A/N: Yay for another long chapter! Now let's hear from Alice.
As always, thanks to last chapter's reviewers: Kyraaah1992, CullenGirlBrazil, minako366, BrownEyez44, ztarx, Edwardsangel13, Hollowgo, Antara, and Soyunax, especially those of you that have reviewed multiple times or even every chapter!
Alice
I went through the usual motions of adding human foods I had never tasted to a plastic tray in my hands. I noticed there were more whispers than usual today. Also well attuned to her vampire super senses, Rosalie looked up as she dropped an apple onto the navy blue tray she and Emmett were sharing. "I wonder what's going on," she directed towards our mind-reading brother.
I also glanced toward Edward. "New girl," he said in a low tone.
"Hmm," Rosalie replied with disinterest, handing Emmett the cash to pay for their meals. A new girl in Forks was a cause for conversation. Most of the students at Forks High School had gone to school together since Pre-K. Nobody moved to Forks. When we had moved to Forks it had caused something of an uproar—a handsome, rich young doctor and his beautiful wife moving with their five gorgeous (and some romantically involved) adopted children.
I angled my head just slightly enough to catch a glimpse of Forks' newest resident. My mouth dropped open in a gasp uncharacteristic of a vampire. Rosalie moved to my side in the quickest humanly acceptable speed. "Alice?" she questioned, standing in front of me and placing one concerned hand on my shoulder and using the other to turn my chin so that my eyes met hers.
"It's her, Rose," I whispered.
"Are you certain it is her?" Rosalie asked, moving her hand so that her arm was now wrapped around my back and she was standing beside me. She discreetly glanced in the direction of the unfamiliar young woman.
"Who?" Emmett asked. He was spinning around wildly trying to check out what ever we were looking at. Much less discreet.
Edward repeated his earlier statement. "New girl."
"Yes," I nodded. "It's her. The girl from my visions."
"What visions?" Jasper looked puzzled and…hurt. Besides Rosalie, he was my closest friend and I had always confided everything in him.
"I'm sorry, Jasper," I whispered. "I only just told Rosalie. It seemed in bad taste…"
As I spoke, Edward had paid for our remaining meals and Emmett was now leading us to our usual table. Rosalie, walking confidently, was guiding me with a gentle hand.
"Are you alright?" she asked me.
I nodded. "Surprised. I didn't expect her for some time. I don't even know her name."
Edward focused on another girl sitting near her, Jessica. "Isabella Swan," he informed me matter-of-factly. "She prefers Bella."
"Thank you," I accepted gratefully. Bella. Beautiful.
"Will someone please explain to me what is going on?" Jasper was looking between us all, completely out of the loop.
Emmett shrugged his shoulders. "Beats me."
Rosalie looked at me for permission and I nodded. I couldn't find the words to explain this situation to Jasper in any case. The guilt from not having told him about Bella was overwhelming me. But I had never expected her to appear so soon and even so I had just told Rosalie. At least he would sense my guilt and know how much I regretted it.
I didn't even notice I had become distracted until Jasper interrupted my thoughts. "You think she's your mate?" he asked. He shifted in his seat and Edward moved his arm from where it was previously around Jasper's waist to where it now rested on his shoulders,
"Yes," I agreed. "I am almost certain of it despite the fact that she's human."
Emmett grinned at me "Bout time you found someone, little sis! We were beginning to get worried!" Rosalie shot him a look that I didn't miss. "Okay, only I was getting a little worried." He looked towards Rosalie for approval and she gave a slight half-nod that I also did not miss.
When I glanced towards Edward I noticed he was narrowing his eyes in her direction. I was immediately concerned. "What's wrong?" I asked, turning to stare at her. Only to realize…she was staring at me too. I took an involuntary but unnecessary breath in as I sensed her heartbeat speed up.
Rosalie leaned in over my shoulder. "Alice? Are you alright?" she whispered.
I nodded swiftly. "Her heart…" I trailed off.
"I felt it too," my sister said.
"Edward," I repeated, realizing my brother never answered my question. "What's wrong?"
"Alice." He looked at me seriously. "Alice, I want you to stay away from her."
"No! I can't, Edward! We're meant to be together!" I felt the fury welling up in my chest. I hated being treated like a child who needed to be protected.
"They're just visions, Alice," Jasper said, leaning further into Edward's shoulder. "I am sure Edward has his reasons." Great, now he was taking Edward's side just because they were together. It was moments like this that I remembered why it was hard for us to be best friends.
"Why, Edward?" At least Rosalie seemed to be taking my side. "For God's sake, if you want her to stay from her potential mate, tell her why."
"I can't read her thoughts. She might be dangerous and I wouldn't know it."
"She's human," I said placing emphasis on the latter word. "How much danger could she possibly be to a family of vampires?"
"Do you really want an answer to that question?" Edward was practically growling now and was watching Bella and shaking his head angrily. "Anyone with any information about us could be a danger."
"Ugh." I stood up. "I need to go finish reading my biology chapters," I lied. I glared at Edward daring him to disagree with me or tattle on me to our siblings. He raised his hands in mock defeat.
Emmett just chuckled at me. "Right, because it didn't sink in the first seventy or eighty times you've taken the course."
I shot him a glare too and Rosalie spoke up for me. "Let her alone, Emmett. Go ahead, Alice. We'll meet you after school."
Ignoring the whispers of my brothers and sisters behind me, I headed straight for my locker to get my biology book and notebook. I know my family loves me, but sometimes they can make me close to insane. Not everyone is out to get us. "Paranoia is not a flattering quality, Edward." I whispered to myself.
I slammed my locker door shut, keeping my strength to a human level. A human girl my size shattering a solid metal locker door might raise a few eyebrows. Mr. Banner glanced up from his desk as he saw me slip into the classroom in his peripheral vision. "Miss Cullen?" He asked. "Do you need some help with your biology homework?" He looked surprised considering what an excellent student I was. Of course, it helps that I have been trapped in the body of a teenager for nearly a century.
"No, sir," I replied with my best manners. "But is it alright if I sit in here for the rest of the lunch period and review before the lab today?"
"Absolutely. It's good to see a girl so devoted to her schoolwork." He nodded and waved me towards my seat where I spread out my books to maintain the appearance of studying. But I knew I wasn't planning on getting any reading or studying done, and I wasn't going to concentrate on the lab either. Instead I would coast though the lab, basing it on my years of previous knowledge, and dwell on thoughts of Bella. And lucky me that my peers were so intimidated by my absurdities that I sat alone and had no lab partner. There would be no one to interfere with my daydreaming.
The bell signaling the end of lunch rang and I sighed as students begin pouring into the hallways and then dribbling into the classroom. Their chatter was annoying to me right now…so I tuned it out to just background noise. As usual, no one sat next to me and I laid out my lab materials in content solitude.
And then the door to the classroom swung open moments after the tardy bell had sounded and Bella Swan stepped in front of the circulating fan. A whiff of the most decadent, heavenly scent I could ever imagine wafted in front of my nostrils. The slides I was holding shattered as they hit the floor. Everyone in the room turned to stare in my direction as I jumped off of my stool to sweep the pieces into my palm.
"Sorry," I muttered. I watched from the corner of my eye as Bella handed Mr. Banner her yellow New Student Slip and he of course directed her towards the only empty seat in the classroom. Next to me.
I quickly shifted away as she sat down. God, how could I ever resist this temptation? I could see the bewilderment on her face as I practically became one with the wall. Actually I daresay bewilderment might have been an understatement. I saw her sniff her hair. She must think I thought she smelled bad. Oh, if only she knew how irresistible I found her!
I needed out of this classroom before I pounced. I stood hesitantly behind my stool and waited for Mr. Banner to call on me. "Um, Ms. Cullen, may I help you?" he seemed puzzled by the combination of both my sudden lack of grace and need for attention. Given my lack of humanity, I had never had a need to be released from the classroom for the infirmary or restroom.
"May I be excused for a moment?" I asked.
He waved me along and I ducked out, carefully maintaining my distance from the tastily scented temptation in front of me.
I leaned over the sinks and splashed some water on my face to compose myself. Carlisle must have some advice. As a doctor I am sure he has been tempted before. He did have to turn Esme, so that must have been difficult. And didn't he treat her and send her on her way long before changing her? Yes, yes, he must have advice. I could do this. I gripped the countertops in my fists; tight enough to keep myself grounded but avoiding such a death grip that the next girl who walked in would think an earthquake had just rocked only the girls' restroom.
I waited until I was levelheaded enough to concentrate on something besides turning Bella into a tasty treat before making my way back to the classroom. Everyone seemed completely ignorant of my struggle as I stepped from the hall back into the room. Everyone except the one person I wanted to be ignorant. Bella's eyes followed me as wound my way down the aisle and slipped back into my seat.
Deliberately keeping my darkened pupils focused straight ahead, I flipped my biology book to the page on the board. I could sense the hurt and confusion as I pretended to ignore the unsure looks she was shooting me through the fringe of dark hair that hung over her face.
It was safe to say I have never been in a position such as this before. I have seen the future…Bella and I together in love…kissing…and more. But I have never seen how we get there. And I have never seen this moment in biology class…this struggle of temptation so painful I can barely handle it. Where do I find the control?
As soon as the bell signaling the end of the class rings I lurch out of my seat, slamming my book closed, leaving behind a stunned Bella and classmates. I am sure they are all trying to figure out just what could have gotten into me today.
By the end of my seventh-hour class I had realized just what a terrible idea it would be to stay in biology. Because at this rate, before I could even officially introduce myself to Bella she would become my midday snack.
After the final bell, I rushed to the front office to switch my lessons around before going home. Well, rushed at the most reasonable human pace. "Excuse me?" I tapped on the surface before me.
"Yes dear?" I quickly explained my desire to the woman dressed in the strange shade of purple.
She shook her head at me. "I am afraid it is too late in the course, dear. Everyone is too far into their classes to make any changes at this point in the semester."
I wasn't giving up yet. "I assure you I am excellent at keeping up with my lessons," I argued as politely as possible in a low voice.
"And I am sure that is true, Alice, but unfortunately I still can't change your schedule."
"But there has to be another option," I pressed.
"Nothing."
The door to the office opened bringing in a violent gust of wind. My back involuntarily stiffened and the small hairs along the back of my neck stood on end. I took in a deep breath. Her scent filled my usually still lungs. I clenched my fists until my knuckles pressed white against my skin. God, this girl had no idea what just a second near her could to me. "Never mind," I said quickly. "I can see that it's quite impossible."
I slid past Bella as quickly as I could, holding my breath the entire way. It was obvious that she was astonished by my rude behavior, and I have to admit that I am as well. This would not be my ideal first impression on my potential future mate…but I have always heard that it is easiest to ask forgiveness later and I am more than willing to test that theory at the moment.