Chapter 21 - Interruption

The knock on the door seemed to echo around the room as we both leapt apart. I had never seen Alice look so… sheepish… before now. I decided the look suited her – very cute indeed.

I took a deep breath to try and steady my ragged breathing. Our lips had only briefly met the second time, yet I could still feel them on my own… my bottom lip was still tingling with anticipation…

And then the door gently opened, and Esme appeared.

My cheeks immediately burned. The thought of her entering, without knocking first…

Esme smiled apologetically, "Sorry to interrupt you both"… she looked from me, to Alice, and then back at me again.

"Your mobile was ringing – it has been for a while… I thought it may be important".

I stood and took my bag from Esme's out stretched hand.

"Thank you Esme" I heard myself reply, although my voice was still a little hoarse.

Esme nodded, looked back at Alice with one raised eyebrow and then smiled.

"Well, I'll leave you girls alone…."

And with that, she was gone.

And there I stood, holding my backpack, my cheeks no doubt a deep burgundy as I tried to make sense of what was happening. I looked at Alice, who was still sat down.

"Alice?"

Alice looked up and glanced at me. Still she remained silent.

"Are you okay" I asked.

Alice nodded slowly, and finally spoke.

"I feel… a little frayed… I've never felt like this before…"

Frayed? Was that a good thing?

She stood slowly, and smiled – the smile I knew so well, and loved.

"You make me feel so many emotions I'm not used to Bella… you breath new life into me…"

I immediately spoke, "So frayed is a good thing" I asked, still a little confused.

Alice removed my backpack from my hands, dropped it on the floor and took my own in hers.

"Definitely, a good thing – a very human emotion I would say… nearly getting caught with my hand in the cookie jar so to speak…. "

I immediately understood. I made her feel more human.

She continued, "At least Esme knocked first…."

And then she laughed, her eyes twinkling. Her laugh was so infectious, I found myself joining in. Finally, I broke for breath.

"You do realise she probably suspected something, Alice? I can never hide my emotions… I must have looked so guilty…"

Alice shrugged her shoulders, "Perhaps…."

Alice was now being her usual flippant self. I poked her chest with my finger.

"Esme may not have a gift in the physical sense, like you do Alice… but I would say she is very perceptive…. Didn't you see her coming?"

Alice shook her head, "Bella, my mind was previously occupied with something far more delicious".

Before I could answer, my phone rang again. I dropped to my knees and rummaged around in my bag for it…

It was Charlie.

I stood and motioned to the display, "I have to get this Alice".

Alice nodded, and walked towards the open window.

I took a deep breath, and answered.

"Hey dad, what's up?"

Charlie seemed a little exasperated.

"Finally, Bella! I've been worried sick about you – where are you?"

"Relax dad, I'm fine. Alice just picked me up from school and took me back to her place, so Dr Cullen could remove my stitches…."

Charlie sighed. "Oh, okay then… you can't blame your old man for worrying Bells"

I turned to look at Alice, but she was looking intently outside the window. I turned again.

"Want me to pick anything up on my way back" I asked. I knew the answer – take out, of any kind…

I was surprised with Charlie's response.

"You see to yourself tonight Bella. I have to work a double shift, helping out with some missing person's reports in the next County – I won't be back till late".

I smiled, "Okay dad – and sorry for not letting you know my plans… I've just had… a lot on my mind today".

I rang off, and turned again expecting Alice to be in the same position as she was before, but now she was looking at me.

"I'm sorry Bella, I should have realised Chief Swan would be worried about you… very careless of me…"

I walked across to her, "No harm done Alice, though I probably should be getting back".

Alice nodded. "I'll drive you – if you can handle the speed?" and she winked.

"Oh, I can handle it" was my reply, as Alice took my hand and pulled me out of her room.

The drive home was over too soon and I found myself wishing I was still with Alice in her room, on her sofa bed, kissing…

As Alice pulled up on the drive, her deep growl interrupted my thoughts.

I looked up and saw the object that had caused her reaction.

Jake was standing beside his truck, hands pushed deeply into the pockets of his trousers.

"Jake" was my only response.

Alice's small hands gripped the steering wheel, "I'm taking you back" she whispered.

I placed my hand on hers, "It's alright Alice, really".

Alice turned and looked at me, her eyes now inky…

"I won't leave you here with that…. With him" she replied, shaking her head.

I squeezed her hand, "Alice, I know you are concerned for me, but I honestly believe Jake means me no harm – I've seen that stance of his before… he feels guilty… he probably wants to apologise…."

Alice looked at me, "I don't like this Bella". Her voice was so soft I could barely hear her.

I nodded, "I know – but I really need to clear the air with Jake Alice…"

We both got out of the car, and Alice was immediately at my side.

"Where's Chief Swan" she asked, her eyes searching for his car.

"He's working late, won't be back till the early hours of the morning"

Jake started to walk forward, but stopped when Alice growled again.

"Look, I'm not here to cause trouble Cullen".

Jake's stance may have looked firm, but his voice was far from it.

"Just try…." Alice interjected.

I turned so I was facing Alice, my back towards Jake. Taking both hands in mine, I brought them to my lips and kissed her fingers. Gently releasing them, I lent in close.

"Alice – I will be fine, I promise you…"

Alice's head dropped slightly, and then her eyes were on mine… but she seemed a million miles away… the same look she had in the school canteen… another vision…

"Alice"

My hands were immediately on hers again, as I waited patiently for her to answer.

Jake spoke, "what's going on Bella".

I waved my hand to silence him.

And then Alice seemed to regain focus, as she looked intently at me…. And smiled.

"Okay Bella, but if you need me…"

I didn't understand the alteration in her frame of mind.

"Are you going to share your vision?"

Alice smirked… "Let's just say I've seen you in it, so I know Jake won't be a problem to you now".

I was perplexed. "Seen me? Who with? What was I doing?"

Alice walked towards the door of her car, and I followed.

"What, tell you and spoil the surprise?"

Okay, now I really was perplexed.

Looking past me, she pointed at Jake, "Behave…."

Jake snorted, "Yeah – yeah, bite me Cullen…."

Alice laughed, "Oh, I tend to leave that to Bella these days" and with that she turned to me.

"Mind if I come say hello later tonight?"

Later tonight…. My heartbeat quickened, and my mouth went dry,

"Sure…"

Alice smiled, "I knew you'd say yes… remember to leave the window open"

And with that, she was gone, leaving me standing with Jake, who looked as puzzled as I did.