BLUE MOON

CHAPTER FIVE – Ages

Was that too boring yesterday, Love?

Nope. It was quite interesting, really.

Bella, love. You know you're an awful liar.

Okay, okay. It was a bit boring, yeah. Don't tell the girls I've said that, though.

I won't. I promise.

Thanks. Love you.

Love you more.

I pursed my lips. Edward's writing was outrageous! It was just too perfect!

I huffed.

I wondered how old he was… I knew why Chelle followed me all over the place, and that bothered me a bit. Basically, I was older than her in thirty years, although, according to our driving licenses, we were both no older than eighteen. I knew she now saw me as a friend, but that was only in the last ten years. Before, I used to be her leader. No more, no less. Now, however, I was her friend. Her best friend. I preferred it like this. I had always seen Chelle as a friend, never as a subordinate.

Why wonder when I could know the answer for sure?

Say, Bella

Yes, Mandy?

How old is Edward?

He was changed in 1901. Is that what you wanted to know?

1901. Wow.

Yeah. That's just what I wanted to know. Thanks.

Anytime.

I sighed. 1901. He was older than me. By one year. Dammit. I wondered…

Edward?

Alice was changed in 1907. Jasper in 1909. Rose in 1914. Emmett in 1916. Esme in 1903. Carlisle in 1887.

Oh... Right. Thanks, Edward

Pleasure.

I was third oldest in this lot. I had been changed in 1902. It was strange to know that I was older than Esme. Older than Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett, Bella…

I shook my head as I thought of Bella. She still amused me with all her willpower. I felt truly insignificant next to her.

As I thought about that, her partner – somehow not Edward today – leaned over her to see something Bella had written in her notebook and was showing her. I looked at her curiously.

She was breathing alright. I continued to stare at her. It was damn obvious how she felt: Completely at ease.

As if she was still human, I thought. That thought struck home.

It was a stupid thing to even consider, but… what if her heart was still beating…?

No.

I would have known, for sure. From what I'd been told, when human, Bella used to smell particularly well for us vampires. I would have caught such a scent with ease.

But then, if she really was a vampire – which I was sure she was – then how, how did she manage to keep her head so clear? The girl's neck was totally exposed to Bella. It would have been easy. Boring, even. I frowned.

Bella was paying attention to what the girl was saying. That was another strange thing about Bella. The humans didn't seem to cringe away from her as much as they did from the rest of us. Not that I didn't have really good human friends… but still… Bella was new at the school. It had taken me and Chelle nearly half a year to gain some confidence around here …

She really wasn't bothered by the smell… I looked at her eyes. They were extremely clear. Very light-colored topaz.

She'd gone hunting last night. I remembered her eyes being almost black yesterday… that triggered me. Where had she gone? I looked over at Edward. Black eyes.

I frowned. They hadn't gone together…? That was strange, I thought. The two of them hardly ever let go of each other at all.

It was just then that I caught a scent in the air. It was nearly imperceptible. I wrinkled my nose in disgust. Werewolf smell. And it was coming from Bella. Suddenly, everything clicked.

Bella had gone hunting.

With Jacob.

But she hadn't told Edward. Which explained why he wasn't her partner today… she didn't want him too close, so he didn't pick up the smell. I ran to think of others things, failing terribly. I was just starting to wonder whether she had gone hunting with Jacob or if it had been Jacob she had hunted, when the bell rang. I sprang to my feet, frightened - I had been so lost in speculations - and then put my things in my bag glumly. I didn't have any other lessons with Bella today. I sighed sadly.

Before I noticed, it was lunch time. I took all the care I could so as not to think too much about Bella having gone hunting with Jacob. But I knew I failed as soon as I sat down next to Alice. Edward's head turned to me, a strange expression on his face.

Damn.

Stupid thoughts! I thought to myself. He raised his eyebrows at me. I don't think she wanted you to know, I thought.

Edward grimaced. I sighed and decided two could play his game. I closed my eyes briefly, and then looked at him again.

No. She didn't. Still, thanks for explaining things to me

Oh… erm, you're welcome, I guess… I hope she won't be mad at me…

She won't

How can you be so sure?

His answering smile left me no doubt. I didn't have to read his mind to know it.

Our little private conversation hadn't gone unnoticed. Everybody at the table was staring at us. I blushed and turned my gaze away from Edward. Jasper seemed puzzled. I could see that he was noticing a strong wave of emotions coming from Edward and he couldn't understand the reason for such emotions. Bella seemed fearful. Something in Edward's expression must have tipped her off that he knew… she looked at me and I shrugged apologetically. She smiled, as if saying it was okay. I heaved a sigh.

I told you

Yes, you did. And… do you mind…? I'm really not used to having people in my head. I don't do it whenever I can avoid it. I would appreciate if you could do the same.

Oh. Right, sorry. How do you hear me?

Huh?

When you're not in anyone's head… can you hear the voices in the background?

Oh. No. I have to concentrate on the person. Then, I hear the thoughts. I guess I don't really hear the thoughts… it's more like a blank page. The thoughts write themselves on that page and it appears in front of my eyes…

Oh. I see…

Do you always hear voices?

Yes. It's very much like being in a crowded room. Everyone's talking softly, and you're not really paying attention. But you can choose to concentrate on a voice, or just listen randomly…

Cool! Like a radio, then?

Yes. Like a radio.

He smirked at my comparison. Again, all eyes were turned to us. Jasper seemed to be extremely bothered with something. I found myself wondering exactly what feelings he was receiving from Edward.

"Would you two care to share some information with us?" Alice asked, clearly bothered

I looked unsurely toward Edward and Bella. The lattest seemed resigned. The first seemed a bit bothered. His eyes wouldn't leave his wife.

"I'm sorry, guys," I murmured "but I think I've done enough damage as is." I said, looking away from the couple. "I'll be on my way, then…"

I got up and walked gracefully over to where Sarah, Ginny and my other human friends were. Sarah looked at me suspiciously. All eyes on the table diverted to me as I sat down awkwardly and said, trying to keep my voice light

"Do you guys mind if I sit here today?"

Ginny was the one to answer

"Don't be ridiculous. Of course we don't mind."

"Well, you all seem so…" I trailed off, looking at all the puzzled faces turned to me

"We are surprised, Mandy. You and Chelle haven't sat with us ever since the Cullens appeared."

I blushed.

"Yes, well… I thought that, you know… maybe today I'd join you guys again…"

Sarah's gaze turned even more suspicious, but the rest seemed to accept my excuses and soon, the conversation was back to normal. Ginny was talking nineteen to the dozen, as was normal. But quite unnaturally, I was hardly paying attention to a word of what she was saying, my mind straying to where I wanted to be.

Why did you leave? He sounded surprised

I figured it'd be best. I really don't want Bella mad at me

She's not mad at you. He assured me

I know. But she will be if I say anything else.

True.

So. Did you find out?

Find out what?

If she was hunting with him or if she was hunting him, of course!

Oh. With him. Apparently the dog wanted to talk.

I groaned and Ginny looked at me strangely. I hardly noticed.

Again?

Yes. It sounded as if he, too, was groaning.

And she accepted? After what happened last time?

I was truly shocked. I'd thought Bella would have known better than that…

Yes. He wouldn't try anything. And even if he did, she can protect herself now.

I guess so…

You're scaring your friends, you know?

Huh?

The girl next to you – Ginny – she thinks you're having an attack or something.

Oh, brilliant! I better stop this now, then

Yes, I think so.

He laughed. I scowled at him from my table. Just then, the bell rang.

I got up slowly, trying to keep pace with Ginny's talk. She lost me after just one second of talking, but I tried to pretend I understood. She seemed pleased, so I must have managed.

As I sat down in the classroom, I found myself once again, wondering about Bella's hunting trip… That was when I noticed it. I had never been so close - emotionally, and physically - to any other person, only Chelle. Now, however, after just a few days since they'd arrived in the city, I was feeling strangely connected to the Cullens. As if they, too, were part of my family.

***

A.N.: I did a little effort to bring this to you before I travel (tomorrow), so you wouldn't stay to long without anything… so here it is: chapter five. I'm sorry I'm taking so long, but, amazingly enough, there's a lot to do during the holidays. I hardly stopped home at all. I apologize, for I know this chapter can be a bit boring, but I think you needed to know a bit more about the girls' relationship, and about their personality.

I finally got to see the film yesterday, and I absolutely loved it. I'm going to see it again on the 23rd, in London.

Kristen and Rob were amazing, and Renee was extremely entertaining :D. I'm soooooo looking forward to watching it again! And then, in 11 months, we'll have New Moon! *yay!*

Anyway… my special thanks to:

PinetailAliceCullen: I'm also not at all a fan of Jacob, but if I were to do it my way, you'd have about 20 chapters, just about how his death was cruel :P.

I'm sorry about that mistake *bangs head on table* I'll fix is ASAP. Thanx for pointing it out, though!

GaaraIsLoved: Yeah, even though I hate him, he was nice when he was human, so I had a bit of mercy and had him imprint. :P

No, Renesmee in this story would be virtually impossible, since Bella is already a vampire ;)

Chocoholic4eva: Yeah, I know I'll still have him around, it just won't be half as much, because he didn't imprint on Mandy or Chelle, and Sarah is more like a secondary character, and then, there's the plus of not having him on Bella's toe non-stop ;D

Anyway, if you read it, but don't review, thanks. If you read and review, even more thanks! Reviews make my day .

So, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and I'll see you in chapter six, Hunting with the Cullens!

Peace,

Mandy