Chapter 11: Sweet Dreams

When Bella got home from school, she felt exhausted. Emotionally and physically. Ever since she saw Alice her emotions were running haywire. 'Why is this happening?' She thought to herself. Bella didn't see her father's police cruiser in the driveway and she remembered that he was going to be working late that night probably wouldn't be home till the early morning hours. She walked into the house and took off her bag and coat. She just tossed them on the couch as she headed to the kitchen to grab something to drink. Bella saw some cans of cola and opened one up before she headed up the stairs to her room. When she got to her room, Bella saw the laptop she brought from Arizona and decided to email her mother. It wouldn't take long and she doubted that she would even get it straight away. The email began with:

'Hi mom, just wanted to send you an email about my first day at school. It went really well actually. Met a few nice people. Mike, Eric and Angela. And then I met a few not so nice people. I'm not going to say any names on this one. My favorite class so far would have to be art class. One of the reasons is because the teacher is a complete and total hippy. I like him. So laid back. And he's also a professional artist who's done some art shows back home. Another reason why art is my favorite class is that I met someone. I know I told you a while back that I liked girls, right? Well this one takes the cake. Her name is Alice and she's really cool. I don't know why but I feel really drawn to this girl. One thing that really confused me though is that after I saw her in the front office trying to get into another class. I don't know what I did but I thought we kinda hit it off or whatever. I guess not. How are you and Phil doing? I miss you so much, and I really hope I can come home to visit soon. Love always, Bella.'

Sometimes she really hated Phil for being a minor league baseball player. If he wasn't married to Bella's mom Renee wouldn't have to travel so much. She really missed her mom that much was true. On the other hand after just one day of being back in Forks, Bella really felt at home here. After she was done with the email, she decided to go on the Internet for a little while to check her Social network. She rolled her eyes when she got multiple friend requests from the male population of Forks High. 'Men. Ugh. They're so weird.' Bella thought as she looked over their profiles and saw their pictures. Most of them had their shirts off and it grossed her out. Even Mike Newton had multiple pictures showing his chest. After reviewing (and deleting) all of the male candidates, she smiled when she saw Angela's friend request and accepted it. Bella also tried to look up Alice's profile but there was none listed under the pixies name.

When the can of cola was long gone, Bella felt thirsty again and went downstairs for another one. She saw a note on the fridge that she didn't see the first time. 'Hey Bells, sorry that I couldn't be home tonight. There's some money on the counter for a pizza if you're hungry and some Coke in the fridge. I love you Bella and I'll be home in the morning. Sweet dreams. Love, Charlie.' Bella smiled at the simplicity of the note. She knew that Charlie was trying his hardest to make her feel at home and it was working. Seeing Jacob and Billy again since she had been a child, the truck, it was everything she had wanted since she had left the first time. Bella can barely remember the day that her mother took her from her home here in Forks, but the one thing she does remember is the argument that happened between her parents that night. Her mother Renee was a free spirit and she couldn't handle the stress and pressure of being married to a police officer. Charlie did everything he could to keep her but she walked out the door with five year old Bella kicking and screaming over her shoulder. In her world that was the worst night of her life.

A tiny tear ran down Bella's face and she wiped it away with the back of her hand. Now wasn't the time for crying. She had to get ready for the next day. Bella felt a buzzing in her side pocket and took out her phone to see that Jake was calling. With a smile, she answered the phone. "Hey Jake, what's up?" "Not a lot Bells, just wondering if you wanted to meet up tomorrow before school. I could meet you on campus or something. I just wanna talk to you for a little bit and see how you're doing." Bella giggled and said, "Sure Jake. You can come up to the school if you want." She could practically see the smile on the boy's face as she said this. Bella knew everything about Jacob. They've been best friends since they were children and they would be best friends till the end of time. There was no doubt in her mind about that. "Alright bud, I'll see you tomorrow I guess. Sweet dreams ok?" Bella looked out her bedroom window and saw that it was already dark out. When she looked at the time on her phone it was already ten thirty at night. "Oh wow. I didn't realize how late it was. Thanks Jake, you too." And with that Bella hung up the phone and got dressed for bed. Her pajamas consisted of a spaghetti strap tank top and sweat pants. The house was pretty warm inside so she figured she could risk it. Bella set her head on her pillow and closed her eyes to fall once again victim to the sandman.

Meanwhile in the forest home of the Cullen's two of the children were facing a dilemma. Alice was fighting with her demon to leave Bella Swan alone. Edward was confused as to why he couldn't read Bella's mind. Both children decided to go to Carlisle about their issues. Alice and Edward walked to their father's office door and it was Alice who knocked. Edward glared at his little sister knowing the thoughts that were running rampant in her mind. 'Stay outta my head Edward. I mean it.' The boy just huffed and waited for the elder vampire to invite them in. "Come in". Carlisle called from the inside. Alice opened the door and walked up to the man who had his head buried in paperwork. "Yes? What can I do for you two?" Edward was the first to speak. "There's a human girl at the high school and she's the only one who's mind I can't read. I'm flustered by this and can't get a hold of why that is." Carlisle thought on this for a moment and spoke. "Well I've heard of very few cases of this before son but I believe you have met a girl who possesses a shield to your power." He looked over to his pixie daughter and asked. "What is it Alice? You also look like you're in distress." Alice who was looking at the many books surrounding her father's office turned to meet his gaze. "I have a confession to make Carlisle. My demon has risen again." Carlisle's ears perked up at this statement and asked, "You're sure?" When he only got a nod from his daughter he asked again, "How did this happen Alice?" Alice ducked her head and spoke almost too quietly for the two vampires in the room to hear. "I believe she's attracted to the human girl that Edward mentioned earlier. Her name is Bella Swan and she's the police chief's daughter." Carlisle nodded. "Ah yes. Charlie did speak of his daughter coming back to town. But enough about that, Alice do you have enough reign over your demon. I don't want any incidents at the school." Alice nodded her head so fast that Carlisle thought it was going to pop off. "Alright Alice. I trust you. You feel drawn to this Bella it seems. If your demon has resurfaced after all this time then I'm sure Bella's arrival has something to do with it."

Alice blurred out of the room for a split second and then blurred back with a piece of canvas in her hands. If she had the ability to blush, she would be doing it right now. When she turned the drawing around, Carlisle gasped at the detail of the girls features. "I've been having visions of this girl since Edward and Tanya's wedding. I don't know why but Tanya believes she is my mate. But I know that mating with a human is forbidden in our way of life." Carlisle looked at his daughter with a sad look in his eyes. "Now Alice there's no law that says you can't love her. But the law does suggest that you keep the secret of who you really are from her." Alice nodded and said, "Yes Carlisle I know, Edward told me of this suggested law when I first found you." Carlisle got up out of his chair and hugged Alice around the shoulder. "Have you told your mother?" Alice shook her head. "I believe she also has the right to know about your conflict Alice. She could help you through this hard time too. Probably even better than I can." Carlisle's lip twitched into a small smile. "Thank you Carlisle, but I think I just need to hunt. I haven't since last week and I think I'm due for one." Carlisle nodded in understanding and let his daughter go. He then looked to his son. "Leave her alone Edward. She's going through a hard time right now and needs all the support we can give her." "But father-" Carlisle held up a finger. "No buts Edward. Alice doesn't need your nagging at her about what she can and can't do. You're not her parent. She needs to figure this out on her own. And even if Bella does find out our secret, there's a possibility it won't be as bad as you say". Edward hung his head and said, "Yes father. You're right." Carlisle put a hand on his sons shoulder and said, "It's alright son, just give Alice some time. Let her know that you love her and will support her in any decision she makes." Edward nodded and headed out the door to look for his wife.

As Alice ran through the forest, she thought about the events of the day. Seeing Bella for the first time outside of the school, locking eyes with her in the cafeteria, 'helping' her with her art project, and then finally smelling her blood. Alice felt her eyes go dark as she thought about how beautiful the girl was. It wasn't just her demon that was attracted to her that much was true. Bella was a very beautiful girl regardless if she knew it or not. When Alice stopped running, she arrived outside of the forest and looked up at a white two story house with a grey roof and a tree in front of the only, surprisingly open, window. It was Bella's house. She knew this because she could smell the girls scent from down on the ground. She concentrated on as to who was inside. The pixie heard one heart beat in the house so she assumed that Charlie was still at work. With an immense amount of silence and grace, Alice climbed up the tree and through the open gateway into her personal heaven. As she saw Bella sleeping there it took all of her will power to not go over to the girl and hold her while she slept. Even her demon didn't feel the urge to bite her. Didn't feel the urge to change her or take her for her own. Alice stood in the far corner of the room and just watched over Bella as she tossed and turned in her sleep. She would give anything to find out what she was dreaming about. But was she in fact dreaming or having a nightmare. Bella was tossing and turning violently while she slept. Alice wanted to go over and comfort her but she didn't want to risk waking her and having to explain why she was in her room. So she stayed in the far corner of the room and asked so quietly that she herself had to strain to hear. "What are you seeing behind those eyes of yours Bella?"

Bella was standing in the forest that surrounded her home. She loved it here. The smell of the trees and the dirt. The sound of the birds and the wind brushing through the trees. She looked in front of her to see something shining in the distance. It's was so bright that Bella had to cover her eyes. As she walked towards the bright light, she tried not to trip over any upturned roots. When she reached the clearing she couldn't believe how beautiful it was. Green grass and flowers of all colors and kinds littered the ground. Bella knelt down to feel how soft the grass was but then she remembered the shining light. She looked up to see not necessarily the sun but it's equal. Standing at the edge of the cliff, looking down at the town of Forks was Alice Cullen. She was shining like a thousand tiny diamonds covered her skin. When Bella went to go touch the girl on the cheek, she flinched and ran away. 'Alice, wait!' She ran after the pixie but she was nowhere to be found. Then what she saw next made her feel cold and empty. A pair of red eyes. They were evil and ferocious and Bella was scared. She ran off into the distance and she knew that the red eyed creature was following her. She ran and her legs were starting to burn. Bella gasped as her legs fell out from under her as she tripped over one of the upturned roots she avoided so well before.

Bella grabbed her injured ankle and looked all around her for the red eyed creature. Just as she thought that she was alone in the woods, something jumped on her. She screamed as she looked into the red eyes of a man that she did not know. He had blonde hair that was tied into a ponytail and clothes that made him look like a hobo. The man growled at her and she screamed again. 'I will not let another one get away!' He yelled as he bit down viciously on Bella's neck. The pain the girl felt was excruciating. It wasn't just the pain of his sharp teeth but it was also the pain cause by the pulls of blood that the man was taking from her. When the man pulled his teeth out of her neck Bella then began to feel something else. A burning sensation coursed through her body. Her heart beat was going out of control and she didn't know why. 'You know what that is little girl?' Bella shook her head in response. The man smiled at her reaction. 'That's the reaction that the human body feels as a vampires venom courses through their veins. You're about to die Bella.' How does this guy know my name? Bella thought as the fire ripped through her body. She couldn't take it and she cried out. 'ALICE!' The man laughed as Bella screamed out for help. 'No one's coming to save you my sweet. You're mine now'. Still Bella screamed. 'ALICE!'

"ALICE!" Bella shot up out of the bed and gasped as she saw a lone figure in her room. It had a pixie like form but just before she could register who it might be, the figure was gone. Bella went over to her open window and spoke into the night. "Alice. What are you?" She knew that for some reason, every aspect of this dream was going to come true. It all felt so real. Bella only hoped that Alice would be willing to tell her, but if not she was determined to find out for herself. She didn't want Alice to fear her reaction, she wanted her to open up to her. "I'll see you soon."