Part VII 'Hello Sunshine, Goodbye Sparkles"

Chapter 22

Bella wandered through the forest, lost in thought. She had just finished feeding on a deer, and now she was headed to her usual spot to practice her abilities. She had been training for months since she first discovered her "mind blaster" power as she liked to refer to it and she had gotten much more proficient. It was a power that both frightened and intrigued her, and she couldn't help but wonder how far she could push it.

As she walked, she reflecting on her progress so far. She had learned that her explosive power didn't need to come out of her hand. By focusing her thoughts, she could direct the energy to any point in her mind's eye. She had been working on controlling its output, from a tiny spark to a full-on explosion that could do significant damage. She had even gone to a remote location and unleashed everything she could muster to create an impressive giant crater where a large rock outcropping once stood. It was both exhilarating and terrifying to see the extent of her power.

Despite her concerns of losing control, Bella was confident in her abilities. She had been practicing every day, honing her skills and exploring the limits of what she could do. Even now while she walked to her training spot, she was already practicing. She was creating small shields underneath her feet as she walked. These shields were three feet in the air so one could say she was literally 'walking on air'. It required all of her concentration to maintain the shields, which was why she was moving slowly. She had been working on this technique for weeks, and it was starting to feel more natural. As she approached her training spot, she sat down and really started to train with her powers.

It had been three weeks since Bella returned to school, and her second year of college was shaping up to be just as successful as the first. She had been keeping in touch with her core group of friends and frequently met up with them on campus during breaks between classes. This year, Bella had several new courses, including her favorite: a writing class that took a critical look at different writing styles throughout the centuries. It was the perfect combination of her love for classic literature and the opportunity to explore it in a new way.

Bella was particularly drawn to writing and had even begun toying with the idea of writing a novel. Although her plate was already quite full, she couldn't help but let her vampire brain churn with ideas and make notes for future use. She knew it wasn't something she could tackle right now, but the prospect of someday sharing her stories with others excited her. For now, she was content to learn from her writing class and improve her skills, which would undoubtedly come in handy in the future.

Bella hadn't had the chance to see her parents since her visit with them a year ago, but she had made an effort to stay in touch with them. Despite being caught up with her studies and extracurricular activities, Bella cherished her relationship with her parents and was looking forward to seeing them again. She had even planned a trip to visit her mother later in the year when she had a break from school.

However, at the moment, Bella was focused on something else entirely. She was on her way to audition for a role in her theater groups upcoming production of Grease, which would debut in a few months. Being an active member of the group, Bella hoped to make a good impression on the director and land a coveted role. As she arrived at the audition, she felt a mixture of nerves and excitement. The director asked her to read lines from several of the main female characters, and Bella delivered each line with precision and poise. She even impressed the director when he asked her to sing some of the songs. After the audition, Bella felt optimistic about her chances of getting a meaty role, and she eagerly awaited the casting announcement.

Bella had been content with her life in Denver, but lately, a desire to explore the world had been growing within her. The only time she had left the country was her brief trip to Italy, which had not been pleasant. Nevertheless, Bella was determined to broaden her horizons and immerse herself in different cultures. She began researching study abroad programs offered by her university and was thrilled to discover they had one in Paris. Bella promptly applied without hesitation, eager to spend her third year of school in the City of Lights.

Paris held an array of historical sites and museums that Bella was excited to visit. Additionally, she was keen to expand her artistic abilities and take classes in various disciplines. Bella had always had an interest in art, particularly painting and sculpting, and this opportunity was perfect for her. The idea of immersing herself in different European cultures thrilled her.

If she got accepted into the study abroad program she would prepare before she left and learn several European native languages. The Cullen's seemed to be able to speak pretty much any language. Bella had quizzed them on many when she was a human. They had explained that it is easy for vampires to learn new languages. However, Bella has not yet attempted to learn any languages. If she was accepted she would learn French first, and if that went well, she would learn Italian, followed by the other European languages. Finally if she got to Europe it would give her a better chance to meet other vampires. When the Volturi guards Felix and Demetri had visited a couple years ago she had told them she would visit Volterra when she made it to Europe. The Cullen's were really the only vampires she had interacted with so far and she was curious how other vampire groups lived. Now that she was a vampire herself the thought of going to meet the Volturi again seemed exciting unlike her last experience with them.

A week later and Bella was bursting with excitement, she rushed into her home almost ripping off the front door and found her family, Alice and Jasper, seated together on the sofa.

"Alice! Jasper! I got it! I got it!" she exclaimed.

Jasper looked at the excited Bella and said, "Calm down, Bella. Got what?"

"I just got the leading female role in the production of Grease. I'll be playing Sandy!" Bella said, her excitement growing.

"That's fantastic, Bella! I'm so proud of you," Jasper replied, a smile on his face.

Turning to her pixie-sized friend, Bella asked, "Did you see this coming, Alice?"

"Well, now that you mention it, I did see it this morning, but I didn't want to ruin the surprise for you," Alice replied, grinning at her friend.

Bella continued "The show begins rehearsals immediately, and the first showing is in two months. I want to invite the whole family for opening night. Jasper, could you film the show on another night? I'd love to send copies to my parents. I wish they could be here but.. Well you know."

"Absolutely, Bella. We can do that," Jasper replied, smiling at her.

Bella spent an extensive amount of time rehearsing her lines, mastering the dance moves, and learning all the songs for the production. She was thrilled to discover that she could learn the choreography with ease. She knew her clumsiness had ended the day she became a vampire but she was grateful to find that she was now quite graceful for any type of moves she was asked to learn.

One weekend, Bella visited the Cullens, and they decided to throw a dance party to teach her various dance styles, including some that had become less popular over time.

"Thanks for your help, everyone. What types of dancing would you like to teach me?" Bella asked, looking at the Cullens. They had cleared out the living room, providing a large area for them to "cut a rug," as Esme put it.

"I believe you should learn the waltz," Rosalie said with a smile. "It's a classic dance style that has been popular for centuries, and it's still used today in ballroom dancing. Plus, it's elegant and romantic, and I think it would suit you, Bella."

Esme nodded in agreement. "Yes, the waltz is such a beautiful dance. Carlisle, remember how much fun we had at the dance halls after you taught it to me."

"And after that, let's all do the foxtrot," Esme continued. "It's a fun and playful dance that originated in the early 1900s, and it's still danced today. You'll love that one, Bella. It's perfect for showing off your fancy footwork."

"That sounds like fun! What's the footwork like?" Bella asked, excited to learn more.

"If you want to have fun, Bella, let's learn the jitterbug! You'll love it," Emmett interrupted, his eyes shining with excitement.

Jasper grinned and felt he needed to get his two cents in, "I was always partial to the Texas Two-Step. It's a great country dance, and it reminds me of home. I remember when I was a human, I used to go to barn dances with my friends, and we would dance the night away."

Alice added, "I was always partial to the Charleston, Bella. It was all the craze during the roaring twenties. The flapper dresses, the jazz music, it was such a lively time. I can still remember the sound of the brass band and the swish of my fringe dress as I danced."

Esme smiled at Alice's enthusiasm. "Yes, the Charleston was quite a dance craze back in the day. But what about the minuet, Carlisle?"

Carlisle smiled. "Ah yes, the minuet. I remember when I stayed with the Volturi, they had many social gatherings where we did the minuet. It's a formal dance that was popular in the 18th century, and it requires a lot of grace and poise. It was a favorite of the aristocrats, I'd be happy to teach it to everyone."

Esme, who had been watching them all give suggestions with a smile, spoke up again, "How about the tango, Bella? It's a passionate dance that requires a lot of chemistry between the partners. Carlisle and I used to dance the tango during the 1920s, and it was always a hit."

Bella was thrilled at the variety of dances the Cullens were suggesting. "Wow, there are so many to choose from! I can't wait to try them all." She felt it was like stepping back in time and experiencing a piece of history.

The Cullens were equally eager to get started, and soon the living room was filled with lively music and laughter as they began to teach Bella the steps and techniques of each dance. Emmett guided Bella through the jitterbug, showing her how to let loose and enjoy the rhythm of the music.

Emmett and Rosalie then demonstrated the passionate and energetic moves of the tango, while Jasper and Alice showed off their synchronized footwork in the Texas Two-Step. Carlisle and Esme gracefully led Bella and the others through the elegant and sophisticated movements of the minuet.

As the night wore on, Bella found herself laughing and twirling around the room with the Cullens. They all moved gracefully together in each dance, the room filled with the sound of their footsteps and the music they danced to. By the end of the night, Bella had learned more than just dance moves; she had learned about the Cullens' rich history and their experiences through the centuries.

Bella had put in countless hours of hard work, rehearsing her lines and perfecting her dance moves with her fellow performers. As the curtains lifted and she stepped onto the stage, she felt a rush of excitement and anticipation. The packed theater was a sight to behold, and she couldn't help but smile at the thought of performing in front of such a large audience. Bella's confidence was palpable as she delivered her lines flawlessly and danced effortlessly to the music. Being on stage, performing for others, was an electrifying experience that she knew she would never tire of. As the show went on, Bella felt a sense of fulfillment knowing that she had prepared well and was able to showcase her talents to the world. It was a moment she would always cherish and remember fondly.

The show was a remarkable success, receiving rave reviews from all who saw it. Bella's performance was particularly noted, leaving the director and cast members praising her exceptional acting abilities and predicting a bright future for her in the industry. Bella was flattered by their compliments, but knew she could only do something like this occasionally as she could not stay in the public eye for extended periods of time. The production lasted for a month, with every performance being sold out.

To share her accomplishment with her parents, Jasper filmed the entire show, being careful to avoid capturing any shots that would reveal Bella not being truthful on where she was living. Bella then sent the video as a surprise to her parents. They were ecstatic and astounded by her remarkable acting abilities. They could not find the right words to express how proud they were of their extraordinary daughter.

Bella's first semester of her second year had gone smoothly. After the end of her play's run, she was able to focus on her classes and continue learning. She had gotten so good at interacted with humans she didn't really have to think about it anymore. She thought her acting classes helped a lot and taught her how to fully immerse herself in the role she wanted to play. Even though it was disgusting she ate with her friends all the time. She knew from seeing it firsthand that other people viewed the Cullens as strange, and one of the reasons was that they never ate in front of anyone. Alice liked to joke with Bella that she had an eating disorder as when ever she came home she went straight to the bathroom to throw up. Bella found her friends comments amusing but not while in the act which was quite disgusting.