Chapter Six – Do What You Will

Edward –

I was so angry. Actually, angry doesn't even begin to cover it. I was angry enough to rip out my hair and start screaming. However, since such a temper tantrum would just seem immature, I had to suppress it.

How was I supposed to have known though? How could have I known that after not saving Bella, another girl would come take her place? One that I had no reason to stay away from; not because she had tantalizing blood or she was a danger magnet. I didn't quite know what to do, and it was seriously bothering me. How could I keep both her and I safe? Without revealing my secret to her.

Of course, if Alice was right, she would know our secret. It wasn't as extreme as Bella's had been; she didn't see me changing Ilina into a vampire or anything. Nope, it was something as trivial as a kiss that was ruining my day.

Maybe it was because I could see it happening. After that small hint of what could be, my imagination was running wild with possibilities. I just wanted all of it to go away. I wanted to never bother Ilina again, because I would definitely ruin her life like she was inadvertently ruining mine. Already, I could see the things that she could do that would enthrall me to her small frame and large eyes. The way that her pale cheeks would darken in embarrassment, the way her body would move when she walked.

A small part of me that hadn't really been activated since Bella's arrival kicked in. I'd always really wondered what it would be like to have Alice and Jasper's bond, Rose and Emmett's, even Esme and Carlisle's. What would it be like to have another person to confide in, to love even more than your family? Would I run from it? Or would I stay, endangering the person? Because I sure as hell wouldn't change them, whether they were Ilina, or Bella, or anyone. It was much too selfish to do.

Jazz walked to the Vanquish, slipping into the seat behind Alice. Rose and Emmett weren't too far behind him, sliding into the back seat with their hands intertwined. Only the slightest twinge of jealousy ran through me; I'd seen it too many times. Besides, they got even more obscene – this was only the beginning.

Jasper couldn't resist asking about my sour mood. "What's got you ticked?" he asked aloud when I didn't answer his mental question.

My hands tightened on the steering wheel. Alice laughed. "Edward's just having problems with the fact that he got away from Bella, but Cupid won't be evaded."

Cupid being evaded is right. I felt like I was on some weird death sentence: if I didn't learn to love, I would die or something equally traumatic. Talk about some weird Beauty and the Beast story. Except for the fact that my Beauty just happened to have no idea that I was a vampire, so it was more like I was a hidden beast. I resisted the urge to snap Alice's head from her shoulders in my annoyance. "Cupid needs to stop playing games before someone gets hurt," I murmured grumpily.

Rosalie was pleased. She wanted out of here. "Fine. Just run her over or something and we'll be good." Her white teeth glinted in the light from the car door.

My foot stomped on the accelerator, shooting out of the parking lot faster than it should have. I didn't care, however. That was a low blow, and Rose knew it. She was having a private laugh in the back seat while the rest of my siblings protested. By the time we'd hit the nearest stoplight, the car was slowed back down. I didn't want to admit that doing what Rosalie suggested would feel like I'd just ripped my heart out of my chest and burned it. "No," I said curtly, trying to restrain my emotion behind a mask.

Alice glowered at Rosalie. "I agree with Edward. Just because you have Emmett and I have Jasper doesn't mean that Edward has to be alone. Be nice, for his sake."

That was the last thing I needed. As soon as the house was in eyesight (granted, my eyesight, not human eyesight), I hit the pedal again, not slowing when I turned into the garage. I wanted to get away from everyone, perhaps hunt a bit, or blast my music so loud that I couldn't hear Rose and Alice's argument. Or maybe I'd run up to Denali. I could probably make it up and back before a half hour was up.

Before I'd even cut the engine, Alice already had my arm, turning and pulling the key for me, and dragging me into the house. There she shoved me into the nearest chair at the dining room table, where we tended to have our debates. "Stay here," she growled menacingly, calling out Esme and Carlisle's names in a normal voice. Of course, my mother and father would be home. Esme was trying to find a job, and Carlisle needed to meet with the hospital later today before he could start working.

They zipped into the dining room quickly, not a hair ruffled or out of place. "What is it?" they asked in unison, smiling at each other afterwards. They were such a couple, and such a cute couple at that.

Alice pulled out chairs for everyone, motioning at them to sit before sitting in her own chair and smiling expectantly at me. I smiled the same way back at her. There was no way that I was going to start this. She was dragging me into this mess; she could explain it.

She sighed. "Fine, Edward," she said, slightly ruffled. "Well, you see, Edward is rather . . . in a predicament. A predicament that we already saw." She paused for dramatic effect, looking around at all of us, ending with a wicked smirk in my direction. "Edward has found another Bella. Except for the fact that she's not Bella. In fact, she and Bella are so far apart from each other, that it's almost adorable." She paused again, letting us comment.

"Stop, Alice," I hissed from under my breath. Not only did I object to this sort of discussion, but she'd just mentioned Bella a few too many times, and it was tearing a hole in my unbeating heart.

Esme squealed. "Another Bella?" She was just happy to hear me in love. Or at least I would be in love. "What's her name?"

"Ilina," I answered halfway unwillingly. Esme was happy about it. She really wouldn't care who it was that I was in love with, as long as I was in love. She was so afraid that I'd been missing that from my genetic makeup.

"Such a lovely name," Esme gushed, smiling. I decided to ignore her before I was distressed and she started to plan a wedding.

Carlisle looked at me expectantly. "Edward, no one has really asked you your opinion. What would you like to do?"

Trust Carlisle to ask me the hardest question! I buried my head in my hands, trying to think. "I . . . don't know."

Emmett interrupted. "Actually, that's not our only predicament." All of us raised our heads in alarm. Emmett's usually cheerful face was drawn slightly, although he had that excited expression on his face like there was something new to hunt. "We have wolves. Quileutes. I could smell the scent sticking around the office. It reeked." Emmett had been there when we'd made the treaty. He knew what the wolves smelled like. I didn't doubt him.

Carlisle looked at ease at this news. "The treaty hasn't been violated. We just can't bite this . . . Ilina." He said her name like he was trying to comprehend something that he'd just been taught. It sounded slightly out of his reach, like he was chasing after it and failing.

I nodded. "Whatever happens, we're not biting her," I said protectively, cringing at the idea. Her delicate features, twisted into a mask of pain . . .

Jazz interrupted. "What did Alice see anyways? I'm guessing that's what brought it up?" He was genuinely curious, trying to figure out why I was freaking out so badly. His calming aura was working for now, but as soon as I would get out of the car and go to Diaz's, I would become panicked again.

Alice smiled sweetly. "Edward was getting in some time, that's all. Lip locked, that's what he was."

I glared.

Jasper pondered that. "What if she forced it on him? I mean, it could just be some weird coincidence."

I shook my head. "I already thought of that."

Alice grinned wickedly. "He looks like he's having too much fun to break away, whether she forced it on him. Besides, she doesn't seem to be that sort of girl. I mean, she kept a pretty healthy distance away from us earlier. Not enough to be rude, but a fair distance."

Emmett clapped me on the shoulder. "Congrats. Try not to kill off this one." Would everyone stop making all of the Bella references?!? My head was going to explode, not to mention that my heart was going to be a giant black hole pretty soon.

"I'll try not to," I said scathingly, shrugging off his hand.

Rosalie pouted, her lower lip sticking out slightly. "I think we should just move."

I growled involuntarily. The sound just ripped itself from my throat. Esme smiled proudly. Carlisle chortled. "Edward, do what you will. Just . . . keep us updated, okay?"

I nodded, scooping up the keys to my Vanquish. I think I'd just made up my mind.

A/N: Woah! While I was gone, got a whole new layout! I'm trying to find my way around it! Anyways, for the NaNoWriMo thing . . . I did it! 50,000 words done in 25 days. It was pretty awesome. I feel awesome.

Yeah, this is a big Edward one. I think I'm going to have pretty big ones coming up, so we might not have a numerous points of view. I tried to stay in character with everyone, but since I haven't read it in a while, I'm kinda guessing. I did just see the movie though. Not bad, although it definitely could have been better.

Thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing! Now go talk to teh Melody by clicking on the purple button and making me explode with snacky happiness!