In the Grip of Twilight
By: Olivia Tannis Moore
Chapter Fifteen:
Confusion
I slept soundly. And at six-thirty Edward was gently shaking me awake.
"Charlie is about to come up and knock on your door—I'd better get out of here."
"Oh?" I said groggily.
"Yeah, he wants to talk to you about a wedding or something," he told me, which only confused me further.
"Have fun at school today," he said, grinning. He kissed me on the top of the head and then went to the window.
"You're not going?"
"We have to get ready for our guests, remember?"
"Rotten guests…" I said in my sleep-slurred voice.
Edward's eyes flickered to the door. "Got to get going…Charlie's coming up the stairs now."
I smiled at him sleepily. "Bye. See you later." And then he was gone.
A few seconds later Charlie was lightly rapping on my door. "Bells?"
I went to the door and opened it. Charlie was already dressed in his uniform, standing there awkwardly with his hat in hand.
"Yeah, Dad?"
"I didn't get a chance to tell you yesterday, but one of the guys is getting married Saturday. Kind of a spur of the moment thing in Seattle. I'll have to leave out after work today and I won't be home until Sunday afternoon."
"It's okay. I'll be fine."
"Look, if you want, you could come with me," he continued. "If you don't want to stay here by yourself."
"I can't go this weekend. The Cullens are having a dinner party." Of course, I didn't tell him I was uninvited. Or that the dinner party was for a bunch of ancient blood-suckers.
"Oh? Well, that'll be nice." He suddenly dug into his pants pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. "Here's the phone number of the hotel I'll be staying at, if you need anything."
I took the paper.
"You okay with this?" he asked as if making sure. His forehead was creased from the strain of parental balance.
"I'm not twelve years old anymore, Dad. Go have fun."
He smiled weakly. "Call me if you need anything," he said again, leaning in to kiss my cheek. "And behave yourself."
"I will," I promised.
And then he was gone and I was alone in the house. Alone for the weekend. Alone, except when Edward was here. I couldn't believe my luck. I hurried and dressed for school, all the while thinking of how strange it was that the Italian vampire mob was coming to town at exactly the time when the sheriff was leaving town.
***
School was a bore without the Cullens there. But, I had to admit, it was nice not having to look at Elena's face, or hear her childish voice.
Jessica was the only person with enough nerve to ask me how things were going with Edward; and I was only too happy to report that we had resolved our differences and things were wonderful now. She seemed genuinely relieved. Though, I had a suspicion that it had more to do with her insecurities concerning Mike than any good-will she may have toward me. Otherwise, Angela was my constant companion for most of the day.
After school, I went home and sat around staring at the four walls of my bedroom. It was then that I realized that the aloneness that I was thrilled about this morning might not be such a great thing. I kept thinking of the Volturi—and how one might prepare for their arrival. The Cullen house would be a flurry of activity, while here I was twiddling my thumbs, eating overly-salty potato chips out of the bag, and cursing myself for promising to stay away. Nothing was on the television that interested me and I was at a loss as to how to pass the time until Edward was able to get away and come over. It didn't help, I told myself, when I looked at the clock on my nightstand every ten minutes.
Finally, at five-thirty, I heard a thump at my window and turned to see Edward climbing through.
My smile faded when I noticed the annoyed look on his face.
"Are they here already?" I asked.
"Oh yeah, they're here," he answered moodily. His eyes were brighter than they were this morning, impossibly bright. I knew he must have hunted sometime after I left for school.
"Well, what's wrong? Is there a problem?" I asked impatiently.
He put his hands on his hips and stood there looking in my direction but not quite at me as he spoke, "Yes, you could say that."
In my mind, I was imagining the worst. The Volturi were pillaging and ravishing the people of Forks; pandemonium in the streets; Eat, Drink, and be Merry—for the sheriff has left town. I felt the blood drain from my face.
"At least you got your wish—" he said.
"What?" I said incredulously, my mind still filled with blood and carnage.
For the first time, he looked at me. "They won't take no for an answer…They say that since you're involved…"
"Wait a minute. What are you talking about? Involved in what?"
He laughed angrily. "I've been given orders. I'm to bring you back with me. They want you there."
***