When we got to the Cullen's my car was out front, It was a little strange considering it should have been in the shop. Esme was at the door and after I stepped out of the car and up to the door I was ushered in and to the kitchen where she proceeded to cook me Cabonara whilst fussing over me. Rose sat next to me ranting about how she couldn't believe Izzy and I we're related, I knew it was best just to let her get it out, but I didn't listen, Isabella was my sister and listening to Rose vent about her would grate on my nerves. Jasper and Alice went hunting after coming from the hospital. Edward had went up to his room and from what I could tell he was playing a CD of classic's. Emmett and Jack had stayed at school after we had been taken in so as not to make anything seem strange.
Eventually I wound down and decided that I should probably go home early, Bella would be shaken up from everything and I would probably be the one she talked to, Jazz wouldn't be there tonight because of what happened, but Edward would be. And besides I needed to make two phone calls. They were reluctant to let me leave and all gave me a hug before I got in my car and sped home, breaking speed limit's of course.
"I'm home!" I call out heading for the kitchen not spotting dad but hearing Bella shout a greeting from her room no doubt working on homework that I would also need to do. Quickly I boil the kettle and set about making myself a cup of tea before heading up the stairs poking my head into Bella's room "I'll be in my room if you need me." I tell her, she mad a vague agreeing noise showing she had heard me before I went up.
I sat at my desk in the chair tea set down and phone in hand before ringing my mother.
"Cada? Is that you? Are you alright? You aren't hurt are you?" I laugh at her rapid fire questioning,
"Hi mum yes it's me, I'm fine, and all I have is a bump on the head. Bella's fine to she's downstairs doing homework in her room." I tell her, I could hear her heave a sigh of relief and smile softly, I really did love her. "So you found your charger then?" I tease, she giggled,
"Yeah, Phil found it hiding under the bed and plugged my phone in for me." I hum,
"How's being 'one the road'?" I question, she sighed in what sounded like happiness,
"I love it, we go out when he's not training and... and I just love it."
"You sound like a love sick teenager." I comment, she laughs now,
"Maybe I am, though speaking of boys, have you found any you like?" I take a sip of my tea to think about my answer,
"I've made friends with a family called the Cullen's, Esme, the mother, is really nice and her husband the head doctor Carlisle adopted three teenagers called Alice, a short Pixie fashion obssessed girl, Emmett the human bear, and Edward the brooding musician." She laughs at the descriptions, "And they fostered a set of twins and their younger brother... Jack the younger brother is great, really funny and knows when to make jokes in a tense mood. Rosalie has a model look and loves cars, she offered to do maintenance on my baby boy. And... Jasper... he has a more noticeable southern accent, he insists on carrying my stuff around and walks me to the classes he's not in. And... I think I'm in danger of falling in love." I admit, well lie really, because I'm not in danger of falling in love, I've already hit rock bottom for him. Mum emit's a high pitched squeal and I wince, "Mum I need to hear you know." I tell her taking out my English assignment that I had started yesterday.
"I'm sorry honey, it's just... my little girl's growing up!" I laugh, "And what about Bella? Do you know who she likes?" I bite my lip,
"You know how I mentioned Edward?" She made a noise of agreement, "Well I think she may have a thing for him, but you can't tell her I told you alright?"
"Okay I won't tell her you spilled the beans and besides I want her to admit it to me." I laugh again,
"At least I know where i get my slightly malicious streak from." She makes a mock offended noise but joins in "Hey mum, I need to go I've got an English assignment and one more person to call." I explain wincing at the mention of the other call I had to make. We said goodbye to each other with the promise of talking again soon before I sighed and set my phone down looking at it contemplatively, sipping my tea all the while, glancing between the phone and the paper, before giving in, it was better to get this out of the way anyway. Hitting the name quickly I brought the phone to my ear and waited, on the third ring it was answered...
"Arcadia." He greets,
"Hello brother." I greet, I found he loved when I called him that, it made him ease to me,
"I am to understand you were in an accident today." I sigh, I heard a pained cry in the background cringing. I had to phone right at this moment.
"Yes I was, I was in my sister's truck when a van came skidding towards us." I inform,
"Why were you not in your own car?"
"It's in the shop getting new tires because of the bad weather so I was catching a ride with her." I explain, I was then reprimanded in a long speech and I hung up cringing again, I was so going to get it when he got a hold of me again, hanging up on him was a risk, depending on his mood. I just prayed he was in a good mood today. Putting aside those thoughts I started on my English assignment, we had to write a detailed opinion on a character chosen my the teacher, I had been assigned Tybolt. Juliet's cousin.
XXX
I drove to school just after Bella left, Biology was joining with the both the lower year to go on a field trip. I got out and looked around spotting Bella standing where the accident had taken place and I walked over to her. I keep quiet as she recalls what happened, I watch the blush spread across her cheeks see Alice, Jack, Edward and Jasper arrive, Rose was staying at school so she could stay with Emmett. Before I could leave Izzy's side Mike is in front of us.
"Look! You're moving. You're ALIVE!" He exclaims in a crappy Frankenstein impression, I roll my eyes discretely,
"... Yeah, false alarm..." She smiles, I could feel the uncomfortable vibe coming off her, she knew about Mike's crush and Erik...
"Actually, I'm glad you're not dead cause - well, that would suck, plus I wanted to ask you-" I cut in quickly,
"That's my cue to leave I see Jasper, Alice, Jack and Edward." I abandon her and jog to the group hearing the end of Alice's conversation with Edward.
'I'll admit you're better than I thought. You've got the future all snarled up and senseless again, I hope you're happy.' Alice pouted as she thought to Edward, an unclear picture in her mind.
"It makes perfect sense to me." Edward retorted, I laugh as I step into the square,
"Now now children why don't we all get along today?" I asked sarcastically, I felt a hand on my waist and followed it to Jasper, "Well hello there." I greet with a grin before leaning against his side,
"Not concerned about everyone getting the wrong idea?" he asked, I sigh,
"Well if you don't want me here..." I hide my smile as I hear his thoughts,
'Of course I want you here.' I heard, I smiled but pulled away,
"I need to hand my slip in." I headed to Izzy's teacher and smiled,
"Miss Swan, both you and your sister are on the trip?" I nod as I hand him my slip,
"Yes, I'm in advanced Biology with the Hale twins." I tell him,
"Well then I hope you enjoy your trip." I smile in thanks and head back to the group taking place at Jazz's side as I watched Edward look at my sister and Mike. Jealousy and anger radiating off of him, I roll my eyes, 'Lover boy, dial down the emotions would you it's not like she's gonna say yes.' I felt his anger decrease and then a second later he was smug, I laugh,
"Told you." I whisper, he cast me a look and I smile. We walk towards the bus and passed Jessica, Edward smirking all the way. I get on the bus and take my seat beside Jazz turning and talking to Alice about the new heels I wanted.
XXX
We were walking around the greenhouse, Edward had pulled off on his own, Jack and Alice in front and Jasper and I behind them,
"This is unfair!" I whine to the man, he raises his eyebrow,
"What is?" he asked amused,
"You flirting with me! Your a southern gentleman, so you know what to say, not to mention you've had years of practice on how to charm someone." he laughs his arm around my shoulder,
"Well I'm Sorry, Ma'am, but I can't help maself, you bein' a beautiful Belle and an all." I groan,
"Stop with that! You're putting you're accent in... I knew I shouldn't have told you..." I mutter, on one of his many visits and our talks I had let slip that I loved his accent and now he used that against me as often as he could, when he wanted something. "What do you want from me?" he lent down to my ear,
"I want you to be mine darlin'." I shake my head, "What's holdin' you back?" he questioned his southern drawl still there. And I thought about it, what was holding me back? I didn't care that he was a vampire, he wasn't with anyone, and he didn't want to rip my throat out... And... I loved him.
"What makes you think I want to be yours?" I demand, and then I felt cold lips on mine... I stood shock still before kissing back, as he pulled away I let out a small groan.
"That's why..." I could hear the smirk in his voice and thought 'What the hell? Why not give him a little of his own medicine.'
"Well, ya seem mighty sure of yer'self there Major." My voice had taken on it's own southern accent and I heard his sharp draw of breath, "But then again... I suppose I could be yours..." I smirk as I ran away from him, "If Edward learns to fly! Or if you could catch me! Whichever comes first." I laughed as I took off running passed the amused Alice and Jack, Jasper running for me as I took a sharp corner.
XXX
I was currently hiding from Jasper, looking in on him and Izzy, not sure whether I should laugh at his frustration or feel sorry for him because I know he wont stay away. Really he was a sitting duck and she wasn't going to let him get away. Speaking of duck... I ducked and avoided arms closing around my waist and took off again away from the southerner and towards the other two vampires, laughing as I hid behind Jack clinging to his arm.
"Save me Jack, The mean man wants me all to himself!" I plead as Alice giggles. Jazz stood in front of us with a grin,
"Jack give her up and I wont shove the compost tea down your throat." He warned amusement in his voice, I looked at Jack,
"Don't listen to him Jack!" I plead, by now we had drawn a few spectators, Jack put his hand on my shoulder and sighed,
"I'm sorry..." I freeze at Jack's words but he continues to talk, "But I cant let you have my sister Jasper!" and with that he jumps at Jazz and tackles him to the ground as they play fight, I snort grab, Alice's hand and drag her off as we run. Standing a little ways away we laughed as they scarped on the floor laughing as well drawing a crowd. Suddenly Jess is in front of me a huge grin on her face and I stop laughing,
"Hey Jess." I greet,
"Arcadia! You'll never guess what?" she said, 'you got a personality?' I hold back a snort at the comment,
"What?" I ask false excitement in my voice,
"Mike asked me to the dance!" She blurted,
"Oh my god! That's great I mean you guys would be a great couple!" I exclaim, 'You both are shallow and get on my nerves.' I add on silently,
"I know, but I thought he was gonna ask you or Bella... Is that weird?" she questioned, shake my head,
"No it's not, besides Izzy's supposed to be out of town around prom time." I assure her, 'Bella already turned him down, you're sloppy seconds.'
'So we can agree on some things?'
'Seems we can.'
I snap out of my thoughts as Jess hugs me and runs off to catch up to Angela. Shaking my head I look back at the play fight only to find Jasper gone and Jack shrugging apologetically, I run quickly knowing he was closing in on me, rounding a corner of the path arms wrap around my waist spinning me around as I shriek out in surprise laughing as I'm set down.
"Caught you!" he whispered in my ear breathe blew across the shell making me shiver, "So now you're mine." I look over my shoulder smile on my face to meet his honey gold eyes.
XXX
I stood a little ways away from Edward and Izzy hearing them argue with his hearing,
"...better if we weren't friends." Edward tells her,
"Too bad you didn't figure that out earlier." She counters hurt evident in her voice, "You could have let the van crush me and saved yourself all this regret." I wince at that, i felt anger radiate off of him,
"You think I regret saving you?" He demands,
"I know you do." Her answer infuriates him further,
"You don't know anything." I walk over after that feeling her hurt just before Alice pops up.
"The bus is leaving." She tells them,
"Hey Izzy." I greet Jazz standing a little away from us,
"Hi. Will you be riding with us?" Alice asks,
"No. Our bus is full." Edward snaps as he walks away, I sigh and walk to Jasper,
"I'll see you later." I kiss his cheek and link my arm with my sister pulling her to the other bus as I felt Edwards remorse. 'You need to make a choice.' I whisper to his mind as I get on the bus.
We got home and Izzy threw he bag down in anger before going to her room to brood. I could definitely see the similarities in the two, they both liked to brood when things didn't go their way. Sighing I make two cups of tea and head up stairs to her room.
"Izzy?" I call,
"Yeah!" she answered,
"I'm coming in." And I opened the door pressing down the handle with my elbow and closing the door with my foot, she was sitting at her desk and I put her cup down before sitting on her bed, "What's up?" I ask, not beating around the bush,
"Edward! He's being- he- urgg!" She groans in anger, I bite my lip,
"Okay I've established the problem is Edward now lets talk about what, is it still about the first day?" I question,
"No- It's just... He's confusing me. He talks to me all friendly at first and then he jumps to... Telling me that we shouldn't be, that he's bad for me." she mumbles I sigh and take a sip of my tea,
"Edwards mind is complicated not many understand his way of thinking, he's used to being able to read people like books and he cant do that with you..." I explain, not giving her what was real but slightly stretching things so I could tell the truth.
"So what, because he can't tell what I think he doesn't want to be friends?" she demands, I laugh, she didn't know how accurate that statement was,
"You're an enigma, because he doesn't know what you think... He tries to push himself out so he can have a little perspective, distance himself from the situation to get a clearer read. But he can't you're a challenge that he can't get enough of." I tell her, stretching and choosing my words carefully.
"But you can read me like an open book." I laugh at her argument,
"Izzy I've known you all your life, if I couldn't read you like an open book then something's wrong." she laughs but suddenly goes serious,
"You know how quickly he got over to the car?" I look at her,
"My mind's not letting me back to the accident Izzy." I tell her,
"Well, he was by his car with his family and when the car was coming towards us he was right there... And, he, he left dent in the side of the van." I gasp,
"Really?" she nodded,
"When I asked about it, he said it was an adrenaline rush." I scoff,
"No way could anyone on an adrenaline rush move that fast."
"Exactly!" I held back a smile, I wasn't telling her anything, she'd figure it out I'd only be the person she bounced her ideas off of.
"I can't help but notice you seem fixated on him, he's the first guy to catch your attention. And they way you complain you sound like a jealous Girlfriend." She turned bright red and chucked a pillow at me as I laughed.
XXX
Another grey day at school and I was sitting with Bella and her friends. Just as she dropped her bag on the table Eric spoke.
"La Push, baby. You in?" I smile, La Push. My boys were there and man had I missed them. "Should I know what that means?" Bella questioned, I snort at her bluntness,
"La Push beach, down on the Quileute rez. We're all going after school. Big swell coming in." Mike informs, "And I don't just surf the internet." Eric said as he stood on his seat, "Eric, you stood up once. On a foam board." Jess shot down.
"Plus." I said "Your balance is way off." I shove my finger into his side and watched him fall with a grin.
"There's whale watching, too. Come with." Angela pleaded casting us both looks,
"La Push, baby." Yorkie repeated.
"I'll go if you stop saying that." Bell's agreed, i nod,
"It's been a while since I went to the reservation, I'll have to meet you there though." they all agree. Conversation moved on and Bella got up and went to the salad station. I look at the Cullen's and wave.
'Talk to her dumbass.'
'Arc...' I hold in a groan.
'Quit your damn brooding and get your ass up there.' I order and before he can retort I blocked him out and turned back to my conversation. I did however feel something akin to dislike coming from my usual table and turned to face them seeing Jasper's sever look, I simply rolled my eyes and stopped feeling emotions turning the gift off giving me respite from teenage hormones, one lot was enough you know? But experiencing it twice and adding everyone else's on top... Crazy mood swings all around.
I had Music next and knew I was going to get the talk from Jasper, and to be very honest I was going to tell him where to stick it. I may love him but I've known the pack all of this life and I wasn't going to give them up, they were family and the Cullen's were going to deal with it. Pushing my food around I listened disinterestedly as Jess rambled on about something or another, more than likely it would be the newest gossip in town...
Flashes of red black and brown went through my head and I cringed imagining the phantom pain I felt, I knew it wasn't real but it made it all the more terrifying, I knew it would probably hurt a thousand times worse. Shaking my head I place my fork down giving everyone a smile.
"I'll see you guys later." I told them as I grabbed my tray dumped my food and walked to my car... There under the windscreen wiper was an envelope, rich cream coloured. Taking it from my car I carefully open it, the paper was weighted obviously expensive and I shook my head. unfolding the sheet I see a simple sentence written in cursive black ink.
'E' scortese riagganciare su un fratello che si preoccupa per la vostra sicurezza.' (It is impolite to hang up on a brother who is concerned for your safety.)
I smile gently at the message, he wasn't angry at me, he really was misunderstood. A pair of arms wrapped around my waist and I folded the letter placing it back in its envelope.
"What's that?" Jazz whispered into my ear.
"A letter from a man I consider my brother. He wasn't happy I hung up on him when he was lecturing me on my safety after the accident." I explain going to the book grabbing my guitar and heading into building 3 for music. Greeting the teacher I walk straight to the back room and head for the beanbag Mrs Nickleson had put in for me and the others at some point in the week. Taking my seat I unlatched the guitar case and pulled it out waiting for the vampire to start with the verbal triad.
After a few minutes I realize that he obviously didn't know where to start and I thought about not broaching the subject but knew he would start sooner or later and the sooner this happened the better.
"What's up Jazz?" I prompt,
"You're going to La Push." he answered,
"And that's a problem why?" I knew, he needed it out of his system though.
"You shouldn't go there, it's dangerous." I laugh,
"You mean the pack is dangerous." I could see the shock on his face, "Yes I know about the spirit wolves."
"They could hurt you Arcadia, they're dangerous and unpredictable." I snort,
"Hypocritical isn't it? Wolves have a temper and Phase, Vampire smell blood and sometimes loose control. See where I'm coming from?"
"I don't want you going down there." my temper sparked,
"You don't have a say in what I do or who I see Jasper. I have a life outside of my own family and yours as hard as that is to believe." My voice had taken an Icy quality as I set my guitar back in it's case.
"I just don't want you to get hurt!" he snapped,
"I've been friends with them since I was born if you think I'm cutting them out of my life for you then you're sadly mistaken."
"Arc-" I cut him off,
"Jasper you either accept that I do as I like or I can leave." and before he could say anything more I got up and headed out of the room case in hand and head to the teacher. "Mrs. Nickleson?" the woman looked up from her desk a kind smile on her face,
"Yes dear?"
"I'm not feeling to well, would I be able to get a note to head home?" she bit her lip and I ran a hand through my hair rubbing my head to make it a little more believable.
"Of course dear just give me a moment." and true to her word a minute latter I was heading to the reception to hand in the note before heading to my car and driving faster than was normal to my house.
Walking inside I closed the door locking it and heading to my room. Locking that window and pulling the curtains closed, muting my phone I started on calculus homework to take my mind off of my buzzing phone.
XXX
Done!
Shadow OUT!
XXX