you, didn't I, Cecilia? I'm sorry."
He offered his hand, and shakily I took it. It was like stone, ice cold, making my insides tremble. I was touching him. I was touching Ryan Middleton's hand. I smiled a little sheepishly as I got to my feet. He noticed my stupid expression.
"You recover easily it seems," he said, his voice sounding confused.
"I...I guess I do," I said, feeling utterly embarrassed. I felt blood rush up into my cheeks. I blushed all the time.
"Try to be more careful, people won't always be there to save you, Cecilia."
Ryan let go of my hand a few moments after he said that, his voice slightly dark. He cleared his thoart and let my hand free, stuffing it into his pocket. I stared at, not sure how to take what he just said. Ryan simply nodded at me and left the room, leaving me alone.
"You remind me of myself when I was younger, Cecilia." I heard Mother's voice from the staircase.
She ran down them,
stopping a few inches away from me. I hugged her, not fearing that
she would bite me. Mom hugged me back, kissing my cheek.
Mother
had beautiful, straight brown hair, that complimented her majestic
face. She had a snow white heart-shaped face, complete with a widow's
peak. Her cheekbones prominent and her eyebrows were arched, such as
mine. Mother's topaz colored eyes glistened as she stared into my
green eyes, eyes that I had gotten from Father. My mom had plump, red
lips that only a vampire could have.
Mother placed her hands on
my cheeks, cracking a faint smile. I could tell that she was worried
about me going to the reservation.
"Try not to be reckless, Cecilia," she whispered, her voice sounding like sweet music.