That night the parents insisted that we have a sleep over at the Cullen's house. I haven't been to this for almost 25 months. The moment we step foot in the porch Alice and Rosalie dragged me upstairs to Alice's room shouting to the boys that we will be having a girl's night. When we reached her room, Alice sat on the bed and frowned.
"What's wrong, Alice?" I asked.
"I am worried." She admitted in a small voice. Rosalie and I looked at each other with concerned faces. We sat at both sides of Alice on the bed.
"About what, Ali?" Rosalie asked gently.
"About Bella. About school and the people in town."
"What do you mean?" I asked at the same time understanding dawned on Rosalie's face. "What's going on?"
"Bella, this is big news! The prodigal daughter finally returns! The Big Six is finally complete! Everyone will be all over this shit!" Alice shouted. I shrank back in the bed. I knew my coming back will cause turmoil. I just… I just wish it wouldn't!
Just as I was about to say something the boys entered the room with guarded expressions. Emmett stepped forward and said, "I don't care if you'll get mad but we are going to join this party. There will be no girl's night happening because we missed Bella too. I missed my sister too much to not spend her first night here with her."
Rosalie sighed and nodded. Jasper approached Alice and crouched down to level their eyes. "What's wrong, Ali? We heard you shout earlier." He said.
I lay down on the bed and Edward sat beside me. Rosalie explained to the boys about the shouting and by the end of the story they all wore scowls in their faces. Edward spoke first, "And what the hell is wrong with that, Alice? Let them talk." He said in a fierce voice that sounded almost a growl. Oh shit. That is so hot I just feel the wetness… "Its not the rumors I'm worried about! Its Bella!" Alice answered in an equally aggressive tone. "What about Bella?" Edward yelled.
"She doesn't like it when people talk about her! You know her, Edward. This will affect her! I don't want her running away from us again!" Alice shouted as tears rolled down her face. I looked around and saw Emmett hugging Rosalie who was trying very hard to keep the tears at bay.
"I do know her! We will be there to protect her. She will not leave us again." He looked at me and asked quietly, "Right?" His eyes were filled with anguish and hurt and pain. Did he honestly think that I would be running away from them again? Who does he think I am? Oh. Right. He thinks I'm still the quiet, shy and weak girl I was back then.
I smiled at him. "No. I will not be leaving you again. I can handle myself, Alice. I'll be fine. Don't worry about it. Lets just enjoy our night."
Alice looked at me for a good 10 seconds before she shook her head.
"No. You need to be prepared! The people in this town are vultures! They will eat you alive! With your personality and their gossip you'll be running for London in two days!"
I laughed at her. C'mon! This is Isabella Swan we're talking about!
"Don't laugh at me! You'll see!" Alice glared at me.
I stopped laughing, stood up and looked at them.
"I am Isabella Marie McCarthy Swan. I am the only daughter of Charles and Renee Swan. I am the Class President, Class Valedictorian and the Captain. I can handle anything. Don't underestimate me. You'd be surprised at what I have done in London. I can handle the bitches here." I finished my rant with a playful smirk but I burst out laughing when I saw their comical faces. It's hilarious! I waited for any of them to speak but none did so I shrugged and pulled Edward to the door.
"Now, I know that the four of you still don't know how to cook so Edward and I will be at the kitchen. Emmett and Jasper get the bedding and put them at the den. Alice, Rosalie get the movies and liquor ready. We're playing 'I never'." I walked out of the bedroom and descended down the stairs with Edward. When we reached the kitchen I started gathering junk food.
"So you're the Class President?" Edward asked while he stared at me intently. I turned my back to him because if he continues to look at me like that I will seriously jump him. Whoa. Slow down, Bella! I heard someone clear their throat and I realized that Edward is waiting for my answer.
"Um, yeah. Junior year."
"And Class Valedictorian?"
"Well, I was supposed to be the Valedictorian if I graduate there."
"Wow. That is seriously awesome!"
"Thanks. Anyway, lets go feed the lions!" I joked. He laughed with me and grabbed the big bowls of chips while I hold the Cokes. We were still laughing when we entered the den. The other four looked curiously at us but shrugged. They were used to the two of us going on to our own world we do it all the time when we were kids. Emmett and Rosalie occupied the center of the floor so we decided to make a circle there. Emmett sat on my right while Rosalie sat next to him then Edward then Alice then Jasper.
"Alright, you all know the drills if the speaker tells something that you have done before you need to drink a shot. Okay? Good!" Alice poured us all a shot of tequila and started the game.
"I never kissed a girl." Ugh. Seriously? I took the shot with Rose, Jazz, Em and Edward. Alice looked at me with eyes big as saucers and asked, "When?"
"Junior year. Dare."
Edward was up next. "I have never been caught in the janitor's closet. Making out." Em, Rose and I took the shot. By the way the questions are rolling; I'll be drunk on the sixth! Jasper turned to me and asked, "You got caught? How and when?" I rolled my eyes at him. Turns out this game is their way of knowing me better.
"Juniors year. It was an accident. Moving on."
Rosalie smirked at me and said, "I have never kissed a teacher." Damn you, Rosalie!
I took the shot and spoke before any of them could react. "I was turned on. He was hot, single and only seven years older than me. He's closet guy and we were busted by a schoolmate who was kind enough to let it pass. I dropped put of his class and I never saw him again. End of story." I finished with a sigh.
"Okay, ah, I never went shopping for five hours willingly." Emmett said. Rosalie, Alice and I took the shot. Before any of them ask a question I started my turn.
"I have never pee my pants." Emmett took the shot while glaring at me and we all laughed at that.
"I have never had sex." Jasper said. I looked at the tequila in front of me. Am I going to tell them? How will they react? Oh, whatever. I'm not lying to them. I took the shot and noticed all of them staring at me.
"What? You expected me to stay a virgin forever?" I defended myself. I looked at Edward and saw that his eyes are slightly narrowed and he has that glint in it. What is that?
"Ew. Gross. Mental image." Emmett mumbled while wincing.
Rosalie smacked him in the head. "Stop perverting your sister!" That caused everyone to laugh and Emmett started saying some things about child abuse and bullying.
I never thought I will be able to experience this again. I ran away with the plan of never coming back. I built myself walls to never get hurt but I forgot how the six of us just feel right together. When I look at the faces of my family I can't help but feel blessed. I don't think I'll be able to leave them anymore.