Chapter 18

Friend. Interesting concept for me to think about. Think I did. Edward and I were unsure how exactly to act around each other now. How close was appropriate? Would Bella be mad when she knew? What would the rest of the family say if I wanted to stay longer? Everything was quite a mystery.

While Edward and I were still staring out the window Rose came downstairs. I only half turned my head but her puzzled look was clearly visible. She only stood for a minute before shrugging and moving on. Rosalie was indifferent towards the happenings of others around her for the most part, or at least she came off that way. I felt that our silence was becoming awkward but Edward seemed content to stand next to me like a statue and stare into the trees. I resolved to sit down on the couch anyway. Edward turned to watch me; he waited a few minutes after I had settled comfortably on the cushions before joining me on the furthest end of the couch.

We continued to sit in silence. Both thinking. Attempting to determine the others thoughts. Finally I spoke up, "What if we make a compromise?" Edward raised his eyebrows, his ears perked up. "I'll let you read my thoughts if you let me read yours." He laughed and flashed me his crooked smile. "It'll make everything that much easier," I reasoned.

His smile grew wider and he agreed, "Deal." I reached out to touch his arm, in order to allow me to use his ability with even more ease while simultaneously letting my barriers down, and allowing him to see what I thought. We stayed like that for what seemed like half and hour but must have been no more than five minutes. I took my hand away, we looked over at each other. "That made things much easier, much more comfortable, thank you for allowing me to do that," he said.

I nodded, "It needed to be done." We let out simultaneous sighs of relief in the knowledge of the others exact feelings. Which were mixed but seemed to be generally on the right path, open to the new conditions of our relationship. Just then Rose walked into the room.

"I'm going over to Bella's," she said. Edward's eyes grew wide in amazement. I also turned to look quizzically at her after such a reaction from him. "Not to see her, don't worry. I want to talk to Alice but she's over there." Edward's pupils relaxed some. "Anyway I'll be back shortly, possibly with Alice. And I believe you were planning on going to Bella's later anyway so no more Bella watch until then?"

"Yes that's fine I'll head over there shortly. You're not hiding anything Rose are you?" Edward asked.

She glared at him, "Mind your own business Edward! But no I'm not. Is there anything wrong with spending time with my sister? Emmet is still upstairs if you'd like some entertainment while I'm gone by the way."

Edward waved her away, "Just go do what you were doing. Emmet and I will throw a party." I smiled at that and waved good-bye to Rose. She glared at us, and at me for a particularly long time, but then strutted out the door in her kitten heels without another word. He blonde hair bounced behind her as the door slammed shut.

Edward rolled his eyes at the spot where Rosalie had stood. What she had gone to do I was unsure but unconcerned about.

I then felt compelled to ask, "How do you all get along? You're all so different."

Edward nodded. "We do share the common goal of vegetarianism, well Jasper is a new convert but in general we do. And aside from that I guess the saying 'Opposites attract' applies in this house, to an extent. Because of course we have our disagreements like any family."

"Makes sense," I agreed, "It's a novel idea really this large of a vegetarian coven."

Edward shrugged, "It's who we are." I considered this and it was honestly the only real explanation. We heard Emmett tossing upstairs in the bed that he and Rose shared. We sat for few quite moments gazing out at the vast forest through the large windows. The sky was letting down a steady mist that included the occasional brief drizzle. I then felt Edward's ears perk up beside me and then seconds later felt the air shift as Emmet lunged at Edward, attempting to catch him by surprise but Edward had Emmet pinned on the floor in front of me within moments, but not before I had managed to stick out my foot and shift their momentum so that the landed face-first. I laughed loudly at their situation of tangled limbs.

"Nice try there Em," Edward said, cheek still pressed on the cold floor. Emmet slit out from Edward's grip easily.

"HA! I almost had you!" He replied. I scoffed at this. Emmet glared at me. "Hey missy you better watch your back, it'll be you next!" I let out a laugh. Edward smiled. "Well anyway what are you two up to? Looks like a whole lot of nothing, or maybe some communication through brain waves?"

"You caught us!" I exclaimed with sarcasm. "But no it was pretty much what it looked like."

"Borrrinnngggg!" Emmet said as he sat down next to me. Edward sat on the other side of him and Emmet moved his arms around both of us. "So did you guys see Rose leave?"

"Mhm" I was a little confused as to why he needed to ask.

"Did she seem a little agitated to you? I mean more than usual? I don't really understand why it was so urgent to see Alice at this moment. Strange really," He said. Emmet is always thinking out loud, no need to enter his mind. But I mean Rose seems pretty agitated around me most of the time, so I don't exactly see what he's talking about. Emmet was looking at Edward expectantly for some answer as to what she was thinking. Edward only shrugged. I couldn't tell if he genuinely didn't know, didn't care, or just didn't want to share. I wasn't about to go in his head and find out, I was indifferent towards the situation that I decided against it. Emmet could tell that he wasn't going to get anything from Edward so he moved on. "Anyone want to go hunting this weekend with Rose and me?"

I looked at him blankly, the thought did not appeal to me. Rose never made me feel welcome and I had hunted very recently anyway. I shook my head, he turned to Edward, who was probably thinking something along those lines as well.

"No thanks Em. Not incredibly tempting at the moment. Thank you for the invitation though," Edward said.

"No need for jealously now Edward."

"Sure."

"Well aren't you going to Bella's soon anyway?" Bella.

"Yes. What time is it?" Edward replied swiftly. He turned toward the clock to answer his own question. "Alice and Rosalie shouldn't mind seeing me, I might as well head over now." He waited about fifteen seconds then stood; I felt the weight shift on the couch. He flattened the front of his shirt and walked to the door. He turned to bid us goodbye. Emmet waved to him.

"Aurevoir!" I called as he stepped through the door. As soon as I was sure he was down the driveway and out of earshot I sighed.

Emmet turned to me. "So what have you been up to?" He asked.

"Nothing as fun as you have."

"Hey!" Emmet exclaimed as he shoved me, quickly and hard by human standards but I barely moved with force.

"The house feels so empty with everyone gone, so cold."

"Gill, we're vampires it's always cold."

"You've got a point there."

"Jasper and Carlisle should be home soon, I hope, as will Rosalie and Alice."

"Mhm."

"Hey Gill you want to do something really fun?" I raised my eyebrows. "NO not like that! I mean really fun!"

Well now I'm curious! "Continue," I urged.

"Want to go vampire hunting?"

"Vampire hunting? You lost me." What on earth what he talking about?

"We're going to try to sneak up on Rose and Alice, they should be on their way home any minute now since Edward went over to Bella's house. It's the perfect opportunity to catch them."

I looked Emmet over. He was already dressed somewhat appropriately for the mission, dark basketball shorts and a brown T-shirt. I checked myself quickly: forest green v-neck and jeans. It was almost as if we had been preparing for this all day without knowing it. Why not!

I flashed a quick smile at Emmet, "Let's go surprise some vampires." He returned the smile, and we commenced our assault.