And here's Zeala!
Why did the hospital have to call in Carlisle for a big emergency? Why couldn't he just call and put off picking Zeala up? But most importantly, why did I have to pick her up? I'm not always so grouchy but I'm just not very excited for a mortal in my house. Especially since all of my brothers and sisters are prepared to blame me as soon as this all goes wrong. Even though it's not my idea, I was still the one who stood up for Carlisle first. But I had faith in my father and his plan.
I was following the directions to Zeala's house, which was almost 2 hours from Forks. I really hope she isn't a boring mortal, or the ride home could be torturous. I pulled into the quiet apartment building and decided that my job would be simple. Get her, get her luggage and get home, so I can hand her over to Carlisle.
I walked to the apartment labeled 4B and knocked. I heard loud music, and like I suspected no thoughts, inside of the apartment.
After a few moments with no response I knocked again.
And again, louder.
And...Nothing. At this point I found that I was wrong, this wasn't going to be simple. So then I decided to try the doorknob. I had been polite for long enough.
It was unlocked so I walked in. The music boomed and still, I heard no thoughts. So being mentally mute wasn't something she could outgrow.
I tried to yell over the music, "Hello, Um Zeala?" And, of course, no response. So I walked down a short hall passed the kitchen, to the source of the music. Finally I found her, she was in what I suppose should be a living room. But she had cleared out the room and put mirrors on the far wall. She was dancing, and very well might I add, to the music playing. She did a pirouette and landed face toward the mirror.
I walked closer so that she could see me in the mirror. She saw me and her face lit with shock. She saw me and turned around quickly. She smiled faintly and danced across the room, picked up a remote and turned off the stereo.
"Um, hi. Are you a neighbor? Sorry I know the music was kinda loud. I hope you didn't waste your time knocking, next time just come in…"
She kept babbling and running around the room cleaning up random things, talking about how she was leaving soon and how her neighbors wouldn't have to hear her music anymore. She turned and looked at me. All the sudden all her words were gone and her jaw nearly hit the floor.
"Oh my gosh! You must think I'm crazy, you're not a neighbor are you?"
I responded, "No I'm.."
She interrupted, "Your 's son, aren't you? Oh I'm so sorry. I should've noticed the moment I saw you. You know I think I remember you….Edward? Right?" But she didn't even let me answer. "Wow, you haven't changed at all. Your really are Carlisle's son."
She took a breath long enough for me to get in just a few words. "Yes, I'm Edward and Carlisle asked me to come and pick you up, they had some kind of emergency at the hospital he…"
She had been walking closer, closing the distance between us. And the lack of distance could be becoming a problem.
She interrupted me again, "You know even though you haven't changed, you are much more attractive than I remember. Not that you weren't back then." She was starring me in the in the eyes now and was very close. She lifted her hand up to my shirt collar as she spoke. "Or maybe it's just me who's changed. You know…"
She closed her eyes and backed away now. Which was good, if she hadn't I would have had to back up. She crossed her hands and turned her back to me. She was silent for a moment and I didn't know what to say.
When she was close to me I could smell her scent so strong. But she didn't really smell like any other human. She smelled sweeter and more appealing but not in the way I would have assumed. She interrupted my thoughts.
"I'm so sorry," her voice sounded shaky and on edge. "I'm really sorry for being so forward. My therapist, he…" Her back still to me, "he says it's just the way I handle people's pity towards me." She paused. "But then again, you weren't showing me any pity, were you? Show's that my doctors are truly mindless. Well besides Dr. Cullen, he's a genius."
Now I could tell she was trying to hide her sadness. I thought now would be a good time to change the subject. "Well why don't we go ahead and get your luggage in the car. The sooner we get home the sooner Carlisle can start helping you."
