I want to thank all of those who reviewed the last chapter. I love reviews. I mean, who doesn't love reviews??
But anyway, a lot happens in this chapter. I really like this chapter, and I hope everyone else does as well!
Chapter Six: Theories
I went to rehearsal the next afternoon, Dr. Cullen having given me the clear last night. It took me a while to work through the odd kinks that had popped up after a few days off. Jamie helped me through it though, and we worked on our final pose until he was absolutely sure I wouldn't hurt myself again.
"I had to dance with Abigail while you were gone. I do not want that to happen again." He confessed as we landed our position for the twentieth time. His sandy hair was slick with sweat, but his eyes twinkled as they looked at me.
"Oh, you poor baby." I rolled my eyes, and he smile brightly.
"Miss Foster, we need you!" Madame yelled. I followed the sound of her voice to center stage, where the rest of the flowers were. "Has Carlisle cleared you to dance?"
"Yes, he has." I smiled. It seemed strange to hear his first name. Naturally the adults in town would know him by his first name now. "I told him I healed quick."
"You always have." She said. I had been dancing with Madame for nearly twelve years now, ever since she first arrived. She had seen me recover from worse. "Now, let me see the routine."
--- --- ---
The weekend was rather uneventful. It was bright out, the sun peaking behind the winter clouds that continued to roll in. I finished up my homework Saturday morning, spending the rest of the day practicing. I was usually left to my own devices on Saturdays, not that I minded. Today, I was especially grateful, as it gave me time to think.
My first meeting with the Cullens had left me with a lot to think about. I first focused on their appearance. It was clear that they were not actually related. They all looked completely different, with only two things tying them together. They were all extremely pale, with the same curious, golden eyes. I was humming along with the radio, folding a load of laundry as I contemplated. Those eyes had to mean something. It was such a strange color, one I had certainly never seen before. Their skin held the same curious similarity. They were all so pale, so cold to the touch. Those two factors alone convinced me that their family was based more on what they were than any actual blood between them. At one point, they were all strangers. Then something brought them together. They were all gifted, in some way as well. Even those gifts that weren't as tangible to me, like Edward's and Alice's, I could sense somewhere below the surface. I knew Rosalie's beauty was enhanced, the same way I knew Emmett could easily crush me, and that Esme was already reaching out to me as a daughter. It was part of who they were.
And yet, what were they? I had never seen anything like them before. For all their beauty they seemed dangerous. I couldn't understand my own fascination with them. They were just the new family in town. It happened every so often. And sure, some freak occurrence happened. Maybe I dreamed it. Maybe I was in a coma right this second, dreaming the whole thing.
No. They were real. Well, real in the sense that I wasn't making them up. They did seem to be more than human. Some sort of superhero, I had thought at first. But maybe not. No, if the creeping sense of danger I had around them was any indication, they were not ready to save the world. But surely they weren't destroying it? Esme and Dr. Cullen flashed through my mind. They could never destroy anything. There was too much love for the human race as a whole with them. I could feel it.
And what was with that? Since when did I have any sort of magic voodoo powers? Now that I had been experimenting, I realized that I had all along. I had always assumed I was a fast learner. Now I was realizing just how fast. I stood and stretched, my arms extending high above me. I suddenly remembered a dance lesson I had when I was younger, with my first teacher, Miss Ellen. "Reach up higher, Adele." She told me. "Touch the face of God." I had risen to my toes, pushing my arms as far and straight as they would go. I closed my eyes and repeated the motion now, imagining what the face of God would look like. Try as I might, I kept seeing Dr. Cullen's face.
Maybe they were gods. That's why they were so talented, so beautiful. I grimaced at myself. It didn't explain the feeling of danger at all. Gods were benevolent. And even though I suspected they would never try to hurt me intentionally, there was something wild about the Cullens I was aware of now.
I continued to contemplate the strange family all weekend, coming up with ideas even crazier as they went along. They were monsters, they were animals, they were fairies, they were angels.
I was still thinking about it as I walked to school on Monday. Daddy had been good this weekend, when he had even been home. Mama and I stopped asking where he disappeared to. Wherever he went, it wasn't a happy place.
I was so caught up in my theories, I hadn't noticed someone fall in step next to me until I heard her voice.
"The library isn't going to help you." Alice pulled me out of my own thoughts with her familiar, confident tone. "At least, not the school library."
"I didn't think it would." I admitted. "Unless you all are angels, it's useless. Our library banned any books containing black magic." A sudden idea struck me. "Hey, I'll add that to the list."
"List?" Alice asked warily.
"She has a list in her mind of possibilities." Edward said, sneaking up behind me and making me jump. "It's quite comprehensive. She seems to be missing a few of the usuals, though."
"For the record, Cullen, most humans don't like it when you sneak up on them." I muttered. A booming laugh behind me alerted me to Emmett's arrival. "Glad you think I'm funny!" I snapped. He just continued to chuckle. "But what do you mean, 'the usuals'?" I asked. "You've had people guess before?"
"Not exactly." Edward admitted. "But sometimes some people see us and get a little imaginative. I don't think you have been reading the same materials they have, though, because you missed a few possibilities."
"Can you tell if the right one is on the list?" I asked, trying to look sweet and innocent. Edward laughed again, shaking his head. "How about you answer this question?" I thought it in my head, hoping he would answer. He frowned slightly, thinking.
"Jasper…isn't used to blending in like the rest of us." He said, choosing his words carefully. "Right now it's easier for him to find other ways to amuse himself during the day. He tries it in phases."
"Practice makes perfect." I mumbled. They laughed, the sound like music in the crisp morning air. "So I was right then." I stated. Alice looked at me, confused. "This whole high school thing is a cover up." I said softly, knowing they would hear.
"Yes." Edward said.
"It's not a very good one." I argued. "Especially if you want to be freshmen."
"It's worked so far." Alice pointed out. I shot her a look. "With one exception." She admitted.
"You sure just one?" I asked as we approached the front doors to the building.
"Positive." Edward said, nodding. "I would know. And you haven't told anyone, have you?"
I shook my head, letting him check my thoughts. "Who would believe me?"
"She's got a point." Emmett said, holding the door open.
We went our separate ways then, and I didn't see them again until religion. I slumped down into my new seat, my mind subconsciously running over the 'list of possibilities', as Edward had put it. So far, they all seemed ridiculous, but none so much that I could cross them off. I was still thinking when they entered the room, all looking rather amused.
"Laughing at me again?" I asked.
"Yes." Alice said, sitting in front of Edward. I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help smiling a little. They were weird, but they were become good friends quickly. Edward laughed at my thoughts again, and as I glared at him held out his hand. I sent out a quizzical look, asking him if he was serious. He nodded. I glanced around the room quickly, and when I was satisfied no one was watching me, I touched my palm to his gently.
The tingling felt more like electricity now as it coursed through my body. I pulled away when my mind felt full.
You have so many questions, I just want to be able to answer them before you burst. He was laughing at me again. I was beginning to wonder if the Cullens actually liked me, or I was just a running joke with them. A bit of both. He admitted. But you wouldn't know as much as you do now f we didn't like you. We'd have left.
Is it really that big a secret?
You're on the right track with the supernatural stuff. I wouldn't say angels, exactly. I saw him smile from the corner of my eyes as I remember the danger I kept feeling. That's better. Much closer.
So you're not safe to be around. None of you are. I thought. Then why am I still here??
I don't know. You are more powerful than most humans. You seem to be living your life dangerously, so maybe the danger of being around us isn't as great to you.
What do you mean, I live dangerously?
He brought forward a memory of my father that wasn't mine. He was clearly drunk, still in his work clothes, in what had to be Boston. It was night, and he was yelling at the cab driver on the curb next to him.
I saw him this weekend. Edward admitted. I wouldn't have seen the resemblance, except for the eyes.
He was right. I had inherited my father's bright, emerald green eyes. I hated them. They were the clearest tie to him, something I didn't want. They clashed with the rest of me that screamed of my mother's heritage.
If you become one of us, that will change. He thought distractedly. It doesn't make them any less beautiful, though. It's such an amazing color.
So the eye color is indicative of what you are. I added that to the growing list of characteristics the Cullens had in common. And I don't care if they are beautiful. They remind me of him, and he's ugly.
Why do you stay? There was a pleading tone in his thoughts, as though begging me to see reason. You know what he's doing is wrong. Leave him.
I can't leave my mother. He understood that, but was ignoring it. She won't leave him, and I won't leave her.
Adele, it's not going to end well. A memory of his surfaced, and I caught it before he could hide it away behind a song in an unfamiliar language.
What was that? I asked, though I already knew. Edward, when did she see that? Why? Hasn't something changed yet? I didn't fully understand Alice's gift, but I knew it was subjective.
It's coming sooner. He admitted. I blanched at the thought. Right now it's after Christmas. That's if nothing changes. Which is why you should leave.
Will it ever change?
So long as you stay here, it won't.
I can't leave.
Adele, we don't want to see you hurt.
Then don't come when it happens.
We have to be there. They'll call Carlisle first thing.
Make him stay home.
I can't make him do anything. Adele, listen to me. We want to protect you. All of us. It's never been like this before, where we all were focused on one goal.
That's kind of you, but I don't need protecting.
Clearly you do. His view of my various hurts flashed across my mind.
We're done talking about this. I'm done.
Okay then. What are some of your other theories?
I spent the rest of the period explaining them all to him. He laughed at most of them, and gave me a few suggestions. He ran over my growing list of Cullen characteristics, a little surprised by how long it was. In the end, though, he didn't really help me at all.
The bell rang, and I silently return Edward's gift. He thanked me, and began gathering his stuff. He threw Alice a quizzical look, but she didn't notice. Instead, she sat at her desk, stock still, her eyes pointed at the chalk board, though she seemed to be looking past it. Edward's expression changed, and I saw Alice's face whipped towards me, an odd smile on her face.
"Come Adele, you have dance after school." She said, standing up and grabbing my book bag. I took it from her, curious as to watch she had seen. Edward just shook his head, clearly telling me that I didn't want to know.
They walked me to dance, laughing and joking like we had known each other for years. When we finally waved goodbye outside the stage door, Alice was smirking like she knew a secret. I scowled at her, and she laughed.
I was later than normal, and had to scurry to get ready. I was the last on stage, sliding into place next to Jamie just seconds before Madame called us to order. He looked up from his book, flashed me his bright smile, and marked his page, setting the book between us.
"You're late." He pointed out quietly.
I scowled at him. "No, really?" I asked.
"Yes, really." He answered seriously. I rolled my eyes at him, but they landed on the book in his hand.
"Dracula?" I asked. The drawing on the cover was mildly disturbing. The Count was holding a girl by the neck, his fangs just an inch away.
"It's actually really good." Jamie said. "Dracula's pretty creepy."
"He looks creepy." I said, still staring at the cover.
"Well, he's dead, you know. Technically. That's why he's so pale, and his teeth are so white. He's strong, too."
"How strong?" I asked. Pale, white teeth, strength…maybe we were on to something.
"Stronger than Superman." Jamie said. It was a compliment from him. I knew Jamie still had Superman comic books.
"What color are his eyes?" I asked.
Jamie shrugged. "I don't know. Black, I guess."
My shoulders slumped. Though it could be a good thing that Cullens weren't vampires. "Vampires drink blood, don't they?" I asked, wrinkling my nose.
"Human blood." Jamie said, watching me squirm. "It's what keeps them young. They can't eat food."
That would never work. The Cullens were too kind to be killers. "Ew." I said, thinking about my own blood being drained from me, sucked out by two holes in my neck.
"Yeah, it is pretty gross." He shrugged, though he still seemed fascinated by the idea. "But don't worry." He grinned at me, slipping an arm around my shoulder. "I won't let the scary monsters get you." Madame came in then, calling us to order. We didn't have time to talk anymore.
--- --- ---
After dinner I finished my homework, then ran over my list again. As I thought, I realized that vampire was the best fit for the Cullens. There was the skin, the strength, the teeth (though I was sure none of the Cullens had fangs, exactly, their teeth were very white and very sharp looking), and the aversion to food. I had never seen them in the sun, either, though that didn't mean much when the town didn't get much sun in general.
But there was one big thing that didn't fit. The whole blood thing. As dangerous as they seemed, I couldn't imagine any one of them killing a human. To me, they were too kind, too civilized for that. I also didn't think they would put themselves in public if they were constantly driven by the need to kill the innocent townsfolk. And what about Dr. Cullen? Wouldn't that be a problem, working in a hospital and all?
No. I stood up from my bed and began changing into my pajamas. They weren't vampires. They couldn't be.
As I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth, a memory struck me harder than ever before.
I saw Jasper, the first time I had been to the Cullen's house. He was standing the farthest away from, his eyes burning as he watched me wake up. He couldn't look away, it seemed. His whole body seemed tense with pain. He was in control of the pain, for now.
"You don't have to be here." I heard the ghost of my voice, reassuring him. "Really, you don't. It's hurting you, and I don't want you to be hurt."
My mind showed me another memory, this one from just this morning.
"Jasper…isn't used to blending in like the rest of us." Edward was answering my unspoken question. "Right now it's easier for him to find other ways to amuse himself during the day. He tries it in phases."
"Practice makes perfect."
I had been joking, but suddenly, I didn't think they were really laughing. Jasper wasn't coming to school. He was practicing. He wasn't ready to handle school like the rest of them were. They somehow had learned how to control themselves. Jasper hadn't. That's why it had hurt him so much to be in the same room with me.
He had wanted to kill me.