In the Grip of Twilight

Chapter Five:

Thorns

"If Love is the Flower, I am the Thorn."

(Scribbled on the inside cover of Bella Swan's notebook.)

The force of that single word, Volturi, sent chill bumps racing down the back of my neck. I didn't know a whole lot about the family, other than Carlisle had spent time with them before coming to America, and they were considered very powerful. That Elena was part of what Edward had called "vampire royalty" did not help improve my insecurity issues of the day, nor my inferiority complex that always surfaced whenever I was around the Cullens and their superhero gifts.

"Bella?"

I realized I was staring over the parking lot, dazed, and Alice was trying to tenderly bring me back.

"How long is she staying? I mean, she can't stay indefinitely can she?"

But Alice just shrugged. "She wasn't supposed to stay at all. She came over with her father for a day visit. That was on Saturday."

I whipped my head around, "But Edward went hunting with Emmett that day. That's what he told me."

"He did go hunting with Emmett—and she insisted on going with them. That's when she decided to stay for an extended visit. She told her father that she was intrigued by our way of life here."

"Intrigued with Edward is more like it—" I growled.

"Yes," Alice agreed, "she's not very subtle about it. We're just hoping that she gets bored quickly with our 'Monastery existence', as she calls it, and goes back to her palace. It's plain to see that our diet is too vegetarian for her."

I smiled wryly, "How very dangerous for me, since every time I've seen her today she's made a meal of me in her mind."

Alice laughed softly, then stopped abruptly as if realizing it wasn't appropriate for her to laugh.

"It's okay," I reassured her, "you're on my side of the joke."

"Yes, I am," she smiled. "But just so you know, Carlisle and Esme took care to protect everyone from that danger. Elena is under oath to follow the rules we live by. It's part of the Monastery way."

I had to laugh at that. One way or another, Princess Elena wasn't getting her own way a hundred percent of the time. But then my curiosity got the better of me, and I had to ask, "Why did Edward leave school early today?" I suppose I just wanted to know if he left campus because of me—or if it had something to do with Elena. One day this was going to bite me, this always asking questions I might not really want to know the answers to.

Alice raised her eyebrows. "Well, why do you think he left?" she asked, essentially answering my question with a question.

"But she went with him," I said, although it was only a guess.

"Of course she did, he's her appointed tour guide. You should feel sorry for him; I do."

I rolled my eyes. "If only he'd let me feel sorry for him."

The bell rang. I suddenly grew bold and turned to Alice before she could slip off to her next class. "Would you do something for me?"

She tilted her head to the side and looked at me. "I'll try…"

"Tell Edward to meet me in the meadow at 3:30. Tell him that I won't take no for an answer. Tell him he owes me that much."

"Alright, I will."

"Thanks, Alice…for everything."

***

I floundered through the last two classes. My mind was occupied with the letter awaiting me in my truck, and meeting Edward after school.

I'd not been to the meadow since Edward had first taken me there; we'd decided to keep it our special occasion place. I knew he'd be furious that I demanded we meet there. There was a good chance that we'd tarnish it with our sadness. And although I didn't want that, I did want the meadow to be a reminder of the magical hours we spent there the last and only time.

I knew in my heart that he'd be there. Besides being the most cherished place we had, the meadow was the one place he couldn't refuse me.

When the last bell rang, I practically ran to my truck. Alice's white Subaru was gone, I noticed, as I unlocked the truck's door and climbed in. It was right there on the seat, the envelope with my name beautifully scrawled across the center. Just seeing my name—so personal and intimate—in his handwriting, made me want to weep.

I considered Alice's suggestion that I wait until I was home before reading it; I considered it a whole five seconds before grabbing it off the seat and ripping the top of the envelope off. No one could ever accuse me of being a patient person.

Once the letter was out and I'd unfolded it, I was instantly disappointed at first glance. He evidently had written it in haste, and it was only three lines long. Shorter, I noticed, than my own hastily written note from earlier.

Bella,

I've given you the freedom you wanted so that you can live inside the moment.

Don't waste it.

For once, I'm going to do the right thing.

Edward

Did I expect anything different than what was written in the letter? I don't believe I did. Deep inside, I knew that I was the thorn that had ripped us apart.

And now I had to go to him and convince him that I was wrong.

***

(Chapter Six: Meadow of Wonders coming soon. I'm not sure if I will be able to get it out tomorrow, I have family obligations, but Monday will be the latest. I appreciate everyone's patience with me during the chapter troubles—I know it was a pain. Also, make sure that In the Grip of Twilight is the story that you set your alert to since I won't be returning to those chapters that I had to post individually.---Ollie)