Chapter 6: Reunion

Izzy's's POV

The Cullens piled into their ridiculously expensive cars while I hopped into my brand new midnight blue Audi. I inhaled the new car smell trying to calm myself. I shut my eyes and breathed in through my nose and out through my mouth.

I need to pull myself together. I can't risk them finding about my true identity.

I shoved the key into the ignition and the car roared to a start. The Cullens began to exit the snow covered parking lot toward the deserted road.

The entire drive I tried to calm myself. But with the speed we traveled at, it wouldn't take long to arrive at the Cullen mansion. What happened to the brave confident Izzy I had made up for myself? But like always, the Cullens ruin everything. It's not like it's the first time. I huffed as we began driving deeper and deeper into the thick forest. Snow covered trees surrounded every patch of ground and the road became narrower.

I followed the Cullens as they turned right into a long winding driveway. A tall white building came into view. Much like the one in Forks, half the house consisted of glass. Just from the sight, a twinge in my dead heart made itself known.

I still hadn't completely healed. Every now and then I would get a memory of him and the hole in my chest would swell. Oh the joys of heartbreak.

I quickly recovered and got out of my car. I made sure my shield was up as I strode up to the front entrance. Carlisle opened the door for me. I mouthed a quiet thank you and stepped inside. Their scents hit me hard, reminding me of my human days much like the furniture and the decor. My chest ached but I chose to ignore the stinging pain. I forced a fake smile as Esme led me to the sitting room.

Carlisle and Esme sat on the love seat, Emmett and Rosalie were seated on the couch, Jasper and Alice sat on the other couch. As for Edward and I, we took the two remaining single seats.

"So, about my diet. What would you like to know?" I asked cutting to the chase. I really wanted to get over this already. It just had to drag on forever...

I inconspicuously glanced down at my watch. It was already eleven pm.

"Who taught you this diet?"

Well you did. But I couldn't say that.

"When I was first changed twenty years ago, I was suicidal at the time and didn't care much for anything. I went wandering around in the forest beside my house and got lost. My memories have faded since then so this part is a bit hazy." I paused, thinking back to the dreadful time. A memory I hate revisiting. One I was telling the Cullens.

Anger bubbled up inside of me causing my cold blood to boil.

"Do you mind telling us what caused you to become suicidal?" Carlisle asked hesitantly.

I almost laughed out hysterically. But I managed to keep up my stone facade.

"Not at all." I glanced in Edward's direction before beginning again, "I was left by someone I loved very much." In the corner of my eye I could see Edward visibly flinch and his face contorted to a wretched, rueful expression. It serves him right.

"Anyway back to my transformation. I was deep in the woods, I guess you could say I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A menacing voice called out to me. I don't recall what he said to me but the next thing I know a felt a sharp pain in my neck and then the following three days I spent burning." Looking around, I took in all the Cullens expressions. All full of sadness and nasty pity. I didn't want their fucking pity.

"I still don't know who the vampire was." I lied. It was Laurent, but I definitely could not tell them that. I am so glad they can't read my mind!

"That is a very tragic change, much like mine. All of ours. Being changed against your will is beyond cruel." Rosalie commented. I remember immortality was always a touchy subject for Rosalie as she was changed with no other choice.

"Yeah. Onto my 'vegetarian' diet." I continued, immensely wanting to get this conversation to come to an end.

"When I finished my transformation, I didn't know what happened to myself." Lies. "Of course I had never known of the existence of vampires as a human," more lies. "I began wandering around the forest, my throat burned. It was parched like I hadn't drunk in months. Hours of traveling aimlessly deep in the forest, I saw my reflection in a puddle. When I say my red eyes I knew immediately I couldn't go back home." It's good I was better at lying or I would be so screwed right now. I smiled internally.

"Later that night, I came across an elk, without knowing what was happening I lunged at the animal and sucked him dry. Weeks after the incident, things became clearer to me. Everything started to add up. I stayed in that forest for a year and a half before gaining enough courage to go out into civilization again."

They didn't need to know I spent four years staying at their house in Forks before venturing out on my own. I didn't even have to think about anything, the lies just spilled out of my mouth.

"So, that' my story." I finished lamely.

"Wow, was an intricate story." Carlisle's were gleaming with amusement. "You are very smart."

"Thank you for sharing with us." Esme smiled gently.

"Thank you for having me." I forced a tight smile. This was just like old times.

"This may seem a bit forward but would you like a tour of our home? I feel like I already know you, even though we just met tonight." Esme exclaimed.

It's because you have.

I forgot how observant the Cullen family is. I hope they can't see through me. I was about to turn down her offer when I realized it was Esme. I missed her and her motherly nature. It took everything to not run into her arms and pull her into a tight embrace. Instead I replied, "Sure."

She smiled softly with so much love and motherly affection I wanted to breakdown right there and come clean to was but I knew I couldn't. I swallowed the dry sob and followed Esme.

She led me around the main floor as well as the second floor, which consisted of sitting rooms, the kitchen, the dining room, Carlisle's study, the library, lounge rooms, two full bathrooms which was for show of course. All of which were beautifully decorated. The last room at the end of the long hallway was closed. Esme hesitated before opening the door. Inside sat a new baby grand piano. It looked to be untouched as a layer of dust was beginning to cover the smooth top.

I gasped out of awe. "Who plays the piano?" I questioned as if I didn't already know.

"Edward. Though he doesn't play so much now." Esme whispered barely audible, sadness creeping in to her voice.

I took a step closer to the glorious piano, sliding into the empty seat. I gingerly lifted the lid and ran my fingers over the dusty keys. Debating whether or not to play a couple measures, I ended up playing a quiet tune.

I pressed down on the sleek keys and let the music take over. I had not been playing for long when the door busted open and a furious looking Edward rushed inside.

"Stop playing! Nobody touches my piano!" Edward roared as he held his hands over his ears trying to block out my music.

Anger raged inside of me, but instead over letting it out, I put on the bitchiest face I could muster and glared at him coldly with my golden eyes.

I got up from the seat and muttered a placid apology since Esme was still in the room and swiftly walked out the room with Esme trailing behind me.

"Sorry about my son's behavior, he's not at his best sorts at the moment; he is going through some tough stuff in his life." Esme apologized sincerely.

I almost snorted. He is going through a lot. Not the half of it compared to me. Fucking insensitive ass!

"It's fine." I gritted my teeth through a tight smile.

We continued our little tour of the Cullen mansion. Our next stop was the final floor. We climbed the steep wooden stairs at a human pace; I glanced at the paintings lined up on the walls leading upstairs. I recognized a painting I had seen in Carlisle's study back in Forks. The painting of the Volturi. I remember Edward telling me stories about them. I cringed at the memory and tried to wipe my mind of that period of my life, it didn't help I had photographic memory. I sighed internally, but luckily we reached the top of the staircase.

The first bedroom was Carlisle's and Esme's. Windows lined the white painted walls. The maple ceiling was very high; overall the room was very spacious. A large king size bed sat in the center of the room. It was covered in a fluffy white comforter, a mound of decorative pillows were placed on top. There was a beautiful stone fireplace directly in front of the bed on the opposing wall. It was a gorgeous room.

"This is a beautiful room Esme! Did you design it yourself?"

"Thank you Izzy! As a matter of fact I did, I love room design. It is one of my many passions." She responded brightly touched by my words.

"Well, you did an amazing job!"

The next room Esme showed me was Emmett and Rosalie's. It was black and white themed, again very spacious, a large king sized bed sat in the middle covered in a soft black comforter and half a dozen white pillows. The walls were covered with mirrors. Typical Rosalie. Across from the bed, a huge flat screen TV was mounted to the wall along with a shelf filled with different gaming systems. Typical Emmett. I laughed internally.

I followed Esme out of the exit and we made our way into a girly room. This is gotta be Alice's bedroom.

"This is Jasper and Alice's bedroom."

I burst out into a fit of giggles. "How did Jasper agree to letting Alice paint the room PINK!?" I asked through giggles.

Esme laughed along with me.

This room definitely represented Alice. Two of the four walls were painted hot pink as for the other two, they were white. The king size bed was enveloped with a black and white flowered bedspread accessorized with black and white decorative pillows. On one side of the room, there was a vanity surrounded by shelves and drawers filled with beauty items. Rows of colourful bottles of nail polish on display, drawers stocked with high end makeup, shelves holding various types of hair products. This was so Alice. In front was a small light pink spinning chair. Beside her 'little' setup was a door which I assumed to be her enormous walk in closet. There were little traces of Jasper in the room such as a small side table on the left side of the bed that displayed small figurine soldiers from the Civil War.

Esme showed me three of their guest bedrooms, all beautifully done but one stuck out to me most. It was painted beige and had a four poster bed straight in the center. The bed was covered in velvet material that matched the curtains draped over the glassy windows. A small nightstand stood beside the bed, and a wooden desk in the corner of the room. A shag rug covered the hard wood floors. There was a large closet as well, beside a tall mirror.

"Wow Esme, you are amazing at interior design!" Just like back in Forks.

"Thank you dear." Esme replied in her calm gentle voice.

The tour was coming to an end. We were headed to the room I dreaded most. Edward's bedroom. Esme pulled the door open and stepped inside. I hesitated, Esme motioned me to follow her inside. Reluctantly I walked in to be assaulted with very familiar but painful memories. Edward had his room designed identical to the one in Forks. The diminishing hole in my chest opened up; ripping open all the wounds I had tried to patch up. Sadness, pain and rejection flowed through me as I looked around. An exact replica of the black leather couch in Forks, the white bookcases filled with various types of music, the stereo. Everything was the same as their old house. I repressed the urge to breakdown.

"This is Edward's room."

I tried to push the depressing emotion away, but it was much too strong. Remember what he did to you. Immediately as the words he told me that fateful day in the woods replayed on loop over and over. That was all I needed, I turned the sadness to anger which bubbled inside of me.

"Nice room." I grounded my teeth together. I couldn't take my anger out on Esme.

"Yes, would you like to back downstairs now?"

"Uh, sure." I said. Maybe I could finally get out of here and return to New York.

Esme led me downstairs. The Cullens all sat in the living room chatting, except for Edward. He must still be upstairs.

"Well, it was nice to meet you guys, I should probably head back to my hotel now, I'm going back to New York soon." I said, fairly rushed.

"Oh but Izzy! We haven't even gotten to go shopping yet! I love your clothes soo much! Please, instead of going back to the hotel, stay here!" Alice pleaded, full of enthusiasm.

I was about to protest, but I realized how much I truly missed my best friend.

"Uh, I don't want to impose."

"Nonsense, it would be our pleasure." Carlisle agreed with Alice.

"I don't have any of my stuff though."

"Izzy, we can go shopping tomorrow for new stuff!" Alice yelled happily.

"Are you guys sure?" Please say no.

"Of course! You can stay in one of the guest bedrooms." Esme smiled.

"Um, okay. I guess I'm staying for a couple days then." I announced.

Should I be happy about this? What's up with all these strange emotions? I should have said no! What have I gotten myself into?

Hope you liked this chapter, but this is only going to get better. Time for some rising action starting probably next chapter. Wait and see. But in the meantime… Please review! It would make my day to get to 25 reviews or maybe 30? Love you guys!