Chapter Eighteen

Here's a bit of drama for you, not that it was really lacking before.

Disclaimer – I don't own Twilight, Stephanie Meyer does. I make no money from this, ok? This is me letting my overactive imagination run free. I do own Sandy though so keep your hands off her.

I had heard everyone's stories from Nessie. I had made everyone tell their transformation tales except for Alice as she couldn't remember hers. I was deeply thankful that Bella had told Carlisle the truth about the morphine experience or he would have tried to use it on me and I really didn't want that to happen. I had been well informed and kind of prepared for the intense burning and agonising pain. I had not been prepared for someone tearing open my body and pouring lava into my bloodstream, the flames eating my organs and my bones bonding back together with sickening cracks. The pain made me twist and scream and attempt to claw it out of me.

But then Jasper was there. I felt his hand in mine and the calming, loving waves that settled into my brain, letting me know of his continued presence. The pain did not cease nor did it falter. But knowing my boyfriend was there made everything much more bearable. I didn't know how long I lay whimpering and clutching Jasper's hand but when he left, I felt terrified that he wouldn't return and I would be left to burn all alone. But he did come back and the searing pain continued.

When the burning started to fade, I felt such relief yet the kind of fear that came with insecurity. What if Jasper didn't like me? What if something went wrong? What if Jasper found another immortal that was better for him? What if he decided he preferred the human me and went off in search of someone else?

My eyes snapped open and I sat up on the bed faster than even a vampire could blink. Curiously, I let myself feel my new body. I had no heartbeat or breath and I didn't hurt with many awkward injuries. My fingers were pale and thinner than they had been in life and one of hands was encased in another, larger and scarred hand. My eyes followed the arm accompanying the hand slowly, amazed at the detail I could see with my new eyes. When I finally reached Jasper's worried face, I relaxed and smiled. The scars I had vaguely seen as a human now stood out in sharp relief and I reached out my hand (a little faster than intended) and traced one on his exposed shoulder.

"Sandy?" I heard Rose ask in a beautiful voice. I turned and saw the entire family (minus Edward, Bella, Jake and Nessie) watching me, all looking ten times more attractive than I remembered. Rose was standing beside a large, golden framed mirror with intricately designed roses engraved on it. It very obviously belonged to her.

"You know, that hurt a lot more than you said it would," I informed them in a reproachful yet bell-like voice. Oh, I could get used to that. Everyone seemed to relax and grin as I stood and blurred over to the mirror, letting go of Jasper's hand. I gaped at my reflection. I knew it was me but I looked bloody different! The first thing that caught my eye was that I was not wearing my pyjamas anymore. I supposed Rose was to blame for the royal blue, off the shoulder top with jet black jeans and five inch blue stilettos. My purple hair (which I gleefully noted I wouldn't have to dye again) had somehow grown almost to my elbows and hung perfectly straight, much to my relief. My features were slightly more angular but there was no drastic change and my lips were still pouty. Unfortunately, I hadn't grown at all but I guess I could accept that. I saved the eyes for last and raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at the creepy red orbs. They were kind of cool but really eerie. I felt arms around my waist and glanced up in the mirror to see my highly attractive boyfriend standing there. His blonde, wavy locks were an even richer gold colour with my enhanced eyes and his lips looked even more kissable. His eyes were slightly darker than they should have been though and I shook my head worriedly. He hadn't hunted for a while.

When I was finally done with examining myself (and Jasper) in the extravagant mirror, I began to notice my sore throat. I thought vampires couldn't get sick. As it wasn't a necessary action for a vampire, the family seemed to notice that I was attempting to clear my throat in a really obvious way. Jasper was frowning at me.

"Sandy, what the hell are you doing?" Rose asked, raising an eyebrow sceptically. I shifted uncomfortably, which felt strange because it felt strange.

"I thought vampires couldn't get sick?" I asked and everyone looked confused.

"We can't," Carlisle answered, stepping forward worriedly. Bloody hell, what if something went wrong with my transformation?

"Oh, my God, is there something wrong with me?" I asked in a hysterical voice. Jasper spun me around and put his hands on my shoulders soothingly, sending calming waves towards me.

"Nothing is wrong with you. What is going on in your head?" Jasper asked curiously and I appreciated Edward's absence. It would just be too much if he heard my worries before everyone else, particularly Jasper.

"My throat kind of hurts," I admitted and a wide grin spread across Jasper's face whilst everyone else let out sighs of relief and Emmett, naturally, started laughing his arse off. I snarled at him. "What?" I asked cluelessly. Jasper rubbed my arms softly.

"You're thirsty, baby," he told me and my eyes widened in realisation and embarrassment rushed through me.

"Oh." My simple statement portrayed my disbelief and made Emmett laugh harder.

"Let's get you some blood," Jasper said and took my hand in his. He was the same temperature as me now, even though I hardly noticed his cold temperature when I was human.

"Please." He led me to the window and I looked out, seeing the solid concrete below. He was joking, right? I wasn't particularly scared of the concrete, not really (although it was kind of difficult to accept I would be fine if I jumped) but I was scared for my shoes. "I refuse to risk these £650 Prada heels. Do you have-?" Alice held out a sparkly pair of gold Dolce and Gabbana flats. I switched them thankfully for the heels and leapt out of the window, Jasper following closely behind.

"Race you," he said teasingly then launched himself into a run. I growled and shot after him. We raced into the woods, with him right in front of me. Smirking, I threw myself at his back and knocked him to the ground. I straddled his back and leant forward to press my lips to his neck.

"You are such a cheater," I whispered in his ear, pressing a kiss just below it and then leapt off his back. He rose quickly and snatched me around the waist.

"What are you going to do about it?" he asked lowly, staring into my eyes.

"You'll find out later," I informed him, licking my lips seductively. He growled quietly but it was far from threateningly. God help me, it was sexy.

"Can't I find out now?" he asked, pouting playfully. I shook my head slowly to emphasise my point, a small smile quirking my lips.

"No, 'cause I'm going hunting," I replied and ran off. I heard him laugh and chase after me. Given that I had the advantage with my strength, I stopped so he could catch up after a while. "So, how do I hunt?" I asked eagerly and he stood behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders. His mouth rested at my ear, sending chills down my spine.

"Close your eyes," he whispered and I did so. "Focus all your remaining senses, feel the woods around you and find the scent within them." I focused all my senses (besides my sight) on the forest. I listened to Jasper's soft breathing in my ear, the birds in the trees and then, there it as: the thumping of a heart and the rushing of fresh blood in ready veins. My throat burst into flames at the smell. Granted, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for but it wasn't as bad as Bella had described. I breathed deeply and followed the scent skilfully. Just as we got close, something moved in the trees nearby and I froze. Interpreting it as a threat, I flexed my fingers and sniffed.

Big mistake.

"Sandy, NO!" I heard Jasper roar but I couldn't listen. That scent, that human scent, was one I couldn't ignore. I blurred through the trees, following my nose and, within seconds, I was right with the humans. I was about to step out and sink my teeth into their pulsing necks when arms hooked around my waist and a hand clapped over my mouth. I struggled silently as the person ran with my at vampire speed to a location far away from the humans. When we got there, I continued struggling until calming waves came over me and I realised Jasper was holding me. I immediately relaxed and his hold on me stopped.

"Let's just hunt," I suggested before he could say anything. I focused on a new target and ran for a herd of deer nearby. I neatly lunged, feeling the power in my limbs and sank my teeth into one of the largest ones' throats and drained it quickly, looking for any way besides humans to quench my thirst. I think I would have drunk bunnies at that point. After I'd drained another, Jasper's hand came to rest on my shoulder. Thankfully, I was still neat and clean (somehow) and my clothes were blood free.

"Are you ok?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes and I started nodding my head. But I couldn't do it. His question caused the severity of what I'd almost done to sink into my skull and made me sink to me knees, sobbing loudly with no tears. When I felt my mate kneel next to me and go to wrap his arms around me, I jumped up violently fast.

"Stay away from me," I begged but he didn't seem to understand and his face acquired a hurt look. "I'm not safe." The hurt turned to confusion. "Oh God, I can't believe I almost killed those people. They have lives, possibly families and things to do, people to see. And I almost ripped that away from them. You said there was nothing wrong with me but there is. I couldn't resist their blood, I can never be around people. Jasper!" I wailed, almost collapsing again from the guilt I felt. He caught me instantly and stared into my eyes, pain in his own.

"There is nothing wrong with you! That is typical for a newborn, I promise. You reacted better than I thought, though." His tone had started desperate then calmed down slightly as the pained fire in his eyes quieted.

"How?"

"For one, you didn't use all of your strength to get out of my grip. Two, you never tried to go back. Three, you're torturing yourself over doing it when most newborns are so thirsty that they don't care. You have control. You don't have as much as Bella but you're better than the majority of newborns. Maybe Carlisle's theory was right – preparation is key." His voice was so serious and so passionate that I had no reason to doubt him. I snuggled into his chest, burrowing for the comfort only he could provide. His hands stroked my hair and I felt occasional kisses on the top of my head. I wasn't perfect, but with Jasper's help, I would fight like hell for control. And he would help me, I knew he would.

I hope that was acceptable. If I remember correctly, it was Carlisle that thought Bella's preparation towards becoming a vampire meant she had excellent self control but I'm not 100% certain. Anyway, as Sandy had minor preparation too, her self control is slightly heightened but, as you can see, not brilliant. Anyway, see you in two days for an update. Love Bianca :) x