Chapter Three: The Confrontation

Previously:

"Edward, I'd recommend that you don't make this stay any harder than it already is for me or you. I don't want your sympathy and I definitely don't want any of your lies." With that said, I picked him up by his neck with ease and gave him every ounce of his energy back, which made me feel even more exhausted than before. I placed him on his feet and he opened his eyes and looked at me pleadingly. For what? I don't know. But I knew he heard what I'd said. I turned and walked straight to my room. Making sure to lock my door, I lay on my bed, got under the comforter and went into a blissful slumber, afraid of what might be waiting for me when I awake.

Now:

I woke up the next day at one o'clock in the morning, which surprised me because I went to sleep around five o'clock in the morning the day before. I realized that I was still fully clothed from the night before and all of the events of last night came crashing down on me. Though I felt completely renewed and powerful, restlessness filled my mind because I grasped that today will be an extremely long day. And to make matters worse, I don't need to sleep every day. It all depends on how much energy I stored and use. I knew that I couldn't sit there for any longer if I wanted to keep away from my usual flashbacks that come from me thinking too long. So I sat up with a sigh and walked to the shower with my dress and heels still on. When I got into the bathroom, I stripped myself of yesterday's attire, placing it into my clothes hamper and stepped into the shower, turning the water as high and as hot as possible, letting it cascade over my shoulders, down my back and everywhere else so that it would soothe my tense body. After washing my hair and body multiple times with my strawberry shampoo and body wash, I stepped out of the showered to air dry while I blow dried my hair in the mirror. I looked at my reflection and was amazed that I was still alive after all of the pain that I've been through. I mean, I don't hate the Cullens. But, I unquestionably don't like them. My mind and heart lies within indifference when it comes to the Olympic coven but I still can't help it but to reminisce on how happy I was with Edward. He was so perfect and I was…not. But there's nothing that I could do to change the past. To prepare myself for their leaving or my family's death. Or even my own.

I left my mahogany hair down in its naturally loose curls, wrapped in a body towel and walked out of the bathroom. Walking into my closet I grabbed and put on a white undergarment set and pulled out a plain, white sundress with a pair of four-inch wedges to match. The dress was tight at the top and strapless but loose on the bottom, though not fluffy like the ballroom gown from last night. With a white diamond choker necklace and earrings to match, I added a few white bangles and looked at the full body mirror. When every wrinkle was flattened, I walked out of my room and down the hallway that I shared with the Cullens, without running into any of them. But as I entered the throne room, I realized that I had spoken too soon. I opened the throne room doors once again revealing all eight of the Cullens but this time I was prepared.

"Good evening, Father, Uncles...Cullens." I nodded towards each of them as I greeted them. My father and the Cullens were surprised that I had spoken to them. I hope they didn't think that I would be disrespectful and impolite.

"Isabella. I'm glad that you decided to come. I feel like I should apologize for inviting them without your knowledge. It was immature of me. Do you forgive me?" Aro asked politely.

"Yes I forgive you. I was wrong to assume that you would avoid your friends because of my personal disagreements with them. Don't be repentant of anything." He responded with a smile but, even after my comforting words, he looked unsure.

"Good. If you don't mind, the Cullens are in need of an extended hunt. Would you accompany them, please?" he asked carefully.

"I don't mind at all." I said and I actually meant it.

"Today is Thursday, so would you like to leave immediately and return promptly on Sunday?" he asked.

"Sure. I'll go pack." I smiled and was about to leave until someone stopped me.

"Can I help?" I couldn't believe Melissa actually asked me that but I don't see a reason to refuse.

"Ummm…sure."

I led the way through the hallways with Melissa trailing slightly behind at human pace. She was nervous. I could tell from the way her heart was pounding against her ribcage. But she put on her brave face and followed me anyway. We went into my bedroom and she gasped. I knew what it was that she was looking at. The alternative, white and black walls, the black and white four-poster bed against the wall and the flat screen television hanging directly across from it.

"Beautiful would be an understatement to describe your room." She complimented.

"Thank you. I design it myself, which is probably why no one other than me has ever been in here. Well, until you came that is." She smiled, self-consciously but didn't blush. I guess that's a good thing, considering her location. I sat on the bed and patted the space next to me. She followed and sat a reasonable distance away from me.

"So, I'm more than sure you didn't come here with me to help pack…" I said which was confirmed by her nod.

"Actually, I was hoping you could tell me what happened between you and Edward." She said looking down into her lap. I was dumbstruck by her courage and curiosity. I never thought that she would want to know that story.

"Didn't Edward tell you?" I asked, curious as to why he hadn't.

"No. Every time I ask, he always says that it was his fault that you died. And that if he would've stayed then you would still be here. But, I don't understand what any of that means." She looked confused but I understood.

"It was my eighteenth birthday…"

Author's Note: Hello, Dedicated Readers! I thought that I would bless you all with another chapter before the new year. Also, I would love to wish EVERYONE a very HAPPY NEW YEAR! You should know that this is more of a filler chapter, to let you guys into Isabella's mind.