Chapter 8

Bella POV

Carlisle opened the door and there stood a short girl. She was a vampire actually. She looked to be around 5 foot with auburn hair that cascaded to the middle of her back in glossy ringlets. Her flawless pale skin gleamed in the minimal amount of sunlight streaming through the trees. She had intimidating crimson eyes that locked on Edward instantly. I stepped in front of him, blocking her view. However, he moved in front of me and shocked me even further by saying, "Lexi? Lexi is that you?" I gasped.

Edward POV

I could not believe my eyes. "Lexi," I cried. "Lexi, is that you?" The brown-eyed girl whose name was. . . I think, Bella gasped.

"Yes, it is me Lexi. But, Eddie? How are you still young? And alive?" Curiosity was thick in her features. Oh goodness! Lexi was one of them! I got furious as her blood red eyes jumped out at me. Why weren't they gold? How many leeches lurked around killing the innocent? I do not care if I was not being a gentleman! I raised my voice at her.

"You're one of them?" I spat. She looked heartbroken, confused, and hurt. "When? Have you been a bloodsucker the whole time? All those years were lies?"

The gorgeous blonde one got defensive "Who are you calling a bloodsucker you imbecile? Don't forget you used to be one too!" She was rude.

Lexi mouthed, "Used" to herself in an annoyed manner while I was getting angry with Blondie. Before I could do anything rash that would danger my life, Lexi spoke up "What do you mean 'used' to?" Dr. Cullen-I mean Carlisle glanced between the both of us. "Maybe you should come inside. There's much to discuss"

After everyone filed into the dining room and took a seat around the expensive-looking mahogany table Carlisle said softly, "I'm sure you're very confused, Lexi." I watched with pure interest as Lexi rolled her eyes at his shy attempt to begin to talk.

"Dr. Cullen, I just want to know what is wrong with my best friend!" she growled. I huffed at her remark.

"Nothing is wrong with me."

She moaned, "Just shut up so I can talk, okay?" I nodded and glanced at the floor.

"I changed Edward not long after his mother passed away, Lexi. He lived with me and my family for years and. . . ." Carlisle hesitated and peered over at me. "We fed off animal blood instead of human blood. Then, after living alone for a very long time, he found Bella. His girlfriend-"

Lexi stopped him, one of her elegant eyebrows raised. "You have a girlfriend?" she asked. Was I detecting jealously? I was too angry to notice.

Throwing my arms up in fury, I gasped, "I don't have a girlfriend! Bella is not my girlfriend, best friend, wife, or whatever." A dry sob echoed around the room. Bella leaped to her feet and stormed to the front door. The black-haired pixie followed her.

"Bella, wait! He didn't mean it." My eyes watched as she ran to the door then collapsed in heap, crying into her hands.

"I can't take it anymore! I'm going home." Crystal tears stained her flushed cheeks as she pounded on the door.

"I'm not letting you leave, Bella," she said.

"Alice," she sobbed, holding her torso. "My heart is breaking. I can't stay here any longer!" Bella screamed and leaned her forehead against the cold tile of the floor. Her brown locks slid forward, creating a curtain between my eyes and her face.

Alice grabbed Bella's hand and towed her out the door after shooting everyone an apologetic smile. Carlisle continued to speak, a little shaken after Bella's break down. "Apparently he made a wish to be human again and turned into a mortal but reversing his transformation seemed to erase every memory of being a vampire." "So, he only remembers his human years?" Lexi said. Carlisle nodded, his face distressed. Lexi looked at me and threw her skinny arms around my neck. When she began to cry on my shoulder my eyes went wide.

My best friend was crying! My best friend! Lexi, the girl who rarely showed her emotions in public, was crying. I crushed her to me, breathing in her citrus scent. My arms wound around her slim waist as I rested my chin on her head. "I missed you so much!" she wept. I kissed her hair and wiped away her tears with my thumbs.

"I missed you too, Lex. We're together now and I'll never leave you again." I breathed. Her hands clenched into fists, gripping handfuls of my shirt.

"Do you promise?" she whispered.

I titled her face up so I could gaze her straight into the eye. "I promise. Besides what kind of best friend would I be if I abandon my best friend in the entire world?"

"A bad best friend." she murmured. I beamed at her.

"Duh," I chuckled, poking her in the ribs. She shrieked with laughter and nudged me. Surprised at her strength, I stumbled backward. Lexi leaped toward me and grabbed my hand before I could tumble to the ground. "Um, Lexi, could you not knock me over?" She threw her head back and giggled. Her auburn curls bounced while she continued to laugh with delight. Then her body froze and she flew to the other side of the room. "I don't know about you guys," she said, glancing at the Cullens. "But I seriously have to hunt."