Chapter Nineteen

Bella

She disappeared through the window and I slammed it shut, locking it too. She thought she knew why I was angry, well so did I and she was right but I'd never admit it. He was gone and I'd never have to talk to him or see him again, the pain would die away eventually. I got into bed picking up Renee's book again but I couldn't open it at the words, instead I turned to the back where the photograph was. Looking at the three figures it seemed odd that I now knew them and their names. But why, if Renee knew about them, had she not contacted them? If they were guardians of the Volturi children then why hadn't they guarded Renee and I? Was there more to this than met the eye? Had she slipped through their net or had she avoided them as well as the Volturi? Were they really as good as they said they were? These thoughts whirled around in my head as I eventually drifted off to sleep.

The next morning I was late so I grabbed my bag and some toast to eat on the way to school. As I drove I kept an eye out for followers but I never saw Peter or Charlotte. Perhaps they'd listened to me and gone. At school I pulled into the only parking space left which just happened to be next to Emmett Cullens monster truck. That figured with my luck! As I got out I dropped my bag and as I bent down to pick it up the door of the truck opened and knocked me backwards. As I hit the floor I heard an exclamation and looking up saw the huge figure of Emmett Cullen grinning down at me.

"What you doing down there Bella?"

"Trying to get up would you believe" I snapped.

He took my arm and stood me on my feet smiling, as he almost always was.

"You OK? I didn't see you there. Sorry"

I dusted myself off and snatching my arm back marched into school, vowing never to speak to him again, All I ever did was give him something to laugh about.

In English Alice Cullen slid into the empty seat beside me

"Hi Bella, Done your homework?"

"Yes Alice, and before you say anything I don't want to talk about them"

"Them?"

"You know who I'm talking about".

"Yes well they did ask me to speak to you. They're worried"

"Alice please, I don't want to talk about it, I don't want to talk to them, I don't even want to see them again. I just want to live my nice boring predictable life"

"What about the Volturi?"

"Are they coming for me?"

She looked at me with narrowed eyes,

"They will."

"Well when you get a date let me know."

I concentrated on my books feeling her gaze burning into me,

"You are so stubborn"

"Yep that's me Alice, so give up now and save an argument you won't win."

"They won't just leave you vulnerable Bella"

"That's their prerogative Alice. I can't stop them lurking in dark corners."

The teacher started the lesson then so I got a respite.

At lunch I had to answer more questions about where Jasper had gone and why and I was so sick of it I made things up to amuse myself.

I told Tyler he

"Went to join the circus as a lion tamer"

Mike,

"He was becoming an understudy for Mel Gibson"

Jess

"He was starring in porno movies"

and Lauren

"He was going for a sex change operation"

When I saw them comparing notes I smiled and headed for afternoon lessons. Angela joined me not sure whether to laugh or commiserate at the tales I'd told,

"They're putting bets on which one is right"

"Oh which is the favourite?"

"The porno movies, mostly because all the girls think he's so hot."

I laughed bitterly,

"Too hot for me anyway."

At the end of the day I went out for coffee with Angela just to avoid Alice who was hovering in the Car Park

"Can we take your car Angie and come back for my truck later?"

She looked over

"Sure but what does Alice Cullen want you for...oh is she angry because you took Jasper from her?"

"No, they were never more than good friends"

"Yeah well she would say that wouldn't she. You didn't see them before you arrived, they were Very Good friends."

So now I knew, he obviously tried it on with all the girls he met and I'd been stupid enough to fall for his routine. That just made me even madder and I vowed to keep away from all of them from now on.

Angie dropped me off at my truck later and I was relieved to see the Car Park empty, I wouldn't have put it past Alice to have waited patiently for my return. Only halfway home the engine died and I cursed my stupidity for leaving the cell phone in the bedroom. I now had to walk home in the gathering dusk. As I trudged along I heard footsteps behind me and whirled to see Peter running after me,

"What are you doing walking in the dark on your own?" he snapped.

"Going home" I could snap too,

"Don't you realize how dangerous that could be?"

"My truck broke down Peter."

"Why didn't you call someone and stay in the fucking thing?"

"I didn't have my cell phone on me"

"You went out with no way of contacting us?"

"Well as you are obviously following me it doesn't really matter does it?"

"You were told to keep it on you at all times"

"I was told a lot of things Peter. Now excuse me I have to get home"

"I'll walk you"

"Suit yourself"

I marched on and he kept pace with me easily,

"Why are you so angry with us Bella?"

"You work it out!"

He thought as we walked,

"I've tried, no fucking idea so you tell me, and maybe we can work it out. It would be so much easier if we could all be friends",

"Well we can't. I don't like your methods"

He looked totally lost,

"Methods? What the fuck is that supposed to mean? We're trying to keep you safe"

"No you're trying to keep yourselves safe, that just happens to mean keeping me and Alice and the other guy safe..."

"I don't see the difference, you still get looked after."

"Oh yes I've noticed that. Does Charlotte know that you were all over Alice at the barbecue? Did Jasper hand her on to you when he'd finished with her? Was I going to be next?"

"You've lost me? Where does Jasper fit in to all this?"

"He was with Alice until I came along then bored with her I guess, he handed her over to you and set himself up with me."

"Jasper and Alice?" He started to laugh "That's a good one."

"What's so funny?"

"Alice wouldn't look twice at him, he's far too lowly for her. So am I for that matter and as for Charlotte knowing about me and Alice, there's nothing to know. I put my arm round her and played the boyfriend because its the easiest way to keep close to her. When we are alone she wouldn't give me the time of day. Its an act Bella but one with a purpose. To keep her safe"

"So why did Jasper leave? Why send Charlotte to look after me? Couldn't he bear to act the part with me?"

"You'll have to ask him about that...oh wait..you can't...you're not talking to him are you, silly me I forgot. Bella it had nothing to do with acting, Jasper just needed a break, he's been doing this a long time and I guess he needed a bit of me time. I think he's entitled to that and weren't you the one who acted all weird on him? Sometimes you girls do my head in."

I thought about what he'd said,

"But everyone at school said that he and Alice were an item."

"Just shows how well he played his part. I'm sure he told you we're good at what we do, actually we're the best. Now you run along home, get your head out of your ass and play nicely for all our sakes. My wife spends her whole time outside watching you, try being nice to her, she's a good person, she doesn't deserve your shit."