Chapter 13
The days following the field trip, things changed a bit at school. Me and Vera sort of became minor celebrities for "heroic actions" although Vera felt the adoration and attention she received was overblown, which made people like her more, especially the male students for her modesty.
When news came out that I wouldn't be Bradley's prom date, Vera wasn't the only getting attention from guys and she got those look 'n' learn and put those lessons to good use.
As for Bradley and his pose they had lots of detention and community service which they had to do or get banned from prom. Bradley tried getting back me as a date, which I still refused to do.
It had been unusually cold and over night Forks was blanketed by thin snow. There's something enchanting about that initial snowfall, how it makes people get infectiously unabashed, giddy and just plain goofy, something the Cullen kids weren't immune to even Edward. People were outside making snowmen, having snow fights.
The snowball fights initially a battle royale with anyone outside was fair game then motely teams started forming. Kareena got me, Vera and Lucy into that maelstrom of flying snowballs when we saw Heather despite being outnumbered and overwhelmed by others throwing snowballs at her, stubbornly kept hurling snowballs stood her ground even though fleeing was sensible. Using Lucy's books as shields, we ran past the gauntlet of snowball fire to Heather's aid. What a difference we made to our sister in arms, now Heather wasn't bearing the brunt of the snowball assault and we dealing out hits to the others than they were.
I spotted my family engaged in snow battles mostly amongst each other, as the few brave people attacking stopped after being accurately hit in the face and getting frustrated by how hard it was to nail a Cullen with snowballs. I saw Emmett's snowballs people particularly hard while he gracefully dodged their counter strikes he caught me looking at him and he gave me a cheeky gorgeous smile that just I couldn't resist dazzled me so, I didn't notice 2 students poised to attack until it was too late. That's what happens when you get distracted during a snowball battle, it wasn't a few moments Emmett triumphantly avenged me and I sort of went with him to other battles. Our guy friends joined my sisters in arms and I rejoined them.
The air was filled with fits of laughter, the thud of snowball impacts, the crunch of snow underfoot, friends and people all having some lite hearted fun.
Emmett holding a massive snowball that would be better described as a cannonball pointing at Vera, I shook my head no my lips mouthing "Don't do it."
Emmett just smiled nodding "yeah I will!" and launched the snow ball towards Vera. I called out to Vera to warn her, when she saw it she just braced for impact.
SLAM! On the snow. Emmett's and loud booming set of an avalanche of exclamations of "Ooohh!" and "Did you see that?!" and "DAMN!" followed by bursts of laughter filled the air. We rushed over to Vera and Jack. Vera looking down was confused as to how Jack ended on ground huffing and puffing hard.
"What– Jack? Are you okay? How? Why?"
"Yeah I'm fine." he answered. "I saw you were about to be hit by that huge snowball and without thinking sort of went all Superman."
Seeing that he was fine we gave the 2 a bit of space
Seeming oblivious to us Vera said to Jack: "Well next time you play hero don't so reckless."
Rolling his eyes Jack replied: "I wasn't going to let that snowball take you out."
"I wouldn't ask to take a hit for me." Vera said.
"Even if you'd have asked me not to, I would've done anyway. Besides you can ask me anything but to sit by and do nothing when you need me. You're worth it okay." With a hint of embarrassment creeping in at the last part
With a faint blush creeping on her face said: "If I ask anything, then you can anything too."
Jack hesitated at 1st and said: "It's kinda awkward to ask this, –" hesitated as if this might be embarrassing we waited to hear what we hoped he'd ask, " –W-would you, err Mmmm– help me up."
It took every ounce of restraint not to face palm myself, unlike 1 of the girls who went "Huh?" while Luke gave Jack what could be described as a disappointed look.
Vera seemed momentarily a bit embarrassed, but quickly tried hiding it by babbling as she helped him up.
The bell rang and we all went returned for classes not before we made Emmett pay.
After the snow blanked wonderland fun and games, classes seemed to be tediously insipid and dragged on sluggishly. We couldn't wait to return to outdoors to the snow.
Chapter 13
The days following the field trip, things changed a bit at school. Me and Vera sort of became minor celebrities for "heroic actions" although Vera felt the adoration and attention she received was overblown, which made people like her more, especially the male students for her modesty.
When news came out that I wouldn't be Bradley's prom date, Vera wasn't the only getting attention from guys and she got those look 'n' learn and put those lessons to good use.
As for Bradley and his pose they had lots of detention and community service which they had to do or get banned from prom. Bradley tried getting back me as a date, which I still refused to do.
It had been unusually cold and over night Forks was blanketed by thin snow. There's something enchanting about that initial snowfall, how it makes people get infectiously unabashed, giddy and just plain goofy, something the Cullen kids weren't immune to even Edward. People were outside making snowmen, having snow fights.
The snowball fights initially a battle royale with anyone outside was fair game then motely teams started forming. Kareena got me, Vera and Lucy into that maelstrom of flying snowballs when we saw Heather despite being outnumbered and overwhelmed by others throwing snowballs at her, stubbornly kept hurling snowballs stood her ground even though fleeing was sensible. Using Lucy's books as shields, we ran past the gauntlet of snowball fire to Heather's aid. What a difference we made to our sister in arms, now Heather wasn't bearing the brunt of the snowball assault and we dealing out hits to the others than they were.
I spotted my family engaged in snow battles mostly amongst each other, as the few brave people attacking stopped after being accurately hit in the face and getting frustrated by how hard it was to nail a Cullen with snowballs. I saw Emmett's snowballs people particularly hard while he gracefully dodged their counter strikes he caught me looking at him and he gave me a cheeky gorgeous smile that just I couldn't resist dazzled me so, I didn't notice 2 students poised to attack until it was too late. That's what happens when you get distracted during a snowball battle, it wasn't a few moments Emmett triumphantly avenged me and I sort of went with him to other battles. Our guy friends joined my sisters in arms and I rejoined them.
The air was filled with fits of laughter, the thud of snowball impacts, the crunch of snow underfoot, friends and people all having some lite hearted fun.
Emmett holding a massive snowball that would be better described as a cannonball pointing at Vera, I shook my head no my lips mouthing "Don't do it."
Emmett just smiled nodding "yeah I will!" and launched the snow ball towards Vera. I called out to Vera to warn her, when she saw it she just braced for impact.
SLAM! On the snow. Emmett's and loud booming set of an avalanche of exclamations of "Ooohh!" and "Did you see that?!" and "DAMN!" followed by bursts of laughter filled the air. We rushed over to Vera and Jack. Vera looking down was confused as to how Jack ended on ground huffing and puffing hard.
"What– Jack? Are you okay? How? Why?"
"Yeah I'm fine." he answered. "I saw you were about to be hit by that huge snowball and without thinking sort of went all Superman."
Seeing that he was fine we gave the 2 a bit of space
Seeming oblivious to us Vera said to Jack: "Well next time you play hero don't so reckless."
Rolling his eyes Jack replied: "I wasn't going to let that snowball take you out."
"I wouldn't ask to take a hit for me." Vera said.
"Even if you'd have asked me not to, I would've done anyway. Besides you can ask me anything but to sit by and do nothing when you need me. You're worth it okay." With a hint of embarrassment creeping in at the last part
With a faint blush creeping on her face said: "If I ask anything, then you can anything too."
Jack hesitated at 1st and said: "It's kinda awkward to ask this, –" hesitated as if this might be embarrassing we waited to hear what we hoped he'd ask, " –W-would you, err Mmmm– help me up."
It took every ounce of restraint not to face palm myself, unlike 1 of the girls who went "Huh?" while Luke gave Jack what could be described as a disappointed look.
Vera seemed momentarily a bit embarrassed, but quickly tried hiding it by babbling as she helped him up.
The bell rang and we all went returned for classes not before we made Emmett pay.
After the snow blanked wonderland fun and games, classes seemed to be tediously insipid and dragged on sluggishly. We couldn't wait to return to outdoors to the snow.
Later after school"Really, that's the next part of this plan? This real life not some movie." Vera said.
"With my help, you'll feel like a movie star. This'll be great!" Alice added.
"It seems a bit silly to go through all that effort, like something so frivolous might get Jack to ask out to prom." Vera said.
Which earned a scoff and an annoyed pout from Alice, like someone told a diehard Lionel Messi fan that Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player ever. "Hhmm! I'll forgive that faux pas when you see it's not silly or frivolous." She said with folded arms.
"You'd be surprised how much of a boost it can give you, enough to maybe ask him out to prom yourself. Like you could've done back at recess " I told Vera.
"I can't do that! It would look desperate, if guys like us they're suppose to ask us out, not the other way round." Vera said.
"Says who? It's not desperate to do so, this is the 21st century women can do what hell they want. Remember what I said?"
"That looks help but it takes, tenacity, charm and audacious cunning to get who I want –" Vera answered in a deflated tone. Adding: "– but you also said they don't guarantee success."
In those last 4 words were loaded with the faint echo of her pent-up past insecurities and self doubts. Hearing her so discouraged made me more determined to help her to at least help her build her confidence.
"Vee, look I won't promise you things will work out the way you want but at least if you'll have tried that's pretty brave of you. Here's a deal if you can't get prom date, I'll be at prom without a date too." I told Vera
Looking at me like I'm Vera protested: "No way Rose, you can't do that! I won't allow you to be dateless because of me!"
"If so, you agree to let us help you this weekend?"
"Oh, alright. It's a date." Vera said.
"Oh good! Cause when we're done with you Jack will be eating out your hand. This'll be so fun!" Alice said gleefully.
Alice talked about our weekend plans. Vera glanced at me with a overwhelmed look that said, "What did I get myself into!" in her eyes. I found it so amusing I turned to the other way to not offend as quietly chuckled. never did I ever think me and my 2 best friends, my adopted vampire sister and my normal friend would hangout together. I hoped we could do this more often, I imagined scenarios that would bring us together again.
I spotted Isabella waving goodbye at Edward as she went to her car.
I heard the screeching car brakes Seeing something streak in front of the Chevy, and then the thud of metal on metal.
"OH MY GOD!! NO!!!" Vera said. Looking at the direction of the sound, I saw a car pressed up against Isabella's Chevy.
Drawn to the accident site by a combination of morbid curiosity, an unlikely hope she miraculously behavior, and fear that the streak wasn't what I thought it was, I went. A crowd was gathering at the scene.
Another one said: "They're okay! Just don't move help is on the way."
Someone shouted: "CALL AN AMBULANCE!"
As I saw who saved Isabella's life I thought. YOU SON OF A BITCH!!
Vera looked at us saying: "Thank goodness your brother seems okay."
All gathered in the dining room area to discuss Edward's idiotic behavior.
My official "cousin" would usually be using his gift to calm everyone's emotions around him, rather than radiating his raw anxiety and anger which he was doing pinching the bridge of his nose glaring lividly at Edward.
"WHAT! THE! FUUCKK! EDWARD!!!" Jasper seethed-"Do you have any idea the danger you've put us all in?!!"
"Jasper! Language please!" Esme said.
Looking at Esme Jasper looked at her apologetically for his outburst and Alice tried soothing Jasper by rubbing his back, which calmed him a bit.
Carlisle ever so diplomatically tried steering the meeting on the matter at hand. "We're here to discuss what to do about the situation with Isabella's incident."
"Yeah! explain yourself EDWARD!! It'd better be really a good reason for EXPOSING US!!!" I angrily demanded.
For a while he looked annoyed at me, not that I cared and I stared back at him with greater annoyance. I thought: "Well go on! Unlike you I'm actually getting older by the minute. This isn't just about me but the mess you gotten ALL OF US IN!!"
Conceding I had a good point he sighed and calmed himself down saying "Very well. I sorry for the trouble I've caused I didn't mean to. I acted impulsively trying to avert 1 calamity yet caused another. When Bella was about to be crushed–"
"Bella?" I asked.
"Yes what that's Isabella Swan prefers to be called." Edward answered and then continued: "As I was saying. If Bella had been crushed and ended up bleeding I don't know if I'd be able to resist lapping up her blood right then and there in public. Again I'm sorry."
"Too late now but why didn't you get as far away from the scene and let what ever happens, happen? It would've been a lot less complicated if you did." A less angry Jasper stated.
I did agree it would've been best if he had.
"We might have to consider our options" Jasper said.
"I don't think that would be necessary she assured me she'll stick to the public story." Edward answered.
"How can you be sure? Normally I'd trust Edward assessment of humans but not so much anymore it's so confusing." Jasper said.
Carlisle mulled it over and said: "I'm aware Bella is impervious to Edward's abilities but I don't think Bella will expose us. She lied to her father for us and if she started deviating from the official story we could cast enough doubt that it's PTSD."
"Sure! It's still a risk but it'd be best we tie up some… loose ends." Jasper said.
I agreed with him, I started thinking of ways to "silence her" that would look accidental. Getting wind of my thoughts Edward hissing at me.
Alarmed by this Esme briskly walked in front of me holding out her hands saying: "Edward, calm down. Let's do anything hasty and talk like civilized people…please?"
Edward worked on calming down. He explained what had upset him.
Esme voiced her disapproval at the prospect of putting a parent through the hell of burying a child, as did Carlisle. Realizing they'd be willing to do anything other than kill Isabella to keep the secret of the Cullen's true nature.
Realizing the next logical step Emmett asked: "So how are we going to skip town without it being too sketchy?"
"Oh! Hell no!! I've found a home and I'm going to loose it so soon and that's if the Volturi don't wipe us out all because dumbass Speedy Gonzalez–" I said glaring at Edward "– didn't want to see his snack get turned into a pancake!"
"It's not like THAT!!" Edward growled.
I could feel an intrusive calm enveloping me, I didn't want to be calm I wanted to rain down fire and fury on Edward for his recklessness. Try as I might couldn't resist the calmness, looking at Jasper he looked at me apologetically before adding his 2 cent's worth.
"Edward your feelings are confusing, you feel revulsion towards her, while excited anticipation, fear and just now there was anger and sadness at her…demise, all the while an intense blood lust I've never felt before."
Jasper reiterated it'd be best Bella be "eliminated" he said: "She's seen too much and apart from that, the lure of her blood puts her in danger. So why delay the inevitable it'll be quick and painless I assure you."
Looking angrier than before shouted: "NO!!!! I'll do everything to not endanger Bella's life! She'll not be punished for my weakness and I'll protect with everything I can!!" he declared vociferously wrathful.
Edward and Jasper stared tensely at each other focusing to not do anything they'll later regret, which caused the rage Jasper smothered to return, thinking about how much this girl's causing I wondered if I went all gremlin on that beat up Chevy of hers it wouldn't raise a lot of suspicions.
"DON'T YOU DARE– ROSALIE!!!" Edward's sudden snapping frightened me out of my scheming and making me flinch.
Emmett dashed by my side issuing a warning hiss to Edward.
After I recovered my anger returned:"STAY OUT OF MY HEAD!! It just an errant thought! Though maybe her elimination wouldn't be such a bad thing. Look at us! At each other's throats, the blood lust you have and I don't like her curiosity with us–OH– before I forget the little stunt you pulled! People die all the time, she could've died without knowing what hit her! If you'd have let left to her fate our secret would be safe" I snapped back.
"Like we should've let you die! Well Rosalie–" saying my name venomously "– you're only here because againstour better judgement WE didn't leave you to your fate! It's not your secret, IT'S OUR SECRET, you're in this meeting as a courtesy." Edward said.
That cut deep, I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction letting his tirade sting me. He'd have hell to pay.
The rage his words sparked, exploded: "WELL EDWARD!! When I learned YOUR SECRET I vowed I'd never endanger YOOOURRR secret! IF YOU want to see someone risking your secret…LOOK IN THE FUCKING MIRROR EDWARD!!! LOOK IN THE FUCKING MIRROR!!!"
Thoughts flowed of him feeding on humans and Isabella horrified seeing him for what he really was and him about to kill Bella.
That had the desired effect of him shuddering.
Carlisle said "Enough! Both of you. Edward, Rosalie is an equal member of this family an..."
"HA! HA! HHHAA!! HHAA! HA HA!" came Alice's cackle that disrupted Carlisle.
We all looked at Alice confused whilst Jasper tinged with concern, given her former human life I hoped she hadn't snapped.
"Nn-ooo!" A mortified Edward said shaking his head defiantly: "It can't be. It won't be."
"OH yes it is!" Alice ecstatically replied and continued maniacally laughing.
A worried Jasper asked: "What did you see, Alice?"
Surprising him with a kiss. "OH! Jasper, it's about that girl! Bella!" Alice excitedly answered with a musical edge to her voice.
"I can't hurt that girl like that." Edward dejectedly said.
Contradicting Edward's mood Alice happily replied: "Oh, she'll won't see it like that, quite the opposite actually! Oh Jasper, I'd very, very, ver-rrr-ryy upset if you harmed Bella just like Edward would be." Alice smiled brightly turning to a stunned Edward and wiggling her eyebrows at him.
"Why would you, if the girl got hurt?" Jasper asked.
This set another fit of laughter from her and explained: "Because that girl is, his girl, Jasper."
"His girl?" a confused Jasper stated.
"Come on Jasper think about it, those intense feelings, that yearning to see her, the fierce protectiveness how he's just that bit happier because she's his girl. His Belle or more accurately His Bella. After they get together we'll be sisters! A new Cullen!" She excitedly said.
The implications of what Alice were sinking in Edward was…in love… with Bella.
"Wait!! Edward is in love? With a girl? Like he likes an actual girl?" Emmett asked a bit amused like Alice.
"Y-yee-EEES-SSS!!! A new a addition to our family!" she jubilantly answered.
"Alice, this isn't a fairytale romance, it could end in disaster. It would be a tragedy" Edward said.
"At 1st it would have been, the odds were bad that nothing was going to develop between you two. I'm glad to say when you left and ever since you returned the odds have been getting better you'll resist killing her and the more that happens the better the chances of something developing." Alice optimistically said. "I propose a vote in favor of staying."
"If the future you foresee can end safely and peaceful for us and Isabella then I say we can stay." Esme said.
"Things just got interesting. We can always skip town if things go south, so I say stay!" Emmett nonchalantly said.
"In light of the new development, I vote we stay…IF any of you won't… attack Isabella Swan. Is that agreed?" Carlisle asked.
We all agreed, then I asked: "I want to but what if Edward kills her?"
Answering me Carlisle responded "I hope he doesn't but in the unfortunate event he does, we'll leave Forks."
With everyone agreeing that we'll stay in Forks and not harm that Isabella girl, the meeting concluded.
I thought to myself this girl is nothing but trouble as I went to our gym to work off a lot of steam.
