A/N: I own nothing. By the way, I read these writing tips that another author posted. My sister showed them to me, and I put them to use in my writing so the chapters might seem a little different from my previous writing. Ok, so the chapter is named after Take Me Away by the Plain White T's.
Chapter 13: Take Me Away James's POV"Well, hello, there," I said as I slinked toward my prey. She looked up and raised her eyebrows.
"Hi," she said and looked back over bridge we standing on.
"I'm James," I said. She stood up straight and looked me over.
"Blake."
"Well, Blake, you shouldn't be out here all alone, especially this late. Something could happen," I chuckled. She shook out her hair and was in my face in a flash.
"Oh, really, like you?" she asked. I stared into her blood red eyes as she bared her teeth. I jumped back and stared at her.
"You're a vampire? But I didn't pick up your scent. You looked and smelled like a human," I said baffled. She barked out a laugh.
"Well, that would be my power," she said, "I can make you think anything I want and keep you that way for however long I please." She paused to take in my shocked expression. "I can also block out other vampire's powers."
I was in complete shock. She had two unbelievable powers. A clever smirk crept onto my face. "Blake, would you be interested in taking part in my little plan?" Interest was plastered all over her face.
"Do tell," she said as she smiled evilly.
"I plan to ruin the existence of one vampire in a town not too far from here," I explained.
"Go on," she said. I smirked. This was going to be too easy.
Bella's POVMonday morning. Ugh. I hate school. It is such a waste of my time. The only classes I didn't hate were English, French, and Art. I was fluent in French. Art came naturally from my mother. I was fascinated by literature. I loved to explore the meanings behind words and phrases. As we piled in Rosalie's car, I pulled out my copy of my favorite book in the entire world of literature: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I had the book, the movie, and the soundtrack was on my ipod. I pulled out my green nano and listened to the soothing melodies of Jean-Yvez Thibaudet as I read about Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy.
"Bella, we're here," Tanya said as she nudged me. I looked up. We were at school already? I shrugged and put my book and ipod back into my bag. Someone came up behind me and covered my eyes. I smiled.
"Guess who," said the heavenly voice of an angel.
"Hmmm, let me see," I said sarcastically," Jasper?"
"Nope."
"Emmett?"
"Wrong again," chuckled the handsome voice. I laughed and pulled his hands away.
"Come on, Edward," I said and pulled him along to Biology. I suddenly got a nervous feeling we were being watched. I stopped and looked around.
"Bella? What's wrong?" Edward asked beckoning me along.
I shook my head. "Nothing." We continued on through the uneventful day. When the lunch bell rang, I packed up my French books and walked to my locker. I replaced all off my books with my next four classes' books. I walked through the cafeteria doors and over to our usual table. Everyone sat rigid and alert. I furrowed my brow and looked at Alice.
"Alice, what's going on?" I asked looking around the table. A chair was swiftly pulled up behind me as I was pulled down into the chair.
"James is back," said Alice. I froze. Shit.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"A security guard at a mill was killed," Jasper answered. "Carlisle examined the body. It was definitely a vampire."
"But, how do we know it's him? It could be the other one. Laurent?" I looked around at their faces. They looked at each other.
"It could be," Rosalie said.
"But it's not," Emmett said staring out of the window. Everyone turned. He was standing there in the trees watching us. I walked out of the cafeteria door and stood right outside making sure he could see me. I gestured for him to come out.
"Just try something," I said very low. He heard me. He looked threatened by my voice. He smirked before turning and leaving. I sighed and walked back into the cafeteria. Something was coming. I just didn't know what though. For the next few days, Alice had been trying to see what he was going to do, but she kept getting blocked out. It was weird. It sounded like a shield of some sort, but Eleazar had said that I was the only shield he knew of. I tried not to let it dwell in my mind. It was Wednesday, and Rose and Emmett's party was on Friday. Everyone was running around decorating the house and getting things done for the party. Instead of driving myself crazy, I finally wrote to Teagan after a while without a word. I told her all about high school, Edward and me, the Cullens, and the town. I asked how everything over there was. I was about to walk out of the house to go mail it when Edward trapped me against the door.
"Hi," he purred into my ear. I giggled and kissed him on the cheek.
"Hi."
"Where are you off to?" he asked looking at the letter.
"Mailing a letter to Teagan. I haven't been writing in a while. She probably thinks I abandoned her," I said. He smiled and kissed my nose. Edward walked over to the small table and threw me my keys. I threw them back.
"I'm going to walk," I said. He raised his eyebrows and walked out of the house with me.
"Ya know, I'm perfectly capable of walking by myself."
"I know. But Esme needs some things from the store for Rose and Emmett's party on Friday," he said.
"I didn't hear her say anything," I said. He pointed to his head.
"Right, I keep forgetting you can read minds. Except for mine," I said smirking. He scooped me up and put me on his back.
"Hey, I can when you put your shield down," he said.
"Oh, those rare occasions that you crave so much," I laughed. When we got into town, we decided to meet back at the diner when we were done. I trotted off to the post office while he went to the store. There was a nagging sensation in the back of my mind that told me not to let him go alone, but I ignored it. I entered the deserted post office and inserted the letter in the mail slot. As I left, I decided to stop by the bookstore and get a book that Edward had been looking at. His birthday was the next day. He told me not to get him anything, but I never listened to him. After purchasing the book, I walked back to the diner and sat on the bench outside. I took the book out and smiled.
"'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'," I read aloud. I chuckled. Boy did he have some catching up to do. I decided to run back to the store and get him the second one for he would surely finish the first one the night he got it. When I finally got to paying and leaving, I ran out of the store and back to the diner. I found an irritable looking Edward sitting on the bench. He looked up when he heard me.
"Where were you?" he demanded standing up. I furrowed my brow.
"I went to the book store to get something," I said slowly. I held up the bag as proof. He grabbed the bag and was going to open it. I lunged for the bag.
"No! It's a surprise," I yelled as I tackled him. He pushed me off, and I hit the bench. I yelped and stared at him in shock. He was never like this. What the hell happened? "Edward, what has gotten into you!?"
"You're hiding something from me," he accused. I stared at him in shock. I stood up and ripped the bag from his hand.
"Edward, I have never seen you like this. I don't know what's causing it, but I'm going to find out," I said. I turned and walked to the edge of the woods. I turned to look at him and then flew into the trees back to the house. I stormed up the steps and into the house. I slammed the door and took three deep breaths and then proceeded to let out a frustrated scream. Carmen and Alice came running in.
"Bella? What's wrong?" Alice asked. I looked up. "Bella, you're hair is red. What's the matter?" My hair had a tendency to go red when I was upset.
"Edward. That's what's wrong," I spat through my teeth. Carmen and Alice looked at each other.
"But, honey, you and Edward love each other," Carmen said confused.
"I know that. I love him, but today in town, he freaked out. I went to the post office to mail a letter to Teagan, and he went to the store. We were going to meet back at the diner. On my way back, I went into the bookstore and bought the first Harry Potter book for him because he never read them." They both nodded. "I went to the diner and said to myself that he'd probably finish the book the night I give it to him. So, I went back and bought the second one, but there was a line at the register. When I got to the diner, he looked really angry. He grabbed the bag, and I tried to get it back. He pushed me off of him and into the bench. I took the bag and ran back here." I stayed silent while they took in the information.
"Bella, Edward would never hurt you intentionally. Something's up with him," Alice said. Carmen nodded.
"I have to go help Esme finalize a few things for the party. You girls should go get some fresh air," Carmen said. I nodded. She helped me up and kissed both of my cheeks.
"We'll find out what's going on," she said. I smiled at my mother. She walked back outside. Alice ushered me upstairs and into her room. I threw the books on the bed and flopped down.
"Bella, he'll come around. Don't worry," Alice said. I looked at her. She gave me a reassuring smile. I gave her a small smile in return. I propped myself up on my elbows.
"You think if we feed now, we'll be good for the weekend right?" I asked. Alice nodded. I got up and walked slowly down the stairs with Alice behind me. I turned the corner at the bottom and ran into something hard. I looked up.
"Edward," I said through my teeth. His smile faded into a confused grimace.
"Bella? Are you okay?" he asked. My eyes narrowed.
"I think I should be the one asking you that, Edward," I seethed. He just gave me another confused look. I let out a frustrated grunt. "You expect me to believe that you have no recollection of what happened earlier in town?" He looked around at Alice as if he was asking for an explanation.
"Bella, I have no idea what you're talking about," he said. I couldn't believe it.
"Ok, so you didn't mean to snap at me for being a tad bit late?" I snapped.
"What?" he asked. I ignored him.
"You didn't mean to ignore my pleas?"
"Bella-"
"You didn't mean to throw me against a fucking bench!?" I was now screaming in his face. He didn't falter and kept a confused look on his face. The doorbell rang just then. I walked angrily to the door and opened it. Standing in front of me was a tall brunette who reminded me of Taylor Vaughan from 'She's All That.' The bitchiness even radiated off of her. She was definitely a vampire.
"Hi," the girl said in a humble voice. I looked at her with narrow eyes. "I need a place to stay. Would it be okay if I stayed here?" I rolled my eyes and went to close the door. Edward caught the door and let the girl in.
"Edward, can we continue our little conversation in the kitchen please?" I asked while tapping my foot.
"Hold on. What's your name?" he asked the girl. She smiled sweetly at him.
"I'm Blake," she said. I rolled my eyes and cleared my throat.
"Bella, can you please just hold on for one second?" Edward asked in a very snippy tone. I just stared at him. He turned to Blake.
"Where are you from?" he asked.
She frowned. "I don't know. All I remember is a fire and then waking up in the middle of a forest." She looked around at us with wide eyes. There was something about her that I didn't like.
"It's ok. You're safe here," he said. He called up the stairs for Esme. She came down the stairs and looked curiously at Blake.
"Well, who do we have here?" she asked.
"This is Blake," Edward answered. He turned to Blake. "This is Esme. Tell her what you told me. She'll make you feel right at home." Edward turned and followed Alice and me into the kitchen.
"Can we continue our conversation now? Or are you gonna go drool over Blake in their?" I snapped at him.
"Bella, I have no idea what is going on with you. What's wrong? What did I do?" I just stared at him with hopeless eyes. Without thinking, my hand came across his face. He caught my eyes.
"Bella, I don't know what to think anymore. You're acting insane. You make up stories about me yelling and attacking you. You're rude to a person who needs our help. You slap me for no apparent reason," he said.
"There are a million reasons for slapping you! You DID attack me and scream at me! And was I the one drooling over someone else while their girlfriend is standing right there?!" He just looked away. "Edward." He kept his head down. "Say something." He looked up.
"I think we should take some time to re-evaluate our feelings," he said. I just stared at him.
"'Re-evaluate our feelings'? Our relationship isn't a some equation that needs solving or 're-evaluating'," I said. He didn't say anything. "Are you really breaking up with me?" He looked away.
"I just think we need some time alone, like a tim-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence. I don't believe in 'time-outs'. It's either we're together or we're not." I had to put my foot down.
"Then I guess we're not," he said and walked out. My entire world stopped. My knees buckled under me. I didn't even bother to catch myself. Alice grabbed my arms and steadied me against the cabinets underneath the counter.
"Bella? Are you okay?" Alice asked over and over. I wanted to answer, but I couldn't' find my voice. The tears came out in waves. I couldn't move. Alice, Irina, and Tanya had to force me onto my feet. Emmett had to carry me upstairs. As soon as I felt the first fiber of my bed, I jumped out of his arms and curled up into a ball. Alice and Kate stayed in the room with me as everyone else filed out. I don't even remember that night or getting dressed the next morning. I remember walking out of the house and piling into Rosalie's car, all the while watching the silver Volvo in front of us with an expressionless face. As soon as we got to school, I got out and headed to Biology. I sat down in my seat next to Edward and didn't look at him. I answered all of the questions asked of me and took notes. I could see Edward sneaking glances at me out of my peripheral vision. He even passed me a note. I looked down.
Bella, please talk to me.
I pushed the note back as the bell rang. I walked as fast as possible without going into vampire speed to the bathroom and into the stall. I put my bag down and sat on the seat. Tears rolled down my face as I rocked back and forth. I'd never had this feeling before. This feeling of emptiness and loneliness. Just then, the door opened and three pairs of heeled feet clicked into the restroom. I recognized the voices as the 3 tramps from gym class.
"Hey, Lauren, did you hear?" Katie said.
"Hear what?" the bimbo asked.
"Edward Cullen's single again," Jessica said.
"I knew it would be a matter of time before he dumped that foreign trash. Now he can have the real girlfriend that he deserves, and who deserves him," said Lauren. I wanted to rip down this door and suck the prissy blood dry from their bodies. They clicked out of the room. I walked out of the bathroom and to the library. When lunch came around I sat with Angela and her friends. Lauren, Katie, and Jessica all smirked at my tear-stained face. Everyone else was considerate and didn't bring up the subject of Edward. I looked over at my usual table. Edward was looking at me. I turned around and waited for the day to be over. Friday rolled around. We all took the day off to finish the preparations and such. When Alice and I were done, she dragged me upstairs and into our room. I flopped down on the bed. A dress and a strapless bra landed on me.
"Get dressed. You, Kate, and I are welcoming guests," Alice said. I looked over at her. She was standing there with her dress halfway up her body exposing her pink spotted bra. The door opened and Kate walked in sporting a strapless floor length black dress with a slit up to her mid-thigh and some frighteningly high stiletto heels. Alice nodded in approval.
"Very nice. Now if you could help me get Bella into her dress," she said. I was suddenly pulled up and stripped of my clothes. I was soon standing in front of a mirror wearing what had to be the most gorgeous dress I had ever seen. It was a silk strapless blue dress and had a fitted bodice. The skirt fell to the floor in a wave of blue beauty. It had tiny sliver beads lining the chest line and the hem with streaks of silver beads wrapping around the dress. Alice was on the floor placing my feet in the same shoes as Kate except in blue. Alice had on a floor length strapless champagne dress with two slits on either leg up to her thigh. She had on the same heels as we did in champagne. After our hair and makeup was done, we descended down the stairs where the rest of our families were waiting.
"You look beautiful," Jasper said, taking Alice's hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. She giggled. Kate's date, a nomad named Garrett, took her hand and led her into the back. I walked over to Tanya and Irina who were on coat check. Tanya was wearing a sunset orange dress that fell down to her knees in all different lengths with orange flats. Irina was wearing a blue-purple wrap around dress with thin straps. She sported a pair of stilettos in the same color that looked more like a foot trap of some kind. Carmen and Esme both wore floor length dresses with straps. Carmen wore an earthy green dress with a slit up her leg that ended at her knee. Esme wore a soft red with a wrap around bodice. Her hair fell in soft waves to her shoulders. She looked gorgeous.
"You guys look nice," I said to Irina and Tanya. I couldn't help but look around for Edward. I didn't see him. My face fell.
"Bells, he'll be here. Just give him some time," Tanya said rubbing my arm. I smiled at her. Soon the guests started to arrive. Alice and I slowly made our way into the back where the party was being held. A small dance floor had been set up. Jasper, who was in charge of music, had installed a simple sound system and played light music. Soon, a slow song came on. The dance floor slowly parted leaving a few couples dancing softly. Garrett was leading Kate onto the floor. Rosalie and Emmett were swaying gently back and forth. As I looked around, I spotted Edward through the crowd. I smiled when he turned; but he wasn't turning towards me. I continued to look as my smile faded. He was turning to pull Blake onto the dance floor. Tanya and Irina saw what I was looking at. They looked at each other then back at me.
"Bells?" But before Irina could touch my shoulder, I was inside and upstairs in a heartbeat. I slammed the door and sat on my bed. I pulled my knees into my chest. I looked out of the window at the dark blue night sky. The door opened lightly.
"Bella?" Alice came and sat down next to me.
"Honey, are you okay?" Irina asked. I looked up at her. I felt like crying, but I had no tears left.
"No. I'm not," I said and stared back out of the window. It was already nearing midnight. I could hear the party winding down as some of the guests were getting into their respective cars and leaving. I got up and plastered on a completely fake smile as I descended the stairs. As I was helping Esme with coats, I saw Edward enter the foyer holding his head like he had a headache. When he saw me, his face lit up. My eyes narrowed and I stormed passed him. He caught my arm.
"Bella, I didn't see you at the party. Where were you?" he asked. I just stared at him blankly.
"So where's your new girlfriend, huh? Where's Blake?" I spat her name off of my tongue. He gave me an incredulous look.
"Bella, who is Blake? And you're my girlfriend."
"I cannot believe you! You're saying you have absolutely no memory of you ogling over Blake? You have no memory of breaking up with me?" He opened his mouth to answer. I put my hand up. "I don't want to hear it." I paused to look around. Esme, Carmen, Alice, and Rosalie were standing in the doorway with worried looks. Kate was standing a few feet behind me to keep me from attacking Edward. Jasper and Emmett had just walked in looking totally confused with Carlisle and Eleazar. I took a deep breath. "I'm going back."
"You want to go back to Alaska tonight, dear?" Carmen asked. I shook my head.
"No, Carmen. I'm going back to Italy, back to the Volturi," I said. Alice's face fell. I walked grimly up the stairs and into Alice's room. Kate and Alice were right behind me. I stripped the dress off and laid it carefully on the bed. I kicked my shoes off and opened the closet. I pulled out a pair of jeans, socks, and a green tank top. I pulled the clothes on while pulling my suitcases out from underneath the bed. I pulled all of my clothes out from the closet and started to shove them messily into the suitcases. Kate came over and stood in front of me.
"Are you sure you want to go?" she asked solemnly. I looked into her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Kate. Take care of my baby, okay?" She smiled. She would take that truck anywhere. Her and Alice helped me pack. Rosalie came in and helped to organize things.
"What about all of your things back in Alaska?" Rosalie asked. I shrugged.
"I'll drive back up there, get all of it, and come back," I said.
"You're gonna drive all the way up there and back alone?" Tanya said. I didn't even hear her come in. We all looked at each other. An hour later, Rose, Alice, Tanya, Kate, Irina, and I were piled into my truck and driving on to Alaska. We got there, packed all of my stuff, and ventured back. Once back in Forks, I put all of my things into the bed of my truck. Kate, Alice, and I squeezed into the cab of my truck as Tanya, Rosalie, and Irina sat in the back. Carmen, Eleazar, Esme, and Carlisle came to the small airport in Port Angeles. I gave my luggage to the flight crew and waited on line to board the plane.
As the flight attendant looked over my ticket, I looked back over my shoulder to my family standing a few hundred feet away on the runway. I proceeded into the plane as the woman gave me my ticket back. I took my seat by the window. As the engine started, I looked out of the window just in time to see Edward's silver Volvo pull up with Jasper, Emmett, and Edward spilling out of it. Edward pushed his way to the front of the small crowd that was my family. He looked directly at me. I looked away as the plane took off. I was going back home. But was it really my home?
A/N: I apologize profusely for the long wait, but I had a very busy schedule since I started work. I hope you like it!