There is pink everywhere. Crystal bowls and rose petals and pink candles. I stopped breathing a while ago to escape the pink stench.
Alice always overdoes these things. It's always too much. Fuck, even Emmett's birthday back in 1935 was too much. Even worse, I'm expected to show up. Stupid lying 'happy families.'
Bella also disapproves, I can feel it swirling around her. The embarrassment and distress colours her cheeks, matching the pretty princess theme...or whatever the fuck is going on here. Not that I care, stupid Pet. Should have run the first chance she got. Edward shoots a stoney glare at me, obviously reading my thoughts. I subtly remind him that I can feel the bloodlust hazing his mind. Should have gone hunting, huh Eddie-boy? Careful now, don't get too close.
When Emmett runs out to hook up the stereo, Alice lets go of me. I relax a little bit, tried to smile at Bella. I almost want to calm her down, she's just about in tears. I steel myself against the compassion shooting daggers at my back. She deserves to be uncomfortable, she needs to feel this way, maybe then she'll learn. Maybe then she'll run.
Alice hands her a silver wrapped present, shining with pride. Bella's confused just looking at the empty box, having already resigned herself to the fact that she's getting presents whether she likes it or not. She opens the packaging, searching for a clue as to what it's supposed to be. So...lost. It makes me laugh, and I feel guilty enough to explain the joke.
"It's a stereo for your truck. Emmett's installing it right now so that you can't return it."
Blood rises in her cheeks and tendrils of embarrassment sneak their way to me. Edward's eyes darken, just a little, leaking want...and not the sex kind.
For fucks sakes man.
A stab of 'fuck off' and he looks away from me. Dick.
She thanks us, and Alice steps forward with another present.
"Open mine and Edward's next," she squeaks.
She didn't even tell me what was in the box, and suddenly, I'm just that little bit more curious. I step a little closer, and Emmett returns behind me.
Edward sweeps hair out of Bella's glaring eyes and reassures her that he didn't spend anything on the present. No doubt Alice bought it online then, and stuck Pretty Boy's name on the tag. At his demand.
She takes the present from Pixie, and sticks one finger under the paper to pull off the tape.
Edwards eyes go black.
"Shoot," she whispers.
Blood, a single drop.
Glittering.
Red.
Calling.
His bloodlust slams into my chest, and in a split second I know what I have to do to save her.
"No!" he yells, throwing her down on the table.
But I'm already coming for him.