Chapter 12

(The Second Dream)

Silent Forever

The rest of the car ride was uncomfortable and tense, and I was eager when the car began pulling up to the driveway of their luxurious house. So eager that I attempted to jump out of the car before I had opened the door, and as a result, painfully slammed my head on the top of the car, probably leaving a dent in the roof. I groaned as I rubbed my head and Edward glanced at me skeptically. I just shook my head and got out of the car, throwing a quick glance at the top of the car to ensure there was no damage. I looked up from the car and saw Emmett coming down the concrete steps.

He laughed at the painful expression on my face, and spoke to Edward fleetingly before chortling again.

You know Bella, typically, you open the door before you get out. Unless there's a sunroof. And Edward's car has no sunroof that I know of.

He signed rapidly before flashing a wide grin at me. Childishly, I resorted to sticking my tongue out at him and clumsily kicking a few small pebbles at him… and ended up tripping on my own feet. Emmett turned red with laughter.

Karma comes to people who resort to childish behavior. We're all grown up Bella – let's act like it, shall we?

He taunted. I scowled and ran into the house, still rubbing my head.

Bella! Alice signed rapidly before pouncing on me eagerly. I let out another frustrated moan before sinking into the couch cushions. Emmett entered the room, Edward following after him. I glared at Emmett, and Alice proceeded to ask us what movie we had gotten.

It doesn't matter, Emmett replied, watching Bella's the best movie in the world. And the funniest. Did I mention it was entertaining?

I ground my teeth angrily and laid back into the couch. Alice looked at me quizzically and shrugged, pushing the DVD into the DVD player and pressing play. We all settled comfortably in the couch and loveseat, Jasper coming to sit by Alice and Rosalie and Emmett on the loveseat looking like, well, lovebirds. I noticed that Emmett was munching popcorn, I assumed, because Edward threw a piece at him and he grinned widely, popcorn kernels stuck between his teeth. Rosalie chastised him and he kissed her swiftly to shut her up. Until this moment, I was completely unaware of Edward's close proximity to my side. Suddenly, I was hyperaware. He was warm and solid, but not so built that it was uncomfortable to sit by him. What I wouldn't give to have his arms around me and curling into his chest…

No. I absolutely can't be thinking these thoughts about him ,I thought desperately. Friends. I carved into my mind. But that didn't change the fact that every time I saw him, or did something sweet, my heart fluttered. Every particle of my skin that was pressed against him tingled. I shifted slightly, and Alice glanced at me before elbowing me suggestively in the side.

What? I signed, being clueless as always.

She winked quickly and nudged her head toward Edward. I looked at her like she was crazy, and she simply sighed and leaned back into Jasper.

Thankfully, Edward had missed the entire exchange.

The rest of the movie was particularly inevitable. Afterward, Alice and I went up to her room and sat there talking for a bit.

Why can't you get a hint? Alice frowned at me as her fingers flew.

Wait what? I replied.

Ugh, never mind. She replied with a frown.

Anyways, it's almost 10. Crap, Charlie's going to kill me. I quickly diverted the topic.

Alice glared in reply – as always, she caught on to my slow plots. Esme called Charlie already, she said. But if you're really that eager to avoid the topic… fine then, you can go home.

I flashed a quick, refreshed smile. And then I remembered that I didn't have my car with me. Alice saw my face fall and she laughed happily.

There's always a catch, Bella. She grinned and ran downstairs to get Edward ready. Gloomily, I pulled on my jacket and trudged down the extravagant staircase, where Edward waited, glancing inquisitively at my glum expression. I quickly shot a glare at Alice, who stuck her pointy little tongue at me in retort. Edward watched this exchange, perplexed, and then decided it was futile.

Ready to go, Bella? He asked, turning to open the front door and let me through like a true gentleman. Behind him, Alice winked suggestively and mimed all sorts of things behind his back. I stifled a laugh and followed Edward out the door.

It was relatively nice out – damp, yes, but at least it wasn't pouring rain. Edward attempted to make small talk as we walked toward his car.

Did you enjoy yourself? He asked courteously. I nodded in return. Edward grimaced at my silence.

Bella, are you mad at me or something? Did something happen that I don't know about? You've been quiet ever since we saw Lauren (he murmured something under his breath). Did I do something wrong? He signed rapidly, frustrated.

I looked up, bewildered. Is this the message that he got from my extreme detachment?

No! No, of course not! I replied. I just… don't feel very social today. Thinking, you know. Good for your brain… I continued, at an attempt at lightening the mood. Edward glanced at me as if I were partially insane and nodded slowly. By this time, we'd reached the car. As always, he held the door open for me and I nodded in recognition. The rest of the car ride was silent, and just as awkward as the last. I was relieved to be getting home – and being extra careful not to trip or fall, I walked to my doorstep, and waved at Edward before entering the house.

Hi Charlie! I signed when he heard me enter and turned away from his baseball game to greet me.

Hey Bells, did you have fun? He asked.

Yea, tons. I replied, mentally rolling my eyes at the irony and plodding upstairs to get ready for bed and maybe get some nice sleep.

I took a quick shower, letting the warm water soothe my frazzled nerves and feelings, and attempting to clear my head of all the confusion it had absorbed during the day. Tristan, Edward, those strange feelings with Lauren… I'd have to face it sooner or later. I carefully counted the brush strokes while brushing my teeth to keep my mind off of the hectic circle of feelings and new revelations, and pulled on my pjs and climbed into bed.

And that night, my dreams were plagued with the most interesting situations…

We were back in Phoenix, and Tristan was being surprisingly nice to me. The two of us were winding through the halls of my old school, and I glanced down quickly to see that our hands were… entwined?! Wait, stop right there. We were GOING OUT?! Subconciously, I wondered if I was going insane as the dream continued. It was like watching a fascinating video – I had my thoughts about it, but I couldn't do anything about what was happening. The bell rang shrilly and Tristan bent down to quickly peck my cheek before letting me go.

I winded around the rows of desks before settling into the proper one. After settling my bag down, I see Lauren Mallory and… Edward… in an intense make out session. After overcoming the urge to gag, my partially-sane self felt that same jolt of emotion that it had felt in the video store, and now, I was able to identify that feeling – jealousy. But dream Bella passed it off as nothing, her thoughts infested with images of Tristan and how sweet he was (since when was he sweet? Oh right, since he moved here and started sucking up to me) and how much we were in love.

I masked my disgust as I waited patiently for the dream to end. And it did, quite abruptly – that is, when the "bell" rang and I flailed out of bed and smacked my alarm clock. After disentangling myself from the covers, I felt as though I should've gained some significance from the dream. Sure, now I knew that I was jealous of Edward having any connection/reaction with any girl other than me and his family. And that Tristan was unbelievably nice ever since he moved here. But… was that all? I racked my brain for more information, then sighed and went about my normal routine.

I quickly pulled out a random dark blue t-shirt and dark wash jeans before brushing my teeth and running downstairs. I grabbed a granola bar, noted that Charlie had already left, and then darted out the door and started up my car.

The vibrations of roar of my truck was comforting – one piece of normal in a world of crazy. I settled into the seat comfortably and drove to school. Upon arrival, I see two things. One – Edward coming to greet me with Alice, as always. And on the other hand, there's Tristan, coming up to me with a bright smile on his face. I stand there, torn, and then remember my dream. Maybe, just maybe if Tristan's being nice, and I accept that, we can be friends again. Not as far as the dream – of course not! Just, make amends…

I quickly wave to Alice and sign that I'll see her in class, and then I turn and walk toward Tristan just as I see Edward's face fall. It pulls at my heartstrings to see this, but I ignore it and walk toward Tristan, pasting a bright smile on my face.

Hey Bella, what did you do last night? He signed brokenly, smiling.

Nothing much, the usual. I went over to the Cullen's and watched a movie.

That's good. He replied, and I knew he was probably thinking of the lifeless, friendless girl I used to be in Phoenix. Inwardly, I grimaced. They seem to be really nice, he continued. They don't really like me, though…

I saw the sadness on his face, and I remembered what it had felt like to be disliked. I silently reminded myself to tell Emmett to be a bit nicer – Tristan really wasn't that bad.

Yea, I continued, they're really overprotective. But they're all really nice. Alice is the first deaf person my age I've ever met, and it's nice to know I'm not alone.

By now, we'd gotten to Mr. Whalen's class. Well, bye. I signed. Tristan looked down at me like he wanted to say something… and then brushed it off. Yea, bye. Enjoy the day, and I guess I'll see you at lunch. He signed before turning his heel and walking away

And I stepped into class, more confused than ever as Alice came up to me, running and waving.

BELLA BELLA! YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS! She signed so quickly I could hardly read it.

A/N:

So after reading this I bet you all are asking, Why is the writing of this chapter better than all the rest? Well basically, Claire wrote this chapter. There are a couple of reasons and here they are:

I haven't updated in a long time, because school was just being a bitch. And I have to study for this biology standardized test and stuff. But anyway, Claire also wanted to try to write a twilight fanfic chapter before making her own story.

It is obvious from the writing that Claire is not a fan of Bella, so that's why Bella was tripping so much in this chapter. I will start updating next week so the updating should be back to schedule.

Lastly, anyone who hasn't read Angels and Demons by Dan Brown, should immediately go read it. It is amazing.

-jess