'Bella?' I heard Callum shout up the stairs. I turned my head away from the cloudy morning sky and ran down the stairs. I was hoping it would be sunny today. Then I could spend the whole day exploring around Forks. I had just recently recovered my memory but that didn't mean it had been photographic.
'Yeah I'm here' I said stopping next to him and smiling. We both got into the car where Lucas, Freya and Cynthia were waiting. It was only our third day in Forks but it already felt like home. Today I was eager to see Alice again; we had a lot to catch up on. I was probably going to spend about fifty per cent of my time talking to her. I had two classes with her today and hopefully I would be able to sit next to her. I wondered if she had kept my being here a secret from the others.
The car purred to life quietly and we drove out of the drive and onto the road. Nobody talked on the way to school and Lucas was tense. This was probably because we were about to see my ex boyfriend and his coven which was larger than ours. I was feeling quite excited but also a little worried. I didn't want our families to get into a fight. When we arrived at school I got out of the car and quickly scanned the grounds. I saw Alice stood next to a silver Volvo staring at me. She looked like she was bouncing up and down with excitement. I ran up to her with human speed and she opened her arms wide for a hug.
'I know it's only been a couple of hours but I missed you' she said.
'Where's Jasper and the rest?' I asked her looking around. I couldn't see anyone out of the ordinary apart from my own family.
'I haven't told them' she said shifting her weight uncomfortably 'I thought it was best seen as they would have probably come and kidnapped you'. I laughed and sighed in content.
'How did you keep Edward out of your head?' I asked her remembering that Edward could read minds. Well, except for mine.
'I began to design a new outfit for myself' she said obviously pleased with her creation. 'He was so confused; I haven't made anything for years'. I turned to see my family waiting a couple of meters away.
'Alice, this is my family. Lucas, Freya, Cynthia and Callum' I motioned my hand to each one in turn. My family stared coldly at Alice apart from Cynthia who stepped up and held out a hand.
'Hello Alice' she said smiling as Alice took her hand and shook it. I was so pleased that at least one member of my family was making an effort. The school bell rang and Lucas walked over to my side, holding me close to him. Alice eyed him suspiciously and then pain shot through her face as she understood.
'I'll talk to you in History' I told her and Lucas towed me away to our Spanish class. We sat down in our usual place next to Callum.
'Are we going to see your old family after school?' Callum asked me while the teacher was still out of the room.
'I'm not sure yet' I said 'I'll talk to Alice about it.' The teacher then came into the room and hushed the class. I was relieved that none of the Cullens were in my Spanish class. If they were it would result in Lucas and Callum giving them dirty looks all morning. The lesson passed slowly and I wasn't taught anything I didn't know. Some girls on the back row were staring at Callum who looked like he was being tortured. I had to put my hand over my mouth to muffle the laughter. We were all relieved when we heard the bell signalling the pupils to go to second lesson. I was getting a little over excited knowing that I'd be able to speak with Alice again. When we got to the History building Lucas kissed the top of my head.
'I'll see you after' he whispered, his voice strained with worry.
'Don't worry' I reassured him stroking his cheek 'I'll be absolutely fine'. He smiled at me and unwillingly walked away. I stared after him for a moment before walking into my class. The first person I saw was Alice who was sat at the back corner of the room. She looked like she was about to fall off her chair. A blonde male was looking at her with a confused and worried expression. I realised this was Jasper. I felt like running over to him and giving him a huge hug but of course people would notice and Jasper would instinctively growl, exposing us all. As I sat next to Alice she hugged me tightly. When she let go I had to stretch to make sure that none of my bones were broken.
'Heya again' she squealed with happiness.
'Hi' I said back. For a moment I locked eyes with Jasper who was now staring at me with what only could be described as shock. I felt uncomfortable and turned away back to Alice.
'Poor Jasper' she murmured smiling at him 'he must think he's losing his mind'. Alice hadn't told Jasper that I was still alive; to him it would be like someone coming back from the dead. Maybe it would have been better to tell him. He was going to get noticed soon if he didn't turn around.
'So what have you been doing while I was away?' I asked her. Where had they been throughout my absence?
'Well we first moved to Africa, then we went to Brazil to see the Amazonians and then Carlisle made us go back to school' She told me 'but our family was slowly beginning to split up. Edward had gone off on his own and Emmett and Rosaline went to Canada for about ten years. Twenty years ago Edward came back and soon after so did Rosaline and Emmett'.
'Why did Edward go away?' I asked her. I would have wanted to stay with my family if I was in his situation. Her face became a little unfocused as she spoke.
'As I said, it's something you and Edward need to discuss'. This had confused me to no end and still confused me now. What did I have to talk to Edward about? Why couldn't she just tell me this?
'Why do I have to talk to him? There's no reason why you can't tell me now' I complained. The curiosity was killing me.
'Because it's personally between you two. I can't say anything until you have spoken to him' she said not looking straight at me. I decided to drop it; I wasn't going to get anything out of her.
'What have you been doing? While we were away' she asked after a couple of minutes knowing that I wasn't going to contribute anything to the conversation.
'I was human for roughly six months, then I went vampire' I said flashing my sharp teeth 'then for forty years I had to keep away from humans with me being a newborn and all. After that my family decided I was ready to go back to school if I wanted which I did'.
'They let you learn in a public school after only forty years of trying to master self control?' she asked her eyes widening the slightest bit.
'It was easier for me to resist human blood than it was for the others when they were newborns' I shrugged 'they don't know why but they didn't feel the need to research it'.
'Carlisle will be interested in that' she murmured quietly to herself then her head shot up 'you can come see us today can't you?'
'Yeah but my family are only letting me if they can come along too' I said watching her carefully.
'That's fine' she said excitedly then she pursed her lips 'I like Cynthia. I'm not too sure about the others though. I was wondering ... is Lucas like your boyfriend now?'
'Yes he is' I said a little stiffly. She thought about this for a long time, lots of different emotions crossing through her features. One that I recognised was pain. Why would she find it hurtful that I had a boyfriend? Didn't Edward want me to move on? Well I had and I was happy.
'We'll have to explain to Jasper' she said as the bell went. She was looking at him and he had finally stopped staring at us and was looking straight ahead in what looked like deep thought. I gathered my books and shoved them into my bag. Jasper swiftly walked up to us and he was staring again. He stood rigidly next to Alice.
'Bella?' he asked almost unable to speak with shock. He seemed to be taking in Alice's excitement because he quickly glanced at her hoping she would calm down.
'Hello Jasper' I greeted him and smiled. His face became a little relieved and he hugged me like Alice had.
'Thank god!' he exclaimed pulling away from me. I stared at him questioningly and he noticed. 'I was sick of living in a house where there was no happiness, all that depression was going to make me suicidal. Yesterday when Alice came home happy I was so relieved I followed her around trying not to get in her way while staying as close to her as possible'. Alice laughed, high and musical. 'Is this why you were so happy?' he asked her a smile spreading across his face and he tutted 'you knew Bella was alive and yet you kept it from us'.
'If I told Edward what do you think he would have done?' Alice asked him and Jasper nodded in agreement. We began to walk out of the classroom only now noticing that the teacher was waiting for us to go. When we got outside Jasper turned to us.
'I have to go but we must speak soon. Bella, it's been too long' he said and walked quickly for the doorway.
'See ya' I muttered knowing he could hear me. I turned back to Alice who was concentrating hard on something. I kept quiet until her eyes were back in focus.
'Bella, go hide around that corner, now!' she said frantically pushing me down the hallway 'Edwards coming. He can't see you, not yet. Hide there until he goes away. Go!' I shot around the corner when I understood what she said and waited.
'Hello Edward' I heard Alice say sounding dead. She must have been putting on a show as if not to make Edward suspicious.
'Alice, there's no time! I need to speak with you now!' I heard him say in a velvety voice. I almost gasped out loud but clasped my hand over my mouth. I couldn't make a noise. It had felt like an age since I had heard the sound of his beautiful voice and it was much better than I had imagined. It was different though, rough.
'We're not the only vampires here. There are others' he said quietly, speaking as fast as he could. This was the time. I wouldn't get a better chance than this so I ignored everything Alice had told me. I took a deep breath and stood around the corner to face him.
'Hello Edward' I said sounding strangled.
Argh! I was hoping I would be able to write about Bella and Edward talking to each other in this chapter. Ah well, you'll just have to wait till later..... R&R pleaseee 3